Michigan has one of the best run games around. They do it with some intricate schemes. They are exciting to watch running the football and combine it with an efficient play action game. Some of the schemes have come from their relationship with the Ravens, as you will see some of the Ravens schemes in the Michigan offense.
In this article:
(1) Inside Zone
(2) Zone read slice
(3) H Back Trap
(4) Pin and Pull
(5) Counter
Inside Zone
2 examples of Inside zone were huge gains vs Ohio State
Vs Michigan they run Inside zone and catch Ohio State in a stunt. Knowles is in his Hybrid 4-2-5 front and they run a game with the stand up player to the side of the back. The nose guard goes b gap to the side of the rb and that LB loops to the play side A. The LB to the side of #7 who is off goes off a and the will LB has the b gap. Knowles made this famous at Oklahoma St. (See my post on it)
https://coachkoufootball.blogspot.com/2022/04/ohio-state-defense-2022-under-jim.html
You can see the movement as Michigan handles the hybrid LB and nose and the center is waiting for the LB who needs to get play side A gap.
The center picks up the LB and the frontside guard and tackle do a great job handling the LB and de. Look at the crease it creates. The cb is in man coverage so he has to take the #1 wr who just runs him off and they are off to the races.
You can see the hole opening up and the RB is off to the races.
Below you see the cb getting run off by the #1 wr
The same play on the next series
The defense 4-3 cover 0
Both DT are playing A gaps. The problem on this play is the MLB doesn't scrape over the top to the play side b gap and they get a huge gain on the play. The scheme was sound but the LB has to get b gap with the play side olb filling outside in. Good design but nice execution by Michigan.
Straight Cover 0, Safety walked up to the H back side.
End Zone view
they go double a gaps with the DT
Gap responsibly and they are plus 2 in the run game.
The mike doesn't get over the top and the center reaches the play side a gap DT which creates a seem. Nice job by Michigan Center on both run plays. Nice job up friend as they get enough push to create a seem for the rb.
DT can't get off, mike gets caught in the wash and Edwards gets the seem he needs.
Nice run and execution.
2 plays I really like are there H trap vs odd fronts and the zone read with both h backs leading if the ball is pulled.
#1 H Trap
Michigan runs unique h trap vs Wisconsin who is in an odd front.
A couple interesting parts about this play.
#1 They go trips unbalanced to the boundary
12 personnel
#2 They trap with the h back but also running iso with the fb.
They end up trapping with the h back and leading the other fb on the LB. It is a nice scheme and design with the fan on the frontside.
They ran this vs Wisconsin. 
Nice job on the trap block vs the odd tight front alignment with the 2 defensive ends playing 4i.
They get a nice block and you can see the left side fanning it.
Here's 2 clips of the trap play vs the odd front.
Zone Read:
Michigan end over with 2 backs in the backfield. They bring the wr in motion and run the zone read with 2 lead blockers. It's a great counter for the teams that spill it because now you can get the 2nd h back on the lb after the de spills it. It's a nice change up and design in the run game.
Here's the zone read with 2 lead blockers. They can do it with 2 h backs or motioning with a wr and doing that way as well.
QB makes the good read
They get 2 on 2 on the perimeter.
TE seems and they get the good blocking on the perimeter.
See the clip below.
Another version of the same play. This time they come out in 3x1 and come back to the single side with it. Nice job of getting both h backs out in front and this play is a touchdown if the safety doesn't Make a great play. Penn State was trying to spill it and the h backs read it and get on the edge. Again a great scheme and Nice play by the Penn State td stopping it from being a td.
Penn State tries to spill it and the h backs get on the perimeter.
They get the 2 blockers on the perimeter.
Here is the clip of the play.
One more version of the play for a nice 15 yard gain.
Again they get the 2 blockers leading it.
De plays the RB which allows the 2 blockers to get on the edge and lead block it.
They have a nice situation as both H backs turn the corner.
Good play design and execution.
Counter
Michigan will run some great counter blocking schemes.
Vs Ohio State, they get a 4-3 vs 12 so they decide to run it away from the tight end at the 1 technique. They pull the center and tackle on the play to create better angles.
see it start to develop.
They get the guard on the good kickout
Good execution.
Here's the same scheme vs Washington. They pull the center and h back vs the 4-2 front to the side of the 2i.
LG- block the 2i
LT block play side LB
C- pull and kick out
RG-block DT 3 tech his side
RT-Block DE to his side.
H-pull and look for lb
Center makes a good block as they take advantage of the angle.
The h leads thru and its a nice gain.
Nice job as the RB breaks free.
Pin and PullThe Pin and pull is a major play in the offense and they can block it various ways with different pullers depending on leverage to gain advantages by creating angles.
They go trips to the field and Penn State goes corner over. They have the OLB to the bottom of the screen. The Tackle does a nice job on the play kicking the olb out and the running back reads the block nicely and cuts it inside. They get good angles and run it for a 15 yard gain.
The OT kicks out and the rb reads it and makes an excellent cut. Nice job on the read.
They get the nice kickout and the RB turns it up.
Big gain.
Here/s another big run vs Penn State 3x1. They run it again to the backside te side of 3x1.
Get the ball on the edge and hit it for a big gain.
They seal the outside and get the nice pull by the lineman
Tackle kicks out the olb, the guard logs the other inside lb and they are off for a nice 7- yard gain.
They get the tackle and guard on the outside which makes the play.
RB breaks free for a good gain on the play/
See clip below.
Vs Colorado State-They run it at the 1 tech or 2i. They get a 2i and a 9 tech(end outside)
The Scheme
TE-block the corner
PST-block down
PSG block the 2i
Center-pull and kickout
Backside Guard-block 3 tech
Backside Tackle-pull for the LB
Nice scheme and design
even front
They pull the center and backside tackle on it.
good execution.
Vs under front on the goaline, they run it with the wing te with a 2i(tough to tell, 5 and a 9)
PSW-blocks the 9
TE-blocks the 5
T-blocks down
G-pulls and kicks
C-logs the lb
backside og, to cut off.
You see the RG and Center pull on it.
They get a great down block and and both the Center and guard on the perimeter.
RB reads the kickoff and they get a nice run for the TD.
Here's 3 additional clips of the Michigan Pin and Pull.
I hope you enjoyed this article and the Clips of the Michigan Run Offense.
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