{mosimage} What can Ohio State learn about from Michigan's success against the SEC in bowl games?

As Michigan fielded the opening kickoff, I was on the way to a friend's house. Brandon Minor had caught the ball and stepped out of bounds at the 7 yard-line.

Typical Michigan special teams, I thought to myself as hurriedly drove down the road trying to get myelf in front of a TV.

As UM began its first drive, I remember thinking to myself: "Okay, now how exactly are we going to move the ball on these guys and match them score for score?"

When you've seen Michigan attempt to call offensive plays for as long as I have, you start to wonder where the next chunks of yardage might come from. It's like a person who makes money through a lot of side jobs but doesn't have anything permanent. You know it's on a matter of time before Michigan runs out of plays and tries to run a bunch of plays right into the teeth of the defense.

This was the first drive of the game, mind you.

But the offensive game plan Michigan came out with was so different and so much more creative than anything any Michigan fan had ever seen that it's no wonder the Gators were caught off guard.

The traditional I-form, run the ball on first down formation was pretty much abandoned as the Wolverines operated almost entirely out of the shotgun. I kept waiting for us to go back and get conservative with the runs on first down but it never happened.

The most shocking stat of the day might have been the 7 carries for Mario Manningham. He showed he's just as fast as anybody on Florida and not just Some Guy who Torches Notre Dame for Eight Touchdowns Every Year. Adrian Arrington showed he's as good or better than any receiver in the SEC and Mike Hart showed he's quick enough to play in any league as long as he gets set up with decent play-calling and blocking.

Of course, I already knew all these things and I'd been telling people about them for years. Michigan's skill players are always as good as just about any team in the nation's.

Then there's the defense that was supposedly too slow to compete with a good spread team. I'd been saying all along that lack of scheme and not lack of speed was the problem. Well, sure enough, Michigan looked plenty fast against Tebow and company on New Year's Day when they came out with an aggressive game plan featuring multiple blitzes and more man coverage.

When Morgan Trent ran down Percy Harvin, it was much like the Ted Ginn TD in the BCS Title game last year in that it sent a message that the speed thing isn't such a big deal.

Even Michigan's tight end, Carson Butler, was able to rumble 65 yards against a fast secondary.

The win marked Michigan's 5th win in 6 games against SEC teams in bowls, meaning that Lloyd Carr was to the SEC as Jim Tressel was to Carr. So why does Michigan do so well while the Buckeyes have struggled?

It's hard to say because there are so many factors but in each case, Michigan's size and skill at receiver seem to give SEC teams fits. Braylon Edwards, Adrian Arrington, and David Terrell have all torched SEC teams' smaller, faster corners with their combinations of size and speed.

Ohio State doesn't have a guy like that this year, and they tend to go for smaller, faster receivers than Michigan who likes the bigger guys who can win jump balls and possess the football.

That doesn't mean the Buckeyes can't win against LSU (all I know is it will be a close game), but maybe that's something to think about for the future.

In the meantime, Michigan fans are just happy that Lloyd Carr was able to go out a winner and even happier that the time has finally come for change. The timing couldn't be better for both parties.

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Lloyds Apple said:

	80 Brian Robiskie (6-3, 196, Jr.) 9 Brian Hartline (6-3, 180, So.) 4 Ray Small (6-0, 182, So.) Not sure what you are talking about, but the Buckeye receivers are as tall or taller than the UM guys. That's why Boeckman loves the long ball lob too muchl
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January 06, 2008
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io said:

	yeah maybe i was a bit off...robiskie is pretty good at jump balls but i think guys like arrington and manningham are more athletic overall...and mathews of course osu has a better overall team and all but i just think um's receivers have always been as physical and acrobatic as any in the nation
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January 06, 2008
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Lloyds Apple said:

	I hear what you are saying. The UM receivers collectively brought their A game, as did Henne. Should be an interesting off-season to say the least.
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January 06, 2008
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