Michigan football knew it had to do more than just run the ball vs. Wisconsin. Here how they tried – and succeeded – to opening up the offense.
MADISON, Wis. — Barely a minute into his postgame news conference following a comprehensive 38-17 win for Michigan football, coach Jim Harbaugh was asked about an offensive game plan that looked more aggressive than what the Wolverines had shown during much of their 4-0 start to the season. Harbaugh paused momentarily to consider the question. He shrugged his shoulders in contemplation before fighting back a grin to deliver a deadpan zinger. RAINER SABIN: Michigan’s smackdown of Wisconsin is a signature victory for Jim Harbaugh “I mean, yeah, we threw the ball on the first play of the game,” Harbaugh said as members of the press corps chuckled. “That’s where we’ve been striving to be balanced, throwing the ball and running the ball…. We really believe in our quarterbacks, you know? We believe in our receivers and our tight ends. We believe we can throw the ball well. We believe we can run it well. So we’re going to do both. There’s two ways to travel, right?” The aftermath of Saturday’s win over Wisconsin was not the first time Harbaugh used the line about multiple ways to travel. He invoked Gen. George S. Patton (land) and astronaut Neil Armstrong (air) in defense of his team’s run-pass mix, which, oddly enough, ranked alongside the service academies because of its disbalance. Putting aside Harbaugh’s playful smirk and travel-based metaphors, the question about Michigan’s offensive approach against the Badgers was valid. For the first time this season, it felt like the Wolverines were more in interested in dictating how the game would be played rather than taking what an opposing defense gave them. An atypical concoction of bold decision making, a season-high in pass attempts for quarterback Cade McNamara and several new concepts unveiled for the first time left many wondering why this kind of forward-thinking impetus from Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis feels intermittent. SHAWN WINDSOR: Michigan’s win over Wisconsin showing this year might be different “I think whatever the game plan is — how diverse it is or whatever it is — I’ve mentioned this before that everything we do, we’re trying to win,” McNamara said. “And I think as we’re getting into Big Ten play, you know, there’s no reason to hold back now. We’re going to be aggressive on offense. And whether that’s going for fourth downs or playing smash-mouth football or taking shots, we’re going to do it.” So much about Saturday’s plan felt different, beginning with the opening possession when Harbaugh kept his offense on the field for two fourth-down attempts in his own half against the No.
