Indiana University Athletics
Tuesday Notes – Hoosiers Prepare for Michigan Complexity
10/10/2017 10:12:00 PM | Football
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Peyton Ramsey knows what's coming.
Check that. Indiana's redshirt freshman quarterback knows what No. 17 Michigan hopes is coming during Saturday's Homecoming game at Memorial Stadium.
Confusion.
Ramsey prepares to avoid it. He seeks simplicity amid Wolverines defensive complexity. So he studies Michigan film, analyzes the game plan, and listens intently as offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan outline an offensive strategy designed to punch holes in Michigan's best-in-the-nation defense.
"Michigan is what we expected," Ramsey says. "They're really good and they're good at what they do. They mix it up and do a lot of things to try to confuse you."
The Hoosier (3-2) response -- "Stay true to our rules and play football," Ramsey says.
The game plan is a bit more detailed than that, but Ramsey's comment reflects IU's overall approach in a potential season-changing game.
The Wolverines (4-1) lead the nation in total yards, allowing just 213 a game. They allow just 13.6 points, second best in the Big Ten behind Penn State's 9.0.
"They don't do a lot in terms of coverage," Ramsey says, "but they mix it up in terms of where guys play. They'll try to confuse us that way."
One thing that isn't confusing -- Michigan emphasizes man-to-man pass coverage, which means IU can make big plays if receivers such as Simmie Cobbs Jr. and Taysir Mack can beat it, and if Ramsey is accurate.
"Our receivers have to do a good job of running good routes and getting open," Ramsey says. "I have to distribute the ball that way."
The Hoosiers haven't beaten Michigan since 1987, but have come close. Two years ago at Memorial Stadium, they lost in double overtime. Last year, they led 10-6 deep into the third quarter before losing 20-10.
The Wolverines are coming off a 14-10 home loss to rival Michigan State that dropped them 10 spots in this week's AP poll.
A MOTHER'S EXCITEMENT
Sometimes a mother doesn't know best.
Well, at least her heart doesn't.
Just ask Taysir Mack.
The redshirt freshman scored the first two touchdowns of his career during last Saturday's 27-0 win over Charleston Southern, catching scoring passes of 12 and 45 yards in the first half from Ramsey.
Mack's family quickly posted a video of the achievement.
"They recorded my first touchdown," Mack says, "and it was on the Internet before I even knew it.
"It was exciting."
It certainly was for his mother, Monique Mack. She wanted to call and congratulate her son, which was fine.
She called him at halftime, which was not so fine.
"She kept calling my phone before the coaches came in," Mack says. "I was like, 'Mom, I can't talk right now. I'll call later.'"
Mack set career-highs of seven catches for 111 yards. He's the first Indiana freshman receiver to surpass 100 receiving yards since Tandon Doss against Northwestern in 2008.
Mack began the game with two catches for 18 yards.
Now the challenge is to thrive against Michigan, and it starts, he says, with doing the little things.
"It's the details that separate the good from being great. That's something we all work on."
DEFENSIVE CHALLENGE
Michigan joins a long list of outstanding defenses offensive coordinator Mike DeBord has faced during his 35 years as a coach.
"This is a great challenge for our players and for our coaches," DeBord says. "You always like those challenges. That's one of the reasons why you coach. All of us are taking on that challenge. We'll be ready for it."
The Wolverines' defensive strength comes from its three-man line and three-linebacker approach. It mixes up-front formations about as often in a game as many teams do in a month.
"Up front is where they're very complex," DeBord says. "They are a team with great speed that likes to blitz and that has a complex front."
Michigan is led by linebackers Devin Bust (41 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups) and Mike McCray (32 tackles, 5.5 for loss, one forced fumble), and defensive lineman Chase Winovich (31 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble).
Is there any Wolverine that concerns DeBord the most?
"They all have great quickness and speed," he says. "I can't pinpoint one certain guy. Their front is very athletic. That's why they're of a three-man front, because they move so well. They're moving all the time."
EYE MESS ALERT
Michigan's 10 points against Michigan State was the fewest it has scored in coach Jim Harbaugh's two-plus seasons.
Still, Indiana linebacker Tegray Scales says stopping the Wolverines won't be easy. Nobody expects a repeat of the dominating performance against Charleston Southern.
"Michigan gives you a lot of personnel, shifts and motions," he says. "They try to mess with your eyes.
"They have great coaches and players. It will be nice to face a different level of opponent and get back to Big Ten play."
An IU defensive key will be shutting down tailback Ty Isaac, who averages 6.0 yards a carry. He's rushed for 365 yards. The Wolverines rank sixth in the Big Ten in rushing, at 167.8 yards a game.
"We know they'll run the ball," Scales says. "They have a big offensive line, and running backs who can make plays, so we have to be ready to stop the run."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Peyton Ramsey knows what's coming.
Check that. Indiana's redshirt freshman quarterback knows what No. 17 Michigan hopes is coming during Saturday's Homecoming game at Memorial Stadium.
Confusion.
Ramsey prepares to avoid it. He seeks simplicity amid Wolverines defensive complexity. So he studies Michigan film, analyzes the game plan, and listens intently as offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan outline an offensive strategy designed to punch holes in Michigan's best-in-the-nation defense.
"Michigan is what we expected," Ramsey says. "They're really good and they're good at what they do. They mix it up and do a lot of things to try to confuse you."
The Hoosier (3-2) response -- "Stay true to our rules and play football," Ramsey says.
The game plan is a bit more detailed than that, but Ramsey's comment reflects IU's overall approach in a potential season-changing game.
The Wolverines (4-1) lead the nation in total yards, allowing just 213 a game. They allow just 13.6 points, second best in the Big Ten behind Penn State's 9.0.
"They don't do a lot in terms of coverage," Ramsey says, "but they mix it up in terms of where guys play. They'll try to confuse us that way."
One thing that isn't confusing -- Michigan emphasizes man-to-man pass coverage, which means IU can make big plays if receivers such as Simmie Cobbs Jr. and Taysir Mack can beat it, and if Ramsey is accurate.
"Our receivers have to do a good job of running good routes and getting open," Ramsey says. "I have to distribute the ball that way."
The Hoosiers haven't beaten Michigan since 1987, but have come close. Two years ago at Memorial Stadium, they lost in double overtime. Last year, they led 10-6 deep into the third quarter before losing 20-10.
The Wolverines are coming off a 14-10 home loss to rival Michigan State that dropped them 10 spots in this week's AP poll.
A MOTHER'S EXCITEMENT
Sometimes a mother doesn't know best.
Well, at least her heart doesn't.
Just ask Taysir Mack.
The redshirt freshman scored the first two touchdowns of his career during last Saturday's 27-0 win over Charleston Southern, catching scoring passes of 12 and 45 yards in the first half from Ramsey.
Mack's family quickly posted a video of the achievement.
"They recorded my first touchdown," Mack says, "and it was on the Internet before I even knew it.
"It was exciting."
It certainly was for his mother, Monique Mack. She wanted to call and congratulate her son, which was fine.
She called him at halftime, which was not so fine.
"She kept calling my phone before the coaches came in," Mack says. "I was like, 'Mom, I can't talk right now. I'll call later.'"
Mack set career-highs of seven catches for 111 yards. He's the first Indiana freshman receiver to surpass 100 receiving yards since Tandon Doss against Northwestern in 2008.
Mack began the game with two catches for 18 yards.
Now the challenge is to thrive against Michigan, and it starts, he says, with doing the little things.
"It's the details that separate the good from being great. That's something we all work on."
DEFENSIVE CHALLENGE
Michigan joins a long list of outstanding defenses offensive coordinator Mike DeBord has faced during his 35 years as a coach.
"This is a great challenge for our players and for our coaches," DeBord says. "You always like those challenges. That's one of the reasons why you coach. All of us are taking on that challenge. We'll be ready for it."
The Wolverines' defensive strength comes from its three-man line and three-linebacker approach. It mixes up-front formations about as often in a game as many teams do in a month.
"Up front is where they're very complex," DeBord says. "They are a team with great speed that likes to blitz and that has a complex front."
Michigan is led by linebackers Devin Bust (41 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups) and Mike McCray (32 tackles, 5.5 for loss, one forced fumble), and defensive lineman Chase Winovich (31 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble).
Is there any Wolverine that concerns DeBord the most?
"They all have great quickness and speed," he says. "I can't pinpoint one certain guy. Their front is very athletic. That's why they're of a three-man front, because they move so well. They're moving all the time."
EYE MESS ALERT
Michigan's 10 points against Michigan State was the fewest it has scored in coach Jim Harbaugh's two-plus seasons.
Still, Indiana linebacker Tegray Scales says stopping the Wolverines won't be easy. Nobody expects a repeat of the dominating performance against Charleston Southern.
"Michigan gives you a lot of personnel, shifts and motions," he says. "They try to mess with your eyes.
"They have great coaches and players. It will be nice to face a different level of opponent and get back to Big Ten play."
An IU defensive key will be shutting down tailback Ty Isaac, who averages 6.0 yards a carry. He's rushed for 365 yards. The Wolverines rank sixth in the Big Ten in rushing, at 167.8 yards a game.
"We know they'll run the ball," Scales says. "They have a big offensive line, and running backs who can make plays, so we have to be ready to stop the run."
Players Mentioned
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Thursday, April 23
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21