[lex24]

Harbaughs “mistake” was moving away from what he knows and coaches best - tough, physical, smash mouth football.  You can(and he is) still be “creative”.  But it starts with dominating on both sides of the ball up front.  Best way to do that is with a pound away offense.  It makes your defense more physical practicing against it.  Complimentary football at its best. Recruit to it.  Preach it and stick with it.

I think it is certainly possible that after 6 years of the new offense not working he went back to what had always worked for him.  Maybe that was driven the players and team he had but I also think it speaks to who JH is....

It all comes down to 1) whether Michigan can beat tOSU reliably with a team constructed to play "smash mouth" football, and 2) if so, can JH reliably create such a team at Michigan. I believe that JH is a "realist". He does what it takes to win and while he personally probably prefers the type of football he himself played at Michigan, he will do something else if he has to. He thought he had to, so he attempted it. It didn't work and circumstances compelled him to revert to his previous approach. Last year, he won with it. He has personnel this year that look like they at least have a shot with it. We shall see in late November.

For Lex24's consideration, in the first few years at Michigan JH did indeed attempt to play the "traditional" style. It didn't work for him. He couldn't reliably get the athletes. His decision to change styles was compelled by his inability to beat tOSU. The "speed in space" attempt was even less successful. To be fair, lots of the problems were on defense, not offense. Michigan just couldn't contain tOSU and JH decided he had to "win the track meet". Last year, events conspired to deliver a great defense and a great OL to Michigan. It is unknown if JH can reliably replicate that combination. If he wins against tOSU this year, that will become his challenge. Past history says he can't. He couldn't when he first got to Michigan. However, as they say, past history may not indicate future performance. In this case, that would be a good thing :-).

When you move away from your strength, it’s generally not going to lead to a good result.  JH thrives on tough physical football.  He is now back to playing his strength.  And there’s no reason he can’t beat Ohio State playing that way. If you want some proof  go back to 2012 and 2013 Stanford versus Oregon. Particularly the 2013 game which is one of the most beautifully executed offensive game plans I’ve ever seen. 

Harbaugh is not going to beat Ohio State by trying to play their style of football. They are much better at it.

[lex24]

Harbaughs “mistake” was moving away from what he knows and coaches best - tough, physical, smash mouth football.  You can(and he is) still be “creative”.  But it starts with dominating on both sides of the ball up front.  Best way to do that is with a pound away offense.  It makes your defense more physical practicing against it.  Complimentary football at its best. Recruit to it.  Preach it and stick with it.

I think it is certainly possible that after 6 years of the new offense not working he went back to what had always worked for him.  Maybe that was driven the players and team he had but I also think it speaks to who JH is....

It all comes down to 1) whether Michigan can beat tOSU reliably with a team constructed to play "smash mouth" football, and 2) if so, can JH reliably create such a team at Michigan. I believe that JH is a "realist". He does what it takes to win and while he personally probably prefers the type of football he himself played at Michigan, he will do something else if he has to. He thought he had to, so he attempted it. It didn't work and circumstances compelled him to revert to his previous approach. Last year, he won with it. He has personnel this year that look like they at least have a shot with it. We shall see in late November.

For Lex24's consideration, in the first few years at Michigan JH did indeed attempt to play the "traditional" style. It didn't work for him. He couldn't reliably get the athletes. His decision to change styles was compelled by his inability to beat tOSU. The "speed in space" attempt was even less successful. To be fair, lots of the problems were on defense, not offense. Michigan just couldn't contain tOSU and JH decided he had to "win the track meet". Last year, events conspired to deliver a great defense and a great OL to Michigan. It is unknown if JH can reliably replicate that combination. If he wins against tOSU this year, that will become his challenge. Past history says he can't. He couldn't when he first got to Michigan. However, as they say, past history may not indicate future performance. In this case, that would be a good thing :-).

When you move away from your strength, it’s generally not going to lead to a good result.  JH thrives on tough physical football.  He is now back to playing his strength.  And there’s no reason he can’t beat Ohio State playing that way. If you want some proof  go back to 2012 and 2013 Stanford versus Oregon. Particularly the 2013 game which is one of the most beautifully executed offensive game plans I’ve ever seen. 

Harbaugh is not going to beat Ohio State by trying to play their style of football. They are much better at it.