Urban Meyer: How Michigan ‘could win every game they have left’

The former Ohio State coach says Michigan football cannot address scheme this late, but if it does one thing, it could improve significantly

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Michigan has a lot of problems, but the most key is that it isn’t fundamentally sound. That was a big point in our disambiguation post — not lack of energy, not Jim Harbaugh’s sideline demeanor — fundamentals.

There’s more to it than that, certainly, but it’s the primary factor as to why the defensive side of the ball, in particular, has struggled.

After the Wisconsin game, Harbaugh said that the program will reevaluate everything from top to bottom, but placed an added emphasis on making sure that the players understood what they’re supposed to do from a technical standpoint. We added on the latest Locked On Wolverines Podcast that Michigan cannot start looking to change things up schematically, that it’s too late for that.

Turns out, former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer agrees with that sentiment.

Appearing on Big Ten Network as a Fox Sports analyst, Meyer shared his thoughts on where Michigan football is as it struggles as a program, noting the same — it cannot change scheme, it must work on being technically and fundamentally sound.

“We’ve all been there as a coach — you get hit in the jaw,” Meyer said. “And then all of a sudden, where do you go? Where do you go — football is older than all of us. And the fundamentals of the game are the only thing that can get you through tough times. I agree with what he said 100% — you can’t really start going crazy about scheme, it’s too late for that. You gotta really make sure they’re on point fundamentally.

“When you watch them play, fundamentally, if they can just take care of their business at a certain position — especially on pass defense — I think they’ll be in every game or win every game they have left. And if for some reason, fundamentals get away from them, you’re looking at arguably one of the worst seasons they’ve had.

“Fundamentally, lock in, hold every coach accountable, hold every player accountable for fundamentals. It’s not time to start re-addressing scheme. It’s too late for that.”

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