Tag: Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

What Jim Harbaugh said after Michigan football lost to TCU in Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

Hard-fought game with too many mistakes.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Woulda, coulda, shoulda — that was the case for Michigan football in the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

The Wolverines made uncharacteristic mistakes repeatedly, starting with going for it on fourth-and-goal and running an end-around rather than relying on the interior offensive line. There was also the fumble at the goal line after the overturned touchdown, two pick sixes by quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and multiple defensive lapses. That doesn’t even take into account what appeared to be a targeting call that was overturned.

After the game, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh addressed all of these topics, but mostly came away proud of how his team fought. The Wolverines won’t be heading to the national championship, and the season is over, but they fought to the end, and that’s something that’s made the head ball coach proud.

Here is everything he said after the game.

Michigan football reveals Vrbo Fiesta Bowl uniform combination

Looking sharp! #GoBlue

After nearly a month of waiting, Michigan football is about to embark upon its College Football Playoff journey: The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl kicks off on Saturday.

While most fan thoughts are on how the team will play against TCU, another often wondered about topic is which uniform will the Wolverines wear?

On Friday evening, we received the answer.

Though the conventional wisdom was that the maize and blue would wear the all-blue uniforms they wear in bigger games, the Wolverines are actually going traditional: blue jerseys, maize pants and maize accessories.

Michigan football is designated as the home team as the 2-seed, with TCU being the 3-seed. The game will kick off at 2 p.m. MT in Glendale, Arizona.

Jay Harbaugh breaks down the challenge of Michigan football’s secondary vs. TCU’s passing game

It’s going to be where the game comes down, most likely. #GoBlue

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — The biggest test for Michigan football on Saturday when it takes on TCU in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl will likely be TCU’s vaunted passing offense against the Wolverines secondary.

The Horned Frogs have a variety of options at receiver — led by standout Quentin Johnston and slot receiver Taye Barber — but overall just has speed, explosiveness, and a penchant for making big plays. There’s no team in college football that has as many explosive plays — especially for touchdown — than TCU.

On Thursday, we spoke with Michigan safeties coach Jay Harbaugh about what he’s expecting from the Horned Frog passing attack, and he broke down why they’re such a daunting challenge.

“They’re all explosive, very, very well-balanced, they can all make big plays, and the quarterback in this scheme, it’s just a great match between the two of them to be able to put those guys in position to make plays,” Harbaugh told WolverinesWire. “They create a lot of space, you’ve got to be great at tackling. I think that’s gonna be a huge, a huge part of it. They do great breaking tackles after the catch. The running backs are phenomenal players. So I think tackling — you’ve got to cover them, but an offense like that is going to complete balls. There’s gonna be times when they get the ball in space. If you can’t tackle you’re gonna have real problems. Gonna be a key.”

What’s more, TCU is more than capable of running the football. While the passing attack is what gets the most attention, ranked No. 25 in the country, the run game is also ranked 25th overall.

Given that it is capable on both fronts, defenses can’t simply lock in hoping to stop one element without expecting the other.

Harbaugh says that Michigan understands the balance that TCU strives for, and what he feels the Wolverines need to do to slow or stall the Horned Frog passing attack.

“It really takes everybody,” Harbaugh said. “They’re just like any other good offense, like there’s balance. They spread you out. And they have a lot of speed and a great quarterback. They’re a team that loves to run the ball. So you’ve got to understand the situation, understand what they’re trying to get accomplished.

“And then really the whole DB group in the back — anyone involved in coverage is going to have to be on point just because of the fact that (they have a lot of speed and targets and) guys that can hurt you. (The defensive backs will) actually to work in conjunction with the coverage. There’s gonna be a group effort if we’re going to have success.”

[lawrence-related id=67319,67284,67281]

Even so, Michigan’s defense has been solid all year long, no matter the opponent.

While TCU doesn’t have an offense that exactly resembles any team that Michigan has seen, it is some combination of Maryland and Ohio State — as well with some elements that Purdue’s offense runs.

Harbaugh notes that having seen all these different elements, albeit at different times against different teams, it helps the Wolverines, because nothing they’ll see will be entirely unfamiliar.

“Yeah, that’s a great point. I think just playing in our conference, you get a little bit of everything,” Harbaugh said. “We might not be a conference that airs it out as much as the Big 12. But you do get a little bit of everything. And so I think it’s at this point, it’s hard for us to really see anything that we haven’t had at least some exposure to, like you mentioned. So I think our schedule prepares us well, at least just to give us a base familiarity for okay, this was a lot like this team or that team. So I think it’s a good thing for us and we’ll soon find out.”

[listicle id=67275]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Mike Elston describes the challenge Michigan football will have with TCU’s run game

It might be a bigger challenge than most are anticipating. #GoBlue

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — When most think about the matchup between Michigan football and TCU, the Horned Frogs offense against the Wolverines defense is what tends to come to mind. Even more so, TCU’s passing game against the Michigan secondary.

But beyond that, TCU actually has a solid run game. It is ranked No. 25 in the country in yards per game. While the Horned Frogs don’t have the most vaunted passing attack that Michigan has seen, oddly enough, TCU does have the best rush attack on a per-game basis that the Wolverines have seen. Ohio State is ranked two spots behind TCU. Michigan has seen a more prolific runner, Illinois’ Chase Brown, but Kendre Miller has 1,342 yards this season and is ranked No. 21 in the nation.

Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston has been impressed with what he’s seen on film and told Wolverines Wire on Thursday about the challenge that the maize and blue will face in terms of stopping or stalling the run on Saturday.

“They’re committed to the run, they do a nice job, they got a big O-line,  really good running back,” Elston said. “Obviously the quarterback’s a threat to run the ball. The run game for a pass-happy conference — they’re really committed to running and they do a great job.”

[lawrence-related id=67284,67281,67278]

Why exactly has TCU been so good running the football in a pass-heavy league? In part, it’s due to the formations and schemes the Horned Frogs use, not to mention most teams have to respect the pass.

Elston spoke on being fundamentally sound as well as the ability to get off blocks as being the biggest keys when it comes to defending what TCU wants to do.

“The challenge is they have some quick formations where they try to empty out your box or keep you a guy short from stopping certain runs,” Elston said. “Our ability as a front to block destruct and stay square and get off blocks quickly (is crucial if) we can be effective in (stopping) the run game.”

Michigan football and TCU will kick off the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. EST at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The game will be nationally broadcast on ESPN.

[listicle id=67275]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

Notes and observations: Michigan football Thursday practice for College Football Playoff

Practice takeaways! #GoBlue

TEMPE, Ariz. — Michigan football was back on the practice field on Thursday as the team readies for the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

Taking place again at Tempe Diablo Stadium, where the Angels minor league team plays and the parent club holds spring training, the Wolverines opened practice to the media for the first 15 minutes.

We had a more detailed report from Tuesday’s practice, and while there wasn’t much to glean on Thursday, we still had a few takeaways. Wolverines Wire’s Isaiah Hole was on hand, here is some of the things that he noticed.

PHOTOS: Michigan football Thursday practice for Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

The boys are looking good! #GoBlue #CFBPlayoff

TEMPE, Ariz. — Game day is but two days away and Michigan football is working toward facing TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

Like on Tuesday, the team was still in shells — no pads and just shorts — but  were going through drills in the 15 minutes that the media got to partake.

We saw some players who previously weren’t in uniform back in the fold, a former Wolverine taking in practice, as well as more early enrollees getting some time on task.

WolverinesWire’s Isaiah Hole was at Tempe Diablo Field to capture some of the action.

TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley breaks down Michigan football defense

Will #Michigan’s defense be able to slow or stop the TCU offensive attack? #GoBlue #CFBPlayoff

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — On Saturday, all eyes will be on the two College Football Playoff semifinal games. In the first matchup, between Michigan football and TCU, the challenge for either team will come when the Horned Frogs are on offense.

The strength-on-strength matchup pits TCU’s vaunted offensive attack, led by Broyles Award-winning offensive coordinator Garrett Riley — the younger brother of USC head coach Lincoln Riley — and the Wolverine defense, which ranks No. 3 in the nation in yardage per game and No. 4 in the country in scoring defense.

We met up with Riley at TCU’s portion of the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl media day, and he shared what he’s seen from the Michigan defense on film.

“Very talented, I think they play extremely well together, which is kind of one of the first things that jumps out on tape,” Riley told WolverinesWire. “I think the secondary are very strong. And, obviously, up front, their front seven, they do a great job. So I mean, they’re very, very solid and well-coached, you could tell. They’re in position a lot of times and they’ll challenge your guys defensively. I think they expect for them to make one-on-one plays, and you see it happen out there on the perimeter and on the edge.

“So it’s gonna be a fun matchup. And we obviously expect to make those plays on offense.”

[lawrence-related id=67239,67179,67176,67105]

Football games tend to be won in the trenches, and while TCU is loaded at the skill positions, it will need to be stout up front given what the Wolverines present on the defensive line.

Riley believes Michigan’s attack starts with Mazi Smith and Kris Jenkins and works outwards from there.

“They are very strong in the interior,” Riley said. “And they certainly provide some pass rush and can be active on the edge as well. And so I think that’s going to be the big thing is just throughout the game — who can kind of get stronger as the game goes on and who doesn’t? To me, it’s kind of strength on strength, to be honest. But I think that’s gonna the real key just as the game goes on, who gets stronger.”

Given how multiple Jesse Minter’s defense has been this year, how does one figure out what Michigan is going to do?

Naturally, the inclination, if you’re TCU, would be to look at the Maryland, Ohio State and Purdue games, which Riley said was the focus of his study. But, he says he also spent a lot of time looking at the games where the offensive style of Michigan’s opponent was wildly dissimilar from the Horned Frogs’ attack.

“We look at it all, especially when you have this much time, when you can,” Riley said. “You’re always gonna err on looking at people that you think are maybe a little bit more similar to yourself, and how they react to a style like that. So I mean, yeah, you’re always gonna kind of look at that first. But, like I said, when you have this much time, you’re able to look at everything a little bit more than what you typically would.”

Michigan and TCU kick off at 4 p.m. EST on Saturday.

[listicle id=67198]

[mm-video type=video id=01gmrbq442m5cz8z187z playlist_id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gmrbq442m5cz8z187z/01gmrbq442m5cz8z187z-74ac5666fa9be6e5567352c8edc49be6.jpg]

TCU head coach Sonny Dykes breaks down Michigan football’s line play

Will the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl be resolved in the trenches? #GoBlue #CFBPlayoff

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — They say that football games are won in the trenches. For Michigan football, that’s proven to be true all season long. But TCU isn’t shying away from the challenge.

The Wolverines and Horned Frogs are destined to meet in the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, and TCU head coach Sonny Dykes is aware of the challenges that his team faces.

Michigan’s offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for the second-straight year, the first team to ever do so, earning the right to call itself the school with the best line in the country. Dykes feels that the Wolverine offense is predicated on the run, with that establishment set by the line play up front.

“They’re big and they’re physical, they’re well-coached, they’ve got a lot of experience,” Dykes said. “And they have a good scheme, you know what I mean? “They do a nice job of playing to their strengths. I think that’s been the thing that I’ve been impressed with, when you look at their team, it’s just the way it’s constructed, they’ve done a nice job of saying, ‘OK, what do we have here? What’s our strengths? What’s our weaknesses? Let’s play to our strengths, or stay away from our weaknesses.’

“And they’ve done a really good job coaching, not everybody does that. A lot of times coaches have a system, and they’re gonna run their system, and maybe the players don’t fit the system. Well, at Michigan, they’ve done a really, really good job of knowing what they want to do, having a goal in mind, having a personality, and then having the players to go out and fill those roles and execute that vision. And as a result, you get a really good team. I feel that way about them really on offense and defense. I think the team is constructed in a way that makes sense in the Big Ten.

“And I think that they’ve done a really nice job of playing to their strengths, and they’ve got tremendous running backs. They’re powerful guys. And, you know, the thing I’m impressed with is their ability to stay patient with the run game. That’s one thing they’ve been able to do and I think that’s why they’ve had so much success in the second half of games, still grind it out. They start to pull away from teams late in the third, early in the fourth quarter.”

[lawrence-related id=67185,67183,67179]

But what about the other side of the ball?

Much of the attention in the game is going toward the battle between the TCU offense and the Michigan defense. And while the premise revolves around the Horned Frogs’ skill position players, again, the battle will likely be resolved in the trenches.

Dykes was, again, very complimentary of what the Wolverines do up front, but notes that it’s an attack that works well in the Big Ten.

“I love their tackles — really physical, good players, play with their hands well, do a great job getting off blocks,” Dykes said. “Really impressed with those two tackles. I think those guys are really, really good football players. They’re very well-coached and good technicians.

“The ends are big guys. We don’t see ends that are maybe as big as these guys. It’s kind of not that typical, really in the Big 12. It’s built a little bit for speed as opposed to the length and size these guys have. And they can still run and that’s the thing about the Michigan guys. They’re long and they’re athletic, and they got great speed, they can run. But the fronts are impressive. I think that, to me, is the strength of the defense.

“They’ve got really good linebackers, a lot of length and athleticism on the back end. But, I think they’re built up right.”

Michigan football and TCU will kick off at 4 p.m. EST at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

[listicle id=67198]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

Everything Michigan football DC Jesse Minter said about TCU, College Football Playoff

Really incredible, insightful stuff here. #GoBlue

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — The biggest task for Michigan football in the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl is the defense finding a way to slow the TCU Horned Frog offense.

Led by quarterback Max Duggan, TCU has a variety of weapons — from wide receiver Quentin Johnston to running back Kendre Miller. This will be one of the top offenses the Wolverines have seen all year.

So how does defensive coordinator Jesse Minter see it?

Minter met with the media for 45 minutes on Wednesday and shared his thoughts on a variety of topics, from his transition from Vanderbilt to Ann Arbor, to specific players, to what he’s seen from TCU on tape. Here is everything he had to say.

PHOTOS: Michigan football Tuesday Vrbo Fiesta Bowl practice

The guys are looking good! #GoBlue

TEMPE, Ariz. — On Monday afternoon, before boarding a plane for Phoenix, the Michigan football team held practice while being sheltered from the elements, inside of the Al Glick Fieldhouse. A little more than 24 hours later, they were outside, in shorts, at the Tempe Diablo Stadium.

The Wolverines are officially getting ready for the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl against TCU, and media got a chance to witness the first 15 minutes of practice on Tuesday.

WolverinesWire’s Isaiah Hole was there with camera in-hand to take in the limited action at the outset of practice. Here are some of the pictures he was able to capture of the maize and blue preparing for TCU.