Some observations from that game....
- Dan from 2007 was a much, much better play caller than Addazio (goes without saying). However.....
- Dan Mullen, the OC/play designer/game planner/play caller from 2021 is VASTLY superior to Dan Mullen from 2007. And frankly, it is not even close. Almost all downfield passing was exclusively from 5-wide. Much less play action, few combo routes or rub routes. Had few answers for Michigan rushing 6 vs 5 WRs. His play design, creativity, and ability to attack blitzes and coverage has improved immensely over the years. Just like SOS was a better play caller and offensive designer in 2001 than he was in 1990.
- Harvin was so ridiculously fast to the hole. But Dan Mullen today would have had him running routes like he had Toney running last year. Harvin wasn’t running ‘flat and go‘ or whip routes from the slot. Would have been more potent than he already was.
- Still scored 35 points. But the Dan Mullen from 2021 would have scored 50+ that game with Harvin, Caldwell, Tebow, Ingram, Hernandez, Cooper, Nelson & Murphy.
- The 2007 defense was terrible. Some of the improvement in 2008 was guys maturing, getting bigger, stronger, faster, more experienced. Cunningham, Dunlap, Sanders, Haden, Trattou, Wright. Also some talented guys emerged in 2008 like Brandon Hicks, AJ Jones, Ahmad Black, and Janoris Jenkins. Same coordinator, just better players, some of them new. Hoping that happens again in 2021 with guys like Carter, Cox, Dexter, Elam, Diabate, Dean & Torrance taking a big step forward. And some talented guys emerging like Bogle, Umanmielen, Wingo, Hopper, and Marshall.
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