TCU defense is readying for Michigan and its bully ball approach 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — It was clear talking to TCU football defenders during Fiesta Bowl Media Day they were confident they could slow the Michigan offense. They deserve to be here, just as Michigan does, have beaten some good teams this season, and they’re battle tested. 

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But they were also extremely complimentary of the Wolverines, starting with the offensive line. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy said the goal if they faced the 3-3-5 was to “smash ‘em, and smash ‘em some more,” and that will likely be part of the game plan. It’s reminiscent of Kansas State, their players and defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie all said, a team that beat them in the Big 12 championship game. 

Gillespie acknowledged there would likely be some points scored Saturday, but he was confident his guys could get stops, too.

“There are some aspects that are very similar to a K-State and some guys like that, because what Kansas State did to us … from the big personnel packages and running the ball and really controlling the clock and moving the sticks and stuff like that, there’s a lot of resemblance from that aspect,” he said. “It’s going to be quite a bit different from what we’ve gotten to see week in and week out [in the Big 12]. But I also feel like there are some differences that we’ll bring to the table, as well. 

“I think it’s going to be a great matchup.”

Like many southern schools’ players and coaches have over the years, he and his players brought up the speed angle — how they could use theirs to hopefully disrupt the Michigan offense. 

But if the Michigan big guys up front are able to get their paws on the TCU run stoppers, it could be a long day for them. To a man, the Horned Frogs defenders all brought up the Michigan line first when asked to assess the U-M offense. 

“Obviously, they do a tremendous job of coaching them,” Gillespie said. “Those guys play very well together. You can tell that this is a unit that’s been together for a minute. The addition of the center [Olu Oluwaitimi] that’s come in there and made a tremendous impact … 

“These guys are not going to make mistakes, and there’s not anything they haven’t seen. It’s not like we’re going to go out there and throw something at them from a defensive standpoint that’s going to wow them or confuse them or anything like that. These guys understand football, and their IQ is extremely high. They’re not going to make mistakes with it.”

They happen to be really good football players, too, he noted. Linebacker Johnny Hodges was another who was impressed, though relishing the opportunity to go against the best. In addition to the line, Michigan sophomore running back Donovan Edwards caught his eye. 

“They’ve got a great offensive line. It’s what you want a football game to be — a big, physical game,” he said. “That’s what I like, being in the box. Sometimes I think I’m a little more athletic than I am, but I like being in the box. Open field, open space. That’s where linebackers tend to struggle. 

“So, yeah — it’s definitely a challenge. It’s a privilege and an honor playing against such a good offensive line. Unfortunately, their best running back (Blake Corum) got hurt, but [Edwards] can fly. He’s shifty. It’s hard to cover in the backfield. And I’m really impressed with the quarterback (McCarthy).”

TCU secondary preparing for a battle, too

And they understand, too, that the Wolverines can do some damage in the passing game, as well. They saw it on the Ohio State film — a handful of long passing plays, three for touchdowns — and they know they can’t afford to get sucked in by play action.

Cornerback Josh Newton said he believes OSU’s zone was its undoing against Michigan … at least at times. Fellow corner Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson said they’d be preparing for play action or rollouts. 

“That’s how [Jim] Harbaugh is; that’s how his offense has always been,” he said. “He has a history of having success doing it. So, I wouldn’t see him making a change. What they have been doing this season, I feel like they will continue to do as far as the game plan and stuff like that. 

“Most of it is much more play action, RPO, stuff like that, trying to get the defense to draw down and then take a shot every now and then. Sometimes [they’ll] even pop a pass and stuff like that.”

He also compared Michigan to Kansas State and as well as Texas, a team TCU handled in Austin. 

“They have a great run game and they also can throw the ball if they need to,” Hodges-Tomlinson said. “Texas has Bijan [Robinson]. He’s just as good as the running back that they had. And they also have receivers they can pass the ball to, and the quarterback is very subtl[y good].”

They all talked about slowing McCarthy in the Michigan run game, too, understanding he can do some damage with his feet. 

Whether it will be good enough to beat the nation’s No. 2 team remains to be seen. But they’re in it to prove they belong, Gillsepie said when asked if they’d be able to slow the Michigan offense.

“I guess we’re about to find out,” he said. “We feel very confident with it. This is a little bit different personnel package from what we’ve seen through the course of the season, but we also feel like we’ve got some things within our defense that we can go into. 

“But it has to start up front. If we can sit there and control some parts of the game, control the line of scrimmage, and do those things, then we’re going to have to win on the early downs and put them in some predictable situations … hopefully.”

If not, he knows Michigan will be extremely tough to beat.