In America, the winner takes all.

Chapter 266 Enlightenment (12)

In a sense, Charles Woodson is in the same situation as Ethan last year, having a historic performance but missing out on the highest individual honor.

Years from now, no one will remember how many interceptions Charles Woodson caught and how many passes he broke up this year.

It will only be remembered that he lost to Ethan O'Connor this year.

In a sense, he had a reason to win.

Compared with last year's Alabama, all the variables in this year's Alabama are concentrated on Ethan O'Connor. Michigan has conducted a lot of research on Ethan in the past half month and repeatedly reviewed Ethan's game videos. Watching it, it can be said that you have completely understood Ethan's offensive method.

Charles Woodson has absolute confidence in this game.

After all, Alabama has been crushed on a tactical level.

As for the offensive team, they are also studying the defensive team in a targeted manner.

Ethan came to the sidelines and stared at the movements of the University of Michigan offensive team on the field.

Standing on the field was Brian Griese, the main quarterback of the University of Michigan this year, and the other two quarterbacks, Scott Dreisbach and Tom Brady, served as substitutes.

Michigan's first-round offensive lineup is a typical shotgun lineup, with a single running back and multiple receivers, and it looks like it will attack Alabama's deep end.

Quarterback Brian Griese tried to pass to Ty Street at the far end. This football player who was a football player did jump like a basketball player, and his movements were very smooth. Unfortunately, he made a mistake in judging the ball's placement. , resulting in the ball not being successfully received.

After several offensive attempts, the Alabama defense, which had also conducted many targeted exercises, suppressed its opponents very well and did not give Michigan too many opportunities. The only time Michigan gained a large number of yards was in Alabama. A turnover occurred when facing the run defense, resulting in Chris Howard gaining 17 yards.

In the end, Michigan rushed forward and lost all offensive opportunities until halftime. The opponent's head coach Lloyd Carr chose to take a free kick.

"We can see Michigan kicker Craig Baker standing in front of the 52-yard kickoff point. His longest free kick score this season is 51 yards. We don't know if he can refresh his record. The position of the kickoff point was not very correct for the goal. He started to run, and the Alabama special team tried to block it. The ball was very fast... Oh, what a pity, the ball almost missed the post. , If the kick-off angle can be more positive, the ball will definitely go in." Keith said.

Everyone in Alabama standing off the field, including Ethan, was sweating.

The University of Michigan is highly biased, and the defensive team is obviously stronger than the offensive team. This means that there will be no big score in this game. It can be said that every point is crucial.

This was a shot that Alabama could totally live with.

"Remember the tactics we practiced before, Ethan? It's time to show it off!"

Before taking the field again, Ethan heard offensive coordinator Woody say.

Just now, Ethan has tried his main offensive method this season, but it has not achieved the desired results.

Ethan nodded towards Woody.

Returning to the game again, Alabama has made adjustments to the lineup, retaining only one wide receiver, and the tight end has also been removed, replaced by two more running backs.

Including the two original running backs, there were a total of four running backs, three of whom were in a cross position to cover Ethan. As for Eddie George, he stands forward with the front line to ensure that there are seven people standing on the front line. This is a basic rule of American football.

Similar to the diamond offense promoted by Cornhuskers head coach Tom Osborne, the difference is that Alabama's positions are denser and more troops are invested.

This also leads to more complex changes on the field, and Ethan has more options when running the ball.

Facing Alabama's almost famous running ball tactics, the University of Michigan made corresponding adjustments before forming the formation. The two corners were raised forward, ready to join the blitz attack as soon as possible.

A new round of offense officially began. After receiving the ball, Ethan began to move laterally toward the strong side. Almost at the same time, the Michigan army pressed forward.

The next moment, Ethan did not use the cover of his teammates to run the ball as everyone expected. Instead, he raised his arm and made a pass.

Then Ethan lowered his arm again and began to thrust.

It's just that this fake move seemed completely unnecessary, so much so that it interfered with Ethan's own rhythm. At this time, the University of Michigan's lightning raid had surrounded Ethan and his teammates from front to back, and the teammates' screens blocked Ethan's progress.

Before Ethan could fully start, he was stopped by Dani Jones. Ethan turned around and the second and third defenders rushed over. At this time, Ethan had no room to perform, but even in a desperate situation, Ethan still raised the ball high above his head, just like dancing on the sideline before.

Unfortunately, Michigan's defensive players were extremely experienced and without any hesitation, Ethan was tackled and fell to the ground.

There was a burst of exclamation from the audience at the scene, and he was tackled behind the line. This scene was even more difficult to see than Ethan driving straight into the breakthrough.

Yes, many viewers are already used to Ethan killing everyone on the playing field, and only now can they feel the obstacles Ethan faces.

If it weren't for Ethan not passing the ball, this offense would have even required a retreat.

"Alabama's relatively special tactic did not achieve the results it should have, and even felt like tripping itself up. Ethan is used to all kinds of dazzling fake moves, but this time, his fake moves delayed his pace. .Obviously, this is a failed tactic."

Keith commented.

In the eyes of professionals, Alabama's tactic can even be described as "clumsy."

In fact, only the Alabama coaching staff, Ethan and his teammates know the inside story of this tactic. It seems to be a running ball, but it is actually a passing tactic. Unfortunately, George Eddy, who ran forward in the first time, did not successfully get rid of it. , he was watched tightly by You Wei.

During the break in formation, Ethan saw Charles Woodson having a few words with the guard.

It was clear from the start that Michigan saw through Alabama's playbook.

In the subsequent offenses, although Alabama made many changes and used multiple unique lineups from pre-game drills, including some bizarre quarterback-less tactics, the results were the same as the first time. Much the same.

The University of Michigan seemed to have guessed all of Alabama's moves in advance, which resulted in Alabama not having a very good surprise attack effect.

"Alabama has suffered a heavy setback on the offensive end. Myself, the audience at the scene, and many viewers in front of the TV want to know one thing, that is...what happened to Alabama?"

"Compared with the previous vigorous offense, it was obviously like two teams. What we saw today was the failed side of Alabama. Ethan seemed hesitant and his teammates did not get good opportunities. In sharp contrast, The University of Michigan's Charles Woodson showed a higher level than before in this contest. He has already completed 4 tackles on many Alabama players, including Ethan O'Connor..."

It wasn't until the end of the first quarter that Alabama got three points on Bullock's free kick.

Ethan knew very well that these three points were not enough.

During the gap between the first and second quarters, Ethan looked at the Michigan players not far away.

Compared with the Alabama players and head coach who were helpless, the opposite side seemed to be in high morale, with all the players gathered around. At the same time, head coach Lloyd Carr was talking to Tom Brady. What, and Tom nodded frequently in response.

It's clear that Michigan's second quarter will revolve around Tom Brady.

By the second quarter of the game, Tom Brady was indeed on the field.

"Lloyd Carr will replace Brian Griese, who didn't play well in the first quarter. The latter didn't take advantage of the opportunity in the first quarter. With the Alabama offense already misfiring, Michigan did not Without scoring, can this unknown first-year freshman be the key player in this game? Let us wait and see."

In the second quarter, the University of Michigan took the lead in attacking.

Tom Brady closed his eyes and listened to the tsunami-like shouts at the scene. His whole body entered a special state. At that moment, he seemed to have forgotten the world, and the cheers in his ears became no longer real, as if they were very special. distant.

When Tom Brady opened his eyes again, his whole person had become extremely determined. After the game resumed, Tom Brady, who received the pass from the center for the first time, did not immediately launch an attack, but calmly observed first.

In fact, the coach's order was for him to pass the ball out as soon as possible, but Tom felt that this was not a good choice.

Facing Alabama's sudden linebackers and defensive ends, Tom had no intention of retreating and even just stood there without moving.

He's gambling, spending his precious time looking for gaps that emerge as Alabama moves...

As a tight end, due to the defensive end's pressing defense, no one around him is marking him.

For a moment, Tom Brady even saw the changes in the path of the tight end after he got the ball in his mind.

Crossing the line of scrimmage... there is a high probability that the middle linebacker will target him... If he goes over the edge, it is too slow... can he only cut inside? Like Ethan O'Connor?

Without any time to think, Tom passed the ball.

The football spirals and creates a beautiful parabola, directly finding the tight end.

Jerame Tuman, the tight end who later won the th Super Bowl championship with the Pittsburgh Steelers, almost subconsciously picked up the football. In this tactic, he did not catch any The offensive instructions were given and he did not prepare the offensive route in advance, but relying on his instinct as a rugby player, he immediately chose to run with the ball.

Almost subconsciously, he took the ball and started to rim it, trying to bypass several surrounding defenders from the sideline.

However, his speed was not an advantage. As soon as he got the first attack, he was tackled by the cornerback who came over.

"You should try to cut inside." Brady said to him as they lined up.

"Try to cut inside..." Jerame Tuman was startled, and then met Tom Brady's unwavering eyes.

"Yes, if you try to cut inside, you only need to break through the only middle linebacker to get at least 20 yards. At that moment, going to the outside is not the best choice." Tom Brady pointed out the problem of his teammates.

Gerame Tuman and his teammates looked at each other, and his teammates' eyes clearly showed doubts.

Why did this first-year boy start coaching me?

Gerame Tuman couldn't help but feel doubtful, but then he thought about it, Tom Brady was right.

At that point in time, if I could make a counter-intuitive response and cut inside, I might be able to get more yards.

This kid, since when did he observe so carefully?

With doubts in mind, Gerame Tuman rejoined the line.

In a new round of offense, Tom continued the offensive again. This time, when he realized that several teammates on the far side had no chance to attack. Tom Brady made another surprising choice, passing the ball to the fullback who was covering himself.

The opponent had just been broken through. Looking at the Alabama players who suddenly turned around, they turned around almost subconsciously and chose to run the ball.

Michigan gained another full 7 yards.

For a guy who was forced to run the ball, that's pretty impressive.

Seeing his teammates almost get the first down again, Tom Brady felt that he was gradually finding his touch.

It turns out...that's how Ethan felt when he stood on the field!

Thinking of this, Tom couldn't help but turn around subconsciously and nodded slightly towards Ethan, who was standing on the sidelines watching the game.

This move shocked Ethan.

"Isn't this kid going to wake up early?" Ethan felt a little nervous in his heart.

In memory, during Tom's entire college life, only his junior season was outstanding. The rest of his time was very bleak, and he was a typical running back player.

After entering the NFL, it is equivalent to a complete explosion...

Within minutes, as Tom Brady passed the ball like a god, the Alabama defense gradually felt the pressure.

Keith was also very keenly aware of the changes in Tom Brady. As the commentator of Big Ten, this Tom did not leave much of a deep impression on him before. His current performance can be said to be completely different from before...

"Another extremely exciting pass. Although it was not successful, it was more due to the mistake of the wide receiver Tai. If he could successfully catch the ball, then there would be no defender in front of him. It will be a direct touchdown. This is not the first time that Tom Brady has passed a threatening pass. He made the University of Michigan offense smoother than ever in the second quarter! This is in sharp contrast to his teammates."

Ethan vaguely felt that the game was getting out of control. Previously, Charles Woodson was the savior on the defensive end, but now there is Tom Brady on the offensive end, and the situation will become more complicated.

As for the solution... Coach Eugene frowned, obviously he didn't have any good solution to this situation.

As the pass failed, Michigan lost a new offensive opportunity and also chose to take a free kick. This time at the 43-yard position, the kicker successfully kicked the ball into the goal and the University of Michigan equalized the score.

After Ethan came on the field, Alabama's offensive decline did not reverse. Ethan relied more on his body to force breakthroughs. This was not only inefficient, but also overspent his energy and risked injury, but it was also helpless. Lift.

Relying on Ethan's tenacious fighting spirit, Alabama once again got a free kick opportunity, and Alabama's score reached six points.

In Michigan's next offense, Tom Brady once again continued his steady and steady style. He and Ethan were almost at two extremes.

Ethan is a typical dual-threat, while he barely moves and is a standard passing quarterback.

This time, wide receiver Tai did not waste the opportunity and successfully helped Michigan get the first touchdown of this Rose Bowl, and the additional score was also successfully hit.

In the last ten minutes of the second quarter, an Alabama player made a fatal mistake that completely dragged Alabama out of the abyss. Wide receiver Eddie George made a mistake when receiving the ball, and the ball was successfully intercepted by Charles Woodson. After intercepting the ball, he immediately used his signature defensive return. In this season's games, his defensive return has been successful frequently, helping Michigan gain a lot of yards and a total of 9 touchdowns. , this number of touchdowns is even comparable to that of most teams' main running backs.

Although the Alabama offensive team was well prepared, they still underestimated Charles' speed. Only by actually standing on the field and confronting him can you feel that Charles Woodson's speed is not inferior to any running back.

As soon as Ethan lost the ball, he immediately stepped back and acted as a "safety guard", successfully tackling Charles in front of the line.

"Well done Ethan," Charles said as he stood up.

At this moment, he no longer had the solemnity he had before the start of the game. Instead, he looked extremely relaxed, as if he already had a chance to win.

After such a return attack, Michigan's line of scrimmage was less than ten yards away from Alabama's end zone.

Tom Brady passed a slant pass to the wide receiver standing at the bottom of the zone, successfully helping the University of Michigan score another touchdown.

In addition, the Michigan team kicked another free kick before halftime, and the team's total score reached 20 points.

And Alabama only had a measly 6 points.

"If the decline can't be completely changed in the second half, Alabama will definitely lose!" Ethan thought as he walked off the field.

Charles' relaxed and carefree smile came to mind again, as well as the Michigan defensive tactics revealed by Tom Brady before the game...

A bold idea popped into Ethan's mind!

　Sorry, the Internet was disconnected in the morning, and I couldn't see the external information on my mobile phone, so I wasted some time.

　　

　

(End of this chapter)