Michigan Football: What to Expect from Wolverines' Offense in 2012

Denard Robinson may be a 2012 Heisman Trophy candidate, but the Michigan Wolverines' offense has a lot of work to do this season.

Key players like Junior Hemingway, David Molk and Kevin Koger are gone, so Robinson will be relied on even more than in the past. Therefore, we have to expect defenses to zero in on shutting him down to beat the Wolverines.

Fortunately, the experienced defense is good complement, but a more consistently effective approach on offense will be needed against a tougher schedule. Here, let's see what we can anticipate from the Wolverines when they possess the rock in 2012.

Quicker Developing Plays

Whether it's a run or pass, Michigan has to run plays that develop quckly in order to utilize the advantage of Denard Robinson. The offense obviously will go as he goes, so quickness in shorter bursts has to occur more often.

In the passing game, expect more slants, bubble/middle screens and bootlegs to hit targets over the middle and in the flats. Robinson's athleticism and mobility must be used to get a defense moving laterally, which forces the coverage to spread out and open up zones and passing lanes.

As one can then anticipate, that efficiency will make life easier in setting up the run. Even though Robinson will mainly be in shotgun, getting a defense to move will get front-seven defenders out of position.

Running lanes are now created for Robinson and his presence makes read-option and quick tosses more dangerous. Michigan can run a split-back set with Robinson in between and that alone allows for a triple-option and counter/trap dimension.

The faster Michigan can work its play calls within a 10-to-15-yard span, the more it will benefit when those rare big plays are needed.

Imperative Balance

If Denard Robinson is to remain a legit threat the entire season, having balance throughout is imperative. Michigan has a stud running back in Fitzgerald Toussaint, who gained over 1,000 rushing yards and scored nine touchdowns in 2011.

Using him to slam between, off and outside the tackles is the simple offensive philosophy of running the rock to set up the pass. Toussaint's production is also vital because Robinson threw 15 picks last season, which was the most in the Big Ten.

Considering that his receiving targets are undersized, it'll be interesting to see how Robinson manages to dice up defenses without Hemingway on the outside. Lest we forget, but Robinson only complete 55 percent of his throws last season and saw a dip in yards, completion percentage and an increase in turnovers compared to 2010.

So, Michigan can't get too reliant on Robinson making three-plus reads when dropping back. This then relates to the quick-developing plays where he can make a read or two, make the throw or take off running.

He'll undoubtedly be productive on the ground, but the passing game has to be set up from the rushing attack for Robinson to improve as a quarterback in 2012.

Slower Pace

Just because an offense runs quick-developing plays doesn't mean it can't operate at a slower pace.

In 2011, the Wolverines averaged 33.3 points per game and scored over that average seven times. Although that explosiveness helped the defense—which was stellar anyway—controlling the game tempo must happen this year.

With tough games away from the Big House in Alabama, Notre Dame, Purdue, Nebraska and Ohio State, Michigan can't afford to leave its defense on the field. The Wolverines possess the speed, quickness and balance to keep opponents off balance throughout the course of any game.

Early on you can expect a heavy dose from Toussaint to take pressure off Robinson, and then play action becomes relevant. Using play action will freeze defenders in coverage and blitzing linebackers for more time in the pocket, and it will open receivers at the snap.

Michigan then won't see press coverage too often, which makes anyone vulnerable to double moves from a fake-pump.  That's where the occasional big play happens and the Wolverines recycle back to Toussaint on the ground.

John Rozum on Twitter.