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Harbaugh: Michigan will be a no-huddle, attacking up-tempo offense in 2019

Michigan’s scheme sounds like it is going to be much different this season

NCAA Football: Michigan at Rutgers Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

With Michigan’s new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis at the helm, there has been talk about #SpeedInSpace, an entire new offense.

Jim Harbaugh spoke with the media on Monday and he shed some more light on the biggest difference in the new offense compared to the one implemented in 2018.

“I think the biggest difference people will see will be the tempo, a tempo that’s more up-tempo, less huddle, that would be number one,” Harbaugh said.

Michigan rarely used any sort of up-tempo attack in 2018, but now it sounds like that will be the most predominant tempo next season.

“The tempo’s big, the tempo’s a huge change, from huddling to not huddling, that’s big.”

Running a no-huddle system will, in theory, keep opposing defenses on their toes and not allow them much time to get aligned the way they need to and diagnose what play Michigan is running. Up-tempo causes mental lapses on defense if an offense can run their scheme effectively.

When trailing, no-huddle will be especially helpful and give Michigan a much better chance of overcoming a multiple score deficit late in the game.

Along with the tempo, Michigan is going to be attacking teams more vertically in the passing game.

“I like it, it’s got more of an attacking feel to the offense in terms of tempo and in terms of going downfield in the passing game,” Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh’s comments will be welcomed with delight by Michigan fans, who want to see their offense let it rip.