You probably read today about the triple option offense - one that's unique to only a handful of FBS programs, including Navy, Georgia Tech and Air Force - Michigan's opponent Saturday at the Big House.
What do those triple-option schools have in common? Smart kids. But if that's an equalizer, then that's just a coincidence.
The essence of the triple option is this: the quarterback has three options when it comes to a running play: go to the tailback, go to the fullback or run the ball himself - and those decisions hinge on how the quarterback reads the defense. There's a lot of misdirection involved in the triple option, which places an emphasis on the run.
Air Force isn't quite a passing team - as evidenced by the 142 yards passing in last week's win over Idaho State, and 1,821 yards passing in 2011.
Since it's not easy to explain the intricacies of it ... here's some footage of Air Force executing the triple-option offense during the 2009 Armed Forces Bowl against Houston. The best thing to do? Keep your eye on the ball.
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In a video posted Friday afternoon by the Michigan athletic department, Wolverines coach Brady Hoke said Fitz Toussaint will start at tailback in his first game of the season.
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Air Force won't leave Ann Arbor empty-handed. Michigan's contract with Air Force states that the Falcons will receive a $1.1 million payout for Saturday's game - on or before Feb. 1 following the game.
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