Iowa 14, Michigan 13
A Murphy's Law game.
Any number of individual plays could've changed the outcome. Most of the ones that come to mind involve Wilton Speight, who had his worst game of the year, then had injury added to insult at the end.
Speight wasn't alone in his struggles, however. Jehu Chesson missed a chance to bail his quarterback out, instead getting a third-down pass ripped from his hands by Manny Rugamba, costing the Wolverines a chance to put the game away. Khalid Hill missed an assignment that led to an early safety and lost a fumble returning the opening kickoff of the second half. Chris Evans was the only running back who could consistently get anything going. The playcalling, personnel usage, and late-game clock management will be nitpicked to death this week, and not without justification.
While the defense played well on the whole, they couldn't contain Akrum Wadley, who accounted for 167 yards on 28 touches. And, yes, there were multiple questionable calls by the notorious officiating crew led by John O'Neill.
"Not every little thing is going to go our team's way," said Jim Harbaugh. "To win, you've got to make it go your way. We didn't."
Michigan still has everything to play for, but they've lost all margin for error if they want to keep their Big Ten title and playoff dreams alive. Before they even get that far, though, they have to figure out what went wrong tonight. This game should not have been close, let alone a loss, but a number of underwhelming performances occurred in conjunction at the wrong time. There's no sugarcoating tonight.
November 13th, 2016 at 12:28 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:37 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:39 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:36 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:24 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:26 AM ^
My biggest nitpick? They had a first down with 2 minutes left and they played to lose. I understand the probability but on the road with everything to gain you roll the dice. The play-calling on that series was horrendous.
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November 13th, 2016 at 12:33 AM ^
But it seemed like that long pass on 3rd down was catchable. It hit the receiver (Darboh?) in the gut. There were apparently several like that near the end of the game. Before that, Speight was just off.
Like everyone else, I just don't get the lack of imagination for the Peppers wildcat snaps. We did try a few other trick plays, however, without success. It just wasn't our night. But we still control our own destiny, so it's an affordable loss.
November 13th, 2016 at 12:35 AM ^
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November 13th, 2016 at 1:10 AM ^
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November 13th, 2016 at 12:52 AM ^
They kind of did even worse than that. Instead of going full Lloydball to drain clock or throwing the kitchen sink, they went with Pepcat and then a rollout armpunt from an injured QB which almost got complete but also stopped the clock. They didn't do anything unpredictable to get the first, nor did they keep the clock rolling. So you had the downsides of both strategies and the benefits of neither.
Harbaugh's game-end management is as bafflingly bad as his first half two-minute drills are brilliant.
November 13th, 2016 at 12:26 AM ^
Was definitive proof there is Alabama and then there is everybody else. We're still near the top of the everybody elses.
My question is whether it is true or not that many of our players suffered from the flu. So does somebody know and will you please share with us?
November 13th, 2016 at 12:27 AM ^
These kinds of games are common in college football. That's what makes it great. The crowd and emotions can effect the game immensely This was a classic trap game. We got Michigan State's best game and survived. Tonight Iowa's best game got us. We kinda got out Harbaughed. We're still in the Big Ten drivers seat and can still make the playoff. I'm not going to panic, this road experience will make us better in the long run.
November 13th, 2016 at 12:28 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 1:00 AM ^
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November 13th, 2016 at 1:09 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 10:44 AM ^
Two teams - Bama and WMU
November 13th, 2016 at 12:29 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:40 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:42 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:36 AM ^
This was so reminiscent of an old Bo/Carr game....the team is good, really good even, but once or twice a season, they lose a game they shouldn't lose. On both sides of the ball, everyone is down a notch, and it seems to affect the coaching staff as well. The game was coached tight and played tight. With everyone puckered, a fired-up opponent and some shitty officiating was what it took.
And, for the love of GOD, if your QB is obviously hampered by injury, why doesn't the backup get a sniff? Does he suck that bad....maybe so.
But, fuck, welcome to 10-2, maybe even 9-3. All the highs this year for fucking 9-3.
At least we had the highs, though.....
November 13th, 2016 at 12:36 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:38 AM ^
I was about to punch through the walls in my living room when I realized that there were 18-22 year old kids who just lost a heart-wrenching game. On the road. To a team coached by a dynosaur.
Michigan still controls its football destiny. This has been a great season so far. I am going to clap and cheer for these group of Michigan students and enjoy the rest of their season. I am disappointed and angry as hell, but compared to what these players are going through, I am good.
November 13th, 2016 at 12:38 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:39 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:51 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 1:03 AM ^
-1 for bringing the up the election in any way in my football sanctuary. Haven't we had enough election.
November 13th, 2016 at 1:58 AM ^
hit a terrific receiver right in the chest and bounced off. That kind of a night.
November 13th, 2016 at 12:42 AM ^
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November 13th, 2016 at 1:52 AM ^
*Big Ten East
Wisconsin also controls their own destiny for the conference, and after today, the playoff as well.
November 13th, 2016 at 12:43 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:44 AM ^
This one hurts less than the other.
November 13th, 2016 at 1:06 AM ^
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November 13th, 2016 at 1:17 AM ^
not sure your intent, but
November 13th, 2016 at 12:46 AM ^
So can you guys please stop going on road trips? Thanks...
November 13th, 2016 at 12:46 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:46 AM ^
A good QB 80% of the time, drop a big one here or there, solid play for the most part, sad to see him leave when he does, but UM fans will be ready for a new face after he graduates.
November 13th, 2016 at 2:38 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 4:53 AM ^
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November 13th, 2016 at 8:58 AM ^
But right now that's the best we've got so we're gonna ride w him.
November 13th, 2016 at 12:49 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 1:20 AM ^
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November 13th, 2016 at 12:49 AM ^
Iowa looked better prepared, more sound and better coached.
November 13th, 2016 at 12:51 AM ^
November 13th, 2016 at 12:53 AM ^
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November 13th, 2016 at 12:57 AM ^
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