Florida State 33, Michigan 32 Comment Count

Ace



Dalvin Cook lived up to his billing. [Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog]

Sometimes you make it a game despite yourself and the human lightning bolt that is Dalvin Cook and then a freshman receiver who looks like a tight end turns a dumb play into a game-swinging kickoff return and a 5'11" guy beats Jourdan Lewis for a touchdown because sure why not and a series of improbable events occur and a laugher turns into a heartbreaker.

For most of the game, Florida State showed why Michigan is on the wrong side of the playoff bubble. Michigan's offense couldn't overcome a shaky offensive line to put any sort of consistent attack together, mustering only 83 first-half yards. Florida State's couldn't either but for the notable exception of Cook. The future Pro Bowl running back had 141 yards and a score on 16 touches. Nyqwan Murray exploited a busted coverage for a 92-yard touchdown. The rest of the FSU offense had 22 yards on 17 plays. The Seminoles held a 20-6 lead at halftime.

Neither team did much of anything in the third quarter until Kenny Allen, for seemingly the umpteenth time, backed up FSU deep in their own territory with 1:12 left in the quarter. Facing second-and-ten from his own eight-yard line, quarterback Deondre Francois rolled right to escape pressure and threw a pass directly to Mike McCray, who ended his short trip down the sideline with a dive into the end zone to make it 20-15. Michigan had pulled within a score for the first time since the opening quarter, setting up one of the wildest finishes of this college football season.



Chris Evans, flying. [Fuller]

Cook once again pulled the game almost out of reach, breaking a 71-yard run on third-and-22 to set up a three-yard touchdown run by his backup, Jacques Patrick. After the teams traded punts, Wilton Speight capitalized on great field position with a third-and-goal touchdown pass to Khalid Hill. The Wolverines returned to the end zone less than four minutes later, forcing a three-and-out before Chris Evans juke-posterized an FSU safety on a 30-yard touchdown scamper. Before you could say "Captain America," Michigan had taken a 30-27 lead.

The ensuing kickoff looked as innocuous as could be. FSU freshman Keith Gavin fielded Allen's boot a couple yards deep in the end zone, surveyed the field, and paused. In football, when you pause on a kickoff return, you kneel for a touchback. That is the only play. Except for this play. This play, Gavin belatedly took off despite the protestations of fellow return man Kermit Whitfield, burst through a tackle, and was finally dragged down 66 yards later by Jourdan Lewis.



The winning touchdown. [Fuller]

Cook got the Seminoles to the 12-yard line on a screen pass. Two plays later, Murray rose over Lewis to haul in the go-ahead touchdown. As if this game wasn't frantic enough, Michigan blocked the extra point and Josh Metullus, filling in for an injured Jabrill Peppers, brought it all the way back for two points. With 36 seconds left, down a point, Michigan had the opportunity to give this meandering game one final twist.

Instead, the Seminoles held strong, intercepting a desperation fourth-and-ten heave by Speight forced by instant—perhaps too instant—pressure by DeMarcus Walker.

It may be coachspeak cliché, but it's true: Florida State made more plays. The better team, at least tonight, won the game. Cook showed Michigan what they lack: an offensive playmaker that makes opponents sigh with relief every time the ball goes elsewhere. That, or an elite quarterback, can overcome a porous offensive line. The Wolverines had neither.

Maybe next year.

Comments

dougr188

December 31st, 2016 at 2:17 AM ^

November and December have been tough months the last two years.

There are glaring deficiencies on this team that have created losses.  Lets hope it gets settled.

M-Dog

December 31st, 2016 at 2:25 AM ^

That is because we play good teams in Nov and Dec.  Let's be honest, we were feasting on the pathetic Rutgers / Illinois / Maryland type teams the rest of the year.

Bad teams have a way of making merely good teams look like great teams.

We were not a great team.

 

los barcos

December 31st, 2016 at 12:04 PM ^

We played Wisconsin Colorado and Penn State in the start of the season - not exactly cupcakes. We also played Maryland in November - not exactly the start of the season either.

Iowa isn't exactly a world beater, we lost to them. And almost lost to Indiana - once again, not a world beater by any stretch. The argument that we played better teams at the end of the year doesn't necessarily hold water. It seems like we just faded a bit down the stretch...

Communist Football

December 31st, 2016 at 2:23 AM ^

Game analysis is simple comrades. Speight was mediocre. O line was its usual below average. Lewis was uncharacteristically bad. And Peppers was out.

All of this to say: 2016 M was not a national championship caliber team. So while it sucks to lose to FSU, it doesn't really matter. 2018 will be our year.




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M-Dog

December 31st, 2016 at 2:27 AM ^

Look at the bright side, whoever loses the Ohio State - Clemson game tomorrow is going to feel a whole shitload worse than we do now.  And we feel miserable.

 

snarling wolverine

December 31st, 2016 at 12:11 PM ^

Clemson will feel worse.  Two years losing in the playoff would have to feel like we did when the Fab Five lost in the title in '92 and '93.

I don't know about OSU though.  They're only two years removed from a national title and I think they they know, deep down, they aren't that good this year.

ca_prophet

December 31st, 2016 at 3:08 AM ^

He played very well.  Losing Pepper beforehand was a major blow, but overall we didn't give up, and kept our heads in the game.  They made two more plays that we did and that's the difference.

In the end, we were only going as far as our O-line could take us, and when we lost Newsome that wasn't far enough.

I thik we'll take a major step back next year in terms of quality of play - losing all the guys we do makes it hard to avoid - but we're still on the right track.

 

OwenGoBlue

December 31st, 2016 at 4:17 AM ^

PANIC is basically the gist of these comments.

Tough loss. A few points from being undefeated. This game: still injured QB, still Hoke QB/OL, best player can't go last minute, Dalvin Cook is nuts, 3 huge plays for FSU that can happen somewhat at random in any game.

The future: proven player development, two great recruiting classes, competition everywhere.

Yes, fire the world. Bring back Funk (who the hell are you rooting for here?). Thanks to those who realize how good we have it and that this is a goddamn process.

The Dubliner

December 31st, 2016 at 9:23 AM ^

OSU/Urbs inherited Carlos Hyde and Braxton Miller. We have zero playmakers on offense because of our abysmal recruiting by Hoke et al on that side of the ball. The fact that we're even competing with the big boys without any game-breakers is a good sign. We are not OSU yet, but we are closer than we've been in a long long time. It IS a process.




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Amaznbluedoc

December 31st, 2016 at 9:57 AM ^

The crazy thing about ohio is that Meyer walked into a national caliber program.  Liar, Liar had his kids in three national championship games and won one of them.  Sure, he took over after the dismal season of Fickle but all of the elements were there.  Jim came into a program which had been devastated, dismantled, and downtrodden for seven years.

I Love Lamp

December 31st, 2016 at 10:01 AM ^

Especially here, with our history and resources. However, every situation is different, and maybe it's going to take 4 years for us instead of 3 years for others.

Our OL was highly ranked in recruiting, but they never really lived up to expectations in their time here. Now a reload for next year won't help in the short term, but they will develop chemistry and skill playing together for hopefully 3-4 years.

Our QB has shown flashes of being competent, but struggles against talented teams. And really struggles when he takes an early shot. He will have to show a whole lot of improvement in the off-season, because if Peters is who we think he may be, I wouldn't doubt seeing jim go with "his guy."

Not enough skill/athleticism at the skill positions on offense. This needs to improve, and the horses appear to be coming, especially if Harris flips.

LB need speed and athleticism, and this is coming soon as well.

Playcalling and coaching had some head scratching moments this year, but I trust their track record. They know what they have far more than we will ever know, but I must say, pitches to smith against an athletic D is something even us armchair coaches know should never happen.

So I know this is snowflake material here, but when you really think about it, going 20-6 in two seasons, a NY6 bowl appearance, isn't too shabby, considering we really have more definciencies than we would like to admit. 4 of those 6 losses easily could've gone the other way, but didn't. And look at how we surpassed MSU already, when we were way behind them in momentum, and we have closed a massive, massive gap against OSU. It is a process, and we are on schedule. Let's enjoy what we have going for us. Not long ago, our future was bleak. We can look forward to seasons to come now, instead of dreading them.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

December 31st, 2016 at 10:01 AM ^

OSU's culture had not drifted into a defeatist mindset. This program had a miraculous season to win the Sugar a Bowl, but 6 poor/awful seasons around it. One very good recruiting class, but years of weak classes. UM lost to top teams other than the Iowa loss.

Urban walked into a program with one down year after 10 years of winning and a roster stocked from numerous top 3-8 classes. OSU didn't play any top teams until they lost in the B1G game and vs Clemson at the end of year 2.

Perhaps Urban is a better coach given his fantastic W-L record and great fortune in big games, but he and a JH did not tackle equivalent situations.

OwenGoBlue

December 31st, 2016 at 11:30 AM ^

Who are the other examples of a better turnaround? As called out by several below the OSU situation and post-Hoke Michigan were different animals. Harbaugh's first real recruiting class are all freshmen.

I think we should have the highest expectations for the program. We should also be able to enjoy a 10 win season. The "national champs or you suck" mindset is absurd and also a terrible way to enjoy football.

snarling wolverine

December 31st, 2016 at 12:20 PM ^

We need to stop with the OSU comparisons.  OSU was a national title contender for virtually all of Tressel's tenure (2001-10).  Then he was fired, some guys got suspended and Luke Fickell did his Luke Fickell thing for a year, which was fun to watch - but it was a fluke.  Their team was still full of Tressel recruits who had recently experienced success when Meyer came in.  

Michigan was not in the same place when Harbaugh was hired.  We'd gone 46-42 the previous seven years.  It sucks - hard - that we lost three games this year.  But we are still massively improved from where we were and there's no reason to doubt we can take the next step.

Coach Carr Camp

December 31st, 2016 at 7:52 PM ^

What are you talking about? Please name multiple examples outside of OSU (a situation where Urban was inhereting a Jim Tressel recruit filled team).

Saban 7-6, 12-2, 14-0

Fisher 10-4, 9-4, 12-2

Dabo 9-5, 6-7, 10-4

Peterson 8-6, 7-6, 12-2

Harbugh took a 5-7 team and immediately went 10-3 and 10-3. What absurd standards do you have that this is not a solid turn around so far?

UPMichigan

December 31st, 2016 at 6:50 AM ^

Anyone want to consider that Speight is no where near 100% since getting hurt at Iowa? His accuracy has been abysmal since then and fails to complete a pass over 20 yards.

Dylan

December 31st, 2016 at 8:16 AM ^

Also what happened the past few games with Harbaugh insisting on calling the ticky-tack, new NFL thinking of only throw it down the field under 10 yards at a time.




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Catchafire

December 31st, 2016 at 8:37 AM ^

Two back to back 10-3 seasons and some of you want a new coach. Pathetic. We lost three games by less than a touchdown. We lack an online, a RB, and QB.

UM will be fine.

YaterSalad

December 31st, 2016 at 10:01 AM ^

What morons are you talking to that want to replace Harbaugh? There certainly are some goons on the ol' Internet that think a better coach exists - maybe in Columbus or Tuscaloosa. But I can't imagine replacing a guy who, without playmakers but with an experienced defense, just went 10-3 back to back. It was as apparent we lack the OL, QB, WR, and RB that Florida State had. The talent gap was somewhat overcome with hard work - we lost to the 2 teams with more talent. The Iowa loss will be looked back at as inexplicable. Only BAD loss of the season and it wasn't a disastrous one.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

December 31st, 2016 at 8:53 AM ^

The roster still has holes that will only get cured with a couple more classes. Harbaugh has flipped the culture and brought back a competitive mindset.

We need more talent - especially at OL and RB. It will just take time.

Amaznbluedoc

December 31st, 2016 at 9:51 AM ^

It took Harbaugh 4 years at Stanford to create a national caliber team while he's managed to craft good seasons with Hoke's players in two (his first two years at Stanford were dismal and that was Pac-10).  Hopefully the boat is slowly righting.  Right now we're not an elite power 5 team and perhaps many of us were deceived by the hype and meteoric start of this team?  The signs were there, we had too many holes - OL, RB, QB and the lack of real playmakers.  At least Kenny Allen and Taco Charlton saw huge developmental improvements and hopefully our recruiting efforts will pay off.  I remain cautiously optimistic.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

December 31st, 2016 at 10:10 AM ^

gnashing their teeth, the turnaround is impressive. We are 20-6 with JH, in the conversation for the CFP and re-established as a recruiting power.

People almost forget 5-7 with miserable losses to Minn, Utah, MD and Rutgers. We were not relevant. Just like Stanford, the roster and culture were not on par with the best.

Now JH has to take the next step in the coming seasons to win with his recruits. Winnning is a mindset.

Chi-City Wolverine

December 31st, 2016 at 9:42 AM ^

It's funny when we have losses like this, because posters with low point totals and new names come out of the wood work to tell us how shitty our team is and how bad Harbaugh is as a coach , like they have any credibility to begin.




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3xWlvrn

December 31st, 2016 at 10:20 AM ^

Though that I, a low point guy (I'm sure, although I don't even know where to check), would respond on behalf of "low pointers" everywhere...

I enjoy the content from both the blog writers and users. I'm not always compelled to share my opinion, as I'm either taking a quick pass through the app or just don't have anything meaningful to contribute. I wish others used the same discretion to keep content at a high level.

That said, I'm not sure which low pointer comments you're referring to, so I'll generally say that yesterday's game exposed our team. I don't think it's fair to say the team is "shitty" - it isn't - but it's also not elite. It's ok to say so.

Low pointers are people too. Please don't stereotype us. It hurts our feelings.

Tom Eng 78

December 31st, 2016 at 9:51 AM ^

The AA got burned badly twice.  Seemed like he got the big head and started to think he was a celebrity or something.  Talked too much, like some kind of Hollywood actress.  Should just shut up and play football.

Tom Eng 78

December 31st, 2016 at 11:49 AM ^

Read the Free Press article on him.  He's been making politically and racially charged comments and tweets all fall.  BLM, Kapernic, said he's moving to Canada, and this gem:

“But real question... when was American great? Let's be honest, from my perspective it has never been.”

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverine…

 

Big mouth.  Got burned and cost his team the game.