Indiana 38, Michigan 21
1. Indiana had 254 passing yards—at halftime. Michael Penix Jr. completed nine passes of 15+ yards on the day.
2. Michigan's defense committed offside penalties on two Indiana touchdowns and at least three other plays, I lost count and so did the live stats.
3. The Hoosiers entered this game 6-for-23 on third down conversions in 2020. They were 9-for-17 this afternoon before kneeling out the clock.
4. IU beat U-M by one more point than they beat Rutgers last week.
5. U-M last lost to IU by double digits in 1959.
6. Ty Fryfogle set a career high with 142 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
7. With sacks removed, U-M rushed for 33 yards on 15 carries (2.2 YPC). IU's previous two opponents, Penn State and (once more, for emphasis) Rutgers, ran for 414 yards on 80 carries (5.2 YPC).
8. Iowa beat Michigan State 49-7 this afternoon. The Hawkeyes entered that game 0-2 with losses to Purdue and Northwestern. I don't need to remind you what happened last weekend.
9. This screencap:
10. Jim Harbaugh had a 20-4 record at Michigan heading into the 2016 Ohio State game. He's 28-16 since.
11. The Wolverines are 10-8 dating back to the 2018 OSU game. The margins in those eight losses have been 29, 26, 23, 21, 19, 17, seven, and three points.
Jim Harbaugh, Josh Gattis, and Don Brown need to turn the season around in a way that's hard to foresee right now to avoid facing some very difficult questions about their ability to run this program.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:00 PM ^
It's all over.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:12 PM ^
I would be interested in seeing two compiled lists:
1) All recruited players are gone that would have still been here if they had stayed the full 4 years (those lost to early NFL, transfers out, medicals, suspensions/expulsions, opt outs, etc.)
2) Players out today (including those lost during the game) that were expected to be contributors at the beginning of this season (basically excluding those in list #1).
I bet it would be a lot of lost potential/production.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:39 PM ^
I mean sure...but enough lost production that Michigan is now 17 points worse than Indiana?!?
November 7th, 2020 at 5:20 PM ^
Do you remember how much production was lost when Denard Robinson went down? Or Devin Gardener later?
One guy can mean everything if it's the right guy... a whole slew of players can mean that and more.
November 7th, 2020 at 5:46 PM ^
My overall point remains though: Michigan should be at a point program wise where even if you lose a couple of players -- even key ones -- it doesn't drop you to a point where you're entirely outclassed by Indiana.
November 7th, 2020 at 6:22 PM ^
BINGO!
November 7th, 2020 at 8:05 PM ^
But in essence, it does. Say for example Ambry opted in. Ben St. Juste is still here. That’s two all conference level corners. That makes a world of difference on this team. Add in someone like Myles Sims and you probably have a viable third corner between him and Gemon Green.
As bad as our DT situation has been, what would it mean to have a guy like Aubrey Solomon down there at 6’5” 315 lbs.
Are teams still gashing us up the middle at that point? Are teams still just launching balls at the sideline knowing either their guy is going to come down with it or Michigan is going to get flagged?
Attrition happens and ultimately, the team has to move forward with what they have. But one or two guys at key positions absolutely can make a WORLD of difference. Michigan is young at a lot of spots this year, and when you have guys who would normally be backups or third string because previous players left the program, you can’t ignore the impact it has.
Now it isn’t an excuse for the level of play we have seen, but it is interesting to look at what our roster could look like right now and it is okay to note it’s impact.
November 7th, 2020 at 9:02 PM ^
It is year 6, where is the fucking depth, this is harbaugh's team 100%. No more excuses. I know Maizen was a pain in the ass, but recruiting 3 stars and low 4 stars and hoping they ALL turn into Tom Brady NFL caliber, just isn't fucking happening.
These are good kids, but out of their league especially with this PATHETIC coaching.
November 7th, 2020 at 9:44 PM ^
True but much of that is on Harbaugh. Like in business, it’s Not enough to just recruit good talent you need to be able to retain those guys too. Tarik Black would rather ride pine at Texas than start at Michigan? Nico & Ambry opt to not play at all? Ambry may never play meaningful football again.
November 8th, 2020 at 8:52 AM ^
Can Nico pass the ball?
November 8th, 2020 at 3:31 PM ^
From one perspective, your points sound entirely reasonable, however looking at the QB situation, one has to compare the performances of a 6'5", 230# 4* sophomore and IU's 6'1 , 4* sophomore QB. Admittedly, receivers have to run the routes, get open, and make the catches, but tell me who appeared better prepared (i.e. coached) for this game?
November 7th, 2020 at 11:33 PM ^
Especially when we have no depth at key positions after 6 years of Harbaugh
November 7th, 2020 at 5:36 PM ^
Honestly, Ambry Thomas playing the corner along with Green probably makes a world of difference on this team. It doesn't excuse this game by any means, but so much of Brown's defense relies on great corner play and that's been by far the weakest part of the defense this year.
November 7th, 2020 at 9:31 PM ^
But how is it that the entire program hinges on the departure of one guy in year 6?
November 7th, 2020 at 9:41 PM ^
It wasn't just him, though.
And don't forget the injuries that have accumulated in the last three games.
November 7th, 2020 at 10:52 PM ^
I mean, today they were also down their starting tackles and McGrone, I believe, had a cast around his arm. And they then lost Hutchinson.
Also, lots of teams would look way worse without a key player or two. UM is not an elite team, but PSU is 0-3 right now and struggles to stop anyone and I'm sure they'd like Micah Parsons back. Thomas isn't at that level as a player but teams do notice starters out.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:54 PM ^
Why did UM lose these players: Dylan McCaffrey, Tarik Black, Donovan Peoples Jones, Nico Collins, Ambry Thomas, Michael Dwumform Brandon St. Juste ...who else am I forgetting?
That's a lot of attrition. Is it all covid?
Are there institutional problems? Why are we losing good players? Why can't we recruit DEs, DTs, or CBs?
November 7th, 2020 at 5:21 PM ^
All good questions and most for different reasons... but the point still stands that attrition has *really* hurt this team.
November 7th, 2020 at 5:32 PM ^
The question to ask is "Why" has there been such attrition, and is our attrition different from the average of what other major programs have had during this time.
I can only come to the conclusion that Harbaugh has lost his ability to Coach and Recruit at a high level. His weirdness is not longer endearing and I don't know what has happened to the guy. He is a shell of the man that took over the program. Clearly we are at a point that he needs to be replaced.
November 7th, 2020 at 5:46 PM ^
I wouldn't say the attrition has been *that* different than other programs - we just don't reload as easily as others (many of whom likely use different incentives to attract/retain players that we do).
To say *why* various players are gone is purely speculation on our end - you can say it's the coaching but without any evidence it's just your opinion. Some may give polished "boiler plate" answers and others may not say anything - hard to say without hearing from someone on the inside.
November 7th, 2020 at 7:55 PM ^
Our attrition isn't that different for programs like Clemson, OSU, or Bama, but those teams have the depth to reload no matter position, we don't. On the flipside, our attrition compared to teams like Indiana and Purdue is IMMENSE. Stevie Scott has been IU's starting RB for forever, as have their receivers Philyor, Hendershot, and Fryfogle. We have 2 returning starters on offense, right? Mayfield (who didn't even play) and Bell? RBs are a wash because they rotate so much and Corum seems to be getting more of the load than the others
November 8th, 2020 at 9:08 AM ^
And this issue sits at the feet of one James Harbaugh.
November 8th, 2020 at 3:34 PM ^
Fair enough, then answer the question why Tom Allen was able to keep his key players and we were not? Do you think Covid only affects M? There is a lot more here than meets the eye and I'll clue you in, it has the initials JH.
November 7th, 2020 at 5:39 PM ^
All good questions, I think by now we all kind of know the answers.
The lack of player development and basic fundamental coaching is shocking though. I mean seriously, our players look like they are just learning the game of football. You wonder what they do in practice all week.
November 7th, 2020 at 5:49 PM ^
Why did UM lose these players?
Dylan McCaffrey - And he wasn't beating out Milton?
Tarik Black - Haven't seen anything from him at Texas which we are missing.
Donovan Peoples Jones - Sort of difficult to argue with the NFL
Nico Collins - Covid. If there was no pandemic Collins would be playing.
Ambry Thomas - See above.
Michael Dwumform - Do you think he would have made a difference.
Brandon St. Juste - Got his degree and left. It's not like he is a stud for Minnesota.
November 7th, 2020 at 7:11 PM ^
Thomas, Dwumfour, and BSJ (who made All Big Ten last year) would have made a huge difference last week at the very least.
November 7th, 2020 at 7:12 PM ^
Ambry is probably worth 14 points in each of the last 2 weeks. Add Nico and, well, this isn’t a good team but it’s probably a 3-0 bad team.
November 7th, 2020 at 8:28 PM ^
Are you cooking up some Excuse Soup?
November 7th, 2020 at 9:43 PM ^
Facts are facts. Not an "excuse", but certainly part of the explanation.
November 8th, 2020 at 7:53 AM ^
Every school, especially power 5 schools lose potential production every offseason/ season. That’s a poor excuse that can’t even begin to explain why Harbaugh is now 10-8 since the 2018 OSU game and 1-5 against rivals at home. Michigan being 20 years behind in playing modern era football and when they get the offensive coaches that can, even dating back to RR and now Gattis, they micromanage them to the point that they are ineffective! To hell with that Michigan man bullshit too! Hire someone that runs a modern offense, has a desire to compete, will make adjustments, and can recruit where it counts, instead of being so narcissistic, you believe you can polish turds into diamonds! Harbaugh and Don Brown are what is wrong with the team, period!
November 8th, 2020 at 8:03 AM ^
I think points 10 and 11 of Ace states explain the results of what you are describing. Gattis can run a modern offense but how these players are utilized and how they execute these plays are a big part of the problem.
Yes; a change is needed. Brown can be dismissed anytime soon. Realistically, Harbaugh at or near the end of the season.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:14 PM ^
Do you mean the country or M football or both?
November 7th, 2020 at 6:06 PM ^
I am back to levels of apathy and excitement I had at the end of the RichRod era. I probably won’t watch a game until the OSU game - and I honestly may wait until after the first quarter and completely wave off on that one as well.
the worst part is it doesn’t really seem like any players or coaches really care that they’re getting their teeth kicked. Disappointing, but the last week also put football in general in perspective. Just not that important.
Hope that’s what Ward wants to hear from fans.
November 8th, 2020 at 9:05 AM ^
Yep. Including the gloating from Ace.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:02 PM ^
You know, it was nice to have the saga of the most contentious and divisive election in modern U.S. history as a refreshing distraction from Michigan football.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:12 PM ^
It actually did help take my mind off the MSU loss.
Thank goodness for that Georgia Senate runoff in January, I guess.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:39 PM ^
donkeys and elephants gonna be playing in January, but wolverines sure AF won't be
November 7th, 2020 at 5:05 PM ^
The only thing we can hope for is the Dems cancel football because of all the global warming. Or if athey continue the game shouldn’t the wolverines get extra points for being progressives?
November 7th, 2020 at 6:21 PM ^
WARNING: No politics.
November 7th, 2020 at 8:10 PM ^
I wish if people were going to ignore the no politics rule, they’d at LEAST avoid the crazy conspiracy theory takes. But alas...
November 7th, 2020 at 8:57 PM ^
Where’s the /s?
November 7th, 2020 at 9:48 PM ^
Trump and Fox say it ain’t over.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:02 PM ^
The last sentence is one of the most hilariously mealy-mouthed takes that I have ever seen.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:27 PM ^
If it makes you feel better, that is also how they walked up to the line for Hoke.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:03 PM ^
I hope they'll face more than "difficult questions"
November 7th, 2020 at 4:06 PM ^
Lol what a pathetic write up. All you can muster up is saying the coaches need to turn things around in order to avoid difficult questions about their ability to run this program?? Wow.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:07 PM ^
mgoblog's writers very much take pride in not holding our coaches accountable for their shitty performances.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:09 PM ^
I mean they do need to maintain some level of access to the program, so they're probably in a tough spot.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:14 PM ^
Why do you need access? The results on the field speak for themselves
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