MGoPodcast 15.16: The Perfect Season
3 hours and 18 minutes
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1. National Championship Feels
Starts at 1:00
"Bring us home, Blake." He did it just like in the Ohio State, Penn State, and Alabama games. And then Mikey got an interception. A perfect moment in a perfect season. JJ's tweet was right, everyone just take a breath and relax after the last 20 years. So many guys came back to make this possible, and that's the culture of this program. Everyone who stepped up did when they needed to. Michigan's diversity of what they do on offense might be unmatched anywhere else in the country, and part of that is because so many people stick around. We call Blake Corum a perfect human being but Mike Sainristil is the same thing. This program has developed so many dudes who are going to the NFL that most people would not have expected. If you re-ranked these recruiting classes, how much higher would Michigan jump? Michigan fans really showed up for all the playoff games and events.
[The rest of the writeup and the player after THE JUMP]
2. Defense vs Washington
Starts at 45:54
We start with the defense this time because the defense was incredible this game. What more can you even say about Jesse Minter and the players at this point? Everybody eats. Penix was in bad shape by the end of the game, Jaylen Harrell chased him down after the game to congratulate him on a good game. Keon Sabb had a bad missed tackle on Washington's first drive but made up for it later. Michigan seemed to plan this season around playing 15 games with all their substitutions to keep everyone fresh. It also helped that a lot of starters didn't have to play most 4th quarters this year. Washington was not able to just toss up the ball and have their receivers go get it, which is a big part of their game. Penix was uncomfortable all game and it brought his game down. Washington had open guys but it wasn't the guys Penix were expecting to be open. Read 1 --> Read 2 --> Uh oh Mason Graham. Besides a couple misses, this team tackled so well and have all season. How did a wide receiver become the Honey Badger?? Washington does have a great screen game.
The best defense since 1997.
3. Offense vs Washington
Starts at 1:32:46
A re-run of the Rose Bowl but more explosive. They looked a little nervous about passing the ball. One of these Washington linebackers apparently has never seen duo before. Michigan never really fully incorporated a JJ run game which was frustrating. Donovan Edwards, you've been sandbagging us all year! We don't care when you cut, but please just cut. Seven minutes into this game, Donovan Edwards had won the national championship. According to SP+ this is the best Michigan team since 1902 and the first team to hold every opponent to under 25 points since 1904 Minnesota. How many teams are losing their best offensive lineman and not seeing a drop-off? Michigan's transfer portal scouting was nuts, so many dudes did so well. JJ didn't torch this defense but he didn't need to, he also had a good YPA.
4. Game Theory, Special Teams, and Feels
Starts at 2:10:52
WARNING: This segment gets really misty towards the end.
That was the most annoying punter Michigan has ever faced. The care for special teams feels like it really dropped off this year. Decision making was pretty much by the book, though. Onto vibes, nobody has ever felt as good as this because nobody else has ever felt as bad. Reminiscing on some of the bleakest times of the Harbaugh era because they're part of what make this so sweet. Now let us stop wallowing. An impromptu gimmicky top five of "favorite moments of the season."
We talk about how we're feeling right now. There is a very good chance you will cry during it. I did.
MUSIC:
- “Win”— David Bowie
- “Down, Up!”— BabyTron
- “We're a Winner”— The Impressions
- “Across 110th Street”
THE USUAL LINKS:
- Helpful iTunes subscribe link
- General podcast feed link
- Direct Download Link
- What's with the theme music?
"The Malört of punting. You know, it looks ugly but it'll get you there."
January 11th, 2024 at 5:18 AM ^
We will never see their like again.
And that's OK, because they gave us this first. Team 144: 15-0 National Champions.
Hail!
January 11th, 2024 at 5:43 AM ^
…and just over three hours.
Hmm. Well played, MGoBlog. Well played.
Go Blue!
January 11th, 2024 at 7:08 AM ^
Beautiful Dan Carlin-ass podcast. My podcast player almost didn’t download the file because it didn’t understand how a podcast could be this long and NOT be about WWII or Genghis Khan.
much love to the staff here!
January 11th, 2024 at 9:16 AM ^
Same here
January 11th, 2024 at 5:58 AM ^
Worth appreciating that all of this amazing content is free.
Thank you, guys!
January 11th, 2024 at 9:03 AM ^
Who’s got it better than us? NOBODY!
January 11th, 2024 at 6:00 AM ^
And already my productivity for the day is shot.
January 11th, 2024 at 6:27 AM ^
The ol' 5 am podcast release. Cant wait to listen to this one
January 11th, 2024 at 6:39 AM ^
3 hours! Fuck yeah!
January 11th, 2024 at 6:55 AM ^
I would have to agree with the assertion that 1997 had the slightly better defense talent-wise, but this team dealt with much more complexity and against a wide variety of offenses all year. They downloaded at least three base defenses and didn’t skip a beat throughout. I was especially impressed by the low percentage of missed tackles. Credit to the entire staff, not to forget coach Herbert getting three stars to look like fives out there!
January 11th, 2024 at 9:28 AM ^
It is hard not to don good old day goggles when Woodson may have been the best to ever play at his position, with all the film to back that up. Ask me in 20 years and I will be dead. Younger fans will think back to this team like we do to 97. They will decide. So happy to see both teams. Champions.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:39 AM ^
After compiling the entire season, i think it is fair, and correct, to label the 1997 defense better than this defense. But it certainly is only by a hair.
HOWEVER, this team is definitely better than 1997[s IMO, and its by more than a hair.
January 11th, 2024 at 12:54 PM ^
I dont think there's much doubt there - that 1997 offense set us up for failure repeatedly against ND and nearly did the same against OSU. This offense won games - they were a compliment to the defense, but a positive compliment that never really got stopped except by Iowa - which I think was more of a strategic choice too.
January 11th, 2024 at 7:10 AM ^
There was a 3rd and 5 where MIkey slows WR down with his fingertips long enough for him to engage and bring him down with his other hand. The opposite of the DJ turner tackle attempt against TCU wr last year. Unsung moment in the game.
January 11th, 2024 at 7:52 AM ^
McMillan (I think) was GONE if Sainristil misses that tackle too. Like the only play of the game we played cover zero.
EDIT: Think was wrong, the one where he was gone if the tackle wasn't made was Will Johnson in the second half I think.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:00 PM ^
Yeah, Johnson made a sideline tackle in the 2nd half where he and the receiver were the only two players on that half of the field.
January 11th, 2024 at 8:44 AM ^
That was a great tackle. I was shocked when the receiver wasn't able to pull away. Mikey was like a bulldog on a bone. Just like Blake after his touchdown run, mugging for the camera like a junkyard dog. And that defense did play like a pack of wolves...dominant.
One more thing about teams. For all of the miscues, the low snap, the yips, the doink, during Mikey's 81-yard pick return, to a man all 11 guys flipped the switch and were on offense, heading the other way and making impressive blocks. Part of it might have been Washington's realization at that moment that their National Championship hopes were crushed, but that was a well-coached return.
Edit: Perhaps technically a defensive play, not a special teams play. But in my mind, it kind of fell in that category, not a kickoff or punt return but an interception return.
January 11th, 2024 at 9:07 AM ^
Pretty sure Minter's said they specifically coached that and talked to Phil Parker because Iowa's so good at turning turnovers into touchdowns.
January 11th, 2024 at 6:06 PM ^
It’s been clear all year that any time a DB (especially Mikey) gets their hands on a pass, the whole team is thinking end zone.
Lots of great turnover returns this year - which is underrated, because often turnovers on the defensive half of the field on third or fourth down aren’t much better than punts.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:55 AM ^
My sister said Mikey was like how a wolverine would actually pull down a husky in the wild.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:51 AM ^
I think that was UW"s 3rd drive if I'm remembering the right tackle. Just rewatched that last night. It's one of the more incredible tackles I've ever watched. Not only is Mikey much smaller than McMillan, but he manages to hold onto his waist as McMillan tries to shake him and somehow barely gives up a yard. I've watched it a few times and it's just an incredible, incredible play by one of the greatest DBs to ever play here
This play:
Incredible play to not give up 3-4 YAC
January 11th, 2024 at 8:44 PM ^
I’ve been looking forward to the UFR just to see how this specific play gets graded
January 11th, 2024 at 11:41 AM ^
Absolutely. I called this out in a reply to another post a few days ago. To me, that was the unsung play of the game, because most DB's do not make that tackle, and he had a LOT of real estate (probable TD) because there was no one back - we were blitzing.
January 11th, 2024 at 7:11 AM ^
Will have to consume in 30-40 min increments on my commute, but “fucking retired that mother fucker” made my drive in this morning!
January 11th, 2024 at 7:20 AM ^
Best defense since 97.
Nah the best defense. 97 had a generational player that 23 did not fair enough - did not have to play offenses like Wash and OSU. Completely different era. Completely different stresses. 97 had to go to a Rose Bowl and win ONE game. 23 had to go to a playoff. Based on my avatar I love the 97 team but 23 had totally different standing orders the last 5 games of their season. Depth in 23 is very different too.
97 faced great CFB Ryan Leaf but joke NFL Ryan Leaf, OSU QB Ryan Germaine (ok ok not too different than McCord and both teams had an amazing WR1) Mike McQuery v Drew Allar - uhh. Iowa was the next best offense 97 probably played LOL. Ok maybe Bill Burke. But in totality the offense complexion in CFB is very different. 2023 bullied and broke the Heisman runner up.
Current team has 2 DTs worthy of Georgia defense. So two Rob Renes not just 1. WJ is maybe not Woodson but getting up there. LBs similar think 97 a bit better - love me some Sam Sword, Ian Gold, and Dhani. Mikey a slot playmaker 97 didnt have.
Just overall totally different era of passing offense now v then. Adjusted for Big 10 offenses being mostly crap aside OSU ;)
January 11th, 2024 at 7:56 AM ^
Iowa's '97 offense was legit. Tavian Banks was a DUDE in college. Really good offensive line, Dwight was a playmaker on the outside.
Hard to compare though because the base offenses they were facing and thus the types of personnel they were playing were completely different. Fundamentally pretty similar though in that they had incredible depth at DL and dominated the line of scrimmage.
January 11th, 2024 at 8:22 AM ^
If I remember right, our D did well against Iowa that year. Didn't Tim Dwight return two punts/kicks for TDs?
Regardless, if I had to compare, I'd take this defense, but barely.
January 11th, 2024 at 9:08 AM ^
One TD, I think another big play on an end around or some such. But they legit moved the ball most of the game and had a shot to win at the end, but Sam Sword picked off a pass deep in our territory in the last minute, I think.
January 11th, 2024 at 9:23 AM ^
Nobody thought Sam Sword would be able to stay on the field in that game because he was no pass defender. But, IIRC, he played pretty much the whole game - except some obvious passing downs. Dude was a hoss!
January 11th, 2024 at 9:29 AM ^
Tim Dwight almost single-handedly beat the '97 Wolverines. He got closer than anyone that year. I called them the "Iowa Tim Dwights" for years afterward.
He wasn't much of an NFL player, though.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:32 AM ^
One Iowa TD was a punt return. Another TD was a 1 play 1 yard drive - Iowa intercepted a pass and ran it back to the one yd line. The FG came after Iowa had a 72 yard kick off return.
The only Iowa score that came from a long drive was their first score.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:34 AM ^
Yup. Except for one long run, the 97 defense stuffed their offense in a bag. Dwight did his damage as a returner.
But damn that was some scary damage. The situation looked downright bleak at halftime.
January 11th, 2024 at 8:25 AM ^
Colorado was supposed to be a machine in 1997, but that fell apart, kinda the 1997 version of 2021 Washington. The complete dominance of an overhyped team in the season opener may have primed people to think that T118 was a little better than it actually was.
There's a bigger modeling question about how good the Big Ten was this year. Michigan and Ohio State were clearly great, with Michigan a notch ahead. I think the CFP results largely confirm what the fancy stats models were saying, that Michigan's dominance of the Minnesotas and Rutgers translated to them being noticeably better than Alabama and Washington. It still seems a bit difficult to accept that the other 12 in the Big Ten were that good, because that was some ugly, ugly football.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:14 PM ^
I think PSU was a bit overrated, but I think Rutgers and maryland kinda get lumped in with the Big Ten West morass and were actually decent middle class teams - they beat crappy P5 teams but, they WERE crappy P5 teams. They are probably a bit underrated. PSU is a top15ish team, and RU and Maryland should be considered in that 20-30 range (as should Iowa)
SEC is seeing Mizzou/Ole Miss in the top ten because of bowl games, and maybe that's fair but there's a dropoff between them and the contenders. Arizona is probably on that level too, as was OU. outside of that, LSU is probably around PSU. And the rest of the SEC is kind of at that Rutgers/Maryland level - including Tennessee. That's better than the Big Ten but, in terms of schedule, the SEC's best is playing not too different from Michigan. Similar to Pac12 and I think the Big 12 was a little worse. And the ACC wasn't too far off but the dropoff was as steep as the Big Ten and the top was just FSU-deep.
A long way of saying - yes the Big Ten was bad but any team in the East played a schedule about as tough as anybody else in the P5
January 11th, 2024 at 2:14 PM ^
I started reading your reply Vasav, and the general thread of "how good is the B10 really?" comments. Then I realized halfway through - I don't care!!!
Michigan is Champions of the B10, the West, the whole damn land! The part where they evaluate opponent wins & losses to judge you is over! Michigan WON! #HAIL
January 11th, 2024 at 9:26 AM ^
Current team has 2 DTs worthy of Georgia defense.
Man, inferiority complex dies hard.
We stopped Alabama, not them. We're the National Champs, not them. We're undefeated, not them. We're the best team in the country, not them.
The discussion should be whether or not Georgia has DTs worthy of this defense.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:21 AM ^
I took it to mean the last few years of Georgia DTs. AKA the Eagles' DTs right now. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and the like.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:23 AM ^
I took it that way as well. But we don’t have to frame things that way. Michigan is the undisputed #1 team in the country; they’ve earned the right to be compared to.
I get the context, but I insist it’s kind of silly for a team to go 15-0 largely on the strength of their D-line and ask, “Are they good enough for this other team [that missed the playoffs]?”
WE are that team now.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:16 PM ^
And ironically, they're not those guys. Michigan's DT's are very good, but they're not top 5 or 10 pick good. They might be first rounders, but likely not. The strength of this defense is the collective strength. That they could comfortably play 18 or 19 defenders without a noticeable gap is amazing. Probably will have 8 or 10 pros when its all said and done, but probably no first rounders except for Johnson.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:53 AM ^
Heard a few Georgia fans say 'best defensive line in the country won the title yet again'. Damn right
January 11th, 2024 at 10:49 AM ^
A couple of thoughts:
- That "one game" at the end of the '97 season was against a team that was merely very good or maybe just good. They weren't anywhere near as talented as Michigan.
- Renes was a very good player and a late-round draft pick. I don't think he's at the "Georgia 2021" level or even close. I'd expect the careers of Jenkins, Grant, and Graham to be way better than his.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:22 AM ^
Also a RS freshman in '97 who was a reserve behind Josh Williams if I'm remembering right. Rotated in a lot though. Similar to Graham in his wrestling background.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:48 AM ^
I thought of him when reading about one of next year's recruits (Owen Wafle). I think he would've fit in perfectly with the 2023 team. Somewhat underrated guy that plays up to his potential, matches the culture, etc.
January 12th, 2024 at 6:47 AM ^
Penn State ‘97 scored at least 30 points in eight of their games. Curtis Enis was selected as the 5th pick in the draft, one spot behind Woodson. Against Michigan, in Happy Valley, they notched just one garbage time touchdown which only happened due to a ridiculous referee spot on a 4th down run.
Yet you do not mention them in your synopsis.
Anyway, “You don’t compare great to great.” - Jim Harbaugh
January 14th, 2024 at 6:47 PM ^
Don’t forget Larry foote
January 11th, 2024 at 7:27 AM ^
So far, I've just read the summary, but I was puzzled by this line: "the first team to hold every opponent to under 25 points since 1904 Minnesota". Many U-M teams have done this, including the 1981, 1985, 1986, and 1997 teams. Saban's 2009 and 2011 Alabama teams did it as well.
Perhaps there is some qualifier missing from the sentence?
January 11th, 2024 at 8:16 AM ^
In all 15 games.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:24 AM ^
I don't think they played 15 games in 1904?
January 11th, 2024 at 7:31 AM ^
Paraphrasing a quote from an author on here. Can’t remember who said it. I’ve been requoting it all playoff season to family and friends when they were nervous about the games. Went something like this: In a year where everyone thinks is wide open [several teams that can win the title], at the end of the year, we’re going to find out it was not so wide open after all. Great work guys. Go Blue.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
Me in the preseason podcast, IIRC when we were making our predictions for the 4 teams in the Playoff. I said Michigan's really the only complete team out there.
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