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Michigan State 29, Michigan 6 Comment Count

Ace


Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog

Michigan had two weeks to prepare for Michigan State. This resulted in a record-setting day.

It takes a special kind of failure to achieve such lows: complete, utter failure from top to bottom. The gameplan from Al Borges lacked coherence, an issue that's plagued him during his entire tenure at Michigan. The play-action from under center isn't fooling anyone and still gets brought out several times a game, yet the shotgun runs somehow lack any sort of constraint or misdirection. A piecemeal offense isn't going to beat MSU's defense.

The offensive line couldn't open up holes for the running game, nor could they keep Devin Gardner upright. MSU registered nine sacks, and even with that yardage removed along with kneeldowns and a negative-20-yard bad snap, the Wolverines mustered 1.3 yards per carry.

Gardner often held the ball too long, for his part, and missed some open receivers, then capped the performance with an ugly interception when he hucked a designed back-shoulder fade three yards in front of Jeremy Gallon. By that point, however, he'd earned considerable respect simply for standing up and facing the inevitable beating.


Eric Upchurch/MGoBlog

Michigan mustered 168 yards on a meager 2.8 yards per play despite Gardner averaging nearly eight yards per pass when he could actually get one off. The defense fought valiantly, holding the Spartans to just 237 yards and 16 points through three quarters and setting up the offense with a chance to make it a game when Raymon Taylor picked off Connor Cook and returned it to the MSU 41. The Wolverines subsequently took a five-yard loss on an blown-up option followed by consecutive sacks—burning a timeout before the second one—to lose 21 yards in three plays; a Matt Wile punt, his eighth of the afternoon, opened the fourth quarter.

By the time Jeremy Langford capped the scoring with a 40-yard touchdown run, Devin Gardner's day was done—it would've been unconscionable to put him out there for another possession—and fans from both sides steadily streamed out of Spartan Stadium.

On Michigan's final offensive play of the game, Shane Morris tried to scramble on fourth-and-four, only to faceplant at the line of scrimmage. It was a fitting coda to a miserable day.

Comments

UMmasotta

November 2nd, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^

And the coaches are definitely responsible to a great extent, but at a certain point the players have to execute. To me, the players are as much to blame in this loss as the coaches, especially on offense. Fitz had a poor game, the O-line had a TERRIBLE game, and nobody else made plays. 

It was disheartening, but as always, Go Blue!

Joined: 08/18/2011

MGoPoints: 1175

Bando Calrissian

November 2nd, 2013 at 8:30 PM ^

Except this isn't a financial management decision. No matter how much he thumps his chest about his experience "playing for Bo," the fact remains Dave Brandon was a scout team guy that played exactly one down in an actual game. During an era when Michigan was blowing out teams by 50+ half the time. If you couldn't get in the game with a seven touchdown lead, what does that say about your grasp of the game? He's basically a high school player who got a chance to go to training table for four years.

Brandon may show up to watch film with the coaches on Sunday morning, but he doesn't have the credentials to make any kind of analytically sound football argument to fire Brady Hoke. His decisions are based on donations, ticket sales, and marketing strategies, not anything having to "data and outcomes."

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 68096

Bando Calrissian

November 2nd, 2013 at 8:41 PM ^

I'm saying Dave Brandon may think he has a mind for football because he was a warm practice body 40 years ago and shows up to watch film, but the fact is he's not going to make this decision based on X's and O's. He's not a football coach. He's never been a football coach. He never worked in athletics administration until he was hired as AD. This is not a coach or an X's and O's guy. He's a money guy. His "data and outcomes" are based on donations and ticket sales, not rushing yards.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 68096

jmblue

November 2nd, 2013 at 9:49 PM ^

During an era when Michigan was blowing out teams by 50+ half the time. If you couldn't get in the game with a seven touchdown lead, what does that say about your grasp of the game?
Come on, this isn't fair. First, whether or not he was a good player doesn't mean that he didn't understand the game. Second, that was an era in which many scholarship guys didn't get off the bench, either - there were unlimited scholarships until the mid-1970s.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102715

SC Wolverine

November 2nd, 2013 at 8:19 PM ^

This is one thing that gives me encouragement.  DB seems pretty analytical.  He needs to sit Brady down and give him some raw analysis, together with a little straight talk.  I fear that Hoke is too loyal that he will not really analyze and fix the coaching staff.  But Brandon might force him to.

Joined: 08/18/2010

MGoPoints: 7768

jackw8542

November 2nd, 2013 at 9:18 PM ^

RR inherited a really bad team with NO quarterback.  Hoke inherited the most productive player Michigan ever had and made him a little worse each year.  He inherited a 5 star QB recruit who he is not developing.  The only 2 OL who can play are the two he inherited from RR.  This is not a well coached team, players do not seem to improve and game plans (on both sides of the ball) seem inept.  When we pressured Cook, he did not do well, but too often we let him take his time.  It also seems as if our DBs are told to never turn around and look for the ball; a number of MSU completions could have been our interceptions if the DB had ever bothered taking a look, especially Countess, who has also seemed to regress.

Coaching is supposed to make players better and come up with schemes that can take advantage of your own talent and the adversaries weaknesses.  Somehow our schemes seem to maximize our weaknesses and ignore the weaknesses of our opponent.  This was disgusting, as bad or worse than the ass-kicking we got in RR's last bowl game, and actually far more embarrassing.

Joined: 10/30/2010

MGoPoints: 4265

jmblue

November 2nd, 2013 at 9:52 PM ^

Believe it or not, RR's first team was ranked in the top 25 in one of the polls.  Brian picked them to go 7-5.  

If 2008 doesn't seem disappointing now, it's because time has dulled the pain, not because we knew 3-9 was around the corner.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102715

blusage

November 3rd, 2013 at 12:04 AM ^

Let's not forget that RR also had his predecessor actively trying to undermine his program.

RR seems to be doing quite well at Arizona in his 2nd year with a some of his star players putting up phenomenal numbers. As much as RR failed at Michigan, he's a coach with tons more potential than Hoke -- and a resume to prove it. But, boo hoo, he wasn't a "Michigan Man" and Lloyd didn't like him -- Lloyd didn't like Miles either.

But I digress, we don't need a Michigan Man, we need at top-notch coach -- and we need to support him if, and when, he ever gets here.

Too bad Brandon doesn't have cajones of USC's Haden and say enough is enough and just fire Hoke now. But then again, we're not really interested in winning here, are we? We'd rather just sit back and spout our "winningest team in college history" BS -- based mostly on wins in the dawn of college football when there were about four teams in the country. Let's not forget the fact that we've only one NC in the past 60 years while other programs have done much better.

Tradition or delusion?

Fire Hoke.

Joined: 01/06/2011

MGoPoints: 211

buddha

November 3rd, 2013 at 12:52 PM ^

A couple options:

  • Derek Mason: DC at Stanford
  • Jake Spavital: OC at A&M
  • Kliff Kingsbury: HC at Texas Tech (although, this may be a stretch since he attended TTU and played QB there)
  • Josh McDaniels: OC at Patriots
  • Bob Sutton: DC at Chiefs

Strategy for aquisition: open up the piggy bank. 

Joined: 10/08/2009

MGoPoints: 5033

NoMoPincherBug

November 2nd, 2013 at 7:58 PM ^

It is very alarming that Hoke coached teams at Michigan play TERRIBLY on the road.

Borges can take some blame, but that OL is putrid.  Funk's OL have Stunk for 3 yrs now.  Its time to ask what the problem is and fix it if it is on coaching.

Hopefully Shane Morris will be given a true shot to compete with Devin next year. 

Joined: 04/08/2011

MGoPoints: 1834

Wendyk5

November 2nd, 2013 at 7:59 PM ^

I hope you don't mind - I didn't read this. As soon as I realized you were re-capping the game, I skipped right to the bottom. Like I want to keep reliving these games, over and over? This just feels like a continuation of 2008, where we had a bit of a respite in 2011 and part of 2012.

Erik in Dayton wrote a diary comparing us and Ohio State, and why they're in the position they're in, and we're not. He talked about a culture of winning. We used to have that. But we fundamentally don't anymore. And I think Hoke is a big reason. He doesn't seem hungry enough to me. He doesn't seem to have the emotion. Let everyone else talk about schemes and play calling; I'm going to focus on emotion, maybe because I'm female and that's what I see. There's something missing with him. Everyone likes him because he's like their good-natured dad. I think his mellowness and measured responses have infilitrated the team. But he needs to throw some chairs (in the locker room). Where's the fire to win? Why aren't our players hungrier? They're all so well-coached on what to say in the press conferences. They're all so controlled. They need to FUCKING LET IT RIP! Taylor Lewan seems to have that, but who else is going to stand up and do their best Peter Finch we're not going to take it anymore speech??? 

I love my team, and I'm heading up to AA for the game next weekend. So come on, Team 134, let's go! 

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 67511

EnoughAlready

November 2nd, 2013 at 8:11 PM ^

Hoke has no fire.  And so, the team has no fire.  Here's how MSU (and OSU, and Wisconsin) plays: They play to break your spirit.  They try to take the fight out of you.  And they also happen to be very disciplined.  Michigan plays soft and tight.  They play like they're tip-toeing and afraid to make a mistake.  They don't go out to knock mouthpieces out.  They go out to...I'm not sure what.  

My impression is that Hoke and company don't trust their players.  That's why Green is getting so few carries.  That's why Chesson is getting so few passes.  I think these coaches coddle their players -- and that's rubbed off on the players.  I don't think the team -- the entire unit: coaches and players -- have any confidence right now.

Joined: 09/14/2011

MGoPoints: 1672

OldSchoolWolverine

November 3rd, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^

AMEN !!!!!!  YES... and they were also too busy praising guys like Denard who haven't won squat. How can the coach allow that prior to any title wins?     Bo would not have allowed the comical nonsense those guys did, especially having not won a title in years....  Brady's attitude is to let them be "kids"...   Bo's approach is far better.

Joined: 11/03/2013

MGoPoints: 25901

You Only Live Twice

November 2nd, 2013 at 11:04 PM ^

i see what you're saying, it makes sense.  they are so well coached in the PR dept but i can't blame them when no one wants to be the next RR.  If anyone threw a chair in frustration where is the assurance that there won't be an investigation asking about whether they threw a chair either 180 or 160 degrees away from anyone, and meanwhile PSU built an entire program on abuse, and MSU is the most heavily penalized team anywhere yet they didn't even need to go there today, and OSU has Meyer.  I think the emotion is there, for our players and coaches, it's just so buried under layers of pressure that I really feel for everyone involved.  The playing field has been not only leveled, it's been transformed into a weird universe.  Anyone can now duplicate the Michigan magic that was there for more than a century.  I feel for Devin Gardner more than anyone because honestly, he was abused today. 

Joined: 09/14/2013

MGoPoints: 9615

OldSchoolWolverine

November 3rd, 2013 at 1:49 PM ^

You feel for Devin?   What a misguided joke....

This goes with the spotlight and everything that goes with it... did you "feel" for him when he was given Harmon's 98 jersey without earning it?

Maybe if Gardner had any semblance of, you know,  QB awareness, then maybe he wouldnt get hammered so much.... this goes with the territory.

The emotion of feeling sorry for another, is a loser emotion, and never had it surfaced in M nation until we've become msu lately.

Joined: 11/03/2013

MGoPoints: 25901

Ernis

November 3rd, 2013 at 1:50 PM ^

What you're talking about is not what produces results. It makes good movie scenes, but what you see on the field is produced by years of systematic preparation, not throwing chairs. I'll take rational consistency over emotional outbursts any day. I doubt Nick Saban relies on such methods.

Joined: 09/23/2008

MGoPoints: 11442

D.C.Blue

November 4th, 2013 at 3:44 PM ^

What you see of Nick Saban is not what happens when the cameras are off.  I live in Tuscaloosa and I am friends with quite a few of the players over the last 7 - 8 years.  You see calm, cool and collected.  I can tell you only what I have heard but not only does Coach Saban kick butt, he takes names and so does his staff.  

Especially in the first few years, he gave his players very little rope to hang themselves and after the mass house cleaning he did in his 1st 2 years, if you're lazy or sloppy or anything other than perfect, you pay for it.  Did he use the medical hardship to set an example?  That is speculation but it is assumed that was one of the ways he sent the message.  The other methods he used involved the S&C coach and early morning sweat sessions.  From what I've been told, he's not Bobby Knight but he's is not bashful about getting in your face either.  

Joined: 10/24/2009

MGoPoints: 503

Sac Fly

November 2nd, 2013 at 8:03 PM ^

Whether you support Borges or not, when you see former players starting to turn on him you know his time is almost up. Those voices have a lot of impact, and they're starting to get louder.

Joined: 04/03/2010

MGoPoints: 5981

PAproudtoGoBlue

November 2nd, 2013 at 8:03 PM ^

 

I've never been anti-Borges until now. It's not about his experience or his past accolades, it's about the here and now. My girl friend knows shit about football but even she knew they were going to exploit the middle of our o-line. Borges did not have one answer to that pressure. Believe me I was never a fan of RR but if you sold out on the blitz he made you pay. We did not run a single play into the blitzers space...3 yd passes to TE's when all that's left is safeties can turn into big gainers. He did none of that, maybe twice.  My question is, does he understand our deficiencies. Where we lack quality/experience what ever you want to call it he seems to press the issue.  It's simply frustrating and it's time to start asking, is he the problem?  I know  lack of experience blah blah blah but that doesn't excuse the lack of adjustments. It doesn't excuse the lack of preparation. He had to see that coming and we were unprepared. 

 

Joined: 07/11/2013

MGoPoints: 547

louismclain

November 2nd, 2013 at 8:09 PM ^

Great points. I was really frustrated with our lack of awareness in those aspects as well. It's sad that our only production comes from RR's recruits, minus Funchess. As far as hike goes..., for a man who supposedly emphasizes hard nosed/off the ball play, production on either lines is way under par.

Joined: 10/12/2013

MGoPoints: 6