100% worst thing ever
2016 ohio state

Ohio State 30, Michigan 27 (2 OT) Comment Count

Ace


Short. [Patrick Barron/MGoBlog]

I'm staring at my laptop and the sea of exultant Ohio State fans on the field below dancing to "Sweet Caroline" and I feel sick.

Sick that Michigan threw away multiple chances to win this game in regulation. Sick that a dozen little plays one way or the other change the outcome. Sick at that spot. That fucking spot.

Michigan should be playing for the Big Ten championship and a spot in the playoff next weekend. Instead, they will sit at home as either Ohio State or Penn State represents the East. That spot, that fucking spot, will stick in the collective Wolverine memory for much, much longer.

The Wolverines controlled most of this game. Wilton Speight battled back from his still-undisclosed injury to throw for 219 yards and two scores, an effort that would take its place in the pantheon of heroic rivalry performances had the outcome gone the other way. Speight's two interceptions, however, were turned into two Ohio State touchdowns, and that allowed the Buckeyes to keep it close enough to force overtime on a 23-yard Tyler Durbin field goal with one second left in regulation.

The defense, which had played a spectacular game, looked worn out in the first overtime period, ceding a JT Barrett touchdown run on the second play. Speight responded with a fourth-down touchdown to Amara Darboh. Michigan's ensuing possession ended with a field goal after a questionable non-call on a third-down pass to Perry, leaving the door open for Ohio State to win it.

Seemingly given new life, the defense forced an all-or-nothing fourth-and-one. Barrett kept it. The officials gave him a generous spot, and even though it appeared on replay that Barrett's right arm—the one holding the football—never reached the line to gain, that spot, that fucking spot, stood upon review.

In a not-so-alternate universe in which the men in charge of the game are competent, there are Muppets and joy and appreciation of one of the most dramatic football games in recent memory or perhaps ever and scrambling to finalize plans for next weekend. Alas, that fucking spot. Alas.

Comments

waliwiz1

November 26th, 2016 at 5:15 PM ^

in every top end sporting event the players and coaches have to play above the officials.This team (and coaches) didn't.  So sad!

Joined: 11/23/2016

MGoPoints: 218

mgoblue98

November 26th, 2016 at 5:17 PM ^

is getting old.  Once a again, the combination of Helen Keller, Ray Charles and the three blind mice make a terrible call.  The defense made the play they had to make and they got nothing for it. 

I also think Gedeon got held on the next play.

Joined: 11/10/2013

MGoPoints: 9356

CompleteLunacy

November 26th, 2016 at 5:44 PM ^

Fucking hell man. Our DL was absolutely DOMINATING their OL. Practically living in the backfield, gobbling up Samuel and Barrett. It's a crime against humanity that somehow OSU magically could block them as the 2nd half wore on. Yes they were getting tired...there was also A TON of uncalled holding.

But OSU never holds. Ever.

Joined: 11/13/2010

MGoPoints: 12910

Goggles Paisano

November 27th, 2016 at 5:57 AM ^

I'm glad you said it twice since once just doesn't do it justice.  Galloway is what we all know so I don't even need to bother to mention what a dingleberry he is.  Kanell was just being a little unobjective bitch.  I'm certain after his bitch-ass comments that he wasn't really watching the game as closely as he should have been.  Now he will be spreadhing his bullshit and osu love/michigan hate all week long.   He tries real hard to look cool too but he is the worst dressed dude on tv.  Go away Kanell - you really don't bring anything to the table.  

Joined: 07/30/2011

MGoPoints: 41198

volnedan

November 26th, 2016 at 5:22 PM ^

GODDAMMIT I'M SICK OF LOSING TO THESE FUCKS FOR FUCKS SAKE. The Peppers wildcat didn't do anything all game and they had no trick play. No fancy formation. Nothing. Harbaugh left a ton to be desired. I didn't see the kitchen sink offense. Defense played their hearts out and as expected the offense couldn't hold up their end. Refs did screw us on many missed calls, but we shot ourselves enough not to complain about it. Fuck fuck fuckity fuck

Joined: 11/14/2016

MGoPoints: 261

Maddogrdt

November 26th, 2016 at 5:26 PM ^

The Big Ten wanted two teams into the playoffs...refs don't just pick a team to hose, they are told what to do and do it to keep their jobs. 

 

UM wins no chance of two teams in, period...Only chance for more Money (it's always the motive) was just what we saw, ref's clearly forcing the issue in OSU favor all game and most obvious in the overtime calls (spot of ball and lack of PI against OSU)...This was another vote instance of Big Ten screwing UM...In my opinion even worse than putting OSU in Rose Bowl over UM 

 

 

Joined: 05/15/2014

MGoPoints: 403

FL_Steve

November 26th, 2016 at 9:15 PM ^

I completely agree. Money always talks the loudest. This game is a microcosm of the cultural degradation of values, competence, and accountability to insure competence. ESPNs bias in fueling SEC supremacy has furthered said degradation. It's unfortunate logic, reason, and statistical analysis are not brought into the fold more. Rather we, as a conference, lower ourselves to their level. And, once again the Michigan faithful are stuck with the existential crises and torment. Where, pray, are our reparations? Our Salvation?



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FL_Steve

November 26th, 2016 at 9:21 PM ^

Also we played a hell of a game and much better and most here would believed we would have (I certainly do). It sucks so much bc this was our year and we have waited so long, been through so much. I believe we go to the rose bowl, beat USC, and begin to mend the tears in our history (how much would you like to see us wreck USC to make up for the Car area??) we are on the right track, we will win and continue to win, we are impatient and that is understandable. Baby Steps, and enjoy the climb



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Joined: 01/14/2009

MGoPoints: 1866

JJJ

November 27th, 2016 at 12:00 AM ^

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and pride come through before the fall! This B1G conference is about to collapse under its own weight. Let's go Yost and assert our independence. Without Michigan attendance (home and away) suffer and ratings drop like a rock.

Joined: 04/19/2012

MGoPoints: 218

steve sharik

November 26th, 2016 at 5:27 PM ^

Throwing it to the other team and fumbling away a TD are worse mistakes than missing a spot. 14 point swing that kept this a game. Punch that one in and punt on the other and we're taking a knee at the end instead of worrying about a spot.

Joined: 08/08/2009

MGoPoints: 13860

DoubleB

November 26th, 2016 at 11:54 PM ^

have been over LONG before that. OSU was all but dead and buried down 17-7. They hadn't moved the ball since an early drive in the game and didn't look like they would be able to do so the remainder of it. They could have literally 3 and outed their way out of that game on offense. Instead, Speight throws an awful ball giving them life. OSU was gifted 14 points on I believe 13 yards of offense. That's where the game was lost.

The game had some bad calls that went OSU's way. That shouldn't distract from the bigger issue that Michigan had this game all but won until the offense miscued their way to a loss

Joined: 11/19/2008

MGoPoints: 7470

Communist Football

November 26th, 2016 at 5:34 PM ^

"That was not a first down," Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. "I'm bitterly disappointed with the officiating today."

 

But in the end, we could have won this game a number of times -- the running into the kicker, the pick six, the PI on Hill.  Lots of mistakes on our end.

 

I wish Harbaugh had gone for 2 in the first OT.  It was clear that our D was tired, and that our O was not as effective as theirs.

Joined: 09/18/2010

MGoPoints: 18935

lhglrkwg

November 26th, 2016 at 5:46 PM ^

The defense in the 4th & the 1st OT was not the same defense as in the 1st-3rd quarters. They were clearly gassed. OSU marched all the way down field on both of their last drives in regulation and then waltzed in the endzone in OT. Given that, I think the right call is to try to get the win. One play from the 3 yard line and it's over. I'll always think we should've done that

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 87692

G. Gulo of the Dale

November 26th, 2016 at 10:38 PM ^

... because we were serious underdogs and Gardner was playing on a broken foot. 

Today we outplayed OSU most of the game, were every bit as talented, and their kicker had already missed two field goals.  Moreover, our defense had rarely given up consecutive first downs.  

I think Harbaugh made right call.  Had we stopped Samuel 8-10 yards in the backfield on third down so that they were facing a 40+ yard field goal in the second OT, it wouldn't have felt like the wrong call.

Joined: 04/01/2013

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MGoViso

November 26th, 2016 at 5:42 PM ^

Ace: thanks sincerely for not mailing this one in. I really appreciate reading a reasonable (if impassioned) summary after tough games. You're a pro.

Joined: 09/27/2009

MGoPoints: 1689

funkywolve

November 26th, 2016 at 5:54 PM ^

I remember looking at the scoreboard at the end of 4th and UM was in total control of every stat but turnovers and points. Such a frustrating season. They should be 12-0 with a legit chance to do some serious damage in the playoffs. Instead, they'll end in some NY6 bowl game. Agree with those are saying the Samuel's play on 3rd down in the 2nd OT was huge.

Joined: 10/08/2008

MGoPoints: 20177

buckeyedude

November 26th, 2016 at 5:45 PM ^

Nothing but fucking respect for Michigan. Great fucking game. I don't know how we pulled it out, but it was a great gosh damn game. Kudos to Michigan and the effort they put forth. 

Joined: 08/21/2010

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