Ohio State 42, Michigan 13
Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog
One team came prepared.
Ohio State's coaches prepared for Michigan's soft edges with an attack heavy on the power read. The Buckeye defense prepared for every wrinkle the Wolverines could conceive to utilize Jabrill Peppers and stopped them.
Michigan looked unprepared to deal with the Buckeye running game. The scheme was too passive and the adjustments ineffective, especially a move to a 3-man line. The linebackers weren't prepared to tackle Ezekiel Elliott in the gap or track JT Barrett in space. Nobody was prepared to block Joey Bosa.
For the tenth time in eleven years, Ohio State won The Game. The Buckeyes ran at will; Michigan couldn't trust its run game enough to even use it without ample trickery. While Michigan's 9-3 record and obvious team-wide improvement stand as a testament to the remarkable work of Jim Harbaugh, today's game showed just how much ground the program must make up on their chief rival.
Unlike last year, Michigan will get a full slate of bowl practices to work on their issues, and they'll face a quality opponent in a decent bowl game. Much like two years ago, there's a good chance they'll have to play that game with their backup quarterback, as Jake Rudock exited the game with an apparent shoulder or collarbone injury after taking a huge hit from Bosa.
Ohio State looked like a playoff team today. Michigan looked a long way off. That's exactly what we expected heading into the season; it's still hard not to be disappointed after seeing how the last few months have played out.
November 28th, 2015 at 3:36 PM ^
100% worst thing ever
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November 28th, 2015 at 3:36 PM ^
Great reminder. Fuck YOU!
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November 28th, 2015 at 3:37 PM ^
100% worst thing ever
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November 28th, 2015 at 3:39 PM ^
Fuck Ohio St and that fucking douchebag Urbs. Fuck'em all. One more thing. FUCK.
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November 28th, 2015 at 3:39 PM ^
The dreaded double post... I am so ashamed of myself. The rum isn't gone but it will be soon
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November 28th, 2015 at 3:40 PM ^
Is there a power program that has been worse in rivalry games in the last decade than Michigan? I can't think of one. To be honest, hasn't been real fun to be a Michigan football fan for a long while.
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November 28th, 2015 at 3:44 PM ^
and no team gets everybody's best in big games than UM. It's crazy. Yet, with this team it's hard not to realize we over achieved. Imagine any backup from week 1 instead of Rudock (actually, don't).
November 28th, 2015 at 4:03 PM ^
Notre Dame?
November 28th, 2015 at 4:09 PM ^
maybe only Tennessee. Maybe. It's sucked to get owned vs rivals.
I would gladly have traded that MSU game for a loss to Indiana or MN in return. Just sucks esp for us in state. All we have is another 330 days of talking shit about Harbaugh gonna own Dantonio.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:13 PM ^
It's not that Michigan is so bad, it's just that Ohio State is so far superior a team, as a program, and with such superior coaches that UM has just looked like a laughing stock. But when compared to programs at the same level, programs like Purdue, Illinois, and Bowling Green, then UM looks like a solid middle of the pack team. So be proud of where you are, it's right where you belong.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:16 PM ^
The world needs ditch diggers and for that you have our thanks. Keep digging.
November 28th, 2015 at 10:04 PM ^
You're*
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November 28th, 2015 at 4:48 PM ^
Georgia or LSU?
November 28th, 2015 at 8:53 PM ^
I don't consider us getting owned legit because a lot of it was during the Tressel era, and Tressel is a lying cheat.
November 30th, 2015 at 5:38 PM ^
Whatever helps you cope. Unfortunately I watched those games and I know they happened. We owned them for a decade plus before that. What goes around, comes around. Our time is coming.
November 28th, 2015 at 3:41 PM ^
unfortunately spot on.
hard to see us winning this game for a while, unfortunately.
why couldn't they shit the bed this week instead of last????
November 28th, 2015 at 3:44 PM ^
I think you are wrong. It won't be too long.
To better days that lie ahead! This will only motivate and make Jim even more determined to turn this team into what he wants it to be.
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November 28th, 2015 at 3:46 PM ^
I think you're right.
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November 28th, 2015 at 4:07 PM ^
My wife wandered thru the room to see how it was going near end of 3rd quarter. All she could say was "Ooh! What happened?"
I said we're getting beaten so thoroughly we've already lost next year's game too!
Seriously, what infusion of talent and coaching would be required to close the gap we witnessed today? O, D, ST... we were outcoached, outplayed & worst of all, out-hustled all day in all facets.
The '16 & '17 crootin classes have to hit at about an 85% success rate or this rivalry will truly just wither and die. And 85% is asking A LOT! Almost asking the unreasonable really.
But if there's one person I'd feel ok with asking to accomplish the unreasonable it'd be Jim Freaking Harbaugh!
November 28th, 2015 at 4:27 PM ^
Is my biggest issue trying to come to terms with this. The disparity between the two teams today was eye opening. That is a long term fix. 5-7 years. Not 1 or 2. Very discouraging day. Way too much red in stadium to begin with, and a very concerning game for this team going forward. Next year looks much different now.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:29 PM ^
12 months of player development and unforeseen events can change things.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:56 PM ^
don't think what happens this year effects next year, but it has some bearing on what to expect. To think we could go to OSU and win next year does not seem plausible at all right now. We got blasted today. Varsity v. JV style, players and coaches.
November 28th, 2015 at 5:04 PM ^
year, in other words that this loss has a great positive effect on the psyche of the coaching staff and the underclassmen. However, at present, I am not overly affected by my alcohol consumption. I really wish that it had added effect.
November 28th, 2015 at 6:29 PM ^
That might make a difference.
What if we have a better ground game next year? That also might help.
Do you really think the team will go backwards instead of forwards under Harbaugh?
November 29th, 2015 at 7:11 AM ^
affects*
Ohio State probably gets 4-5 players into the first round of the next NFL draft... that alone makes a huge difference.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:32 PM ^
Take a step back. They have potentially a dozen nfl draft picks leaving. We may not have any if Butt and Lewis stay (please stay!). That talent flip alone is going to equalize things a good bit. Another year of this staff should devolop the talent Hoke did bring in. I think we'll be damn good next year.
November 28th, 2015 at 6:30 PM ^
Surely you are not serious. You can not in your right mind think we have a shot at winning against osu in the next 3-5 years do you?
November 28th, 2015 at 6:50 PM ^
i see the trolls are out. You guys lead exciting lives, obviously.
November 28th, 2015 at 8:37 PM ^
What is exciting about losing to osu? If everybody wants it sugar coated, maybe The Voice is what you should be watching. Optimism is fine, but in reality things are much different. Do I wish things were different? Hell yes I do!!!! But in reality they are not. Is it really that hard of a concept for people to understand? It sure does seem like it. Call me a troll thats fine. I have been called far worse by far better. The truth hurts so get over yourselves!
November 28th, 2015 at 8:38 PM ^
What is exciting about losing to osu? If everybody wants it sugar coated, maybe The Voice is what you should be watching. Optimism is fine, but in reality things are much different. Do I wish things were different? Hell yes I do!!!! But in reality they are not. Is it really that hard of a concept for people to understand? It sure does seem like it. Call me a troll thats fine. I have been called far worse by far better. The truth hurts so get over yourselves!
November 28th, 2015 at 8:38 PM ^
What is exciting about losing to osu? If everybody wants it sugar coated, maybe The Voice is what you should be watching. Optimism is fine, but in reality things are much different. Do I wish things were different? Hell yes I do!!!! But in reality they are not. Is it really that hard of a concept for people to understand? It sure does seem like it. Call me a troll thats fine. I have been called far worse by far better. The truth hurts so get over yourselves!
November 28th, 2015 at 6:43 PM ^
They just reload whenever they need to. Look at their dilemma last year toward the end of the season with their QBs
November 28th, 2015 at 9:04 PM ^
They'll be good next year, no doubt, but nobody loses a prodigious amount of talent and just stays at the same level. Every dynasty, even Alabama, takes steps back. They'll lose most of the d line, over half the o line, a generational RB, and who knows how many other support players. This was their year. There was a reason they were unanimous number 1 entering the year. They're kicking themselves that they're missing the playoffs.
November 28th, 2015 at 9:04 PM ^
They'll be good next year, no doubt, but nobody loses a prodigious amount of talent and just stays at the same level. Every dynasty, even Alabama, takes steps back. They'll lose most of the d line, over half the o line, a generational RB, and who knows how many other support players. This was their year. There was a reason they were unanimous number 1 entering the year. They're kicking themselves that they're missing the playoffs.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:33 PM ^
Just like 2 years ago we weren't 1 point worse than them either. They wouldn't beat us by 30 every time they played us. They haven't looked this good probably all season.
If you look at their entire resumes for this year and compare them it was close that's why the spread was less than a TD throughout most of the season.
Guys will come and guys will go. Injuries play a role also. They lose two of the best players they've had in the past decade in Elliot and Bosa also.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:43 PM ^
9-3 is a GREAT first season of what will hopefully be decades with Jim Harbaugh. Too many dropped passes by wide receivers, too many missed tackles by linebackers and some bad penalties. Definitely not outcoached. OSU ran the option well, blew the D line off the ball for long stretches today, and UM doesn't have great linebackers. I suspect that will probably come out in the post game analysis, but that is something that's been lacking all year. OSU was the second team that was able to really take advantage of UM's linebackers (IU being the first). It's just that IU can't stop anybody and OSU can.
November 28th, 2015 at 7:17 PM ^
Agree. We were definitely NOT outcoached. On virtually every play, we had a player in position to make a stop, but that player either missed the tackle or got chipped by an OL who had so quickly dominated (or gone directly to the second level) that he was able to help take our guy out of the play.
The coaches can only tell them where they have to be to make the play. They don't get to make the tackle for them or make the right read for them. Our LBs were terrible today. They either went the wrong way, waited too long or got trucked by Elliott or JT.
Too bad, but there was tremendous improvement. Now, if our DBs could start seeing the ball a little quicker and our DL could start punching the ball out, things might work out a little better.
November 28th, 2015 at 10:08 PM ^
Right on the money, brother.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:09 PM ^
Will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Whole lot of good that motivation did today. We fucking suck.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:30 PM ^
you are right.
unless you want a venti.
November 28th, 2015 at 6:13 PM ^
9-3 doesn't suck. Your comment does however.
November 28th, 2015 at 5:10 PM ^
A similar statement could have been reasonably made after watching the MSU game last year. That game was much different this year, and will likely be different again next year after the Spartans lose Connor Cook. 1 year is a long time in college football.
November 28th, 2015 at 6:17 PM ^
Well last year we played away against our rivals, this year we played at home and still lost. Hard to see us winning a road game
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November 28th, 2015 at 8:16 PM ^
...yet it's hard to see us winning a road game?
It's harder to win, sure, but can we cool it with this defeatist attitude?
November 28th, 2015 at 3:42 PM ^
Well said, Ace.
November 28th, 2015 at 3:42 PM ^
For some time I had the suspicion that THE_KNOWLEDGE was just an Internet character and not really gifted with insight. Now we can be certain. At least we have that going for us.
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November 28th, 2015 at 3:43 PM ^
Now watch as MSU fucks it all up and allows osu into the playoff. Baylor lost last night, now ok state will lose, nd will lose, and osu will go win another title.
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November 28th, 2015 at 3:43 PM ^
but the defensive coaching is highly questionable. Indiana and OSU ran at will and Michigan never thought to fortify the front with additional bodies. 6 men in the box against that rushing attack really? The passive defense robs the defensive players of their aggression and energy and when you cant get off the fucking field you run out of gas.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:08 PM ^
an answer to questions about interviewing for the HC job at Maryland. Durkin's focus was elsewhere this week, and it looked like that wavering focus trickled down to insufficient game planning.
I'm concerned it may also trickle down to recruiting: You drop a stinker like that at the end of the season, on a giant stage with post-season implications, with ~30 recruits in town, and--yeah, definitely suboptimal.
November 28th, 2015 at 4:21 PM ^
Co signed
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