97Alumnus

November 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 PM ^

And some OSU fan taking a dump in his cooler, I think RR will hate buckeyes as much as anyone after this...

Is beanie going to come back? Maybe I'm crazy but Pryor really doesn't scare me..

Jill

November 22nd, 2008 at 3:09 PM ^

in the end zone with the MMB. We haven't heard them play once. We didn't even hear The Victors after the Michigan touchdown. Did the buck_ucks confiscate their instruments?

Standing throughout this game must be agony for those kids. Ugh.

Wide Open

November 22nd, 2008 at 3:35 PM ^

...on satellite radio here in hell. I mean Ohio. No, I mean hell.

The band sounded great (as always), and they even had the first part of the MMB halftime show. Plus the microphones were such that one of the best damn bands in Columbus's public universities didn't come through that much.

GomichAlways

November 22nd, 2008 at 3:38 PM ^

I have been a Michigan fan since I was five years old and even after todays travesty I am still going to continue cheering for this team but I have to say to those out there who have the same love for Michigan football that I do I fucking hate being a goddamn Michigan fan this year. Like most people who love sports I like an asshole put emotional stock into a thing completely out of my control and with this team that used to be a safe bet but now it seems no longer. I grew up in Ann Arbor I love my state and I love my team but with the employment rate at 10 percent and the uncertainty that surrounds all of our financial futures having one of the thing we can turn to in times of distress suck like this makes me want to punch a goddamn infant. This post has no point its just a flurry of run on sentences and poor punctuation but I live in England and no one here give of fuck about American football so I needed a rant and there it is.

Rush N Attack

November 22nd, 2008 at 4:03 PM ^

If this doesn't sum it up, I don't know what does:

"...having one of the thing we can turn to in times of distress suck like this makes me want to punch a goddamn infant. This post has no point its just a flurry of run on sentences and poor punctuation but I live in England and no one here give of fuck about American football so I needed a rant and there it is."

Zone Left

November 22nd, 2008 at 4:02 PM ^

I really appreciate the Live Blogs all year. I'm not in Michigan, so it feels great to have someone that I'm sort of watching the game with.

That said, I am glad the season is over and am looking forward to Season 1 of a new bowl streak. Also, no more walk-ons throwing passes will be fantastic.

Go Blue.

97Alumnus

November 22nd, 2008 at 4:24 PM ^

Junior tailback Brandon Minor, who scored Michigan's only touchdown, said: "You can't really blame Rich Rod because everybody on the team did not buy in like they're supposed to. We have a couple of guys not going hard. We'll correct that most definitely. That ain't going to happen on my watch as a senior."

ndhillon

November 22nd, 2008 at 4:43 PM ^

We held Pryor to -7 yards rushing...I think that's pretty huge. Stopping a running QB out the spread is something we had yet to do. RR's staff has brought some speed to this defense.

bronxblue

November 22nd, 2008 at 5:26 PM ^

This could probably be a blog entry, but this game gave me far more hope for the future of this team than even the win over Minnesota or Wiscy. In those games, everything seemed to go right and the other team was more overrated than their record showed. Minor looked solid today against a stout defense, Shaw looks like a real player, and the defense played better than I expected. Of course, the DL is going to be weaker next year, but Graham, Martin, and the new kids, plus some LBs who can apparently tackle, means the drop won't be as bad as I think some people foresee. Perhaps most importantly, though, was that this team played with heart. They could have walked into this game already beaten, accept their butt whipping, and put a nail in a horrible season. Instead, they kept it close with the #10 team in America, on the road, with the equivalent of a high school quarterback at the helm, for 3 quarters. I know the media loves to bury RR, but this team gave a crap until the very end, and you couldn't always say that about Carr's last few seasons.
As sad a season as it has been, I still feel a chill whenever I see a block M on the streets or someone mention UM in a restaurant. I know I'm just rambling right now, but this school, this team just becomes a part of you, perhaps moreso when you don't live in the state any more and you can only nab pieces of the experience through websites like MGoBlog. I've never cared more about a season than this one, and maybe that makes me a glutton for punishment, but I will wear my M hat proudly tomorrow because the only other option is to cower and whine, and there are enough fan bases who already do that. I never want to go through a season like this one again, but if it means that I can still care about my school the way I do now, then so be it.

bronxblue

November 22nd, 2008 at 7:48 PM ^

I agree that this season was a QB away from 6-7 wins, but I also believe that this team needs a vast improvement on the OL. Yes, the squad gelled toward the end of the year, but it still looked thoroughly outmatched by OSU this week, and the past few years the holes have clearly not been filled appropriately in recruiting. I know that there is something like a zillion redshirt baby whales working out with Barwiseeeeeeee! as we speak, but the spread requires a decent O line. I think the framework is there for this team to be solid next season (Capital Bowl/Alamo Bowl solid, at least).

Oh yeah, we are also about one competent safety away from respectability. Of course, our safety problems are well-chronicled and see to be endemic of a lack of recruiting - when Cato June is the best pro prospect at that position in the past decade, you are in trouble - but this season has been one for the ages with respect to a deficiency at that position.

AaronGoBlue

November 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 AM ^

The only positive? I don't live in Ohio anymore and have to be around the Ohio State crap. Terrel Pyror doesn't scare anyone? He only had maybe four good passes all game, but three of four of those good passes went for TD's. The other he looked like Troy Smith as he dodged Jamison and Graham and whoever tried to tackle only to heave the ball down field to a receiver.

Rodriguez seems to only have four plays the stretch option/zone read (1)left or (2)right. The (3)RB hitch/screen pass, (4) the fake RB hitch/screen pass. I guess the stretch option zone read could be two plays left or two plays right because the QB can run himself or handoff. Regardless this playbook doesn't seem to be all that big.

In 2007 the Red Wings played Calgary in the playoffs. The Flames were completely outmatched and to save face they started unneccessary fights and if it were the UFC not NHL the Flames would've won handily. My point is Michigan looked like the 2007 Flames or Michigan State under John L. Smith couldn't quite tell. The emotion and energy wasted by Michigan trying to start fights and trash talking was pretty classless, and proved this squad is pretty insecure to the point they have to resort to this to help get themselves motivated.

Also, what was with the John Thompson almost fighting one of the assistants?

We can only hope either Forcier or Beaver can have a freshmen season like Pat White did at West Virginia where he led them to a Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia.

AaronGoBlue

November 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 AM ^

The only positive? I don't live in Ohio anymore and have to be around the Ohio State crap. Terrel Pyror doesn't scare anyone? He only had maybe four good passes all game, but three of four of those good passes went for TD's. The other he looked like Troy Smith as he dodged Jamison and Graham and whoever tried to tackle only to heave the ball down field to a receiver.

Rodriguez seems to only have four plays the stretch option/zone read (1)left or (2)right. The (3)RB hitch/screen pass, (4) the fake RB hitch/screen pass. I guess the stretch option zone read could be two plays left or two plays right because the QB can run himself or handoff. Regardless this playbook doesn't seem to be all that big.

In 2007 the Red Wings played Calgary in the playoffs. The Flames were completely outmatched and to save face they started unneccessary fights and if it were the UFC not NHL the Flames would've won handily. My point is Michigan looked like the 2007 Flames or Michigan State under John L. Smith couldn't quite tell. The emotion and energy wasted by Michigan trying to start fights and trash talking was pretty classless, and proved this squad is pretty insecure to the point they have to resort to this to help get themselves motivated.

Also, what was with the John Thompson almost fighting one of the assistants?

We can only hope either Forcier or Beaver can have a freshmen season like Pat White did at West Virginia where he led them to a Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia.

AaronGoBlue

November 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 AM ^

The only positive? I don't live in Ohio anymore and have to be around the Ohio State crap. Terrel Pyror doesn't scare anyone? He only had maybe four good passes all game, but three of four of those good passes went for TD's. The other he looked like Troy Smith as he dodged Jamison and Graham and whoever tried to tackle only to heave the ball down field to a receiver.

Rodriguez seems to only have four plays the stretch option/zone read (1)left or (2)right. The (3)RB hitch/screen pass, (4) the fake RB hitch/screen pass. I guess the stretch option zone read could be two plays left or two plays right because the QB can run himself or handoff. Regardless this playbook doesn't seem to be all that big.

In 2007 the Red Wings played Calgary in the playoffs. The Flames were completely outmatched and to save face they started unneccessary fights and if it were the UFC not NHL the Flames would've won handily. My point is Michigan looked like the 2007 Flames or Michigan State under John L. Smith couldn't quite tell. The emotion and energy wasted by Michigan trying to start fights and trash talking was pretty classless, and proved this squad is pretty insecure to the point they have to resort to this to help get themselves motivated.

Also, what was with the John Thompson almost fighting one of the assistants?

We can only hope either Forcier or Beaver can have a freshmen season like Pat White did at West Virginia where he led them to a Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia.

readyourguard

November 23rd, 2008 at 9:49 AM ^

The games are over (mercifully) but there's a lot to do in the off-season.
Will Scott Scafer be back? How about Rod Smith?
How many kids leave the program (which is a shame. I believe those kids will regret their decision later in life).
Has McGuffie played his last game for us?
Can we get either freshman QB into school early and participating in Spring ball?

Brandon Minor's comments are one of the most disturbing things I've heard this season:
"You can't really blame Rich Rod because everybody on the team did not buy in like they're supposed to. We have a couple of guys not going hard."
Although, I think you CAN blame RR a little. Did HE alienate his players by MFing them in practice all year long?

A player and coach getting into a skirmish on the sidelines looks bad......very, very bad (picture Babu from Seinfeld wagging his index finger from side to side).

WTF was Brandon Harrison doing on Beanie Wells' first long TD run? Why would he come up to support the run and stand DIRECTLY behind the LB? That's horrible football instincts.

It's gonna be a long 9 months.

w2j2

November 23rd, 2008 at 9:49 AM ^

Defense is the problem.

Rich Rod is an offense guy, and I believe he will get that fixed, especially when he has a quarterback.
Besides, they scored plenty of points to win against Purdue, Toledo, et al.

It was the D that cost us several games.
The icing on the cake was the sideline screaming and timeout in the opening stages of the OSU game. These defense coaches do not have their act together.

The defense this year had great personnel on the D-line, who were screwed by the coaches in playing a 3-3-5 set in the Toledo game. Afterward, they had to tell the coaches to go back to the 4-man line. You would think the coaches would have done it at halftime, and won the game!

The defensive backfield had decent, not great, personnel, but their play has been awful all year. Every time an opposing quarterback stepped back and looked deep, you just had to cringe.

Next year the defense loses most of its linemen.
If the coaches do not learn from this year, it will be real ugly.

Another thing: I think Schaefer should be on the sideline, leading his troops. Not hiding up in a nice, warm, isolated booth somewhere.

chitownblue (not verified)

November 23rd, 2008 at 9:56 AM ^

FWIW, it wasn't the defensive coaches involved in the sideline yelling - it was the S&C staff, specifically, Barwis.

I actually felt like the defense played OK yesterday. When the offense goes 3-and-out on 14 of 16 possessions, it makes playing D really, really, hard.

readyourguard

November 23rd, 2008 at 10:20 AM ^

and it WAS the S&C staff, I'm gonna give the benefit of the doubt to the coaches. THEY, of all the coaches, usually see a different side of each player. They know them a little more intimately and know the whiners/complainers/slackers.

They only ran the replay on TV once so it's hard to know everything that happened. But, in this case, I'm guessing a kid was supposed to be in on defense but he wasn't paying attention and we were stuck with the wrong personnel. This particular kid may be one of the players B Minor was referring to as "not buying in." It's just a guess but I could see that being the case.

The sooner we get all the "me-teamers" out of here, the sooner we can achieve success.

chitownblue (not verified)

November 23rd, 2008 at 10:32 AM ^

Actually, what it looked like, was that they were mistakenly stopping a kid (Stewart) who WAS supposed be on the field from running on. They physically stopped him from going on, and he broke free, and got on the field. It looked like the S&C staff fucked up, because after the TO was called, Stewart turned around and started yelling at them immediately, and Thompson ran from the huddle to do so as well.

CPS

November 23rd, 2008 at 2:14 PM ^

I didn't realize it was primarily the S&C staff involved with Stewart. In that case, maybe what I mentioned in another thread makes sense. At the time, I didn't think it was relevant.

I recall reading that with the new rules on sideline infractions, teams were designating someone to act as enforcer of the rule. That person basically yells at anyone who doesn't stay on the sideline to get back. I also recall that Barwis is that guy for UM. If that's the case, he could have mistakenly yelled at Stewart to stay back, and, of course, Stewart yells back.

AaronGoBlue

November 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 PM ^

I'm hearing alot of Lloyd Carr left the cover bare with talent. With the amount of freshmen that played that is probably the case somewhat. However, they had six tight ends remember and they didn't use them every down. Next year there will be what five tight ends? And Sheridan is now on scholarship right? They kept calling him a former walk-on on the broadcast. Which will make at least five tight ends and six scholarship QB's for next year. That is 11 out of 75 scholarships where only one guy, whoever the QB is, out of those 11 will be on the field at most times.

Oh and not to mention two fullbacks that didn't seem to be used as much as we thought they'd be. Plus, Kevin Grady not being used hardly since his costly fumble vs. ND.

McFate

November 23rd, 2008 at 12:42 PM ^

Carr's last four classes were rated higher by Rivals.com (average rank #9) than Tressel's four classes (#12) over the same time-frame. Michigan has had more incoming talent as a foundation for this team than Ohio State has had, if the recruiting gurus are to be believed.

Some of it boils down to luck: early departures, career-ending and season-ending injuries, recruits just not panning out. With limited rosters, a little bad luck can sink a team. If the cupboard was bare, it was either a bad luck issue, or a player development issue. The latter still falls on the coaching staff, though.

Also... some individual players can make a huge difference. What if Pryor were at Michigan and statue-esque Boeckman was OSU's starting QB behind a subpar offensive line? Michigan and Ohio State might both be in the 7-5 to 8-4 range this year.

AaronGoBlue

November 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 PM ^

I'm hearing alot of Lloyd Carr left the cover bare with talent. With the amount of freshmen that played that is probably the case somewhat. However, they had six tight ends remember and they didn't use them every down. Next year there will be what five tight ends? And Sheridan is now on scholarship right? They kept calling him a former walk-on on the broadcast. Which will make at least five tight ends and six scholarship QB's for next year. That is 11 out of 75 scholarships where only one guy, whoever the QB is, out of those 11 will be on the field at most times.

Oh and not to mention two fullbacks that didn't seem to be used as much as we thought they'd be. Plus, Kevin Grady not being used hardly since his costly fumble vs. ND.

AaronGoBlue

November 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 PM ^

I'm hearing alot of Lloyd Carr left the cover bare with talent. With the amount of freshmen that played that is probably the case somewhat. However, they had six tight ends remember and they didn't use them every down. Next year there will be what five tight ends? And Sheridan is now on scholarship right? They kept calling him a former walk-on on the broadcast. Which will make at least five tight ends and six scholarship QB's for next year. That is 11 out of 75 scholarships where only one guy, whoever the QB is, out of those 11 will be on the field at most times.

Oh and not to mention two fullbacks that didn't seem to be used as much as we thought they'd be. Plus, Kevin Grady not being used hardly since his costly fumble vs. ND.