various images of Bo losing it
The Sea Wants To Take Me
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11/14/2009 – Michigan 24, Wisconsin 45 – 5-6, 1-6 Big Ten
Henri says post away
Well, I finally broke: I've checked out emotionally. This happened last year, too, and the game columns from the on were pleas for something else to do and grim, brief recaps of the latest indignity. It's progress of a sort that it took eleven games for the team to TKO any interest in what might happen the rest of this year, but it's not a fun sort of progress.
A serious thematic analysis of the Wisconsin game is pointless. Michigan's defense is exactly as horrifying as it's been all year. Everyone wants to fight each other in the liveblog. When the MGoPosse assembled to record this week's podcast, Paul said "at least we didn't muff a punt" and I responded "they didn't punt." (It turns out they did punt once in the first half, and Junior Hemingway misjudged a short one, almost fumbling it.)
Today I'll go on the radio and say the exact same things I've been saying all season to people who say the exact same things they've been saying all season. Here I could either repeat the assertion that firing Rodriguez after two years is idiotic or the description of what this season turned into in the third quarter of the Illinois game. Nothing has changed, and there's nothing to say when the team is turning in uncompetitive loss after uncompetitive loss.
There is an increased chance that sometime today I will read or hear something that cause my entire body to crumple and my head to thump audibly on the desk. So I guess that's different. Not different: for the second straight year the Ohio State week is only welcome because after it there won't be this unpleasant thing that happens every Saturday. The Notre Dame game seems like another decade.
BULLETS
- Surprised that Mouton and Ezeh got the whole game after their backups played at least as well as they did against Purdue. I guess there were huge busts by both Fitzgerald and Leach, but… um… right.
- Seriously: after Wisconsin completed their sixth or seventh big gain over the middle because Ezeh and Mouton were hugely out of position on zone drops, I was begging for the backups. No dice. The prospect of starting these guys next year is not fun.
- I'm betting the adjustment Wisconsin made to their running game was to start doubling defensive linemen for real and leaving the linebackers to their own devices, or down-blocking them on their slants and getting outside where the linebackers are on their own. Michigan was shooting into the backfield a ton early.
- Poor Brandon Graham: if Michigan would just cover anyone for two seconds he would have an incredible number of sacks this year. It wasn't Graham who had the most frustrating non-sack on Saturday, though. Stevie Brown came free up the middle on a third and five in the third quarter and Tolzien nailed a wide open tight end for a first down. That turned into the drive Wisconsin used to go up three scores, salting the game away.
- Vincent Smith is now your tentative leader for the starting tailback job next year, though that title figures to be a ceremonial one in a sea of options. I know Shaw's had the occasional nagging injury but I think he's just beat him out, fair and square. My favorite play from Smith was the screen he took past three or four defenders in the first half. He was one desperate hand-wave by a Wisconsin safety away from
a touchdowna long run that looks like it should be touchdown but disappointingly ends short of it. He's got skills. There was one out that was incomplete that anyone else on the team would have caught by virtue of being bigger than a marmot, though. - Brandon Smith seemed pretty mediocre on the edge. I know he didn't make any of the huge, obvious mistakes that Mike Williams did, but Wisconsin isn't the sort of team that puts you in the backfield unblocked to make a huge, obvious mistake. I bet a lot of the outside running Wisconsin did will be on Smith somehow.
- I did think Wisconsin was the grabbiest line Michigan's played against all year. Wisconsin's first drive saw Graham held twice on long completions, and while they got a number of calls later they just love getting their hands outside the shoulder pads. Default disclaimer whenever officiating as mentioned: would not have changed outcome of the game, would merely have led to more second-and-twenty conversions. Maybe I should thank the refs for mitigating the damage I would have done to my forehead and the sidewalk if I watched another guy wide open over the middle.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:23 AM | 
Dude?
Dude?
November 16th, 2009 at 11:28 AM |
on emotionally checking out
on emotionally checking out
I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't checked out by the end of the game too. I kept thinking of the Simpsons episode where Homer shows up at events as Krusty the Klown and at one point beats a Hamburglar-esque character in front of a bunch of children so badly that one of them pleads, pathetically and while crying, for Homer to stop because "He's already dead!"
That said, I hope people who are lucky enough to go to the game this Saturday are loud. What have you got to lose?
It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future. -- Yogi Berra
November 16th, 2009 at 11:55 AM |
You beat me by a game, as did Brian.
You beat me by a game, as did Brian.
I checked out during the Purdue game, got briefly invested (but not nearly at earlier season levels) at the end without any real thought we'd pull it out, and watched the entire game Saturday with a "when is disaster coming" aspect. sigh.
"Everyone gets dumped Gabe. Let me give you some advice: a little coverup on your Adams Apple will make it appear smaller. Which will make you appear less like a transvestite."
November 16th, 2009 at 11:28 AM |
I don't think I've ever, in
I don't think I've ever, in
I don't think I've ever, in my life thrown my hands up the air and screamed "WHAT THE FUCK" more times than this year with this defense. It's so difficult this year more than last because it's painfully obvious how much better we would be if we had a competent defense. I just hope it gets better and this is the "gets worse before it gets better" part.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:55 AM |
Me too, like...
Me too, like...
Before:
After:
November 16th, 2009 at 11:28 AM |
And it's sad...
And it's sad...
or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:55 AM |
???
???
Does your prediction involve an army of unicorn mounted warrior angeles descending onto the field and unleashing a volley of flaming arrows at the vest? because that would explain the insanity and utter fact less prediction you just unleashed onto the world. the realist in me has accepted that a 42-24 loss may be in order and may be a noble way to end the season. Michigan football has become William Wallace in the last scene of brave heart, stretched out on the chopping block, mutilated, and screaming for freedom. After this game, freedom from pain we shall have.
the supreme head butt
November 16th, 2009 at 12:37 PM |
Does your prediction involve
Does your prediction involve
Does your prediction involve an army of unicorn mounted warrior angeles descending onto the field and unleashing a volley of flaming arrows at the vest?
He thinks we're bringing back the bear cavalry
November 16th, 2009 at 2:36 PM |
Anything is possible
Anything is possible
But for us to win, we would have to play our best game of the year and make zero mistakes. Then, OSU has to make a couple themselves. It could happen, and if it does, it will radically change the season, but I wouldn't count on it. I will watch and cheer my ass off but I am trying not to think of how awesome a win would be because my heart can't take the disappointment.
November 16th, 2009 at 3:06 PM |
dude let me take a hit
dude let me take a hit
seriously give me whatever narcotic you have possession of. I am not kidding. I just want a little. your prediction lacks one essential assumption that I believe you have blocked out of your mind due to blind fantastical emotion associated with U of M football. tOSU is a much better football team than we are. Everything you just stated assumes that we wont get man handled on the line of scrimmage and we will be able to contain T-Pryor's scrambles. Every thing I have seen this year, thus far, has indicated that we will get pushed around like the fat kid in 3rd grade. If brian hoyer's glorious moves can break our lb's ankles may god have mercy on the souls of OBI, Jonas, and Stevie when T-pryor hits the field.
the supreme head butt
November 16th, 2009 at 3:31 PM |
"t-pryor"
"t-pryor"
has done nothing whatsoever to earn a cool shortened nickname.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:33 PM |
Two Questions and a (Tentative) Prediction
Two Questions and a (Tentative) Prediction
1. What are you smoking? and
2. Mind if I take a hit?
Prediction: Michigan offense plays okay. Defense continues tendency to reek in second half. Score is 21-14 OSU at the half, final score is 49-21 Bucks.
He doesn't want to go down!
November 16th, 2009 at 11:29 AM |
I'm begging
I'm begging
for decent weather (no freezing rain/cold rain 2 years ago) and re-assurance from recruits. Yes, I'm looking at you Cullen.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:13 PM |
Current long-range forecast: partly cloudy, 51
Current long-range forecast: partly cloudy, 51
... and no rain on the day before or after (so it seems unlikely that something could arrive slightly early or late to make it a bad day).
November 16th, 2009 at 12:19 PM |
Forcast
Forcast
Its going to be in the mid-50s with some sun.
So...we have that going for us.
--
Benjamin in Ann Arbor.
snowfox web design + development
November 16th, 2009 at 11:30 AM |
"Brandon Smith seemed pretty
"Brandon Smith seemed pretty
"Brandon Smith seemed pretty mediocre on the edge"
True, although it needs to be mentioned that "mediocre on the edge" > "blindingly horrible oh God why." sigh.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:32 AM |
TWiS
TWiS
Is Brian going to have to quote himself in TWiS?
November 16th, 2009 at 11:33 AM |
vincent RAGE!
vincent RAGE!
i'm looking forward to seeing more of him...also, brandon smith seemed okay to me. nothing made my eyes bleed, anyway.
i'm just hoping that we stay within a touchdown for 60 minutes. don't know if i can take another blowout to those douchebags.
...and i hope we can play better offensively than we did in 2007. that was a miserable one...
November 16th, 2009 at 11:52 AM |
I, for one, welcome another
I, for one, welcome another
I, for one, welcome another vertically-challenged (in height, not downfield-vertical) running back who makes something out of nothing by juking unblocked guys in the backfield, who rarely goes down on first contact, and who always seems to fall forward. May he also have Mr. Hart's ability to HOLD ONTO THE DAMN BALL as well.
November 16th, 2009 at 1:08 PM |
I like Smith
I like Smith
But he's not as strong as Hart was. He's tough as nails, but I've seen quite a few times where he fails to fall forward. Not his fault; dude weighs 165 pounds, and at some point physics just takes over.
He might be a touch quicker than Hart, but I don't think he's a good option as an every down back. Maybe Shaw will develop into that, and Smith can be used as he should be - a change of pace. I'm also somewhat irrationally excited about Stephen Hopkins.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:34 AM |
The sea wants to take me...
The sea wants to take me...
"And I know it's over - still I cling
I don't know where else I can go
Over and over and over and over
Over and over.
I know it's over
And it never really began
But in my heart it was so real."
We'll always have the Notre Dame game.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:35 AM |
If UM defeats OSU...
If UM defeats OSU...
its a good year right? 6 wins. A bowl. Defeats over ND and OSU.
I realize theres a one in 5 or 10 chance or whatever, but this offense is good enough to where there IS a chance.
So, in a game that defines our season's success or failure...I'm not checking out.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:40 AM |
So you're saying there's a
So you're saying there's a
So you're saying there's a chance?
Got a quarter?
November 16th, 2009 at 11:36 AM |
I have gone from feeling numb to
I have gone from feeling numb to
now just looking for self-confirming signs of hope for the future. Tate looked better than he has in a while, and Smith was very solid. Omammeh's play is encouraging as well.
Ulitmately, this is really coming down to the linebackers having no clue on how to contain a play, plug a hole, and apart from Stevie Brown on at least one play, drop into coverage.
I know that things will get better, and I am now at peace with the present because of that. We will get killed, murdered and stolen from next weekend, but it will not be like this forever.
our package is our package, and it’s pretty big. - Greg Mattison, Bowl Practice Presser Tr. 12-13-11.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:27 PM |
Omameh's play was
Omameh's play was
Omameh's play was encouraging.
Ortmann and Schilling's play, however, did not portend well for OSU. I think the line is one of the areas that shows definite improvement next year.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:37 AM |
What it sounds like here...
What it sounds like here...
is that everyone on this blog is not drinking enough!
November 16th, 2009 at 11:39 AM |
I have found peace...
I have found peace...
by accepting the fact that, this season, we are in essence fielding a JV team (+ 1 or 2 Varsity guys) on each side of the ball. So, Brian, don't check out emotionally; simply readjust your mindset: Michigan has no Varsity football team this year; it's the JV team only. Go ahead -- say it: WE ARE A JV TEAM.
And the JV is putting up a good battle against these much tougher Varsity teams, but no JV team is likely to beat a good Varsity Big 10 squad. Any win is like the intervention of the hand (or foot) of God in a Monty Python film. You can expect it to appear once, but for the remainder, it's "Run awaaaaaaay!"
All we can hope for is the hand (or foot) of God to make a cameo again this weekend. Amen.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:39 AM |
Whatever. Had enough.
Mouton
Whatever. Had enough.
Mouton
Whatever. Had enough.
Mouton sucks. Ezeh sucks. Smith sucks. Williams sucks. Fitzgerald sucks. At some point, the carpenter has to stop blaming his tools. The reality is that RR made the second bad DC hire in two years. It will be his undoing.
"Fear. Columbus is rank with it. Let us ease their pain."
November 16th, 2009 at 11:53 AM |
A 4th DC in 4 years would be
A 4th DC in 4 years would be
A 4th DC in 4 years would be the answer?
November 16th, 2009 at 12:00 PM |
A 4th DC in 4 years would be
A 4th DC in 4 years would be
A 4th DC in 4 years would be the answer?
The implied logic behind this question is silly. I'm not saying Robinson needs to be fired (although I wouldn't be all that upset if he was), but if he's not a very good coach, then keeping him around for the sake of continuity is just stupid. I don't profess to have nearly enough football knowledge to know whether he's deficient as a coach or just shackled by the poor talent on the team, but if it's the former, the argument for keeping him makes no sense whatsoever. We should should maintain the same crappy coaching simply because it's the crappy coaching the players know?
"Come on, you Wolverines!"
November 16th, 2009 at 12:03 PM |
It is impossible for the
It is impossible for the
It is impossible for the talent to suck this bad.
"Fear. Columbus is rank with it. Let us ease their pain."
November 16th, 2009 at 12:11 PM |
Your impossible is our
Your impossible is our
Your impossible is our reality. Get used to it and the winning will be all the better in a few years.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:04 PM |
I think it has been readily
I think it has been readily
I think it has been readily apparent that the defensive struggles this year have been execution related, not scheme related. FWIW, players agree (read: Woolfolk).
November 16th, 2009 at 12:08 PM |
Amazing how we have recruited
Amazing how we have recruited
Amazing how we have recruited all these low football IQ defensive players.
"Fear. Columbus is rank with it. Let us ease their pain."
November 16th, 2009 at 12:12 PM |
That might be true. My only
That might be true. My only
That might be true. My only point that is that if there is a serious coaching deficiency, keeping the coach simply for the sake of keeping him is nonsensical.
Edited to add - Meech Dan makes a fair point. It's difficult to believe that Michigan somehow managed to collectively recruit a bunch of players so fundamentally incapable of executing assignments in any capacity whatsoever. I think the reality is that there is plenty of blame to go around to both the players and the coaches.
"Come on, you Wolverines!"
November 16th, 2009 at 12:12 PM |
I completely agree.
I completely agree.
I completely agree. Thankfully, I don't think that is the situation we have here.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:01 PM |
Don't have an answer. Just
Don't have an answer. Just
Don't have an answer. Just the depressing observation that, despite everything said around here and even by me at one time, it is statistically impossible for Michigan to have all the moron defensive players who can't follow directions or execute assignments.
"Fear. Columbus is rank with it. Let us ease their pain."
November 16th, 2009 at 12:28 PM |
Robinson is not the LB coach
Robinson is not the LB coach
Note that the positions GERG coaches (Brown, Roh) are not a problem. Brown is easily the best LB we have, and Roh's only problem is that he's too small yet to take on a double-team from serious opponents. I love the way both of those kids play. The defense is straight up uncompetitive at two spots, so if you want to blame a coach, blame the coaches of those positions.
I haven't seen anything that makes me think we're schematically or tactically bad. We have confidence issues, which is obvious considering how often these kids have been blown out. We also have epic fail issues at S and LB. No defense that lacks confidence and skills over the middle will stop anyone with any consistency. I don't get how the DC can do much about these problems in 11 months by himself. I think we need two new coaches, LB and S. Let's quit shuffling the overall plan and start shuffling the pieces that are broken.
At this point I'm amazed we get full half out of them before the cracks show up.
November 16th, 2009 at 1:17 PM |
From what I understand
From what I understand
There's not necessarily glaring problems in the overall scheme (see: English, Ron) or in overall man-management and communication (see: Shafer, Scott). There is a lack of talent up the middle of the field, there is the regression of Mouton and Ezeh, and there is the frustrating inability of our DBs to turn around and make a play on the ball when they are in position to do so.
I think the most sensible thing for Rod to do will be to fire Hopson and and least take some responsibility away from Gibson though there doesn't appear to be any hope for the latter, considering the lengthy personal relationship between Rodriguez and Gibson.) Robinson simply hasn't shown enough one way or another to warrant either confidence or firing, so it's simply not worth it to make another hire and have to install another scheme.
Quite frankly, I think the continued presence of Gibson puts a cap on how good our defense will ever be, but if we have a good overall scheme, good athletes, and good coaching for the front seven, we should be alright.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:41 AM |
I still love football Saturdays
I still love football Saturdays
No matter how bad that the team is I always love football Saturdays. I love going to Ann Arbor, I love seeing the stadium filled to capacity, I love playing beer pong, I love everything about football Saturdays... except the losing.
No matter how terrible the team is doing every new Saturday comes a new hope, a new irrational sense of "we can do this" and I'll never give up that hope.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand"
November 16th, 2009 at 7:17 PM |
You've got the right attitude
You've got the right attitude
You've got the right attitude Bouje and if we by chance win this Saturday, I owe you a drink and shot for being faithful.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:41 AM |
So, about the LBs...
So, about the LBs...
They are clueless and there is no progress. If any, they've regressed. So Hopson really needs to go, right? The guy hasn't done shit in recruiting, and his group of LBs are not freshmen and they are not walk-ons. He must be fired. Something has to be done there.
Go Blue
November 16th, 2009 at 11:54 AM |
Yes
Yes
Yes you are correct he must go.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:45 AM |
The funny thing is
The funny thing is
the coaches rated Fitzgerald Toussaint as the best back in '09 class. Toussaint is injured and is in competition for PT.
Don't count out Mike Shaw for the starting job. He is the most explosive back on the roster. Just need to stay healthy(hmmmm, sounds familiar with Carlos Brown).
Vincent Smith would be a good change of pace back rather than a featured back IMO.
November 16th, 2009 at 1:20 PM |
Toussaint
Toussaint
I'd forgotten about him when I was trying to decide who would be the ideal every-down back next year.
I'm still convinced that Smith is too small to be effective as the go-to guy, though he certainly will make important contributions. Toussaint, Shaw, and Cox should make for a strong backfield next year.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:48 AM |
And so who should we negbomb today?
And so who should we negbomb today?
The guy who said 2010 will be RR's last year?
Brian for saying if we don't win 8 next year (does anyone think that's gonna happen) RR will/should be fired in 2010?
Me for saying nothing more than I was angry after the game (which actually happened)?
The people who note that the great Jim Harbaugh, a great Michigan QB, who led the team to its evolution to a pro style system is winning at Stanford?
Those who knock Lloyd though all of us would kill if RR had Lloy'ds worst year?
Perhaps the people who wish we had Les Miles? Or, those who say Les fooled around with Moeller's wife?
The team has played for shit. The defense has *not* improved. There will be a third DC in 2010, if not sooner. But you all want to cry and lash out against those who suggest (big) changes. Seems like the perfect metaphor for this team. Michigan fans are a reflection of the team. RIght now, seems like everyone's acting like a bunch of pussies.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:04 PM |
nothing more badass....
nothing more badass....
...then whining about point negging. Sorry for being such a pussy. I take full responsibility for every missed tackle this Saturday.
...you just got Nard Dawged!!
November 16th, 2009 at 1:44 PM |
or being a true fan
or being a true fan
especially one who won't hear the, you know, truth
November 16th, 2009 at 2:40 PM |
1.) Head for the chalkboard.
1.) Head for the chalkboard.
2.) Write 100 times: "Posting restrictions exist because of people like me."
3.) Apologize to all of the sensible newcomers and lurkers here who were unable to contribute over the weekend because you have to, you know, tell the truth.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:15 PM |
Oh, I know, I know...
Oh, I know, I know...
... the guy who says "I told you so" and puffs his chest out in certitude while the team we all root for struggles mightily.
I hope your satisfaction with yourself helps mask the pain of another lost season... to me it hardly seems to be a good trade and not worth the futile attempt.
Do Something. If it works, do more of it. If it doesn't, do something else.
Dude