4th Quarter
After the first Ohio State drive, Michigan dominated most of the first three quarters. But the 4th quarter and OT, Michigan, especially the line, seemed tired relative to the Buckeyes. Why, I wonder.
Yes, the offense could not produce a 1st down when it needed one, but the defense gave up 10 and 13 play drives, the longest of the day.
I know that OSU started to use Samuels more, and rely on Barret's running. All defenses do tire as the game goes on (though I think Michigan led in TOP), and the Buckeyes were oviously getting some help extending drives by you-know-who, but still curious as to why and what attention and the S&C staffs might give to that going forward.
Haven't seen the film yet, but late in the game Ohio State seemed in better shape- was it a difference in conditioning? Or something lse.
Michigan winning so easily earlier in the season that they were not used to playing full gear for 60 minutes in games?
Thoughts?
November 27th, 2016 at 11:15 PM ^
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November 27th, 2016 at 11:16 PM ^
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November 27th, 2016 at 11:18 PM ^
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November 27th, 2016 at 11:17 PM ^
November 27th, 2016 at 11:20 PM ^
November 27th, 2016 at 11:30 PM ^
It was the 2 INTs that gave them their only TDs in regulation. And the offense gained all of FIVE FRICKIN YARDS in the entire 4th quarter.
That the D held them to only a FG at the end was nothing short of heroic.
I'm sure the OL are great guys and tried their hardest, but that's where the game was lost (other than the BS officiating of course).
November 28th, 2016 at 1:05 AM ^
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November 28th, 2016 at 6:20 AM ^
Michigan had 12 yards on 3 & outs on the last couple of drives, and a few more at the beginning of the quarter, actually. Used up only 3:53 when they needed it most, when Michigan had been dominating TOP the rest of the game. But part of that was on the defense too- allowing Ohio State to control the ball for 9 of the last 10-1/2 minutes of regulation on 10 and 13 play drives.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:20 AM ^
The fumble at the goaline was pretty inconsequential, as OSU ran the fake punt and Michigan scored a TD off it.
If you're a game manager, like Speight is (even when healthy), by nature you're not going to be the big play guy who puts up the gaudy numbers and win the game yourself. You're entrusted to make the simple play and not commit the huge mistakes to lose the game for your team.
Some may say Speight failed in that regard, and perhaps rightfully so. But that first pick wasn't on him, and that TD pass to Darboh in OT was pretty damn clutch.
November 28th, 2016 at 1:05 AM ^
November 28th, 2016 at 1:14 AM ^
November 28th, 2016 at 9:58 AM ^
We fumbled. OSU picked up a first down, then was forced to punt and ran the ill-fated fake.
If we score instead of fumble, and then kick-off, play D and put them in that same punting situation, why wouldn't they try that same fake?
You're not the first person that has insinuated that if we don't fumble, they don't fake punt. To me, those two are completely separate.
The punter read something in our block/cover and took off on his own. Why would his read change based on the result of our previous possession?
November 27th, 2016 at 11:26 PM ^
Michigan started the 4th quarter with the ball. Kept it for a grand total of 56 seconds (5 yards)
Next offensive possession: 1 minute and 31 seconds (-6 yards)
3rd possession: 1 minute 35 seconds (6 yards)
November 27th, 2016 at 11:35 PM ^
I just remember one of the possessions had a slant to Darboh just a little behind him, would have been a first down, probably should have been caught. Can't bring myself to rewatch it though
November 27th, 2016 at 11:50 PM ^
November 27th, 2016 at 11:37 PM ^
The OL has been crap in the 4th Q vs. Iowa and OSU. Perhaps that was due to some adjustments that Iowa and OSU made on D.....however if that is the case, then Drevno needs to make adjustments back.
To my eyes, they just appeared tired and weaker and the play calling was vanilla in the 4th vs. both opponents, and MSU too.
Harbaugh tightened up in 4th Qs of games this season that were close.
Not to compare him to Urban, but Urban was much more agressive yesterday than Harbaugh was. Perhaps Harbaugh was trying to limit mistakes and protect Speight, however that would only apply to Saturday and not vs. MSU or Iowa.
You cant take your foot off the offensive gas in college football, but if you do...you had better be able to run block to win late Nov. games in the B1G.
November 27th, 2016 at 11:51 PM ^
Urban was mainly in his team's way Sat. He almost blew it for them.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:52 AM ^
Harbaugh tried to be agressive in first quarter with play action pass in our red zone, we got a pick six.
I think this all come down the execusion, some of the safe play still can be converted to 1st down, our players are still not clutch enough. It's not only on this game but the IOWA game. We will get there eventually, I have faith in Harbaugh.
The only complain for 2nd half play call I have for this game is that we should have called a few more running play in the 3rd down. Particuarly 3rd and 5 or shoter. We have had effective delay draw play in the 2nd half of many games, but Harbaugh didn't seem to go with those in IOWA and OSU game. I have seen a few 3rd down that OSU are buying into pass, a simple delay hand off would make the 1st down and even more. But we never call those, probably only one. I'v see a few games that we have some effective delay draw that we get big chunk of yardage. I understand that Smith is slow and not a typical good fit for this. But still he's tough to bring down. I would trust his feet more than Speight's hand after he throw two INTs. If Evans get improve in pass protection and become 3rd down back next year. Our 3rd down playbook can open up more i think.
November 27th, 2016 at 11:37 PM ^
We needed a few first downs even if we didn't score. There were a number of plays where we were close to breaking a big gain but they got us by our shoestrings.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:32 AM ^
This. Whether it's play-calling, execution, or whatever, Michigan seems to tighten up in situations where just getting first downs is huge.
November 27th, 2016 at 11:37 PM ^
as much as I don't like the guy i do like how meyer is aggressive and goes for it on 4th and does fakes. whereas harbaugh just likes to punt it away.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:01 AM ^
At least he did a fake. At least when you fake you have a chance of converting. When you go 3 and out and punt all you're doing is giving the ball to the other team...
November 28th, 2016 at 6:43 AM ^
I don't think he called that at all. It was a read by his punter. And it was idiotic.
November 27th, 2016 at 11:49 PM ^
November 27th, 2016 at 11:59 PM ^
November 28th, 2016 at 6:05 AM ^
Are you sure about that?
Was he pissed about the decision, or about the execution?
Did they ask Meyer about it?
November 28th, 2016 at 6:27 AM ^
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November 28th, 2016 at 12:02 AM ^
Maybe not, but it would have been nice to see harbaugh do it. i absolutely hate seeing the punter on the field in that situation.
November 28th, 2016 at 6:44 AM ^
So basically, you hate ever seeing a punter on the field? Because punting from your own 20-yard line is pretty normal.
November 27th, 2016 at 11:58 PM ^
November 28th, 2016 at 12:06 AM ^
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November 28th, 2016 at 12:10 AM ^
November 28th, 2016 at 12:22 AM ^
Yeah, the ol is good, not great. I don't see a potential NFL starter starting on our line right now. The offense will be better when Harbaugh gets his qb and Drevno's ol installed.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:35 AM ^
November 28th, 2016 at 8:27 AM ^
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November 28th, 2016 at 6:30 AM ^
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November 28th, 2016 at 8:24 AM ^
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November 27th, 2016 at 11:39 PM ^
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November 27th, 2016 at 11:42 PM ^
i dont remember exactly who, but didn't we determine that there was a blatant missed hold on that play? Either way, I agree. Jabrill was right there and overran him.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:05 AM ^
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November 28th, 2016 at 12:10 AM ^
Peppers also took a poor angle on the huge run by Barrett. Other than intercepting that tipped pass that was a gimme, Peppers honestly did not make much of a impact :(.
November 28th, 2016 at 1:16 AM ^
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November 28th, 2016 at 12:18 AM ^
Peppers did miss him but he at least took the edge and made him cut back the other way. Samuels should've been cleaned up right there by someone. They were tired and their pursuit was lacking at that time though. Offensive line has to become more dominant. A dominant offensive line and running backs puts that game away in the third quarter and takes the bullshit refs right out of the game. It's coming. I reallly believe it.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:06 AM ^
November 28th, 2016 at 12:38 AM ^
Exactly, I don't understand how you let their biggest offensive weapon scramble around the backfield untouched for 5-8 seconds, and squirt out a 8 yard gainer...
November 28th, 2016 at 1:17 AM ^
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November 28th, 2016 at 6:48 AM ^
Peppers's play was fine - he forced him inside. I'm not quite sure why Glasgow cut away from him though.
That's just a play where tired legs in double-OT are the difference. In regulation we'd be all over that.