The Morning After
So I spent the night working a 12 hour shift in MRI and I had some time to reflect on the events yesterday. Here are some “dust has settled thoughts” Chime in on any of these or add some of your own thoughts after a good sleep.
1. Next year, assuming Cade returns, we will have an all out war for the QB1 job. Cade has absolutely earned everything this year and it will be interesting how it plays out.
2. This team is a ridiculously complete football team. How much different would the narrative be if the MSU game had gone the other way.
3. Jim Harbaugh, minus a COVID year and the weird 2017 season, really has had our program at a higher level of college football. We complain a lot but he really has changed the program and gives us a chance in every big game.
4. I put a time off request for the night of January 10th. Because hey, let’s get crazy.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:06 AM ^
Anyone who’s calling for Harbaughs head, or called for it better eat some major dam crow. He stayed true to his ways and here’s the results. Being at the game it was obvious that our line was not only bigger, but manhandled all that buckeye speed. Complete coaching job and pretty much the way every fan imagined it. I’m still giddy as shit. Woke up at 5 and started watching replays to confirm the ass kicking I saw, did indeed happen. It did!
November 28th, 2021 at 6:16 AM ^
The O Line has been ridiculous in pass protect. The have committed very few holds and the sack numbers are so good. Plus they dominated Garrett and Harrison today.
November 28th, 2021 at 8:36 AM ^
They dominated that entire defense. The LOS was consistently moved 3-4 yards down field. I remember one play in particular vastardis pancaked his guy 1 on 1 blocking and he finished him a solid 5 yards down field. The guy was a huge DT I can’t remember who because all I saw was vastardis’s jersey on top on the poor buckeye.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:15 AM ^
This game went the way experts said it had to for UM to win. Don't allow big plays, control the ground game pressure Stroud.
Great game. Bought my B1G Champion tix last night. GO BLUE!
November 28th, 2021 at 6:20 AM ^
What was their biggest play yesterday? The Garrett Wilson catch which I believe he stepped out at the 1 but replay never had a look at it. I had nightmares of Olave and Wilson running wild. And by golly it never happened
November 28th, 2021 at 6:30 AM ^
They were gonna get their catches and they did. The catch from Jasckson Smith was pretty unbelievable. Seeing Olave go up like a dam butterfly was pretty impressive. We had safeties deep and Hutchinson was exactly what he’s been all year, unblockable. Even Hinton and Mazi were destroying the OSU line.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:31 AM ^
The destruction of the one OSU lineman by Hutch on that 4 down play in the 4th quarter needs to be a GIF that I can inject in my bloodstream
November 28th, 2021 at 8:09 AM ^
Couple threads down, my man
November 28th, 2021 at 6:15 AM ^
This season is basically how we envisioned most seasons going when Harbaugh was first hired. Michigan's talent is not anywhere near elite but this team is playing at an elite level. One of our best players was a low 3 star and is now one of the best running backs in the country. Tons of other players who were average recruits also look elite. Cade looks like he slew the Balrog and came back to us at the turn of the tide. The offensive line just plowed over OSU's defensive line in that last drive. Nothing fancy, OSU simply ran out of steam.
And this was supposed to be a rebuilding year.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:24 AM ^
Do we miss Zach Harrison yet?
November 28th, 2021 at 6:37 AM ^
The guy is a super-athlete but he does not like to get dirty. It's kind of shocking how little he likes contact for a DE. I actually don't even think he should be playing a traditional 4-3 DE role. He may be a terror in an Ojabo-like role but as a hands-down DL, he's nothing to worry about.
Same for both their ends, really. Both are 9 foot tall and can run like gazelles but neither want a fight. Those DTs are basically playing alone down there. That shocked me. Towards the end there were plays where Harrison outright quit or just got walked. What the UM OL did to their front 7 literally still has me shocked. I almost expect to wake up and find the game hasn't been played yet.
November 28th, 2021 at 7:44 AM ^
Along with normally having the ability to get home with 4, Ohio was stoned by our OL, they usually have 1 or 2 athletic freaks at LB. Ohio’s backers are very pedestrian this year and our OL constantly got to the next level opening holes. Tip my hat to the coaches and players!!
November 28th, 2021 at 6:25 AM ^
During the gazillion tv timeouts it was obvious our big uglies were chopping OSU down. The buckeye line was standing with their hands on the hips and trying to catch their breath. What stood out most to me was the size difference between our O and their D line. Regardless of what’s on paper, we were much bigger in stature.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:19 AM ^
I will absorb all the videos and commentaries I can find and feast on the sweet taste of victory.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:22 AM ^
I eagerly await Devin Gardners MMQB. Maybe seeing some Klatt eat crow on Cowherds show. Klatt was probably up all night texting his lover Ryan Day to make sure he was alright
November 28th, 2021 at 7:24 AM ^
Dude, Klatt is the best CFB commentator in the business. Nobody in CFB media has wanted to see Jim and Michigan succeed more than Klatt. He's easily the least biased and most level-headed pundit in the business. Not sure where to get that notion of being an OSU slappy from.
Multiple times he said how UM was built to stop that offense and how it felt different this year. Said how UM could win this game. Did he pick OSU? Probably. Most did. Look at Vegas, something like 90% of bettors said we'll take OSU at 9 points. 90% said it will be a two score win for OSU so the question should really be who outside of UM fans DIDN'T pick OSU.
I respect when a guy in media does their job well and Klatt is, IMO, easily the best CFB pundit out there. He and Cowherd also have pulled HARD for Michigan and Jim the last 6 years. I feel like I gotta defend him here because the alternatives are Herbie, Galloway, Pollack, Finebaum, etc. Those guys suck. Throw shots but throw them where deserved because people on this board have gone crazy on a guy that has been the most fair media member to Michigan/Jim the last 6 years for saying he respects head-to-head (regarding UM/MSU).
November 28th, 2021 at 8:22 AM ^
Yes, even Valenti has accused Klatt of being a lover of the Blue, so he’s alright with me.
November 28th, 2021 at 10:02 AM ^
This is all very true. Klatt has always been fair with his assessment of Harbaugh. This is in contrast to Finebaum who is just a jerk.
November 28th, 2021 at 12:08 PM ^
Klatts the best in the biz. Even working beside the idiot who is Gus Johnson. Klatt did a livestream on the way out giving nothing but props to Michigan.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:27 AM ^
Hats off to the team. After living in Columbus suburb for 20+ years previously, thank God I escaped to South Carolina, I can imagine the buckeye tears but at the same time the arrogance of the fans even after Michigan took apart their "vaunted osu team" that many media kept telling us can run with Georgia
Going forward, Michigan needs to stay focused and hungry, win against Iowa. It appears they will be playing Cincy, ND or Okie State in the CFP. Hey, anything can happen and Michigan in the National Championship would be a dream come true but is VERY possible as long as they bring it every week
The movie Hoosiers comes to mind when describing this years team and we have a long way to go as this is just the beginning of the playoffs. Next week is round 2
Go Blue!!
November 28th, 2021 at 6:28 AM ^
Should I also mention I work in a hospital in Columbus. It feels good
November 28th, 2021 at 6:29 AM ^
My daughter works for Children's Hospital in CBus
November 28th, 2021 at 6:30 AM ^
Very cool. I worked there while in college. Nice facility. Caring staff
November 28th, 2021 at 10:29 AM ^
I am not sure the phrase “escape to Sputh Carolina” has ever been uttered in human history.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:38 AM ^
Relishing that one play after Hassan Haskins hurdled a fool the very good Ohio State head coach was left with making the right decision: letting UM score so his team could chase the desperation score/onside kick/score and conversion scenario.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:43 AM ^
Yes. He let us score because that was the fastest way for him to make up the 73 points needed to “hang 100”
November 28th, 2021 at 6:39 AM ^
BEAT IOWA
November 28th, 2021 at 6:42 AM ^
Beat Iowa
November 28th, 2021 at 6:45 AM ^
Slept for a few great hours - woke up early again because I still feel like a kid on Christmas morning!
November 28th, 2021 at 6:45 AM ^
I expect us to have another fine O line next year. Hats off to Coach Moore. I believe we only lose the center and right tackle.
Any recruit at the game should be excited to sign with us. The crowd looked to be over the top which recruits love.
I'm still feeling great. Knowing how rotten the ride back to Cbus was gives me great joy.
As I posted yesterday - The Soup Nazi would tell a Buckeye - NO PLAYOFFS FOR YOU!!!
November 28th, 2021 at 6:46 AM ^
Coaches are putting players in position to showcase their talent this year and players are doing it. Makes for much success.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:47 AM ^
Next years team has a chance to be special given all the pieces that are coming back, but they’re losing a lot of key pieces on defense. Aidan is gone, Ross is graduating, Dax will likely declare, and Ojabo is getting a lot of NFL love right now, too, so it’s highly possible he leaves to cash in, too. And then Haskins is on his way out, too.
Most everyone is coming back, but the leaders and arguably best players are heading out, so they will need to find new playmakers in the off-season.
November 28th, 2021 at 7:24 AM ^
Remember this year’s preview? Rod Moore who? Mike Morris who? Those guys looked pretty impressive. Hopefully Colson improves and can replace Ross. I think we will be just fine. We will get attention now and maybe we get a transfer who can get into um.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:50 AM ^
All good points, to your comments:
1. The QB situation once spring ball starts will be fascinating. I literally love both of these guys as quarterbacks. If there is a way we can get them both back next season utilizing a similar dynamic that would be amazing.. but I think that is going to be a tough sell for both of them. best thing for the program IMO is to just let these guys compete it out, let the staff make a decision and see where the chips fall. Whatever decisions either guy needs to make for their careers is their's, and fans should respect the results.
2. Agreed, this team plays with a fire in their belly we haven't seen since probably the '06 squad? Credit is due all over the place from players to coaches for that, but I wonder if bringing in guys like Hart and Bellemy that take tremendous pride in Michigan football didn't rub off on their players and reflect itself on the field.
3. Harbaugh gets more shit than any other coach with a 70% winning percentage in all of football. A lot of that I imagine is that he is both moody, brutally honest, and at the same time stand offish when speaking with the media and so he gets covered differently to his disadvantage. It's undeniable though that the totality of his coaching career all but proves he is an excellent football coach despite 2020 and 2017 which both presented unique challenges.
4. Hell yes. Hopefully this squad has even bigger plans in store fo this season. Fingers crossed, the squad can enjoy this win until Monday and then time to laser focus on Iowa to close this season out proper. From there, let it roll baby.
A couple additional observations:
- Michigan's offensive line was special yesterday. They absolutely paved Ohio State and broke their will in the second half. It was beautiful
- Hassan Haskins and Aidan Hutchinson will go down as legendary Michigan football players. Truly incredible and inspiring individual performances today. Two special players that set the tone for a remarkable Michigan football team.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:54 AM ^
The mystique is broken with that win- Buckeyes can't just show up anymore and automatically expect to intimidate and be elite. I think Michigan was that way for a long time until The Horror. It's taken a long time to work back to this point. 7 years of Harbaugh and heartbreak waiting for this breakthrough win. Glorious
November 28th, 2021 at 7:13 AM ^
Don’t look ahead… enjoy the rest of this year.
I had the best night of sleep in 20 years… it’s the Harbaugh Redemption… we’ve crawled through ~20 years of filth and now Michigan is coming out free on the other side.
November 28th, 2021 at 9:40 AM ^
I don't know but I couldn't sleep. Read the blog, bleacher report, watched the sports shows until 1-2am. Still hyped. Can't get enough of this win
November 28th, 2021 at 7:35 AM ^
I still cant believe it happened and the WAY it happened..Michigan played a near perfect game( minus the early interception that cost us crucial points ..but I digress) the Coaching calls were near perferct OSU look puzzled on defense..I forgot how it feels to wake up after a win over OSU in a BIG Crucial game with EVERYTHING on the line...NOW..no letdoewn next week thats my biggest fear..
November 28th, 2021 at 7:36 AM ^
I just upvoted 100 posts in honor of Ryan Day
November 28th, 2021 at 7:47 AM ^
I feel damn good this morning. I am sure Harbaugh is also and his response to Day question is a classic Harbaugh response.
Harbaugh had to endure a ref choke job in 2016. He had to go into 2017 OSU game with a backup QB. Teams started figuring out DB's defense. MSU punt game. He loves UM yet some fans questioned him and wanted him out.
He had been to a Super Bowl. The only current coach in CFB who can say that. Yet, all odds are against him. They have to put in a new rule to stop his camping. His AD, who does not have the balls to take it to B1G about officiating, cut his salary. He is making half as much as Frames and even less than Mel Tucker who has an almost .500 record in his career as a HC.
His competitiveness, love for UM, and the ability to adapt each year has brought us to this season. He loses to MSU because of shitty officiating again.
Now I think back about all that, it is remarkable how dominant Michigan was against vaunted OSU offense. He has called out Ryan Day and he has shown that he has figured out OSU's offense with immense number of 5 stars. Now, he has out OSU in a spot where they have to figure our offense and change their offense. Ha Ha. That is truly a remarkable job by Harbaugh and one for the ages. In fact, this is a bigger coaching job than his USC win.
I have been a big supporter of him and love what he brings to the table. It doesn't matter if we get a lot of 5 stars (who I think will flock to UM), but we know he can evaluate and develop talent.
Future is bright. We still have a lot to play for this year, but I am at the peak of my happiness.
Go Blue!!!!!
November 28th, 2021 at 7:50 AM ^
During the game yesterday I kept thinking that something about the game felt like the 1990’s. Anyone else get that feeling? I think it was how our team looked more prepared than OSU. So proud of this team and these coaches! Go Blue!
November 28th, 2021 at 7:52 AM ^
It was a total team performance. The OLine mauled. The DLine was getting after Stroud. The secondary did a good job making their receivers work for the yards and keeping everything in front of them. Cade made plays. Hassan Haskins my man was just pure awesome. I love this team. Very resilient and tough. Just like their coach.
November 28th, 2021 at 8:01 AM ^
The day after…
My second time in the big house. Going back to Columbus wearing my gear and talking shit to the Columbus fans I’m with and for the next year. No voice and hungover….and I still am fired up! LEEEEEETS GOOOO!
November 28th, 2021 at 8:01 AM ^
My back is killing me. I had a bit too much to imbibe. I ate a little too much turkey. I didn’t sleep too well at all.
The sun is shining on the snow. I am about to let the dogs outside for a bit. Everyone in the family is still sleeping.
It’s great. To be. A Michigan Wolverine.
So happy for this team.
LET’S. GO. BLUE.
November 28th, 2021 at 8:12 AM ^
Savor the victory, it feels so good!
November 28th, 2021 at 8:33 AM ^
Remember this day. This great victory. For it is doom of man to forget. 1969 all over again my friends
November 28th, 2021 at 8:53 AM ^
"4. I put a time off request for the night of January 10th. Because hey, let’s get crazy."
I started thinking this way too. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE screamed Kevin Garnett.
And man are there echoes of 1969 in the air. This felt like the birth of a new era. Let's make good on it 363 days from now down in Columbus.