DrMantisToboggan

December 9th, 2019 at 6:13 PM ^

If you watched a second of that game you know that it wasn't close at all. 417 yards to 227. 5 ypp to 3.5. 34:15 minutes of possession to 25:45. OSU did whatever they wanted when they weren't fumbling. It was not a contest.

PSU has been a helluva lot closer to that that UM lately.

You mean when we're not whooping their ass every other year? Look, I'm not saying Penn State sucks - I actually think Michigan and Penn State are incredibly close. They're 10th, we're 11th in the talent composite. We've alternated home wins since 2016 and this year's game was exceptionally competitive.

These two programs are equidistant from Penn State, and neither's decisive loss to OSU was a factor in Johnson's recruitment.

Jkidd49

December 9th, 2019 at 8:44 PM ^

I said closer..I didn't say close.  I mean PSU has 2 one points losses and and 11 point one.  And Michigans gotten absolutely obliterated.

PSU 4 wins in past 15 years, Michigan 1.

I actually think Michigan is a better team than PSU but if you made me guess who is more likely to beat OSU next year or the year after I'd have to say PSU.

Ghost of Fritz…

December 9th, 2019 at 7:40 PM ^

Mostly true.  If you average over 4 years, that is true.  But 2020 class is a little below, at least per 247 rankings, so far.

I had expected Harbaugh to recruit better than Carr.  I guess it is in the same ballpark though.  

Maybe try to deal with the inevitable staff turnover by bringing in better recruiters?  Dunno. 

OwenGoBlue

December 9th, 2019 at 6:37 PM ^

I’m sure he’s gone but he didn’t sign anything so mild nitpick  

Hopefully he really liked the OC though I’m sure they already messaged against that. 

I’m convinced Michigan needs to get one TE Jake Butt numbers again. Lots of production at the position relative to most teams but it’s spread out. Eubanks ‘crootin stats year 2020!

NittanyFan

December 9th, 2019 at 5:57 PM ^

One PSU fan here who sees this as a non-negative (from the PSU POV).

Rahne wasn't bad at his job.  But sometimes, especially in 2018, I thought he just ran Moorhead's plays and system without a good fundamental understanding of the conceptual ideas behind the offense - whether certain plays actually fit the given players.

PSU's offensive plan for 2018 U-M (among other 2018 PSU games) was, just, hard to understand.

No idea on the next hire, but hopefully Franklin at least gives Mike Yurcich a call.

ODU should be a good opportunity for Rahne.  There's talent down in SE Virginia.  No excuse for them to be the worst team in C-USA, as they were this year.

DrMantisToboggan

December 9th, 2019 at 6:17 PM ^

They were pretty average in YPP too after Moorhead's units were excellent. It was pretty clear that Rahne didn't really have a great grasp on Moorhead's concepts. People who know Rahne swear by him, but I think he needs to start developing his own playbook rather than trying run someone else's that he only half understands.

oriental andrew

December 9th, 2019 at 6:02 PM ^

Looking at Black Shoe Diaries, looks like the commentariat is not all that broken up about it. Not like they were ready to kick him out, but they're not begging him to stay either. Definitely not a Mick McCall (former Northwestern OC) situation. 

DrMantisToboggan

December 9th, 2019 at 6:49 PM ^

I'm interested to see what happens. Could very well be promoting the TE coach. I've seen some PSU fans saying "bring Joe Brady back" but that ain't happening. I could see them kicking the tires on Princeton HC Bob Surace. They've had excellent offenses under Surace, and he's a PA guy. It would be reminiscent of the Moorhead hire.

Catchafire

December 9th, 2019 at 6:46 PM ^

Good for him and Franklin too... Having multiple coaches move on to HC positions is an accomplishment and makes it easy to sell the position.

That being said, Go Blue!

TrueBlue2003

December 9th, 2019 at 6:56 PM ^

There are other good coordinators besides Joe Moorhead, so it's not about how removed they are from him, it's about who they hire as the new person. It could very well be an upgrade.

Rahne didn't even have a Wile E. Coyote year last year.  PSU offense got immediately a lot worse last year despite still having McSorley and Miles Sanders.  Then it came back to being surprisingly good (but still not nearly as good as the Moorhead years) this year.

bronxblue

December 9th, 2019 at 8:45 PM ^

I mean, their offense was really hit-or-miss this year as well.  Franklin will have to find a good assistant; I do wonder if this leads to a couple of guys maybe re-thinking their commitments.  Credit to Rahne for doing this early and not waiting for the early signing period and then bolting like most coaches.