WolverineHistorian

February 4th, 2016 at 3:02 PM ^

2004 against Wisconsin.  The Boilers were undefeated, ranked in the top ten. 

At the end of that game, Kyle Orton handed Wisconsin the game losing a fumble which the Badgers picked up and ran 40 yards into the end zone for the winning score 20-17. 

The following Saturday, Michigan came to town and unleashed the Ernest Shazor hit. 

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 55466

MC5-95

February 4th, 2016 at 2:44 PM ^

The comparison is a bit unfair perhaps, but I think it's valid to point out that Graham Glasgow improved more in one year under Drevno / Harbaugh than he did in three years with Funk. So much so that he's now being talked about as a third round draft pick. 

(cc: future OL recruits)

Joined: 02/26/2014

MGoPoints: 4985

stephenrjking

February 4th, 2016 at 2:56 PM ^

Glasgow was the second-best lineman for Michigan as soon as he saw the field. He improved this year, but he's always been solid. Actually, the continued struggle by the line this season suggests that SOME of the issue is just plain whiffing on OL recruiting. That top-4 class from a few years ago? All OL at the top end. Guess which ones are starting. Look at the list. I dare you not to feel sick to your stomach.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143908

reshp1

February 4th, 2016 at 3:15 PM ^

Glasgow isn't a great example, but he has improved immensely. I don't remember anyone thinking he was NFL material, let alone a 3rd rounder. He, and Cole, were considered solid mostly because everyone else was so bad. Braden went from a complete and utter liability to a plus player this year. Kalis went from getting blown up in game one to moving NFL bound guys by the Florida game. There was still a little doubt in my mind at the beginning of this season whether the problems were on Funk or on youth/talent. But I don't see how anyone can draw any conclusion other than coaching after what this line was able to do by the end of this season.

Joined: 10/31/2011

MGoPoints: 34177

stephenrjking

February 4th, 2016 at 3:43 PM ^

I've got to re-read my posts, because it looks like I'm taking Funk's side, which is a place I definitely don't want to be. I do believe that there were systemic problems larger than him, but I have held for years that Hoke failed massively in the OL and, specifically, that he *should have known* there was a serious problem after 2012, when some quality (turns out, future NFL) linemen couldn't block for conventional runs. That was the year that Rawls got some decent snaps and couldn't seem to do anything with them; also the year that Fitz kept running into "bad luck," ("bad luck" is an obscure Greek term meaning "unblocked defenders") and where Devin managed to last a few games pulling the exact same spin move to avoid being sacked by rampant pass rushes before DCs caught on. Also the year a miscommunication resulted in the unfortunate decapitation of Vincent Smith. The question I have is whether a better OL coach could have saved the jobs of Borges or even Hoke; I really don't know.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143908

WolverineHistorian

February 4th, 2016 at 2:44 PM ^

I'm not sure what to warn Purdue fans about first.  The 2,000 one yard gains up the middle by their running game or the constant 3 defenders on top of their QB immediately following every other snap. 

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 55466

Mr. Yost

February 4th, 2016 at 2:51 PM ^

This is that moment when you realize "wow, I've really let myself go."

Jeez, Purdue. Jeez.

Can't we relegate them to the MAC and pull up BGSU or NIU or Ohio or Toledo? I'm not joking even a little bit.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Carpetbagger

February 4th, 2016 at 3:49 PM ^

I've often wondered what it would take to combine Indiana and Purdue into one University, and therefore one football team. I mean, IUPUI exists already, can't they just combine the two systems from top to bottom?

Indiana having 3 good major college football teams, with their population, may have made sense in 1930, but in 2016 it's un-possible.

Joined: 12/31/2010

MGoPoints: 6559

Kevin13

February 4th, 2016 at 5:11 PM ^

ole boys network and once you've been in it a few years someone will continue to recycle you. I think Funk would be fine at a low tier program, but in the power 5 he is in way over his head.

Joined: 01/26/2016

MGoPoints: 16040