Revised opinion on Harbaugh

Submitted by Amaizing Blue on

When he was hired, I loved it.  After the last 10 months, and especially after last night, I love it even more.  He acknowledged what happened, didn't single anyone out, and represented us with class.  This-despite being in obvious agony over the loss.  He made what he thought was the best decision, and it blew up in his face.  Still a great coach, and I am proud to have him.       (I still feel as if my soul was torn out, doused with acid, then set afire.  I know he feels way worse than that, and somehow that makes me feel at least a little better.)  

Wolverine Devotee

October 18th, 2015 at 3:29 PM ^

A year ago, if I told you we'd get Harbaugh and in his first year be 5-2, in the top-15 with 3 shutout wins--two being over ranked teams--but we'd lose to #7 MSU in the final seconds..........would you take it?

Wood_Chuckson

October 18th, 2015 at 6:02 PM ^

So what? When was the last time we dominated a weak team, let alone a ranked one, overranked or not. Michigan state is and has been one of the best teams in the conference for the past several years and we beat them last night. We didn't get that dub, but michigan state did NOT beat us, we beat ourselves. How many games have we played against them in the past decade where we can truly say that we beat them? So, I for one, despite the disappointing loss, am happy with Harbaugh and where he has taken this team in just a year's time. We will be alright. This game will be a huge chip on the shoulders of every member of Team 135 from the most inactive player all the way up to the coaching staff and Michigan may be in for a win out. 

MGoVoldemort

October 18th, 2015 at 3:32 PM ^

Punting was the right decision. It was last night; it is today; and it will be tomorrow. We can argue over semantics of bocking on the punt all day, but O'Neil would've had more than enough time to punt the ball. The kid fucked up, plain and simple. I hate it for him, and I hate it for the fans. I'm over it, it's done. We have a solid decade of beating the shit out of Michigan State to get to.

Templeton Peck…

October 18th, 2015 at 5:17 PM ^

Hindsight is always 20-20. It's the right call, just like UM kicking three field goals earlier in the game was the right call at the time (and MSU going for it on 4th and whatever rather than taking the points was the wrong call). It's the difference between amateurs and professionals. Harbaugh strips emotion out of the equation and calls it like the professional he was in SF for years.

Dude is the real deal (not that there was any doubt). It's why we all felt good after the Utah game. UM displayed real competence for the first time in years (even in a loss) and has continued to do so all season... including last night, muffed punt snap or not. Blake's just a young fella. This will not and shouldn't define him... just a bump in the road.

I like the way you finished this one up thougb "we have a solid decade of beating the shit out of Michigan State to get to." I'm all about getting behind that sentiment.

Tater

October 18th, 2015 at 5:22 PM ^

In future retrospect we will look back at this year and be amazed at what Harbaugh did with the team he was given.  He has a QB that other teams don't have to defend against the long ball anymore.  Opposing defenses can cover receivers man to man with no deep help, allowing safeties to "cheat" toward the line of scrimmage.

When Michigan finally has one or two QB's next year who can hit the deep ball, things are going to look different.  It may take until 2017, when both rivals are at home, to sweep rivalry games, but it is going to happen again.

Sometimes growth can be painful.  Yesterday was one of those days.  Onward and upward.

Muttley

October 19th, 2015 at 12:04 AM ^

there's still the matter of this year to attend to.

Yes, we need MSU to lose to OSU (likely) and to someone else (c'mon Huskers & Nittany Lions).

But, did you know that in each of


1999 www.collegefootballpoll.com/...bcs/1999.html

2001 www.collegefootballpoll.com/...bcs/2001.html

2002 www.collegefootballpoll.com/...bcs/2002.html

2003 www.collegefootballpoll.com/...bcs/2003.html

2005 www.collegefootballpoll.com/...bcs/2005.html

2006 www.collegefootballpoll.com/...bcs/2006.html

2007 www.collegefootballpoll.com/...bcs/2007.html

there was a two-loss team appearing in the top 4 of final BCS rankings released in early December before the bowl games?

Let's not give up so fast on this year. It can still be special.

MrSmith

October 18th, 2015 at 3:36 PM ^

Still think he is a great coach and a great mentor to the guys.  He focuses on the game and teaching them about life and how to be accountable.  We have great places to go and he will lead us there.

Blue1972

October 18th, 2015 at 3:36 PM ^

Agree that he a great coach of football and life. And, by the way, he is excellent with game time management.

 

Not in any way second guessing the last play call; however, coaching staff, particularly Harbaugh and Baxter should look at the last play as an opportunity. Just as done in the NBA several years ago when they tested how long a person could field an inbounds pass and get off a shot, Michigan should practice the last play of the game utilizing different play calls but always telling the defensive unit what they will be running. In other words, call a rollout and a downfield high pass to nobody and see how many seconds tick off. The play will be defended maximally as the defense will be alerted ahead of time. Doing this for various play calls will give coaches a pretty close estimate as to how much time will tick off under each scenario and what play to call in the future under similar circumstamces, albeit with different amounts of time on the clock. Certainly the players could always fumble, etc but this will give them guidance for future playcalling under a similar circumstance for end of half or end of game calls even if they never need it going forward.

JD_UofM_90

October 18th, 2015 at 3:44 PM ^

what if you send the offense out and you run a play and just tell everyone on the team to grab, tackle, maul any Sparty on defense and throw the ball up in the air as far as possible. Time runs out and they call a penalty on us but the game can't end on a penalty. So with no time on the clock we take a knee and game over. Is there something in the rules that would prohibit us from doing that?