So no post-mortem podcast
I know everyone is bummed about the loss, but was really hoping there would have been a recap podcast about the bowl game. Michigan Insider didn't do one either. Too bad, listening to a good break down of what happened generally helps me process the losses. I don't have the chops to read formations or schemes in real timer nor time to dissect game film afterwards. Would be nice to hear people who know the game at a deep x's and o's level get into what happened.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:58 AM ^
Here, pretend I'm talking.
"Team generally played like crap. We allowed big plays on defense they had avoided all year and offense gifted TCU two TDs and got inside the two yard line twice and came away with zero points. Compounding that our coaches coached like crap, overthinking the 4th & goal play to start the game by getting cute, not running QB sneaks for the 1/2 yard after the TD reversal and continuing to call corner blitzes that werent getting home and were leading to huge chunk plays for TCU.
We also got fucked over by the officials twice, once on the overturned TD that never should've been overturned and twice on the textbook targeting call they were afraid to make because it was late in the game, not because it wasnt targeting. But the offiicials arent why we lost, we did that to ourselves. All that being said we can be proud they never quit, came close to completing what would've been a record-setting comeback and have almost all of the key players returning next year."
Did I miss anything?
January 4th, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^
It was a very interesting performance by JJ:
Got to see some very freshman/sophomore level mistakes that almost killed the team's chance to win - more than once. We also were able to see some incredible QB play that brought the team back to life - more than once.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^
Pretty much hit the nail on the head in every respect. I look forward to seeing how good the team will be next season. Pass rush should be much improved with McGregor, Okie, and Moore all getting better in the off-season. JJ should be better. The receivers might be better after losing some OK athletes and replacing them with Clemons and Walker.
Overall I'd say as good as the 2022 team was, 2023's team will be better in almost every way.
January 4th, 2023 at 2:12 PM ^
I hope you're right, but while the OL should be good and Donovan Edwards will be a star, I will be extremely surprised if it the run game is the same inexorable behemoth it was this year. Olu and Corum were all time greats
January 4th, 2023 at 2:41 PM ^
I don't think "team" played like crap. Defense had a tough game, but I thought our offense was pretty amazing. 39 points in the second half!
I know about the mistakes, of course, but you can do glass half full or half empty. 39 points in the second half is still pretty awesome.
They played hard, they competed, they cut a 19-point lead to 3, and they had the ball with a chance to win and a minute left. Plus ... the other team played hard too.
Breaks went against us (yes, including fumbles and interceptions). They really did. That happens sometimes. Doesn't mean the team didn't play hard, or for the other x number of plays, play well.
(At least on offense).
January 4th, 2023 at 9:36 PM ^
I think MGrowOld’s concise summary is right on but I am definitely inclined to the more positive take on the game. There were lots of super-cringey plays that doomed us, and also many superb plays, on both offense and defense, and the final score with less than a touchdown difference reflects where that all shook out. So why not look forward with WHOPE (White Heights of Positive Expectation) and resist BPONE.
January 4th, 2023 at 5:38 PM ^
Man I love you
January 4th, 2023 at 11:00 AM ^
I'm sure the board can ably fill the hot take section for you.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
Some people (like Brian) traveled to the game and possibly extended the trip into this week. There is no game upcoming so no real urgency to get a podcast recorded and uploaded. It has been a long season. Let them have a break and get to it when they feel ready. I'm sure it won't be long.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:06 AM ^
I assume they are holding off to a degree with the Harbaugh 500 lb. gorilla hanging over everything. I suspect they'll still be on Sam's show tomorrow morning.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
Monday (Wednesday) Morning Quarterback with Devin Gardner on Michigan Insider just wrapped up an hour or so ago:
January 4th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
Thanks, this will probably fit the bill nicely.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
2 pick sixes
Didn't convert twice from the goal line.
28 point swing.
There's your break down.
January 4th, 2023 at 5:21 PM ^
^^^^^^^
"Nutshell"
January 4th, 2023 at 11:20 AM ^
Their linebackers smashed our faces. We were not prepared for that aggressiveness.
2 pick 6s.
Fumble at the goal line.
Poor angles/gap integrity/tackling led to fatal big plays.
We lost.
The end.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^
Sam Webb said before he did the breakdown with Devin Gardner this morning that there were too many Missed Assignments or MAs.
As for Michigan playing it's worst game of the season, who's to blame?...the guy with a 1-6 record in bowl games.
January 4th, 2023 at 12:34 PM ^
MR73 - yeah, it was bad coaching that caused JJ to throw TWO pick 6s. And the ref to overturn a clear TD. I’ll give you the bad decision on the first drive, but cmon man!
January 4th, 2023 at 12:40 PM ^
The overturning of the Wilson touchdown sucked, but you basically had the ball in the endzone with 4 downs and the best OL in college football and a 6'3" QB. No excuses there to not score a TD.
I still think going for it on 4th and 2 was the right call. You had momentum from the big Edwards run. That's good, calculated aggression. The play call was absolutely moronic.
January 4th, 2023 at 1:06 PM ^
My point was about the bowl prep process under Harbaugh. As mentioned, there were too many missed assignments in the TCU game. I agree that the players execute the plays.
Yes, JJ threw 2 Pick-6s and it's all on him, not the WR being out of position.
Harbaugh is now 1-6 in bowl games with the only win coming in his first year.
January 4th, 2023 at 1:43 PM ^
I agree Runner,
While the players execute, it's clear that something in bowl / CFP / long-term layoff prep is lacking. Whether it be mental, physical, scheme, or execution (I think it's all of these), the team -- players and staff alike -- just doesn't seem to be able to get into the frame of mind necessary to play well after that long layoff.
On the micro view, this game was chock-full of Michigan mistakes, both by players on the field and by the staff in scheme, play-calling, and clock management. On a macro level, Harbaugh is 1-6 in bowls and the eye test tells us that Harbaugh Michigan teams are somewhat "off" in these games.
January 4th, 2023 at 1:52 PM ^
This is what I want to hear about. Rewatching the highlights it's glaring how many Michigan blocks were whiffed.
For instance, the Philly special playcall is galling to me as it is to many, but I kinda think it would have worked if Barnhart and Zinter had sealed off their side of the line. If they get a block on the TCU end, then it's Loveland and JJ against the one TCU cornerback who stayed home. I like their chances in that situation (though ironically, and stupidly, Loveland would be the one with the RPO read). I'm not sure of the proper blocking technique or angle for Barnhart and Zinter in that situation, but it sure seems like they weren't supposed to just let the TCU end shoot into the backfield. Once he did the play was dead (though maybe it still could have worked if JJ had his head around quicker, or if Loveland had executed a miracle backshoulder heave at the very end).
In other woods, a moronically elaborate playcall might have worked if a key block had been made and not ignored. Why it was not made is headscratching, and it would be good to hear an expert weigh in.
January 4th, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
Their linebackers coming down hill repeatedly and not really paying for it will frustrate the shit out of me for a long, long time.
Whether it be overconfidence or ignorance, that was a coaching failure.
January 4th, 2023 at 5:41 PM ^
Michigan does not use the old school, get the line out in front, dump off screen to the running back. One time per game would be deadly.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:43 AM ^
@Preacher Mike: The WTKA Monday Morning QB with Devin Gardner is up on their website. There are 2 segments which total nearly 49 minutes. It was done in the 9AM hour this morning.
I think the breakdown with Al Borgess might be on the 24/7 website in which it could be paywalled.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
Just let it die, along with your hopes and dreams
January 4th, 2023 at 1:04 PM ^
Here’s my recap: it was a touchdown and it was targeting. Like our chances against Georgia on Monday.
January 4th, 2023 at 1:09 PM ^
We keep having to push back the recording to get everyone back into town. We'll all be in Michigan again tomorrow but then we have WTKA. Also we want to get hoops in and there's a game tonight.
January 4th, 2023 at 1:24 PM ^
Thanks for the heads up! Like OP or someone else said above, hearing you guys talk Xs and Os helps me process, since I don't have the chops to assess run lanes and blown assignments (amongst MANY other things), certainly not in real time. Hope you enjoyed the holidays...well, other than THAT.
January 4th, 2023 at 2:55 PM ^
Thanks Seth, looking forward to a UFR if you and Brian are planning to do them.
January 4th, 2023 at 5:42 PM ^
Thank you Seth. Safe travels to everyone.
January 4th, 2023 at 1:38 PM ^
This is where I am -- I often need assistance with dissecting the x's and o's and the podcasts and roundtables help with this.
Plus, it's generally entertaining to listen to. Maybe not this week though.
January 4th, 2023 at 3:27 PM ^
Two pick sixes and twice inside the 5 without points good night Irene..... We'd struggle to beat Rutgers like that. What I liked the most was throw everything out the window and chuck ball when we needed to and the players refusing to quit. We could have been boat raced easily in this one and many previous Michigan teams would have been!
January 4th, 2023 at 5:44 PM ^
Harbaugh is going to come out, one of these bowls, gun slinging and throwing caution to the wind. He will have his Lloyd bowl game and it will be glorious. I hope he doesnt save it for his going away bowl.