JT Floyd may have saved the game
I've had a chance to review the game again. Every Michigan fan should watch JT Floyd's tackle of Braxton Miller inside the 5 after the fumbled punt snap. The result of the drive was a FG, but Floyd prevented a touchdown with some of the best hustle I have ever seen in this game.
JT blitzed from the right side on the play, wound up well in the backfield. Miller broke contain and headed down the sideline for a sure TD but Floyd raced all the way from 10 yards deep in the backfied and tackled him at the 5.
Michigan then turned the Buckeyes back and forced a FG. A TD there would have given ohio a 31-30 lead and a heck of a lot of momentum. JT Floyd's hustle was just massive and helped Michigan to maintain a lead.
I can't find the video, would really appreciate it if someone could link it if possible. You really need to see it.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:20 AM ^
Sure looked as if the focus was on stopping Herron (mission accomplished) and controlling Miller's runs (mission half accomplished) and daring them to beat us with the passing game. They almost did, but banking on Miller being scatter-armed eventually paid off. Next year, he'll be more accuirate, I imagine, and we will need to account for that.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:47 AM ^
Yes, the pass was overthrown, but that doesn't hide or excuse the fact how easily Michigan let receivers open deep on Saturday. If tUoOS had a QB who could throw, they have three more touchdowns.
That's the point; secondary coverage was horrible all game... and it's not flaming nor trolling when pointing out the obvious.
November 28th, 2011 at 9:01 AM ^
JT Floyd nearly lost the game for Michigan!!! He was burnt toast at least twice, and if Miller could actually hit an open receiver (even that 1st touchdown the guy had to leave his feet to catch it) it would have resulted in two Ohio touchdowns. Floyd, Gordon, & Roh were the most disappointing players on defense Saturday.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:09 AM ^
left at least 2 gift-wrapped TDs on the field, and Floyd was responsible for coverage on both. I was horrified by his coverage breakdowns; I'm talking 15-20 yards off his man. It's great that he made some good plays, but I would absolutely predict our bowl game opponent to pick on him all day.
November 28th, 2011 at 12:22 PM ^
Mattson has done the best he could with the players available. They've improved spectacularly well. But the secondary is not Posey-calibre fast. So you can either leave a huge cushion, and give OSU medium-distance passes for easy short gains (that Miller doesn't have that much trouble throwing) whenever they want one, or you can try to take those away, accepting that Posey will often break open, and count on Miller only hitting a couple of those at best. That's what Mattison chose. And he was right. We gave up a couple of touchdowns on long strikes, but mostly Miller missed them. Including the one at the end of the game. Mattison made a calculated risk, based on the observed strengths and weaknesses of Miller as a QB and our secondary, and it seems to have been the correct decision.
But I'm no expert on football, so feel free to correct me.
November 28th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^
The DB's have caught a lot of heat all year and again in this game. It appeared as the DB's first look was always to stop the run. Our safety is always at the line of scrimmage instead of being a safety. As stated in The Wolverine the linebacker play was not good. They didn't do a good job of filling the lanes. That's been the case all year. It was worse last year.