MichCali

October 4th, 2018 at 8:31 AM ^

This interview is the top post on the main page from yesterday.  Why do we need the same thing posted on the board a day late?

huntmich

October 4th, 2018 at 8:31 AM ^

Goddamn I love that man.

 

I also love that he's seen the chart about holding and he thinks it is as absurd as we all do. This thing could be gaining momentum.

saveferris

October 4th, 2018 at 9:15 AM ^

I also love that he's seen the chart about holding and he thinks it is as absurd as we all do. This thing could be gaining momentum.

Unfortunately, all I think this public browbeating of B1G officiating is going to do is further prejudice them against us.  You know what they say about those who complain about their problems, half the people you're complaining to don't care, and the other half are glad you have them.  Odds that the B1G office takes any actual action to correct this discrepancy - 0.0%.

DenverMaize

October 4th, 2018 at 9:26 AM ^

Only thing that would change this is if there's some accountability for the officials. I don't know what it is....  Maybe make them sit in front of the camera after a game and get grilled by reporters for some of their calls (like the players and coaches have to do). Then fine and suspend them for the really bad repeat offenders.... gotta be someway, or I agree, this current system of fan and coach complaining won't help. 

SMart WolveFan

October 4th, 2018 at 8:54 AM ^

I find it interesting coach is more impressed with how a 17 point B1G road comeback helps galvanize the team and less concerned with his squad giving up those early plays.

He recognizes it as a win that transcends it's metrics, maybe all of us should recognize it too.

LSAClassOf2000

October 4th, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^

I think people forget that Northwestern had to at least partially reinvent their offense with the retirement of Larkin, so it is plausible that there were preparation issues apparent at the beginning simply not knowing fully what Northwestern would do. I mean, I am guessing at a mitigating factor there, but hopefully it makes sense.

Once they did figure it out, things went well on the defensive side indeed. When you look at Northwestern's 17 points spread across their 63 plays, for example, 0.27 points per play isn't really a bad stat for a defense. 

JHumich

October 4th, 2018 at 11:19 AM ^

I see what you're saying, but I'm not sure it's fair to say that there were preparation issues. Sometimes football just happens.

It seems to me that we were ready. But when the QB throws it into a football-sized window, you just tip your cap to him.

The missed tackles on that 35 yac reception were crazy. You probably go the whole season without seeing that many on a play again. 

Very slight line-up adjustment to compress to the inside helped, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that means that we weren't prepared at first.

Sten Carlson

October 4th, 2018 at 11:53 AM ^

When I heard Coach Brown's comment I took it as confirmation of why we saw what we saw on offense, even though he was referencing the defense.  Meaning, the staff got together and said two things:

1) give up NO POINTS on defense 

2) DO NOT turn it over on offense

knowing that more than likely breaking the latter would lead to breaking former and a loss.  Duh, right?  Further, add into the mix the flags or lack there of (of which Harbaugh and Brown clearly well aware -- like never before, according to Brown) and it might become clear(er) why the playcalling looked so conservative.  I am sure they told the players what they were thinking, "we've got to go pitch a shut out in the second half, and we MUST score but be VERY careful doing it!"  Once again, rather than showing how archaic Harbaugh is, it shows his amazing grasp of situational football, and how well he's coached up Shea to NEVER force a ball downfield, just take off and use your legs.

Oh and yeah, I think I love Don Brown more than any other man in the world save my father -- and I don't even know Coach!

Go Blue!

blueinbeantown

October 4th, 2018 at 1:37 PM ^

If you're a young up and coming D coach, how could you NOT want to come to M and be part of defense lead by Brown and assisted by Mattison?  Talk about a Masters or Ph.d in coaching football.  His PC's are the best!!