Ohio State 62, Michigan 39
There’s a door just off the eating area in Ohio State’s press box, the frame of which is plastered with small pieces of red “evidence” tape on its left side. I did not understand this at halftime. I get it now: Ohio Stadium is a crime scene.
An inauspicious three-play, one-yard drive to open the contest was the harbinger of things to come in a game so nightmarish the only thing recognizable as belonging to this 2018 Michigan team were white uniforms and winged helmets. And that was with the fourth quarter left to play.
The nation’s best defense was shredded time and again by crossing routes and could generate no pressure; the passing game saw Michigan’s surehanded tight ends suddenly dropping passes while predictable passing situations allowed Ohio State to get pressure on Shea Patterson much of the afternoon; and even special teams played a part with a blocked punt that seemed to hang in the air for eternity before dropping into the waiting arms of Sevyn Banks, who jogged 33 yards into the end zone. You play the game to keep your goals in front of you and Michigan did that for 11 games. Then, in The Game with the most optimistic forecast in almost two decades, the wheels came off in spectacular fashion.
[After THE JUMP: words]
[Upchurch]
Michigan’s man coverage could not handle Ohio State’s crossers on their first drive of the game, ceding 16 and 11 yards on such routes before true freshman Chris Olave got a step on fifth-year senior Brandon Watson on a 3rd-and-4 crossing route and turned it into a 24-yard touchdown reception.
The offense responded with two third-down conversions but was unable to procure a third, as Donovan Peoples-Jones dove for a Patterson pass on an out but came up two yards short of the sticks. Freshman kicker Jake Moody grooved a 39-yard kick through the uprights to put Michigan’s first points on the board in what was a continuation of last week’s offensive pattern.
Moody recorded the game’s next points as well after Michigan’s defense forced Ohio State into a three-and-out; Michigan’s offense subsequently went on one of their infini-drives, using up the last 5:32 of the first quarter and nine seconds of the second quarter, with Patterson putting a perfectly-placed ball in a basket for Zach Gentry only to have it ripped away by a defensive back on 3rd-and-6.
Michigan showed life after two drives on which the offense flat-lined and the defense’s sore spots were stabbed repeatedly en route to two scores. Down 21-6, Patterson and the passing game took over. Patterson hit Sean McKeon, who had stayed in to block before leaking to the flat, then found Donovan Peoples-Jones twice. A defensive pass interference call converted a third down for Michigan, a 15-yard Patterson tuck-and-run moved Michigan to just outside the red zone, and a beautiful leaping back-shoulder grab by Nico Collins closed the gap to 21-13.
Demario McCall let the ball hit him on the following kickoff, and the fumble was recovered by Nate Schoenle at the 9-yard line. Patterson hit Chris Evans on a tiny wheel route, the two-point conversion was blown up, and Michigan somehow trailed by just two.
Ohio State received the ball with 41 seconds remaining in the half. Three Michigan penalties pushed them down the field before a sorta-goal-line stand ended with a field goal.
[Bryan Fuller]
It was a tale of two halves for Michigan, only this tale is one that had yet to be told this season or under this coaching staff. Adjustments to the coverage worked on Ohio State’s first drive; Michigan’s offense followed with an incomplete pass, a one-yard run, and a short pass jarred loose after Karan Higdon got lit up in the flat.
Ohio State against got into a goal-to-go situation and again found themselves held out, a field goal their consolation on a run-centric drive that Michigan contained but for a 31-yard completion to Parris Campbell.
Michigan’s next drive ended with the aforementioned blocked punt returned for a touchdown. Their following drive lasted three plays, a three-and-pick turned into seven points after another crossing route put Ohio State a yard out, an option pitch the finisher. The game was over after Ohio State’s next drive, a one-play, 78-run from Parris Campbell on a jet sweep.
[Patrick Barron]
At this point, Zach Gentry had left the game with a concussion, Devin Bush was carried off with a hip flexor issue, David Long was carted away with something similar. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and then some. Patterson got hurt. Brandon Peters came in. Ben Mason scored. Joe Milton went in. Everything else is a blur, save this: damn near the entirety of Ohio Stadium on the field, a roiling red wave rejoicing to one of stadium rock’s most grating anthems, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”
I have no idea where Michigan goes from here. There’s a bowl game to be played, the emotional letdown of which is similar to but an order of magnitude greater than 2016. The Revenge Tour flopped, replaced by Urban’s Redemption Tour. That’s bullshit. So was this game.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:33 PM ^
Didn't even get close, really.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:33 PM ^
Thanks for writing this labor of pain Adam. We showed up and got outplayed and outcoached -not much more to it than that. We’ll regroup and respond.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:46 PM ^
Respond for what?
November 25th, 2018 at 10:54 PM ^
For the next time we play a game
November 24th, 2018 at 5:33 PM ^
November 24th, 2018 at 5:35 PM ^
I don't blame the offense even though the OL was shakey and nearly got Patterson killed. The defense and the evil genius Don Brown, now that was the major problem. Last week was a wakeup call but OSU had tons better players and it showed. For the life of me how could a genius not figure out a way to stop slants? The DL didn't overwhelm anyone, the rush ends didn't and the DBs were definitely exposed. Doesn't zone defense stop some of those things?
November 24th, 2018 at 5:45 PM ^
Yeah, nobody wins games giving up 62 points.m
November 24th, 2018 at 8:01 PM ^
It wasn't slant that gave them trouble. It's the crossing routes that killed Michigan defense. Problem is Michigan defense hasn't repped zone defense and it showed. Crossing route has been Don Brown's biggest weakness because of his scheme. DB tried to do robber by bringing in S down but it didn't matter because Haskins had all the time in the world to be patient to let the crosser develop. Don tried blitzing but OSU picked them up like pros. Dobbins and Weber were fantastic in pass protection which allowed Haskins to stay a beat longer to get the ball off to the playmaker.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:35 PM ^
Please don’t call it the nations best defense. Thanks.
November 24th, 2018 at 6:56 PM ^
Yes, thank you for posting this. I love Don Brown but we can't be the nation's best defense and give up over 60 points.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:36 PM ^
I really thought this year was our year. The kids we're recruiting have never seen Michigan beat OSU (except the Luke Fickell game that doesn't really count). Michigan probably will not beat OSU again while Meyer is there.
Michigan will go to some bullshit NY6 bowl game again. No one cares about those games; they're just a sideshow for the playoff, where the relevant teams go.
It'd be nice to be relevant again.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:39 PM ^
Eh, a NY6 bowl isn't bullshit. Just ask FSU.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:37 PM ^
Thanks Adam, I don't know why I read this because I sure as hell didn't want to re-live any of that fucking nightmare of a game, but thanks. It provided some comfort in a weird way.
This game was bullshit. On the other hand though, I am really proud of Urban on his Redemption Tour. If anyone deserved it, it was him. And I'm proud of that program and university for basically staking his job security on his ability to win ballgames, especially against Michigan. They understand what matters. Terrific race, the Ohioans. Terrific.
I hope they make the playoff somehow and Alabama beats them by 100 fucking points. And Urban quits for 'health' reasons. I would even root for fucking Notre Dame if they played them.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:37 PM ^
I believe Harbaugh has a delusional relationship with wanting to be Bo. From his stupid arse glasses to wanting his offense to look like 1986. I don't think he has what it takes to turn Michigan around unless he dismantles his entire "Schembechleresque offense" and do what 99.9% of other offenses are doing around the country to win games.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:41 PM ^
The thing is, the offense had modernized a lot this year. He did it with different-sized guys, but it was definitely using misdirection and a running QB to gain yards on the ground. For some reason, he decided to completely stop doing that today. It looked like the ND game all over again. I'd love for a reporter to ask him what it was that he saw in the OSU defense to make him decided that running Shea wasn't the way to go.
November 25th, 2018 at 2:14 PM ^
Yes! Exactly! It seems to me that if you are doing something drastically different than everyone else schematically, you are probably doing something wrong. OSU just looked like a much better team, but god I hate manball. Why be predictable? Why? It is total deja vu to Carr ball. Run, run, pass. Get down. Open it up. Start scoring. Makes me insane. Why insist on running press man coverage against a team like that? Just stubborn I guess? Fucking dumb.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:37 PM ^
OSU isn't this good and UM isn't this bad, but damn is it hard to watch this same game play out for most of my adult life.
Things will change; they'll have to. But I just don't know when whatever debt Michigan has with faith will be paid off.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:40 PM ^
Things will not change. No they don’t have to. It’s been two decades. They are no longer rivals - it’s just over. Move on.
November 24th, 2018 at 9:46 PM ^
i highly recommend you do the same.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:52 PM ^
November 24th, 2018 at 5:59 PM ^
This was not about quirky things happening in a road game or officials throwing a game. This was a decisive victory by one team over the other.
November 24th, 2018 at 6:27 PM ^
November 24th, 2018 at 6:59 PM ^
sure, just like Ruddock and a new hope and Patterson and a new hope
November 24th, 2018 at 7:15 PM ^
November 24th, 2018 at 7:16 PM ^
God bless you, brother. I wish I could move on as quickly . Just getting worn down. Keep the faith.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:57 PM ^
Love you, Bronx, but that's the thing- things don't have to change. Someone has to make them change. No evidence that is happening with our current regime. The longer things continue in a certain direction, the more likely thar is reality, and OSU has been beating Michigan for a loooooong time. You really are what your record says you are. The rest is bullshit. Michigan is showing no signs of being able to beat OSU.
November 24th, 2018 at 11:13 PM ^
Going to overtime with them 2 years ago in a game that was decided by a subjective spot (as all close spots are) equals showing no signs of being able to beat them?
Having better results against common opponents all season this year equals showing no signs of being able to beat them?
Vegas favoring michigan in columbus today equals showing no signs of being able to beat them?
Today was like taking a vice grip to the junk but it's one data point - it would be a mistake, imo, to ignore everything else harbaugh has done. Michigan is in a much better place then it was four years ago. Things will continue to improve.
Most folks right now sound exactly like the 11W crowd after the purdue game. The entire season was a disaster. Urban had to go. In a year where they're probably gonna be in the playoffs again. Because those 11W people are morons.
Just saying - a little perspective. I get it - a lot of this is just processing the shitstorm that we all witnessed today. But trust me - things will look better tomorrow. The world isn't ending. Michigan will absolutely continue to improve and become increasingly competitive with osu, in spite of the fact that they model themselves after everything that's wrong with sec football.
Cheers.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:37 PM ^
All week I couldn't understand why I wasn't getting excited for this game. I thought, perhaps, it was overconfidence. As the game unfolded and the levy showed its cracks just before its complete collapse, I realized what it was. I've gotten comfortable with this. With losing to Ohio State. I no longer believe that Michigan can beat them. And, I guess that's ok. I'm not going to stop rooting for Michigan, so I guess this is it now. I feel like Charlie Brown kicking the proverbial ball that Lucy pulls away at the last second. Only now, I no longer expect anything but the inevitable. I know I'll swing my leg and find nothing but thin air. As I lie on the cold ground with everyone once again laughing at me, I knew it was coming all along. All I can do is play my part and let everyone else have a good laugh.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:38 PM ^
Much like the advertisements on this blog, I can’t tolerate being a Michigan fan any more. Obvious improvements are never made, it’s old and stale and I’d rather spend my time somewhere else. So long fellas. ✌?
November 24th, 2018 at 5:41 PM ^
Peace out. I'm a Michigan alum--I'm here through thick and thin.
Bye, Felecia.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:46 PM ^
You mean you are here through thin-and-thinner. Have fun.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:59 PM ^
Quitting the site because of hummus ads? I'll allow it
November 24th, 2018 at 6:25 PM ^
Hummus adds were the final straw. That and the Hairy chest hoodie. Lol. Thank for the laugh guy.
November 24th, 2018 at 7:03 PM ^
Haha! That hairy chest hoody kills me too.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:47 PM ^
Our fanbase will be better off without people like you in it anyway.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:56 PM ^
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:58 PM ^
I am an alum and I'm proud to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Tough game
November 24th, 2018 at 7:21 PM ^
I'm an alum and I can safely say that this fanbase as a whole, and the people on this site in particular, are some of the most insufferable I've ever come across. But I'll still support the team
November 24th, 2018 at 5:40 PM ^
While some may view this as heretical, but Harbaugh will learn nothing from this. He won’t see or understand how they were so ill prepared, out coached, and out played. He can’t - he’s a former qb and they are hard wired differently. They are trained to be in the moment, rely on repetition, and forget the past. They have to. They need to forget about the last pick, errant throw, or mis read. As such, they make poor coaches and we are witnessing the dividends of such a choice. M football is no longer competitive, fun, or even interesting. We are on par with teams like Texas, Nebraska, Tennessee; shells of former greatness. Either one has to be content with mediocrity or perhaps move on to something else. This may have been the break point as the excuse bucket is empty.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:45 PM ^
I mean, he's tried to adapt each year right?
2016 he brought in Don Brown specifically because of how he handled spread attacks.
2017 he made some changes, but they didn't work.
2018 he brought in Ed Warinner to fix the OL.
Maybe next year its hiring a legit OC.
Dunno.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:53 PM ^
And 2020, they still lose to ohio and any other major program and fail to go to a B10 championship. Sorry, we were watching two different games and looking at two different programs. It’s time to take of the rose colored glasses and wipe the lipstick off of the pig.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:59 PM ^
I mean, you're right that at the moment they are two different programs.
In Seth's FFFF, Ohio State started 21 (out of 22) players who were top-250 recruits. Who else other than probably Alabama can say that?
November 24th, 2018 at 9:53 PM ^
Our guys were outmatched, even though OSU seemed undisciplined and unfocused many times this fall, they played up to their ability today. We saw the results of an elite roster who lives for this game, against our guys, who have been coached up as three stars and even walk ons, but who are not the same level of athlete.
November 25th, 2018 at 10:18 AM ^
So here's where I think you're right:
Watson should have been sat for Thomas the second it became apparent he couldn't keep up. That's the one "Michigan doesn't have the athletes" argument that makes sense.
But come on: Are guys like Long, Hill, Bush, Hudson, Gary, Winovich not elite athletes? Those guys all project to the NFL.
Maybe this game was as simple as not having Solomon and not using Thomas more. I tend to think the coaches just didn't think Ohio State could do what they did and even when they did adjust it didn't matter because of the punt block and interception.
November 24th, 2018 at 10:55 PM ^
““M football is no longer competitive, fun, or even interesting.”
this doesn’t even make sense when we are sitting on our third 19 win season after nearly a decade of shit. Good God.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:40 PM ^
Ah, Henri, mon vieux, you have returned.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:41 PM ^
Adam, that was a lovely summation of an atrocious game. Thank you. It could be summarized much more succinctly - Michigan sucked.
November 24th, 2018 at 7:07 PM ^
Still have faith in Harbaugh, still have faith in this team, but this was a bizarre game plan across the board. No RPOs, no read option with Shea keeping the ball as we had done all year...that was odd. Having said that the defense was completely destroyed because they could generate ZERO pressure. This was true last week as well. There must be a tell to the DB defense that coordinators who have shared staff with him know. Moorhead was on the offensive staff with him at Maryland and Day at BC. They have torn him apart. Picked up blitzes, stunts, twists. There was NO pressure at all today - none. That was by far the biggest surprise and the key to the entire game. No idea what was the cause of that at all.
November 24th, 2018 at 7:51 PM ^
Agree with all of that. I think the team could use a true college OC, but defense was the critical shortcoming today. No pressure on Haskins. Couldn't stop their running or passing games. 500+ total yards. Not going to win many of those games.
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