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 6:53 PM ^
I really hate this out talented excuse. If that's what you're hanging your hat on excuse wise, then Michigan is never going to win this game again. Ohio State recruits at a higher level than Michigan and will always have more talent.
The other reason I hate this excuse: Maryland and Purdue. They did just fine with way less talent than Michigan has.
The reason Ohio State was running on all cylinders was because Michigan cleared the highway for them with their gameplan. If you can't figure out a way to attack a team's weaknesses or slow down their strength, chances are that team is going to look really good.
November 24th, 2018 at 7:52 PM ^
We could have had a better game plan but I wonder if the Coaches felt they were set with what they had. How can you blame them? A top defense, an offense that was getting better every game. Mind you comparing Ohio State to the teams we played was wrong, how foolish it was to think we would get the same results. For whatever reason Ohio State played like crap earlier in the year. The real Ohio State is the team you saw today. Every year that have that one game where they aren't motivated or something. They aren't focused and they end up losing like they did against Purdue, or Iowa last year. You will NEVER see the Buckeyes take 'The Game' for granted, they LIVE for this game. Someone posted where the origins of 'The Game' came from. I think from Ohio, they are obsessed with this game. The Alma Mater? It's based on Michigan. The gold pants, they get those for beating Michigan. The lack of "M"s this week, the fact that they don't give a damn about the whole State of Michigan, TTUN, The Script Ohio thing. I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Our school is better than their school and this is one of the rare ways they can say they are better than us.
November 24th, 2018 at 9:27 PM ^
Michigan failed to get any pressure on Haskins, even when they decided to bring six or seven.
This game reminds me of the 42-41 game under Hoke. Michigan was terrible on offense all year and all of the sudden everything worked in that game.
OSU has been terrible on defense all year...particularly at LB and safety. I didn't notice their LB's get into the wrong gaps more than a few times all game. Somehow OSU fixed their defense in a week to some extent. The bigger problem was Michigan's defense...or lack thereof.
OSU's OL has been less than stellar for most of the year to the point where everyone was confident that Michigan could get pressure with maybe just 4. They couldn't get pressure with six or seven.
I don't necessarily think it was a matter of getting out talented, more just all of the so called weak links and OSU in general played by far their best game of the year.
November 25th, 2018 at 1:21 AM ^
Shouldn't we expect more from Coach? I do! I have no idea how to coach at a college level. However, we should be ready for the basic things they are going to run from kick off not just in the second half. Haskins got COMFY dropping back there. He's a NFL game manager maybe. You are right about the O- line they ,for once, played up to thier potential. Our D-line did not. I hate this! WE GOT OUT COACHED!
November 25th, 2018 at 7:47 AM ^
They dominated both lines, & that was the game. If Haskins had time to throw those crossing patterns, they were going to score, a lot. He did. If they got pressure on Patterson and stopped the run decently enough, we were not going to be able to score with them & probably turn the ball over a couple times. We did. 3 times counting the blocked punt, I think, to their one unforced error (21-7 on that alone). It’s line play, as usually is, and they won that on both sides of the ball, by huge margin.
November 24th, 2018 at 8:06 PM ^
Neg me all you want. Harbaugh is the ONLY Michigan coach to go 0-4 against OSU. How long has Michigan been playing football again?
November 24th, 2018 at 8:14 PM ^
Fucking loser.
November 24th, 2018 at 8:29 PM ^
Thanks.
November 26th, 2018 at 5:42 AM ^
....says the idot bolivia’ed Into negative infinity. Wow. How utterly Harbaugh-blind 90% of the commenters are here. Harbaugh is essentially our John Cooper. And despite that clear and unassailable fact, most of you are screeching at any hint of criticism of Harbaugh.
We expexted yet again our defense to carry the game because of a dismal offensive gameplan. How is it we can poach arguably the number one defensive mind in the game and yet all we do on offense is cobble together a collection of misfit toys coaches, over and over again - all of whom have been fired from one institution or another. So we cannot grab a top young mind from the offensive ranks but instead scrape one after another failed body off the coaching carousel and then cross our fingers?
November 24th, 2018 at 10:03 PM ^
Harbaugh is also the only coach that had to take over the program after its worst decade, by far, in program history.
He has gotten Michigan back up to the 2nd best program in the Big Ten.
But I agree that he still has to keep making changes and improvements this off season to the program to finally get over the hump and beat OSU.
November 24th, 2018 at 10:34 PM ^
“Neg me all you want.”
done!
November 24th, 2018 at 10:48 PM ^
Only because RR was fired after 3 seasons, and Judge Alex stepped in for a brief moment during Hoke’s tenure.
They simply own our asses right now and have since the early 2000’s.
November 24th, 2018 at 11:48 PM ^
Go
Fuck
Yourself
Fucker
November 24th, 2018 at 5:41 PM ^
UnWavering, in what other delusional world could someone get paid the 3rd highest salary in the country, and after 4 years, only be able to produce what are results that put him as #2-#3 in the region he works in? Not #2 or #3 in the country, but #2 or #3 in the MidWest. In any area of corporate America, JH would be fired in the next 24-48 hours.
Michigan could pay someone half the money Harbaugh is getting to be a great representative of the University, lead with integrity and win 8-10 games a season and lose every year to their main rival.
If after year 5, Harbaugh cannot beat OSU, he deserves and absolutely should be fired. Period.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:45 PM ^
Michigan cannot realistically hire a better coach than Harbaugh.
Sure, maybe we could pay someone less money to do marginally worse, but so what? Harbaugh is the best coach we can get. He's won 10 games in 3 of his 4 seasons. Carr didn't even do that. Michigan is competitive again.
Unfortunately, OSU is just at a historic high. Firing a very good coach isn't going to fix any problems.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:52 PM ^
You know I would have to agree. It's just the sting of nearly two decades worth of losses, and this year where honestly Michigan should have been competitive against the buckeyes yet they fell flat on their face again.
I don't see Michigan getting anyone to replace Harbaugh that would do better. Unless the Athletic Department offers Urban Meyer double his current salary to come coach at Michigan. That in itself is depressing enough, and saying it made my throw up in me mouth a little bit.
November 24th, 2018 at 10:09 PM ^
People have to keep separate 2008-2014 (RRod and Hoke eras) from 2015-present (Harbaugh).
Program was a terrible when JH arrived. Now the 2nd best program in the Big Ten.
Still a big gap to OSU. But JH has dug the program out of its worst ever decade. Terrible that Michigan let OSU take over the rivalry starting in 2002. But the JH had nothing to do with that.
He made changes last off season. He needs to make more coaching changes this off season.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:52 PM ^
True!!!
the fire Harbaugh talk is sand in the taco.
On to the next game.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:53 PM ^
Don’t argue with imbeciles.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:54 PM ^
Where does this sentiment come from. He is not the best coach out there, so he can definitely be replaced. I keep hearing people say that, but it isn't true. If he was such a great fit, he would beat his rivals.if OSU felt that way they would have never fired John Cooper. He can't win his conference, let alone win this rivalry, he damn well can be replaced.
November 24th, 2018 at 6:26 PM ^
Get a grip. Like seriously.... if you think that we could just fire and hire a coach and your problems are solved you’re delusional. Losing again to Ohio sucks, yes I get it, but have some perspective. Jimmy isn’t going anywhere, and if you’re calling for his head you should go somewhere. Anywhere.... that isn’t here.
November 24th, 2018 at 6:39 PM ^
Anyone here ever heard of Clemson?Dabo Swinney took 7 8 years to get back into National prominence so let's give it a rest shall we??
November 24th, 2018 at 10:10 PM ^
Mostly true. But Dabo did have more success by year 4. Easier conference situation though...
November 25th, 2018 at 10:11 AM ^
The year he won his conference he was 10-4.
The easier situation is the only reason he technically had more success.
He also had a 6-7 year in there.
November 24th, 2018 at 7:15 PM ^
Should every team that lost to OSU fire their coach or just Michigan? Urbs has 3 national championships and is willing to look the other way when his players misbehave. I am not good with losing but I am quite sure that firing a coach that just won 8 in a row is not a good idea.
November 26th, 2018 at 5:52 AM ^
Wow, idiotic nonsequitor much? But I’ll play along.....I’m not calling for Harbaugh to be fired yet but if those teams you’re referring to that lost to OSU are all Michigan and all those teams lost to OSU four straight with the last setting records for entire team ineptness, yes, that coach should definitely be on the hot seat. Any other goofy questions? Also it’s great to hear you’re “not good with losing.” That really helped clear the air and lend your comment credibility it otherwise lacked.
November 24th, 2018 at 6:00 PM ^
How do you know Michigan cannot hire a better coach? The results he has posted would suggest that you could absolutely hire someone to do just as good as him. Where do people get the idea that is is known that there couldn't possibly be someone who could do better than JH?
November 24th, 2018 at 6:08 PM ^
Who would you suggest hiring?
November 24th, 2018 at 7:01 PM ^
I think they should hire Nasar. At least we would know he was going to fuck our program.
November 24th, 2018 at 6:10 PM ^
You got any names? I'd be glad to hear them.
How many other teams have won 10 or more games 3 of the last 4 years? Not many.
Sure, we haven't won the conference. Turns out, it's pretty fucking hard to do that when you're in it with OSU led by Meyer, not to mention PSU and MSU.
November 24th, 2018 at 8:30 PM ^
Herman or Riley are the only two. It would take a mountain of money but I think we can cover it.
November 24th, 2018 at 10:12 PM ^
Are Herman's results at Texas any better than Harbaugh at Michigan?
Texas faces an easier conference situation than Michigan in the Big Ten East.
November 25th, 2018 at 1:08 AM ^
I mean B1G as whole is awful. Northwestern lost to Akron and gets to play in the B1G title game. OSU pretty much shitted the bed against a meh Purdue team who happen to lose to EMU. Rutgers is Rutgers. Maryland is meh bad but can be fun if facing the right team. MSU is bad. PSU is overrated and bad.
November 25th, 2018 at 1:59 AM ^
They beat Oklahoma!
November 28th, 2018 at 2:19 PM ^
Dino Babers FTW
November 24th, 2018 at 6:19 PM ^
Who? Seriously... Who else could Michigan have hired to fix the mess that was life post-Hoke to pull off 3x 10 win seasons in 4 years? Ask Florida. Ask Texas. Ask Florida State. Ask Notre Dame. Ask Nebraska. All teams that had coaches who averaged 8-10 win seasons, had coaching changes and then STRUGGLED. We had a National Champ, 7-9 win a season coach... and then went RR and Hoke before landing on Harbaugh.
So seriously: Who? Who could come in without a strong base of home-state talent and pull 3x 10 win seasons in 4 years?
And while those loses sucked, the two loses this season were to 2 teams that could be in the Playoffs, depending on how the cards play out. It stings emotionally because of what might have been. But, when looking at it logically... It is a positive season where we kept our goals possible until the very bitter, bitter, bitter end.
November 24th, 2018 at 6:19 PM ^
That line of thinking got us Rich Rod. Yes losing to Ohio State every year sucks, but I am not willing to go back to the dark years of Rich Rod.
November 25th, 2018 at 9:32 PM ^
Michigan didn't fire Lloyd Carr. Carr wanted to retire but Martin told him to stay one more year which he did. Carr retired on his own term even though it was one more year that he wanted to.
The other programs pushed other coaches out of the program.
November 26th, 2018 at 5:57 AM ^
And then he screwed the program over, royally. That’s not my personal opinion, that is the only conclusion one came come to from J.U. Bacon’s investigation into his writing of Three and Out.
November 24th, 2018 at 6:50 PM ^
Who exactly then?
November 24th, 2018 at 8:20 PM ^
This. And since when do fans care about saving $? I don't really care how much Harbaugh gets paid. If there were a better alternative is go for it, but there isn't. So back to hoping and praying it is, I guess.
November 24th, 2018 at 9:02 PM ^
I really want to know why people care about Harbaughs salary. It’s not like they’re paying it. I agree let’s save a couple million and hire a slightly crappier coach. That would make everyone happy.
November 24th, 2018 at 9:38 PM ^
agree 10000%. salary is the least important part of this discussion. by far.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:58 PM ^
Ohio State has been on a recruiting roll that we could only dream of. Back when they were just a top ten squad they were hard to beat, now they are a top 4 squad. A squad that makes it their lifes' goal to beat us, to beat Michigan. they've beat us 15 out of 17, did you see that crowd?? You'd think they hadn't beat us in 10 years. Coach Harbaugh is making progress, next year we'll be even better, mark my words.
p.s. What you said about about corporate America, that's not factual, its illusionary. What company are you referring to? If you can back it up with a factual company then we can begin a discussion on the validity of your statement.
November 24th, 2018 at 5:59 PM ^
Pray tell...who would be a better coach?
November 24th, 2018 at 8:41 PM ^
Who the fuck says pray-tell? Is this 500AD? You don't actually talk like that do you? Pray-tell? Wtf?
November 24th, 2018 at 9:15 PM ^
Prithee, why are you so concerned with his choice of words?
November 24th, 2018 at 6:35 PM ^
We were 13-13 the previous 2 seasons and getting worse.
We weren’t even filling the stadium.
Using your formula we were losing to Toledo and getting into shootouts with Akron
you’re just wrong
November 24th, 2018 at 5:41 PM ^
Fire Harbaugh, hire Meyer. He knows how to win big games.
/slightlyjoking...
Can we get Oklahoma’s OC or something as an OC?
November 24th, 2018 at 6:00 PM ^
They scored 62 points, it wasn't the offenses fault, at least not completely. Adjustments do need to be made but like I mentioned elsewhere, Ohio State has got a ton of talent; it's not the X's and the O's, it's the Jimmys and the Joes.
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