Jim Harbaugh lost his fourth straight edition of The Game on Saturday
[Barron]

Ohio State Postgame Presser: Jim Harbaugh Comment Count

Ethan Sears November 25th, 2018 at 12:35 AM

Things Discussed

  • Harbaugh's responsibility for the loss
  • The defense, lack of pass rush
  • Real injury updates (no, seriously)
  • The disappointment

[After THE JUMP: ,,,]

 

Jim, this was seen as the best opportunity since you've been here to beat Ohio State. DIdn’t happen. How much of the responsibility do you take personally?

 

 “Well, when things go good, things go great, good. If it doesn’t, you take responsibility for it.”

 

Jim, nobody really saw this coming, 62 points against your defense. How do you explain the performance today, overall, by your team?

 

“Well, they played great. Their third quarter, especially, a lot of speed plays that got out on the perimeter on got loose. Also set them up in good field position with a couple turnovers and of course the blocked punt contributed to the score as well.”

 

But overall, you couldn’t have been happy with your own team’s performance, could you?

 

“Like I said, I take responsibility for it.”

 

Jim, after seeing how they gave up 51 to Maryland and bumbled around a lot of other times, it it possible you guys — your players, not you — came in overconfident?

 

“No.”

 

The progress you guys made this year — do you feel like today was a step backwards for you and your team?

 

“Like I said, it didn't go good. Didn’t end up good. And I would say — and we take responsibility for us.”

 

What can you tell us about Devin Bush’s health?

 

“Devin — he has a hip. I don't think it’s anything that’s gonna be long term. … He had a hip. Same with Grant Perry, had a hip pointer. David Long, looks like a hip flexor strain. Believe all three are not long term kind of injuries, but not good for today. (Zach) Gentry got a concussion. And Shea Patterson has a contusion on his knee. Knee bruise. Bone bruise.”

 

Coach, seemed like they came in with their usual attack plan, doing a loot of slant routes, crossing routes. Describe the preparation you had for your defense for (that)

 

“Well, they do a lot of things well. And they threw the ball downfield well. They threw the crossing routes, the slant routes extremely well. And ran the ball good. So, they did a great job.”

 

How difficult do you think it is gonna be going back to the drawing board?

 

“We’ll come back motivated and make darn sure it doesn't happen again.”

 

Jim, early, what was the offensive game plan early? Was it control the clock? Run the ball? What was your plan?

 

“Wanted to run our best plays. Throwing, moving the ball. Outside zone, inside power. We had basically everything. Drop back, zone read, was all in the plan. Rollouts, boots. That was our plan.”

 

Did you feel like your team was ready for everything Ohio State threw at you? Offensively and defensively? It seemed like they caught you off-guard

 

“They had several successful plays, no question about it. Especially, they got some real speed plays. Crossing routes hurt. Threw the ball downfield well. They did a nice job throwing and catching those. I thought their protection was really good. We didn’t get the pressure on the quarterback that we wanted to.”

 

Coach, aside from the scheme, after this loss, is there anything you see in terms of personnel — be it staff, be it in recruiting that you feel like you guys didn’t have and you need to go get?

 

“No, I like our players, like our coaches. They do a phenomenal job.”

 

Jim, prior to Shea going down, what did you think of his performance?

 

“I thought Shea really competed well. Played extremely well. Was really pleased, the way he played. He’s such a competitor. He was doing everything he could.”

 

I know you’ve seen a lot, in a lot of places. In your career, did you find this shocking?

 

“I thought Ohio State played really well. In all phases. Did a heck of a job. They’re a really good football team.”

 

Jim, last year after this game, you said the program needed to get stronger physically. You did a lot of stuff this offseason. What do you need now?

 

“Like I said, we’ll come back in our next game and be motivated to win our next game.”

 

Jim, why don't you think the pass rush was effective today?

 

“They did a really good job of protection.”

 

How would you compare this performance to the performance a couple years ago, at Ohio State? Just how you were feeling after the game

 

“Same. Just motivated to come back and make darn sure it doesn't happen again. Win our next game. That’s our motivation.”

 

You’re a pretty good historian of this series. Did you know coming in that they had never scored more than 50 in a game in this series?

 

“I believe I did, yes. And congratulations to them. They played really well.”

 

What’s your message to your team tonight?

 

“Same thing as I just told you.”

 

 

Comments

FlexUM

November 25th, 2018 at 10:38 AM ^

Yeah but using your standard there are then 4 good teams in the country. Bama, Clemson, ND and Georgia. 

Every other team has cratering, massive flaws and I could present each one is garbage outside of those four. Those were big games Michigan won. We whine all year they can’t win those games and when they do we say “doesn’t matter, those teams suck”. 

At the same time that doesn’t mean people have to be, or are, happy with this loss. Michigan did have a good year. I thought the ceiling was 9-3, more likely 8-4 with the schedule while setting up ‘19 to make a run with a more favorable schedule. 

We should all be pissed and expect more but many of us also picked and expected this team to go 8-4. It’s not about accepting mediocrity but I thought this was a 8-9 win team talent wise combined with the schedule. That was my expectation. 

But yeah...this isn’t ok. This isn’t just a loss. This was an unacceptable ass whoopin. 

Mongo

November 25th, 2018 at 10:13 AM ^

OSU played great and caught us on an off day.  I don't think it could have gone any better for them or any worse for us.  Time to turn the page.

ScooterTooter

November 25th, 2018 at 10:44 AM ^

What's the reality? 

That Ohio State, because of their recruiting, is one of the two most talented teams in the country and they played like it today?

That we needed our DL to generate a pass rush to win and that both Winovich and Gary were likely far less than 100% and our best DT was out? 
 

That their OL inexplicably played their game of their lives no matter what Michigan threw at them?

That Urban Meyer took over the cushiest landing spot in the country after he wrecked a program in Florida?

That Jim Harbaugh took over a program that was cratering and had a huge gap in its recruiting meaning that in years 3 and 4 there were going to be holes? 

Maybe you need to accept reality and realize that just because we hired a great coach, if you don't get somewhat lucky (2015 MSU, 2016 OSU) it might take a while for the results to match your expectations.

Stop being a butthurt child. 

Amaznbluedoc

November 25th, 2018 at 11:01 AM ^

ohio didn’t “catch us on an off day” they eviscerated our squad in every facet of the game.  First you claim their OL played the game of their lives, then you rationalize our failure on our DL being hurt.  What’s the real explanation?  1) They have better athletes, 2) They have better strategic planning and game planning, 3) They executed.  You can rationalize all you want about coach and player movements and status, but the truth is the truth.  Be happy in your Cooper mentality.

ScooterTooter

November 25th, 2018 at 11:36 AM ^

So the #1 defense in the country up until yesterday generates zero pressure, but its not an off day? They generated pressure against Notre Dame and Wisconsin, teams with quality offensive lines. They had done this before. Meanwhile, Ohio State had given up tons of it to far inferior teams. You know what that sounds like? Exactly what I said above. 

You don't seem to get that Ohio State has went through almost zero turmoil in regards to their program over the last 20 years. The one time they did (2010/11), they came up with Urban fucking Meyer (Who got out of Florida just before he cratered the program, a fact everyone conveniently ignores while fellating him for his success). Congrats, they reeled in a top-10 coach into a top-3 program with zero standards that recruits top-5 classes every year.

Michigan has had multiple years of stagnant recruiting because of the RR and Hoke hires. That's what you're seeing today. If guys like Gary, Solomon and Winovich aren't healthy, Michigan can't just throw in the next 5-star. 

Michigan is the clear #2 team in the Big Ten and given how things have set up, that's not a bad spot to be. And their incredibly unlucky to not have a title game appearance and a victory over Ohio State under Harbaugh.

But go on being a miserable loser. I can tell you revel in it. 

Hotel Putingrad

November 25th, 2018 at 10:51 AM ^

When facing off against superior athletes, you have to break tendencies to compete. We should have been throwing the ball all over the field, and we should have been playing zone defense with creative blitz packages. The fact that we did neither speaks to institutional arrogance. Hell, you'd think that Harbaugh and Brown had watched exactly zero minutes of OSU game film this year, based upon yesterday's game plan.

You can rack up all the fancy stats you want when playing the dregs of the B1G. But when the time comes to beat someone who can beat your best, you have to scheme and think your way to victory. Oh well. Maybe next year.

JPC

November 25th, 2018 at 11:12 AM ^

I agree with you comrade. 

It makes sense to do what you're good at (press man and TOP man ball). It doesn't make sense to keep doing it when it clearly isn't working. It REALLY doesn't make sense not to have a plan B. 

This loss is 100% on the coaches. Harbaugh fucked up and so did Don Brown. Very very badly. 

UofM Die Hard …

November 25th, 2018 at 10:58 AM ^

god that was an awful game. But i guess look on the bright side?  We beat all three teams badly during that tough stretch, put sparty back in its place and finished 10-2 with the thougest schedule in the country... nothing to look down on too badly. 

Def a kick in the balls yesterday, but what else am i going to do, stop caring..not possible. 

Win the bowl game and end on a good note and take that into off season. 

Go Blue to all 

UofM Die Hard …

November 25th, 2018 at 11:41 AM ^

lol you seem to be replying on a lot of comments spreading your “words of wisdom”.  

One of those bloggers who want to bring people down to their low meat level of dispair

Well we are all upset jackass, seems like you aren’t dealing with it too well unlike some on here who still love the program through ups and the downs...the big downs.  Spare us the snarky comments and just go do that in the mirror because we all know how this feels you dumb shit

 

 

Amaznbluedoc

November 25th, 2018 at 11:51 AM ^

Is that how you deal with having your a$$ handed to you?  No, a true fan wants to see his program improve and call it like it is.  Sorry, if you want to sit in the corner with your blue pacifier and hoping for better days but until M starts figuring out the importance of building all season until this moment, you’ll continue to experience your glory hole.  They’re playing for the b10 championship and possible cfp.  We’re not.

“You're not going to be recognized for too much success. We've had 11-1 and 10-1 football teams that lost to Michigan and they're not even mentioned in the second breath."

- Earle Bruce.

 

Blucifer

November 25th, 2018 at 11:57 AM ^

Jim, early, what was the offensive game plan early? Was it control the clock? Run the ball? What was your plan?

“Wanted to run our best plays. Throwing, moving the ball. Outside zone, inside power. We had basically everything. Drop back, zone read, was all in the plan. Rollouts, boots. That was our plan.”

So where was any of that? Because my wife - who is hardly a football savant - wanted to know why we were running it up the gut or to the right side and getting detroyed every time to set us up for third and long. Where were the attempts to get it down field to our big receivers and get some chunks? Where was any kind of creativity or misdirection? Why didn't Shea keep the ball but twice in the game (once after the result was no longer in doubt)? Were they saving all the good stuff at the beginning for a shootout at the end that never materialized (at least not for M)? We needed to have our foot on the pedal from the first snap but - as has become the norm in this game - instead we looked like a nervous team trying not to lose too badly.

I watched Oklahoma v West Virginia on Friday and I have no doubt that both of those teams would detroy Michigan much like Ohio did. The Harbaughfication of the offense is a glitzy 2008 Stanford promise which is just fool's gold at 2018 Michigan. He has to adapt or the only hope is for Meyer to retire. 

CincyBlue9

November 25th, 2018 at 12:00 PM ^

Disregarding everything else, I still find it honorable of him to never say anything bad about his players in front of the media. Always stands by his players and his team, only acknowledging the success of the other side. 

blueinuk

November 25th, 2018 at 12:03 PM ^

My snowflake:  maybe we are not good enough yet to devote significant practice time throughout the season to game planning for OSU.  We still have to focus on each opponent.  OSU used weekly practice time for The Game (per post a few days back).  And that's why they looked disorganized in some of their earlier games.

Agree?  Disagree?

Go Blue 80

November 25th, 2018 at 12:43 PM ^

We need to start gameplanning and spending practice time prepping for OSU throughout the year like Dantonio and Meyer do for us.  I'd much rather lose to a team like Indiana or NWestern because of not enough game prep and beat OSU than vice versa.  The Big Ten goes through Columbus, and until we admit that and prepare that way, were toast.

CoverZero

November 25th, 2018 at 1:02 PM ^

They tried to come in to the game with the exact same game plan that they used all year on offense and Don Brown "puckered up" on defense and he did not "solve problems with aggression".  He was passive in philosophy and it killed them.  They should have just went zone as passive as they were. 

awesomo48

November 25th, 2018 at 1:12 PM ^

I was fortunate, as it turned out, to miss the game live as it unfolded. Told my eldest son to stop texting me about The Game because I was helping my youngest sell wreaths for his scout troop. The last text my eldest sent me came around halftime and just said “it’s a roller coaster.” I got home and went to watch the game from start to finish, secure in successfully maintaining blissful ignorance. One problem. I left the TV on Fox from the night before. The game was not quite done and the first thing that appeared when I switched it on was a roiling sea of cheering OSU fans with the score 62-32 at the bottom of the screen. I died a little, then went to my recorded portion of the game and hit delete.

BTN just showed it in condensed format this morning and I made myself watch. The game plan was mystifying and bad. As mystifying as Tarik Black being the consensus top receiver on this squad yet finishing the final 4 games in which he played with a whopping 2 catches for 25 yards. The game plan betrayed the talent on both sides of the ball and poor coaching decisions were present in the call to chase points at the end of the 2nd quarter, and the defense that allowed 74 yards to be covered in 39 seconds before halftime. There were coachable and correctable errors (Ambry Thomas) that happened repeatedly. There were also guys playing their asses off and winning, like DPJ and Nico Collins.

In the end, all 3 phases worked in unison to let each other down and put immense pressure on each other. It was a total fail overall but strangely not as bad as I expected. In many ways it followed the narrative of every loss to OSU (and other big games/bowl games). You could pick out a handful of individual plays (Gentry’s drops top the list), change them and significantly alter the trajectory and tenor of the game. I always remember the 2013 Devin Gardner Superman game where he gacks up the ball in the middle of the field w UM up and driving as a prime example of same. And of course OSU capitalized on that to change the game. In some respects, that’s just football. That’s what determines most games. But to have those things seemingly always end up breaking against UM ... no words

Better prepared, better talented, better schemed team won yesterday. The maligned Malik Harrison (look - pudding!!!) was the perfect example.

Oh well. Some day.

 

 

 

chatster

November 25th, 2018 at 1:21 PM ^

Despite having stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night, I have no solutions to Michigan football's problems with Ohio State.  True that Ohio State has had better coaches and players for the past two decades and probably will continue to do so, but there are some coaches and players who've been able to beat Ohio State during the past 19 seasons. 

It's hard to say what will motivate Michigan's football team to take the Ohio State game so seriously that beating Ohio State will start to come as naturally as beating Michigan comes to Ohio State's players and coaches.  Would it help if the only sign that Michigan players saw whenever they left the Michigan practice and game-day locker rooms read: "11/25/2018: Ohio State - 62, Michigan - 39; NEVER AGAIN"?  And if the clock below that sign were a countdown clock showing the time before the next Ohio State game?

It's also hard to say that Michigan-Ohio State really is a "football rivalry" anymore when one team so dominates the other for so long.  Since the end of 1999, Michigan is 3-16 against Ohio State.  During that same period of time, Purdue is 5-8 against Ohio State.

Michigan football has been good but not great under Jim Harbaugh. That might never change. Michigan football fans might be living in what fans in Red Sox Nation lived through from 1919 through 2003 -- rooting for many good teams, and even some that came close to winning it all, but always feeling like their favorite team was cursed, and hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.

It might be hard to believe, but the last Michigan win against Ohio State came in 2011 when Brady Hoke and Denard Robinson managed to lead the Wolverines to a 40-34 win over the Buckeyes in The Big House during a season when Ohio State was 6-6 under their interim head coach, Luke Fickell.  Take away that win and Michigan football would be on a 15-game losing streak against Ohio State.

It has been 21 years since Michigan last had a national football championship team.  I hope that they don't have to wait another 65 years for another one, and I hope that the Michigan Marching Band doesn't add this song to their pre-game repertoire: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_TKXPPjhRk

SunDiegoBlue

November 25th, 2018 at 1:38 PM ^

BPONE for the rest of the winter mixed in with great Michigan basketball. 

I don’t think it was talent on offense, but our lack of game changing D-tackles was  present yesterday. Luckily we have major reinforcements coming in. I am just glad we were able to cover that up for 10 wins. 

I don’t think major changes are needed, but I am concerned with how bad they looked on a national stage. I did not recognize that team. Does that come from the coaching down? I assume so. What to do about that, I don’t know.  

I would keep all the coaches and give it another run. I think we are a year away from having dominat trenches again. 

Go Blue!

username03

November 25th, 2018 at 3:11 PM ^

Coach, all other things being relatively equal (talent, execution, etc.) do you really think its a good idea to prioritize TOP on offense while the other team is prioritizing scoring points?

jopollock

November 25th, 2018 at 6:44 PM ^

Clearly, coaching failure. Other teams played Ohio much better. We did not. Don’t really blame Harbaugh for the double-speak press conf. What else is he gonna say?  

  Yes, they need aNew Off Coordinator. OSU had more defense weaknesses than we did, which lesser teams exploited. We failed to do so. 

  I realize Don Brown is like a god. But why did he not prepare better to prevent them from exploiting our def weaknesses?

AlbanyBlue

November 25th, 2018 at 7:41 PM ^

Disclaimer: Jim Harbaugh is the best *head* coach for our program right now. Firing the head coach and starting over is a ridiculous idea that would set our momentum (and yes, we have momentum) backward with no guarantee of greater success. So that's a stupid idea, and not what I advocate.

Ok.....well, this is what it is, folks. We're a 9-10 win program that's clearly a notch below our biggest rival. The talent of our players is somewhat below that of OSU. As far as the defense, it *seems* that coaching isn't the main issue, though the stubbornness to change does hurt us. Nope, our D ran into superior athletes executing a gameplan designed to attack our weaknesses.

The issue is offense. This was innovation versus stubbornness. Plays designed to attack a defense's weaknesses versus "we're gonna do what we do, and run with that." Yeah, we scored, but we needed to score more. Harbaugh needs to hire an innovative OC, so ready the money cannon, Warde. If he doesn't, this is what we will be. 8, 9, 10 wins, beating MSU a fair bit, but not beating OSU.

Also, there's this. It's clear that OSU has been looking ahead for how long, a month? All season? They plan around beating us, and it seems we treat it as another game. They come out fired up to the max and play their best game of the season, and we play......normal, I guess is the best way to say it. And you know, their way is better. Our rivals get "up" to play us more than we get up to play them. Is that the NFL bent of this coaching staff? Or is that just Michigan....I dunno.

TL;DR -- Offensive innovation needed, or else this is what we have. It's not bad, per se, but that bad taste every damn year is hard to take.

TruBluWolv55

November 26th, 2018 at 6:27 AM ^

It sounds like Jim’s game plan was to do what Michigan does best instead of using a defensive strategy to stop OSU’s strengths and an offensive plan to exploit their weaknesses.

It’s also disappointing to hear him talk about coming back next year motivated to win. I sure as hell hope this team was highly motivated on Saturday considering everything that was on the line.

 

jimmyjoeharbaugh

November 26th, 2018 at 12:45 PM ^

harbaugh subdued. last year after the OSU loss is when he said we needed to get stronger etc. and hired herbert and made coaching moves.

 

this year it feels like he brought his A game and got smoked and has no answers (yet).