2019 - The final exam of the Harbaugh offense
Shea's back.
Harbaugh has a returning senior blue chip QB. He has boatloads of receiver talent. The offensive line, finally, appears poised to be good. He has experienced tight ends. The one starter leaving a hole, Karan Higdon, has capable backups and a top 50 prospect poised to take his place.
There's a lot of debate about what, exactly, caused the offense to play at a "B" level when it seemed to have "A" talent last season. Some people assert that Pep is the problem; others assert that the basic philosophy is wrong; perhaps it's an issue of player coaching. The theories are manifold; they are, finally, unnecessary.
We don't know what goes on in the room. But the results, ultimately, are what matter.
Next year, Harbaugh has everything he needs. Barring a series of catastrophic injuries, there is absolutely no reason that the offense shouldn't be excellent. Personally, I am optimistic that it will be. But the time is no longer "some day." The time is now.
2019 is a referendum on Harbaugh as an offensive coach.
December 22nd, 2018 at 8:40 AM ^
Completely agree with OP. Big year for JH and his (not Pep’s) offense.
December 22nd, 2018 at 8:48 AM ^
Osu scored in 42 seconds at end of first half. We took same amount of time to get off one play in 4th quarter- down multiple scores. Huddling every play...
One key series in 2nd half & it was 3rd & 10. Nico Dpj & Black were all on bench. We had tight ends that can't catch & a walk on - on the field. Urban had to be delighted to see that none of our weapons were on the field...
December 22nd, 2018 at 8:59 AM ^
Body blows can be by scoring also. The first series of 2nd half where we could have took lead. We come out & ran the most conservative predictable bs ...& gained one yard & punted. You won't see Saban etc turtle like that.
What happened to having a seat at the big boy table like JH said his first year here?
December 22nd, 2018 at 9:32 AM ^
If I could make one request of Brian it would be to UFR just the third quarter of the Ohio State game.
It was the inflection point between what could have been an amazing win, and what turned out to be a humiliating loss.
To set the stage:
Michigan played poorly on both offense and defense in the first half. We could not stop Ohio State - they got 24 points and I don't think they punted once - while our own offense could only muster a single TD and two FGs.
But then we got lucky. OSU turned the ball over on a kickoff inside the 10 yard line. We got a short TD off of it. We're down 2. Unfortunately, Ohio State marches right down the field in 41 seconds, but at least we hold them to a FG.
So, we entered the second half down 5 with still a chance to win despite how poorly we played.
Ohio State gets the ball to open the second half and our defense finally gets an elusive stop.
Game reset!
It's a new game now, but it's clear that defensive stops are going to be precious. If we win, it's going to have to be in a Big 12-style shootout where one stop, or a TD traded for a FG, is going to be the difference.
The Michigan offense is going to have to open it up in the third quarter and put up points to keep pace. It's our only shot.
Final result: Zero third quarter points.
Game over.
WTF happened?
I'd like to see that UFR.
December 22nd, 2018 at 12:12 PM ^
Very happy Shea is back.
If Haskins declares for the draft, we 100% have to beat OSU next year.
At home, returning 5 star QB, they will have a first year starter, no Urban. I mean if we can't win that?
December 22nd, 2018 at 9:26 PM ^
Harbaugh has been intriguing... I expect to watch next year as he gives les miles a run for most offensive stars coupled with the fewest points produced.
On the bright side, we have so much offensive talent it might now matter, our coach may be able to keep running the gut for 3 yards with backs who can go for fifty outside the tackles....