Florida 41, Michigan 15
ATLANTA — Just over a month ago, Michigan rolled into Columbus, the season still bright with limitless potential. On Saturday, two games later, the Wolverines left Mercedes-Benz Stadium having lost every bit of it.
The Peach Bowl, even after a loss at Ohio State, was a chance to end the season on a high note. Michigan could have come out of it with an 11th win for only the third time since 1986, having given Jim Harbaugh his first New Year’s Six bowl win in his tenure with the Wolverines. Instead, after a 41-15 loss to Florida, Michigan has all the same questions with no answers.
[After THE JUMP: gamer]
Things started to fall apart for the Wolverines in the third quarter. Looking for Nico Collins on a deep ball, Shea Patterson failed to see Gators’ safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Not only did Gardner-Johnson pick off Patterson — he returned it to Michigan’s 44-yard line.
In the postgame, Gardner-Johnson was asked about the Wolverines. The answer, just one sentence, cuts deep for Michigan.
"I don't know how they prepared," he said, "but I don't think they prepared too well."
In Florida's locker room, a team that had prepared hard — wanting to win this game to put a cap on its season — emerged.
"We had a week and a little minute to study them," Gator defensive lineman Cece Jefferson said. "I just feel like everybody bought in and watched film good. ... We just knew what was coming sometimes."
After the interception, Michigan forced the Gators into fourth-and-1, but quickly fell apart from there. Sophomore Kadarius Toney took a jet sweep for 30 yards and Lamical Perine punched it in from five yards out, extending Florida’s lead to 10 with 8:06 to go in the third.
The Wolverines followed that with a three-and-out, giving Jordan Scarlett an opening to provide the dagger for the Gators. The running back broke off a 30-yard carry, going through tackle after tackle to get Florida inside the five-yard line. Then, he took a speed option into the end zone, bringing the lead to 17.
Michigan cut it to 14 with a field goal, and seemed to have momentum after an ill-fated double-pass forced the Gators into third-and-20. But on the very next play, Perine ran straight past the Wolverines' defense for a 53-yard score, ending any hope of a comeback.
Patterson’s numbers — 22-for-36 for 236 yards — weren’t bad, but the throws he missed, including two interceptions, will dominate memory of his performance. As for the run game, replacing Karan Higdon proved tough, as five rushers led by Christian Turner and Chris Evans averaged all of 2.27 yards per carry between them.
"We were moving the ball at times and close to getting into a rhythm, but we didn't get the run game going effectively enough," Jim Harbaugh said. "Or the passing game, the protection, and the rhythm in that area to make it -- we got outplayed, really, on that side of the ball."
Without Rashan Gary or Aubrey Solomon — and with Chase Winovich playing hurt — it was apparent that Michigan’s defensive line was missing something. It sacked Feleipe Franks just three times, failing to play up to a standard that has been set higher than that. As a whole, the Wolverines’ defense — vaunted all year — coughed up big play after big play, giving up 427 total yards.
"They were just a better team," Chase Winovich said. "At the end of the day, they seemed like they had us. I think this is an observation, but for the most part, they had us figured out. They knew what we were in and how to manipulate it."
December 29th, 2018 at 6:04 PM ^
It's the way we lost, not just losing. Seemingly a team that quit, a coaching staff who couldn't motivate the team or come up with a good game plan or adjust on the fly, an experienced QB not playing up to his potential, failure to use our great WRs effectively, etc,. etc. etc.
This wasn't just a sloppy game that we lost through bad bounces and poor reffing. This was a beat down.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:46 PM ^
OK ok, I'm finally on board. If there is not big time change then it's time to move on from Harbaugh. 38 wins in 4 years sounds great till you look at these last two losses. Michigan is no closer to the playoffs than they were before Harbaugh arrived.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:50 PM ^
Dude. Take the gun out of your mouth. 5-7. Losses to Rutgers, Maryland, Michigan State, and, yes, still Ohio State. You don't think we're closer to the playoffs when you've seen Michigan a literal inch away from playing in the big ten title game for a chance at the playoffs? What a totally unfounded statement
December 29th, 2018 at 4:21 PM ^
Dude. Stop drinking the delusional kool-aid. If you think we are inches from deserving to be in the playoff, I have a great deal for you on a revenge tour t-shirt.
We’re lucky we are not in the playoff and getting beat down 49-7 or something on the big stage.
You are what your record says you are.
If 1-9 versus top 10 doesn’t matter to you now, when does it matter? 2-12? 3-15?
December 29th, 2018 at 4:41 PM ^
you are wrong pal... with hoke we had no shot of even the BIG title... had we played the game in ann arbor, we may have won, because maybe we'd have overcome the softness of the Gentrys who don't get the rivalry. am not happy about this loss either, but to say we aren't closer to the playoff since hoke...well, that's just wrong... we aren't as close as we like..but we are in fact, closer...
December 29th, 2018 at 8:32 PM ^
No doubt harbs is better than Hoke. And my time in the 40 would dominate most tortoises. So what?
harbs is yet another rigid dogmatic unadaptable coach. His particular dogma is better than RichRod and Hoke but he ain’t changing and the outside reality cannot change it.
December 29th, 2018 at 9:11 PM ^
No doubt harbs is better than Hoke. And my time in the 40 would dominate most tortoises. So what?
harbs is yet another rigid dogmatic unadaptable coach. His particular dogma is better than RichRod and Hoke but he ain’t changing and the outside reality cannot change it.
December 29th, 2018 at 9:12 PM ^
No doubt harbs is better than Hoke. And my time in the 40 would dominate most tortoises. So what?
harbs is yet another rigid dogmatic unadaptable coach. His particular dogma is better than RichRod and Hoke but he ain’t changing and the outside reality cannot change it.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:47 PM ^
Please send money.
The coaches have contracts that are up. Year 5. The hood of doom.
Drink more blue kool aid. You walk out of a game with your pants down and Harbaugh has a 10 million dollar meal.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:48 PM ^
They all suck, players and coaches. Soft pussies.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:03 PM ^
Says the internet tough guy in the safety of destination unknown. Pussy you say?
December 29th, 2018 at 3:48 PM ^
The michigan 10 win peak tradition is restored. Woohoo. Any chance at us becoming an elite squad under Harbaugh has dwindled to zero. Pissing off elite players who then transfer, cant get your players to stand by their brothers for a NY6 game, continuing to use an archaic offense in 2018, and not beating your rival once. Theres nothing great happening on the horizon any time soon, unlike basketball which is constantly relevant for something special. Football is an annual disappointment.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:49 PM ^
I'm not a fan of how the postgame articles have changed this year. I don't need a play by play recap, I watched the game. There used to be more of a plot and bigger picture written into these.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:57 PM ^
Plot - same tired game plan as all the other losses in Harbaugh's tenure. Or worse. Run the ball until down, can't throw the ball well because the QB isn't used to throwing the damn thing.
Bigger picture - enduring mediocrity because need to rely on defense to win games without speed enough to play against spread teams because the offense is completely inept and coaches don't use fast/spread types to play fast/spread the field and try to score points.
The only offseason question is going to be if Jim realizes that he needs to do a better job of competing on offense or not. My guess is NO.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:00 PM ^
The plot and bigger picture the last few games have not been something worth writing about. May as well recap the game.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:38 PM ^
They aren’t as good because Brian/Ace aren’t writing them, Ace because of his health and Brian because he’s in his usual post-OSU pout. It’s his site, and we read it for free, but damn, it would be really nice to have the same level of insightful coverage of big games we lose as we do for cupcakes we beat. At the very least, it might nip some of the hotter takes in the bud.
EDIT: I’m really not trying to be too harsh on Brian, but I have to be honest that his aggressively disinterested demeanor (maybe it’s a schtick?) particularly on the WTKA round tables, has gotten really offputting this year. Which is a huge bummer for me because when he’s on his game he’s a great writer and commentator.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:49 PM ^
Problem was the ball wasn't orange and round.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:49 PM ^
Thanks for typing up the box score.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:49 PM ^
Bo ball with a gunslinging qb, won't work. Either dump the offense, or go to McCaffrey who can play Bo ball.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:53 PM ^
You think Shea is a gunslinger? He under throws nearly every ball just like JOK overthrew them. If you mixed Shea's under throws and JOK's over throws you'd have a gunslinger.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:00 PM ^
This is unfortunately true. If Shea didn't underthrow the majority of his throws, things would probably work quite a bit better.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:03 PM ^
I never played QB, but I can not imagine it is easy throwing accurate passes when there is pressure on 9 out of 10 passing attempts and the 10th has 8 men in coverage because it is third and long again.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:07 PM ^
Good point. It also probably doesn't help when most passing attempts come after a play action 8 step drop.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:50 PM ^
Should've hired Mullen all those years ago.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:52 PM ^
No thanks, I don't like losing to Kentucky
December 29th, 2018 at 3:59 PM ^
It was his first year at FL. Also, he just put it on JH.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:06 PM ^
Have Florida play without their three best players and tell me how that game goes
December 29th, 2018 at 4:29 PM ^
For some reason Florida doesn’t seem to have a problem convincing their best players to play in a “meaningless” game.
December 29th, 2018 at 5:13 PM ^
Bush was missed. The D has been fine without Gary. And how much of a difference do you think Higdon really makes in that game? Injuries happen, the coaches had a month. And that may have been a reasonable explanation in a close game. JH has had 4 years to put together a roster, even without his top 3 he should beat a coach that hasn't had a recruit from his first cycle step on campus yet, or at least make the game close. And that is if you somehow don't consider Chase one of the best 3.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:45 PM ^
THE_KNOWLEDGE said we'd hire Mullen, too, after Hoke.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:51 PM ^
Well a lot of people preached the upside of a disappointing Peach bowl game by pointing out that it was the only marquis game being played on the same day as the playoffs. That ended up being a mistake. Maybe most people watched the UVA / South Carolina game.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:52 PM ^
Arby’s is too good for this coaching staff.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:52 PM ^
- post '98 Lloyd
- Rich Rod
- Hoke
- Harbaugh
Drevno
Pep
I've been an active fan and It's been decades since we've actually been a contender. Since we have managed to win the clutch games against a top opponent.
Obviously I care else I wouldn't be posting here. However I just don't care very much anymore.
What an awful football program unworthy of the greater university it once represented. Fuck you Jim Harbaugh.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:52 PM ^
The miscues and blown coverages at this point of the season are unacceptable. They had already played 12 games. It should be perfect by now. Metellus was playing 2-hand touch.
Inexcusable
December 29th, 2018 at 3:53 PM ^
#basketball school
December 29th, 2018 at 3:54 PM ^
Well that won’t work for next year. Lack of speed on defense is an issue. Lack of creative play calling on offense is an issue. Need some offensive changes again and find some dudes for Brown’s scheme.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:59 PM ^
Don Brown needs to modify his scheme.
He needs another pitch besides just a fastball.
He gets burned too often in situations where he just needs to contain. Dudes running themselves out of the play is not going to change that.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:56 PM ^
Where is that slow churned double fudge chocolate ice cream?? Where'd I put it. Chango for the win in the ice cream.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:14 PM ^
+1 for avatar third person ice cream crushing after a bad loss.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:56 PM ^
I was at Michigan the same time that Harbaugh was at Michigan. I love his backstory, leaving the NFL and coming back to his alma mater to restore its lost glory. He is the essence of a Michigan man.
But at some point, if you can't get it done, none of that matters.
I'd rather have somebody coaching that can beat Ohio State and win big games against top competition, even if he does not know the difference between Ufer and Yost.
Harbaugh is not a great college coach at this point. He has put in a system that does not work well with college players.
To John Beilein's eternal credit, he adjusted his system multiple times to continually climb the ladder to the next level.
Harbaugh needs to take that lesson to heart. Or he needs to leave.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:00 PM ^
The results of this game and the prior one repose entirely on the shoulders of James Joseph Harbaugh. All dishonor to his name.
December 29th, 2018 at 3:57 PM ^
" As a whole, the Wolverines’ defense — vaunted all year — coughed up big play after big play, giving up 427 total yards."
2006 all over again.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:04 PM ^
It's easy to beat up on Big Ten teams with pathetic offenses and broken / injured QBs.
Against teams with actual offenses and competent QBs . . . not so much.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:08 PM ^
Don, you're one of the few people here that seems to get "2006."
December 29th, 2018 at 4:51 PM ^
"Don, you're one of the few people here that seems to get "2006."
Not sure if that's a criticism or an upvote, but the general parallels are there, IMHO.
At least in 2006 we could look back into the not-too-distant past and see a national championship.
That's ancient, old-fart history now.
I suspect Harbaugh at Michigan might be Johnny Majors at Tennessee: the legendary hero comes back "home" to right a troubled program, raising expectations of yearly championships... which turn out to be a rarity.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:00 PM ^
Michigan is inferior in the key moments. The talent is there. The effort is there-it’s not like they don’t watch film and practice.
The issue is Harbaugh.
There is no excuse for not throwing for 300 yards every game. It needs to happen next year. Even if Stueber is the best we can do at RT.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:28 PM ^
Plus, a quick passing game probably alleviates pressure on OL. We just have to look at what opponents have done to us to neutralize DL pressure
December 29th, 2018 at 4:50 PM ^
Just look at what Joe Moorhead did at Penn State.
They had a shellshocked Hackenburg in a pro system behind a leaky O-Line before he came in.
Moorhead fixed that in one season by changing the scheme and leveraging the strengths of his players. He never really did "fix" the O-Line, but it didn't matter.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:00 PM ^
Whether you consider the game meaningless or not, this is going to hurt program morale. A lot.
December 29th, 2018 at 4:03 PM ^
OSU has hurt program morale... Losing the last game religiously every year does that.
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