Michigan going for 2 was the right call

Submitted by wildbackdunesman on

I contend that it was the right call to go for 2 against Rutgers when up 27-0.

When kicking extra points, Rutgers was overloading our right side.  They lined 7 up on our right, but would then pull an 8th man lined up on our left to try and create havoc and holes on our right.  Additionally another player lined up on our left would swing way around the end. 

In essence they were hitting our right with 8 men and only had 2 men to cover a large section just to the left of our center and their man swinging around our left flank.

Rutgers by overloading our right side to that extent had been inviting us to try an easy run.  We had to do it, to keep them honest on special teams.  We couldn't risk them blocking a kick.

Plus, they scheduled their New Jersey satellite camp the same day as ours with Ohio State.

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BlueMk1690

October 9th, 2016 at 5:33 PM ^

that it was probably based on recognizing something funky they were doing because it was just a bit too damn easy to score that.

I think that's fair but even if it had just been to show who's boss well that's fair too. I generally favor activities that lead to more points on the board for the team I support.

Joined: 02/04/2011

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M Ascending

October 9th, 2016 at 5:57 PM ^

Going for two really had nothing to do with Rutgers. It was to show other teams on our schedule (read, OSU) that we are capable and willing to do this and they better play us honestly on PATs and short FGs.

Joined: 09/14/2016

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RoseInBlue

October 9th, 2016 at 6:37 PM ^

Honestly, I have no issue with anything (legal) any team wants to do in the 1st half of a game regardless of reason.  

The 2nd half I'll consider a case by case basis but nobody should be taking their foot off the gas in the 1st half.  This is still football (albeit a really vague, pathetic version).

Joined: 02/21/2016

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MTH1993

October 9th, 2016 at 6:38 PM ^

I like the suggustion of making going for 2 a tradition against Rutgers and that we needed game pratice, but i agree with the op we had to so they would stop overloading one side likely resulting in an injury by the end of the game.

Joined: 06/07/2015

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Carcajou

October 9th, 2016 at 6:47 PM ^

Haven't seen the video since the game. If it had happened any later, like in the 2nd half, it might have been questionanble.

I think it was a combination of things: to run something they'd practiced; to get it "on tape" to give future opponents something to think about and prepare for, and force them to play straight (Harbaugh is big on this); and most of all, to counter the overload. But getting in a dig at Ashe is not necessarily out of the question.

Did any of the press or Brandy on Inside Michigan Foorball ask Harbaugh, or were they too afraid to ask?

Joined: 02/26/2009

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Squash34

October 9th, 2016 at 8:14 PM ^

Just finished the whole arguement nicely. The narritive that you are running up the score and being unsportsmanlike in this situation his pretty laughable. It took place in or around the first 3 or 4 minutes of the second quarter lol. That being said, in the post game presser, harbaugh said that they noticed Rutgers doing something like you described on film, but that was the first time in the game they got the look they wanted to try the fake verse. So they took it. If they got the look on the earlier 3 point after 's they would have done it then and he would be called a douche that is trying to embarrass poor Rutgers any ways.

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L'Carpetron Do…

October 10th, 2016 at 12:08 PM ^

Yeah, its not necessarily unsportsmanlike but it wasn't necessary. It was obvious which way the game was going.  Peppers also didn't need to be taking snaps at the end of the first half up 36 points.   I was little annoyed with Harbaugh a few weeks ago when it seemed like Butt was in the game late in the 3rd quarter against UCF. 

I know Rutgers' defense was laughable swiss cheese in the 2nd half and a ton of backups were in there but Isaac, shouldn't be getting carries with 3 minutes left and a 71 point lead.  

Joined: 03/15/2010

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jericho

October 10th, 2016 at 6:24 PM ^

There was 12 minutes left in the 2nd freaking quarter when they went for two.  Why are people still talking about this?  Heck, onside kick on the next play if you want.  The game is barely over a quarter finished.  If you can't keep your team into the game for 16 minutes worth of playing time, quit football all together.

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