Ohio State 30, Michigan 27 (2 OT) Comment Count

Ace



Short. [Patrick Barron/MGoBlog]

I'm staring at my laptop and the sea of exultant Ohio State fans on the field below dancing to "Sweet Caroline" and I feel sick.

Sick that Michigan threw away multiple chances to win this game in regulation. Sick that a dozen little plays one way or the other change the outcome. Sick at that spot. That fucking spot.

Michigan should be playing for the Big Ten championship and a spot in the playoff next weekend. Instead, they will sit at home as either Ohio State or Penn State represents the East. That spot, that fucking spot, will stick in the collective Wolverine memory for much, much longer.

The Wolverines controlled most of this game. Wilton Speight battled back from his still-undisclosed injury to throw for 219 yards and two scores, an effort that would take its place in the pantheon of heroic rivalry performances had the outcome gone the other way. Speight's two interceptions, however, were turned into two Ohio State touchdowns, and that allowed the Buckeyes to keep it close enough to force overtime on a 23-yard Tyler Durbin field goal with one second left in regulation.

The defense, which had played a spectacular game, looked worn out in the first overtime period, ceding a JT Barrett touchdown run on the second play. Speight responded with a fourth-down touchdown to Amara Darboh. Michigan's ensuing possession ended with a field goal after a questionable non-call on a third-down pass to Perry, leaving the door open for Ohio State to win it.

Seemingly given new life, the defense forced an all-or-nothing fourth-and-one. Barrett kept it. The officials gave him a generous spot, and even though it appeared on replay that Barrett's right arm—the one holding the football—never reached the line to gain, that spot, that fucking spot, stood upon review.

In a not-so-alternate universe in which the men in charge of the game are competent, there are Muppets and joy and appreciation of one of the most dramatic football games in recent memory or perhaps ever and scrambling to finalize plans for next weekend. Alas, that fucking spot. Alas.

Comments

Michiganfaninb…

November 27th, 2016 at 10:15 AM ^

You have to play to win the game. UM was not aggressive enough to ever really put the Buckeyes on their heels. We played the more solid game through 4qtrs but it takes more in a game like this. The closest thing to a game changing play we made was maybe the interception by Peppers, and that's not enough.
Offensively we pulled nothing out of the bag and took no deep shots. Maybe Speight was too banged up, but that doesn't change the fact that it wasn't enough to ever truly rock the bucks and make them feel pressed.

Amaznbluedoc

November 27th, 2016 at 4:26 PM ^

Agreed. If there is one criticism, the staff seems to abandon what is/was working, i.e. the PA on first down in favor of three up the gut. This happens all too frequently in the Red Zone or when we're trying to kill the clock. All of the DC's know this and adjust accordingly. But as I've said in another post, this team and program has made remarkable progress. Did I mention how much I hate that sh-tty town?

Tom Eng 78

November 27th, 2016 at 10:18 AM ^

I agree with those who say we can't kill the clock with a running game.  We have lost three big games in the last two years because we went three and out late, and couldn't grind out a single first down - MSU last year before the infamous punt, Iowa this year, and now OSU.

Smith doesn't quite get it.  Higdon looked promising, but mailed in the last half of the season and hasn't done squat since the back to back 100 yard games - now he looks as bad as Tip Toe Toussaint did. 

Timerino

November 27th, 2016 at 10:53 AM ^

Hard to win with 3 tournovers. Still sick to my gut how we lost. We need to have a killer instinct when the game is close. We could have put away Iowa as well. We also let MSU stay close. We need to put the game away. Three turnovers... three.

Charles Martel

November 27th, 2016 at 11:23 AM ^

Neither team was shining in this game.  Speight 3 TO's and  OSU with 1 pick and 3 special team gaffs.    

So, when that happens, you're left with officiating and the result shouldn't have surprised us.  In games with the 3 other contenders in the Big Ten (PSU, OSU, and Wis), opponent penalties were 2, 2, and 3 respectively, while ours were 7, 6, and 7 respectively.  We have the most dominate defensive line in college football, and it drew 0- count them- 0- holding penalties all season ( our defense drew 3 total- 1 declined).    Contrary to Blaha, UM definitely does not own the Big Ten, and it appears to be the red-headed stepchild to its officials. 

plamonge

November 27th, 2016 at 12:01 PM ^

Prio to the game, in the preview, I posted that I commited my future self to not going bitter if we lost--and I'm sticking by that. I'd rather focus my energy on the fact that I love this team. I took my wife to the Wisconin game--her first trip to Ann Arbor and the Big House. It melted her brain.

Last year we barely lost to State. This year we barely lost to Ohio State. That's amazing

This team has taught me how to love again. The offense, the defense, all the amazing freshmen who contributed. Speight, O'Korn--the seniors. All of it. One of the best Michigan teams we've ever had and I'm grateful. 

mrawatson

November 27th, 2016 at 12:35 PM ^

Agreed - The Game is back thanks to Harbaugh. Now an OSU  victory means so much more than in years past - and I mean that in a good way. I hate to say it but UM will start having its share of wins over OSU with the H-man at the helm. Watching him rip off his headset reminded me of Bo - refreshing!

Jimmyisgod

November 27th, 2016 at 4:36 PM ^

Ohio State could be scary good next season.  They return 21 of 22 starters and are bringing in a recruiting class that will include at least 6 Five star kids and as many as 9. They already have 10 of the top 60 players in their class and will add at least 3 more.  We have 1 top 60 player at #52, but will likelt add a couple more.

It's going to take a whole lot of player develoment to hang with them next season.

rkjjeep

November 28th, 2016 at 12:39 PM ^

about how good M or OSU will be next year.

 

You never know until the first few games and even then teams change all through the season. Does anybody really think there will be a big drop off with M next year?  I do not - I think they'll probably be better.