Penn State 42, Michigan 13
A matchup problem. [Patrick Barron]
Michigan has weaknesses that playoff teams lack. Tonight, those weaknesses were brutally exposed by a Penn State squad that sure looked like a playoff team themselves.
This game looked all but over in the opening five minutes. On the second play from scrimmage, future Heisman winner Saquon Barkley shifted over to quarterback, ran a read option with quarterback Trace McSorley acting as the running back, and gutted Michigan for a 69-yard touchdown. The Wolverines, on the other hand, went backwards on their opening possession, then watched as Barkley finished off a four-play, 78-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown off a speed option pitch. Michigan, again, had negative yardage on the following drive.
A miscommunication between McSorley and tight end Mike Gesicki resulted in a David Long interception that briefly gave the Wolverines new life. After marching down to the PSU three, it took four cracks for Karan Higdon to finally break the plane. Quinn Nordin, getting booed by a crowd that never forgets a slight, missed the extra point. Michigan's counterpunch brought the defense to life; Khaleke Hudson nearly picked off a screen pass in the end zone.
Also a matchup problem. [Eric Upchurch]
The teams traded punts until a flurry of action at the end of the half. First, an unlikely connection from John O'Korn to Kekoa Crawford set up a six-yard Ty Isaac touchdown to bring Michigan within a point. Then McSorley threw Penn State down the field in the blink of an eye before finishing the drive on a three-yard keeper.
While the Wolverines went into the half down only 21-13, the numbers were foreboding. PSU amassed 302 total yards in the first half, more than Michigan had allowed in a full game this season. The safeties, steady to this point, were exploited in space by Barkley and McSorley. The offense mustered only 141 yards on five fewer plays, still hampered by poor blocking and a lack of trust in the passing game.
Given all that, it probably shouldn't have surprised too many people when Penn State blew the game wide open in the second half. Issues new and old appeared on PSU's first possession of the half. Tyree Kinnel got dusted one-on-one by DaeSean Hamilton on a slant for 26 yards; Barkley dropped a big gain after easily beating Mike McCray on a wheel route; McSorley seemingly juked half the defense to find the end zone on a beautifully designed inverted veer that had Barkley motion before the snap, drawing much of the defense's attention. Just like that, PSU took a commanding 28-13 lead.
Once again, John O'Korn couldn't generate much in the passing game. [Upchurch]
From then on, it was a merciless beating. On offense, O'Korn was improved from last week's woeful outing but still only managed 5.9 yards per attempt. Any hopes of a comeback were dashed when cornerback Christian Campbell beat Karan Higdon around the edge and ripped the ball away from O'Korn. They were really dashed when Barkley toasted McCray in man coverage for a juggling 48-yard touchdown two plays later; McCray had no hope of keeping pace, yet the normally unassailable Don Brown kept allowing that matchup to play out.
It was academic from there. McSorley added another rushing touchdown with 7:53 to play. Michigan's final possession ended in appropriately inept fashion. Facing fourth-and-nine, the coaches pulled right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beattly, who allowed consistent pressure, to insert Nolan Ulizio as an apparent pass-protection specialist. Before they could snap the ball, O'Korn took a delay of game. After the penalty, redshirt freshman backup Shaka Toney ran right around Mason Cole to sack O'Korn for the coup de gras.
Michigan can only fix so much this season. With the schedule letting up considerably over the next few week, they're likely to try some new patches, potentially including one fans have wanted for weeks. Quarterback Brandon Peters was warming up on the sideline before O'Korn ultimately took the field for M's last drive. Given how that drive played out, that was probably for the best. Now that the conference title is essentially out of reach and a top-ten defense isn't facing M's O-line, it's time to see what Peters has got. While that won't solve everything, it could be the spark this offense desperately needs.
Many of tonight's other issues will be taken care of for this year, at least, by not having to face Joe Moorhead and this Nittany Lions offense again.
They want Bama. They can have them.
October 22nd, 2017 at 11:40 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:12 AM ^
Filiaga... the guy a number of people say is going to end up inside instead of at tackle due to speed - is going to be better than Cole?
My understanding is best case for Filiaga is to play RT. That he is never going to be a LT due to physical limitations, and very well may end up at guard.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:48 AM ^
Next Year??? It was supposed to be THIS YEAR! I'm sick and tired of hearing about next year. These are failed attempts at excuses for this current disaster. This team is going nowhere fast. If this keeps up, and at some point....these upper 4 and 5-star recruits are going to toss those scholarship offers from Michigan into the trash. There is absolutely NO excuse for this. When you look at the talent this team has recruited over the past three years...there should be no reason for this. Something has to be done with certain aspects of this coaching staff, or, a different philosophy and approach has to be taken. These players are not developing properly and I'm getting tired of hearing the "youth excuse!"
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:35 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 7:06 AM ^
The Florida game set the expectations way too high. Florida sucks this year. We since struggled a bit with Cincy & AF in games where we expected blowouts. The reality is that we lost way too many really good seniors last year at all positions and that loss of experience and leadership is showing.
Last night was probably the best game PSU has played in decades. They came out with fire and we couldn't come close to matching their energy. We will be fine as we move forward, but this year is a big learning year for a team that brings back almost everyone next year.
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:38 AM ^
What evidence is there that Michigan will be "really good" next year? Is the offensive line going to magically get better. Is the quarterback play going to get magically better? What about the receivers? Of course not. Maybe our schedule will be easier. Oh, wait, that's right, we play Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Ohio State all on the road. The notion that Michigan "is just a year away" is nothing more than rationalizing our decline as a program.
October 22nd, 2017 at 7:10 AM ^
Well, how much better is Penn St this year over last year? They brought back like 18 or 19 starters and look how much better that team is this year. They are legit and much improved. A year with a very young team makes a huge difference. Penn St went from getting a lot of fortunate breaks last year to straight up hammering everyone this year. That might be some evidence that we will be "really good" next year.
October 22nd, 2017 at 7:41 AM ^
It seems like we are pretty consistent with where we were pre Rich Rod and Hoke if not trending upward. Coming off back-to-back 10 win seasons after winning only 12 games in the two seasons prior to that. We lose only 4 starters after this year (5 if you count K. Hill but he hasn't been a major contributor this year). 2016 and 2017 recruiting classes were loaded; hopefully 2018 will finish strong. Even during the Bo years, we regularly would lose 2-4 games per year.
M records since 1990:
1990 - 9-3
1991 - 10-2
1992: 9-0-3
1993: 8-4
1994: 8-4
1995: 9-4
1996: 8-4
1997: 12-0
1998: 10-3
1999: 10-2
2000: 9-3
2001: 8-4
2002: 10-3
2003: 10-3
2004: 9-3
2005: 7-5
2006: 11-2
2007: 9-4
2008: 3-9
2009: 5-7
2010: 7-6
2011: 11-2
2012: 8-5
2013: 7-6
2014: 5-7
2015: 10-3
2016: 10-3
2017: 5-2
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:12 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:46 PM ^
It's strange looking at those records... I would still suggest that we saw things starting to decline under Carr, we tried to modernize with RR but we couldn't handle the painfulness of change and his inability to hire a decent DC, so we went back to manball/Hoke, that didn't work so we brought in JH, a coach with an incredible record of success, it's still a bit ugly, time for a spread coach....
I don't think it's as much about decline as instability.
That said, I think we can all agree that "those who stay will be champions" is a little far fetched at this point and it has been that way for a while now... What would you suggest we do to get back to "those who stay will be champions?" Keep the revolving coaching door open? Hire a spread OC or HC then complain "it's not the Michigan football I know and love... Bo wouldn't run option!" It's looking pretty silly of us at this point.
I'm not trying to say that people aren't rationalizing by saying "wait till next year." At some point you can accept mediocrity or you can change it. I just don't think we have the luxury of assuming a good coach will create revival by year 3. Not after our recent HC issues.
I'd suggest, humbly, that we have to give this staff/coach plenty of time. Another year of bad? Trouble... No improvement by year 5? It's over. However, demanding massive overhaul and suggesting Harbaugh is a shit coach is premature at this point and unhelpful. Even if you are correct, it isn't helpful.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:16 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:43 AM ^
There shouldn't be any agony from a beheading. A coup de grâce is the killing blow delivered to end the suffering of a mortally wounded man.
Coup de gras: death by bacon? Mmmmm, bacon.
October 22nd, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:19 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 6:58 AM ^
Yes, it's a common mistake in part because Americans usually mispronounce coup de grace by not saying the S sound at the end. I mistakenly used coup de gras (without the S sound, meaning fat like snarling wolverine points out) when talking to a hot French girl, so now I'll never be wrong again lol.
October 22nd, 2017 at 11:30 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:13 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:14 AM ^
Year 3 and Michigan isn't even competitive in the Big Ten.
Harbaugh is done.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:18 AM ^
Everyone knew this was a rebuilding year. I don't see why people are surprised.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:27 AM ^
From what?
Michigan aint done shit with Harbaugh as coach.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:28 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:09 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 7:12 AM ^
Go away dumbass. No need to create an account to say nothing but stupid shit.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:49 AM ^
great coaches don't have rebuilding years- they have reloading years
October 22nd, 2017 at 3:09 AM ^
no. Not without continuity.
October 22nd, 2017 at 3:15 PM ^
so if we have years like this when Harbaugh classes are juniors and seniors, then it's time to reconsider whether we have a great coach. But he wasn't here to recruit our juniors and seniors so there's rebuilding to do. Every indication is that this staff is great and will get us to where we want to be when it is reasonable to expect we'd be there.
October 22nd, 2017 at 6:22 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 9:03 AM ^
I knew we would lose, and I knew the o-line would be poor again, and that there was a chance it could get ugly. And so did the vast majority of this blog. The only surprise was the poor defense, but is the least of our season concerns. So why would anyone be mad? Disappointed sure, but the anger is not understandable to me.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:19 AM ^
Dude, Harbaugh is not going anywhere for at least another 4 years unless he chooses to leave. There is no better option anywhere. He is the best we got and should stay our HC. If you meant Drevno and Pep are done, then right on.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:29 AM ^
Harbaugh's done.
He always leaves, that's just his nature.
But it's clear now he's in over his head. Probably figured he'd show up at the college level and win everything.
Outcoached by Dantonio. Again.
Embarrassed by Penn State.
Gonna get embarrassed against WIsconsin and Ohio State.
I bet he tells his agent to start looking at offers after this year.
October 22nd, 2017 at 8:35 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 9:05 AM ^
Thanks for calling the Valenti show...
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:19 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:31 AM ^
Interesting, you joined the blog today...
go home, troll.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:38 AM ^
i joined years ago. accounts keep getting banned because snowflakes dont like to hear the truth.
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:38 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:52 AM ^
You wish,
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:07 AM ^
I mean, if he stays then what?
third place in the big ten east!
lol
all talk. that's harbaugh. talk and tweet and clown for the cameras. but on the field, embarrassed.
yeah, i wish alright. lol.
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:42 AM ^
and you feel threatened and for good reason.
You got the win, over us and over stupid IU today yet, still... so green with envy
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:14 AM ^
with family friends, braced myself to check the score.
Please please God... let us have w-- Ok. Eff it.
Let be w/i 30. Anything within thirty is... fine.
<holds breath, types, peeks between fingers.>
Swoosh.
Outbreath.
Shoulda put that prediction on the line.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:15 AM ^
Good write-up Ace.
I look forward to the 6-5 and "we're just like Hoke" memes to be out in full this next week. Ah well.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:15 AM ^
I know it's a rebuilding year, so hopefully the team gained meaningful experience from this.
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:16 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:25 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:18 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:23 AM ^
Dude, every year we'll use the "young" excuse. Next year it will be we're young at QB if Peters or McAffrey start, and we'll have a brand new left tackle or center. This is not inexperience - it's play calling, and an OC who thinks college kids can execute at a pro level with what he asks of them. Simple as that. We have sufficient talent on this team to not get destroyed by Ped State if our OC has the slightest clue how to manage college players and QBs. Drevno needs to be demoted to OL next year or we are in for several more long years.
October 22nd, 2017 at 7:25 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 9:37 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 12:23 AM ^
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