Penn State Postgame Presser: Jim Harbaugh
[Upchurch]
You’ve been around a while. Have you seen a more diverse offense than that in your experience that gave you more challenges and little quirks and had to worry about more aspects of it?
“Yeah, thought their offense played extremely well. Understatement. They were hitting on all cylinders. The back is really good, as advertised, and the quarterback, McSorley, played extremely well. Yeah, they were hitting on all cylinders. Quarterback was hot and receivers made plays downfield and it was impressive.”
The way Penn State jumped out like that, did they hit you guys with some things—the Barkley direct snap, stuff like that where they popped you—that you guys didn’t expect?
“Yeah, I mean, they hit us on quite a few plays that we’ve defensed well this year and I thought their execution was really good tonight right from the beginning. Then we got it a little bit under control and then they came back and hit the quarterback sucker play, hit the inside fade, downfield balls, really good throws, well played by the receivers, et cetera. As I said, it was a good performance.”
After the first five minutes it was like an avalanche but your team was able to answer and get one point away from them and then it went away from them. Explain how you saw the flow of the game and why that was.
“Eh, it’s just—the flow of the game, I think everybody saw the flow of the game. Thought they were really executing well and we had our difficulties scoring, moving the ball, and getting them stopped.”
Fans will want to extrapolate more than just this game to the importance of this game but I’m assuming you don’t buy into that for recruiting and all the other reasons but I don’t know. Does a game like this have impact more than one game or is it just a game?
“I don’t know either. We’re going to regroup, we’re gonna refit, retool, and get back to work. More opportunities ahead of us.”
Seven sacks Penn State had defensively. Did they do anything systematically to surprise you?
“No. They did a nice job on the edge. They beat us on the edge multiple times.”
With two losses in the Big Ten it certainly seems to be problematic whether or not you can—what do you lean on going forward because the defense has been something you’ve leaned on and it got picked apart by a good team today, the offense still seems to be—what do you lean on with your team going forward? What do you hope is the strength of this team going forward?
“We endure and be better. We’re gonna regroup and come back.”
John said something about how after the game they got told there’s no more bandwagon, fake love’s gone, it’s just on you guys now. What does that mean when you say something like that? How do you solve this, I suppose?
“I mean, they’re our team. We solve it with our team. Nobody else can help us but us. We put our best people on it, our players and our coaches.”
Can it be solvable this season? You’re seven games into the season; can it be solvable this season?
“Yes.”
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:59 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:04 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:03 PM ^
"Here’s the thing I don’t get....how the hell is PSU here so fucking fast and we are staring down a 4-5 loss season in year 3 of Harbaugh? How?"
coaches matter- Urban is successful wherever he goes
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:38 PM ^
Time to embrace the ACCEPTANCE phase, Wolverines fans.
The homers on this site won't tell you the truth, and will ban me for doing so, but the facts are clear and verifiable, Harbaugh is at very best the 5th best coach in the Big Ten.
Myers
Dantonio
Franklin
Ferentz
(Harbaugh/Chryst/Fitzgerald)
Plus, all of those coaches, with the possible exception of Franklin, are 100% committed to their team. Harbaugh always leaves. Always.
ALWAYS
That's simply not a recipe for success. It's a recipe for sometimes finishing second in the Big Ten east, sometimes finishing 4th in the Big Ten east.
If you want something more, Harbaugh is not your guy.
Facts.
(I know. I'm gonna be banned for this. But someone needs to speak the truth.)
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:45 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 3:46 PM ^
We're fine. 5-7 to 10-3, 10-3 and 5-2. The world isn't ending. The future is bright. Only delusional fans predicted championships this year.
October 22nd, 2017 at 3:56 PM ^
Calling these guys "90% of the fanbase" is a bit much.
October 22nd, 2017 at 4:02 PM ^
Downvoting cause I dont like rationality today, when I read so many irrational takes. But I agree. I'll rephrase. 90% of this blog*
October 22nd, 2017 at 4:03 PM ^
Upvoting cause I felt like a bad person for downvoting.
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:56 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:56 PM ^
You've been vomiting the words "truth" and "facts" around various threads when what you really mean is anger induced irrational opinions.
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:59 PM ^
He's a troll. Just downvote and move on.
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:37 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:54 PM ^
125 downvotes and counting.
Also you keep congratulating yourself for "truth" and "facts" that you are inventing and recycling.
Fact: JoePa knew
October 22nd, 2017 at 5:35 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:49 PM ^
Seems like at least some of the angst here isn't about how this year turns out, but about "i don't see how next year gets better".
A revolving door would provide more resistance at RG. There's no one in the wings there and we lose Cole at LG. QBs aren't developing. We get same old Speight or third string Peters next year? The defense on which we've relied for two seasons just got exposed. RBs and TEs and WRs aren't getting it done.
Losing to #2 by a few points in a tough-fought game is one thing. This wasn't that. It was a RR-era beat down in every aspect of the game.
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:58 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 1:58 PM ^
You're getting guards and tackles mixed up.
As for the team not looking good, yeah, last night sucked. But let's see what happens next year when we have a more balanced roster.
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:03 PM ^
Exactly hHow will it be "more balanced"?
I don't see that it will, which was my point. There aren't any superstars waiting in the wings, excepting maybe Solomon and McCaffrey. it would be a miracle for Solomon to outperform or equal Hurst and I don't see 4th string McCaffrey leaping over Peters and Speight.
So yeah, I've not just lost hope for this season. And I don't think I'm alone. When it's been a decade since we've had a good OL and we don't this year and we don't have studs in the wings...outcome looks bleak.
October 22nd, 2017 at 3:13 PM ^
Recruiting classes:
2014 - 17 players, ranked #20 nationally (including Peppers, now in the pros)
2015 - 14 players, ranked #37 nationally
2016 - 28 players, ranked #8 nationally
2017 - 30 players, ranked #5 nationally
To have this many underclassmen, and so few upperclassmen, is not good roster balance. Ideally, you should have about an equal mix. What's even worse about those '14 and '15 classes is that they were not only small, but mostly full of sleepers. There aren't too many future NFL guys in those two classes.
Next year's roster will be more balanced as our two big classes will be juniors and sophomores, with small senior and freshman classes bookending the roster. We'll still be slightly young (very few senior starters) but much more experienced than we are now. And if you're writing any of the '16 and '17 guys right now, that's crazy - most of them ideally wouldn't even be on the field yet.
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:29 PM ^
This year's PSU game = OSU 2015. Completely outclassed and outplayed by an older, more experienced, and more prepared team.
Last year, we choked away the chance at a playoff spot with an upperclass loaded team built to compete at an elite level - Iowa loss was the real killer (but OSU ref robbery was brutal for too many reasons to rehash)
Next year's team should resemble UM 2016 - Hopefully we find a solid QB and improved O-line and catch a few more breaks.
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:29 PM ^
If anything this shows what experience on a roster can do. Last year Michigan was the experienced team and stomped PSU. This year was the exact opposite. When your players, especially skill players, have been there and done that, you have a huge advantage in CFB.
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:31 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:35 PM ^
OSU has always had insane levels of talent. Even in years when they haven't had many upperclassmen, the ones they've had have been studs.
It'd be one thing if our 2014 and '15 classes were small but stacked with difference-makers, but they're not.
October 22nd, 2017 at 3:42 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 3:53 PM ^
Harbaugh's own recruiting classes aren't the problem. Take another look at how many underclassmen are in our two-deep.
The problem is the 2014 and '15 classes.
October 22nd, 2017 at 4:16 PM ^
you are using, you know, actual facts. And rational thinking too.
Lots of folks are against that, apparently.
October 23rd, 2017 at 12:57 PM ^
Harbaugh needs OL recruits to match his offensive goals. You can't close games and control the clock with project guys. He needs five star difference makers not 2-3 year projects if he wants to get to the playoff.
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:40 PM ^
last year was a product of incredible underclassmen talent (we have really solid recruits but not 5 stars at every position), a flukish win against UM aided by the refs, and....
a 31-0 beatdown to an experienced Clemson team. Their youth was finally exposed once they played and equally talented yet experienced team.
They were also rolled this year by Oklahoma (more experienced team with an elite college QB).
OSU and Meyer do indeed reload instead of rebuild, but let's not pretent like they haven't had their fair share of bad losses (even embarrassing ones) since he took over - and what Meyer inherited was light years better than what Harbaugh and staff inherited in terms of overall roster across classes, prior coaching.
Let JH be at UM for 5-6 years, build teams that reload (like Dabo and Saban) and then judge his overall work.
October 22nd, 2017 at 8:22 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 2:39 PM ^
but he would probably be in a better mood if they beat Pennsylvania State last night.
October 22nd, 2017 at 4:16 PM ^
Michigan got beat by a superior football team. What is its meaning ?
It means that football teams that are superior to Michigan's will beat them more than 50% of the time, so don't be too surprised.
Is there some greater meaning ? Is this an existential crisis for Jim Harbaugh as Coach ?
No and No.
Well, if there is a greater meaning, its don't all hope to triumph over reason. There were some very rational moderate expectations for Michigan going into the season. Somehow they transformed into baseless hope.
Loss to State - deeply disappointing.
Loss to Penn State - deeply expected and understandable, even from the beginning of the season.
Full Season Expectations: 8 - 4, 9-3 would be a pleasant surprise, 10-2 a minor miracle. And just to cover all the bases, 7-5 is possible but would be truly disappointing.
Go Blue. Real love.
October 22nd, 2017 at 10:52 PM ^
I think JH overachieved when he came in and then people set expectations far too high.
He has consistently shown he is an excellent coach wherever he has been. I expected 4 to 5 years before things would truly get on track with some consistent play. Why? He needed to get his kind of guys in here to do his thing. Year 4 and into 5 will have his guys playing. We have several freshman playing and we lost Speight and Black and that really was a hit to us. O'Korn just isn't a fit for this system (yes my opinion only) as he is a more mobile QB and seems to throw better on the run etc etc (QB designed runs/options/rollouts). Think of the lineman that we just brought in (Ruiz / Filiaga) and the QBs (Peters / McCaffrey). They are not playing yet but I feel we have a couple really good ones perspectively. Not to mention the experience that Bredeson and Onwenu are geting in their second year. The D has kept us in games but they can't do that every game. It's just not realistic and too much time on the field and any D can crack.
We lost to the #2 team and MSU is not the worst team out there. I agree, I wish we beat MSU and OSU every year. 5 turn overs happen .... punting nightmare .... overtime madness and poof things change and that is football. The team is doing fine and JH knows what he is doing but even Bama loses games now and again. Sometimes it just not your night. PSU was and is not a terrible team. Can they beat Clemson or OSU .. probably not but they are a top 20 team and we lost badly. People freak out on here and I think expect Jesus himself to come in and "poof" miracle team is here. I think when we get to year 5 we will know what we have with JH but in the mean time it's a process and it takes time. There are people in the wings that are learning and getting ready. Be supportive and be patient. It really is a young team right now. For me .... any season that is 8-3 or better is a dang good season. It's competitive out there. I am not wanting mediocre performances or ok with losses (never have been even when I used to play) but anything three or less is a good season. We have had some good seasons and year in and year out you can't expect perfect all the time. You can strive for it but injuries and oddities happen. Bo, Carr, etc was not perfect every season. They had 2, 3, 4, 5 and a 6 loss season. JH is recruting well. I would not be opposed to a more creative play caller and maybe one offensive line coach. The thing is though, maybe the play calling has to be vanilla for things we are not aware of, I don't know.
Anyway ... onward. Tough loss and most hated to see it. All is well. Sucks ... and the players I am sure feel the same way. I can only hope and wish we run the table.
Weird things happen and maybe we get some bounces .... it happens.
October 22nd, 2017 at 4:30 PM ^
...It is always darkest right before the dawn
October 22nd, 2017 at 5:31 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 7:52 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 10:07 PM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 11:16 PM ^
in the dark this season.
October 22nd, 2017 at 4:48 PM ^
Problem with this team can be summed up in 2 words: Shane Morris.
This is his year. As we all know, we didn't even recruit a QB the year after he committed, and then we grabbed a 3* named Wilton Speight who most people did not believe would ever be the starter at Michigan. We do not have a capable QB right now. That, and terrible recruiting / luck on the O Line has left this offense inept. Playcalling hasn't helped, either.
October 22nd, 2017 at 5:38 PM ^
Huh?
How is negligent recruiting Shane Morris' fault???
October 22nd, 2017 at 5:46 PM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 2:34 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 7:00 PM ^
I was hoping to hear a little more fire out of him, but I'm sure he did that behind closed doors. Before the seasons started I was hoping that in our 3rd year we could maybe beat a team or 2 we weren't supposed to, such as PSU, Wisconsin and OSU. Now I thought Wisconsin is the most likely, and I still think we can win that, but losing to MSU who we should have beat and then getting humilated like that on national tv sucks a lot. I think Harbaugh has brought up back to level of beating teams we're supposed to, so no I'm not nervous to losing to Maryland or Rutgers or Minny like some people. Maybe we can upset Wisconsin or OSU and the season will feel a lot better.
October 23rd, 2017 at 2:30 AM ^
October 22nd, 2017 at 7:39 PM ^
This is like English. Both the questions and the answers. I recognize the words, but they make little sense.
October 22nd, 2017 at 7:57 PM ^
Can it be solvable this season? You’re seven games into the season; can it be solvable this season? “Yes.”I'm a little concerned about square peg-round hole ideology that may be occurring here. However, If we beat OSU I'll never doubt again.
October 22nd, 2017 at 8:16 PM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 7:04 AM ^
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