Silver Lining?
There will be no playoff this year, and short of a few minor miracles, no division championship. Here's the good that I believe can come from this disappointing loss:
This will allow the coaches and players to reevaluate, and evolve to be able to beat better teams.
It wasn't just the offense that lost that game. The defense was whipped as well. For two seasons, Michigan has been mostly relying on a defense that is so effective with its man pressure that overwhelms every opponent. But that defense finally met its match. So they will have to improve and evolve.
PSU was unusual in that it had playmakers at four positions on offense. Mismatches in the passing game and over-aggressive 2nd level flow in the run game were exploited. This time, the pressure didn't seem to rattle the QB- he was on the money with almost every throw. It was painful. I believe the experience will serve Michigan well in the long term preparing for teams with higher talent levels.
Maybe more importantly, the offense now has license to stop playing so conservatively. To develop and work on the vertical passing game one way or another, even if that is riskier. Just as teams seem to get a little bolder with their playcalling in bowl season, the offense can explore a few more possibilities as they try to get better on the OL and at receiver.
In a way, they are now free to develop (what is still a fairly young team) for the long run. They can also beging playing some younger players at various positions (including QB) that they may not otherwise take a chance on.
October 23rd, 2017 at 12:50 PM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 1:30 PM ^
I agree. Barkley's TD was basically just cutting back because the Michigan LBers overcommit to the inital flow. McSorley's TD was the same thing. Michigan has been burned by the same thing in several games earlier this year: There is NO LB (or DB) on the backside when the ball cuts back, especially when the other DBs are being run off in man coverage. Poor angles and leverage by Mettelus, Hudson, etc. also hurt on several plays.
And FWIW. I get that they are focused on the receivers and knocking the ball away if they can, but it seems like Michigan DBs have passed up quite a few interception opportunities this year. I wish Long had cut back his interception return rather than lettin McSorely tackle him on the sideline.
October 23rd, 2017 at 1:05 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:31 AM ^
Was it Barkley from the wildcat . . . or an arm punt to a slot receiver 10 yards behind the safety . . . or McSorley untouched on a zone read keeper . . . or did Joe Moorhead just grab the ball and walk into the end zone himself to save time?
October 23rd, 2017 at 1:24 AM ^
Honestly - there were times that O'Korn had time, but didn't have any receivers who got any separation. So, while the OL has been suspect, the receivers and tight ends, in my opinion, are a more glaring problem than the OL.
Given that its a young group of receivers without any seniors to rescue this young offense, it just adds to our offensive woes. Our WR corp has never been this suspect. Even in the dark ages of Rich Rod and Hoke we have always had a stellar corp of recievers who would rescue the QB in dire situations. This year it seems different.
October 23rd, 2017 at 5:19 AM ^
True, Penn State, and others, have receivers that they aren't afraid to throw up what commentators like to call "50/50" balls- to receivers who believe they have a right to the ball.
Michigan right now seems to lack the receivers they can have confidence in to do that, or physical enough to avoid being squeezed out, and who seem to give up when they are covered. That's been a problem all year, and until it gets a lot better, it doesn't matter how much protection the QB gets.
O'Korn (Speight did it too), holding the ball too long and taking first and second down sacks instead of getting rid of the ball doesn't help either. 2&10 is loads better than 2&18 (when everyone in the stadium knows that at least one of the next two plays will be a screen or a run). Actually O'Korn was having some success pulling it down and running until PSU figured that out and kept the bottom of the pocket more under control and got to him off the edge more.
October 23rd, 2017 at 6:53 AM ^
Looking back at some of the game, I am surprised by how slow most of Michigan's receivers seem to be getting of the LOS.
Then quite often O'Korn would be at the top of his drop, ready to throw, and obviously no receivers are into their breaks or coming open.
October 23rd, 2017 at 1:37 AM ^
depends on routes being run on time with the blocking scheme and offering available checkdowns when guys running 20 yards downfield haven't even made a cut yet before the pocket collapses and the qb is forced to escape or die trying.
October 23rd, 2017 at 1:40 AM ^
Even if Michigan maintains its -68 point swing from 2016 to 2017 like it did against Penn State, Michigan will still beat Rutgers by 10.
October 23rd, 2017 at 5:05 AM ^
Yeah, well, that's one way to look on the bright side.
October 23rd, 2017 at 1:56 AM ^
Only because Jennifer Lawrence does things like this:
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:55 AM ^
Shes attractive. Shes fine. but if you are gonna gif a chick why not aim a little higher?
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:16 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 5:20 AM ^
This offense has had no imagination all season. We butchered the PepCat last year and this year there's been no creativity. Few jet sweeps, no read option with our mobile QB, no attempts to get the ball out quickly to our fast WRs in space. We are going to stay an easy team to defend if we trot out 3TEs and try to MANBALL teams into dust.
October 23rd, 2017 at 6:12 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:44 AM ^
Moorhead >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (Drevno + Hamilton + Harbaugh)
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:05 AM ^
This right here, Drevno needs some criticism, maybe the majority of it. This offense has ZERO creativity. As I watch other teams move the ball up and down the field I always wonder why Michigan cant. There are no quick slants, stick routes, 5yd in/out, nothing over the middle of the field where there is the most space. EVERY single pass seems to be a crossing route, screen, or a fly down the sideline.
This 2TE with a fullback is destroying Michigan, it would be ok if it was leading to 5-6-7 yards a carry but its not. All its doing is allowing the defense to load 8 in the box and dare Michigan to pass down the field. Good teams are all over this shit
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:45 AM ^
But . . . but . . . but . . . it works when the New England Patriots do it.
October 23rd, 2017 at 6:12 AM ^
The fourth-ranked Michigan field hockey team is 15-2. Mel Pearson’s Michigan ice hockey team is 3-1. The men’s soccer team is 9-4-2 and 5-1-1 in Big Ten play after beating Ohio State 2-0 on Saturday. Though struggling this season at 14-8 and 4-6 in the Big Ten, the volleyball team beat Ohio State 3-1 in Columbus on Sunday.
Wrestler Stevan Micic, who finished fourth in the NCAA tournament this year, is ranked second in the nation at 133 pounds and will be competing in the NWCA All-Star Classic at Princeton on November 5, matched against top-ranked Seth Gross from South Dakota State in what's considered to be a preview of the 2018 NCAA tournament final.
October 23rd, 2017 at 6:28 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:01 AM ^
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.” — A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens
* #YeOldeFalseNews
October 23rd, 2017 at 6:38 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 7:03 AM ^
All the reasons why people keep telling me we are "right where we thought we would be" or the like with the OL / QB situation / etc. are pretty weak. The whole reason I think we should be above that standard / further along is because we were told Jim Harbaugh is supposed to be able to do more than any other coach could do in the same situation.
I think a lot of coaches could be 5-2 right now. All of the extra stuff we get with Harbaugh is awesome, but I'd rather he delete Twitter and the team sleep on a gym floor during Spring Break with wins than constant Twitter fights / trips with the same record any other good coach could give you.
October 23rd, 2017 at 7:07 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 7:08 AM ^
You can love your school, critique its football team, and still maintian your fanhood.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:31 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:15 AM ^
But is the Rome trip or a few tweets the problem?
The problem is youth, a less than ideal situation at QB and o-line, and (the really concerning one) dysfunction in JH/Drevno/Pep gameplans and situational play calling.
Staying home for Spring Break and deleting a twitter account do nothing to solve the real problems.
The first two problems are roster issues that will depend of recruiting and development. Marginal improvements can be made on them inthe remaining games, but the real solutions are in 2018.
As for the last problem, I can only hope that JH will make some changes in the remianing games. The approach so far in 2017 is clearly not working.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:28 AM ^
I agree that it is not the true problem. It's just the optics of it all -- Just feel like it's better to shut it down, do things old school, and win before adding all of the fun little embellishments.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^
down just due to 'optics'? Just to deny the Feinbaums of the world some anti-Harbaugh ammunition?
Bad idea. The Finebaums of the world will just find a different way to criticize Harbaugh. That is the business model.
And I bet that things like the Rome trip do in fact help with recruiting.
Of course the recruiting won't matter if (1) JH does not get a second round or better level QB, and (2) does not address the coaching dysfunction on the offensive side.
The JH/Drevno/Pep combo is making the QB and o-line problems worse.
Needs to either clean house and go get an elite OC, or at least streamline and rearrange the responsibilities and chain of command.
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:16 AM ^
Do you feel that we are under utilizing top-notch talent, like 10 years of Lloyd Carr? We do not have many Juniors or Seniors. PSU has a once in a generation talent at RB. Keep in mind that we beat the snot out of this team last year. We lost this year. JH is 2-1 with PSU.
No one likes to lose. We looked really good vs. UF and it truns out that UF is not that impressive of a win. Our team is exposed on weaknesses that we knew we had in week one.
You can critigue - that is fine. But what is your main point? Is JH failing because we lost a crucial offensive lineman last year to an injury? Did he cause Speight's back to be broken? How about the foot injury of our only deep threate, Black?
Things happen in football. I think we continue to build in the CY and 2018 looks bright from my vantage point. We will be 8-4 through the regular season. From 2008 - 2014, that is a great year.
I don't think requesting that people have persective is wrong.
October 23rd, 2017 at 12:16 PM ^
We didn't just lose to them, we got the snot beat out of us.
October 23rd, 2017 at 7:52 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 7:48 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:16 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:32 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:48 AM ^
Second, our team didn’t blow a thirty point lead. They were outmatched from get go. Get over it.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:36 AM ^
I'd rather win.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:07 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:10 AM ^
I thought the Maize pants looked good?? There's a silver lining. Seriously though. I woke up today just as excited to watch Michigan football this weekend as iv'e always been. I've been a fan for as long as I can remember. I will always be a fan. The fact is, this is just not our year. Harbaugh is not leaving, he is not "overrated" and we will be back to competing for a big ten championship next year, but the fact is everyone, OSU, Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State are not going away. We are young this year, and that is not an excuse. At almost every "skill" position, aside from running back, we are young and those other teams are fucking good. We are going to have to grow and stop with the "Fire everyone" shit. I keep going back to Notre Dame and Brian Kelly. I live near south bend. Less than 45 minutes away and grew up there. Most of my buds love Kelly. Even last year, they were level headed. Look at them this year. If the University gives Jim Harbaugh the amount of time he needs to rebuild this team, we will be fine. As always, Go Blue!
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:18 AM ^
If the offensive woes continue, and if the team gets its ass kicked by OSU next month, Harbaugh's hand may be forced if he won't do it himself. I get that it's a young team, and losing Fisch/Wheatley hurt more than we thought it would. I get that. But still, the offense should not be THIS BAD. Even when Speight was at the helm, the offense should've at least been competent in its third year in the same system.
Franklin had to switch coordinators after his offense was atrocious the first two years at PSU, and it worked out beautifully. They have arguably the best offense and most diverse offense in the country now. No reason that Harbaugh can't make the same kind of hire. I don't even care if he wants to run an old school Power I offense on every snap. Just find someone who can run it right and put players in a position to best utilize their given skillsets.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:28 AM ^
Nobody is going to "force" Harbaugh's hand.
Warde is not going to somehow mandate that Harbaugh fire his offensive staff.
We have to hope that Harbaugh's competitive nature motivates him to make the changes that are necessary.
A season of losing to MSU, PSU, and OSU if it happens, should be fairly motivational.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:31 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^
I noticed the secondary looked very tired as well. We have not faced an offense this year, that threw the ball up to fast receivers the way Trace did. This was the most tired our guys looked all year. Add to the fact their O-Line looked great. We tried and tried to pressure McSorley all game, and came away with one pick. Give them credit. They game planned against us in the best possible way. Throw deep and tire the defense out. Well done. Also, no, Warde is not going to force Harbaugh's hand to go anywhere haha. Jeez, let's beat Rutgers! I hear we are 28 point favs going into that game. 28 point favorites!! BEAT RUTGERZ
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:52 AM ^
I saw a lot of complaints that Brown would not adjust. I think one of the reasons for the man press is it is simple to implement and for young players to pick up. Zone schemes require a lot and when there is a bust you will look really bad. Brown has mentioned in the past he is not adverse to running zones as a complement. In fact this is how you get your interceptions just like last night. These players are just not ready to play the complete defense.
October 23rd, 2017 at 1:43 PM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 3:22 PM ^