Scheduling Note: I apologize for the lateness of this. My prime UFR charting/writing time is on Tuesday but I worked an election (which is a 5am to 10pm commitment plus setup the evening before) this week and only had a quarter charted when it was time to go do that. PSU should be on time.

UFR GLOSSARY is here.

FORMATION NOTES: More even fronts today than usual, which made the OTs' lives hell but did open up some running lanes inside. Also when Michigan went up to 7 guys with their Split! formation I just called it Split 7 instead of identifying gaps where the LBs lined up.

Their other pass-rush formation is this Odd front with a 0-tech nose, two 7-tech DEs, and Harrell a stand-up blitzer that they debuted late against Nebraska. Since nobody has a better name for it I'm calling it Crable, because "Ojemudia at Harrison" is too obscure of a reference.

SUBSTITUTION NOTES: Michigan spent the whole game in nickel personnel, treating various backup Purdue TEs/2nd RBs etc. as receivers. Air Raid offense was used for tryouts at CB, as Will, Wallace, Walker, and Waller. In the 2nd half they went a couple of drives with Sainristil at CB and McBurrows at nickel. Jenkins came out as soon as they were up a comfortable margin, with Benny getting a lot more snaps than previous games. The rest was the usual rotation.

[After THE JUMP: Stars return.]

Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O12	1st	10	Gun Str	4-2-5	4-3 over	1 bdy	Run		ZR Stretch	Jenkins	10	0.46
Backside SS blitz should give M numbers (RPS+1). Immediate G release and Jenkins(-2) gets too far upfield which also prevents Harrell from flowing. Graham(+1) prevents the C from darting around his LG, but Barrett(-1) doesn't trust this and eats a hit from the C after he shoves Graham a bit. Paige(+0.5) came down quickly with a shot at holding this to ~5 but Tracy battles through him for the 1st with some accidental help from McGregor hitting the RB from behind.
O22	1st	10	Gun 2x2	4-2-5	Nk Even	2 off	Pass	4	Hitch	Wallace	3	-0.26
Harrell(+1, PR+1) through the LT with an RB chip and Card wants a short hitch under Wallace(+1, cov+1, tackling+1) who is in Cover 2 and breaking on the throw, and takes JDV down with authority.
O25	2nd	7	Gun Twins RB	4-2-5	Nk Even	2 off	Pass	4	TE Hitch	Wallace	Inc	-0.48
Card (Hat-2) rushes this quick under to a TE that Wallace(+1, cov+1) has well-covered. Barrett was standing next to Colson which let the other TE in a lot of space behind him but I think he was reading the QB's quick release so no negative for that. Ball is winged inside or probably broken up.
O25	3rd	7	Gun Str	4-2-5	Nk Split! B	1 fld	Pass	5	Throwaway	Barrett	Inc	-0.22
A couple of late rolldowns and they bring 5/6, including Barrett(+2, PR+3) who runs into the shoulder of the G on Benny and that guy gets rocked back to provide a clear lane to the QB unless you count a beaten, mostly useless Tracy. Harrell(+1) has the RT beat as well and Card is just avoiding a sack now, chucking it blindly at a not-looking WR well-covered by Wallace(+1, cov+1), who almost comes off in time to collect an INT.
Drive Notes: Punt. 0-0. 13:45 1st Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Gun TTE	4-2-5	Nk Under	2 fld	RPO		OZ/Slant	D.Moore	4	-0.11
Not great from Grant(-0.5) who gets crossed by the RG and has to give up ground, but does occupy two blockers thereafter. Colson(-0.5) too cautious on the backside and accepts a blocker instead of shooting a small window. D-Mo(+1) flows from the backside carrying a TE who's got a hand in his v-neck and one-arms this. Momentum goes to the ground for an okay gain. Late fumble correctly overturned on review.
O29	2nd	6	Gun 2RB Flex R-exit	4-2-5	Nk Even	2 fld	Pass	4	Scramble	Sainristil	0	-0.65
Amoeba blitz catches a six-man protection that's ready for it. Card wants the flat but D-Mo(+1, PR+1) has the RG on skates and puts a hand in the way, QB decides to bail is better. Grant(-1) gets out of his lane and there's room to move with Goode(-0.5) not exactly an accelerator. Sainristil(+1) is though and Card slides down just past the LOS while already getting hit.
O29	3rd	6	Gun 3x1 Z-In	4-2-5	Nk Wide B	2 fld	Pass	4	Slant	Barrett	Inc	-0.31
Colson blitzes, Stewart drops. Purdue is running a rub on nobody to the field because M is in zone (RPS+1). Grant(+1, PR+1) comes through the RG. He's tripping on the RT and falls at Card's feet, but the QB is spooked and throws a snag to a WR running a slant.
Drive Notes: Punt. 7-0. 9 min 1st Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Gun 2x2	4-2-5	Nk Split	1 off	Pass	4	Interception	Johnson	INT	-5.39
Stunt gets all three of LG, LT, and RB on Jenkins(+1) as Harrell(+2, Hat-1, PR+3) comes free up the middle and gets a hand on Card's arm as he's throwing blindly at a dig that Johnson(+3, cov+3) was all over even if accurate. Yoink. Graham gold star for a block that gets it to the 12.
Drive Notes: Interception. 14-0. 5 min 1st Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Gun Str	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 fld	RPO		ZR Power/Fly	Barrett	0	-0.70
WLB blitz into the gap the puller's gap and Barrett(+2) plays it perfectly, cutting off the RB's lane to his blocking, redirecting to unblocked Harrell, and wrapping up from behind. RPS+1. Graham(+0.5) got inside the puller so M had this spilled even if the RG picks up the blitz.
O25	2nd	10	Gun 2RB Flex	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 bdy	Pass	4	RB Dumpoff	McGregor	9	0.68
Backup secondary except Wallace. Barrett(+2, PR+2) blitzes the same gap beats the RG again. Card (Hat+2) gets a desperate but accurate fling to his RB out while Barrett's in his legs. McGregor(-2, cov-2) dropped into coverage and is late to track the RB to the flat. Potential 1st down is shut down by Q-Jo(+1) knocking a receiver down in his path. Teammates rally to hold it to a 3rd & 1.
O34	3rd	1	Gun 2RB Flex	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 off	Run		Split Flow Give	McGregor	-3	-0.95
Tempo(23). Good lesson for young Ryan Walters in the difference between scouting and signs-stealing. PU wants a quick conversion but M shifts the front to a 5-1 at the snap with Harrell(+1) moving the RG and Barrett(+0.5) setting a hard edge on the RT and Jenkins(+0.5) putting the C in the backfield. McGregor(+2) plays this as perfectly as you can. He's crashing but gives a subtle jab at the QB that gets him around the RB trying to kick him and induces a give, then explodes back into his crash to rope the RB down behind him. RPS+1, the exchange on the backside would have been a TFL on a keep too. EO1Q for D.
Drive Notes: Punt. 17-0. 3 min 1st Q. This is the punt where CJ got away with a running into the kicker, which would have been a 1st down (Refs+2).
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O10	1st	10	Gun Str	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 fld	Pass	4	RB Flat	Johnson	4	-0.05
PU in not-in-the-face mode already. Stewart(+2, PR+2) bull-rushes the LT into Card's path, and D-Mo(+0.5) is having similar success with the RT so Card has to fling it to his outlet. Johnson(+1, cov+1) is there to hit at the LOS/sideline. Mockobee (Hat+1, tackling-1) takes the shot and dives over him for 3.5 yards.
O14	2nd	6	Gun Wk RB	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 off	Run		ZR Stretch	Sainristil	1	-0.27
Nk/FS both over the slot might be fishy but PU doesn't see Sainristil(+1, RPS+2) creeping down. A plus two is lost on tackling(-1) as Mockobee takes him for a ride to turn a loss of 3 into a gain of 1. Colson(+1) shot a gap to be there early. Figures when Michigan calls an anti-Stretch play they defended Stretch well.
O15	3rd	5	Gun Str	4-2-5	5-1 Odd	1.5 press	Pass	4	Fly	Waller	43	3.82
Show 5-1 and drop the edges of it while bringing Barrett(+1). He draws the RG and RB help as Grant(+1, PR+2) blows through the C so Card has to chuck it at a well-covered fly and hope. Waller(-3, cov-3) looks back, doesn't see the ball, and stops playing it. Oof.
M42	1st	10	Gun 3x1	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 fld	RPO		Midline/Curls	Colson	2	-0.36
Grant is read, Stewart(+2) pops the RT and he crumples like an Ohio State tweeter put before a judge. Colson(+2) shucks the C, both tackle near the LOS. RPS-1, this attacked the WLB blitz from earlier.
M40	2nd	8	Gun Twins	4-2-5	Nk Even A	1.5 fld	Play-action	5	Dumpoff	Stewart	Inc	-1.15
For the aspiring Stalionsii out there, this is the play after this sign. Token PA and M has a funky blitz on with Colson(+0.5) and Paige(+0.5) picking up both backfield threats trying to leak out. Stewart(+2, PR+2) beats the RT and gets a hand on Card's throwing wrist as it's moving forward to chuck it at the sidelines.
M40	3rd	8	Gun 2x2	4-2-5	Split! 7	2 off	Pass	6	Slant	Johnson	Inc	-1.02
M shows 7 and brings six. Card chucks it a little in front at a slant that Johnson(+1, cov+1) breaks on immediately. WR drops…if accurate/caught it's 4th & ~3 and they're going for it.
Drive Notes: Punt. 17-0. 11 min 2nd Q. Punt goes in the endzone for net 20 yards.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Pistol Str	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 off	Run		Counter Trey	Colson	2	-0.35
Paige comes down late to be an 8th in the box (RPS+1). Harrell(-0.5) bonked a little but Goode(+2) fights across a play-long double then stumbles through the lane behind the TE who got a good kick on a passive Hausmann(-1). RB has to pause while the big DT rumbles by and Colson(+0.5) can flow freely to the RB's back.
O27	2nd	8	Gun 2x2	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 off	Play-action	n/a	Tunnel Screen	Hausmann	3(-10)	-0.82
Hausmann(+1) hops playside of a T coming out to kick him and collects with help from a quick-arriving Colson(+0.5). Johnson(+1) was trying to spin through the outside WR and gets hauled down, drawing a flag.
O17	2nd	18	Gun Str RB	4-2-5	Nk Over	1.5 off	Pass	4	Dig	Paige	Inc	-0.09
A 2nd & 18 is a rare chance to see an offense try to hit a longer throw that isn't a chuck down the sideline against Michigan. Paige(+2, cov+2) is in position to break it up if accurate but it's shorted. Harrell(+1, PR+1) sped Card up a bit by putting the LT on skates. Live I thought McGregor was held but I can't confirm on film.
O17	3rd	18	Gun 3x1	4-2-5	Crable	1 off	Pass	4	Hitch	Johnson	12	0.18
Give up and punt is an immediate hitch under Johnson who pushes out at the 28. Refs-1 spot it it at the 29. McGregor(+1, PR+1) was in free if they tried anything longer.
Drive Notes: Punt. 20-0. 5 min 2nd Q. Morris doesn't play it or let Q-Jo know it's short, and Purdue recovers at the M34.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
M34	1st	10	Gun Str	4-2-5	404 Tite	2 off	PRO	n/a	Curl/ZR Stretch	Wallace	Inc	-0.66
Card pulls because Wallace(+1, cov+2) is playing off but has to get it over Harrell(+1) who maybe tips it but either way it helps Wallace get there as the ball does.
M34	2nd	10	Gun 3x1	4-2-5	Nk Split	1.5 fld	Run		QB Draw	Barrett	21	1.06
They get us (RPS-2) as M brings six and three rush by. Barrett has to fill one gap. Graham(-1) can't disengage from a the RG who is pulling his shirt up and that's the other lane, Goode(-1) is immediately distanced from. Everyone in man so Card can roll for 20 yards. Welcome to the redzone, 2023 opponents.
M13	1st	10	Gun Wk RB	4-2-5	Nk Split	1.5 off	Pass	6	TE Out	Paige	Inc(-5)	-0.34
Bring six again and Barrett is free (RPS+1, PR+1) in the passing lane as Card chucks it short under Paige(+1, cov+1) who isn't letting it get more than 2 yards if accurate. TE drops it. Also this guy was covered up (read: ineligible) by a WR who lined up on the LOS outside of him. Hat-1.
M18	1st	15	Gun TTB	4-2-5	4-3 Over	1 off	Run		Counter Trey	Moore	3	-0.10
Paige is down as a 4-3 SAM here for 8 in the box (I know we haven't been in the redzone all year so reminder: stacking box is not an RPS win here). D-Mo(+1) knocks the G back to constrict the hole. Grant(-2) gets knocked over by the double which allows the LT to stop Barrett(-0.5) from flowing. Colson(+1) fills through a TE though so lane is dead. RB tries to bounce it and RG yanks D-Mo back by his collar (Refs-2) to get loose outside. Colson bends him, Moore(+0.5) comes up to initiate the tackle, and Colson lines him up to prevent YAC after a couple of yards.
M15	2nd	12	Gun Wk Tight	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 off	Pass	4	Corner	Moore	Inc	-0.38
Tempo(25). Quick snap. Stewart(+2, PR+2) spins through the LT, D-Mo(+0.5) and Jenkins(+0.5) have RT and LG deep so this is out immediately or a sack. Corner looks open for a second but Moore(+2, cov+2) makes up all the ground and PBUs. Think he's expecting a harder ball, might have had a shot at an INT.
M15	3rd	12	Gun Str	4-2-5	Split! 7	2 bdy	Pass	4	Deep Cross	Johnson	Inc	-0.63
D-Mo(+2, PR+2) is around the RT immediately, Card can escape because Stewart(-1) is bull-rushing and loses his edge. Barrett(+1) comes up to challenge and Card inadvisably flings it at the endzone. Moore(+1, cov+2) has this zone and gets a finger on it, which is unfortunate because Johnson(+2) had it lined up for an INT after anticipating the route.
Drive Notes: FG(32). 20-3. 4 min 2nd Q. M turns it over on downs so we're back on the M34 next drive too.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
M34	1st	10	Offset Str	4-2-5	Nk Over	1 off	Run		Inverted Veer	Hausmann	7	0.38
Nk blitz on the frontside is held up by a read I guess is real but would like Sainristil(-0.5) to pinch closer. Grant(+1) gets around the C and gets a slowing arm on the back but Barrett(-2) got greedy and came into the next gap that D-Mo(+0.5) is attacking so there's a bounce available. Hausmann(+0.5) both-sides'd the tackle to initiate a stop but gets dragged (tackling-1) a few more yards by Tracy.
M27	2nd	3	Offset Wk	4-2-5	Nk Over	1.5 press	Run		Split Zone Duo	Grant	11	-0.02
Double moves Grant(-2) out of the way and allows the RG to come off and pick off Hausmann(-1) who had a moment to avoid it. Basically the Edwards run except instead of no safeties Michigan has Moore(+0.5) and Paige(+0.5) who get there quickly enough to stop it short of the 15.
M16	1st	10	Offset Str	4-2-5	Nk Under	1.5 off	Run		Counter Trey	Wallace	-4	-0.65
1:25, 3 TO. Nk & WLB blitz (RPS+1) adds a guy to the box and negates any doubles. Sainristil(-0.5) is super cautious of a keep or else he has a TFL immediately. Grant(+1) beats a downblock to get into the backfield immediately but the RG cleverly hooks his knee (Refs-1) and hauls him down at the RB's feet. Mess in the backfield should be a TFL but D-Mo(-1) set an edge too high and gets driven upfield by the kickout so there's a horizontal escape route that suddenly looks scary as a cracking WR shoves Paige(-1) down by the back (I think it's close enough to the box to be legal but borderline). Wallace(+2, tackling+1) is the last man out there, and closes the space, fending off a stiffarm to swing around to the RB's playside, and now we're 4 yards deep and help is there to wrangle him down. Sainristil earns back half a point and Hausmann(+0.5) was there too.
M20	2nd	14	Gun 3x1	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 fld	Run		QB Draw	Colson	6	0.12
0:49. WLB blitz again punished by a draw (RPS-1). Jenkins(+1) juuuust misses an awesome takedown as Card accelerates by with an RB escort, but it at least change his angle and should lead to a minimal gain. Gets more because Colson(-1) doesn't funnel to Paige. McGregor arrives and Card slides. PU timeout.
M14	3rd	8	Gun 3x1	4-2-5	Crable	1.5 press	Pass	4	Sluggo	Sainristil	Inc	-0.50
0:40, 2TO. Harrell loops way around while McGregor(+2, PR+2) beats the LT from the jump. He's sacking Card as he chucks it well over a slant 'n go that Sainristil(-1) is a step behind and Paige(-1, cov-2) didn't get over. Saved a TD probably.
Drive Notes: FG(31). 20-6. <1 min 2nd Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O12	1st	10	Gun TTE RB H-Jet	4-2-5	404 Tite	1.5 off	RPO		Power/Slant	Colson	5	0.07
Sainristl at CB, McBurrows at Nk.
O17	2nd	5	Gun 3x1 RB	4-2-5	404 Tite	1.5 fld	Run		ZR Stretch	Barrett	2	-0.27
Left side of the OL moves a good half-second Refs-1 don't catch it, crowd does. Read of Colson looks like RPO but WRs aren't looking back so M is -1 in the box (RPS-1). Graham(+2) ruins this by planting a double in the backfield, getting playside of it, and getting into the RB's feet with help from Barrett(+0.5) flying in with a shoulder and Paige(+0.5) hammering down. Jenkins(+0.5) cut off frontside. I hate how they give you a yard if you get 1/10th of it when the difference is between 3rd & 3 or 4.
O19	3rd	3	Gun TTB Y-Cross	4-2-5	Nk Even AA	1 press	Pass	4.5	Comeback	Johnson	Inc	-0.27
Line stacked, McGregor(+1) cuts off his blitz to pick up the crossing TE who's the first look here. There isn't another as Jenkins(+1) gets through three guys and they chop block him. Barrett(+2, PR+3) popped through the RB and Card retreats to the 5. Harrell can release from the LT and get his hands up and Card chucks it at the sideline. Entire stadium is about to yell foul but incredibly he has a WR flying all the way back (Hat+2 to someone) and Johnson(+2, cov+2) has to PBU a diving comeback attempt.
Drive Notes: Punt. 20-6. 10 min 3rd Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O5	1st	10	Offset Wk RB	4-2-5	Nk Even	1.5 fld	Run		Split Zone	Grant	4	-0.03
OSU practice, with safeties staying high and nickel staying out (RPS-1) so PU has a hat for everyone in the box. D-Mo(+0.5) pushes the kickout back to the middle until he bumps the RB. Grant(+1) stands up a double, crosses as soon as the RT moves on, and starts tackling with help from Stewart(+0.5) finally ripping the LT's hands off him. Benny(-1) couldn't do the same with the LG and provided enough space for the lump of bodies to lurch for an okay gain.
O9	2nd	6	Gun 2x2	4-2-5	404 Tite	2 off	PRO	3	Slant/Stretch	McBurrows	9	0.46
This is why the LB was held backside before. WLB blitz, Grant(+1, PR+1) gets wise and comes upfield with his arms up. Card (Hat+1) sidearms it around him to a TE running his slant more like an In. McBurrows(-0.5) could play it tighter but it's really Q-Jo(-1, cov-1) who's rolling down to replace the blitzing LB but distracted by the run action and left his zone when he's supposed to be the help in here.
O18	1st	10	Gun 2x2	4-2-5	Nk Split	1 off	Pass	4	Slant	Johnson	7	0.49
Immediate throw under soft coverage. Johnson(-1, tackling-1) is just behind this at the catch but gives up a little YAC trying to yank the ball out.
O25	2nd	3	Gun Wk RB	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 off	Run		Counter GT	Barrett	2	-0.49
M shifts right before the snap and the right side moves early again (Refs-1). It's material because they're pulling. Barrett(+2) plays this sneakily, allowing the lead to go by then popping past him and standing up the runner. McBurrows(+1) is blitzing way in from nickel (RPS+1) to help set up a 3rd and ~1.5.
O27	3rd	1	Offset Wk RB	4-2-5	5-1 Under	2 bdy	Run		ZR Keeper	Stewart	2(-15)	-0.83
Stewart(-1) the guy read and is 100% after the RB. Barrett(+1) covers the TE in the flat then comes in and trips up Card who dives for the 1st down. Comes back because the LT (Hat-3) missed an assignment and blocks down on Benny who was already getting cut by the LG, drawing many flags. RPS+1, as M had the guys to get this for a TFL if Stewart makes the read hard.
O14	3rd	14	Gun Str	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 off	Pass	4	Deep Hitch	Sainristil	11	0.20
Max Pro with just three guys in a pattern keeps Card clean. D-Mo(-1, PR-1) did well to delay the TE's release but went high and around instead of forcing Card off his spot on 3rd and long so all day to throw. McBurrows has to react to the TE eventually, and Card fires in behind him, but under Sainristil, who stumbles a bit but hop-frogs into the WR's legs and delays him until Hausmann(+0.5) and McBurrows(+0.5) can get back and haul him down still 3 yards short.
Drive Notes: Punt. 20-6. 5 min 3rd Q. Next M drive is the Morgan end-around if you're wondering if the rout's back on again yet.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Gun Wk RB Z-Jet	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 off	Run		WR Counter Trey	Johnson	Inc	-0.70
It's Trey but the flanker motions in from playside, they flip him the ball, and he's supposed to follow the blocking back the way he came. I bet this is lethal on their practice squad but dumb to use it on M which keys the line. Can't grade it much because the WR drops it (Hat-2, Luck-2) and defenders dive at the ball. It bounces then back to the WR who heads outside. Barrett(+0.5) makes him bend upfield, Sabb(-1) gets blocked behind the play. Johnson(+2, tackling+1) beats a WR's block to thunk it down at the LOS. Think this might have been a Colson minus play had it gone off because he sat backside awhile, but we'll never know. After the play they realize the ball went forward so it was just incomplete.
O25	2nd	10	Gun 3x1 RB	4-2-5	Nk Split	1.5 off	Run		Power GT	Colson	5	0.04
Amoeba WLB blitz puts an extra guy on the backside (RPS-2) and M is short a guy as well as attacking the wrong side. Colson(+1) spills then crosses the lead blocker to pursue himself, which forces it outside until Sabb(+0.5) can arrive.
O30	3rd	5	Gun Str	4-2-5	5-1 Odd	1 press	Pass	4	H-Out	Walker	Inc	-0.37
Bring WLB drop the edges. Barrett(+2, PR+2) times his blitz well, goes through the RB, and Card has to chuck it off his back foot in front of a TE out that hadn't developed. Walker(+1, cov+1) comes up on it, dives, and nearly picks it off. EO3Q.
Drive Notes: Punt. 27-6. 2 min 3rd Q. Starters (mostly) back out in 4th Q when it's 34-6.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Gun 2x2	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 bdy	Run		QB Draw	Colson	5	0.09
Gets out of the backfield again (RPS-1) but Colson(+1) hops past the OL who released to bend this sideways. Barrett gets shoved down in the back outside the tackle box (Refs-2) so Card can keep heading towards the sideline, but Colson pursues through that mess until Paige arrives to run OOB because Walker(-1) was blocked out of the edge by a WR.
Drive Notes:
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O30	2nd	5	Gun 2x2 RB	4-2-5	Nk Over	1 fld	Pass	5	Sack	Jenkins	-6	-1.19
Happily they don't call the LT's early movement now. D-Mo(+0.5) has the LT on skates as Grant(+1) barrels through an RG giving him a hug the whole way. Colson(+1) draws attention from the LG then pushes through him, leaving Jenkins(+1, PR+3) free to loop around from the gap Grant is now coming through and reach Card unblocked. Card wanted a quick curl outside but Johnson(+1, cov+1) was breaking hard on it so a bad throw was pick-sixcity. There's no time for a second read and he eats everybody simultaneously.
O24	3rd	11	Gun Wk	4-2-5	Nk Over B	2 off	Pass	4	Deep Out	Q.Johnson	Inc	-0.13
Another stunt but Grant(-1) trips over the RG and the C pancakes him. RB chips D-Mo(+0.5) who was beating the LT again. Stewart(-1, PR-2) wants to stunt into the A gap but he trips on the C's foot and the RG who was tracking him can finish the job. Jenkins(-1) tries to come off the backside edge but Card slips him and can now scramble or try a JJ throw. He goes for the latter, finds a WR who's shaken Q-Jo(-1, cov-1) and fires...wide. Card is not JJ.
Drive Notes: Punt. 34-6. 13 min 4th Q. Floppy punter flops, doesn't get the call.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O3	1st	10	Gun Wk	4-2-5	404 Tite	2 off	RPO		ZR/Curls	McGregor	4	-0.03
Late shift, M brings a Nk blitz (RPS+1) and slants to negate the doubles. Single-blocking is no trouble for McGregor(+1) who gets his shoulder in the lane and grabs the RB down as he goes by. Barrett(-0.5) can't get off a block though so the RB can twist down for a few.
O7	2nd	6	Gun 2x2	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 off	RPO		Power GT/Hooks	Colson	10	0.45
Light box (RPS-1) with Barrett held by the RPO. McGregor spills and Colson(-0.5) has two gaps ends up getting swallowed by the puller without putting him deep. McBurrows(-1) has this gap and gets stuck on the slot. He gets held at the end but by that point play's past him.
O17	1st	10	Gun Twins	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 off	RPO		Power/Hooks	Johnson	1	-0.41
Graham(+2) two-gaps to make up for the light box then flows to tackle. McGregor(-0.5) is spilling, which seems wrong given the LBs are stuck backside and OMG just worked back to the same gap but maybe this is a slant and it's on the LBs? He does set his block up high enough to make the RB bend around him though, so mistake mitigated. Both Barrett(-0.5) and Colson are picked off by downblocks, with Colson's guy getting away with a hook around the waist that's probably not getting called but does mitigate the grading. Johnson(+1) is the overhang, shoots past a TE and joins Graham in tackling near the LOS.
O18	2nd	9	Gun Twins	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 off	Pass	4	RB Dumpoff	Harrell	4	-0.04
Amoeba blitz. Has time to read downfield but nobody open for two beats (cov+2) and now McBurrows(+1, PR+1) is around the RT and Card's timer goes off. Harrell(-1, tackling-1) should have this down for a minimal gain but Tracy gets around him and breaks the tackle, stepping out before WJ can finish things.
O22	3rd	5	Gun 3x1 H-Fly	4-2-5	5-1 Odd	1 fld	Pass	4	Improv	McBurrows	Inc	-0.24
Motion reveals man. Bring LB drop edges, blitz is picked up, but Card doesn't trust it and bails immediately. Barrett(+1, PR+2) pursues, joined by Colson(+1) which gets Card turned around and running for the sideline. He turns around to fling it over a WR that McBurrows(+2, cov+2) has locked down.
Drive Notes: Punt. 34-6. 7 min 4th Q. Last drive has a few starters so we'll chart it, but it's 41-6 with <5 mins left so metrics are turned off.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Pistol Str H-Jet	4-2-5	Nk Even	2 fld	Run		Dart	D.Moore	2	-0.35
Jet motion plus a TE crosser gets Stewart and Barrett caught backside but also Paige rolling down so no RPS. D-Mo(+2) picks up the darter and gets playside of him while McBurrows(+1) beats the lead to the edge. RB cuts back into Hausmann(+0.5) and Derrick.
O27	2nd	8	Pistol Wk	4-2-5	Nk Over	1.5 fld	Pass	n/a	Flash Screen	McBurrows	8	1.19
McBurrows gets locked up with a slot and funnels to where Walker(-2) should be replacing but he's waiting high looking at this. Hausmann(-0.5) is on the wrong side of a blocker who yanks him down by the back of his helmet (Refs-1 probably call it if it comes off only at this point). Q-Jo arrives from on high. RPS is off but RPS.
O35	1st	10	Gun 3x1 RB	4-2-5	Nk Over	1.5 off	RPO		Power GT/Hooks	Walker	24	2.00
Guh. Amoeba lightens the box but Q-Jo(-1) should get down faster. He's slow, gets cracked and locked out for the length of the play. Walker(-2) needs a second to remember he has to replace, arrives out of control, and whiffs the tackle without slowing the RB. Also Hausmann(-1) gets caught inside and gets donkeyed by the puller. Sabb(+0.5) got there quick to get him OOB. Looks like a hundred Corum runs in 2022.
M41	1st	10	Gun 2x2	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 off	Pass	n/a	Flash Screen	Walker	10	0.40
The safeties are super deep because of game state but Walker(-1) gets locked with a TE and gives up the edge for a tiptoey 10 yards.
M31	1st	10	Offset 2x2	4-2-5	5-1 Odd	1 press	RPO		Power GT/Hooks	Stewart	6	0.21
Light box with Hausmann(-0.5) the edge and a MOF safety way deep that wouldn’t happen in a competitive setting. Stewart(+1) tracks it down from behind after Barrett(-1) gets bonked by the lead puller.
M25	2nd	4	Offset Str	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 press	RPO		Split Zone/Curls	Graham	0	-0.60
Graham(+2) push-pull throws the C to the ground and swallows the RB after Benny(+1) got a shoulder into the puller and the LT both to compress. Brandt(+0.5) also stood up the RG and is there to help stuff.
M25	3rd	4	Gun Wk	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 press	Run		ZR Power GT	Benny	1	-0.57
WLB blitz gets Benny(+2) behind the pullers to wreck the play (RPS is off) and then he chases the play back to where Barrett(+1) shucked a T and Guy was being read.
M24	4th	3	Offset 2x2	4-2-5	Nk Split	1 press	Pass	5	Corner	Sainristil	24	3.77
Before this M shows press 1 and PU calls TO. Barrett gets a free run but this is immediate chuck stuff. Sainristil(-3) is playing outside, loses the WR inside, and can't make a play on the ball as Card drops it in the bucket.
Drive Notes: Touchdown. 41-13. 19 seconds 4th Q. Good job Ryan Walters.

I like you better than the other guy. You should see the things he makes me say.

This is probably more a function of defense kicking ass straightforwardly since 2021, but I also don't really go looking for insane comments on the internet to respond to either. Should I try that this week?

I'd prefer you not.

Okay found a couple. Here, read this.

Michigan let a not-good offense into the redzone twice and gave up double-digit points for the first time all season.

Go on.

Really?

You brought it up.

…Is this because we don't have their signs?

ARE YOU AN IDIOT?

Apparently.

Not counting deep garbage time, Purdue only crossed midfield without the help of a Michigan turnover one time, when Michigan's true freshman converted linebacker cornerback forgot what he was doing on a pressured 3rd & long moon ball that'd normally result in an interception or PBU.

There were also more possessions—14—than usual. By the standard Michigan has set for this year it wasn't their best defensive performance, but that's also because they're setting a LUDICROUS standard.

DRIVE CHART:

Opponent	Avg EPA	Avg Plays	Avg Yds	Drives
2021 all of it	-0.12	5.6	27	170
2022 all of it	-0.35	5.3	24	168
ECU	-1.26	6.3	23	9
UNLV	-0.88	5.2	21	11
Bowling Green	-1.65	4.9	16	12
Rutgers	-0.33	5.6	29	8
Nebraska	-0.99	4.7	30	10
Minnesota	-0.84	4.7	12	12
Indiana	-1.32	5.6	19	11
Michigan State	-1.65	4.8	15	12
Purdue	-0.41	4.2	17	14
2023 Subtotal	-0.71	5.2	22	99

The negatives are because turnovers

The average Purdue drive this game was 4 plays, gained 17 yards, and left Michigan in favorable field position. Yards per play were 4.1. There were 10 (TEN!!!) punts. Drive chart so we can point and laugh at every person who said sign-stealing has a material effect and hereafter never needs to be listened to about football as long as they live:

• 1 interception
• 5 three-and-outs
• 6 first-down-and-outs, including two FG drives that started on the Michigan 34.
• A 75-yard touchdown drive turned a 41-6 game with under 5 minutes into a 41-13 game with under 20 seconds

In their first 13 possessions, which is one more possession than any other Michigan opponent's had this year, the Boilermakers amassed 166 yards, and a turnover at 3.2 yards per play.

The final touchdown is a good example of why decoding opponents' play signals is not very effective because they needed a timeout to do it. Here's the look before the timeout.

Purdue talked about it, planned to take advantage of the Cover 1 look if they got it again, and then they got it again:

Purdue didn't kneed Michigan's signs; when a defense lines up this way they're 95% running Man-1. Also when the offensive tackles' feet are set that far back they're 90% passing and half of the rest are draws. This is how teams figure out what the other is running, and it still takes a timeout without the defense changing anything to get it. And even then it takes a perfect pass with an unblocked Barrett in your face to a guy that Sainristil is covering. Football isn't Techmo Bowl.

That's not to say OCs and DCs don't matter at all.

Minter had a plan to shut down Outside Zone by adding what I like to call "hard nodes" to the front. Michigan deployed a bunch of WLB blitzes behind slanting DL to get a 5-1 look. They also blitzed the nickel to get the same.

Purdue finally stopped this behavior by switching to power runs with a hinge on the backside, and using an RPO read to hold the backside LB.

That only helped them so much; you can defeat Michigan with Power if you bop the playside edge with a pretty good kickout blocker, and if your lead blocker is able to get to/lock out the playside LB, and if you don't get your downblock blown up by one of Michigan's excellent DTs, and if the backside is being super cautious about short passes and not slanting inside your hinge. The reason Michigan's front is so good is that one of these things is likely to go wrong on any given play.

Harrell gets moved by kickout blockers much larger than him, but if that's McGregor or Derrick Moore or even Josiah Stewart odds are your running lane is going to be compressed. Michael Barrett's length is a weakness if a tackle gets around on him, but he's also quick and heady, and easy to miss. Benny and Goode and Grant and Jenkins and Graham are between good and best in the country. Colson and Hausmann have the speed to cover the pass then react to the run before you get very far, while often swapping roles with a backside edge to sometimes run you down from behind.

Because the game got out of hand so quickly we didn't get to see them unload all of the things they prepared until the end. But as usual the engineers were good for one good thing we should steal, that being this counter with a jet who reverses course. They botched it, but this is the sort of thing I'd love to see Michigan do late to some team that's focused on Edwards.

I seem to remember you promising a test of the interior DL finally.

Yeah, Purdue has returning starters, including the center who missed last year's BTCG, on the inside, except when they're asking that center to play right tackle. But Jenkins didn't play very much and Purdue spent most of the game trying to run a real passing offense.

Perhaps you have some way to quantify these performances?

Ah, chart.

Defensive Line
Player	Snaps	+	-	T	Notes
Kris Jenkins	17	5.5	3	+2.5	Upfield on a stretch, mostly avoided.
Mason Graham	31	7.5	1	+6.5	Also avoided, various OMG bits late.
Kenneth Grant	29	7	6.5	+0.5	Doubles got him, still fastbiglargehuge.
Cam Goode	17	2	1.5	+0.5	Saw less of him in regular time.
Rayshaun Benny	25	3	1	+2	Saw him lots in place of Jenkins. A wow moment.
Jaylen Harrell	28	7	2	+5	Ate up OTs, got bonked some.
Braiden McGregor	28	7	2.5	+4.5	Got his share of the OTs. A couple of -'s might not be his.
Derrick Moore	29	10	2	+8	Very heady player, way too much for PU OTs.
Josaiah Stewart	30	9.5	3	+6.5	Also too much for PU OTs. One lost edge :|
Cameron Brandt	3	0.5	0	+0.5	Saw him late.
TJ Guy	3	0	0	-	DNC
TOTAL	240	59	22.5	+36.5	Purdue did all they could to avoid them.
Linebacker
Player	Snaps	+	-	T	Notes
Junior Colson	43	9.5	4	+5.5	Up and running, still the occasional segfault.
Michael Barrett	53	19	5.5	+13.5	Lots of blitzing, got stuck on some pullers.
Ernest Hausmann	24	3	4	-1	Also got stuck on pullers.
Jimmy Rolder	0	0	0	-	DNP
TOTAL	120	31.5	13.5	+18	Active day with a lot of blockers to dodge/fight through.
Secondary
Player	Snaps	+	-	T	Notes
Rod Moore	40	4	0	+4	Welcome back sir. Mr. Johnson would like a word.
Makari Paige	39	6	2	+4	Better than boring.
Keon Sabb	20	1	1	-	Approaching boring.
Quinten Johnson	21	1	3	-2	A step behind boring.
Mike Sainristil	52	2	5	-3	Purce CB in 2nd half, got a '-3 for the touchdown.
Will Johnson	50	14	1	+13	The Prince that was Promised.
Josh Wallace	29	6	0	+6	Differentiated himself from the other corners.
Keshaun Harris	0			-	DNP
Ja'Den McBurrows	26	5.5	1.5	+4	Lots of time at nickel, no major mistakes.
Amorion Walker	10	1	6	-5	Last drive was mostly on him.
DJ Waller Jr.	9	0	3	-3	-3 for the unplugged controller
German Green	4			-	DNC
TOTAL	300	40.5	22.5	+18	Johnson is a star, depth is still shaky.
Metrics
Player	+	-	T	Notes
Pressure	38	3	35/29	Thank you for playing, goodbye.
Coverage	25	9	+16	No, this is real.
Tackling	3	4	-1	Worse if it wasn't turned off for Walker drive.
RPS	12	10	+2	Light boxes, WLB and Nk blitzes.
Hat Tip	6	9	-3	Plus a chunk of that pressure metric probably.

Conclusions?

I think the DTs are who we thought they were. Jenkins's score means little; he got caught going upfield against a stretch zone early—happens to the best—and came off the field. He didn't play most of the second quarter because Michigan wanted to see what they have in Benny. His other minus was when trying to play edge and getting slipped by Hudson Card, who is an athlete. The pluses were the usually pocket dents before the pass was whistled out to a RB in the flat because Purdue agreed getting out of this healthy was best for all.

In his stead we got a steady diet of Rayshaun Benny. On the one hand this meant we got to see some of the athlete his recruiting profile said he'd become.

#26 the bottom DT

Because video is low-res and the starting linebackers wear numbers in the 20s I sometimes mistake Benny for one of them on first watch. Complicating matters is when he moves like a linebacker. That is serpentine stuff above.

Some might question why there isn't more of it, which is fair to ask; DT is a MAKE PLAYS position. From the check-with-me's and switches in this game I got the sense Purdue meant to run away from Jenkins, and Benny was treated, accidentally, to the same treatment as the Boilers shifted their plays to the WDE/NT side of the formation. I guess if you're going to share snaps with your understudy it's best to do it on days you're not working, but it made it harder to get a read on Benny except the lack of mistakes was encouraging.

I'll note that having to share snaps didn't seem to hinder Mason Graham.

#55 the bottom DT

Tackle of the Week, that. Like Jenkins, Graham spent chunks of the 2nd quarter on the bench, but when things weren't blowout-y enough for them, Michigan reinserted the Other gift from the football gods, and he did as OMGs do.

As for the other Gift, the one guy who seemed to play noticeably different against the step up in competition was Kenneth Grant. Doubles were able to move him when he didn't get his pad-level established. This was the story on the One Play by Purdue that seemed at all repeatable.

#78 the bottom DT

Note that this only applied when getting doubled in the run game. As a pass-rusher he was as Tarris Reed in the Lane as ever.

#78 bottom DT

That's a weird game for a Mammoth, but Grant's energy and athleticism are his strongest suits. He still needs to refine the rest, similar to how Mazi Smith at his age. The difference is Grant has burst and length to be a menace right now as he learns the subtle arts of soaking up mass into his own.

Our edges our better than our DTs what?

This has to be adjusted for the huge disparity between Purdue's interior linemen, who are decent multi-year starters who were an important part of last year's Big Ten West championship, and the tackles, who are the guys who replaced guys who were already among the worst in the conference. Moving the center outside because the starting LT was a turnstile on the last drive of the first half didn't help any.

They got a couple of QB draws as Michigan's rushers salivated like wolves, but switched back after the half because Farrell at LT almost got Card killed. Judging the edges against…that…is difficult because Michigan hasn't really seen a team with bad tackles that also tries to run a semblance of a pro passing game. Previous tackle-deficient outfits on the schedule just dinked and dunked. Card did too, but only after his pocket collapsed one read in.

I mean, which one of these do you think will work best against Olu Fashanu? McGregor's?

Stewart's?

Moore's?

Harrell's?

YMMV.

Can you compare them against each other maybe?

I guess. McGregor is the best run defender, I want to say. That thing he does on the backside of zone reads is just an unfair tool to have in a post-Rich Rod age.

#17 edge coming from the bottom

There's a subtle step in there that induces a give (which is the correct read because there's an exchanger behind McGregor) without losing momentum towards the running back. The less we expect him to be Him, the more McGregor is standing out as a run defender. He's and Moore are the most likely to dive inside and make a DT's play. As a pass-rusher, McGregor seems to be the most consistent threat versus lower competition, and the mostly likely to pick up an uncalled hold. Extrapolating his game, I think he's got a sharp curve depending on whether the guy opposite him can be got with C+ moves, but a still-decent floor because of his arm length.

Stewart's nickname "Taz" is fitting, because he rushes like he wants to bite somebody in half. The interesting thing about Stewart is he's no longer remotely small, nor does he play like it.

#5 the DE on the bottom

The stuff Derrick Moore is doing seems the most translatable. This game gave us another instance of D-Mo playing with way too much awareness for a true sophomore.

#8 the Edge on the bottom

Usually in this space I'd like to focus on one or two of them who stood out that week, but because they're all getting about a third of the game before the competitiveness goes out of the it, I'm having to piece several games together into vibes. D-Mo's is that of a star about to pop next season who's already very good this one.

You said we rediscovered Barrett blitzing versus MSU. Any more of that?

A ton. I used the words "WLB blitz" seven times above. As he was last year and last game, he's quite effective at timing his blitzes, getting skinny, beating blockers, and harassing the quarterback, though not enough of a tackler in space to pay it off with sacks. This game brought back memories of last season when Barrett would use acceleration to make up for less mass in the force equation. Watch this guard get rocked backwards:

#23 the blitzer from the LB level

It's even more effective when it's a running back in the way.

As a run defender Barrett was a little hit and miss this game. When standing still there's still a bit of Viper in him, in that when a pulling guard makes contact he doesn't have the size or length to disengage. Barrett's best method of run-stopping, other than flinging his body at a guy, is to hide out behind a double team and explode behind the puller who doesn't notice him.

#23 the LB on the bottom

He featured enough in this game to get a high-volume score that maintained Barrett's positive ratios for the year. He's deserving of the star, and is starting to be used like one. I'm very interested to see where this goes tomorrow, because Penn State's interior isn't great at picking up blitzers, and Card is several notches scampier than Drew Allar.

Are you leaving the Club for Thinkin Junior Colson is Mid that you founded?

I am seeing the pattern continue of Colson playing more decisively.

This was not at all the norm, however. Colson spent much of this game being read as an RPO guy. He was never tested in coverage, which says a lot right there because he was Purdue's second-favorite spot to attack last year, and there were plenty of passes read down the middle. We don't get the All-22 here so I don't actually know what's going on back there. Not being thrown at is good.

Unlike Barrett, Colson seems to have no trouble knocking people around sometimes. The center here really thinks he's about to get a key block until he is not.

To the bad, Colson got stuck on the backside of some power plays later in the game, and not always because he was being held there by RPOs and fake reads. When he's grading out like Barrett, I'll take it.

I didn't get as much of a read on Hausmann because his usage is declining as Barrett's rises. He too got caught backside a few times. It might be the way Michigan is playing potential RPOs or it might be there's so much on their plate in this defense they lose a lot of the aggression. Only these three linebackers played, by the way, which shows they're probably serious about getting a redshirt on Jimmy Rolder this year.

Speaking of guys who spent the first part of this year on the injury reserve…

ROD MOORE IS BACK BABY

Yes sir.

This ball hangs in the air a little longer than you're expecting it to, but Moore is hanging in the air too. Methinks he's been seeing too much of JJ's arm in practice; if he realizes that pass isn't zipping in I think he's got a pick.

Runs are still getting to the second level so infrequently I'm still getting low grades for all of them, but Moore's progress is easy to see whenever he makes it on screen. It's unfortunate that he tipped this ball away from Johnson, but also pretty cool that he's anticipating where the throw is going and covering that ground.

I didn't get enough from the other safeties to venture an opinion, except Paige is good, and Quinten Johnson still feels like the Cam Goode of the secondary, where he can come and eat some innings, but doesn't have the stuff of the other guys.

That's okay I wanted to discuss WILL JOHNSON anyways.

So he didn't get that interception, but he got this interception:

How many times have you see that dig route disappear off the bottom corner of the screen and reappear with the cornerback trailing? Card throws it with zero expectation that Johnson is going to dominate this route. It sails because he has pressure in his face, but the more I watch it the less I think it was tipped. That thing has zip, and it's more or less on target for the receiver. Johnson just steps across and takes.

Card's other best throw under pressure was also ruined by Will Johnson doing the uncanny.

Once Card turns around you think this is done; best case scenario he finds an eligible-enough receiver to get close enough to avoid grounding. This pass however is right where a receiver on a comeback—and diving—needs to be. Johnson breaks when the WR does and his arm is so long he's touching it before his man.

But wait there's more! Johnson's coverage had subtle effects all over the game, such as when he discouraged Card from a three-step read when his only other option was eating Kris Jenkins.

#2 on the bottom

Card sees Johnson driving on that and figures a drive-killing sack is better than a pick. We salute his sacrifice.

Johnson also affected the running game, beating a blocker to help Graham on the Tackle of the Week and did so again when blowing up this goofy-looking Counter Trey:

The surgery recovery hampered him earlier in the year but Johnson is starting to look like the 1996 vintage Woodson we were projecting. Just in time too.

What about the other cornerbacks? See any you like that won't die against Marvin Harrison?

No.

You don't want to talk about it?

Johnson is the Harrison answer. But I am willing to talk Egbuka and the others. It appears Josh Wallace has officially won the Great Contest of Non-Johnson Corners for the coveted role of Non-Johnson Cornerback.

How are we feeling about this?

Coverage-wise he still hasn't been that tested, but there continue to be flashes when he's in Cover 2 that he can break on the ball quickly…

…which is the skill he needs for the way we're probably going to play against The Karens. Wallace supplemented a couple of come-down PBUs with some senior work as a tackler. This stiff-arm has been the death of many a cornerback before him.

The other reason Wallace is running away with the job for the back end of the season Keshaun Harris didn't play, and the other two guys flubbed their tryouts. Waller's second fritz-out on the season seemed to be it for him as far as what we're getting out of him in 2023.

Amorion Walker wasn't really useable yet either. The last bit was Sainristil's but most of Purdue's final 75-yard drive was on two screens and a power run that went right by him in three successive plays. Where Johnson and Moore needed to return to form after their injuries, I think Amorion's robbed him of critical development time this offseason and fall, and not it's just too late (and he's too skinny) to get him acclimated. He might be a popular breakout candidate for next season, but not one of the heroes of this one.

I see what you did there.

What?

You thought you could prompt the end of the post without mentioning Sainristil is underrated. Pursuant to clause 11.14.c of the MGoBlog UFR Guidebook, all UFR Defense posts this season must underrate Mike Sainristil, whereupon said Mike Sainristil shall be acclimated as underrated.

Did you hire an attorney for this bit?

No I'm using the ones on the message board.

Oh. They're good.

Yes, and they tell me you only mentioned Sainristil in conjunction with a long touchdown in garbage time. This is the epitome of underrating Sainristil.

Fine, here he is blitzing into outside zone.

We didn't get a lot of him at nickel, to be honest. He was spending a lot of time at pure cornerback while they tested whether that combination, with McBurrows at nickel, was their best option past Wallace. It probably is despite his failure to make up ground on a meaningless throw to the back of the left endzone.

I mean, we've seen him make up ground when it matters. What he doesn't have are the long arms to play press coverage.

The scary thing is this wasn't a one-time occurrence this game, nor just an outside cornerback moment. Purdue had Sainristil beat for a TD near the end of the first half, but couldn't pass protect long enough to take advantage of it.

You don't know Sainristil doesn't make that play—we've seen him make it before—but the shakiness last game wasn't just from the meaningless touchdown at the end of it.

Redshirt updates? Jyaire Hill is still at 4 so his redshirt survives. But Amorion Walker played in his 5th game so his shirt is now burned.

Heroes?

Will Johnson, Mason Graham, Michael "Blitz" Barrett, our narratives.

Maybe Not So Heroic?

Outside cornerback options past Johnson and Wallace. The other guys' narratives.

What does it mean for Penn State and Beyond?

The DT are who we thought they were. Got to face some real interior OL, performance held up.

Michigan has four equal DEs. Differences between them are minor.

Will Johnson is ready to '96 Woodson. Can't throw to his side of the field, making plays against the run, bending the game.

Wallace is your other cornerback. Distanced himself even further from all non-Wallace options.

Michael Barrett blitzes are on. Kinda wish we'd saved it for PSU, because it's always been there.

Junior Colson is where the hype was last year. The lack of passes his direction has to say something about the coverage. Good-to-bad ratio is getting up to 80-20. Hope his hand is okay.

Cornerback past the starters is a concern. Walker should have redshirted (he was questionable to play going into Purdue). Keshaun Harris is injured. DJ Waller was also questionable and it's not the first time he's had a segfault down the sideline. Michigan's relatively healthy this year—knock on wood—but injuries are hitting in their softest spot.

Start the season already! Here we go.

Your Moment of Zen:

Look at that banner hold.