Can the FB coaching staff keep everyone motivated to finish strong?
Sorry if this is too "feelingsball" of a post - mods can delete if so. Despite how much of a gut-punch last week was, there are still more goals that can be achieved here to prove that the program continues to be headed in the right direction. One of which is this: under Harbaugh, the team has yet to finish a full season (including bowls) with more than 10 wins. They've come tantalizingly close, but still haven't broken through. While not being as satisfying as a conference title or CFP berth, it is still an accomplishment.
The question becomes how can the staff keep these guys motivated (or motivate them further)? Now that sitting out bowl games is "a thing", and with other players thinking about transfers, NFL, etc, how does the staff keep the kids from "checking out"? We all saw the team loose to a very, very beatable South Carolina team last year - with a 2nd half collapse for added insult. That loss bothered me much more than most of the others last season, since there was less justification for it (and being the only Big Ten team to lose their bowl game made it all the more insufferable). Hopefully we don't see it again.
December 1st, 2018 at 6:48 AM ^
Lose, not loose. Damned autocorrect and lack of edit button on board posts.
December 1st, 2018 at 12:04 PM ^
Thank you for noticing and correcting it. The misuse of lose and loose is a head scratcher.
December 1st, 2018 at 7:04 AM ^
The players will be motivated to finish strong. The guys are all competitors. Coaches don't have to motivate them. My biggest concern for bowl game? Coaches putting together an effective scheme. The coaches are the ones that need redemption after OSU not the players.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:14 AM ^
Coaches and players are to blame for the OSU debacle.
Coaches didn’t tell Gentry to drop 3 passes (two of which would have been huge and could have changed the momentum).
Coaches didn’t tell Shea, usually an accurate passer, to short 5 passes (again, I can think of at least 3 that could have been huge gains or scoring opportunity it’s had he thrown better).
Coaches didn’t tell Higdon to miss a few holes or cuts.
Coaches didn’t put physical limitations on our #3 CB so that he couldn’t stay with a future NFL receiver.
That said, the coaches absolutely had a terrible defensive game plan and failed to adjust to OSU. It was also clear that when the defensive coaches did try to adjust, OSU had aleaadt anticipated the adjustment and was ready with its own counter. And yes, the offensive coaches showed no creative and failed to bring anything that would surprise OSU.
So blame for everyone. Yay.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:58 AM ^
Blame to go around, but it was the coaching staff who bears most. OSU WR's had a light on their helmet whenever they lined up against Watson just to show Haskins who'd be wide open. Hadn't seen anything like that since Brady carved up the Lions a few years ago on Thanksgiving. Lions had a DB, Smith who Brady would point out and basically state "its coming here". Will never understand why Brown didn't put Thomas into the game, if nothing, to add speed and try something different.
December 1st, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
Not a lot here to disagree with. EVERY game, players miss blocks, RB's miss a cut or QB's miss reads. Those mistakes did not cost game. Michigan didn't break tendacies on offense or defense.
December 1st, 2018 at 12:38 PM ^
Bummer no one told these guys to do their jobs; they must not have known...
December 1st, 2018 at 8:16 AM ^
The players know it's a meaningless game after the worst curb stomping OSU has ever delivered to us (mainly coaches' fault). Why would they want to get up for this game--to prove they can beat another non-elite team?
At least the coaches are getting paid to show up.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:23 AM ^
Is it really a meaningless game, though? A NY6 bowl seems more relevant than games against SMU and WMU, especially for what it means for recruiting and momentum into next season. Lloyd Carr lost to OSU in his last season, but I'm sure the bowl win over UF, Tebow and Meyer over a month later mattered to him and the guys on that team.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:25 AM ^
I think those considerations are much more relevant for the coaches than the players.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:26 AM ^
I hope that the players don’t have our attitude. Here’s a few reasons that I would expect the players. To “get up” for this, or any, game:
1. Pride
2. Caring about the program and knowing that after a loss to OSU in thst manner, a loss will really hurt the program and create a bad narrative
3. It’s a chance to compete against another good team
4. Representing the team and university that I expect that they love every bit as much as us fans, and likely more
5. For everyone other than Rashan and Bush, a chance to improve draft stock. Bowl games are still in tape.
6. For many upper class men, it’s a last or one of their last chances to put on their winged helmets and play
7. For many of the returning players, it’s a shot to show the coaches what they can do before next spring and to possibly get a leg up on playing time.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:34 AM ^
I would say both Rashan and Bush could still improve their draft stock - especially with a strong showing against an SEC team. Maybe not by much (I don't really follow draft boards or projections), but it might.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:47 AM ^
I don't know that you can call it a meaningless game......and I would hope the players certainly don't. The bowl game is still a game that will position us for an high preseason ranking of next year. Which we all know is important. I want the team to finish on a good note. Can't imagine many recruits thinking that a team that throws in the towel after adversity is a team that they are going to jump on board with.
Go Blue (still)
December 1st, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
most points ever allowed, yes. worst beating? no.michigan lost by 23 points. in the last 10 years alone they have lost by 29,30,and 35 points. osu lost by over 30 points to purdue, iowa, and clemson in just the last few years.
was it bad? of coarse it was horrible. but they can recover from it.
December 1st, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^
Was it the coaches playing defense in that game? Don brown should have come out with a different game plan up front I’ll give you that but the defense was awful in that game and it was the players who lost the game
December 1st, 2018 at 7:05 AM ^
We dominated LSU last night when I played them in NCAA 2006 on my XBox. At Death Valley, in a night game. So there’s that. ?
December 1st, 2018 at 7:26 AM ^
There should have been a secret button combination allowed to unlock "Gatorade bath celebration" on the sideline in that game.
December 1st, 2018 at 7:48 AM ^
Indeed. I woke my pregnant wife up to tell her of my accomplishment and she was not impressed. Not even a Dixie cup Gatorade bath.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:01 AM ^
is she the one that gave you all the negative points because that would make sense
December 1st, 2018 at 8:13 AM ^
Sadly, yes. Apparently suggesting Dhani Cheeseman for our baby girl’s name gets you a one way ticket to Monteeego Bay...or Bolivia.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:03 AM ^
I love this. I feel im talking to myself here. "But babe, i had 400 yards and 7 tds!" For some reason, she just rolls her eyes......
December 1st, 2018 at 8:51 AM ^
"You would have been proud.......I defended the short crossing routes, AND put pressure on the QB"
December 1st, 2018 at 7:12 AM ^
I wouldn't count on it. The guys, like the fans, have to be demoralized, with the few who have NFL futures 100% checked out.
December 1st, 2018 at 7:36 AM ^
I am just going to assume that you have never been a significant player. The abyss between the mindset of a player and the mindset of a fan is to infinity and beyond.
December 1st, 2018 at 7:49 AM ^
Thanks, I didn't know that Buzz Lightyear was a "significant player."
December 1st, 2018 at 8:27 AM ^
Which explains why Devin Bush announced he’s playing in the bowl game? You’re truly a fount of insider knowledge. Please tell us more about what the players are thinking...
Sorry they let you down with the OSU game. I’m sure each coach and player is preparing you a personal apology letter.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:48 AM ^
They don't owe me anything. But their motivations (or lack thereof) are pretty obvious at this point in another promising but ultimately demoralizing season.
December 1st, 2018 at 9:10 AM ^
Exactly...we are all informed by our individual experiences. And here, in all my years of playing and coaching-and officiating for that matter I have never, never, ever considered the feelings of the fans for a single fleeting second...we play the game for the joy and pleasure of athletic competition-for ourselves and our teammates. Furthermore, I have never, in my direct association with sports, heard such a "concern" voiced by any of my teammates or coaches. Such a "consideration" is so null and void/dead on arrival. That fans and sports writers et al keep interjecting such thoughts informs me of the level of ignorance in this regard. Players and coaches do publicly thank (or not) the fans for their support...but this is exhibit A of tongue-in-cheek BS...they know y'all are idiots in this regard. Fan reaction has nothing to do with what happens of the field of play...that is NOTHING!!! You do not have to like this nor agree with it but, in my world, this is a hard fact. Sorry if this is too harsh...well, not really...I can BS too.
December 1st, 2018 at 9:19 AM ^
You're missing the point. The point is not that players give a damn about what the fans think or say.
December 1st, 2018 at 9:49 AM ^
They won 10 games in a row. These kids have a ton invested and dedicated to playing good football. There is disappointment...they are not demoralized-that's the word that was used. The perspective of each player is light years better than/ahead of that of the fans.
December 1st, 2018 at 10:01 AM ^
I'm going to stop, because it's not nice or really useful to say things that sour people's mood.
I just think the players are sentient humans like the rest of us. I'm sure they'll be fired up next season.
December 1st, 2018 at 9:03 AM ^
I'm really hoping this isn't true and that we play well. However, if I'm honest, I certainly wouldn't put money on us in this one... There is just no way to deny the enormity of the hangover from that dong punch.
I'm feeling it... The players have to be feeling it. If you win the bowl game, the narrative is "too little too late." If you lose it's even worse. Hard to get up for a reward like that.
I hope these guys play for pride and for the love of the game.
After that, I hope the returning players and coaches spend every waking moment reliving Horror 2 and prepping, clawing, praying for another shot at the Buckeyes.
The bowl game should be seen as prep for next years game against OSU at this point.
December 1st, 2018 at 11:00 AM ^
You are not wrong.
Teams like Oklahoma and Georgia and even Alabama have recently lost bowl games to opponents that they would have steamrolled otherwise, after coming off of late disappointing losses.
It happens, and not infrequently.
It's hard to get up for the "better luck next year" consolation prize.
Teams that really want to be in bowl games tend to win against teams that really don't.
December 1st, 2018 at 7:16 AM ^
Yes. I’m rooting for Texas, Nwestern and Bama. I think if all 3 of those teams win by double digits (I know very unlikely) then we get in (I know very unlikely) and face Bama. I just want to have hope.
December 1st, 2018 at 7:32 AM ^
Pitt too
December 1st, 2018 at 7:40 AM ^
You thought last weekend was bad... we aren't ready for Bama.
They aren't allowing 39 pts, their Oline is better than OSU's, and Tua is better than Haskins.
December 1st, 2018 at 9:38 AM ^
Agree that Bama is better than OSU...
Doesn't it seem like it is something else with OSU though? Like we are cursed, or as Brian suggested, living in a football hell? Our personal hell doesn't really involve Bama. I'd take Bama over OSU.
If we played OSU in a bowl game and got ahead, God would send an asteroid to take out our quarterback. I don't see that happening against Bama.
December 1st, 2018 at 11:29 AM ^
Yes, true.
December 1st, 2018 at 12:07 PM ^
Like OSU against Michigan, we have been waiting for Alabama to play our best game of the season. Stupid ND and OSU got in the way of that.
December 1st, 2018 at 1:23 PM ^
Yeah I’m pretty sure if we played Bama we lose that game 100-0.
This team isn’t anywhere close to being ready to compete with Bama.
December 1st, 2018 at 3:16 PM ^
Disagree.
December 1st, 2018 at 7:21 AM ^
On one hand, I completely understand when a young man sits out if they're projected to get drafted, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't shape my opinion of them. Maybe it's just due to being a fan of the team first and players second. The team, the team, the team.
Fwiw, that South Carolina loss pissed me off more than any other that year too.
December 1st, 2018 at 7:32 AM ^
I agree with you about players sitting out. I understand the argument in favor of it (although the strength of that argument seems a bit dubious). It just seems like a selfish move to me (unless there is an actual injury involved) and is contrary to the nature of team sports.
December 1st, 2018 at 7:37 AM ^
How would this change if the unexpected happened and UM got into the playoffs? Would the future NFLers still sit out?
December 1st, 2018 at 11:07 AM ^
Playoffs? No.
December 1st, 2018 at 8:50 AM ^
I agree, and I think it shows how the fans may think of these games differently than the players. We desire to see Michigan do well and not be the punchline of every Big Ten joke because everyone won, except us. I don’t know that they see them as more than an exhibition anymore. You come out and give it a college try, but 11 games 10 games doesn’t really matter like it does to us. Look at how the past players politely ask this question all the time too. It’s not just us, as fans. Different motivations for this generation.
December 1st, 2018 at 9:39 AM ^
Isn't every game really just an exhibition game at this level, though?
December 1st, 2018 at 7:39 AM ^
Maybe
December 1st, 2018 at 7:47 AM ^
You people are a miserable lot. What a fucking stupid thread. The meaningless Outback Bowl was your worst loss of the season and not the OSU game that was literally in our hands? GTFO.
December 1st, 2018 at 7:56 AM ^
Not what he said.