CTrace

November 26th, 2018 at 1:03 PM ^

How about a bowl win over UCF? Would that be big enough? Potentially beating the team with the nation's longest winning streak? I will take that opportunity right now especially without Milton playing. After this past weekend, I would be a little apprehensive to possibly get exposed again against the likes of a team like Georgia. I assume we will have several NFL defectors not play in the bowl game either. I would be happy with a matchup in the Rose Bowl vs. Washington, but that would mean a trip to the CFP for OSU.

bamf_16

November 26th, 2018 at 1:37 PM ^

And I want Oklahoma.

 

Not because I think it's an easy win, but I want to see Don Brown's defense going up against that offense. It would go a long way in either validating many of the criticisms on this board about Brown and his defense or would shut up naysayers who think that the problem is with the system and/or its philosophy.

fergodsake

November 26th, 2018 at 10:42 AM ^

I think we can all understand that, especially after a game like that.

That being said..
- a player like Zach Harrison could potentially contribute day 1, help get pressure on the QB, and hopefully prevent another game like that
- I would love to see Michigan exploit mismatches, whether it's airing it out or hitting the edges hard, in the bowl game. That would give me hope that Harbaugh and Pep will at least try to modernize the offense next season

JPC

November 26th, 2018 at 10:55 AM ^

Our bowl game performance isn't great.

Pants Florida

A heartbreaking loss to FSU due to busted kickoff coverage

Absolutely dogshit performance against a mediocre (at best) USC

 

The offseason attitude around here would have been a lot better had that USC bowl game not been, up until that point, the worst coaching job in Harbaugh's tenure. 

Maize N' Ute

November 26th, 2018 at 10:42 AM ^

Maybe it's going to be another APB or WR who will be underutilized!  I don't understand why any APB or elite WR would want to come to this garbage offense.  Maybe Pep is showing his hidden playbook or something.

Reggie Dunlop

November 26th, 2018 at 11:56 AM ^

It's the same offense we ran all season (albeit a sloppier version Saturday). And if our defense plays like our defense usually does - limiting OSU to 3-and-outs, creating a huge edge in time of possession and field position - we probably would have ground them to dust like we have everybody else and won the game by the score we all predicted.

We weren't that bad on offense. We needed to be capable of a Big XII track meet to win that game and that's just not what we do. We grind our way into 3rd and short and convert first downs at an excellent rate. We control the ball and wear teams down and bury them in the 4th quarter. That's what we've done offensively all year and it's exactly what we did on Saturday.

When paired with a Rich Rod defense and not a typical Don Brown performance, that offense looks like a failure. It wasn't. It's just not built to win that kind of game.

Diagonal Blue

November 26th, 2018 at 12:05 PM ^

This is pure delusion. We racked up some garbage time yards and points but didn't do anything when it mattered. We had two measly touchdowns entering the 4th quarter. OSU held us to barely over 5 yards per play. Their season average was 5.7. We ran the ball on 1st and 2nd down almost exclusively right into the teeth of their defense when everyone know you attack the edge with outside zone runs against OSU. We forced the ball to our TE's instead of letting our WR's make plays downfield. We only did so when it was too late. It was like our coaches didn't even watch the Maryland game from the week before.

The problem is this offense can only win one way. When forced to win a shootout they can't do it. That's the difference between Clemson, OSU, OU, Bama, UGA, etc. and us. Giving the offense a pass for that disaster in ridiculous.

Reggie Dunlop

November 26th, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^

Pure delusion is you expecting us to miraculously trot out a Big XII offense after halftime when you realized our defense sucked.

We had 7 points after 3 quarters at MSU. Had 10 against ND after 3. Had 13 against Northwestern. 21 against Wisconsin. And we had 19 points against OSU and were sitting first down on their 12 yard line when the third quarter closed. 49 seconds later, we'd have 25 points.

That's basically what we've done all year in the exact same manner. For some reason, during the last game of the season, you thought we'd be somebody else. And I'm delusional.

Good talk, Maizen.

JPC

November 26th, 2018 at 1:03 PM ^

While Maizen sucks as a human, it equally sucks that Harbaugh never bothered to install a hurry-up offense this year. In fact, it's mind-boggling to see them lazily snapping the ball with 5 seconds on the play clock down two scores. 

This offense was designed with one gear. Consequently, we needed lights out play from the defense in order to come from behind. That was a huge mistake by Harbaugh and the offensive staff. 

When the QBs slung the ball it generally worked pretty well. Definitely better than running into a stacked box every first/second down. 

O S Who

November 26th, 2018 at 10:45 AM ^

tfiw, my uncle (who lives in columbus) said his son was at some event and the harrison family showed up decked out in michigan gear

i dont care if you believe me, just relaying what i heard

Paps

November 26th, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^

Question about Saturday's game's effect on recruiting: 

I know it is a popular refrain here and elsewhere that "one single game doesn't effect a recruit's decision making".  Does the nature of Saturday's game possibly break that rule? Or does 3 10-win seasons in 4 years for Harbaugh trump that result? 

Reggie Dunlop

November 26th, 2018 at 12:00 PM ^

McElwain always felt like a temporary, coaching rehab stop. Perfectly fine with that. If he can find a better job, go get 'em. I'd have no problem bringing in a McElwain/Kingsbury/Fedora/Whomever-type analyst on an annual basis to throw out some new ideas while they live off of their buyout and search for a permanent home.

That's what Alabama's done with Kiffin, Butch Jones, rumors of Rich Rod and plenty of others. Come in, stay in the coaching game, bring us some fresh ideas and leave when you need to.

HenneGivenSunday

November 26th, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^

That’s a fair take.  From strictly an ego standpoint, I imagine it is pretty difficult for guys like Pep (who’s been an OC for a while now), and McElwain (who’s been an OC and HC) to take a back seat and not even have the OC title.  I’m no Pep Hamilton apologist, but I do find it interesting how much of the fanbase’s ire he’s drawing.  He’s had moments of less than brilliance, sure, but there have also been times where the players didn’t execute perfect play calls.  It all works together. 

Reggie Dunlop

November 26th, 2018 at 12:05 PM ^

I'm in the anti-Pep clan. I've toned it down a bit, but players not executing play calls can fall under his scope as much as the players. Ask any coach, and I think one of our guys said it recently, it's not about what you know it's about what you can teach.

I don't think he's dumb. Maybe he's fine. Maybe it's somebody else's problem. It just feels like our offense really slowed down once Fisch left and he arrived. I'd be okay if he moved on and somebody else got a crack at our passing game.

HenneGivenSunday

November 26th, 2018 at 12:16 PM ^

You’re absolutely right that execution falls under his responsibility.  Like I said, I’m no apologist.  I’m a fan of Jedd’s as well, but that particular Michigan team had quite a few upperclassmen in it if memory serves.  That helps.  Either way, I’d be ok if he decided to move along.  I’d stop short of laying too much of this at his feet though.  Plenty of blame to go around for this past Saturday.  

Diagonal Blue

November 26th, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^

Probably 3 star Darius Robinson. That will make 14 three star commits. Alabama has 1. And people wonder why Harbaugh can't beat elite programs.

Diagonal Blue

November 26th, 2018 at 11:37 AM ^

Yep, and they run a modern offense and play in a basketball conference. In other words they significantly out recruit everyone in the ACC and their offensive scheme isn't as reliant on 4 and 5 star players as ours is. That said all their skill players are high 4 and 5 star guys as is their DL. They also just gave up over 550 yards and 35 points to South Carolina. Didn't matter because their offense put up over 700. Gave up over 500 yards to a middling Texas A&M team too. But when you have the #1 QB recruit and 5 star WR's everywhere, and a decent O-line in a spread offense you can do some major damage.

OSU has four 3 star commits, Bama has one, OU has five, and UGA has 3. Those are the other 4 playoff contenders. 

If what Harbaugh was doing was getting results vs OSU I wouldn't complain, but it's not so he needs to change. Who did OSU pick on again this weekend? 3 stars Devin Gil and Brandon Watson. Urban has finished #1 in the B1G in recruiting ever year at OSU. He is 54-4 in the B1G and 7-0 vs Michigan. I'm sure it's all just a coincidence though.

Diagonal Blue

November 26th, 2018 at 12:14 PM ^

Who's Martin? And you call that good evidence? Uh, wow.

OSU, UGA, OU, and Bama COMBINED have less 3 star commits than Michigan. 

It's common sense that running a spread offense relies less on individual talent than pro style offenses do. Look at the top scoring offenses and their corresponding recruiting rankings if you don't believe me. And when you run a spread offense with top talent whooo boy you get OSU and Bama and OU.

But you're right stars don't matter, see 3 stars Wilton Speight and John O'Korn vs 5 star Shea Patterson. I'm sure we don't need top 247 WR's like DPJ, Nico Collins, and Tarik Black either. I'm sure our OL would look the same if we didn't have top 50 recruits like Ruiz, Bredeson, and Onwenu starting. 5 star Rashan Gary? Forget him we have 3 star Mike Dwumfour. Top 100 guys David Long and LaVert Hill? Don't need em we have 3 star Brandon Watson. Top 247 linebacker Josh Ross? Nah, we already have 3 star Devin Gil. 

The delusion from some on this board is insane. Everyone wants to be like Bama and OSU. We know the level you need to recruit at to look like those teams. We don't do it. We'd rather take guys with no power 5 offers like Quintel Kent, Joey Velazquez, Tyrese Woods, and Amauri Pesek Hickson. How many of Harbaugh's 3 star commits in his four years here have turned into all B1G players? One? Two?

BlueLava009

November 26th, 2018 at 12:17 PM ^

Why do write off what he says?? He is right in every aspect.  Great we have 3 stars that end up contributing to beat up on the Big Ten, save for OSU.  MSU does the same thing, so does PSU and Wisconsin and yet the only school in the Big Ten to consistently bring in more 4/5 star talent than 3 star talent is the only school in the Big Ten that competes on a national stage.