Examples of poor coaching
Here are 2 examples of poor coaching from Michigan in key spots that cost us the game.(photos/videos linked at the end)
MSU 3rd and 10
MSU has trips to the right. Michigan only has 2 defenders out there for their 3 receivers. After the snap Michigan also rolls their safety in the middle of the field away from the trips. MSU throws a screen to their #2 receiver and converts the 3rd down. They go down and tie the game on this drive. This is either a terrible defensive play design based on the formation, or the more likely option IMO is Michigan was lines up wrong. Which if that is the case they absolutely need to take a time out to make sure MSU doesn’t convert here on 3rd down.
Michigan 3rd and 1
Michigans decision not to ever read anyone with Cade costs them again. Michigan down blocks everyone to the left, MSU’s LB fills hard off the edge. If Cade reads the end man on the LOS (which ends up being the LB in this case) he pulls the balls and gets the first down with ease. Instead Michigan asks Henning to try and come down and overtake a blitzing LB. Michigan gets stuffed on this play, false starts on 4th and 1 and punts the ball away.
October 31st, 2021 at 10:48 AM ^
Michigan can over come plays like this against inferior opponents. When they play a good team though, plays like this to extend/end a drive can be the difference in winning or losing.
October 31st, 2021 at 11:49 AM ^
Exactly, Michigan played well but you can't let the other team rush for 150 yards and throw for nearly 400 yards, while throwing 2 picks of your own and letting them hold a 2 score lead at halftime. We couldn't put pressure on their QB all game and were saved when their starting QB had to stay in the medical tent at a critical juncture in the 4th quarter, leading to a fumble. But more than that, it's hard to survive sack after sack, especially when you damn near fumble or do fumble it and they jump on the ball for a touchdown (thank god the refs called it back). But this game came down to our OL not being able to block anybody but our RB balled out, rescuing play after play in the 2nd half (with a little help from friends not getting called for obvious holds). And our defense finally stiffened up when they realized that DPI wasn't on the menu.
Oh wait, that was Michigan State. Weird how it seems both sides had their issues. I guess we should overanalyze our side while ignoring the elephant in the room, a 50/50 game between top ten teams came down to a margin of 4 points.....wonder how we could have scored 4 more points?
October 31st, 2021 at 12:08 PM ^
Ultimately one metric matters most...winning and losing. Win and it doesn't matter how. Lose and you must answer as to why.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:22 PM ^
100%. But half this fanbase is having a real hard time admitting why we lost, despite it being pretty clear (it's that call from the officials). Placing all the blame on a first year defensive coordinator for 3 substitutions when his defense created 2 interceptions and jammed up every hole just to have a heisman candidate Barry Sanders his way out of it feels unfair. Blaming an offense who threw for almost 400 yards and ran for 150 while putting up 33 points on the road in a hostile environment feels unfair. Blaming a freshman QB who fumbled because the starter was in the medical tent feels unfair. Calling it a choke job when the offense moved up and down the field during a critical late 4th quarter drive only to have the zebras swallow their whistle feels unfair.
Everything about this game was unfair. How much bullshit is one team supposed to overcome before they can talk about the officials? 1 call, 2 calls, 3 calls etc etc.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
They had more penalties than us...8 to 7. I do not understand this "one sided officiating" thing.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^
It is nothing to do with quantity. It is matter of which ones were called, when it is called and how many were called. If a team commits more penalties but only some of them are called, it does not mean it was evenly called.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:36 PM ^
I do not understand this "one sided officiating" thing.
"I thought the play and the theater experience was great! Why is everyone so upset?"
- Mrs. Lincoln
October 31st, 2021 at 12:39 PM ^
I can handle most of the bad calls. They happen, especially in real time. However, I CANNOT GET OVER OR UNDERSTAND THE OVERTURNING OF THE FUMBLE RECOVERED IN THE ENDZONE. There was literally no camera angle that showed the shin and the ball at the same time. None. In order to overturn that call, the referees must completely and brazenly ignore the rulebook.
That single play turned the game. Going into the half with a 13 point lead instead of 9 is huge. As one individual pointed out, the removal of 7 point on that play, in exchange for 3 (making a FG after the punt), altered MSUs strategy as well. They likely would not have gone for 2 two point conversions, which takes an additional 2 points away from them, and the game likely becomes a 3 possession game at some point, instead of a two possession game at 30-14. Again, that overturned call, in my mind, altered the outcome.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:10 PM ^
The holding call which negated a 1st & goal from inside the 5 was just as egregious.
That was a phantom hold call as opposed to when C. Johnson got mugged at the end of the game and of course the refs swallowed their whistles.
Its really astounding how a blue blood like Michigan has every call go against them. Imagine Duke, UNC or UK never getting a call in hoops. It’s baffling.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:24 PM ^
The reason I think the overturn of the strip sack was the turning point in the game that eventually doomed Michigan to defeat is because it actually took points off the board. The referees literally took points away from Michigan by using speculative video evidence. I agree that the phantom holding call and the non-call PI were both terrible, but there is still the unknown of what Michigan does beyond those calls if they were to go in Michigan's favor. If those calls go in Michigan's favor, they still have to execute in subsequent plays. The overturned fumble was already executed, it was already a touchdown, and then it was stolen away. That directly changes a game.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:47 PM ^
Oh agreed. Im just saying those calls were just as bad in terms of refs blowing calls.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:26 PM ^
I completely agree. I understand arguing the other calls, because that’s what fans do, but this call was really, really bad and it did change the game.
I watched the game with a couple of osu fans and they agreed it was a horrible call and we were screwed. - They also reminded me of their 2019 CFP matchup with Clemson. They had several bad calls go against them, including a fumble recovery for a TD. They even threw a pick late in the game while they were driving for the winning score. Apparently I told them they were just whining because they couldn’t make the plays when they needed to and now I’m doing the same.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
If calls are missed in real time, then so be it. The refs are human, and they don't always get it right. But to stop the game, review the tape, and then change a scoring play based on speculative evidence and an ignoring or the rulebook is absolutely inexcusable. I have seen some write that there needs to be transparency in these booth reviews, and at this point, I couldn't agree more.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:43 PM ^
Exactly. But there are no consequences. Nobody is held accountable. I did not watch football games for a long time after that 4th and short debacle. No one missed my viewership. Michigan does not take a stance. Too much pride and I don't know what they can really do other than walk away or be quiet. If these kind of things happens to OSU, I promise you that it won't be tolerated and something will be done. We are too much of an elite in our head including me.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:47 PM ^
Harbaugh needs to just take the fine and call the refs out in public. Warde needs to reach out to the B1G and make it known this will not be tolerated.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:08 PM ^
The problem is that although there are steps fans can take, it’s considered uncouth… until it isn’t. Remember the Shane Morris debacle? Nothing was going to come of that, until fans started going nuts. Eventually there was a group of 100+ students who protested on the Diag and then moved to the University President’s lawn. MGoBlog simultaneously released the Dave Brandon emails, it got picked up in the media, and the momentum became too great for Hackett to ignore.
If I suggested we should protest in front of Kevin Warren’s house, people would call me crazy and indecent. People would say that other fans will laugh at us because everyone deals with bad calls, Alabama and OSU don’t benefit from favoritism, blah blah whatever. So in the end we just rationalize that this is the way it has to be, and so it remains that way.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:23 PM ^
I see your point, and do largely agree. At the same time, what is wrong with demanding a better product? So frustrating.
October 31st, 2021 at 4:47 PM ^
The other strategy that gets altered is that State cannot hand the ball off nearly as much down 3 scores and Walker was their only offense. If they were forced to drop back and pass on virtually every play we win going away. They could not block Ojabo and Hutchinson. The ramifications of that blown call were enormous and as the OP stated there was not one single angle of the replay that supported overturning the call made on the field.
October 31st, 2021 at 8:36 PM ^
The obvious reason for losing was due to scoring FG's instead of TD's. Until they become better inside the red zone this will always be an Achille's heel that keeps UM from becoming elite.
October 31st, 2021 at 11:43 PM ^
How in the hell are you supposed to convert those if you are about to make a good play and you are held or blatantly interfered or you are called for a phantom foul. There is no integrity and too much incompetency.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:35 PM ^
Exactly… but, don’t waste your breath. People have a need for outcomes to appear just and right. We have to convince ourselves that Michigan made too many mistakes, when realistically MSU made just as many if not more. Thus we get comments like “DiD tHe ReFs MaKe mCcArThY fUmBLe??” from the brilliant minds of CFB message boards.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^
Well stated. I didn't realize until now he was in the tent. Are there more details on that?
October 31st, 2021 at 12:46 PM ^
Do you ever stop and wonder why MSU is always able to keep games close vs Michigan with a talent deficit yet Michigan loses to OSU by double digits every year with a talent deficit? It couldnt possibly be a coaching deficit, could it?
October 31st, 2021 at 1:06 PM ^
Hyperbole is hyperbole.
Michigan State losing a not so close game: 2019, 2018, 2016
Michigan keeping it close vs Ohio State: 2017, 2016 (better team lost that day due to shenanigans), 2014, 2013, 2012, etc. etc.
Why are you so hell bent on trashing your own team?
October 31st, 2021 at 1:35 PM ^
Don't even bother with posters like UMxWolverines. There's a significant portion of any fanbase that hate-watches their team, and anything short of 1985 Bears-caliber dominance is met with UNACCEPTABLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE, incessant complaining, and their "expert" armchair analysis.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:51 PM ^
It was the way it happened, if it was a close game throughout and MSU won on their last series, sure, even teams and MSU made the plays to win. But with a 30-14 lead in the 3rd quarter, you have to put that game away. Maybe the defense thought that MSU needed 2 TDs and and two-point conversions and that was going to be tough to get, so they let up on the next drive. At 30-22 you know it was going to get dicey, given the history of Harbaugh in big games.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:18 PM ^
Terrific post. Spot on Homie J.
October 31st, 2021 at 10:48 AM ^
Half the board blames everybody but the coaching so this will fall on mostly deaf ears, but thanks for sharing. Just two of many examples of where the coaches failed yesterday and for the past several years.
October 31st, 2021 at 10:52 AM ^
Just two of many examples of where the coaches failed yesterday and for the past several years.
So the new defensive staff also gets the blame for the failures of the previous defensive staff?
I think yesterday's game was a major learning experience for a new DC. It sucks but nothing can be done about it now. If these problems continue then I'll be worried.
October 31st, 2021 at 10:54 AM ^
Yup I agree. It sucks bc we dominated that game. Coaches let the players down. Especially the defensive coaches. Gattis and the offense for the most part did their part.
October 31st, 2021 at 11:25 AM ^
Not in the red zone.
They need to watch film on what the rest of college football does in the red zone. Because Michigan has the talent and playmakers to score red zone TDs, but it lacks the effective play calling to do it.
October 31st, 2021 at 11:43 AM ^
Part of me thinks we give up on TD opportunities too easily. Jake Moody is money to make the FG, so the coaches start banking on a "guaranteed" 3 pts inside the red zone and it affects their play calling. It's not quite "turtling," but it's a close relative.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:07 PM ^
It's playing not to lose rather than playing to win. In today's college football, good offenses have a killer instinct.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:15 PM ^
Exactly. Harbaugh would have been a great coach in the 80s/90s with his philosophy.
Unfortunately this is 2021 and getting an automatic 3 and playing conservative and not lose is pretty much why he is 2-13 against top teams.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:12 PM ^
Yeah, maybe you'e right. But in Columbus last night, the Buckeyes couldn't score on a number of drives inside the red zone and were forced to kick field goals to win 33-24. And they failed more than once inside the five to score at point blank range when opportunities were there. So, a game that shouldn't have been close at the end, came down to field goal kicking.
Our game came down to mistakes at the end, calls that went the other way, taking at least 4 points off the board and yes, either poor execution or misplays resulting from coaching blunders or lousy choices by both players and coaches. We want to blame someone, Harbaugh, for this devastating loss. Go right ahead. He's the man in charge.
But he alone didn't lose it. We pick up and move on and learn from this. Because that's what you do, you can't change what happened. You can only hope the experience improves your performance going forward. It all depends on how you deal with it. And that too is on everyone, not just Harbaugh.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:15 PM ^
Saw that and I tend to agree. At the same time, PSU doesn't seem to have the explosiveness of MSU so perhaps you can get away with field goals against them. Maybe the coaching staff didn't believe in MSU's big play capability? I didn't, I assumed their "explosiveness" would end against us yesterday. Wrong.
October 31st, 2021 at 10:56 AM ^
Those are two good examples, I thought the 3rd and 3 go for a deep bomb was just stupid. It is 4 down territory, get positive yardage. If that takes place in the 2nd quarter, close game sure. But not there. My god, the downfield completion percentage of Cade McNamara is almost non existent (see Mgopost: https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/bill-connolly%27s-chart-cade-mcnamara%27s-passing)
Why in all that's holy would you try that there. If you tell me that it was Cade's call, then why can't Cade also call his own number in that play you showed. Either he is a game manager who we trust to make good decisions, or he is not. Maybe both were mistakes on his part. If that's the case he is not the game manager.
I don't know... in the end it won't matter. Coach Harbaugh is not getting it done, and nothing has changed.
October 31st, 2021 at 11:32 AM ^
A lot can and has been said about coaching in this game. I thought Gattis did a good job of opening up the offense when it became apparent that run first was not the answer. However, that third down call was terrible. Been spoiled watching Brady as a pro....but in that situation, take what they give you and what you need. And if you use up the rest of the clock in the process, great. The long pass was a terrible call. Yes, I repeated myself, a terrible call.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:04 PM ^
I thought the coaches actually called a pretty good game but that call at that point in the game may have been one of the worst play calls I can remember.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:08 PM ^
Agree. On the balance the offensive staff did a good job; it's tough to really complain when you put up 550 yards, and they had a couple of other nice calls that could have gotten more (like the Corum drop).
But that particular pass didn't make sense. Not only is it a low-percentage throw on 3rd and 3, but we had 2 minutes left and were in MSU territory. Certainly, you want to score, but you'd also like to do it with as little time as possible. We were moving up the field with the short passing game and there really was no reason to go for the big play right then.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:55 PM ^
That Corum drop was killer. Johnson dropped some too. It's not just the coaching. Corum probably scores on that one and who knows how the game goes after that.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:29 PM ^
100 percent agree. I thought this was the worst decision. You want to give yourself two high percentage chances to make those critical 3 yards. The play call gave us just one chance. Then we had the obvious defensive hold on 4th an 3 but you can never count on getting that call as all of us, are all too aware of.
October 31st, 2021 at 5:21 PM ^
absolutely did NOT need the deep shot in that instance for several reasons.
1) low percentage pass play.
2) an incompletion made it 4th & 3, which ultimately resulted in a turnover on downs.
3) If they scored there they would’ve been up 3 and left over 1:30 and MSU had 3 timeouts and were moving the ball at will.
That play call showed a serious lack of situational awareness. It was 100% unnecessary. What was needed was a long drive for the remaining 31 yards resulting in a game winning TD. They blew a great opportunity late in MSU territory.
October 31st, 2021 at 11:04 AM ^
Coached and players are at fault. Corum made numerous errors as did McCarthy. The run defense was the single greatest factor in their defeat. That is coaching and performance.
Winning football takes both coaches and players doing their job. That didn’t happen enough yesterday.
October 31st, 2021 at 11:12 AM ^
Run defense was not great but Walker is an exceptional back. He was a peripheral Heisman candidate before this game but I think he sealed an invite yesterday. Tackling was very poor but he reminds me of Sanders in that you see him in the middle of a scrum but he has the vision and slipperiness to break out and get yards.
October 31st, 2021 at 11:20 AM ^
He is excellent, but he isn’t Barry Sanders. He isn’t that shifty. Teams like NEB and IU showed that you can contain him. I suspect OSU and PSU will which will probably lead to ugly results for MSU vs OSU and a nail biter vs PSU. Purdue has a good defense too.
All Michigan had to do was contain Walker and they win comfortably. They couldn’t and lost. Incredibly frustrating.
October 31st, 2021 at 11:54 AM ^
Soft up the middle in the second half. KW3 made an easy first down conversion from wildcat. Made other runs right up the middle for TDs.
October 31st, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^
Several drops too, Moten potential int and Johnson ball right through his hands stand out, then another drop shortly after.
October 31st, 2021 at 12:53 PM ^
Johnson was scared af of getting popped yesterday. He flinched at least twice when the ball was in reach
October 31st, 2021 at 1:34 PM ^
I hope we see a lot more of Andrel Anthony and Roman Wilson going forward. I'm sick of watching Johnson go negative on his teammates when something goes wrong, and then screwing up in critical situations. Dude needs to sit on the bench for the last four games.