Rutgers Snowflakes - The Coaching

Agree about the second half edge this team has, even with subs.  In college football its pretty hard to have a team up every week.  After the gauntlet, this team performed well enough for a 42-7 win on the road to go 9 & 1.  Michigan football is doing a lot of things right.  Well coached and fully invested team.  Really like what I've seen this year.

i wonder if any of the players had serious injuries. or it was a coaching decision that if you get a boo boo take yourself out

We did not get the bloodsport we demanded.  I am grumpy.

Since there is no special team snowflake, I will put this here. We obviously do not have championship caliber special teams. The only part of this team that is not getting better. Good punting and kick return teams, but kickoff coverage and field goal kick teams are not where they need to be.

Zero real complaints. Harbaugh did what we wanted him to do. Protect Shea, make safe calls against a very beatable team,get out with a W, and get him one game closer to OSU in a HEALTHY state. 

We NEED a healthy starting QB going into Columbus. That’s been the big difference between 0-3 and 2-1 against OSU in Harbagh’s tenure. I’d rather conservatively win 42-7 against Rutgers vs. win 72-7 and play Russian Roullete with Shea’s health.

Well earned win, did some smart things....

Playing youngsters when game was in hand sound strategy. 

Team seemed to play with a 'toughness' - - carry that over to Indiana game...

.... tear their heads off. 

Classic mail it in, don't show anything game. I think that was the right strategy

My only complaint with the playcalling and conservative approach - the starters had to play late into the game.  Hopefully no injuries or issues, but lost opportunity to pounce early and play 2nd and 3rd stringers throughout the 2nd half.

Harbaugh presser (paraphrasing):

Shea played a great game. Good as he has ever looked in the pocket. Really pleased how he spread the ball around. Throw to Martin was very impressive. Wind was very difficult - it was going to be tough to move the ball because of the conditions.

He felt that Rutgers is more competitive than their record. Played NU and IU tough; very close to breaking through. Impressed with their young backs. Did a good job stopping the run.

Plan was to get snaps for both Peters and Milton. Both need game reps. He likes traits of both Peters and Milton and both will be prepped as backups in case they are needed. 

Metellus had "a soft tissue deal" on Thursday. Available if there is a emergency. Hill in concussion protocol. Solomon was sick at the end of the week.

Thought Hawkins played well. Very confident in him. Taken a game to another level this year. 

Players get to make the decision on the level they play at (context of if RU or IU are trap games).

This is likely the only game Milton has a shot to get in, so why not?  McCaffrey should be back for a playoff game

Peters is officially the guy if Shea gets hurt. I really hope Shea doesn't get hurt.

Felt like a "Lets just get the win and get the hell outta here" type game.

More for two weeks from now: keep working on the stretch runs. We cannot let Dobbins or Weber break one like Pacheco. 

I wish Harbaugh would stop calling deep throws into the sun. A few midday start times for games have resulted in our guys losing passes in the falling sun. Maybe that is to get WRs experience catching tough passes while playing weaker teams—or maybe theyre just making the call without worrying at all about viability.

Shea looked pretty decent in my opinion. Threw the ball up so the receivers had a chance. Pretty much what you want him to do. 

I’m not sure how long coach Rob is going to last at Rutgers...

Would have liked Nordin to get a shot on the first 4th down to build some confidence.

Would have liked Peter's to throw a few passes.

Otherwise great coaching.

Offense looked a bit sleepy in the 1st QTR. Probably should have scored a couple more TDs in the first half to lead 35-7, then finish the game 56-7. Just beat IU, OSU and NU and we are in the playoffs.

OSU had half an nfl team in 2015, that was a tall order.  2016 officiating was awful, but Speight wasn’t 100% and turned it over 3 times.  

Last year I still think if Peters started we would have won.  JOK missed so many easy throws. The gameplan had guys open everywhere. 

I'll go opposite with Peters..

What if I told you.... they were keeping him off tape.  All the good things he can do and mostly limitations he has.

Why let DC"s know exactly what he is before it happens.  Sure they will adjust after 1-2 series, but maybe that's all you need

Another great rivalry road game win.

The coaching staff did what we all wanted them to do this week. Play conservative, protect Shea, no injuries, get out with a W. Minus the situation with LaVert and Kwity, all of that was accomplished. The trade off to that is that you don’t have a 78-0 shellacking. Which is fine. I’d rather not play Russian Roulette with Shea’s health when we don’t have to.

Aside from one bad play by the defense, yesterday went just fine.

One of the most controlled coaching wins you'll ever see.