I have been embarrassed to be a Michigan fan twice in a year. The first time was walking out of the Outback Bowl, where I watched a Michigan team quit and not want to be there. Today was the second time for obvious reasons.
There is something wrong with this program. The optimist will say, Michigan is 10-2 this year. I will say Michigan didn't beat a good team this year. MSU just beat Rutgers by 4 points at home and just got beat by Nebraska. Wisconsin got blown out by Minnesota today. Maybe Penn State but we know they aren't that good even though they are ranked #12 in the country.
Let me share a few thoughts about todays game after I have been able to think about a few things.
First off watching that game was like getting tortured for 4 hours. It was incredibly painful.
- Michigan had the blueprint on how to beat OSU by every game the Buckeyes played this year. They knew the weakness in the OSU defense and knew that Haskins throws nothing but slants and screens. Last week it was clear he would also run for first downs. Michigan was un-prepared and whatever game plan they had was completely wrong. Maryland took this OSU team to OT last week and just scored 3 points against Penn State this weekend.
- There is a difference in playing to win and playing not to lose. Michigan played not to lose today. You might think I'm crazy but I knew it was going to be a long day after the second play. Higdon runs for 8 yards on 1st down and then is taken out of the game. On 2nd and 2 OSU is expecting a run and brings a run blitz, Shea play fakes and gets sacked. Run the DAMN BALL WITH HIGDON Again! Don't give this defense any confidence, which that play did.
- OSU offensive line had struggled all year, today they looked like world beaters. How does that happen?
- I love Don Brown, but he can't play man to man coverage against every team. He needs more Zone sets and today was big example of that. He has one or two head scratchers a year and today was another one of them. He mentioned he couldn't sleep after Penn State last year, this game will make him a insomniac. JT Barrett couldn't throw but was a talented runner and Michigan couldn't stop him, Haskins doesn't run much and throws short passes and Michigan couldn't stop him. Here a few teams that were in the game with OSU late: Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Michigan lost by 3 TD's today with the #1 defense in the country. WTF?
- Brandon Watson has had a good year and is a 5th year senior, but he has struggled covering fast guys his entire year. Not expecting OSU to pick on him was another huge miss by the defensive coaching staff.
- What is the deal with Ohio State? I will never pick Michigan to beat them again, until the Wolverines prove they can do it. This has gotten out of control and I have no idea what the solution is.
- A bowl game? I know this sounds absurd and its clearly an over reaction after that performance, but the Wolverines should consider turning down a bowl bid. Here is why, Winovich, Bush, Gary, and Higdon for sure shouldn't play. I know they might want to play with their brothers one more time, but the Jake Butt situation is still too fresh in everyone's mind. As mentioned above, the Outback Bowl last year was awful and I really don't want another performance like that coming off this game. The bowl game is meaningless and the only value is really two more weeks of practice. (I retract this statement if Michigan somehow gets to the Rose Bowl)
- As much of this loss was on the defense, I still think Michigan needs an OC that can bring some innovation to this offense. Jimmy is way too old school and that is not going to work against good teams. I don't know if he is holding Pep back or if Pep's play calling is just boring but something needs to change.
This used to be my favorite day of the year, now I hate this day and have hated it for a long time.
from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/11/embarassing.html
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