Same Game Different Year

David Guralnick, Detnews 

The Indiana program has taken Michigan to OT the last two trips to Bloomington.  The prior trip to the Big House,  Michigan won a snowy 10 point game.  Many Michigan fans haven't seen a win by Indiana in Ann Arbor in their lifetime.   Yesterday, it was an ugly 11 point win.

You look at the Wolverines offensive numbers and wonder if this was even a ball game.  Total Yards 507 (250 passing, 257 running), 25 first downs, almost 36 minutes in possession time.

That is why we do Cheers and Jeers so we can look outside the numbers!

Cheers:

• Michigan won the game 
• Defense got stops when they needed to 
• Game ball goes to Moody for going 6-6 on field goals 
• Gray finishes his career at the BH with a sack 
• Higdon had some great 4 yard runs, when they looked like losses
• It didn't snow 

Jeers:

• I thought the offensive play calling was atrocious 
• Harbaugh's calls at the end of the 1st half were awful 
• Red Zone?
• The BIG officials were terrible - that kick of the ball should have been a delay of game
• I love me some Don Brown, but how in the hell do you blitz Bush on 3rd down when the IU QB has been beating you running and passing up the middle?
• Nordin was sick and has the shanks 
• Indiana played dirty, that IU tackle that hit Winovich on the ground should be suspended
• Winovich's injury is still up in the air - early reports are the xray's were negative 
• Edwards injury was terrible and he is being treated for a concussion

I watched Ohio State - Maryland before the Michigan game and watched a talented team that didn't want to be in Maryland and played like it.   I thought to myself,  I'm glad Michigan won't play like that today.  The Wolverines didn't play as poorly as the Buckeyes but they did play poorly.  

The Michigan defense gave up 385 yards (195 passing and 190 on the ground) and looked ill prepared for Indiana's offense all game.   They even struggled to get lined up on many plays.  The middle of the field was wide open all day and for some reason, Michigan didn't ever adjust.   Penalties on 3rd down to keep drives alive, is like going to the Dentist for a root canal. 

The Michigan offense looked like a high school coach was calling the plays.  Very predictable and not just vanilla it was French vanilla.   Then Pep or Jimmy decides to keep the ball moving they need to run Patterson.   Which if hurt would have killed the Wolverines chances for next week.  What is the deal with the Red Zone?  Yes, there were a couple of bad throws and a drop, but first and second down calls were just give-a-ways by the Wolverines. 

Outside of ND, this might have been the most frustrating game of the year, which is not a great sign going into next week.   With that said, we know the team that struggled in Maryland and the team that struggled in the red zone in Ann Arbor won't be the same teams that show up at noon in CBus.  

Let's hope the news on Winovich continues to be positive and he can play next weekend.  It would be a huge loss if he doesn't even make the trip or is in street clothes. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/11/same-game-different-year.html