Alabama 35, Michigan 16
It went a hell of a lot better than the last time.
That may sound derisive; it's not meant that way. When these programs played to open the 2012 season, they didn't appear to belong on the same field. In closing the 2019 season, Michigan showed they've covered a lot of ground since. These teams played an evenly matched contest until Alabama salted the game away late and it's fair to say the Wolverines left a lot of yards and points on the field.
Early on, it looked like the game might go the way of 2012. After Michigan got the opening kickoff, Shea Patterson and Nico Collins couldn't connect on two potential big plays, leading to a three-and-out. Alabama took all of one play to take the lead; Mac Jones found future top-five pick Jerry Jeudy one-on-one with a safety and hit him for an 85-yard touchdown. The next Wolverine drive also ended with an off-target throw and a punt. It felt inevitable that the Tide would break the game open.
Instead, a banged-up defense starting a walk-on and a true freshman at defensive tackle bore down. Lavert Hill broke up a third-down throw on a well-timed changeup to cover two from the usual man coverage, forcing Bama to punt it back.
Hassan Haskins had some punishing runs. [Barron]
Josh Gattis drew up an excellent gameplan and it finally paid off on the ensuing drive. The offensive line started opening up holes for Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet, who both were plenty capable of grinding out extra yards against Alabama's five-star-laden defense. Gattis schemed up a big play on a direct snap to Haskins that turned into a flea flicker with Shea Patterson throwing to a wide open Donovan Peoples-Jones. The next two plays beautifully played off each other; first, a split zone to Haskins with jet motion netted a first down, then they faked the same play with Nick Eubanks leaking wide open into the flat for an easy seven-yard touchdown catch.
After the defense got another quick stop, Gattis drew up another long gain, this time using Giles Jackson as a running back on a play-action wheel route. Patterson couldn't squeeze in a third-down corner route to Nick Eubanks, who had a step on his man, and Michigan settled for a Quinn Nordin field goal.
Nearly the same sequence capped the first quarter and opened the second. Another stop. Another Michigan drive with multiple first downs stalls out in Bama territory, this time when Ronnie Bell steps out of bounds before catching a would-be conversion. Nordin kicks a 42-yard field goal. While the Wolverines owned a 13-7 lead, it felt like they should've been up 14.
That's a dangerous way to play against a team as talented as Alabama. On the next drive, Lavert Hill had to take a defensive pass interference to prevent another Jeudy touchdown, and Najee Harris hurdled over Josh Metellus for a touchdown two plays after a questionable roughing the passer flag on Aidan Hutchinson extended the drive. Michigan once again worked their way into scoring territory to end the half, only for poor clock management and a sack on Patterson to force a 57-yard field goal attempt by Nordin that eked over the crossbar as the half expired.
Second-half mood. [Barron]
In the second half, the missed opportunities continued, and those from the first half began to sting more. A perfect throw-and-catch from Jones to DeVonta Smith went for a 42-yard touchdown on the half's opening drive. Then came an extended staredown; neither team could crack the other's defense for the next five possessions. Patterson missed a couple more deep passes, this time in the direction of Ronnie Bell.
The proverbial dam broke in the fourth quarter. After two long completions to Jeudy, who finished with 204 yards on six receptions, Jones tossed a score to little-used tight end Miller Forristall when two defenders went with Harris on a wheel route. Forristall hadn't caught a pass since October. Michigan's next drive ended on—guess what—an overthrown deep ball to a well-covered Mike Sainristil.
The defense gave Patterson one more chance to lead an unlikely comeback. That ended in one play. Eubanks appeared to break his route upfield in anticipation of a Patterson scramble drill; instead, Patterson lofted a ball well short of Eubanks and directly into the hands of Shyheim Carter.
Alabama then ground away nearly the entire rest of the game clock, and could've kneeled it out completely, but Nick Saban instead let Harris run in another score—which, fair enough. My only complaint is it made the final score less resemble the closeness of the game.
Michigan belonged. But where Bama scored touchdowns, Michigan managed field goals, and while Mac Jones was money when his receivers were open downfield, Shea Patterson was not. The Wolverines finish the season a disappointing 9-4. Still, it wasn't hard to see the potential in this program today; with a few more on-target throws, this is a dogfight with the Crimson Tide. May next year's quarterback hit them, because it sure looks like they'll be there.
[Hit THE JUMP for the box score.]
January 1st, 2020 at 6:30 PM ^
Agreed. That was an embarrassing attempt by Ace to put lipstick on another pig.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:45 PM ^
The equivalent of “defeated with dignity.”
January 1st, 2020 at 7:56 PM ^
This is dumb because I could argue that 16-14 means they did belong on the same field. You're using an arbitrary cutoff to make your point.
January 1st, 2020 at 9:16 PM ^
The final score is arbitrary. Do you understand how sports works?
January 1st, 2020 at 6:04 PM ^
the cycle of Michigan fanhood
1) offseason hype- hopes replenished. This year will be different
2) early season struggles/ loss- back in the BPONE. Nothing ever changes
3) mid to late season win streak- we are back! maybe we can beat osu!
4) loss to osu and bowl game- why do we even bother? I hate my life
1) offseason hype. Hopes replenished. Next year will be different
January 1st, 2020 at 6:34 PM ^
I can't wait to hear how optimistic the camp rumors are. It's almost comedic how disconnected the Schembechler hype is compared to how we look
January 1st, 2020 at 8:47 PM ^
You've just described fandom in general. Michigan fandom is no different.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:04 PM ^
Great write-up and spot on. The weak roughing call was worth 4 points, the two non-reviews on targeting would have helped extend drives, and yet M still had a chance today with a QB that can make the deep throws. Bama did and that was the difference.
Always disappointing when they don't win, but still glad to have had 13 afternoons with this team.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:05 PM ^
Patterson has done some good things, but I am ready to move on. In big games, he repeatedly has missed open receivers on long passes. Meanwhile, Alabama’s 3 star fill-in QB was on the money with his deep passes. Hit those passes (or find a wide open Nico on a play where Shea scrambled) and its a different game. Harris and Jeudy are far more talented than anyone we have, but we had a chance to win this game if we hit those big plays. Just disappointing. Again.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:51 PM ^
Yes. And even when he has hit downfield, it seems he usually has thrown it short. WR has to stop, turn around and out-jump the DB for the ball. It is very rare that he hits a guy in stride downfield (that one glorious moment vs MSU in 2018 being an exception)
January 1st, 2020 at 6:14 PM ^
Nice summary, Ace.
The difference in the game probably game down to QB play and a not "questionable" but total horseshit roughing the QB penalty - one of the worst calls I've ever seen.
If Patterson doesn't overthrow receivers, Michigan wins this game - even with the horseshit penalty gifting Bama 7 points. Michigan has closed the gap some but the gap still remains. We haven't had an elite QB under Harbaugh - part of that is dumb luck and part of that is on Harbaugh (both inidentifying and coaching/developing QB talent). Bama's backup QB was the better QB on the field today. That has been the difference in several of our biggest losses.
I'm heartened by our play today but also disappointed in the loss. I don't know if Harbaugh (or anybody else) can get Michigan back to the very top of the mountain. We need a difference maker at QB and a stouter defense - I'm not sure if that's in the cards.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:18 PM ^
Sorry, but I think this is far too optimistic. This was not a prime Bama team. (The 2012 team that beat us 41-14 in Texas won a national championship.). Still, a “down” Bama team had more talent at key positions and pulled away from us by multiple scores.
Yes, we are better than in 2012. Still, didn’t we all expect Harbaugh’s fifth year would be better than Hoke’s second?
There is a clear and growing gap between Michigan and the teams we claim to be our peers. To me, this game highlighted that gap. Sorry, I just can’t find the optimism today.
January 1st, 2020 at 7:22 PM ^
Agree. Where Ace sees potential and has an optimistic take (spin?), I see recurring and ingrained problems and issues.
January 1st, 2020 at 7:28 PM ^
With regard to that Hoke team: watched a replay of that Sugar Bowl yesterday and it is remarkable we won. Virginia Tech (with a QB who is now an NFL TE) looked like the better team. End of year record is better than this year but that team was not some vintage outfit. Pretty sure the 2016 and 2018 Harbaugh teams beat the 2011 Hoke team convincingly.
January 1st, 2020 at 9:19 PM ^
“Claim to be our peers” seems to be ND, PSU, Wisky and the other top teams in the B1G other than OSU. The playoffs and more lax NCAA enforcement have changed the nature of CFB to 5-6 elite teams. Four teams have secure 17 of the 24 spots in the CFP. Bama is most definitely not our peer - they have made an all-out commitment to be elite on the field.
For UM to take the next step, one of two things must occur: consistent elite recruiting (won’t happen) or tremendous execution of a scheme. For the latter, UM needs to find a fantastic QB who is a gamer in the big games. That hasn’t happened.
January 2nd, 2020 at 11:36 AM ^
The Athletic Department tells us at every home game that we are in pursuit of National Championships. Thus, the program is claiming it competes with the LSUs, OSU’s, etc. That is why I said we claim those programs as peers.
Now, I agree with your bigger point the elite programs are not our peers. In fact, Michigan football does not seriously compete for titles. During a good year, our ceiling is second place in the Big Ten East and 15,000 Buckeyes spelling OHIO in our stadium as they go up by three scores. This is the problem that we do not seem to be fixing.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:18 PM ^
So Uche played all three downs right? They shot him the the gaps and it was quite effective, and sometimes they dropped him way back into secondary. Makes one wonder why they hadn't done this the past two years, when it was apparent he was our best defender. Instead they'd play him situationally on third downs only.
I'll miss him...and Glasgow. Total animal. Tough as nails.
The defense was playing well but seemed to deflate again when Patterson sputtered. I do wonder if this changes with a new QB.
That Haskins error was horrible and seemed to have changed the momentum. Totally unaware of his assignment there. Head needs to be on swivel instead of tunnelled to right side where there was an extra defender. Bama didn't do anything tricky.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:26 PM ^
Just rewatched.
There were SOOOOOOOOO many open receivers that were either (a) overthrown (b) ignored (c) pass dropped. Especially given the "talent" gap, the coaches put together a darn-good game plan... that just didn't pan out.
I agree with the assessment: compared to the last time Alabama & Michigan played, it was a LOT more competitive. I thought going into the game we were going to be blown out and Michigan (short handed) came close.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:27 PM ^
Moral victories are for losers. That is all this fan base has anymore. Sad.
January 1st, 2020 at 8:21 PM ^
People gain way too much self worth over a college game they never played. This is all this fan base has anymore (people who shit on guys doing things they couldnt do in a hundred lifetimes). Sad.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:30 PM ^
great write up ace. Solid.
Bummer town for sure but i completely agree they looked like they belonged on same field. Frick we should’ve been up a couple scores in first half. Ahhh. Then Shea seemed to forget football. So many missed opportunities. As this whole year was mostly.
looking forward to next year with gattis and co.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:32 PM ^
I think calling the Hutchinson roughing call questionable is being generous, that was an absolute horseshit call. Even in slow mo he made contact a half a second after the ball was gone and he didn't even land on top of his body hard. Especially when the refs want to say that the Alabama DB launching himself with his forearm into Bells head later in the game is somehow ok. Anyways not the reason they lost, but still frustrating how inconsistent this whole player safety stuff is at times.
At the end of the day UM played Bama pretty evenly in alot of respects, particularly in the trenches, but the QB play was just not good enough to win this game. Also did not get any breaks like Auburn got against Bama.
January 1st, 2020 at 8:42 PM ^
agree 100%.
we didn’t lose because of the officials (patterson was probably too inaccurate, and when he wasn’t, we had too many drops for us to win) - but the dodgy roughing call and the uncalled head shot at ronnie bell absolutely had impact.
just once, i’d like us to get a cleanly-officiated big game.
January 1st, 2020 at 9:28 PM ^
Wholeheartedly agree with you assessment of the call on Hutchinson and the non-call on the targeting of Ronnie Bell. Those two referee whiffs and the ones by Patterson were the difference in this game.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:32 PM ^
Michigan fades under the brightest lights. They fail to capitalize on opportunities during games. They have no killer instinct. Bama didn't want to be there and UM could have knocked them out in the 1st half. But they just can't do it.
They need a QB. Until they up their game in that area this is a perennial 9-3 team.
Year 5 of Harbaugh produces his 2nd worse season when they were preseason favorites. Failure of a season.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:36 PM ^
Winnable game if we woud have had competent qb play. We had a fairly low ceiling all season with Shea at qb.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:40 PM ^
I’m very optimistic about next year’s team, but obviously a lot will depend on how well McCaffrey plays. Patterson was a big improvement on Speight and O’Korn, but inconsistency was his weakness. Hopefully, McCaffrey can be better, or at least more consistent. I think they’ll be improved in just about every other area.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:57 PM ^
What have you seen about this program under JH that would make you optimistic? What is the definition of optimistic? 9-3 and getting smoked by OSU and in the bowl game?
January 1st, 2020 at 8:23 PM ^
Better than 7-5 and getting smoked by OSU and in the bowl game. What unicorn hire you have in mind that is actually remotely realistic who is going to win 8 games minimum like Harbaugh will?
January 1st, 2020 at 8:51 PM ^
I mean they did not really get smoked in this game unless you just looked at the final score and didn't actually watch the game. Legitimately had a chance going into the fourth and Bama added a garbage score in their last possession when the d was gassed. Not remotely similar to what happened against OSU.
January 1st, 2020 at 7:14 PM ^
I don’t think Shea was that big of an improvement on 2016 Speight. More talent, better runner (when he ran), hit a few more deep passes...
But basically all of the same problems. Little to choose between the two. And why not? Same coach.
January 1st, 2020 at 8:30 PM ^
How can you go there when McC had a few snaps in a whole season? At some point JH has to have better vision and develop those in the wings.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:46 PM ^
I didn't see a huge talent gap today besides qb and Jeudy. However, poor qb play kills a team.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:49 PM ^
The difference in this game was at the QB position and the Head Coaches.
January 1st, 2020 at 6:51 PM ^
yeah yeah yeah "potential" blah blah blah blah just like EVERY season with JH...Tired of hearing it
January 1st, 2020 at 6:54 PM ^
Proud that our guys put up a spirited fight today.
That said, we are in a bad place when we lose by 19 and can think “Whew, that wasn’t so bad...”
January 1st, 2020 at 6:56 PM ^
So the bar is not getting as embarrassed as last time. Bravo. I bet Alabama because I had zero confidence Harbaugh would get the team up to play or have a coherent game plan. UM continually loses big games and is the laughing stock of big programs. Problem is this is the norm and the fire Harbaugh crowd have no viable answer to the question “well and then what?” We’re in a position where we have to accept mediocrity and getting pounded by any team with a national presence.
January 1st, 2020 at 7:00 PM ^
Yeah, 1 touchdown and 3 field goals isn't going to win you games. That said, the team didn't totally fall apart like it did the last 2 bowl games, it just fell short. That is an improvement. I'm particularly impressed with the depleted defense performing as well as it did, despite the lack of scoring.
January 1st, 2020 at 7:16 PM ^
Gee, ya think maybe Ace has been doing this a bit too long? Who cares about 2012? How is "covering ground" since a game 7.5 years ago relevant at all?
January 1st, 2020 at 7:19 PM ^
I do appreciate this article because it made me laugh out loud after another great season. 9-4, sure, whatever. This story is extremely tired. The only question I have is do we really need to spend 7.5 million for this?
January 1st, 2020 at 8:25 PM ^
I mean, we could spend only $5 million a year and go back to winning 5-8 games a year ...
January 1st, 2020 at 7:23 PM ^
Michigan won the first half. Point blank. We looked well coached and well prepared (despite the negativity on this board). The poor QB play kept the game closer than it should have been.
In the end the better team won. It was expected. We did not have a big enough cushion to overcome all Alabama’s skill position talent.
This game was played without Tua, I realize, but virtually everyone who commented on the LSU Bama game came away thinking LSU got lucky Bama ran out of time. Alabama is loaded with studs. Loaded. Hard to win against that over a full 60 mins.
Big takeaway is that Michigan looked competitive, tough, and well coached. Just out manned at some key spots. The team we bring back next year is better than this one and that feels good.
This wasn’t 2016 where we were stacked and we blew our chance/got robbed by shoddy refereeing. This was good team with some question marks. Not a great one. Would love to have the final play at Penn State back but otherwise the end results feel accurate.
January 2nd, 2020 at 8:20 AM ^
Burrow >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Patterson is the difference in comparing the two games.
If Burrow plays yesterday, Michigan is up 35-14 at the half and there is some leeway in the second half.
January 1st, 2020 at 7:27 PM ^
Patterson lost this game.
January 1st, 2020 at 7:27 PM ^
Patterson lost this game.
January 1st, 2020 at 7:29 PM ^
Exactly my point, our coaches can’t teach transfers, Harbaugh does an incredible job developing talent but he needs four years to do it.
January 1st, 2020 at 7:33 PM ^
4.9 yards/play versus 8.7 yards/play. I think the interpretation that we belonged is a bit generous. We kept it even in the first half as Alabama went through the motions and once they turned it up a bit during the 2nd half we really couldn't compete. Against the worst Alabama team of the past decade. Not sure that's a convincing case that we belong. The narrative that we're close but that if we just do X, Y, Z etc then we'll be really good is a hard sell when those same sets of issues seem to occur.
Also, I wouldn't assume we'll be better passing next year even if the WRs return and McCaffrey turns out to be a bit better than the guy who he couldn't beat out this year. With 3 and maybe 4 new OL, next year's QB may have less time for those long passes that Patterson kept missing today. The interior DL will still be thin and the secondary is a bit thin too.
January 1st, 2020 at 8:08 PM ^
If Shea connected on even two of those long balls, the yards per play would have been very close. With good QB play this game would have been a dogfight. But we've been saying that for a while now . . .
Comments