The Maryland game is off per Pete Thamel

Submitted by Chork on December 2nd, 2020 at 1:37 PM

Jimmyisgod

December 2nd, 2020 at 1:53 PM ^

So no OSU game either, we'll play a crossover game the weekend after what as supposed to be the OSU game.  No idea who we'll play, but 3-4 or 2-5 will be our final record.

njvictor

December 2nd, 2020 at 1:53 PM ^

Uhh what happened to the "we're just taking precautions" and "there's only been a few positive PCR tests" takes from yesterday and the day before?

1VaBlue1

December 2nd, 2020 at 2:45 PM ^

That's a good question for the presser...

Reporter: "Coach, how many positives does the team have?"

Harbaugh: "Well, uhh, we, uhh, any number, umm, its, you know, uhh, positive pressure, umm, we didn't, you know, uhh, process is good, umm, so there, uhh..."

kehnonymous

December 2nd, 2020 at 1:58 PM ^

Aw well, this has got to be a disappointment to the kids who worked for this.

I hope the infected players/staff get healthy and rest up so they can be well and healthy and ready to be back in action on December 13th

Robbie Moore

December 2nd, 2020 at 4:43 PM ^

That gif has nothing to do with BLM. Nothing. It's about Herbie's almost tearful "apology" last night. Would've respected him if he said "hell yeah, I said white flag and I meant it." Would not have liked him for it but would have respected that he stands behind what he says. Instead we get an abject, and most likely insincere, apology. How 2020.

The Baughz

December 2nd, 2020 at 2:10 PM ^

This take is so stupid.

So, Michigan has to cancel a game and its because they are purposely trying to avoid a particular team, but yet whenever someone else cancels a game, there is no mention of that.

Yes, FSU caught some heat about cancelling the Clemson game, but that is about it.

Also, fuck Herbstreit.

kurpit

December 2nd, 2020 at 2:14 PM ^

Does it? If you feel like you needed to watch how a game between 2-4 Michigan and 2-2 Maryland goes to determine whether Michigan should sign their coach to an extension, then the program is already operating like a finely oiled tire fire.

Let's hypothetically say that Michigan manages to pull out an unexpected victory over Maryland before getting pantsed once again by OSU. You think somebody is going to point to a victory over Maryland that allows the team to go .500 and says "this is why we stay the course."

AlbanyBlue

December 2nd, 2020 at 2:43 PM ^

Whether the OSU game gets cancelled or we end up playing, it doesn't negatively affect JH's status at all. If the school wants to keep Harbaugh, then:

Cancellation -- the excuse given is COVID

Get trucked -- the excuse given is COVID

Play reasonably well -- gets spun to a positive for JH.

If the school (or JH) wants to part ways, they will in any case, also.

So, as far as JH's coaching status, the OSU game holds very little weight. We should of course play, but only if the current starters are COVID-negative. Playing what amounts to our 3rd / 4th / 5th string players due to injury AND covid makes little sense, really. If it's just injuries, then yeah, whatever, go ahead and get run over, I guess. Meh.

Christicks

December 2nd, 2020 at 2:07 PM ^

Can't wait til 6 months from now when we're all back in for our ultimate natty run. Anyone have the Michigan fan expectations chart?  Gonna have to shift it a bit this year.

Carpetbagger

December 2nd, 2020 at 2:54 PM ^

Assuming Harbaugh is back next year, and assuming he nukes most of his staff, I'll make the same prediction I do every year Harbaugh (or Mo, Bo and Carr) has been coach. Undefeated in the Big Ten and playing OSU for the title.

I have to admit, if this staff is back next year I'm going to have a real hard time being that optimistic.

1VaBlue1

December 2nd, 2020 at 3:55 PM ^

We’ll be making a natty run only because we’ve already drank every other bottle of beer in the store.  
 

If he’s back, and I do expect him to be, we’ll see plenty of runs between the tackles into a stacked box because there are no throws over the middle or down field, and no screens.  Also no tempo.  We’ll still have to win games with 24 points.  The offense will change course between games 1 and 2, then take five weeks to figure it out before starting to look good.  The second half of the season will show promise, then losses to OSU and a bowl opponent. 
 

Wash, rinse, repeat.  The Harbaugh Loop...

Carpetbagger

December 2nd, 2020 at 4:42 PM ^

I remember plenty of downfield throws pre-Gattis, and a diverse run game pre-Gattis too. Sure, sometimes it didn't work so well when we had two O-line coaches, I agree. But most of the time it seemed to grind it out fine. Play calling.... eh, a play action pass on 2nd and 13 isn't faking me out, and Pep was way too often guilty of those.

With Gattis, it seems to me he designs about 40 pretty plays in the offseason, with one or no constraints, and practices those plays a ton. Then adds some basic normal pass plays/RPOs that are the staple of every modern offense. Lastly, he must show everyone a diagram of what inside zone looks like for the run game and call it a day.

I'm convinced Harbaugh/Warinner added their run game as the season went along last year and this year, as there was no real run game installed by Gattis. Last year we had 5 NFL linemen. This year we have a spare parts bin of linemen. That and the general youth of the Offense is the difference between this year and last year, and why I think Gattis has to go. He learned nothing from his failures last year. Nothing.

MGoBlue96

December 2nd, 2020 at 2:11 PM ^

Cool, rest of the season cancelled and we have the same problems cropping up again next year to look forward to unless Harbaugh takes another job. Sounds lovely.

BluethroughNthrough

December 2nd, 2020 at 2:12 PM ^

Maybe Herbstreit was right. UM hasn’t had any Covid issues all season, Harbaugh even bragging about it at one point, and all of a sudden when the going gets tough it pops up? I would prefer The Game gets played. I don’t like keeping OSU out of the playoffs by canceling The Game. I am going to be in the minority. That’s fine. I don’t know if we are waiving the white flag or not. UM getting as much game experience as possible, even in a blowout loss, is beneficial for the future development of the team. 

BluethroughNthrough

December 2nd, 2020 at 6:08 PM ^

Yeah. Well that’s your opinion. Just like my opinion is that something seems fishy. Why the transparency? What are the numbers of players/coaches who have tested positive? If we were 5-1 right now the OSU game wouldn’t even be in question. I don’t want to believe they would quit on the season. But until numbers are released I am finding it hard to believe that we are not waiving the white flag. Hate Herbstreit all you want as well. But a guy who talks to coaches on the daily and is told by them that other coaches are using Covid to duck butt whoopings is something I actually can believe. 

BluethroughNthrough

December 3rd, 2020 at 8:31 AM ^

I agree with you. Which is why I don’t think any program or person should brag that they didn’t have any cases. Up until whatever point. Your first sentence kind of proves my original opinion. If the players no longer care why not waive the white flag and call it quits for the season? Regroup and come back next year. 

lilpenny1316

December 2nd, 2020 at 2:27 PM ^

Didn't OSU call off their game last week for similar reasons? They seems to be getting ready to play Saturday.

I firmly believe that if OSU can't play for the B1G title because our game gets cancelled, they will have us play OSU on Dec. 19th. Don't think the B1G won't let The Game be played, even if it'll be a blowout.