The Morning After
November 1st, 2020 at 7:53 AM ^
Our mistakes are fixable as long as we can realize Harbaugh is the mistake and need to go.
November 1st, 2020 at 7:53 AM ^
1. Don't disagree with that point, think this goes back to coaching and having a control on the program.
2. He probably will not, but to act like Michigan never was a contender in the big ten or was a major worse in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s i think is somewhat revisionist. I think many (including me) have become nihilist about the program, just saying "it is what it is". Michigan has the infrastructure to beat many of the top teams in the big ten (Wisc, PSU, and now MSU) on a consistent basis, and at least be competitive with OSU. Look at programs like Auburn, and fuck, even Texas. Their arch rivals OU and Alabama are better programs, but they still are able to compete against them and even win a few times. Michigan can become a better program, but it requires taking risks and allowing new voices into the program.
3. Being upset about losing to a rival is not "crying tears of blood". People are passionate about their teams and Michigan has consistently let down its fanbase. We deserve to be upset. If you are not, that is fine and I will not judge your emotions. For me, Michigan football is my fall passion and it has gotten to a point where I cannot even enjoy Saturdays. Don Brown is awful, but he is a symptom of Jim Harbaugh losing touch about what wins in College football. We saw it on both sides Saturday.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:03 AM ^
See here's the thing. Anyone being objective should be able to see that Michigan with their roster SHOULD beat MSU with their roster.
I didnt think it would be a blowout like the ridiculous spread, but I thought it would be a win. I don't really think any rational fan at this point thinks we'll just win because we show up and we're Michigan, but that's the attitude the team sure seemed to have.
So if the coaches can't put together a gameplan that attempts to target MSU's weaknesses at all, why do you think our mistakes are "fixable"?
November 1st, 2020 at 9:28 AM ^
I think the biggest indictment of Harbaugh is that yesterday’s game was not a surprise to me at all. I knew we would play uninspired and scared, and they would be pissed. I was hoping we could win in a tight game, but am not surprised that we didn’t.
We are consistently top 15 in recruiting and play more like a top 30 (or worse) team. How is that not a coaching problem?
November 1st, 2020 at 10:09 AM ^
The problem with the Michigan football program is more fundamental and foundational than a gameplan. That loss was founded in hubris (coaching), poor player development (coaching), and extremely poor discipline (coaching).
Six years ago critics warned us that Jim Harbaugh was an ignitor but, not a sustainer. With his intensity he could will a team to overachieve but, that same intensity over a long period of time tends to drive people away or drive people down. Jim Harbaugh didn't change because of the loss to OSU in 2016, he changed because he realized the program was no longer responding positively to his intensity. Problem is, Harbaugh doesn't have an effective cruising gear.
November 1st, 2020 at 10:32 AM ^
I kinda see the opposite. Jim was fiery and fullly engaged when he first got here and the team played with passion for him. Every year since then he seems less engaged and same with the players. Where is the passion now? State looked like they wanted it bad yesterday. Michigan looked like they expected a win just because they are the better program. Entitlement is the father of what transpired.
November 1st, 2020 at 11:09 AM ^
The opposite? You restated what I wrote.
November 1st, 2020 at 12:02 PM ^
Don Brown has never had a "bend but don't break" defense. It's an aggressive, high-risk, high-reward system. When he has elite players it will shut most teams down. But an elite offense will find a way to exploit the weakest link a la 2018 vs. OSU. And when the personnel is mediocre or bad, a mediocre or bad opposition can do the same thing. As we saw yesterday.
Much like Harbaugh tried to buck the trend with the offense his first 4 years, DB is bucking the trend with the defense. These days most teams do try to employ a bend but don't break strategy, and match it with a super aggressive offense.
November 1st, 2020 at 7:30 AM ^
1. Saying "we have more talent" than MSU was belied by what happened on the field. Michigan probably does have more "stars" out of HS, but MSU's QB was awesome, made all the plays when needed, their WR caught everything and their Oline which was vilified on this site 3 days ago, gave up almost no QB pressures. Their defensive line, also vilified on this site, did not "own" the LOS but also did not give it up. And their playmakers on D and O showed up.
2. This looked like a game in which UM believed the hype about itself and MSU played the little brother card perfectly, played their ass off for 4 quarters, and won.
3. Blaming the coaches is always the easy way out because its gotta be their fault that kids from the other team made great plays. Its gotta be DB fault that the MSU freshman had such a great game, including at least 2 spectacular catches with good coverage. Its gotta be Gattis' fault that Milton consistenly tried to hit the 2nd or 3rd level guys instead of just taking all the underneath routes that were open (except on 3rd down when he threw short of the sticks 2x). It's gotta be JH fault that MSU dline outplayed the UM line.
4. 2 deeps UM MSU
4th year (or more): 8 16
3rd year: 14 14
2nd year: 15 14
1st year: 8 1
November 1st, 2020 at 7:34 AM ^
So 3rd year 3 star kids who went to MSU over the MAC should be better than year 2 top 200 Recruits that went to Michigan over Alabama?
At some point the fact our kids do not turn out and theirs continue to do is a patter of inept failure. 3-3 vs a school that has recruited 50 ranks below us every year for the last decade is not acceptable when were top 10 recruiting and they are in the 60's
November 1st, 2020 at 7:37 AM ^
Respectfully, all three of these points can be carried back to coaching. As you mentioned, Michigan has more "stars" coming in that MSU. Hence, is it not ridiculous that the michigan coaching staff cannot create a defensive scheme that does not put Vincent Gray on an Island? Can they not create a defensive scheme that allows our d-line to get pressure on the QB? If this all boils down to MSU's makeshift O-line playing better, this makes me very concerned the staff cannot coach up these players.
"Its gotta be DB fault that the MSU freshman had such a great game, including at least 2 spectacular catches with good coverage."; play zone, not press man with unathletic 3* tall corners. Find a way to get pressure on the QB to ensure he doesn't have time to make those passes.
"Its gotta be Gattis' fault that Milton consistenly tried to hit the 2nd or 3rd level guys instead of just taking all the underneath routes that were open (except on 3rd down when he threw short of the sticks 2x)." What game were you watching? Michigan's receivers couldn't get separation. It also doesn't help Michigan's coaches continued to put him in 3rd and long scenarios.
"It's gotta be JH fault that MSU dline outplayed the UM line.". Yes it is, for terrible Dline recruiting (DTs!) and not having Shaun Nua be a good coach.
November 1st, 2020 at 10:19 AM ^
Quite the coincidence that in six years with a revolving door of players that different players keep making the exact same mistakes.
November 1st, 2020 at 10:24 AM ^
Rocky Lombardi was not awesome. He has a noodle for an arm and every deep ball was wobbly and barely got to the receiver. That we didn't pick him off or bat down more of those balls is a huge indictment.
November 1st, 2020 at 10:51 AM ^
Lombardi is a 5 yard per attempt QB. We schemed him into 10 YPA.
November 1st, 2020 at 7:34 AM ^
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in ourselves, but in our stars. That we are underlings.
November 1st, 2020 at 10:15 AM ^
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” ― Marcus Aurelius
Or see your team running into the teeth of an 8-man box - Jim Harbaugh
November 1st, 2020 at 7:35 AM ^
I am getting a kick out of some MSU fans saying "hey Michigan happy? we may be the team that gets Harbaugh fired!"
Pretty sure that's the LAST thing you guys want.
November 1st, 2020 at 7:35 AM ^
I’m still stunned, shook, mad, pissed off, and completely demoralized after that game....Did that really happen? Everybody in the program needs soul searching. Because that putrid effort is beyond disgusting.
November 1st, 2020 at 7:46 AM ^
I don't think the onside kick nonsense has gotten enough mention
November 1st, 2020 at 7:49 AM ^
With good reason- who gives a shit?
The team should have been up at 21 at that point.
November 1st, 2020 at 7:56 AM ^
When I saw that I thought,... oh great, cherry on the top of a big turd sandwich of a game! Whoever the special teams coach is that thought that one up needs to be shown the door. Just ridiculous!
November 1st, 2020 at 7:51 AM ^
1. How can there be all this hype around Milton and then we find out he has no downfield passing game? WITAF. The dink and dunk display was a joke. So Joe can throw the ball 85 yards but cant hit the broad side of a barn beyond 15?
2. There is a reason Don Brown was coaching in Connecticut.
3. 2 games in and Ronnie Bell has tripped on the 35 yard line and very badly mis-timed a jump in the end zone. All unforced errors. Can’t catch either. Erick All who has been touted by the coaching staff to have the potential to be one of the all time greats also can’t catch.
4. Running wildcat when you have Milton, why?
5. Zero running game. OL is not good. Big and Slow. Too many RB’s. Charbonnet & Corum should be 1 and 2. Evans looks like he has regressed.
6. Move Sainristil to CB. Gray to the bench. Gemon Green should have 4 picks by now and has none.
7. Recruit big DL in abundance.
8. I predict a loss to Indiana, 4-4 record and we start a freshman QB next year.
Sorry.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:01 AM ^
Well, not sure about all of that but agreed, Indiana has momentum and has been so close to beating us for years. Major incentive to get it done this year. I see us losing decisively next Saturday at Bloomington. Maybe we'll have an outbreak of covid and we can take a no-decision. That might be our best strategy at this point to avoid a Loss.
November 1st, 2020 at 9:55 AM ^
Let's save that for the OSU game.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:42 PM ^
No, I want Ryan Day to put 100 on us, like he said they would. If he's smart, he'll let up though. If OSU crushes us again, that might be enough to get Harbaugh gone, especially if we lose more games before OSU. OSU doesn't want that, lol.
November 1st, 2020 at 7:56 AM ^
November 1st, 2020 at 8:31 AM ^
There is never a Plan B. And I don't understand why we don't. Teams exposing our corners is not a new thing, just about EVERY game the announcers mention how OSU carves us a new one by targeting our secondary.
November 1st, 2020 at 10:21 AM ^
Don Brown has lost his fastball, and he only has one pitch.
November 2nd, 2020 at 11:56 AM ^
Would it have been too big of a pride thing to bracket the frosh receiver?
November 1st, 2020 at 7:58 AM ^
As usual nowadays, the anger was over pretty quick, but now it’s just scrolling through comments and deciding it’s time to finally go do something else. Forgot about the time change, so that’s a plus, I guess.
Still think the team needs a complete overhaul of the coaching staff. That is more than likely next year, but I’ll hope Harbaugh resigns.
November 1st, 2020 at 7:59 AM ^
Some perspective:
When OSU and MSU fans hope Harbaugh stays forever, that should mean something to UM.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:00 AM ^
I’m still on the fire everyone train
November 1st, 2020 at 8:01 AM ^
I'm not a knee-jerk reaction kind of guy. I've always supported Harbaugh but after "sleeping on it" I'm convinced we need a change at head coach. I'm truly blown away by how ill prepared the team was for their rival. It's one thing to loose to a more talented ohio state, but this loss was on another level.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:54 AM ^
Yup. I've never even entertained the thought of "Fire Harbaugh." I'm not quite on the train because I want the rest of the year to play out, but let's just say I'm getting a bag packed.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:07 AM ^
Don’t really care anymore. I’ve felt apathetic towards this program since the 2018 massacre in Columbus.
Every year is the same. All hope and hype that this is the year. This is the QB. This is the OC, etc. - and then year after year they show up thinking they’re supposed to win certain games.
Fully expect 2021 to be the same.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:41 AM ^
I’m with you.
As long as Jim is here, expect more of the same.
Question I have is, how are those of you with season tickets justifying the time and expense of renewing next year?
November 1st, 2020 at 10:26 AM ^
"All hope and hype that this is the year."
That's our fault.
What about this year should have ever made us think "this is the year"? There are a lot of holes in key places.
Putting aside the temporary Minnesota mirage, we are pretty much were we should expect to be.
November 1st, 2020 at 10:41 AM ^
The hype is not our fault but media’s. They like to hype up teams like Michigan, Tennessee, Nebraska...you see where I am going with this. The sports media does this every year because they know what these teams are year after year (disappointment) and they want something to talk about and criticize
November 1st, 2020 at 8:14 AM ^
The black pit in my gut is a smoldering tire fire because I’m going to have to see msu fans peacocking their lame-ass attire and hear them talk about this fucking shitshow game for at least another year.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:16 AM ^
What has been the highlight under Harbaugh? Beating 3-9 or 7-6 MSU teams? A bowl game 6 years ago? Beating ND in the rain probably is it.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:36 AM ^
That ND game was glorious. I feel that the glaring weakness of our team has been Don Brown. Greg M. should have been promoted to coordinator.
I just hate our weakness being telegraphed by announcers and the visualized to fruition during game. It's like watching a sinking ship.
Joel Klatt going on and on about our weak secondary and in my head I am agreeing. That is what blows the most about our defense.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:16 AM ^
I feel like I have finally, reluctantly come to the conclusion that this is what you get with Harbaugh. We thought he would be great, and he is nowhere close to great. Every year, this team lays a huge egg somewhere along the way; usually, it happens later on, but we got it out of the way early this year. Or perhaps this is the first of many 2020 eggs?
November 1st, 2020 at 8:16 AM ^
What has been the highlight under Harbaugh? Beating 3-9 or 7-6 MSU teams? A bowl game 6 years ago? Beating ND in the rain probably is it.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:39 AM ^
If doesn't help when all of our senior WRs bail for the nfl or other programs.
November 1st, 2020 at 9:07 AM ^
Which speaks to a likely program “culture” problem.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:17 AM ^
I woke up even more pissed. I can’t help but think this was a worse loss than App State. Sure, MSU is a known program, but that team yesterday is one of the worst programs ever. How in the hell did Harbaugh lose this game? Am I wrong?
In any case, we have seen Harbaugh and what he is. I’m not sure if he is worn out, lost his fire, or what, but this isn’t the Harbaugh that took the 49’s to the Super Bowl. This isn’t Harbaugh who beat USC with a Stanford team. It’s time to move on, unfortunately I’m not sure who the predecessor should be.
November 1st, 2020 at 9:32 AM ^
Actually State is not as bad as they seemed; those 7 turnovers in week 1 were misleading.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:17 AM ^
I've been on the Harbaugh train hard since 2015. Last year's Wisconsin game was the first time I realized that he wasn't going to have us winning big ten championships. Yesterday's game was the first time I realized that he wasn't going to have us in second place for big ten championships either.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:20 AM ^
Overreact? No. I'm done. I've only voluntarily not watched a UM football game once since Harbaugh was hired, that being 2017 vs OSU as I was sure it would be a massacre and why would I want to waste my time on that? I will not be watching this Saturday vs IU. What I saw yesterday was an absolute disgrace, a joke, the biggest blunder I've seen since Hoke.
Harbaugh is not the guy. Getting outplayed, out-coached, dominated in every facet by Mel fucking Tucker by a team with bottom Big Ten talent, new systems, with no spring practice, is beyond failure. There's no coming back from a fiasco like that. Ineptitude everywhere you look. Make the call Ward.
November 1st, 2020 at 8:44 AM ^
The main reason that happened is because of our defense. There is nothing scary about our D. Exploit our weakness and the MSU offense opens up. The MSU defense just has to bend and not break.
Nothing secretive about how to beat our team.