OSU Snowflakes: The Offense
November 25th, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^
Good scheming to get stuff moving. Wish they’d let JJ cook more, but they did enough.
Crushed to lose Zak. But the men responded.
On to the next.
November 25th, 2023 at 3:49 PM ^
Offense did just enough. It probably about killed many of us. Just enough is good enough.
November 25th, 2023 at 3:50 PM ^
It seems like everybody forgot that JJ can pull it and run.
November 25th, 2023 at 3:54 PM ^
He had that one great scramble, but I think his knee is still hurt and they don’t want to aggravate it.
November 25th, 2023 at 4:06 PM ^
Come on. McCarthy was fine. We all saw him moving. Moore played not to lose and got away with it. His play calling gave OSU a chance to win it when a 1st down would’ve sealed the victory for Michigan. Giving them that chance, especially with Will Johnson out, was a horrible choice. The players bailed him out. I’m very glad Harbaugh will be back on the sidelines next week.
November 25th, 2023 at 4:12 PM ^
Wow, my brother, enjoy the win!
November 25th, 2023 at 4:24 PM ^
I am, and I’m admiring the players who got it done, but with Johnson out, with a weapon on the other side like Harrison Jr., and with the knowledge that you have, in McCarthy, one of the best QB’s in the country and an OSU TD would win the game, you have to try to close it out rather than hope your handicapped defense holds up. OSU went 42 yards in two plays and had plenty of time left. Fortunately, Harrell and Moore stepped up and saved the day.
November 25th, 2023 at 5:22 PM ^
I can’t argue with the end result but…yeah, I wondered the same thing. Run 3x straight, ok, but straight ahead each time? Why not give JJ an RPO or even a called run? Might have had a better chance
November 25th, 2023 at 5:57 PM ^
Yeah, that was not good for sure. I thought we lost it being conservative
November 25th, 2023 at 4:12 PM ^
100% correct. You have to try to end the game on that last 3rd down. Making Ohio State burn their last TO is a non-factor.
November 25th, 2023 at 10:09 PM ^
What game did you see? That last drive was a monster that took 7 minutes off the clock, leaving them only 1:05 with no timeouts. The players didn't 'bail' him out; in case you haven't noticed, the coaches don't win or lose games, they - hopefully - put the players in the best chance to win. it's the players on the field actually playing the game that win or lose games. What about the pass Donovan threw to Colston, did that look like he was playing not to lose? How about Orji being out there? Ohio State is a very good team, one mistake is all they might need to turn the tide. Just ask them about mistakes.
November 25th, 2023 at 5:38 PM ^
the fact Orji got some running plays tells me he cant run all that much
November 25th, 2023 at 6:13 PM ^
JJ had a great scramble in the second half where he picked something like 20 yards and he was zigging and zagging. It wasn't like it was a straight line run.
November 26th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ^
I think those Orji runs were the 1 of a 1-2 punch the coaches are sitting on. They probably have a PAP or something else wrinkled off that that we'll see vs Iowa or maybe in the CFP
November 25th, 2023 at 4:01 PM ^
The touchdown on the first play after Zak went out of the game, for me, was the key play for Michigan. OSU had been stuffing the run up to that point, and to come back like that after your best offensive lineman goes out was huge.
November 25th, 2023 at 4:06 PM ^
Agree.
November 25th, 2023 at 5:02 PM ^
It sucks that Zak got injured but I am glad that Trente can play RT now. Sliding Karsen down to guard helps in pass pro for future games.
November 25th, 2023 at 4:17 PM ^
Absolutely! And Blake's tribute to Zak in the endzone brought tears to my eyes. These guys would do anything for each other. This is a special group of young men, led by one of the all-time greats. JMFH!
November 25th, 2023 at 4:50 PM ^
It really was the game changer. Crazy how emotion changes so much.
If you look at recruiting rankings OSU should be #2 every year and pantsing everyone until they face Bama or Georgia annually. Unfortunately they are just a bunch of mercenaries who are only at "school" to NFL. Harrison is a great player but his body language towards his QB all year was a recognition he was not happy. Going to be a prima donna in the NFL.
Michigan is a family.
OSU is a collective of NFL players.
November 25th, 2023 at 5:09 PM ^
You and I watched a different game. I thought that OSU team played amazingly well, and to minimize that program's achievements over the past 3 years is unfair. They're a hell of a team — we're just a little bit better. :-)
(I've never understood why people want to mock them. If they suck, it doesn't make us look that good to beat them. IMHO, they're phenomenal. And we keep beating them. That's got to hurt).
I actually thought they played, down-to-down, better than we did. But they made two monster mistakes (the Will Johnson INT and the missed field goal), and we didn't. At the end of the day we kept our composure and limited our mistakes and scored just enough to get across the finish line.
I'll take it. Go Blue!
November 25th, 2023 at 5:50 PM ^
Wisdom
November 25th, 2023 at 8:39 PM ^
Take 'em to church my friend. These last 3 OSU teams have been pretty phenomenal. Michigan just happened to be better but damn OSU is a juggernaut still. I was seriously impressed by OSU today and it says A LOT about our team that with the deck completely stacked against them they walked out with a win. This fricken team has a special culture and group of dudes
November 25th, 2023 at 5:19 PM ^
So right. His body language is very negative. I was at the OSU - RU game (yeah, I know) and watching him pout when he doesn't get a good throw his way is puzzling. Urban called him the greatest player in the country. Yeah right. He gave up on the first pick and he is not a team player.
November 25th, 2023 at 4:11 PM ^
We left a lot of points on the field, but it didn’t matter.
Suck it, Day.
November 25th, 2023 at 5:35 PM ^
Did they even run play action once?
November 25th, 2023 at 5:38 PM ^
Nope, but if we had a good OP asking for it, they would have.
November 25th, 2023 at 9:51 PM ^
I think once on a throw to Loveland.
Leaves a lot open for the title game and playoffs (assuming the offense can cobble together 15 points to beat Iowa).
November 26th, 2023 at 7:26 AM ^
Maybe five or six times
November 25th, 2023 at 3:45 PM ^
I really wanted them to go for it on the 4th down.
November 25th, 2023 at 3:51 PM ^
I did too.
But It worked out.
November 25th, 2023 at 3:54 PM ^
I was really worried we gave the game away there with Johnson out of the game. Pass rush stepped up big time on that drive.
November 25th, 2023 at 4:13 PM ^
That pressure from the outside on McCord made that interception. Almost a sack.
November 25th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
I wanted them to let JJ throw for the first down on that third down to try to end the game, expecting that we were set on kicking the field goal if we didn’t convert. Yes, that would save OSU a timeout, but with a minute left on the clock, that was plenty of time anyway, as we saw.
November 25th, 2023 at 5:09 PM ^
Plenty of time, yes. But it changes the whole game plan when you cannot stop the clock. I think running it was the right decision, but I kind of wish we'd dialed up something more creative than just running into a stacked box three times. Put it in JJ's hands on 3rd, roll him out and give him the option to find someone wide open or gallop for the 1st.
November 25th, 2023 at 5:50 PM ^
Absolutely. Nothing would have been better than shoving an 8 minute game ending drive up their asses. I really wanted that 1st and some kneel downs!
November 25th, 2023 at 3:46 PM ^
Moore called a great game, especially in response to their early 2nd half drive. Would have preferred to be aggressive on that last 3rd down but can’t complain too much. Great game, such a huge win!
November 25th, 2023 at 4:14 PM ^
I thought there were several questionable/wrong calls, most recently the 3rd and 6 with Corum up the middle again when everyone knew that was coming. But hey it worked out and we won, so he deserves credit
November 25th, 2023 at 5:00 PM ^
Agree that the play calling was mostly unimaginative (except for Orji!). My big gripes were:
1) No Play Action Passes...Again!
2) Why run dive plays with Edwards when you have Mullings who is 1,000% better for that.
November 25th, 2023 at 5:10 PM ^
I saw some play action. But every time we tried it, OSU didn't bite. Their defense played outstanding.
November 25th, 2023 at 5:17 PM ^
..wasn't Loveland wide open for his first catch because the LBs sucked up on play action?
November 25th, 2023 at 5:06 PM ^
It is silly to think any game, especially this one is called perfectly.
November 25th, 2023 at 4:22 PM ^
Moore called a lot of clutch plays. But it wasn't all good. Doesn't matter. Michigan beat OSU. We can dissect play calls on Tuesday.... Just enjoy the moment for now.
November 25th, 2023 at 3:47 PM ^
Would have liked to see Moore open up the downfield passing game but the osu secondary was stout. Would have liked a pass on 3rd but a win is a win.
November 25th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
I was frustrated as well. Our downfield passing game has disappeared the last three games. And we will need it big time in the playoffs
November 25th, 2023 at 4:16 PM ^
I wonder if that made any difference with Underwood. That was a big win against a very good defense.
November 25th, 2023 at 6:40 PM ^
OSU's corners were super glued to our receivers all day. So our TEs got to eat a bit.
November 25th, 2023 at 3:48 PM ^
FREE TRENTE
November 25th, 2023 at 4:12 PM ^
No choice now but to have Trente play. Sending healing vibes to Zach Zinter. I won't go back & watch that play
November 25th, 2023 at 5:04 PM ^
I did. Total fluke of an injury and very gruesome to see. I'll just say his lower leg was broken and leave it at that.