Player Usage
During the game I noticed several players playing meaningful snaps who, in previous games, were only getting garbage time snaps. Players I noticed were Wangler, McCurry, Woods, etc. I appreciate their contribution to the team, but why were they getting meaningful snaps in such a big game? Mind boggling.
November 25th, 2018 at 4:48 PM ^
If I knew how to type that shrug emoji, I would.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:47 PM ^
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
November 25th, 2018 at 7:19 PM ^
(ಥ﹏ಥ)
November 25th, 2018 at 9:13 PM ^
I'm assuming Harbaugh used the personnel he did because he knew the game was out of hand and over. He wanted to get some kids some playing time and also get these kids to be able to say they actually played in "The Game".
I think its kinda cool.
November 26th, 2018 at 7:42 AM ^
Some were in during the first half I believe...
November 25th, 2018 at 4:52 PM ^
We threw a fade to Jake McCurry in a game where Ohio State had few answers for DPJ and Nico Collins. Let that sink in.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:29 PM ^
He had the mismatch and drew a dpi, if I recall correctly.
November 25th, 2018 at 7:05 PM ^
What was his mismatch?
GPA?
November 26th, 2018 at 9:58 AM ^
I needed this comment... Thank you.
November 25th, 2018 at 7:05 PM ^
Luckily he looked so overmatched that the ref assumed there had to be dpi
November 26th, 2018 at 12:04 AM ^
There is a little truth to that. Neither OSU or the refs were prepared for him to actually get the ball.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:33 PM ^
OSU had one answer - overwhelm our OL with their pass rush. That - coupled with our failure to do the same to their OL - was the difference in the game.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:51 PM ^
I agree, but just to expand on that point - there are things you can do to stymie an aggressive pass rush with the screen and RPO game that Michigan egregiously under-explored. OSU was creative enough on offense to identify and exploit an area of Michigan's defense. Michigan came in and banged their face into a wall until the wall ultimately won.
November 25th, 2018 at 6:32 PM ^
I wish we would've banged Ben Mason's face into that wall a few more times.
I'm surprised he wasn't used as a feature back more on regular downs throughout the year. Isn't he the perfect kind of punishment Harbaugh wants to dish out early in a game to open some creases later?
November 25th, 2018 at 7:48 PM ^
I’m still all in on the Harbaugh train, but this is the most confusing thing about his tenure. He uses unique looks and personnel as trick plays continuously when they are very effective. He goes away from what’s working to go back to what might be working, but not as well. Pepcat, mason, RPO... the whole season seems like a setup for OSU every year and then we abandon the plan for game 12 and go with a simple dumbed down offense. It’s mindblowing. We need an insider to ask WTF they’re thinking with that.
November 25th, 2018 at 8:08 PM ^
I can't imagine it's possible, but it seemed like Harbaugh and the staff did not watch anything OSU put on tape this season (of course they did).
But if you watched any of OSU's games this season, you would have seen an undisciplined core of linebackers that are agressive, but not great at gap integrity, and a secondary with some personnel deficiencies, and very good pass rushers.
You can exploit that with a lot of pre-snap motion and misdirection. Some read-option to make them think on their feet, and some innovative screen passes that get guys like DPJ and Chris Evans in space and take advantage of guys over playing the rushing lanes. I mean, did we see... any of that?
If an amateur college football fan can watch and see that, I cannot fathom how one of the best coaches in the profession would not be able to identify that as well.
The game plan on offense was completely bland and tone deaf. The game plan on defense was too stubborn. That for sure, will get your ass kicked in Columbus.
November 25th, 2018 at 9:50 PM ^
I can't imagine what he saw, but it sure seems like he didn't think they'd be any good at stopping base stuff. Yeah, their LB's have been awful all year. But they made one change in the last week, after Maryland - the told the LBs to wait until the play showed itself, then crash. All the DL had to do is eat blocks. That is all it took to completely beat Michigan's offensive game plan. How sad is that...
November 25th, 2018 at 9:13 PM ^
Running on first down for 2 yards allowed osu to blitz on second down at will . They knew what was coming . Osu had dime packages For michigan’s I formation 2 man play action routes . The only option was 2 yard checkdown because nico has three guys on him . Maryland attacked the edges while we tried to run up the middle with Big Mike getting destroyed
November 26th, 2018 at 10:04 AM ^
I will never understand why anyone would run 2 man routes. It makes it so easy on the defense.
November 26th, 2018 at 10:02 AM ^
To beat a JH coached team you just have to stop the run. He doesn't know what to do if you stop the run. A simple RB screen or a couple pop passes would have held OSU's LB's back. I felt like they blitzed every play and Harbaugh didn't do anything to counter it.
November 25th, 2018 at 4:52 PM ^
The Harbaugh answer would likely be because they earned it in practice. I have no clue.
November 25th, 2018 at 4:54 PM ^
and where was black?? We have 3 very good receivers but instead, Harbaugh insists on running it up the middle 20 times
November 25th, 2018 at 5:13 PM ^
Was Black injured during the game? Had 1 catch early then I dont remember seeing him at all in the second half. Would explain the fade to McCurry
November 25th, 2018 at 5:33 PM ^
in case you didnt noticed Patterson didn't exactly have time to throw to anyone...
November 25th, 2018 at 9:27 PM ^
Because when you are 2 Nd and 9 , the blitz came on second down all day long
November 25th, 2018 at 7:54 PM ^
We wouldn’t run 5he ball up the middle so much if Patterson would pull the ball more often. He has been too reluctant to do so.
November 25th, 2018 at 4:55 PM ^
Maybe you could help me understand why Tarik Black has touched the ball only like 3 times in four games.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:02 PM ^
Because he runs deep routes and Patterson can’t get him the ball
November 25th, 2018 at 5:24 PM ^
Because our O-line isn't very good at pass protection.
November 25th, 2018 at 4:59 PM ^
I gotta say it: what the hell was mccurry doing in that game? He looked about 5’10” 170 and we played him when the game was still in reach
November 25th, 2018 at 5:27 PM ^
He's an Ohio kid. That appears to be the answer.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:00 PM ^
Jimmy's CTE has caught up to him and he decided to run OSU's plays with the scout team .
November 25th, 2018 at 5:26 PM ^
This is a fucking awful comment. You should be ashamed of yourself.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:40 PM ^
Shut up phil
November 25th, 2018 at 6:05 PM ^
This isn’t your best moment
November 25th, 2018 at 8:00 PM ^
Man, there are some solid contenders for horrible takes today.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:01 PM ^
Agreed. Also Gil being in most of the first half over Ross was questionable.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:24 PM ^
Gil is S L O W.
November 25th, 2018 at 6:06 PM ^
That is a bit of an exaggeration
November 25th, 2018 at 6:36 PM ^
Would've put Ambry in for Watson a lot earlier too. BW had a good year, but looked like Teez Tabor trying to guard NFL receivers yesterday.
November 25th, 2018 at 6:36 PM ^
Would've put Ambry in for Watson a lot earlier too. BW had a good year, but looked like Teez Tabor trying to guard NFL receivers yesterday.
November 25th, 2018 at 6:51 PM ^
This. A thousand times, this. I get wanting to stick with your guy that got you there but he was obviously over-matched and couldn't keep up with the speed of OSU's receivers. Ambry would have been able to do that.
November 25th, 2018 at 8:18 PM ^
sorry - but Ambry is as clueless player as we have on this team. He doesn't understand the rules - 2-3 times this year he caught kickoffs that were going out of bounds. This in inexcusable. He tries to catch balls with his arms vs his hands, again inexcusable. The kid has athletic ability, but is simply not football "smart". I'm certain the coaches have told him ... so no excuse.
Go Blue!
November 25th, 2018 at 9:40 PM ^
Gil covered Demario McCall on a crossing route. It's not about his speed, really. It's about his technique and play recognition.
November 25th, 2018 at 6:25 PM ^
Not questionable. Stupid.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:13 PM ^
Can't have a ten play drive that ends in a FG if you score a TD in one play.
November 25th, 2018 at 5:14 PM ^
Yep. I was baffled. McCurry, Ronnie Bell, the constant RB rotation of Higdon/Evans/Wilson when it didn't seem it was needed.
I'm sure I even missed more players that probably shouldn't see the field against OSU.
November 25th, 2018 at 7:21 PM ^
I disagree on Bell, especially with Perry out.
November 25th, 2018 at 8:30 PM ^
The RB rotation made the least sense. First play of the game Higdon has a strong run for 8 yds and is immediately substituted. For the life of me I can’t figure out the reason for the sub there. It was like that all game.