Rod Moore may have intercepted at the end even without Harrell's pressure
Watching this part of the highlights a few times (replay of the interception at the end of the game)
It looks to me that Moore was in position to make the pick even if Harrell doesn't hit the arm - he beats MHJ to the spot (Moore's even early, and stops to get low to get the pick), and looks to me like he woulda gotten there first even if the ball was a little faster. I don't think the ball was that off target left/right, but it was definitely short due to the pressure.
Possibly possibly the only knock on MHJ - not fighting for the ball enough on either pick. Whether its an effort issue or a "self preservation for the NFL" reaction I don't know.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:24 PM ^
I don't know man. He had no chance to drive that ball. I kinda like how it turned how with Harrell's QB hit.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
I guess I should have explicitly said I'm certainly happy with how it turned out.
But the way I see it is that Moore and MHJ's running is not affected by the pressure, and the only way the ball could get to MHJ first is if its to the right of where Moore intercepts - and I think the arm hit actually causes it to be more right-ward of where he was actually aiming (I'm just imagining the throwing motion being from right to left, so if you're stopped short the ball is more likely to come out right-ward of where you're aiming).
November 26th, 2023 at 12:48 PM ^
A Maserati is quick and luxurious but not tough.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:54 PM ^
Maseratis have great engines that were built by Ferrari (maybe still are?), but the overall car is produced and sold by FAC, so… yeah, not what it once was.
November 26th, 2023 at 3:59 PM ^
I texted the meme of Dr. Strange holding up the "one" finger last night just after the game.
Harrell getting in there, McCord getting knocked off balance, unable to follow through...that was the one chance. And then Moore had to take that chance and snap Thanos.
Otherwise...he connects to Harrison...and it's over. We are a bunch of wannabes who can't win without cheating -- in their idiotic narrative.
Once chance. They did it. Go Blue.
November 26th, 2023 at 5:32 PM ^
Made the difference. Note Dame dropped an int. Lost the game later that drive.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
it's like we knew which play they were going to run!!!
November 26th, 2023 at 12:39 PM ^
Obviously I get the joke, but I really do wonder - is it the same route run by Fleming on the immediately preceding pass?
One WR trying to run off the safety (Moore) while a (dig?) comes in behind. On the last play it looks like the first WR is in motion (going right to left) and their route is not enough to draw Moore's attention for long enough.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:51 PM ^
I think it’s as simple as they were playing towards MHJ because in that scenario the pass is most likely going to him.
November 26th, 2023 at 2:54 PM ^
The Dagger concept that Devin Gardner talks about?
November 26th, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
OSU is a collection of self-interested elite players
Michigan is a team
November 26th, 2023 at 12:38 PM ^
Michigan is a family.
OSU—applying their juvenile cross-out of any "m"—is a faily.
EDIT: pronounced fail eee!
November 26th, 2023 at 12:54 PM ^
Oh, I don't know.
I was at the game and admittedly don't see all of the action and get telecast analysis like when watching on TV, but I thought it was a classic back and forth slugfest. 2 great teams.
Ohio State has some great players and we do too. Ours just made a few more big plays when it counted most. I take nothing away from them
November 26th, 2023 at 12:55 PM ^
I scanned Eleven Warriors and there are a lot of "We have 5 stars and they have portal rejects" gripes without considering that maybe their recruiting approach has some flaws.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:10 PM ^
and player development perhaps?
November 26th, 2023 at 1:25 PM ^
Going to Ohio Soft is very much a transactional thing for many of their players. I'm sure this is true of some UM players too, but far fewer. If tSoft wants to fix this it requires an effort far deeper than improving recruiting approach. The institution itself needs to change. That's much harder.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:57 PM ^
MJH last college game was yesterday
November 26th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
Magnum call them what they are
Mercenaries.
They are just taking up front NIL and waiting their time to go the pros. They have 2-3 games a year they need to work as they are athletically dominant vs every other team. They just do it better than Texas A&M.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
Watch Harrison after the 1st pick, he just stops. Doesn't pursue (although getting blasted by Barrett was sweet:) he just loses interest. Didn't see much emotion from him at all yesterday. He's just a merc, which will be fine in the league.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:30 PM ^
He didnt look like he cared. Maybe thats just his personality but he looked like he was gonna make the catch if it was in his radius and otherwise he’s just there to collect a check
November 26th, 2023 at 12:38 PM ^
It was shameful. Just sat there and pouted
November 26th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
SHAME!!!
November 26th, 2023 at 12:40 PM ^
I noted to my brothers that Harrison Jr's body language wasn't the strongest early in that game.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:51 PM ^
Disagree, he was shocked McCord threw that since Will basically jumped the route before his break.
His demeanor is more like his Dad / Jerry Rice for sure tho, compared to receivers of the last few decades.
The dude is a beast, M game-planned for him with their most talented corner in a looooong time and he had an easy 118 and a PI that prevented a 60 yarder.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:02 PM ^
The 60 yarder was included in the 118 since the PI didn't actually prevent him from making the catch
November 26th, 2023 at 1:06 PM ^
YAC isn't tho. That was 6 if Johnson doesn't tackle him.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:16 PM ^
Such a smart play, if he doesn't decide to go full sprint just to tackle him while the ball is still well in the air, that could have been 86 yards.
He was trying to get the penalty but Marv made an great catch on the underthrow.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:35 PM ^
You can’t argue with that! He would have scored if he wasn’t tackled.
November 26th, 2023 at 2:02 PM ^
I don't get this argument. This is true of every play ever made by a DB
November 26th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
The argument is that Johnson intentionally tackled him well before the ball arrived, rather than tacking the chance that MHJ is able to break the tackle attempt after the reception is made.
Built in assumption is that MHJ having to concentrate and hold up for the ball even slightly gave Johnson a better chance at tackling.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:09 PM ^
You're right, I was so happy Will dragged him down I forgot he caught it. 44 yards on the pass.
Will Johnson made two huge plays, the INT and that tackle--they ended up missing a FG on that drive. He'll be a 1st rounder in a year or two.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:14 PM ^
The corner you speak of was not on the field for a big chunk of the second half including the portion where he caught his touchdown. Harrison Jr is great. But he needed to be transcendent in this game for OSU to win. He wasn't, partly because Johnson is an excellent, and ascending, player and partly because McCord is JAG.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:28 PM ^
I think McCord has the capacity to improve.
I'm not certain that is really in Ryan Day's wheelhouse. Do have to say Jim Knowles and his staff turned in a good season. There is no doubt they have some coaching ability.
November 26th, 2023 at 3:06 PM ^
Yes I think Knowles improved this season. I got the feeling M was baiting him into getting overly aggressive and he did not take the bait. M won anyway.
November 26th, 2023 at 3:43 PM ^
Their DTs were dogging it on JJs bug scramble run and with a little extra effort possibly could have shortened yards gained.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
Mazerati Marv?
November 26th, 2023 at 12:30 PM ^
I don't know if this is his approved nickname or just something the announcer made up, but I think its a terrible terrible nickname.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:32 PM ^
The one advantage of being at the game is Carl Grapentine does not use the nickname. I hope he goes pro so we don't have to hear it again.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:34 PM ^
There are very few players in the history of the NCAA that I have been more sure of them going pro. It would blow my mind if Harrison stayed.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:49 PM ^
Marv is going pro this week. No way he plays in their bowl game. That would be a terrible decision.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
I dunno, why not? He's a WR, its not like he's at a huge risk for being injured. Though you're right in that he can't improve his draft stock at all.
Maybe he'd wait until after at least (1) Saturday results + (2) CFP final rankings (if OSU even has a chance).
If they don't sneak into the playoff, honestly I wouldn't judge him for not playing in the bowl game either.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:57 PM ^
WRs are often at risk of blindside hits. Remember that he was concussed in last year's CFP game.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:02 PM ^
Now I'm wondering if that injury affected how he plays, especially on the last int - MHJ definitely held up to avoid contact.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:14 PM ^
Maserati's look great but they're often in shop for repairs.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:58 PM ^
what about that alabama WR that the lions picked up two years ago. he tore his ACL in the playoff (IIRC) game and dropped out of the first few picks of the draft. cost him tens of millions of dollars. for a kid like harrison it makes complete sense to 'sit this one out'.
November 26th, 2023 at 1:41 PM ^
Receivers sit out games as much as anyone. The legend of MH began when OSU’s top draft pick receivers sat out the Rose Bowl. He didn’t have the 300 yard receiving day (that was JSN) but, I believe, it was 3 TDs and some tough catches.
he will sit like they sat
November 26th, 2023 at 1:10 PM ^
He gone.
Even though it might be a pay cut…
November 26th, 2023 at 12:40 PM ^
Carl Grapentine is already a pro.
Oh...you mean Maserati Marv. Or as they apparently say in Colubus, Aserati Arv.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:34 PM ^
It sounds better when paired with Honda McCord.
November 26th, 2023 at 12:59 PM ^
It's just way too long of a nickname - 5 syllables. Trying too hard.
I know some don't like "the Don" but it's short and to the point.