colonel

November 12th, 2023 at 3:46 PM ^

That decision was abominable, though I think it was the only truly Frames decision he made yesterday. I figure the first-half two point was at least theoretically defensible (though I thought it was dumb too). My hypothetical hot-take for the podcast would be that Franklin was not that bad, or at least not at his Framesiest. 

Joined: 09/18/2013

MGoPoints: 1003

CompleteLunacy

November 12th, 2023 at 2:27 PM ^

Michigan felt confident enough in the D against that joke of an O that they decided to purposefully play conservative on offense. Because they knew PSU was unlikely to drive the length of the field against their D….the only way to lose that game is to let PSU get a cheap turnover. Sure, running isn’t without its risks - Corum did fumble in the 1st half - but it’s still significantly less risk than passing the ball with PSU’s elite pass rush and secondary. They basically didn’t want to give the crowd any ammo to energize the team. And it worked…PSU was neutered after half. The game was never closer than 5 points in the 2nd half, and after Michigan got to 8 they sat on it. Didn’t take the bait when pinned deep, which frankly they almost converted that 1st down anyway. 

Sure the run game wasn’t as dominant as last year, but they did enough. Every 3rd and long Manny Diaz dialed up a blitz, expecting a pass…and each time Michigan said “you don’t understand, we can still run the ball on 3rd and long”, while PSU had shocked pikachu faces every single time. 

Joined: 11/13/2010

MGoPoints: 12910

CompleteLunacy

November 12th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^

And I don’t necessarily think Moore never planned to pass. But the thing is, they found some things that worked against PSU on the ground, and they kept hammering on it. It wasn’t always successful, but it was good enough. I’d rather suffer a few 1-3 yard runs than incomplete passes or sacks which stop the clock or expose your QB to injury and turnover risk. Especially when you don’t expect their offense to do much against you.

Joined: 11/13/2010

MGoPoints: 12910

1VaBlue1

November 12th, 2023 at 2:44 PM ^

While the pass game was 7/8 early, they had to be really quick throws into decent coverage.  The pass rush and generally good nature of the secondary forced that.  Passing was just a huge mistake waiting to happen.  I see it now, in hindsight, but Moore saw it in game and made a large adjustment to safe the entire offense with a 14-3 lead.  It was indeed Iowa.  Nobody can Iowa like Michigan!  It's in our DNA, thanks to Bo...

I do think, though, that the 7-OL package was prepped in practice all week as a 'break glass' if needed.  Coaching - it makes a difference...

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127679

Backin72

November 12th, 2023 at 2:55 PM ^

Jansen asked coach Moore after the game if that running game in the 2nd half was part of their "play sheet" or simply a mid game adjustment to what PSU was doing.  Sherone immediately and confidently said if was part of their play sheet and "it has been since the start of the season." He added that there's "more to come."

Although it did have the effect of strangling the game, it was designed to win the game, not just play keep away.

 

 

 

 

Joined: 06/21/2018

MGoPoints: 412

Team 101

November 12th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^

HaHaHaHaha - Frames is a COWARD

We do have an opening for an analyst.

Why not fire Manny Diaz for being unable to stop a one dimensional offense.

Joined: 04/15/2013

MGoPoints: 38605

treetown

November 12th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^

This is such a typically bad decision by James Franklin.

On most of the Penn State channels on youtube there is universal dismay at his decision to go for 2 points. There was also a feeling that Franklin just can't get past OSU and Michigan. There was a sentiment that if any year the Nittany Lions could win it would be this year - OSU lost many WRs, their QB and some on defense. Michigan lost a lot of defensive players, senior WR, Blake Corum was coming off a knee injury and the OL wasn't going to be as good.

And yet, same results.

After a 20 game sample (4-16 against top teams), people have lost their patience. 

Interestingly Michigan as we all know has gone through tough spells, even under Harbaugh but he has been very flexible - look at how much his offensive and defensive style and staff have changed over the years. 

Joined: 11/10/2010

MGoPoints: 6339

BlueHills

November 12th, 2023 at 4:59 PM ^

I'm pretty sure that the hearing Friday will be for a preliminary injunction, not a permanent one, since failure to grant the ex parte TRO was a denial.

You may be concerned to find out that the criteria for issuing a preliminary injunction are much the same as those for issuance of a temporary restraining order:

1. That the plaintiff has demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of the case; and,

2. The plaintiffs will suffer irreparable harm if the relief is not granted; and,

3. That the issuance of the injunction will balance the equities involved; and,

4. That the injunction is in the public interest.

Though there is a lot of case law interpreting these criteria, there's also a LOT of room for subjectivity on the part of the judge. Therein lies the problem.

There's a lot of wiggle room in this case.

First of all, the Big Ten rules are vague. If the judge buys that they're not clearly violated here, the first criterion is not met, and the PI is denied.

There's a question about irreparable harm as to whether a football game, potential championship or other perceived harm rises to the level of 'irreparable harm' to the plaintiffs, i.e., to Harbaugh and the Regents of the University.

Hopefully, the judge will agree that it does after hearing the facts in court. However, this court has already declined to issue a TRO on the same facts. That's a problem.

I think most courts would agree that issuing the PI does balance the equities. But alone, that's not enough.

Whether football championships and games are in any way a compelling public interest is another open question.

As with the TRO, this is not a slam dunk.

Could it go our way? Certainly, with the right judge. Could it go the other way? Easily.

I hope we win. We ought to, and deserve to, IMHO. But that doesn't mean we will get a judge to agree.

 

Joined: 10/31/2010

MGoPoints: 7468

It'sGreatToBe

November 12th, 2023 at 3:10 PM ^

But here’s the thing: Penn State recruits very highly rated guys! Across the past four classes, they have seven 4* WR recruits (and multiple 4* athletes and TEs) and eight 4* or 5* OL recruits. 

It’s really not the recruiting that’s to blame. It’s almost entirely the coaching and development.

ETA: And to be clear, that falls entirely on Frames. 

Joined: 09/28/2014

MGoPoints: 394

ppToilet

November 12th, 2023 at 2:42 PM ^

If I were a PSU fan, and after reading their message boards, this was something that was a fait accompli. However, it's a dick move to do it right now. Let the guy finish the season and win the rest of the games. Let him go out on a high note. They lost to the number 1 and 3 teams in the nation. Yes, "it's not good enough" but it's also not egregious enough to fire him now. And who do you have that's better waiting in the wings? It's demoralizing and, unless you specifically knew kids were going to enter the transfer portal right now, doesn't help your chances of winning the remainder of your games 

But with Frames, who knows what he's thinking?

Joined: 04/18/2011

MGoPoints: 5253

Hail89

November 12th, 2023 at 2:46 PM ^

Frames was out coached by a team that literally did not have a head coach.  How is that even possible?  And his response?  To fire someone else!!  
 

This is why the conference is out to get Michigan.  MSU, NW, and soon PSU and OSU will be in the market for head coaches.  The gap between UM and the rest of the league will continue to grow as long as Jim is our coach.

Joined: 12/05/2010

MGoPoints: 178