Welp, it was a great ride...
Had a lot of fun watching this team compete this season. Hate the way it ended.
If there's a bright side, some of the most important pieces for 2023 made some of the biggest mistakes in this game and that has to be fuel to be obsessive over getting better this offseason.
Unfortunately, TCU was just better today...can't say they would be tomorrow, but the game isn't played tomorrow.
Here's to hoping Corum, Zinter, Keegan, Turner, etc. all return.
Not sure what team this is (143?), but thanks for the ride. The brutal part about college football is now you wait 9 months for another shot. Hopefully next year we'll be improved and ready to take the next step with this program.
Go Blue. RIP Meechie.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:14 PM ^
TCU was a very worthy opponent, but i think we win that game 8/10 times. weird calls, TD taken away, clear targeting blown off at a critical time, among many other 1-off occurrences.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:30 PM ^
When the TD came off the board, I thought that UM better not lose by 7 or less. Tough to blame the refs, but they left themselves open on that one. Whatever happened to “indisputable video evidence”,
December 31st, 2022 at 8:31 PM ^
Sure seemed light targeting. But even if it gets called Michigan only had 25 seconds and would have need to go around 50 yards. The should have gotten the chance, but odds were low they could have scored.
The TD taken away seemed pretty egregious. College refs should get paid more, but in return they should have to face media questions. Would love to see the video evidence that they relied on to clearly show Wilson had possession short of the line. At half time, Reece Davis blountly said it was a bad call. Don't ever recall an announcer being so direct.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:35 PM ^
I see where you're coming from, and no disrespect to you, but that feels like OSU fans after we beat them. We made a lot of mistakes and there were some debatable calls, but TCU controlled the LOS on both sides. They held us to FGs and scored TDs on the other end. Their QB was better. Their coaches were better. They were much more composed. We had uncharacteristic false starts, blocking miscues, bobbled exchanges, and miscommunications -- right down to the final offensive snap. TCU beat us. Michigan needs to get better.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:43 PM ^
i think TCU is/was certainly a worthy opponent, but they had to have a ton of stuff align for them to escape with a 'W'. hat tip to them, but we win that game 8/10 times.
our coaches did very well. the clock management at the end of the game was outstanding. kids make mistakes, it happens, but the coaches put them in the right places to make plays. JJ throws 3 pics the entire year.... and throws 2 pic-6's in one game. that is a bizarre occurrence.
my college football playing sons were remarking all game long on the marking of the balls by the refs - off by 1-3 yds frequently and not in our favor. even the broadcast crew mentioned some of that. it all adds up.
December 31st, 2022 at 9:14 PM ^
I'm a huge fan of JJ, can't wait to see what he does as he keeps getting better -- but he's been putting the ball in harm's way all season. It just caught up to him at a bad time. He had several others that he threw up for grabs tonight that were dropped.
Overall, I just thought TCU looked more composed and prepared. We had false starts and snap issues that we haven't had all year. Free runners right between our interior linemen. Bobbled handoffs and poor ball security all game. An unbelievable amount of plays tackled behind the line. Minimal push on the interior on both sides of the ball. Careless blitzing from the edges as RBs gash us right up the gut. Badly missed open field tackles that led to long plays or third down conversions. Punts around the 15-20 that should've been inside the 10. A huge punt return given up. We didn't deserve to win, and we didn't win. Refs didn't help us, but they were just one problem on a grocery list of problems.
December 31st, 2022 at 10:14 PM ^
At least with JJ, I believe he will be driven all year long to make better reads after the bad picks tonight. He had some scary passes near the end vs. Illinois, when we were already in FG range.
The common theme tonight is TCU took full advantage of every mistake we made, and we only made them pay for some of their mistakes.
I feel way better about this team going into 2023 then I did for last year's team going into 2022, not sure if we had a fluke season, like Hoke did in 2011.
January 1st, 2023 at 1:08 AM ^
As bad as those pick sixes were, what's encouraging is that JJ is only a sophomore. An upperclassman JJ doesn't make the mistakes he made today.
January 1st, 2023 at 1:20 AM ^
It’s 2022 buddy, JJ has 1 more year max IF he doesn’t get injured. He’s the same class as Stroud who is likely the first pick in the draft. The era of hoping for QB improvement year to year is long past. JJ is who he is right now and unfortunately it’s not nearly good enough.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:54 PM ^
TCU played extremely well. Michigan made a bajillion mistakes. The officials cost Michigan a touchdown. A thousand things decided this game.
December 31st, 2022 at 9:48 PM ^
Yup, I agree. I just don't like doing the "we would've beaten them 8 times out of 10" stuff. OSU fans said that last year and this year. The fact is, you play each other one time in a playoff. We lost that one time. No reason to put a disclaimer on TCU's win. We lined up and played, and they did a bunch of things nobody thought they could do -- including Vegas, analysts, blog writers, and the heavy majority of our fanbase. Tip of the cap to TCU.
December 31st, 2022 at 10:21 PM ^
Clearly TCU had prepared way better for this game than we did. The forced fumble after the overturned TD. They knew Mullings was still new to carrying the ball and hit him just right.
What disappointed me most was giving up the long TD on 3rd and 7. We have never been successful this year bringing a safety from 10 yards off to blitz QB. Tried this at Ohio and Harrison Jr scored the TD. That play alone made me wonder what happened this year with DJ Turner, who looks like he's regressed from last year. He takes a better angle and at least tackles Henderson without a long game.
Still - will never be mad about a season with 13-0, B1G title, wins over MSU, Ohio, PSU, etc.
So many mistakes that can be fixed with the right off-season coaching. I'd like to see Minter throw out trying the long blitzes. Good QBs like Stroud and Duggan can see those coming from a mile away and will always make you pay.
p.s. The HUNTER (Ohio) is beating the HUNTED (UGA) at half. Even if this doesn't hold, it shows you the teams that take the entire 4 weeks of time focusing on one opponent only are better positioned to win.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:07 PM ^
They won but let's not give them too much credit. The Mullings fumble was a bad handoff. It wasn't a strip or hit.
December 31st, 2022 at 11:10 PM ^
Mullings fumbled the handoff - the ball bounced off the ground before he got hit.
January 1st, 2023 at 1:11 AM ^
They basically took the defensive game plan that OSU failed at executing and executed it successfully. Can't really say much except to give them credit.
January 1st, 2023 at 1:38 AM ^
The problem is the overturn was not just debatable, it was 100% wrong to everyone else who saw it. There is no universe where Wilson had control before being in the endzone and I do think the replay official should have to explain what the hell he was looking and if he understands when a catch is actually considered completed.
December 31st, 2022 at 10:03 PM ^
I think everyone “enjoyed the ride” last year and the players confirmed as much during the lead up to the game.
This year feels like the ride was cut short because they got a flat and left the spare tire in the garage. They had much bigger plans but fucked themselves at the most in opportune times. This is now a hurdle-type thing when it shouldn’t have been one. So I’m thankful we made it this far but the ride ended too soon.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:15 PM ^
TCU was not better today. Michigan beat themselves and the refs contributed a bit also. Fuck TCu, fuck sec officials and fuck that osu ref.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:22 PM ^
Yes. It was PSU v UM first half. But worse. Then a Big 12 game in 2nd half. TCU didnt play some amazing performance. UM played its 2nd worst game of the year. Wrong time to do it.
Great regular season. Sad performance today. Couches burning in EL and Columbus.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:15 PM ^
I’m disappointed, as I’m sure everyone else is.
But I’d like to congratulate the team on an awesome year. Undefeated in the regular season, Big Ten Champs, beat Ohio, and made it to the CFP. Heads high! On to 2023!
December 31st, 2022 at 8:15 PM ^
Better???
Our offense gifted them 28 points.
Two turnovers on the goal line and two pick sixes.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:18 PM ^
Well, I mean...they won the game. But I understand your point.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:18 PM ^
Let’s not start this shit. We sucked. They gave UM turnovers too. Play calling was shot on both sides of the ball for UM and TCU coaches easily outclassed UM coaches tonight.
December 31st, 2022 at 10:47 PM ^
Easily outclassed? You’re aware they only won by 6 after the refs took a touchdown away right? I would say if anything the coaching was pretty damn even. That’s what is so confusing to me about people on here. Somehow our coaches were trash yet we lost by 6 in the third biggest game of the entire football season for all teams. Yes some poor decisions were made, but overall Michigan went 13-1 and lost the only game they lost by 6. In a playoff game. That’s a damn good season.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:15 PM ^
What every reporter should be asking:
During the targeting review, what did the ref say to the other official that required them to intentionally cover their mouths to the camera?
December 31st, 2022 at 10:19 PM ^
It’d be great if reporters were allowed to ask refs questions. You know, like players and coaches are required to answer
December 31st, 2022 at 8:16 PM ^
Agree. Great ride. Great enjoyable season. Wasn’t our day today. But definitely weren’t helped (actually, we were hurt by the refs) at any point.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:16 PM ^
Staff was totally unprepared and outcoached! Team came out lethargic and unprepared. And it showed. Go Blue but fuck a game we shoulda won and will look back on as the CFP isn’t a yearly thing unless you are in the SEC. Bama would have beaten TCU going away. Maybe Saban had a case.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:16 PM ^
Great team. Great season. Today got away from what they do great while getting TD's taken off the board and shooting themselves in the foot, at times.
December 31st, 2022 at 10:20 PM ^
TCU absolutely needed that kind of first half start and UM delivered it to them on a silver platter. Every break went their way. Not saying they didn’t deserve it because both of their lines manhandled UM but mistakes go well beyond shooting themselves in the foot. Those were dong punches with a frozen sludge hammer.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:17 PM ^
Sad reality is we were a better team. You play that game 10 times we win 8 or 9. But not today. "That's why they play the game". Barring some insane outlier game.... Tcu gets smoked by GA or OSU.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:20 PM ^
If OSU beats Georgia somehow they will beat TCU $.02.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:18 PM ^
Hats off to TCU but in reality Michigan shit the bed. You play this game 10 times I would take Michigan 8-10
I honestly though JJ was going to drive the field and win the game and instead they just all kinda shut their pants
December 31st, 2022 at 8:18 PM ^
Some officiating malfeasance, for sure - but it didn't cost them the game. The trick play BS on 4th and goal. Inserting Mullings for so many carries when it was so blatantly obvious. Reusing goal line plays from your most recent game. All of that aside, not using JJ's legs until you down late in the second half is criminal. Defensively, the zero blitzes are the very thing we torched OSU on. Why? They weren't needed!
It was coaching that lost this game. The coaches were unprepared and didn't do enough to have the team ready to win. The players played their asses off and deserve a shitload of credit. Their coaches let them down.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:19 PM ^
We had a memorable year. Go dawgs
December 31st, 2022 at 8:19 PM ^
OSU is about to get embarrassed, so it’s not all bad. We’ve officially claimed the top spot on the Big Ten mountain, now we just have to go get that national title. I thought this was the year, but it was fun watching the boys get after it and next year should be just as fun.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:19 PM ^
TCU was not "just better" - we fucked up a lot of things. 3 trips in red zone for 3 pts. 2 pick six. Duggan played like shit relatively. Owned on both lines. Our OL was a disaster. We had no run game after the first run. Own it we played like shit 1st half.
Great regular season. Stop saying TCU was just better. We played awful for long stretches.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:31 PM ^
TCU was just better.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:20 PM ^
I give credit to TCU. If they don't get 2 pick 6's, the refs don't have a chance of costing Michigan this game. That being said, the refs 100% cost Michigan this game with shit review. What is the point of review if they aren't going to get it right. That was an obviously bobbled ball until in the endzone and review fucked it up. That was clear targeting and review fucked it up. Get rid of review if it is going to cost games like this.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:22 PM ^
This is a very Michigan thing to do in losing this game. Hopefully next year can be our year. Should have a veteran team with almost everyone returning and all these other teams will have young teams
December 31st, 2022 at 8:24 PM ^
Also said for the last 45 of 50 years aside 97.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:22 PM ^
Finish #3 open next season #2
December 31st, 2022 at 8:25 PM ^
Lose in the semifinals. Rinse, wash repeat!
December 31st, 2022 at 8:22 PM ^
25-3 and 2 conference championships the past 2 seasons.
Most schools would kill to have that.
Today's loss was brutal, but there is no need to be super pissy on the team that played hard all year.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:24 PM ^
I love this team. They did so much to bring us back to the big boy table. Terrible ending with mental mistakes and incompetent refs. Still a great year.
edit: got downvoted by. ham <super M hater
December 31st, 2022 at 8:27 PM ^
Congrats to TCU. They clearly scouted well and played almost perfectly. Michigan didn't do either. Play that game 10 times and I think Michigan wins 6 or 7. They deserved to lose today.
Overall the season was good! I'm not totally broken or anything. It was a great year. Just gotta get over the hump in the playoff now and they gotta work on their passing attack going forward.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:27 PM ^
To lose the way we did - by shooting ourselves in the foot - is going to stick all off-season. If we were just blown out like last year, it would be easier. But feeling like you blew it - which I feel like we did - is much harder to swallow.
December 31st, 2022 at 8:28 PM ^
This game was absolutely bonkers, as if the football gods vomited up all the craziness they had in them. But that shouldn't obscure what a truly great season this was. An undefeated regular season, a win in Columbus, and a Big Ten title works for me.
December 31st, 2022 at 9:06 PM ^
Agree 100%. Living in Dayton from 1995-2019 will make a UM fan appreciate both a win over OSU and a B1G a little more than most UM fans I suspect