Wisconsin Snowflakes: The Coaching
October 3rd, 2021 at 12:21 PM ^
don't you know by now? for some people (miserable people), any time the other team makes a play, or - heaven forfend - two or three in a row, it's a "meltdown."
it's not referenced in the post, but a corollary is that any time a decision doesn't work, our guy got "outcoached."
October 3rd, 2021 at 12:18 AM ^
and the cost? a whopping 9 yards of field position. ya, that was the reason WI scored. lol.
October 3rd, 2021 at 8:11 AM ^
yeesh. the squib kick is EXACTLY the kind of call that people bitch that harbaugh wasn’t making. “i miss aggressive harbaugh, what happened to that guy?”
if it works, and we get one more shot at the end zone everyone loves it.
October 3rd, 2021 at 1:48 PM ^
The squib kickl is a good call, but that one came at the wrong time. It has a low percantage odds of succeeding. You have to weigh the risk/benefits, not only score wise, but psychologically.
M had just scored, and Wisconsin had been able to do very little. Kick off normally, and from the 25 they likely run the half out, completely frustrated and with little confidence, behind two scores with only a FG to their name.
As it was already a two score game, succeed in recovering the squib kick and M might try for the TD; but they had just been held to a FG. Another FG still makes it a two score game.
Squib kick and THEY recover, they are much closer to midfield, so much more likely to take a shot at getting close enough for at least a FG which would change momentum and confidence. Why give them that opportunity? Even if they failed it wouldn't cost them much and they would get the ball at the start of the second half.
Both teams knew that WI would get the ball to start the second half (that might be a better time to try the squib kick, or after the first or second TD). Better to kick to them then, ahead two scores, with almost nothing to show for their first half, than in a three point game where they have renewed confidence and optimism. In the end, it didn't hurt Michigan, but if it had, that would have been seen as a turning point.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:35 PM ^
Improved on both sides of the ball. I loved JJ's TD throw which was a great playcall by our coaches.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:36 PM ^
Total Yardage
PSU 297 -- Wisconsin 365
ND 248 -- Wisconsin 318
Michigan 364 -- Wisconsin 210 (including 50 yards versus the 3rd team defense)
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
As much as I didn’t like the Rutgers game, I loved this one. All the choices—going for it, kicking at the right times, even the squib late in the first half (that almost got us a free possession!). Everything was well chosen.
Including spot duty for JJ. Everyone knows Cade doesn’t get real run reads. I don’t like it. It might cause us trouble down the road. But it’s a known thing. So you might as well use JJ a bit with legit reads, because he can make plays, and the instant the D cheats in… hello, Daylen Baldwin.
The only thing I’m not a huge fan of is the blue pants. But if the big win here means we see them again on the road… well, let’s do it.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:40 PM ^
You're spot on about going for it.
I'm not sure if Harbaugh's got his groove back, he's following analytics, he trusts our team, or some combination of the three, but I LOVED that we went for it on 4th an 1 from our own 34 on the first drive. Told me Harbaugh was here to win and not scared. I wouldn't have cared if we didn't make that one. It was the right call and showed no fear/big huevos
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:44 PM ^
Think we saw pretty indisputable evidence as to why Cade doesn't take the read (not always given the option to read) and run very much. And your right that could really challenge things down the road - though as tough as the schedule is ahead think UM is past the best run defense they'll see all year.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:44 PM ^
Totally agree with you on the blue pants. It is a mar on this glorious day. Would have been better remembered wearing maize.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:47 PM ^
Couldn't disagree more about the blue pants. They looked great, and the if you look good you play good, as they say.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:52 PM ^
This is why I rec league in my suit.
Bonus lyrics: Listen girl I'm athletic I have several rec league MVPs
October 2nd, 2021 at 5:32 PM ^
I will fight you over the pants color.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:48 PM ^
Stephen King Jr, son of the master of the macabre. 100% agreement on everything but the blue pants. You are wrong. The blue pants with white jerseys are awesome.
October 2nd, 2021 at 4:07 PM ^
We're undefeated with the blue pants. (Heh, heh.)
October 2nd, 2021 at 4:10 PM ^
Maize M on the hip would be nice...
October 2nd, 2021 at 4:29 PM ^
Maize M on the hip would be nice...
October 2nd, 2021 at 4:35 PM ^
Maize M on both hips...both hips?
October 2nd, 2021 at 7:25 PM ^
Nice Goodfella's reset, Clancy :)
Plus the Blue pants rule!
October 3rd, 2021 at 7:35 AM ^
Agree that the blue pants are surprisingly sharp--and I say that as someone who really likes the all white road unis. The blues looked good at home against UW and really good yesterday. But maybe it was that pass rush that did it...
October 2nd, 2021 at 5:02 PM ^
I feel like we would've made a high percentage of the 3rd and 4th and short runs if we had better blocking on the edges. Wisconsin was able to hit the RBs in the back field almost every time with guys darting in unblocked from the edges.
October 2nd, 2021 at 5:51 PM ^
That's the strength of their team; to some extent that's just them making plays. The D-line is there to hammer the O-line and keep them off the thumping LBs, and to a large extend we were able to handle that, especially when passing (zero sacks!).
October 2nd, 2021 at 6:11 PM ^
If they keep winning they can wear Scottish kilts if they want
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
I’ll keep saying it until it happens. Sooner rather than later, McCarthy has to be the #1. He’s thrown 13 passes at Michigan. Two have gone for 56 and 69 yard touchdowns. Both of those were brilliant throws. McNamara isn’t a bad QB, but McCarthy has the talent to take the offense to another level and I think he’s already better than McNamara. As a practical matter, I doubt he has the patience to sit behind McNamara for two years, so the likely choice Harbaugh faces is replacing McNamara with McCarthy no later than the beginning of next season, or risk losing McCarthy to a transfer. Pull the trigger.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
Excellent game plan, offense could have done more if Cade hits the intermediate throws. Defense playing to strengths. Team came prepared and did not play scared. There will be more tests, but this performance had to instill a lot of confidence in the players about gameplan and execution.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:41 PM ^
Meh. Cade was great today. Perfectly suited to what was needed on this team. And no TOS, also huge. If he plays like this, keep the rotation the way it is.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:42 PM ^
You're not wrong, but there is something about playing teams once they've been bashed by Haskins and had their wills bent/broken by a 20+ point lead. Time will tell on this one, but what I've seen from McCarthy is super promising but not fully convincing...yet
October 2nd, 2021 at 4:01 PM ^
In all fairness, JJ threw against a 2nd or 3rd string.
October 2nd, 2021 at 5:32 PM ^
He made one throw which hit the receiver perfectly in stride. The ability to make that throw has nothing to do with the defender. It was only a bit less impressive than the crazy, cross-field TD throw that he executed after avoiding a rush and as he was about to get hit. He is on a different talent level than McNamara.
October 2nd, 2021 at 4:25 PM ^
Just stop. Cade was amazing today. JJ’s TD to pass ratio is mop up action.
October 2nd, 2021 at 7:36 PM ^
McNamara was hardly “amazing.’ He made some good throws and he made some bad ones. His long completion to Wilson only happened because of Wilson’s good adjustment to an underthrown ball.
October 2nd, 2021 at 6:45 PM ^
Lets be honest you wouldve pulled Brian Greise in 97. Right wrong or otherwise but be honest. If McCarthy goes in there and has some picks and we happen to lose its going to be hard to ever comeback from that. Youve got an undefeated Qb, QB with zero career INT, a soon to be top ten team, team looks on its way to one of its top 4 seasons of this century. McCarthy will be fine when the time comes but dont derail the train for god sakes. The goal is Ws not 350 yards passing.
October 2nd, 2021 at 7:29 PM ^
He who reads the defense best, plays
October 2nd, 2021 at 11:05 PM ^
Cool. How were the other 11 tho (check the UFRs)? Especially with today’s game, I’d say he’s being brought along at pretty much exactly the right pace. Sooner or later, as you say, and in this case, slowly and later is better
October 3rd, 2021 at 12:03 AM ^
Zero turnovers, 1 sack. McNamara doesn't have McCarthy's pretty throws and the talent and post-snap diagnosis ability... He doesn't have alot of things, but he plays safe and within himself. That counts for more than you think.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
Best coached game this season and it's not close. Offense was unpredictable when they needed to be and defense suffocated and admittedly garbage Wisconsin offense.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:38 PM ^
This game could have been an even bigger blowout than the score indicated. Coaches coached their asses off this week. Major props for all the screen passes, deep shots, swing passes, and overall generally creativity and planning. The smart aggression on 4th down, the flea flicker, the OL shoving it down a talented and tough Wisky front 7, this was awesome and should make you feel real confident about this season. Go Blue!
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:39 PM ^
At the end of the game when Jenny Taft interviewed our Coach Jim Harbaugh, he gave props to every facet and coach on the team. That was great!
When asked about the defense, he have props to the defense and offense.
When asked about a QB controversy, he gave props to oline, rbs, and all QBs.
Spreading the love.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:39 PM ^
Well done. A few moments where they went too conservative when they didn’t need to, but how can you really complain about 38-17?
Should've been even more had they not had to settle for a couple field goals.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:50 PM ^
There were some playcalls that could've been riskier, but going for it on the opening drive at every opportunity even on our side of the field has me feeling we pretty aggressive from the onset.
I liked that we didn't go for 4th and 1 up 10-0, because we had the momentum at that point, and their team hadn't moved an inch (at that point). Even with the benefit of hindsight, I couldn't have made the major decisions better than our coaches did this game.
October 2nd, 2021 at 4:59 PM ^
My thoughts as well. I think most fans wanted to see the offensive game planning account for more calculated risk. I don't necessarily think they needed to be reckless. I thought the game planning did exactly that. Some calculated risk mixed in with a lot of what Michigan does best. I don't think it's really worth considering whether or not every single play call was a stroke of genius. There are always going to be plays that you wish you could have back, that's part of the game. I think any reasonable fan that knows a little bit about how to win football games wanted to see was this staff take some chances when the moment called for it and play aggressive. I think we absolutely got that with today's play calling.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:41 PM ^
Real Harbaugh kidnapped and taken to hidden location. Replaced by borg Terminator Harbaugh programed to take advantage of weak spots in opponent's D.
October 2nd, 2021 at 4:32 PM ^
Or was the real Harbaugh kidnapped in 2016 and now returned?!?
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:41 PM ^
The only thing I could nitpick is the squib kick near the end of the 2nd quarter. While it did almost result in a recovery as Wisconsin muffed it, it gave them an extra 20 yards and bootstrapped that TD drive that brought the game within 3 points at halftime. I really did not understand that when Moody can just blast it through the endzone.
Otherwise, the thing that most impresses me is that Michigan just seems "on time" on both offense and defense. Calls get in early, players get in position, and on top of that we do a lot of pre snap motion offensively and shifting defensively that requires preparation and execution. I really felt like I was watching a different team today with how crisp and well prepared they looked.
October 2nd, 2021 at 5:17 PM ^
I mean, they got the ball well on their side of the field with under 30 seconds left, then hit two perfect passes in a row. There was enough time for them to get it on their 28 after a KO return and then hit three perfect passes in a row. At some point you have to blame either our secondary for giving up those passes or credit the Badgers for hitting them, but blaming the first part of that for the touchdown is irrational.
What if we had done a normal kick off and they started with a quick 15-yard out for a first down? Would you blame that touchdown on that first 15-yard pass?
October 2nd, 2021 at 5:55 PM ^
Yes that drive required two pinpoint NFL throws from Mertz, but it doesn't matter what the result of the drive was to determine whether or not it was a good decision to kick the squib. The decision either did or didn't make sense at the time regardless of what came after.
To your point, that play probably sticks out in my mind because of the fact that the TD came three plays later, and the end result was only 20 yards different from a hypthetical kickoff touchback. So, really is a nitpick as I admitted above.
October 3rd, 2021 at 6:54 AM ^
or, as my son kept saying, blame the offense for not taking more time to score before the kickoff. Drain the clock a little more, leave less time for WI to do anything.
October 3rd, 2021 at 9:42 AM ^
From the game recap:
Wisconsin marched 63 yards down the field in 20 seconds to make it a 13-10 game before half.
So it was only 12 yards. I liked the aggressive approach.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:42 PM ^
This win wipes away the taste of sitting in Michigan Stadium in 2010 and watching our defense get steamrolled as Badger fans--in OUR student section--yelled On Wisconsin! after every one of their many first downs. Also--love those blue pants with the white jerseys.
October 2nd, 2021 at 3:43 PM ^
Fire Gattis! Fuck Harbaugh! Unacceptable! Oh wait…