Indiana 38, Michigan 21
1. Indiana had 254 passing yards—at halftime. Michael Penix Jr. completed nine passes of 15+ yards on the day.
2. Michigan's defense committed offside penalties on two Indiana touchdowns and at least three other plays, I lost count and so did the live stats.
3. The Hoosiers entered this game 6-for-23 on third down conversions in 2020. They were 9-for-17 this afternoon before kneeling out the clock.
4. IU beat U-M by one more point than they beat Rutgers last week.
5. U-M last lost to IU by double digits in 1959.
6. Ty Fryfogle set a career high with 142 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
7. With sacks removed, U-M rushed for 33 yards on 15 carries (2.2 YPC). IU's previous two opponents, Penn State and (once more, for emphasis) Rutgers, ran for 414 yards on 80 carries (5.2 YPC).
8. Iowa beat Michigan State 49-7 this afternoon. The Hawkeyes entered that game 0-2 with losses to Purdue and Northwestern. I don't need to remind you what happened last weekend.
9. This screencap:
10. Jim Harbaugh had a 20-4 record at Michigan heading into the 2016 Ohio State game. He's 28-16 since.
11. The Wolverines are 10-8 dating back to the 2018 OSU game. The margins in those eight losses have been 29, 26, 23, 21, 19, 17, seven, and three points.
Jim Harbaugh, Josh Gattis, and Don Brown need to turn the season around in a way that's hard to foresee right now to avoid facing some very difficult questions about their ability to run this program.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:17 PM ^
But that was always the appeal of MGoBlog, that it was independent and did not have to bow to the Michigan AD in any way. I recall that there was a time that MGoBlog did not take press passes, to maintain its independence.
November 7th, 2020 at 5:41 PM ^
True. There was also a time when this blog was dedicated to sports and was a place where any political discussions weren’t tolerated. Now Brian actively fuels these discussions. It’s all about clicks and posts these days. As much as most of us hate the political discussions that occur on this blog, it does create a tremendous amount of activity on this blog that I’m sure looks appealing to marketers and therefore profitable for the site.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:24 PM ^
What access does Ace have to this program?
I haven’t read the real reason why Dylan left. What’s with Shoop being hired, yet being away from the team.
Ace will just shift to Basketball and only write these post football game articles with no real insight.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:32 PM ^
Ace thought Charbonnet would lead the big 10 in rushing. He has no special insight into the football team.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:33 PM ^
You're totally right. You should demand your money back.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:42 PM ^
They don’t have a level of access to the program. It’s not like they are getting weekly interviews with coaches and players.
Plenty of other writers are able to be critical and retain access as well.
November 7th, 2020 at 5:51 PM ^
They've been at it for--what--ten years, and have developed zero insider knowledge from what I can see. Dunno if that's their preferred stance. . .
The write-up is, in fact, stark. But yes, that last sentence is mealy-mouthed. More important, it's wrong. John Harbaugh is on the hot seat.
November 7th, 2020 at 7:58 PM ^
Why? Lamar Jackson hasn't been THAT bad
November 7th, 2020 at 4:10 PM ^
To be fair, Harbaugh was brought in to do what Hoke and RR could not. Today, he has made good on that expectation.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:12 PM ^
Oh they did for Carr, whom this blog hated, and Hoke. But Dickrod and Jeem get the kid gloves.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:20 PM ^
I thought the write up was fine. It had more effort than the coaches.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:37 PM ^
November 7th, 2020 at 5:21 PM ^
Brian does
November 7th, 2020 at 5:53 PM ^
They hold them accountable well enough analytically; they aren't inclined to scream from the rooftops that Michigan needs to fire everyone. Because honestly, that's the base reflex for most sports coverage - heap immense praise on someone when they're winning and call for their heads when they are gone.
I would like Michigan to move on from Brown, who seems unable to really compensate for a drop in talent at CB this year. But Harbaugh gave the offense over to Gattis and I think they've shown signs of making it work and being effective going forward. And unless you have some ready-made replacement for Harbaugh out there, just running him off and hoping you don't wind up with RR or Hoke 2.0 isn't something I'm dying to see.
November 7th, 2020 at 6:33 PM ^
You're constructing a paper tiger with that last comment; of course the goal in firing Harbaugh would not be to find an inadequate replacement. But he's objectively failing, as Ace's article in fact makes clear. I was among those delighted by his hiring. No one would fire him lightly; but Michigan has just been throttled by two programs in a row with inferior talent.
He won't get fired at the end of this season, though. It's quite obviously a re-building year, if one of too many. The teams doing well in the B1G--everywhere--have mature QBs. (Joe Milton getting himself under control and playing quite well for stretches was one of today's clear positives.)
November 7th, 2020 at 4:23 PM ^
Just read 1-11. Pathetic with just stating facts.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:30 PM ^
I guess you read it differently than I did. Here’s what I read:
”1. Michigan is really, really bad.
2. Michigan is really, really bad.
3. Michigan is really, really bad.
4. Michigan is really, really bad.
5.Michigan is really, really bad.
6.Michigan is really, really bad.
7. Michigan is really, really bad.
8. Michigan is really, really bad.
9. Michigan is really, really bad.
10.Michigan is really, really bad.
11. Michigan is really, really bad.”
Sure, the last sentence could have been worded stronger, but I feel like the rest of the write up explained it pretty well.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:52 PM ^
A milquetoast take from Ace on this staff? That's weird...
November 7th, 2020 at 7:19 PM ^
1) The Saturday recap column rarely says much other than, well, a recap
2) It’s tagged “100% worst thing ever” and “fire coach x”
3) if you actually listen to them, they aren’t “this is great!” They are, “this kind of sucks, but the path to ‘better’ is extremely unclear”
November 7th, 2020 at 4:03 PM ^
Everyone with an NFL future should opt out. We're going to lose to Rutgers.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:28 PM ^
Fortunately, there aren't many of those guys left. If I was an NFL GM I'd be scratching my head wondering what all of the Kwity Paye hype is about. And holy crap has Cam McGrone been invisible, or what?
November 7th, 2020 at 4:44 PM ^
Had the same thought today. Michigan has a good player. His name is Dax Hill.
That’s the list. Roster is completely devoid of difference makers across the board. They are in a worse spot overall than when Hoke left and the current recruiting class is going to be brutal.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:51 PM ^
I don't agree with that. I think some of the recievers have talent. Or at least speed. But the offense apparently needs line men and a QB. I don't think they have those.
Caveat: I did not watch and will not until Harbaugh is fired.
November 7th, 2020 at 5:14 PM ^
Bell is the only WR worth anything and he'll top out at "good college WR". You can find a Bell on every Big Ten team -- he's nothing special or anything any team ever needs to worry about.
November 7th, 2020 at 9:23 PM ^
In Keith’s defense, if he’s getting double teamed and he has no help around him, pretty hard to do much more than he has. He suffers from getting the Rashan Gary treatment. Yet another reason why having more talent in the team would make a big difference. Having one or two top guys and the rest be middle type guys just doesn’t cut it.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:03 PM ^
Last week I thought that this might possibly be a 2017 redux and MSU might turn out to be decent.
Yeah . . . no.
Looks like we're just really bad. Yikes.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:32 PM ^
No, we knew that MSU was really bad. That loss was horrific.
This was completely predictable after what we witnessed last week.
And yes. We're really bad. Yikes indeed.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:46 PM ^
This defense is the equivalent of the 2008 offense.
November 7th, 2020 at 6:57 PM ^
The defense would be fine except for the gaping hole at second corner. Then again the 2008 offense was actually okay apart from the black hole at QB, so maybe that’s apt.
November 7th, 2020 at 9:53 PM ^
Not sure what you see but both corners have gaping holes.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:54 PM ^
There had been a steady decline since 2016, but it's clear things fell off a cliff in this offseason. Thomas and Collins do not save this team. This is late Hoke bad.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:04 PM ^
Yeah, but it's just an incredibly stupid year, right? #speedinspace though...
November 7th, 2020 at 4:14 PM ^
It's speedinspace on 3rd down, or after it's too late. I saw a bunch of possessions where MICH ran up the middle on 1st and 2nd downs, and then tried something on 3rd. Not cutting it. Fire Harbaugh today. But who would take over? Fuck, I could play call and coach this team better. That says a lot both + and - !!!
November 7th, 2020 at 4:31 PM ^
But running up the middle worked so well last week, why not try it again?
November 7th, 2020 at 4:04 PM ^
10. Jim Harbaugh had a 20-4 record at Michigan heading into the 2016 Ohio State game. He's 28-16 since.
Really, that says it all right there imo...the program has been trending downwards as Harbaugh's recruits have filled the roster.
its one thing to plateau its another to start trending downwards.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:19 PM ^
I don't know if that 28 is correct. But even if not, it feels like it could be.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:49 PM ^
The crazier stat is they are 10-8 since they went into that 2018 game against Ohio State as favorites.
The 2016 loss to Ohio State crushed the program, and the 2018 loss seems to have obliterated it.
And 2020? God knows what will happen when Justin Fields gets a crack at this secondary.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:04 PM ^
I didn’t even watch. The head coach doesn’t give a shit, and his players reflect that attitude. So why should I?
November 7th, 2020 at 4:20 PM ^
Really looks that way. No fire, no leadership (from either players or coaches).
November 7th, 2020 at 4:43 PM ^
Attack each day with a ferocity unknown to mankind
November 7th, 2020 at 4:52 PM ^
Jesus...completely forgot about that mantra of his.
“Attack every day...or don’t. It’s OK.”
November 7th, 2020 at 5:46 PM ^
Good call.
This loss was predictable after IU's 1st game this season; seemed inevitable after Michigan's second game. I knew better than to watch.
November 8th, 2020 at 12:39 AM ^
I watched with the expectation of a loss, plus a little alcohol nearby. Makes it ok.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:06 PM ^
Why should Warde wait until the end of the season to fire Harbaugh and Brown? The game and school are not about them. It’s about the players. Do what is right by them. Give them a chance to compete without Harbaugh/Brown’s lingering stench hanging over them.
November 7th, 2020 at 10:31 PM ^
Yeah I don't know where this idea comes from that you can't fire a coach in the middle of a season. If you fire the guy, then maybe you either get an Earl Bruce effect in his final game or you at least get clarity so that you can begin your coaching search in earnest. We need our next guy in place before January so that he can shore up the 2021 class. It can still be OK and there is a decent level of talent in the '19 and '20 classes to work with.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:09 PM ^
We were missing both tackles from an 80% new and already depleted O-Line. Still saw some flashes of what the passing game could be. The second pick was one he had to throw—hurts not to have a big receiver, or at least one who will come back to the ball and fight for it like a db if he can't come down with it himself.
It's amazing to me how much long-term damage "the spot" did.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:33 PM ^
Enough with the spot. We had them what 3rd and 16/17? and let them off the hook.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:36 PM ^
I don't see any evidence that it had any long-term effect at all.
The team has gotten steadily worse as JH has recruited his own players.
It's also obvious (though I fully expect to be neg bombed for saying it) that JH started taking mood stabilizing medication after the 2017 season. He shows multiple side-effects, to almost text-book-example levels.
But if the spot did make such a difference... what kind of a coach allows a single questionable call to totally defeat him for the rest of his career? If he's that weak, it would have just been something else that broke him.
November 7th, 2020 at 4:57 PM ^
He just feels broken. Like a shell of the firery guy that took over 6 years ago. As his passion has dwindled so has the passion of his players.
Team has just looked unfocused and passionless the last couple of seasons. We went from shots of Gary on the sidelines super emotional after a loss to guys getting beat by a rival and blown the fuck out by Indiana and no one on the sidelines seems to care.
November 7th, 2020 at 5:13 PM ^
The only thing that makes any sense at all to me is that something happened that we don't know about. I don't believe it to be a locker room issue, as most (if not all) of those players are gone, and if there was something major in the locker room, we would have heard about it by now. Which leads me to wonder (speculate) if there's a health issue at play, whether it be burnout or something else (I hope not).
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