Observations on another loss to Ohio State, 27-56
Ohio State converted 5 red zones into 35 points; Michigan could only convert their 3 red zones into 17 points. The Buckeyes also converted two Wolverine turnovers into 7 points, and Michigan converted one Ohio State turnover into 3 points.
Offense had 21 first downs, 396 total yards with 305 in the air and 91 on the ground; they were only 2 of 15 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Shea Patterson was 18 of 43 for 305 yards for a TD with 2 sacks, and an unforced error with a turnover fumble in the second quarter plus an interception. Hassan Haskins ran 12 times for 78 yards and a TD; he also had a 9 yard reception. Giles Jackson ran 3 times for 26 yards including a 22 yard TD to start the Wolverine scoring. Ronnie Bell had 6 receptions for 78 yards. Donovan Peoples-Jones had 3 catches for 69 yards and a TD, but also several critical drops; Sean McKeon had 3 catches for 66 yards. Nick Eubanks had 2 catches for 42 yards, and Nico Collins had 2 catches for 32 yards. Offense didn't lose this game, but the turnover fumble by Patterson in the red zone recovered by Robert Landers in the second quarter really took the "wind out of us." Baron Browning led the Buckeye defense with 7 tackles; the Buckeyes broke up 9 passes, forced two turnovers, hurried Patterson into two sacks and two quarterback hits, and allowed the Wolverines only two scores in the second half when Michigan was desperately trying to come back in the lopsided affair.
Defense was not up to the task! Ohio State hammered us for 28 first downs, 577 total yards including 264 on the ground; the Buckeyes were 9 of 16 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. J.K. Dobbins had 31 carries for 211 yards and 4 TDs plus 2 receptions for 49 yards. Justin Fields was 14 of 25 for 302 yards; he ran 6 times for 25 yards, and we could only sack him once. Chris Olave caught 2 passes for 68 yards and a TD. Garrett Wilson caught 3 passes for 118 yards and a TD. Austin Mack had 3 catches for 39 yards and a TD. Josh Metellus was burned for 3 TD passes as he couldn't cover the Buckeye receivers, and the Ohio State game plan targeted his poor pass coverage skills in attacking him. Aidan Hutchinson led the defense with 10 tackles; the Wolverines could only force the Buckeyes into 4 punts and one turnover while allowing 56 points on 8 TDs. The Buckeyes dominated time of possession by nearly 13 minutes which led to 8 more offensive plays.
Special Teams were horrible!!! Nordin missed an extra point to start the game; he did hit two field goals later, but the missed PAT was inexcusable. The penalty on the punt return for offside gave the Buckeyes a first down on their final drive that led to a touchdown after the defense had forced them into a second punt in the second quarter; one could see that Ohio State worked on a hesitation snap so it was a planned play. Donovan Peoples-Jones had a nice punt return negated on a penalty by Gemon Green. Later, Mike Sainristil let a punt that should have been downed inside the 5 run into the end zone for a touchback. We had one bad play after another out there all day long. The only good play of note was a fumble recovery on a punt by Jake McCurry.
Give Ohio State credit! They came to Ann Arbor knowing we were playing our best football, and ranked in the Top 10 nationally. They prepared well, and executed well with nearly mistake free football; they kept their composure, and only had one turnover in the gmae after the outcome was already decided. They had an excellent game plan, adjusted well, and executed well. Ryan Day really researched Michigan's team well with its weaknesses, and exploited them well in his game plan. They consistently scored two touchdowns in each quarter in ramping up their 56 points without trying to run up the score, and made the adjustments necessary to control our offense after it had such a great start. After they took the lead in the first quarter, they expanded it to two scores by halftime, and three scores in the 3rd quarter; they never looked back or felt threatened even when we came back early in the 4th quarter to make it a two-score game. They deserve to be in the Big Ten Championship Game, and will probably be picked for the BCS Playoff.
It was very disturbing to view how much red was present inside Michigan Football Stadium during the game. The Michigan "fans" who sold their seats to Ohio State fans created this problem. Ohio State became a better football program that ours after Jim Tressel became their Head Coach; he instilled confidence in the program and players using sports psychology to change attitudes of the John Cooper Era, and took their already outstanding recruiting to a new level. Urban Meyer continued to elevate the program, and now Ryan Day has inherited this program that has culminated into an undefeated baptimal season. The entire Michigan Football Program is to blame for letting this happen over the last two decades. I'm not just talking about the players and coaches; it also includes the University of Michigan Athletic Department Administration, Alumni and yes, the fans. The fans and alumni have accepted this uneven rivalry, and bask in the glory of mediocrity with gate sellouts and bowl games while continuing to point to Michigan's great football history. At some point, everyone who calls themself a Michigan Football Fan needs to look in the mirror and reflect on this issue because there is no immediate solution to the dilemma due to this rivalry gone awry.
It looks either Michigan or Minnesota will play in the Gator/Outback Bowls against SEC opponents like Mississippi State or Auburn as the top Big Ten Teams: Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State will get BCS-Fiesta/Rose/Citrus bids. Jim Harbaugh is now 0-5 against the Buckeyes, and Ohio State has averaged 44 points per game in those 5 meetings; Ohio State beat us this year worse than they beat us in 2018 so they retain the all important "mental edge." I think all the Harbaugh supporters need to reflect and review the reality of our football program; the current staff isn't getting the job done, and we are simply just another "good" football program who was lucky to defeat a 5-7 Army squad in overtime to finish 9-3 rather than 8-4. We are recruiting a lot of talent, but are not developing the talent into a top echelon football program like so many other teams are doing. We have two MAJOR PROBLEMS in our team philosophy that needs to change if we are to compete for a Big Ten and BCS National Championship; first, we have to start recruiting big, quick, powerful defensive linemen like Chris Hinton who can control the line of scrimmage on defense, and second, we have to recruit dual-threat quarterbacks in addition to pro-style pocket passers. We have for decades recruited athletic guys who could grow into defensive linemen; although we've had some admirable individuals, we are not controlling the line of scrimmage at the point of attack, and this has to change. We have to stop putting undersized linemen out there, and expect dominance. Maybe we should acquire a Non-Michigan "Man" to bring in a different coaching philosophy and mind-set that will result in Championship Football. Remember, when Bo Schembechler came to Ann Arbor in 1968, he was a Non-Michigan Man; he changed to program, and its mind-set into a Championship Program for decades. Maybe this is what we need now. Go Blue!
