Penn State Aftermath

The question is why did Michigan win or more precisely, why did Penn State lose?

But first the obligatory Jim Harbaugh comments.  I still have one more document to read:  the diary by the Michigander/Santa Monica lawyer.  The argument for a them against us conspiracy, with respect to Spygate only, is a strong one, i.e., theirs too is unsportsmanlike, plus collusion and conspiracy.  That's the downside of being the champion.  And it is a byproduct of Harbaugh and Michigan people rubbing people the wrong way.  The argument is procedural at best.  It is not about us vs. them when you break the rules.

It is not and was not so bad for Michigan with Harbaugh partying seven miles away (and on video) with his entourage.  You got caught.  Hopefully, serve your penalty.  Much more importantly, own up to it.

As for the game, it was an unusual one.  Michigan football carried its audacious attitude into it in a show of bush-league coaching.  Penn State, they are so talented, how did they lose at home to a team undergoing all that?

Blake Corum is healthy and back and that is the main reason Michigan won.  Sprinkle in other running--Donovan Edwards and J.J. McCarthy--and Michigan's running attack was awesome.  Defensively they were good enough to stop two outstanding running backs and harass non-freshman Drew Allar enough to make him look awful.

Allar isn't that terrible, and he may even turn out to be very good.  The Penn State defense was so good against passing Michigan smartly avoided it entirely.  This killed Penn State's speed and secondary too.  Harbaugh of course set it; it was a brilliant execution of strategy.  Like a basketball team, Michigan can play it different ways and adapt given their depth and that is why they are so good.

The first big reason Penn State lost is the failure of Allar.  Penn State didn't put him in a position to win and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was fired soon after the game.  Many of his passes were not close and Allar fumbled too.  Allar is known as a strong-armed passer and not a runner and Penn State has two top backs anyway.

The other reason Penn State lost is James Franklin just can't do it.  His long-term record against top teams and in big games is atrocious.  In this game a trick pass play to Allar and a risky-against-getting-clobbered run by the qb right up the middle for a touchdown worked for the head coach.  Aside from that, what can you say?  His calls and coaching didn't win the game.  Once again a really talented Penn State team lost to Ohio State (by 8) and Michigan (by 9) in similar games.