mgoblogging

The reasons Michigan got creamed are...

No pass rush.  It seems Winovich was okay because he played the whole game, as did Rashan Gary.  Devin Bush was needed in coverage, were there fewer blitzes?  Mone, Kemp, Dwumfour, and Marshall (and Soloman) did not have an impact on the passing game either.

Speed.  OSU targeted Watson, Gill, and I recall someone else also.  Devin Bush was outrun on one pass.

The crowd.  Right from the start I could see no one was having anything to do with Michigan as a favorite.  I have never seen a stadium and a crowd so frenzied.

The legend of Don Brown is no more.  Anyone can pick on the little guys all they want but this is the one you prepare for all year.  Either the talent or the scheme (or both) was not there and after 3 or 4 years we all have to wonder why.

As far as Greg Mattison and all the other highly-paid coaches, same goes.  Their goal has to be Ohio State and in that respect they did not and have not gotten it done in four years.

In this one it was pretty simple:  If you (the coaches) think they (the players) are going to line up and smash Ohio State you are kidding yourself.  John Beilein learned you have to play different ways against different opponents.  Michigan flat-out did not have the answers for Ohio State.  The officiating was fair if not forgiving, plus lucky breaks like a fumbled kick inside the 10 at the end of a desperate half.  Michigan's foibles included a terrible interception, a blocked punt, and a muffed kickoff.  And OSU receivers dropped a lot of passes.  It was not close and it could have been worse.

Michigan was playing not to lose from the outset.  If the hope was that the passing game would buoy a predictable, failed running game, that is destroyed (temporarily) too.  There were unopen receivers, drops, and a lot of poor throws.

Put it this way, at least it happened at 10 AM (Mountain Time) instead of in prime time against Alabama.  

But this one is on 'ol orange mustache himself.  No one is going to win if they give up 62.  I think, in retrospect, if Michigan had had a few stops the offense may have been able to drive and even things up.  Again, 560 yards is too much.