The one thing I had to go back and check was why Michigan's offense was so bad in the third quarter. The reason is a throw through Semaj Morgan's arms and one off the body to Tyler Morris. Plus, the tight end were covered. Probably Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson were having a tough time too (as decoys) or they wouldn't have included the younger receivers as much. Similarly, Donovan Edwards was not thrown to much.
The whole thing is similar to Ohio State, before, during, and after. I was oh so tempted to write this beforehand: there is a good chance Michigan will rattle Jalen Milroe as they have every other quarterback this year. No he is not (yet/now) the greatest pro-style passer, but he is pretty darn all-around good. I read Alabama blogs afterward and, just like Ohio State, writers and commenters are ready to run him out of town.
The other things I recall reading are 'I thought J.J. McCarthy was overrated but I don't think that anymore.' Another is Blake Corum isn't so great. Finally, there was much to-do about how Nick Saban was outcoached by Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore.
All of them were or still are wrong. It just goes to show that armchair writers, bloggers, and video talking heads are not better or smarter than the rest of us. Most are just loud. It was a close game and both teams had chances. It is not Saban's best team and Michigan simply made the plays at the end.
I think the MVP is Blake Corum. The Fox announcers analyzed it at one point--he gets low, he spins and pushes, and sometimes he breaks it for more. Four-plus yards per carry in this one is excellent, and it included some big runs and receptions. Texas had 6.2 yards per run against Washington. Corum does not bode well for the Huskies in the championship.
Michigan wasn't paralyzed on offense. They had the plays and opportunities in the third quarter.
Elsewhere in terms of the who's and why's LaDarius Henderson was bad but the rest of the Michigan cast did great across the board. Like Brian Cook, I cheated and peeked. Too me, Braiden McGregor makes up for the lower-than-others score with height and terror--when he lines up at the end of the big DTs it just looks imposing. Like Mason Graham he is is not always squeaky clean. He has become effective and valuable in this his 5th year.
You can't always usually tell with stats, predictions, or pundits. They do it as a team, particularly the sacks. Enjoy now while you can, because they are almost all upperclassmen and next year will be different personnel. The list is posted elsewhere--who would have believed after all those mistakes? It is a talented, deep, and well-coached team. The scheme and the leader (quarterback) works. It is a world away from when Michigan played Alabama in prime time under Brady Hoke and whatshisname athletic director.
One more task and post to come. I need to watch the Huskies on nfl-video.com. I love the school, the team, and the whole dang city. In college football and Michigan athletics this is as good as it gets.
(The writer, yours truly, is from Michigan but has lived in Colorado for quite a while.)
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