Everything Zen: 2023 Michigan Football
- Thread starter Zososoxfan
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Who’s got it better than us?!
Nerves of steel… Saturn balls… esprit de corps… this team had it all!
Nerves of steel… Saturn balls… esprit de corps… this team had it all!
All you folks who follow Michigan football closely, first off congratulations on a great season and playoff run(from a longtime ND fan, that wasn’t easy to write). Second: what’s the feeling on Harbaughs future? Does he want to be Nick Saban, and try and win multiple titles? Or is the pull to ad a Lombardi to his trophy case going to be too strong? Do the suspensions this year play any role in it, or are they largely forgotten now?
I have been convinced that he will leave for some time and winning the National Championship makes it almost certain. (IMO, of course.)
Also IMO, the suspensions themselves are inconsequential to his decision, but the still-open NCAA investigation is a prime driver here. The big one is not the Connor Stalions episode, it’s the largely technical infractions that Michigan already agreed to prior to the season. But the NCAA Committee on Infractions rejected the negotiated settlement and is accusing Harbaugh of lying to them during the initial investigation, which is a Level 1 infraction. (This is the infamous “cheeseburger” story, where he was asked about buying a recruit an impermissible meal during a recruiting “dead period” three years ago and said that he did not remember.)
If Michigan wants to fight the level 1 charge, they will almost certainly win. But that will take years and I can’t imagine Harbaugh wanting to spend any time dealing with that when he can wash his hands of it by heading to his choice of jobs in the NFL.
BTW, this is the “short version.” There’s a lot going on. So I think he leaves. (Hell, I would.)
Also IMO, the suspensions themselves are inconsequential to his decision, but the still-open NCAA investigation is a prime driver here. The big one is not the Connor Stalions episode, it’s the largely technical infractions that Michigan already agreed to prior to the season. But the NCAA Committee on Infractions rejected the negotiated settlement and is accusing Harbaugh of lying to them during the initial investigation, which is a Level 1 infraction. (This is the infamous “cheeseburger” story, where he was asked about buying a recruit an impermissible meal during a recruiting “dead period” three years ago and said that he did not remember.)
If Michigan wants to fight the level 1 charge, they will almost certainly win. But that will take years and I can’t imagine Harbaugh wanting to spend any time dealing with that when he can wash his hands of it by heading to his choice of jobs in the NFL.
BTW, this is the “short version.” There’s a lot going on. So I think he leaves. (Hell, I would.)
GO BLUE!
Won in the trenches on both sides. Not sure I agree with the Defensive MVP award but minor quibble.
For someone who went to Michigan in the early 70's, which means I watched Michigan run up the scores in those home games and then watched them lose the big games, this is a much more satisfying win played by a better all around team.
Won in the trenches on both sides. Not sure I agree with the Defensive MVP award but minor quibble.
For someone who went to Michigan in the early 70's, which means I watched Michigan run up the scores in those home games and then watched them lose the big games, this is a much more satisfying win played by a better all around team.
Congratulations to all the M alums and fans here. My own fanship - I have no tie to Michigan except I have been rooting for Wolverine football and basketball since just before Anthony Carter (who locked it in for life) - is improved by the information and insights in this thread.
Great team and great season and of all the zillions of hours of college football I’ve watched in the last 50+ years, last night was the pinnacle.
As for Coach Harbaugh, he took a ton of crap during his tenure but did his job, got a string of wins over Ohio State, and then finally brought down the SEC champion and won the title. He put together some great teams at the end of his run in AnnArbor. All props to him, wherever he goes next.
Great team and great season and of all the zillions of hours of college football I’ve watched in the last 50+ years, last night was the pinnacle.
As for Coach Harbaugh, he took a ton of crap during his tenure but did his job, got a string of wins over Ohio State, and then finally brought down the SEC champion and won the title. He put together some great teams at the end of his run in AnnArbor. All props to him, wherever he goes next.
I wanted Sainristil to get it because he's one of my 3 or 4 favorite Wolverines of all time and he played such a huge role in by and large keeping UW's receivers underneath. Plus key tackles and the INT. But Johnson really shut down their most dangerous WR for the most part AND had that great interception. Really, it would have been amazing if they could just give it to the defense as a whole.
My opinion: he leaves for the NFL.
For various reasons, he has a poor relationship with the B1G and the NCAA. He has sided with players on various institutional college football issues, sticking a thumb in the eye of the NCAA on multiple occasions. IMO, the NCAA has it out for him on minor stuff while turning a blind eye on other gross violations at other P5 (or what’s left of it) schools.
Additionally, this team was set up to be his best shot at a championship. 40+ 4th-5th-6th year players, including players like Corum who could have left last year but were incentivized (one way or another) to return. If McCarthy goes, this team is going to look dramatically different next year, especially on offense.
I think this was Harbaugh’s last ride for Michigan and a giant FU to the NCAA.
I second this; congrats to all the alums and fans here, been a fan of Michigan football since I was about 10 years old, followed them through thick and thin, what a great night last night was, so happy, so glad for Coach Harbaugh, those kids, those students and all alums everywhere.
Wire to wire the best team in the country.
I was in the house on Monday and it's a day I'll never forget. The crowd on both sides was electric the entire time. I'd say the crowd was 55-60% in Michigan's favor, but Washington's corner-support was plenty loud. I think these are two of the most docile fanbases and I barely spoke a word to any Huskies fans. I say that as a complement, but as someone who lives in FL, I have to say that things down here are quite a bit different--more boisterous and engaging, for better or worse.
The plays that stand out in my mind (in order of perceived impact) are:
It says something about something that Michigan only had 1 sack in this game. It felt like Michigan did a decent job getting pressure, but I can't find QB Hurry stats anywhere. Penix gets the ball out FAST, but he looked slow processing what were very complicated Michigan pass coverages.
I give a lot of props to Washington's defense who came out waaaaay too light in the box, but after correcting that really slowed Michigan down. Their offense was going to have to win them this game and didn't, but the D kept them in it long enough to give them a real shot.
IT'S GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE!!!
The plays that stand out in my mind (in order of perceived impact) are:
- The first Corum TD--cinched the game, embodied this offense to a T.
- Will Johnson INT to start 2nd half--the Huskies had clawed their way back into the game, and had the momentum of scoring late in the first half, and receiving the ball to start the 2nd. Even though Michigan's ensuing drive sucked and ended in a FG, it basically negated the advantage of deferring. Going into the game fans that had analyzed this game knew that fewer possessions favored Michigan and this swung the game immensely.
- The two Donavan runs--holy shit what a gamebreaker and homerun hitter. He's not the best at finding the hole, but it doesn't matter much when you scorch every defender in sight. I hope that his first NFL OC finally uses him in the passing game correctly because the kid oozes talent and athleticism.
- JJ's back-to-back scrambles late in the third quarter. The offense had been stuck in mud (big props to Washington's D) basically since Corum's big gainer in the first half. According to collegefootballdata.com, the first run was worth about 20% of win expectations, taking it from 60% (it felt lower at the time) to 80% (it did NOT feel that high at the time). Washington had just reeled off a very fortunate 56 yard punt to Michigan 7, and Corum had 2 rushes for 2 yards to bring up 3rd and 8. IMMENSE change in the feel of the game. Even if Michigan hadn't run away with it in the end, this felt like Michigan getting back in control.
- The Loveland 41-yard catch to setup the first Corum TD. Even though the stats say Michigan was already likely to win the game, it was 20-13 when this drive started and Michigan's offense really hadn't been in gear for awhile. This play felt like a bolt of lightning, and Loveland did an amazing job to not only reel in the catch, but keep his balance for huge YAC.
It says something about something that Michigan only had 1 sack in this game. It felt like Michigan did a decent job getting pressure, but I can't find QB Hurry stats anywhere. Penix gets the ball out FAST, but he looked slow processing what were very complicated Michigan pass coverages.
I give a lot of props to Washington's defense who came out waaaaay too light in the box, but after correcting that really slowed Michigan down. Their offense was going to have to win them this game and didn't, but the D kept them in it long enough to give them a real shot.
IT'S GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE!!!
I have now finished my third viewing of the Championship game. How much is enough? I know I'm going to get in at least 2 more before the end of this week. I'm a little concerned about my new obsession but then again, it has been a long time coming.
The Defense really was remarkable on so many levels. The interchangeable parts on the D-Line which kept them fresh. 55 was amazing all game with his pressure but so many of the D-Line contributed. There was only the one missed tackle (Saab) that really irked me at the time, as it enabled them to continue the drive. But on the whole, they tackled exceptionally well throughout the game and the D-backs as a group stopped a very skilled offense.
There were a number of plays that Penix missed that really could have impacted the game, but he was rushed and confused by the coverage so maybe missing the open receivers weren't really as obvious as it looked from the comfort of a couch.
I watched the game with basically SEC fans who kept their mouths shut and supported Michigan. But I also had a text message thread going with four friends from my Michigan days. It was a great reunion of sorts. And pretty darn funny at times.
IT'S GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE!!
The Defense really was remarkable on so many levels. The interchangeable parts on the D-Line which kept them fresh. 55 was amazing all game with his pressure but so many of the D-Line contributed. There was only the one missed tackle (Saab) that really irked me at the time, as it enabled them to continue the drive. But on the whole, they tackled exceptionally well throughout the game and the D-backs as a group stopped a very skilled offense.
There were a number of plays that Penix missed that really could have impacted the game, but he was rushed and confused by the coverage so maybe missing the open receivers weren't really as obvious as it looked from the comfort of a couch.
I watched the game with basically SEC fans who kept their mouths shut and supported Michigan. But I also had a text message thread going with four friends from my Michigan days. It was a great reunion of sorts. And pretty darn funny at times.
IT'S GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE!!
I was at the game Monday and count it among my favorite sporting events I’ve seen in person. Unlike a Super Bowl, most fans were rooting really hard for one of the teams - it was electric in there.
Love this team - lot of great kids and an amazing culture…and a ton of well-coached really good football players
go blue!
Love this team - lot of great kids and an amazing culture…and a ton of well-coached really good football players
go blue!