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The Game, tOSU at ttun, Nov. 27th,12pm FOX (3654 down to 0)

I think it’s a whole combination of things, but at it’s foundation it seems to stem from Day wanting a certain style of bend-but-don’t-break defense that doesn’t give up quick big plays and allows the offense to do the heavy lifting for the team.

In the weather yesterday, on the road, with a first year QB in the biggest rivalry in the sport, play calling on offense was restricted, which was obviously a problem.

In a way, I don’t really even blame Day. He was screwed by circumstances that caused him to make bad decisions, it was Michigan, in the snow, with a young QB on the road, of course we needed to run the ball. But Michigan, like everyone else for the last decade, was selling out to stop the run and Day needed to shift to what the defense was giving him much sooner, which was throwing.

That first drive on the second half was an absolute killer, we needed to come out guns blazing and we ran a stretch play on third and short. Slow developing stretch runs against a defense going all out at the LOS just wasn’t going to cut it

If we take Michigan slightly out of their comfort zone by scoring on that first drive we might have been able to give the D more of a chance, but a quick three and out and we just got buried.

Going back to the defense, I think Coombs was an unmitigated disaster of a hire, and while Barnes was duct tape for the season, that fell off and a permanent repair is needed.

The fundamental issue to me, which I’ve been saying for two years, is too much thinking/reacting… not enough playing/attacking.

I think this is due to 1) changing things up mid season, resulting in players who aren’t comfortable/confident in the system.

And the Coombs failure resulting in a lack of overall leadership on the defense and a lack of confidence from the guys calling plays to attack within the bend-but-don’t-break scheme, much less make adjustments in-game to react to whatever the offense is doing.

The players lack confidence, the coaches lacked confidence, resulting in just trying to react rather than attack.

It was apparent all year to varying degrees, and getting punched in the mouth in the snow is particularly devastating for a defense that is fundamentally incapable of doing anything but reacting to what the offense is doing.

The defense needs an overall architect at the top that has the knowledge and confidence in whatever scheme they’re running to unleash the athletes at their disposal—to attack and impose their will instead of just sitting back and trying to respond.

That person is not on the coaching staff right now.

There are obviously some interesting names out there if OSU is willing to really open the check book. Mike Elko and Will Muschamp would be at top of my list (in terms of established names). Again, plenty of lower conference guys that have shown great ability but OSU fanbase wouldn’t be familiar with.

Then again, I think quite a few people were underwhelmed with Hafley until he proved it with his schemes and ability to put players in a position to succeed.
 
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And the architect needs to approve or decline players in recruiting. Find players that make a cohesive unit. Need playmakers at all 3 levels. Connection among units..the architect needs player leaders who parrot his message and get all 11 in sync.

100 percent, thats what I liked the most about hafleys defense in 2019. The talent level was absurd but still the entire unit felt clear and cohesive in their goals.
 
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Their skill players are almost all back (as corum/Edwards will be fine). They lose 3 OL. On d they lose a handful, and lose both DEs (most have them pegged as top 15ish picks), and daxton hill is a strong possibility to declare.

Next year was supposed to be their stronger year.

There's also the matter of whether this success makes other teams call after their assistants. And how they do as the alpha instead of the chip wearing underdog.

I think it’s more than just a single game
snapshot though. Beyond having (9) senior starters, they had (18) seniors in their 2 deep.

OSU had (5) senior starters and only 8 total in their 2 deep.

How does that impact a seasons worth of of practices? Michigan really took advantage this year, and good for them, they should’ve.

When you look at OSU’s overall roster, it’s extremely young. Things normalize next year IMO. I don’t think this year was really Apples to Apples for many elite programs where the norm is not relying on an extremely veteran-laden squad. It’s no surprise to me this years CFP is going to really be unlike any previous CFP we have seen (likely including our first non P5 team, and multiple first time entries).

I believe 2022 becomes more of a “norm” where teams are back to 85 scholarships and they don’t have grown men lingering around taking advantage of COVID-loopholes (but good for them taking advantage of it).

Just my opinion….
 
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On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t be so emotionally invested in the successes and failures of a college football team.

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I will admit I needed to hear this. The Game just amplifies everything, I've calmed down on the other games lately haha.
 
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I will admit I needed to hear this. The Game just amplifies everything, I've calmed down on the other games lately haha.

one of the reasons I never get upset when OSU takes a L.. these are college kids at the end of the day….but let my bengals not play well I’m breaking stuff..lol they get paid millions of dollars I bet not see a damn false start.Go Bucks
 
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2. We need true guards, people movers, on the interior.

Agreed 100%. Road graders are needed on the interior and not two tackles playing out of position. Jackson should take care of that issue and if Wypler is the center going forward getting Miller back as a guard would be huge.

PJJ, Jackson, Wypler, Miller, Jones although it would be nice to see another tackle take Jones spot with his limitations.

ETA: Or it is time for Matt Jones and Fryar to step up into a guard role.
 
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I think it’s a whole combination of things, but at it’s foundation it seems to stem from Day wanting a certain style of bend-but-don’t-break defense that doesn’t give up quick big plays and allows the offense to do the heavy lifting for the team.

If this were the NFL..... that would be a good excuse. In college, and with the recruiting resources OSU has, there is no reason they can't be dominant on both sides of the ball. You can have an explosive offense and still have a competent defense.
 
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I think it’s more than just a single game
snapshot though. Beyond having (9) senior starters, they had (18) seniors in their 2 deep.

OSU had (5) senior starters and only 8 total in their 2 deep.

How does that impact a seasons worth of of practices? Michigan really took advantage this year, and good for them, they should’ve.

When you look at OSU’s overall roster, it’s extremely young. Things normalize next year IMO. I don’t think this year was really Apples to Apples for many elite programs where the norm is not relying on an extremely veteran-laden squad. It’s no surprise to me this years CFP is going to really be unlike any previous CFP we have seen (likely including our first non P5 team, and multiple first time entries).

I believe 2022 becomes more of a “norm” where teams are back to 85 scholarships and they don’t have grown men lingering around taking advantage of COVID-loopholes (but good for them taking advantage of it).

Just my opinion….
The pain of the loss is also distorting Michigan's inconsistency until now. Aidan hasn't looked like this whatsoever in his first 3 years. Ojabo either (though he was more raw).

Ojabo (junior) would be foolish to return without Aidan (senior).

That would leave Michigan with Mike Morris (3*) and Taylor Upshaw (3*) at DE. The only guy in that projected 2 deep that was ranked in the top 300 would be backup Braiden McGregor.

Michigan has also not shown the ability to be consistent at DT, in recruiting or development, which is why they got bullied badly by little brother a month ago, despite that team having almost nothing but Walker (only 1 WR stayed healthy and Thorne is pretty mediocre).
 
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The pain of the loss is also distorting Michigan's inconsistency until now. Aidan hasn't looked like this whatsoever in his first 3 years. Ojabo either (though he was more raw).

Ojabo (junior) would be foolish to return without Aidan (senior).

That would leave Michigan with Mike Morris (3*) and Taylor Upshaw (3*) at DE. The only guy in that projected 2 deep that was ranked in the top 300 would be backup Braiden McGregor.

Michigan has also not shown the ability to be consistent at DT, in recruiting or development, which is why they got bullied badly by little brother a month ago, despite that team having almost nothing but Walker (only 1 WR stayed healthy and Thorne is pretty mediocre).

Some dumb NFL franchise will draft one or the other and find out how inconsistent they are.

I Just really hope it's not the Clowns.
 
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Next year will be brutal for ttun... they lose 3 Oline, Haskins, and a TE on offense. They'll also lose both rush ends, Ross at LB and 2 in the secondary (3 if they lose Dax).

They do not recruit well enough to lose all of that so i wouldn't be shocked if they hit the portal hard.

Would be shocked if they have less than 3 losses coming into the game next year.
A few thoughts from the game.

1. TTUN made us defend the run sideline to sideline, not tackle to tackle...we should take notes.
2. We need true guards, people movers, on the interior.
3. So this is what Xichigan fans have felt for the past 15 years.
Totally agree. That's what eventually upset me after the game so much. The fact we got out rushed like that when we KNEW what was coming yet couldn't stop it.

Ttun yesterday is proof that if you call a variety of run plays and designs there's no reason it can't work even when teams know it's coming. Even more than that though ttun emphasized running against the odds all year. To the point IMO that running against 6-7 man fronts was easy.

I know we get Stroud and a bevy of WRs back next year but I really hope we reinvest in our physicality on offense for next year. Besides a brutal run game should only help Stroud with PA. Just no need to throw it 30 times a game.
 
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Next year will be brutal for ttun... they lose 3 Oline, Haskins, and a TE on offense. They'll also lose both rush ends, Ross at LB and 2 in the secondary (3 if they lose Dax).

They do not recruit well enough to lose all of that so i wouldn't be shocked if they hit the portal hard.

Would be shocked if they have less than 3 losses coming into the game next year.

Totally agree. That's what eventually upset me after the game so much. The fact we got out rushed like that when we KNEW what was coming yet couldn't stop it.

Ttun yesterday is proof that if you call a variety of run plays and designs there's no reason it can't work even when teams know it's coming. Even more than that though ttun emphasized running against the odds all year. To the point IMO that running against 6-7 man fronts was easy.

I know we get Stroud and a bevy of WRs back next year but I really hope we reinvest in our physicality on offense for next year. Besides a brutal run game should only help Stroud with PA. Just no need to throw it 30 times a game.

I'm ok with 30, just think 50 is a bit much. You can't be balanced if you're throwing it 50 times. They will have the WR weapons again next year and should play to their strength, but they also need to re-establish themselves as a capable power run team as well.
 
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