Ohio State 30, Michigan 27 (2 OT)
Short. [Patrick Barron/MGoBlog]
I'm staring at my laptop and the sea of exultant Ohio State fans on the field below dancing to "Sweet Caroline" and I feel sick.
Sick that Michigan threw away multiple chances to win this game in regulation. Sick that a dozen little plays one way or the other change the outcome. Sick at that spot. That fucking spot.
Michigan should be playing for the Big Ten championship and a spot in the playoff next weekend. Instead, they will sit at home as either Ohio State or Penn State represents the East. That spot, that fucking spot, will stick in the collective Wolverine memory for much, much longer.
The Wolverines controlled most of this game. Wilton Speight battled back from his still-undisclosed injury to throw for 219 yards and two scores, an effort that would take its place in the pantheon of heroic rivalry performances had the outcome gone the other way. Speight's two interceptions, however, were turned into two Ohio State touchdowns, and that allowed the Buckeyes to keep it close enough to force overtime on a 23-yard Tyler Durbin field goal with one second left in regulation.
The defense, which had played a spectacular game, looked worn out in the first overtime period, ceding a JT Barrett touchdown run on the second play. Speight responded with a fourth-down touchdown to Amara Darboh. Michigan's ensuing possession ended with a field goal after a questionable non-call on a third-down pass to Perry, leaving the door open for Ohio State to win it.
Seemingly given new life, the defense forced an all-or-nothing fourth-and-one. Barrett kept it. The officials gave him a generous spot, and even though it appeared on replay that Barrett's right arm—the one holding the football—never reached the line to gain, that spot, that fucking spot, stood upon review.
In a not-so-alternate universe in which the men in charge of the game are competent, there are Muppets and joy and appreciation of one of the most dramatic football games in recent memory or perhaps ever and scrambling to finalize plans for next weekend. Alas, that fucking spot. Alas.
November 26th, 2016 at 11:50 PM ^
You do realize that pic is not from directly above the players and thus the angles can create the illusion that the ball is closer to the line than it really is right?
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November 27th, 2016 at 1:07 AM ^
Don't tell me...you flunked geometry, right? Now get back to work. Those burgers don't flip themselves.
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November 27th, 2016 at 12:04 AM ^
How about you stop using "we" for a start. It's pretty damn clear you are not one of us. Also check out the hashmarks and then tell me this is still a reliable picture. They are super distorted. It's the same as basic bitches who photoshop their waists in pictures and the wall behind them is curved and messed up. How telling is it that your main evidence is so clearly manipulated? I am on the fence about the spot, but this picture is worth jack shit in that argument.
November 27th, 2016 at 12:57 AM ^
You just now created the account, you're here to be an asshole, and you're succeeding.
November 26th, 2016 at 9:10 PM ^
Still bitter as fuck over here. Fuck my shit, fuck da men in stripe. Fuck em
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November 26th, 2016 at 9:22 PM ^
So does Speight get credited with those two picks and the fumble or is that on the refs too? You guys had OSU beat and you let them stick around. It's mind blowing you're blaming refs after you're offense gained 5 TOTAL YARDS IN THE 4TH QUARTER.... it was a great game and y'all lost, now go back to your bitching and whining, maybe if you do enough of it they will reverse the outcome of the game and they'll give Michigan the W.
November 26th, 2016 at 9:53 PM ^
This is fair except for one thing:
Ohio State gained something like 65 of their 4th quarter yards after a PI call on Delano Hill. Michigan missed the opportunity to put together a drive after this. This was a call that was inconsistent with how it was called in similar situations when Michigan was on offense. Either you call this and you call it when it happened to Darboh and Perry or you don't call it at all.
November 26th, 2016 at 10:26 PM ^
Don't feed the trolls. Dude has to get up and work the morning shift at McDonalds.
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November 27th, 2016 at 1:01 AM ^
It's more mind blowing that our injured first year QB should instill such fear in your hearts, with your senior threat, the delicate JT Barrett. You got gifted with 14 points with almost no offense, instead of showing any class and celebrating your win, you're here with other, more recent trolls to showcase your inferiority complex further. OSU is the new MSU apparently.
November 26th, 2016 at 9:23 PM ^
So does Speight get credited with those two picks and the fumble or is that on the refs too? You guys had OSU beat and you let them stick around. It's mind blowing you're blaming refs after you're offense gained 5 TOTAL YARDS IN THE 4TH QUARTER.... it was a great game and y'all lost, now go back to your bitching and whining, maybe if you do enough of it they will reverse the outcome of the game and they'll give Michigan the W.
November 26th, 2016 at 11:03 PM ^
Your not you're and go fuck yourself. Yes, the offense was shit in the 4th quarter and Harbaugh has a terrible tendency to Lloydball with a lead, doesn't change the fact there was some fucked up refereeing in that game.
Class move creating a troll account by the way.
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November 26th, 2016 at 11:54 PM ^
If you're going to talk shit like that, you should at least acknowledge that M wins that game on your field with one, but not both, of two things occurring: 1. Shitting the bed on offense at times. 2. Refs gloriously fucking M on PI especially.
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November 27th, 2016 at 1:05 AM ^
Hey, the fryer alarm is going off. You best take your sorry ass and take care of it.
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November 26th, 2016 at 9:24 PM ^
Said it twice so you know it's real. Better luck next time guys
November 26th, 2016 at 9:31 PM ^
I know for a fact that if Michigan beat Ohio State, I wouldn't make an account on their blog to troll the fans. Truest thing I've learned in life: Ohio fans hate Michigan more than they like Ohio
November 26th, 2016 at 11:47 PM ^
No kidding.
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November 27th, 2016 at 1:03 AM ^
Where's my pizza?
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November 26th, 2016 at 9:42 PM ^
This won't help - especially you younger guys - but I watched on tv with my dad when Woody went for two, and he took me to the game when UM shocked OSU the next year. Yes, this is a tough stretch. If you can't see it coming around again, you're not looking close enough. I think the nect 4-5 years will be a freaking laff riot for real M fans. Go Blue
November 26th, 2016 at 9:52 PM ^
that's what makes this one hurt even more than that fucking spot.
a young urban meyer team against an experienced michigan team.
when will we finally beat ohio?
too long, i'm afraid.
November 26th, 2016 at 10:18 PM ^
Eh you never know. We all thought MSu was going to be a top 10-15 team and look where they're at. We thought OSU would take a dip, and in some regards they have but they find a way to reload at a pretty good clip and scratch out wins when needed. I think JH is heading in that direction. I think we'll be just fine.
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November 26th, 2016 at 11:45 PM ^
MSU's season was 90% because of QB issues. OSU would be a bust without JT. Good to know we'll have Speight back next year. Imagine if we'd had Ruddock for another year. QB is huge in football...huge.
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November 27th, 2016 at 8:56 AM ^
I do agree that the QB postion is of critical importance, I just don't agree that OSU would have been a "bust" without JT Barrett.
November 27th, 2016 at 10:30 AM ^
Sure they would!
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November 26th, 2016 at 11:49 PM ^
OSU did take a big dip. This was Urban's worst OSU team, and probably will be for a long time
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November 26th, 2016 at 9:52 PM ^
The more I think about it, and I shouldn't, the more I think the officials had a huge impact on that game. They missed PI on Perry and Darboh. They also called it on HIll during OSU's last drive. Ugh. This sucks.
November 26th, 2016 at 9:54 PM ^
This is what bothers me. The spot...eh, could have gone either way.
But the fact that OSU had 2 penalties for six yards and there was the clear PI inconsistency...? Yeah, that's a real issue.
November 26th, 2016 at 11:40 PM ^
...and when those calls occurred. The Perry no call was a critical 3rd down, as was the call against Hill. Potential 7 pt swing as OSU got a FG on that drive and we had to settle for 3 in 2OT.
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November 26th, 2016 at 11:43 PM ^
That's also what makes those calls questionable from a bias stand-point. Plain bad officiating seems unlikely that those calls are both on critical plays, but if an official wanted OSU to win, that's when the bias would come in. Not saying that's the case, but that's what makes you wonder for sure.
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November 27th, 2016 at 12:07 AM ^
There is nothing questionable about it. The bias is real and demonstrable. It goes back to at least 2015 MSU. Big Ten refs under Jim Delaney will do want they can to stop Michigan from winning. The only issue is if Michigan will do anything about it.
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November 27th, 2016 at 12:24 AM ^
Well, at least Harbaugh said something, because IMO, it needed to be said
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November 27th, 2016 at 12:16 PM ^
so the big ten bias to make michigans season so hard was to schedule a cupcake of a schedule?? do you people even have a brain of your own to objectively look at whats really going on in the world?? or do you just follow whatever jimmy tells you to say?? who lets be honest is dilussional himself lol fitting
November 27th, 2016 at 11:33 AM ^
calls are calls. some are good some are bad. there was no astoundingly bad call. maybe given the privledge or replay and slow motion you could find a level of human error but man come on. i suppose you are that parent that tells their kids that they lost that soccer game because of the refes, dont worry son you are the victim!! lord we need more of those people in society.
ok my 2 pennies.. from an objective sports fan who happens to be a buckeye fan as well. harbaugh lost that game and i know you cult followers will never question your lord and savior until he gets shi@ canned or in this case until he bolts for greener pastures.... see dickrod, and clappy for . you @sshats where littlerally garggling those mens semen with your "beat ohio" nonsense until the handwriting could not have been bigger or bolder that clappy was incompetant. now steps in savior #3... same story different coach. the culture knows nothing but losing to osu, they expect it, and as much as that team wanted to win that game. every single player in the back of their mind from halftime on knew that they would eventually find a way to blow that game! you say refs cost the game which is crazy talk. i say a team that was able to dominate for 3 quarters should never find themselves in a position to need a call to go their way, and that my yellow and blue friends is on the coaches!
you dont have to believe me, but go ahead and rewatch the game. second half up 10 defense starts to back off into a zone. pressure was the reason you guys were up. the offense goes into a shell just paying to the gods that the clock would drain in time!! ole jimmy blew it and he knows it.
November 26th, 2016 at 9:54 PM ^
Did anyone else hear Urbs "gallon of milk" comment when his wife called his pressed? Dude wins games but has zero class
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November 27th, 2016 at 12:33 PM ^
just curious if jimmy talking smack about urban being a candy ass for drinking 1% is classy??
guys are pure comedy.. i planned on stopping by to have intelligent conversation with knowlegeable michigan fans... no such luck
November 26th, 2016 at 10:22 PM ^
The spot was correct
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November 26th, 2016 at 10:32 PM ^
I'll be that guy: if we couldn't beat an inexperienced OSU team full of freshmen and sophomores when our team was senior laden and had countless starts together, I have no idea when we're ever going to beat them. At least not while Meyer is around.
Knowing our luck, because the football gods have an insatiable thirst to make life miserable for all things Michigan, Saban will offer to take over for Meyer as soon as he decides to retire for the last time.
Everything is pain.
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November 26th, 2016 at 10:37 PM ^
If our QB is 20-30% better next year UM will hold it's own. I think either Speight will be that much better or get beaten out by someone similiarly better. Look at OSU teams that were "supposed" to win it all vs "rebuilding" years, they never matched up.
D losses will be tough but I think fall-off from D won't be that much from coaching. Oh and the game will be in Ann Arbor.
November 26th, 2016 at 11:46 PM ^
I disagree Niels. M is accidentally set up to be strong and experienced in even years.
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November 26th, 2016 at 10:37 PM ^
If our QB is 20-30% better next year UM will hold it's own. I think either Speight will be that much better or get beaten out by someone similiarly better. Look at OSU teams that were "supposed" to win it all vs "rebuilding" years, they never matched up.
D losses will be tough but I think fall-off from D won't be that much from coaching. Oh and the game will be in Ann Arbor.
November 26th, 2016 at 11:37 PM ^
I agree Niels
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November 27th, 2016 at 8:49 AM ^
Just so you know: Saban is 65 years old. Urban Meyer is 52. It is therefore highly unlikely Saban would come to OSU after UFM retires. We wouldn't want him anyway.
November 26th, 2016 at 10:35 PM ^
Aside from the horrendous officiating, the play selection in certain situations had me befuddled.
We are backed up on our own 5 or 10 whatever it was and we run PA. To me when you are in that area of the field and if I'm the QB I want all eyes on what's in front and peripheral. When you have to carry out a playfake your entire body is turned away from any pressure coming your way. I don't like that call at all. This happened earlier in the game as well. To me Teams aren't going to bite hard on a PA unless you're really gashing them on the ground. We were not and I believe it was 3rd and 6 or 7 and we ran PA. I like the call if it were 3rd and 3 or 4 when there is a realistic chance of picking up the 1st on the ground. Just put Wilton in SG and let him scan the filed. It's a negative play waiting to happen not to mention an odd down and distance to run PA IMO.
I really thought JH and staff would've had some better designed plays to get guys open for drives down the stretch when a 1st down was crucial. Yes there were drops but I guess I was hoping/expecting a bit mote creativity on the offensive side.
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November 26th, 2016 at 10:40 PM ^
Was this a freaking extra-sensitive pearl-clutching Victorian -era officiating crew? God damn. I don't think I've ever seen a football coach get a bitchy basketball-style technical foul penalty like that. What the hell? And how often does Harbaugh throw his headset and playbook and not get flagged? But in the biggest conference game of the year they decide to take umbrage at that. Good officiating.
In HS I saw an opposing coach get an unsportsmanlike after cursing at his players and the ref and it was super loud and all the parents heard it. Plus it was right after one of our players had been taken to the hospital in a helicopter so it was kind of like a 'come on, dude' type penalty. Otherwise I don't think I've ever seen a coach at the college or pro level get flagged for that.
Good thing they flagged Ohio State though. FOr anything. The entire game.
November 26th, 2016 at 10:48 PM ^
Living in Columbus has made the last 15 years absolutely brutal. I will probably get beat up for this, but this game felt like our chance to finally win a big game on the road but ended in the same depressing. A senior-laden Michigan team facing a talented but young Ohio State whose offense was clearly rattled against quality defenses. But instead we get yet another gut wrenching loss. Hard to win with three turnovers. And it felt like all the calls went against us at critical momements. But it also felt like the offense simply couldn't make a big play with the game on the line. Championship teams find a way to win games. Michigan just doesn't against Ohio State.
If this team couldn't win with a lead in the 4th when can we expect a win? OSU is going to add to this team with propbably the best recruiting class in the country while Michigan loses like 17 starters. 3-13 is what it is. We are the underdog in The Game and Harbaugh has't changed that. Maybe he will but so far it is the same old, same old.
BTW, I am a long time lurker here but haven't psoted in a long time.
November 26th, 2016 at 11:29 PM ^
I am dreading the Game next year. Today, OSU beat us with literally zero outside game. Little to no vertical attack. Can you imagine how that game is going to go next year when we have a young secondary, and they have a developed passing attack? I almost want to sit out next season just thinking about it.
Regardless, Go Blue. Always Go Blue.
November 26th, 2016 at 11:35 PM ^
What makes you think OSUs passing game will be that good?
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November 26th, 2016 at 11:46 PM ^
Did they take even one shot on the outside? I can't recall. My point is they can only go up from here with their young recievers. Moreover.. just imagine what having any sort of vertical attack will do for opening up running lanes with Samuel.
November 26th, 2016 at 11:54 PM ^
Fwiw...we should have a better vertical game next year as well. I personally think Speight was hurting more than people realize. We never went deep either.
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November 27th, 2016 at 12:02 AM ^
Samuel is leaving and your young receivers did not look impressive.
Young or not OSU's offense has issues.
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November 27th, 2016 at 12:23 AM ^
oh i didnt know samuel was wearing maize and blue today.
I am not a buckeye fan. Just a concerned Wolverine who is absolutely crushed that our senior class couldn't walk away with a W today.
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