chapmaja

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 4:37 p.m.

kidmich, Actually Denard did not start the second half. Tate started the second half and threw an INT on the first or second play from scrimmage in the half. Denard attempted to come in an play and if you watch carefully he was struggling to even hold onto the ball. As for the topic of the article. I do give RR credit for suspending the punter if the violation of team rules called for it. Since we don't know what the violation was we can't comment on if it was good or bad decision. As for RichRod at UofM. I have defended, and defended, and defended him some more. That stops today. Michigan's defense didn't play badly the first half of the game. It was 24-7 at halftime. Of those 24 points only 17 were allowed by the defense. The other 7 came off a KO return. The offense and the special teams absolutely killed Michigan today. The complete lack of a kicking game is terrible. Just about any other team in the country can at least attempt a 50 yard FG. They might not make it, but at least it's an option. Let's look a little deeper into the OSU scores in the firs half. The first score was on a drive which started with Denard's fumble. OSU drove to the Michigan 17 before the defense stiffened up and forced a FG. 3-0 OSU. The second TD occurred after the Michigan offense was stopped in 3 plays and the replacement "punter" shanked one even duffers would call ugly to the OSU 35. The 18 yard punt set up a short field. The defense was actually good on the TD play, but the throw was just that much better. 10-0 OSU Michgian then drove down and scored to make it 10-7. Special teams for the second straight OSU score was a very important cause. This was a KO return for TD. Now instead of a close game, it's 17-7 OSU. Michigan drives down the field and stalls at the OSU 37 yard line. This is another where a quality special teams team can play the situation differently. Unlike te first missed 4th down which was in FG range, this would have been a 54 o 55 yard FG attempt, not a gimme for anyone, but a situation where Michigan with a good special teams unit (and coaching) could have made a a decision to pin OSU deep. Instead they turn it over on downs, OSU drives the down and scores to make it 24-7. This was the first time the defense started to look overmatched. OSU then recovered a Michigan fumble and drove deep into Michigan territory before the defense made one last stop. In all, the first half was much closer than the 24-7 score in some ways, but also showed exactly how much Michigan's lack of coaching really hurt. In the second half Michigan's coaches royally F'ed up by not challenging the INT Tate threw right away. I don't think the DB ever maintain possession of the ball through the catch and roll and it should have been overturned on review had Michiga challenged the call. Why Michigan didn't challenge is a question RR needs to answer. Michigan's D looked bac to normally and was run through by Pryor et al. and it was soon 31-7 and basically over. The special teams and the offense let Michigan down as much as the defense, it not more today. That blows a big hole in RR's improvement theory. The WR's couldn't catch, Tate couldn't throw, the kickers can't kick, the KO covereage wasn't good in part due to the KO sucking (you can't give a guy a running catch at your 15 yard line on a KO.). All of this falls directly onto the head coaches sholers because the talent Michigan has is better than what showed today and that falls directly on this pathetic excuse for a coaching staff. I know Llyod didn't leave a ton of talent when he left, but RR has been here 3 years and the sparsely stocked cupboard is completely bare now on the defensive side of the ball. I will say this. Michigan needs to make a decision if they want RR around anymore and if they don't they need to fire him now. What I don't want to see is them fire RR because they think they can get Harbaugh and then not get Harbaugh. Heck, maybe Gary Moeller is available and would come back (JK, but it'd be an improvement)

"We" not "Them"

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 3:39 p.m.

OK Loco, now THAt was Funny. I hope RR stays, but THAT was funny.

"We" not "Them"

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 3:37 p.m.

My bad Kidmich. I can't simultaneously ask for civil discourse and then slam you for having an opinion. I'm going to claim it was an emotional outburst born from a frustrating game;-) I all honesty, I understand your underlying point that it's frustrating to see Denard continue to suffer injuries and to see Tate continually force throws that result in INT's, but....wouldn't Barry Sanders for even a quarter of a game be better than no Barry Sanders? To suggest that the NCAA record holder for QB rushing yards be cut because he suffered multiple injuries doesn't seem to be in UM's best interest. Oh well, the next 3 weeks should be fun as today's loss will surely embolden the trolls to come out in mass. I just hope the genuine fans who have legitimate complaints find a way to distinguish themselves from the mob of mean and irrational commentary that is sure to stem from today's defeat.

loco123

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 3:36 p.m.

Heard Donald Trump just filed a flight plan for AA. Rumors are that he's practicing: "YOU'RE fired!" "You're FIRed!" "You're firED!"

"We" not "Them"

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 3:28 p.m.

"...they should cut Tate and Denard....." Honestly, I stopped listening after that. At the very least can a RR detractor be honest and address this quote so we can at least pretend to be having a rational discussion

Sean T.

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 3:28 p.m.

I believe Denard's injuries are bogus as well. Someone's gonna transfer this season at the QB position.

IoniaDawg

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 3:28 p.m.

Time to put a fork in this turkey, it is done. I think Harbaugh will have the rest of the Big Ten crapping their pants when he is announced as the new coach.

azwolverine

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 3:24 p.m.

We suck.

Greg

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 3:23 p.m.

Just another excuse for Rod to use as to why he got his butt kicked again!

Greg

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 3:21 p.m.

Just another excuse for Rod to use as to why he got his butt kicked again!

Keiffer

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 3 p.m.

I must say, following Michigan football for over 35 years, this has to be the worse coached Michigan team Ive ever seen. With as much talent and potential Michigan has, the 7-5 record is way over rated. Its my opinion that RR and his crew has to go. After 3 years and this is all RR can lead Michigan to produce? This year was an absolute pathetic Michigan coached football team. Lets put it this way, Michigan is lucky even to be at 7-5. RR, start typing your resume.

The Fan

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 2:55 p.m.

What ever its going to take to get Michigan back to winning titles again needs to happen. Its embarrassing being a Michigan fan here in Nebraska.

kidmich

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 2:35 p.m.

I'm convinced, RR has made a Lloyd Carr deal. He somehow has convinced Tate Forcier's father to keep Tate at Michigan by promising to play Tate in every game. Some of Denard's injuries are bogus, in my opinion. Take this game, Ohio State v. Michigan, RR reports at half Denard is suffering from two dislocated fingers on his non-throwing hand. Yet Denard comes out and starts the second half. He obviously could have returned in the first half after they taped him up. Anyway, they should cut Tate and Denard and go with the true freshman. Why would I say cut Denard? Because if his injuries are actual injuries, then he is accident prone. And I don't care how good you are, or could be, if you are sitting on the sidelines, you are worthless to the team. It is official, Michigan is now owned by OSU. You don't know how sad that makes me. Michigan can not even be competitive with OSU. I could live with a series that goes back and forth and at least Michigan is competitive, but those days are over. Heck, even MSU is starting to own Michigan. How pathetic is that?

The OSU

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 2:34 p.m.

Another RR tactic. RR faced with a loss, takes the "high road" and gives the appearance of "always following the rules" (ha ha). He says that Hagerup violated team rules and prevented him from travelling. Now when UM losses, he will blame it on the kicking game and throw Hagerup under the bus. Typical RR.

mjwinkie

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 12:22 p.m.

No punter needed when you can drive it deep and turn it over on downs.

Sean T.

Sat, Nov 27, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.

Damn, of all the games to lose your Punter. Hell, the QB's punt it anyway!