Michigan Post Game Thoughts

That was it?
That was what was supposed to be the best chance to end the streak versus Michigan?

Oh wait, we actually had better chances in 1999, 2002 and 2005, didn't we? Maybe not. But if ever there was a chance to end the streak, this was it. Staring Penn State in the face, at 3:29pm EDT this past Saturday was a Michigan team that had been absolutely shredded by both Oregon and Appy State.

As I had told anyone who would listen to me, that Appy State and Oregon had provided the blueprint on how to beat Michigan: spread them out, and go bombs away.

Now I know that a lot of people kept making the point that ASU and Oregon had mobile QBs, unlike Mr. Morelli, and that made a difference. A to a certain degree, I agree with that point. However, more importantly, look at what Oregon did: THEY THREW THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD:



I knew Penn State was in trouble when they came out and went run up the middle, FB dive, penalty, and then took a sack on 3rd and long. It showed absolutely NO imagination, or desire to learn from what others had shown them.

For too long now Penn State fans have been subjected to watching Penn State try to "not lose" a game on the road. When was the last time that Penn State actually won a big game on the road? It was in 2002 versus Wisconsin. Since then, not one single impressive road victory. What I wouldn't give just to have seen Penn State air it out this past Saturday. Everyone keeps going on about how good the PSU wide receivers are. Really? Then why don't they get a chance to show it?

Why do we continue to run 3 yard outs on 3rd and 5?
Why is our senior QB not allowed to audible?
Why do we try and win every game that we play on the road 13-10?
Why do we take a National Championship caliber defense and subject them to the pathetic offensive showing and force them to pitch a shutout to win?
Why does our offensive staff take successful game plan tape from other schools versus the same opposition and learn NOTHING from it?
Why do our defensive backs insist on on playing 10-12 yard off the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 5?
Why does our 5th year senior RB have 4 fumbles lost in 57 carries this season?
Why on 3rd and goal does our senior QB one hop a ball in the the dirt at the 5 yard line?
Why is that we threw into the END ZONE only once, all game, and it resulted in a PI penalty, and then NEVER try it again.

There is something fundamentally wrong with the way that Penn State plays football on the road on this decade. While I understand that coaches coach, and players make the plays, is it not the responsibility of the coaches to put the players in a position to win the game?

More often than not, it seems as though the coaches put the players in position to FAIL.
That is what happens when you don't try throw the ball down field against a woeful pass defense.
That is what happens when you don't allow your senior QB to audible out of a bad play.
That is what happens when you don't even try to throw into the endzone.
That is what happens when you have your WRs running out patterns 5 yards short of the first down marker on 3rd down.

There are some bright spots however:

The defense, as usual, is sound. The new punter is outstanding. The special teams aren't the disaster that they usually are. Kevin Kelly didn't miss a kick.

The only other bright spot is that I knew Penn State would lose this game. I have no reason to believe that they will ever beat Michigan until I see it with my own eyes. I predicted a 10-2 season, and I'll stand by that prediction. The Lions will break our hearts one more time this season, but that's it.