As stated last week, SU was not overly optimistic about Michigan’s chances against a powerhouse Ohio State team on the road. However, for the record I did make this statement: JJ McCarthy will have to have a career game which he is capable of (I think so although I am in the minority on this) if the coaches trust him enough to let him throw more. Clearly, the Michigan coaches are avid followers of SU and made the adjustment in the offensive game plan as McCarthy had a huge game with 3 long touchdown passes and running one in. SU watched the game with long-time subscriber, S. Levine, and relatively new subscriber, P. Lenz, who is now undefeated in his viewing appearances including two in-person games this year. SU’s observations:

1. Michigan was a bit lucky in the first half with two long touchdown passes in the 2nd quarter. Keep in mind that McCarthy has failed to complete these passes all year – as in all year. That kept them in the game while Ohio State was moving the ball effectively up and down the field.
2. Some may disagree with this statement but I think the Ohio State coach, Ryan Day, who calls the plays, just got bored with his play calling. For me, all he had to do was run his back-up running back on 1st down for 6 yards and then do short passes to his NFL-caliber receivers. It didn’t feel like Michigan could really stop either of those plays. But on critical 3rd down plays, he went to some trickery that just didn’t feel necessary – and also didn’t work. This happened a few times and killed some drives. Michigan had zero pressure on the Ohio State Heisman caliber quarterback and he is incredibly accurate. Some of the play calling really backfired from my perspective.
3. Michigan makes great adjustments at half time. Especially on defense and this has been consistent all year. Michigan outscored Ohio State 28-3 in the 2nd half. They may have taken away some of the short passes in the 2nd half but not sure.
4. Lots of criticism for Day’s decisions to not go for it on 4th down and short yardage in the 2nd half near mid-field. SU does not fault those decisions as it was unlikely that Michigan could sustain a long drive down the field. The game was still close there – hard to argue with that. However, the fact that they were in a 4th down and short yardage situation was on him I think.
5. Harbaugh finally allowed McCarthy to run in the 2nd half. They didn’t have Corum and Edwards was holding the ball in his opposite hand due to a broken thumb and a large cast. Every one of his runs was scary as you wondered if he would fumble. McCarthy is as fast as their running backs and allowing him to run on the zone read plays has been there most of the season. Difference maker yesterday.

Should Ohio State be in the final four now? You can definitely make the case. Enough other teams lost yesterday – LSU, Clemson – that they should be in the mix. I guess it comes down to TCU and USC. A closer loss would probably make this a no-brainer. No doubt the point difference will be a big factor. SU believes that the “committee” prefers to have different conferences represented unless it’s the SEC when they have no issue (hey, it’s the best conference so I get it).

For a Michigan fan (at least for the last 16 years), what a great day given how they have been dominated by Ohio State for most of these years. Very unexpected outcome and it’s why we love college football.