Catching Saquon Barkley: Michigan Football 2018

That was a really good win. The swing on the blocked FG/TD was huge, and I really didn't like how long it took from snap to kick, and how low the kick came out, but even then I don't think it swings this game from W to L. It's time to start getting excited. Rutger is pitiful and while IU is a fun team that I enjoy rooting for, they are 83rd in S&P. The biggest difference from this year and years past is that OSU and its fans recognize that they are weak. The offense is statistically good (3rd), but from what I've read they are struggling without a dual threat QB. And while Haskins has a high completion % (.697, 6th nationally), I believe a lot of this comes on screen passes (can't find air yards stats for college online). More importantly, the defense is pretty bad. OSU's sustained success makes it shocking that the program can go from a top 10 unit to 45th ATM, even with 5 guys getting drafted and Bosa going out. Really a testament to how good OSU has been in this era.

7 of those points were on a ST gaffe by OSU, but yesterday was a total loss in all 3 phases of the game. The worst part is that this was an Xs and Os failure as opposed to Jimmy and Joes. Sure, OSU has better athletes and will continue to for the foreseeable future. But, this was a coaching loss. On offense, I honestly thought that UM was keeping some surprises in the bag the last couple of weeks, but there were no QB keepers, the OL couldn't protect long enough for longer routes to develop, and on top of that Gentry sucked and dropped a couple of key passes. This was no different than most of UM's other games, but just a vastly better opponent.

The defense was substantially worse. The DEs were doubled, putting the focus on UM DTs versus the OSU interior and OSU won those matchups emphatically and consistently. Rather than bring pressure with LBs, UM continued their man coverage and got torched by the exact same gameplan IU used last week. Even a technique switch for the DTs, to keep their hands up rather than trying to push in the pocket would've possibly helped. OSU didn't change from there because they didn't have to. I love me some Don Brown but he was outclassed bigtime yesterday and I can only hope the focus he used for PSU this year following a bad loss in '16.

Bottom line, I will never expect a win vs. OSU ever again. I'm not saying UM will never beat OSU, but I will never let myself believe again.