Tuesday Thoughts: On Michigan second half dominance, 'no star' defense, and more

On3 imageby:Chris Balas11/29/22

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Michigan hammered Ohio State for a second straight year, winning 45-23 in Columbus. The Wolverines took it to the Buckeyes in the second half and used big plays to vanquish their rival for the Big Ten East title.

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But give a huge nod to the defense. Jesse Minter’s group kept Michigan in the game when it might have gotten out of hand early.

We talk about that and more in News & View format from Jim Harbaugh’s Monday presser:

NEWS: Michigan had answers on both sides of the ball in the second half in outscoring the Buckeyes 28-3, more second stanza magic for a team that’s thrived on it this year.

HARBAUGH: “It was incredible. The coordinators, Jesse Minter and Steve Clinkscale on defense; offensively, Sherrone Moore, Matt Weiss. Jay Harbaugh on special teams.

“The level of preparation and the level of detail — it was Super Bowl like, and we understand this. This is like having a Super Bowl every year. When you’re at Michigan, you get to play in the Super Bowl every single year, nd it was treated as such by our coaches.”

VIEWS: You could see it on various plays throughout, and especially on defense. They were jumping routes on third down (Braiden McGregor, Rod Moore come to mind), and always in the right place. And while some complained about the passing game, we knew Harbaugh’s staff would have different plays for the Buckeyes. They always have an outstanding game plan. 

For those keeping score at home, that’s 87 points in back-to-back wins now, and it should have been 94. The officials gave the Buckeyes a pity whistle on a late sack that would have been a scoop and score. 

Michigan has been outcoached in this game many times over the last several years, but not necessarily offensively. They’ve put up the points, and they did it again. Now, they have the defensive recipe to slow these high-powered teams, too, and it’s winning championships.

We also love hearing Harbaugh talk about this game being as big as the Super Bowl. If NFL teams come for him — and they probably will — we hope he remembers this feeling.

NEWS: Michigan wore the Buckeyes down in the second half and dominated on the ground behind Donovan Edwards. Running the ball and stopping the run remains this team’s identity, and they completely shut the Buckeyes down in the second half.

HARBAUGH: “We’ve been doing the blue-collared shirts from day one. I think it’s Michigan. I think it’s what Michigan is … what’s always been. That’s the way we’ve always been … there’s been no change. 

“Guys like Michael Barrett, same as [Junior] Colson. I mean, he played 75 plays in the game, had 11 tackles, covered No. 8, gave up four catches and 12 yards and never has once thought about not being out there on the punt team or doing one of his special teams duties. He is completely that kind of player.”

VIEWS: Their 5-star quarterback showed those qualities, too, and embraces it. Everyone things of guys like C.J. Stroud when they think about great quarterback play, but championship quarterback play — that was J.J. McCarthy Saturday.

The Michigan sophomore put the ball on the money on the deep ball like a 5-star does, the perfect time to start connecting. And then he proceeded to run and carry Buckeyes with him in the second half, moving the chains with his feet. 

And there was no denying him at the goal line on third and 3. He took a linebacker head on and willed himself into the end zone. 

This was an epic performance on the biggest of stages.

But it took Harbaugh getting back to his roots to get there. The coach flirted with the Speed in Space stuff and had some prima donnas on the team for a while, but now he’s back to recruiting “football players” first. Yeah, you need some great playmakers, too, but first and foremost you need guys committed to the team, the team, the team.

Mike Sainristil, who moved from receiver to corner this year, is another perfect example, Harbaugh said. 

“It’s really more about the right fit … that’s what it is. It has no correlation to the ‘signing of the stars’ or anything like that,” Harbaugh said. “Those guys that were at ‘signing with the stars’ were great guys and great players, and we’re looking for the guys who really like football, really want to get good at football no matter what their star rating is. That’s fairly irrelevant to us.”

NEWS: Rod Moore had an incredible game against the hometown Buckeyes for the second straight year, this one even better than last season.

HARBAUGH: “Oh, the stars — the first person that jumps to mind with the stars is Rod Moore, who is a three-star guy, only 17 when he got here to campus. And yeah, there’s kind of a disrespect that some guys feel. Some guys would get bitter. He doesn’t .He just wants to get as good at football as he possibly can. 

“Now he’s earned [status as] truly one of the best. He was all over the field in this past game. He had three tackles, three assists, a TFL, did a bunch of other good things. The disrespect of getting the headbutt — he got the headbutt right there in the game, a pretty violent headbutt. All he did was just [call for] the flag.”

VIEWS: We’ve said it a few times now — he’s already one of the best safeties Michigan has had in the last several decades, and he’s got two years remaining. His film study sets him apart … he was out there reading plays, reacting, and notching pass break-ups. 

On his way off the field, he staked claim to what was his, in his own way … an Ohio kid the Buckeyes didn’t seem to want. Those were the kinds of kids Bo Schembechler and, to an extent, Lloyd Carr beat Ohio State with. They were capable, of course, but had chips on their shoulders, and played like it in this game. 

That will go down as one of the all-time great defensive performances by a Michigan safety in ‘The Game.’

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