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Michigan dominated the first half and scored early in the third quarter to take a 30-14 lead. But at the 6:47 mark of the third quarter, MSU turned on the grit and went on to score 23 points to Michigan's 3 points and winning 37-33, with Kenneth Walker III eventually scoring all 5 touchdowns for MSU. 5 touchdowns, 2 two-point conversions, and one field goal beats 3 touchdowns and 4 field goals.
Michigan had more total yardage and more total time of possession, but they could have used fewer of Jake Moody's 4 field goals and more touchdowns when the field got short on Michigan. This year Michigan State's defense has always been softer when the field was long and got tougher down in the Red Zone...and it showed in this game.
Now for a tale of two coaches.
Prior to the game, Mel Tucker was the rumored leading candidate for the head coaching job at LSU. Now it may be the real question of whether Tucker wants to switch over from the Big 10 to the SEC and how much he wants for making the switch. I wasn't expecting Michigan State to beat Michigan, but now they only have to win against Purdue and Maryland before facing Ohio State for the slot in the Big 10 championship game. I do think that OSU beats MSU in that game, but for a second-year coach, Mel Tucker's looking like a consistent winner down the road, whether he stays at MSU or jumps to LSU.
Jim Harbaugh went into this game undefeated and with a good chance of both knocking off an in-state rival and winning his first victory against a top 10 team on the road, something Michigan last did in 2006 against Notre Dame. Life was good. Now the murmurings against Harbaugh will start again, and the remaining games against Indiana, Penn State, and Maryland are must wins before the final game at home against Ohio State. If Michigan beats Ohio State or if Michigan goes 3-1 the remainder of the season, Harbaugh may keep his Michigan job for one more year. Anything less, and Harbaugh will probably be sitting at home next football season.
As for the point some always make about there not being a good candidate to replace Harbaugh at Michigan, MSU somehow managed to find Mel Tucker.
The Ohio State game is in Ann Arbor. Ohio State has really struggled against quality opponents this year (loss to Oregon, currently leading Penn State by 3 at the beginning of the 4th). I think Harbaugh has a better chance of surviving is if they lose to Penn State but beat Ohio State. If Harbaugh can't get Ohio State this year when they are right there for the taking, he'll never get over that hump.
MSU just always “out-toughens†us no matter what. We (Michigan) were up by enormous to seal the win, but MSU just kept grinding and fighting like they always do when they play us. It’s frustrating as a Michigan fan!
Didn't agree with that reversal of the strip fumble that would have been a blue TD. Huge change for the game.
There are three different referee calls that fall under the heading of questionable or worse. The non-fumble that you bring up was only a four point swing, as Michigan took possession within a few plays and marched down the field for (another) field goal.
Michigan dominated Michigan State for almost three quarters and had amassed a 16 point lead (30-14) at the 6:57 mark of the third quarter, then allowed a 23-3 MSU point scoring run to end the game.
IMO, that Michigan collapse is the story of the game, not some questionable calls.
At the end of the regular season, there likely will be clarity about Harbaugh's future at Michigan.
If Ohio State decisively defeats Nebraska in Lincoln this week, I would expect the athletic department honchos at Michigan to begin preparing for the worst and planning more seriously for a post-Harbaugh future. See post 60 here:
Are UM fans ready for the annual beatdown at the hands of my Buckeyes...
I see no way the UM defense is able to slow the Buckeye offense down...we have far and away the best WR group in the country...nobody can stay w/ them...our O'line is one of the best in the country and CJ Stroud has gotten so much better w/ his decision making in the pocket...plus a very fresh freakish RB in Henderson to run wild (he's every bit as good if not better then Walker who torched the Wolverine defense)
I see it Ohio State 55 Michigan 21
Are UM fans ready for the annual beatdown at the hands of my Buckeyes...
I see no way the UM defense is able to slow the Buckeye offense down...we have far and away the best WR group in the country...nobody can stay w/ them...our O'line is one of the best in the country and CJ Stroud has gotten so much better w/ his decision making in the pocket...plus a very fresh freakish RB in Henderson to run wild (he's every bit as good if not better then Walker who torched the Wolverine defense)
I see it Ohio State 55 Michigan 21
Agree, although the 21 might be generous. My second favorite team has been Michigan State and I was a little worried going into last week's game. Given the outcome, I see a bloodbath coming for Harbaugh.
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