1.) On 2nd and 14, Washington appears to have a stop behind the line of scrimmage, but Tunuufi covers the same gap as both the DT and LB for some reason, and Michigan opens the scoring with a 42 yard run.
2.) Washington with an attempt to tie, 3rd and goal, Penix overthrows the crossing route in the end zone by a full yard instead of giving the receiver a chance.
3.) 2nd and 7 Michigan, they throw play action (I am not exaggerating when I called run/pass and the direction for every play of Michigan's first three drives), and Asa Turner runs up to cover... nobody? The pass goes right over him to the receiver for a big gain. Even in real time, ball in the air, I'm asking, "Where the hell is he going!?"
4.) Two plays later, defense is not set at the snap, gives up 48 yard TD run to the same damned guy as the first 42 yard TD run.
5.) Third and 5, you throw a two-yard pass. I love McMillan, but the next time he breaks a tackle will be the first. Stupid, scared fucking shit.
6.) Fast forward, fourth down and 7, Penix misses Rome Odunze, who is not within 10 yards of a single defender. From TD to turnover on downs in one unpressured mistake.
7.) Throw post corner to McMillan and draw PI. Rome is wide open on crossing route for TD if he beats one blocked guy.
8.) Puss out in and-goal and keep running a hobbled running back instead of throwing. Score anyway, lucky break.
That was just the first half.
Washington gave up basically 7 points in the first half that weren't directly handed to Michigan by the Washington offense. From mid-second quarter on, the Washington defense was the better of the two units. The wefs ignored downfield holding and called ticky-tack shit on the Huskies, but the WAY bigger picture was just that--and this is the part that pains me the most--all of the fucking talking heads were exactly right about what would happen: Washington would either play from ahead or lose. Michigan's running game would control clock and push Washington's shit in. Washington would struggle with Michigan's pressure and coverage. ALL of that ended up being true. All of those fucking assholes on TV that talked shit for six straight days can drag their balls over our collective faces until kickoff next season because they were absolutely nails in their analysis.
Bottom line, Washington's defense was poorly prepared. They clearly had the horses to get the job done, because they did after the first 17 minutes or so. Unfortunately, that was too late, and they'd put the offense in a 14 point hole.
The offense was also poorly prepared. They played scared early, let Michigan dictate the terms the whole game, and fucked up EVERY opportunity for a momentum play. They didn't have a running game at all to take pressure off the passing game, and for the fourth time this season they didn't have a hero quarterback to just "make it happen." Michigan fucked with his head, and he was WAY off tonight. And to those wanting them to just air it out all game, Michigan was playing deep zone most of the game. The first time they had Odunze in single coverage, he fell on his own face while trying to shake past the corner. The second time was the big 4th down miss. Two more were overthrows. Ticky-tack hold. Etc.
Washington has played like a pile of dog shit the day after a rainstorm at least four times this year. They were undefeated because they got lucky and those games only happened against their worst opponents. I was weirdly confident in this game because of past performance: "Michigan is good, so Washington will be in top form. Just like they were against Oregon 2.0 and Texas. Just like the offense was vs. USC." The only thing that had me nervous was the possibility of correlation not equaling causation. What if it was just a lucky streak of laying your eggs at the right time? What if they pulled out an Apple Cup performance against a team like Michigan?
That. That's what happens.
It's so fucking painful to have to say that Jake Fucking Harbaugh outcoached DeBoer. He did, though. He beat DeBoer with a shit QB and not a single receiver that will sniff an NFL roster, and DeBoer had at least 9 NFL guys on his offense. They played with fire all season, and they finally got burned. Is what it is.
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Comments
That’s basically it.
Penix is a GREAT college QB with an organized pocket. He’s average at best under pressure.
They gonna let Rosengarten on the plane home?
DeBoer needs to re-evaluate the staff on both sides and bring in more depth. Same as it ever fucking was.
Grubb needs a tedford like "consultant"
Yeah he played poorly but I love that guy.
Woof.
Pete went 4-5 in the Pac in Year 2.
Christ.
Despite everything UW was about to tie and probably win that game if the Rome catch doesn't get called back.
Michigan's run game was great for a quarter.
The rest was gifted by shit offense and bad calls.
DeBoer’s record at UW is remarkable. But joining the Big Ten will necessitate improving the staff. That’s what I mean by level up.
Rome got to the 27 with that catch. They couldn't punch it in from the 10; took four downs to get it in from the 8; and the previous five drives were one-play INT, field goal, five and out, five and out, three and out. It's just automatic that they'd score a touchdown there? Even if they were to score there, the offense was broken at that point. Penix was hurt and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.
The wefs? Jesus. Hit wide open receivers, catch 3rd down balls that hit you right in your hands, and take the wefs out of it.
Michigan was just better. It wasn't our day.