Coach's Corner: Likes and dislikes from the game

Coach's Corner: Likes and dislikes from the game

We will always start with the positives.

1) Despite the last terrible decision, Michigan has found a quarterback! Tate has the intangibles and swagger. He just makes plays, period. Too bad that he cannot share some of his swagger with the defense, more on that later.

2) UM did not quit. Despite being outplayed, out hustled, etc. The team never gave up. Last year’s team would have lost 34-6. So, give props to the team, including the coaches. Not quitting is a clear sign of good coaching.

3) During the comeback, the young guns played key roles, Koger, Roundtree, Stonum, and of course Forcier all made key plays. Yes this crew also had some snafus, but in my opinion that goes with youth. One great play and then you are shaking your head on the next. Now you know why coaches have stitches in their tongue.

4) Michigan played with discipline, you did not see the penalties Michigan State had; you did not see many blown assignments, and the team displayed great clock management with no turnovers on last drive.

5) The defense stepped up when needed and gave the team a shot at victory. The D held Michigan State to field goals twice in the red zone and had two huge series (stops) in the fourth quarter to get Michigan the ball back (and as a result into the game). The defense was not dominant and had some problems, no doubt, more on that later, but when it counted in regulation these guys stepped up.

Dislikes:

1) Michigan flat out was outplayed. There really is no excuse for the lack of passion and fire, compared to the opponents. I kept waiting for Coach Rod to do something to change the tempo and rhythm of the game, essentially expecting him to go to the two-minute drill earlier. I expected something, anything, to make Michigan State play at Michigan 's pace.

2) Michigan got out hustled. Even on the last touchdown, where was all the pursuit? Yes, Woolfolk missed the tackle, but where were his teammates? Most were standing and watching and there is no excuse for that, ever. Once Capers broke the initial tackle, he literally stumbled untouched into the end zone. Unacceptable!

3) Michigan 's offensive execution was also terrible; dropped passes, missed blocks, poor reads, etc. On defense, there were missed tackles, poor angles, and none of the great pursuit from earlier in the year. Michigan has to fix the fundamentals if it wants to have even a chance to win next week and against better teams. UM is too young and lacks the depth and overall talent to win without solid fundamentals.

4) Michigan State physically outplayed Michigan. MSU flat out, out hit UM. This maybe is my biggest complaint. Go back and check all the big Michigan State hits and then compare that with the number Michigan had. Football is a nasty, edgy game that is as much mental as physical. Those types of great hits have such an effect on team psyches. Michigan State was running their "darn" mouths the entire game, I was screaming, begging, throwing "poo", would someone please step up and just knock the "fricking crap" out the dumb "Sparties"!?

5) Too many three and outs and negative plays on offense. Michigan had five (I believe) three and out punts. Michigan found the offense in second and third and long way too many times. These shortcomings put a defense on the field too long. The defense also gave up too many third down conversions, especially in the first three quarters. One easy pitch and catch long out on 3rd and long was pitiful.

Bottom Line:

I talked last week about taking our Maalox, getting prescriptions for valium filled, and watching the ol’ blood pressure. If this game does not show you why, there is not much else I can tell you.

No matter what else, this team will not be boring. Next week will be a great test for the players and coaches. How will they react to the first loss and will the team answer with a super effort? Will the players show the same fire and passion they displayed earlier in the year? Just a hunch, but I have a feeling the coaching staff gets these guys ready and they play well next weekend. This team, staff, and players is a very proud group, you could see the hurt on their faces as they left the field. This is a great sign in my opinion.

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Written by CoachBt