Michigan 43 Purdue 22 - B1G Championship Game Recap | By Fans...For Fans Since 1999 | UMGOBLUE.COM Michigan Wolverine Football & Basketball

B1G CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PROJECTION vs. RESULTS

Final Score: 43-22, Michigan by 21 over Purdue
SP+ Projection: Michigan by 24.3 (-3.3)
CD Projection: Michigan by 22 (-1)

FIVE FACTORS

B1G CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RECAP vs. Purdue

I am stunned, from a metrics standpoint, that this felt like such a dominant performance. Purdue ran 83 plays (!), compared to just 56 for Michigan. Despite that imbalance in possession, every other metric above is green on the Wolverines’ side of the ledger. This was like the boa constrictor swallowing an ox: it sure looked awkward, but proved to be deadly nonetheless.

Offensively, the stats looked like another slow start for Michigan. More realistically, it’s reflective of Purdue getting the ball first. The teams each had a touchdown drive, each had a punt, and Purdue ended the first quarter on an 11-play field goal drive. By the time halftime arrived, Michigan had constructed two great touchdown drives on just 26 total plays. Once the staff made a couple small tweaks at halftime, the Wolverines’ 2nd half run game took over. Michigan piled up 180 rushing yards in the 2nd half, led by game MVP Donovan Edwards. Edwards finished with 185 yards and a touchdown. JJ McCarthy again made critical plays while the staff cleaned up the run game. McCarthy finished with 3 touchdown passes for the game, including a beautiful strike over the middle to Ronnie Bell in the 4th quarter. Michigan’s first touchdown was also an all-time highlight as freshman tight end Colston Loveland leaped up like an acrobat and high pointed the ball at the pylon.

Michigan’s defensive game plan was structured around mixing zone & man coverages to keep Purdue from hitting explosive touchdown plays. The plan seemed very similar to what Michigan created to contain the Buckeyes last week, just adapted for Purdue. The Wolverines conceded significant yardage, as QB Aidan O’Connell finished with 366 yards passing, and WR Charlie Jones racked up 162 yards receiving. But, after Purdue crossed the Michigan 40-yard line the Wolverines were able to clamp down. On the Boilers’ 7 scoring opportunities, they managed 1 touchdown, 5 field goals, and threw an interception to freshman CB Will Johnson (1 of 2 picks in the game for Johnson). During the pregame I mentioned I wanted to keep an eye on the Michigan linebackers. Junior Colson & Mike Barrett combined for 25 total tackles and a sack to lead the defense in the absence of edge rusher Mike Morris (leg injury).

It was a relatively light day for the special teams. Jake Moody handled his business on PATs, but his 1 field goal attempt was preempted by a Purdue offside penalty, and Michigan then converted on 4th & 1. Brad Robbins’ net punting yardage of 41.0 is his best day since game #6 at Indiana. The punt block unit narrowly missed a block once again. Michigan picked up a “running into the kicker” penalty on the play because the player’s hands missed the ball and contacted the punter’s leg instead.

Soak it in! Seasons like this may feel like the new standard (I hope so). But, stringing success together like this is rare for any program. Enjoy every moment you get with every other M fan you come across. And, remember to praise our players & coaches with honor & respect. ONWARD to the College Football Playoff!

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