GAME 9 PROJECTION vs. RESULTS
Final Score: 6-15, Michigan State by 9 over Michigan
SP+ Projection: Michigan by 17.1 (-26.1)
CD Projection: Michigan by 8 (-17)
FIVE FACTORS
GAME 9 RECAP vs. Michigan State
Problems at every offensive position. That’s on the coordinator and the head coach. They didn’t install a system that maximized their talent. They didn’t teach what they installed well enough to make it work. They didn’t adapt fast enough. They now look lost. There are plenty of numbers that rub salt into the wound. Michigan nearly got shut out by the 68th ranked SP+ defense, at home, in a rivalry game. That’s an unacceptable failure that players and fans alike do not deserve.
Defensively, this is another game where a mediocre performance by the defense slides under the radar because they are light years ahead of the offense. However, what if I had told Jay Hill that they would give up 58 yards rushing in the 3rd quarter alone? They allowed another 10+ minute drive in a game that the offense needed life support. The defense is capable of playing championship level football, but we still don’t see it consistently. I would keep the coordinator, the scheme, and all the players. But they are not blameless in this season, or in this game.
Speaking of not blameless, another missed FG set the tone for this game.
Kicking is hard, I am not going to pile on to very specific players. The performance and production is just not good enough for this program.
This problem didn’t start tonight, and it probably won’t end tonight. How did Michigan end up with this coaching staff? How has the previous era that culminated in the 2023 National Championship collapsed to being humiliated by a Sparty team for their first Big Ten win? That level of existential failure needs to be excised from the program. The biggest long term problem right now is: who is the leader that can and will put the program under the microscope and cast out everything and everyone who needs to go? We’ll see, hopefully sooner rather than later. Go Blue