2024 Game 9 – Oregon 38 Michigan 17 Game Photos
Michigan 17 Oregon 38 – Game 9 Recap
GAME 9 PROJECTION vs. RESULTS
Final Score: 17-38, Oregon by 21 over Michigan
SP+ Projection: Oregon by 12.5 (-8.5)
CD Projection: Oregon by 11 (-10)
FIVE FACTORS
GAME 9 RECAP vs. Oregon
This offensive unit is remarkably consistent, but not necessarily in a great way. In almost every game, when I come back to the stats for the recap, the offense has put up between 260 and 290 yards of total offense. They show flashes of competence, but can’t string good plays together because of big misses on the offensive line, or turnovers. Today it was the offensive line. The Wolverines only managed 3.8 yards per rush attempt, and a 25% success rate on called run plays. That just won’t get it done for a team with a SMASH identity.
The biggest problem for Michigan on defense today came out in the injury report. Not only were the Wolverines missing All American cornerback Will Johnson, but also up and coming cornerback Jayaire Hill. That made for a really tough match up against an Oregon Ducks’ offense who wants to get the ball to fast playmakers on the edge, and challenge the DBs to tackle. In an alternate universe where Michigan pulls an upset, they would have forced multiple turnovers, or at least forced more than 1 FG attempt on scoring opportunities. That’s a really negative outlook, but that doesn’t match the guts the shorthanded defense showed. The defense gave Michigan a chance to climb back into the game in the 4th quarter, but they just couldn’t execute in the biggest moments.
The special teams units performed just fine today. There were no major mistakes, and they created the game’s only turnover. That big swing play led to Michigan’s first touchdown on a 28-yard field. Tommy Doman notably bounced back. Each of his punts were 45+ yards of carry, or were downed inside the 15 yard line.
I am a die hard fan, so the theme of the 2024 season is dying hard. I see a lot of small things that I am happy about, and I’m for sure proud that this team fights to the final whistle. But, I am not a Pollyanna either. Coming off a National Title, I expected this team to be pushing for a B1G Championship Game berth. Now, we’re going to have to settle for a fight for bowl eligibility and extended practices into December. This team will have a chance in every game, even the biggest game at the end of the season though, so don’t tune out completely. Go BLUE!
Michigan Wolverine Football Podcast — Game 9 Oregon Prediction
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After beating michigan state 24-17 the Wolverines head into their their upcoming clash with top-ranked Oregon with the odds against them, @pcallihan and @Clint_Derringer dive into the challenges ahead and talk about how Wolverines need disciplined, turnover-free play, a strong reliance on the run game, and calculated game management to keep the score within reach.
Can Michigan pull off a season-defining upset? Tune in to explore what it will take to topple the nation’s number one team.
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2024 Game 8 – Michigan 24 msu 17 Game Photos
Paul Bunyan Trophy — Looking Back – 2012
Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins
The fifth and final installment of this year’s series looking back at the Michigan-MSU football rivalry takes us to 2012. Brady Hoke announced his presence with authority during the previous season, but the Wolverines were routed by Michigan State that year. Michigan’s ascendence set the Wolverines on the trajectory for a head-on collision with the Spartans, and their 2012 matchup would prove to be a slugfest.
The Wolverines and the Spartans might adapt to high-scoring, flashy, modern football against other opponents, but when they play each other the game is usually decided by hard-nosed blocking and tackling. The game remained scoreless throughout the first quarter, but Michigan was able to find some success in the passing game when Denard Robinson connected with wide receiver Drew Dileo, who would play a much larger role later in the game. With the defense concentrating on Dileo, Fitzgerald Toussaint rumbled 36 yards on a trap play, taking the ball to the Michigan State 6-yard line. The drive stalled as the Michigan State defense stiffened, and Michigan settled for a field goal from Brendan Gibbons, who would also play a very big role late in the game.
But Michigan State wouldn’t go quietly. Spartan quarterback Andrew Maxwell connected with Bennie Fowler for a 45-yard gain, and Michigan State was marching down the field. This time, the Michigan defense rose to the occasion and the Spartan drive ended when Dan Conroy missed a critical field goal. The game continued in that vein until Maxwell found tight end Paul Lang in the end zone on a play action pass in the third quarter, giving Michigan State its first lead. A lonely cheer went up in The Big House, but most in the crowd of 113,833 remained silent, concerned by Michigan State’s sudden rally. The Spartans threatened to extend their lead, but Jordan Kovacs put an end to that when he intercepted a Maxwell pass and returned it 34 yards to the Michigan State 38-yard line, shifting the possession and the momentum back to Michigan.
With 18 seconds remaining in regulation time, Robinson connected with Dileo for a 20-yard gain to the Michigan State 21-yard line, setting up a field goal attempt. Gibbons then knocked a 38-yard field goal through the uprights, and Michigan held on for a 12-10 victory in a classic defensive struggle.
Thanks to the Big Ten Network, YouTube, and YouTube poster Pizza Pizzichetti for the broadcast of this game. As always, we own nothing and this blog post is provided strictly for the enjoyment of readers.