In the wake of Michigan’s hard-fought 20-15 loss to Indiana, the podcast dives into a season marked by challenges and untapped potential. @pcallihan and @Clint_Derringer dissect the game, praising the defense for an impressive second-half effort, holding Indiana to just 56 yards. Yet, offensive inefficiency—206 total yards and struggles in both pass protection and the run game—continued to stall momentum. With two critical games left, including a must-win against Northwestern to secure bowl eligibility, the team faces a pivotal test of resilience. This discussion underscores the urgent need for adjustments in coaching and game planning, providing hope for fans eager to see Michigan’s season end on a high note.
In the aftermath of Michigan’s tough 38-17 loss to Oregon, @pcallihan and @Clint_Derringer break down key moments from Michigan’s third quarter surge to the costly struggles on the offensive line. While the team fought hard, critical decisions and execution woes kept Michigan from staying competitive. Now, with bowl eligibility on the line, the upcoming matchups against Indiana, Northwestern, and bitter rival Ohio State become crucial steps toward redemption. Join Phil and Clint as they explore what Michigan needs to salvage their season and build hope for a resilient finish.
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!
