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Michigan 31 Maryland 24 – Game 11 Recap

GAME 11 PROJECTION vs. RESULTS

Final Score: 31-24, Michigan by 7 over Maryland
SP+ Projection: Michigan by 20.9 (-13.9)
CD Projection: Michigan by 26 (-19)

FIVE FACTORS

GAME 11 RECAP @ Maryland

A common assumption coming into this trap game was that big chunks of Michigan’s play book were likely off limits. JJ McCarthy kept for a short loss on just one surprising read option. Also, I don’t recall a single target for Donovan Edwards in the air. For the 2nd consecutive week, the Wolverines succeeded in winning on the road using predominantly their base run & pass plays. JJ was a bit off target, going 12-23 for 141 yards, 0 TD & 1 INT. Also of note, starting tackle Ladarius Henderson was not available, and back up Myles Hinton also limped off in the second half.

The Michigan defense provided much more firepower against the Terrapins, but also caused concern. Mike Sainristil stepped forward as a clutch play maker once again with two interceptions. Linebacker depth caused fear when senior Mike Barrett stayed down with an upper body injury, although he returned in the second half. Earlier in the game Barrett’s strip-sack led to Derrick Moore’s defensive touchdown.

Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham both created havoc from their tackle positions. However, we saw multiple DBs, including Sainristil & Will Johnson, give up explosive plays on vertical routes. Playing a bend but don’t break defensive game plan allows some run game success and underneath passes. But, the Wolverines also struggled versus double moves. This test will resurface very soon, from much more talented receivers.

The special teams units were the true stars of the 1,000th win for Michigan. Christian Boivin blocked a punt in the 1st quarter, leading to a 2-point safety. Punter Tommy Doman punted 5 times, averaging 47.2 yards per kick (average net 41 yards). His best came last: a golf shot downed at the Maryland 1 yard line. The Wolverines would get another safety on the ensuing defensive series.

Michigan fans understand being anxious during Game #11. The Wolverines tend to simplify their game plan, and also focus on reducing injury risk with the Buckeyes looming. This particular example weighed extra heavy given the ongoing NCAA investigation and Jim Harbaugh’s 3-game suspension. However, the Wolverines are 11-0 and still have every goal to compete for when Ohio State comes to Ann Arbor in just over six days. Onward!

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Michigan Wolverine Football Podcast — Play Angry – Game 11 Maryland Preview

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Phil @pcallihan and Clint @Clint_Derringer preview the game vs Maryland – SP+ analysis, commentary, and prediction. With Interim Coach Sherrone Moore and Coach Jim Harbaugh.

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Podcast Archive

Podcast Summary

  • Michigan Wolverines football with Phil Callihan and Clint Derringer.0:00
    • Michigan football team prepares to play with anger and fire.
  • Michigan football team’s recent drama and upcoming game.1:26
    • Clint Derringer expects Michigan to win by multiple scores if they execute cleanly and stay healthy, citing their advantage in every phase of the game.
    • Phil Callihan finds it hard to believe it was only a week ago that he was in Happy Valley for Michigan’s victory, given the drama surrounding Jim Harbaugh’s status.
    • Phil Callihan analyzes the recent events surrounding Michigan football, including Jim Harbaugh’s suspension and Chris Partridge’s departure, and wonders how much drama the team can handle.
    • Callihan reflects on the team’s ability to “glance off” blows in the past, but notes that the current situation may be too much for them to handle.
  • Michigan football scandal and coaching staff changes.7:21
    • Michigan football faces logistical challenges with Harbaugh’s suspension and Partridge’s lack of cooperation in investigation.
    • Clint Derringer: Scandal disrupts Michigan football, puts players’ success at risk
    • Analysts discuss Coach Harbaugh’s use of biblical references and its potential connection to the team’s current suspension.
  • College football team’s controversies and media coverage.13:54
    • Callihan expresses frustration with media attention on Michigan football’s NCAA violations, believing it’s a “stupid, media-driven narrative.”
    • Phil Callihan discusses Maryland’s season, highlighting their ups and downs.
    • Callihan expresses frustration with media attention on Michigan’s infraction, speculates on potential damages and future investigations.
  • Michigan football’s game against Maryland amidst coaching staff changes and media scrutiny.20:32
    • Clint Derringer: Michigan’s approach to dealing with scandals has been good, focusing on wins to prove doubters wrong.
    • Derringer: Players are motivated to make it sweeter, despite added adversity, and a win against Ohio State could change the narrative.
    • Clint Derringer predicts Maryland’s offense will struggle due to lack of talent at wide receiver, while quarterback Thalia Tagovailoa is capable of big plays but prone to mistakes.
    • Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh discusses team’s resilience in face of media scrutiny.

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Nothing But ‘Net – Week #03 – 11/13/2023 – Non-Conference Non-Cupcakes

The University of Michigan men’s basketball team played two games this past week, and they won both of them.  On Tuesday (11/07/2023), they beat UNC-Asheville 99-74, then on Friday (11/10/2023), they beat Youngstown State 92-62.  Both games were in Crisler Arena.  The two wins raise Michigan’s record to 2-0.

What Happened?

Normally, most high-major teams schedule real “cupcakes” for their first few home games, to kind of “ease into” the season.  Not Michigan, not this season.  Both UNCA and YSU are good, solid opponents with impressive records last season, and strong returning lineups.  Michigan made them both look like traditional “cupcakes”, but they’re both a notch up from that.  Michigan just played very well in both games, and got the blowout wins they deserved.  It’s an important psychological advantage to win your exhibition games (ahem: Tennessee 89, MSU 88) and your first home game (ahem, again: James Madison 79, MSU 76), and Michigan took care of business.  Of course, if you shoot 1-for-20 from 3-point range, you could lose to a mid-major team in your home opener.  Just sayin’…

The UNCA game started with a UM turnover and 2 made free throws for UNCA.  That was the only time UM trailed the whole game.  Michigan made a 3-pointer to go up 3-2, and they never looked back.  They got the lead up to 9 points (15-6) with 14:54 to go in the 1st half, then 15 points (31-16) at the 9:05 mark.  They got the 1st half lead as high as 21 points (48-27) with 2:18 left in the half, but let UNCA score the last 5 points of the half, for a 16-point lead (48-32) at halftime.  Michigan put the game out of reach in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half with a 19-8 run to make it a 27-point lead (67-40) with 15:02 to go.  The rest of the game, Michigan kept the lead between 20 and 29 points, even with the Scout Team in the game for the last 3 minutes.  It was a dominating performance against a good opponent.

The YSU game was all Michigan for the whole game.  UM led 4-0, YSU got within 2 points (4-2), then Michigan pulled away for good.  They led by 8 points (18-10) with 14:13 to go in the 1st half, then 11 points (26-15) with 9:39 left.  They led by 10 points (33-23) with 3:57 to go in the half, then they went on a 13-0 run to end the half up 46-23.  Just a little basketball pro-tip: it’s not good to be doubled up at halftime.  Michigan came out in the 2nd half and kept doubling (or more) YSU’s score: 50-25, 59-28, 65-30, 74-36, 76-38, and 81-40.  Once the lead got over 40 points, Michigan emptied the bench, and YSU made the score look a little more respectable, losing by “only” 30 points.  It was another dominating performance against another good opponent.

Stats

The game stats for the UNCA game were predictably good.  Michigan shot well overall (38-for-67 = 56.7%), they shot 3-pointers well (12-for-26 = 46.2%), and they shot free throws decently (11-for-15 = 73.3%).  They won the rebounding battle (39-30) and the turnover battle (9-13).  They won this game with good shooting and rebounding.

The game stats for the YSU game were good, but not as good as the UNCA stats.  Michigan shot well overall (35-for-66 = 53.0%), they shot 3-pointers fairly well (9-for-26 = 34.6%), and they shot free throws very well (13-for-16 = 81.3%).  They won the rebounding battle (41-31) and the turnover battle (11-13).  They won this game with continued good shooting and rebounding.

Who Started?

The starters for both games were Nimari Burnett, Dug McDaniel, Olivier Nkamhoua, Tarris Reed, Jr., and Terrance Williams II.

Who Looked Good?

Nkamhoua was the leading scorer in the UNCA game, with 25 points, and the second leading scorer in the YSU game, with 17 points.  He was also Michigan’s leading rebounder in both games, with 7 and 10 rebounds, which gave him a nice double-double in the YSU game.  He shot very well: 11-for-16 (1-for-4 from deep) vs. UNCA, and 7-for-7 (1-for-1 from deep) vs. YSU.  He also played very good defense.  He was the best player on the floor for both games.

McDaniel was the second leading scorer in the UNCA game, with 22 points, and the third leading scorer in the YSU game, with 16 points.  He had 8 assists vs. UNCA and 4 assists vs. YSU.  He looked very poised and confident out there.

Will Tschetter was the star of the YSU game, with 20 points off the bench.  He was the leading scorer, and he did it with style: 8-for-8 shooting, including 4-for-4 from deep.  He had a very interesting stat line: 20 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists.  All he did was shoot, and shoot well.  20 points is a new career high for him, breaking his old career high of 8 points that he set in the UNCA game.  He also shot well in that game: 3-for-5 overall, 2-for-2 from deep.  Just for reference, he only scored 63 points in 27 games last season.

Williams had two very good games, which is very encouraging.  He scored 15 points vs. UNCA and 13 points vs. YSU.  He shot well in both games: 5-for-8 overall (3-for-5 from deep) vs. UNCA, and 4-for-8 (2-for-4 from deep) vs. YSU.  He even chipped in 6 and 8 rebounds.

Burnett had one good game (13 points vs. UNCA) and one lousy game (0 points vs. YSU).  As the starting shooting guard, Michigan needs consistent scoring from him.

Reed was very consistent, with 9 points in each game.  He still hasn’t played much (20 minutes vs. UNCA, 19 minutes vs. YSU); I don’t know if he’s recovering from illness or injury.

Who Looked Not-So-Good?

Tray Jackson played in both games, and scored 3 and 6 points.  He showed flashes of solid play, then he just drifted around the rest of the time.

Youssef Khayat played in both games, scoring 2 and 4 points.  He also got another technical foul, in the YSU game.  He’s a little bit of a “loose cannon” out there.

George Washington III finally scored his first career points in the YSU game (5 points, on 2-for-4 shooting, 1-for-2 from deep) after going scoreless in his debut against UNCA.  Once again, he’s a freshman, he’ll get better.

Who Else Played?

Ian Burns played for 2 minutes vs. UNCA and 7 minutes vs. YSU.  He scored his first career points in the YSU game, hitting both of his free throw attempts.

Harrison Hochberg played for 2 minutes vs. UNCA and 3 minutes vs. YSU.  He didn’t shoot in the UNCA game, and missed his only free throw attempt in the YSU game.

Jackson Selvala played for 2 minutes vs. UNCA and 7 minutes vs. YSU.  He missed his only shot attempt vs. UNCA, and didn’t shoot vs. YSU.

Cooper Smith played for 3 minutes in each game, and scored 2 points vs. UNCA.  He was 1-for-1 vs. UNCA, and 0-for-1 vs. YSU.

Who Didn’t Play?

Everyone who wasn’t injured played at least 2 minutes in each game.  The injured players are: Jace Howard and Jaelin Llewellyn.

What Does It Mean?

Could Michigan be better than the “experts” predicted?  It’s a little early to say, but based on how they played against two quality opponents, maybe?  We’ll know more after their next game.  See below.

What’s Next?

This week, Michigan plays two games.  On Monday (11/13/2023, 6:30 p.m., FS1) they play St. John’s in Madison Square Garden in New York City, then on Friday (11/17/2023, 7:00 p.m., BTN+) they play Long Beach State in Crisler Arena.  The St. John’s game is part of the Gavitt Tip-Off Games, which is the annual Big East/Big Ten challenge.  This is the last season for the Gavitt Games.

St. John’s was 18-15 last season, 7-13 in the Big East.  They beat (#6) UConn and (#20) Providence, lost in the 2nd round of the Big East tournament, and didn’t play in a post-season tournament.  They don’t have any noteworthy players, and they don’t have much height: just one 6’11” player.  They do have a noteworthy coach: Rick Pitino.  That alone makes them dangerous.  This will be an important test for Michigan.  They’ve looked good at home against mid-major teams, but now they’ll be playing on the road against a team from a big conference.  Sure, it’s technically a “neutral site” game, but it’s a lot like a home game for St. John’s.

Long Beach State was 17-16 last season, 11-9 in the Big West.  They didn’t beat anyone notable, lost in the 1st round of the Big West tournament, and didn’t play in a post-season tournament.  They don’t have any noteworthy players, but they do have a little height: two 6’10” players, and a 6’11” player.  This is a game that Michigan should win, as long as they don’t do anything crazy.

Check back next week to find out what happened and why.

Go Blue!

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Michigan Wolverine Football Podcast — We are the Storm – Game 10 Michigan 24 Penn State 15

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Phil @pcallihan and Clint @Clint_Derringer discuss Michigan’s 24-15 victory over Penn State. With QB J.J. McCarthy, RB Blake Corum, OL Trevor Keegan, and acting Head Coach Sherrone Moore.

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Podcast Archive

Podcast Summary

  • Michigan Wolverines’ victory and team mentality.0:00
    • Michigan Wolverines remain undefeated after 24-15 victory over Penn State Nittany Lions.
  • Michigan football’s heavy game atmosphere.1:41
    • Clint Derringer: Michigan’s win felt heavy due to suspension, court case, and intense defenses.
  • Football team’s win and coach’s impact.3:28
    • Sherrone Moore emphasizes the hard work of Michigan football players and coaches, citing their elite abilities and the emotional significance of the win.
    • Clint Derringer describes the intense and hard-hitting game, highlighting the relief and determination of the team after Blake Corum’s game-winning touchdown.
  • Michigan-Penn State game with focus on Harbaugh’s absence.5:24
    • Callihan observes media coverage of Michigan football game was intense due to Harbaugh’s absence.
    • Penn State fans hoped to reestablish themselves in Big Ten East race with victory over Michigan.
  • Michigan football’s game strategy and player performance.9:40
    • Clint Derringer notes that JJ McCarthy’s passing attempts were limited in the second half due to a potential injury, leading to more ground-based offense for Michigan.
    • Phil Callihan highlights Michigan’s focus on balance in their play calling, despite facing a tough Penn State defense.
    • Phil Callihan notes the similarity between Michigan’s recent game and an old Big Ten game, with JJ McCarthy’s performance resembling a quarterback from the 1970s.
    • Blake Corum’s performance in the second half was more reminiscent of last season, with a focus on running the ball and no losses.
    • Phil Callihan and Sherrone Moore share emotional moments during the postgame press conference, with Callihan expressing pride in the team’s resilience and Moore highlighting the players’ different reactions to Harbaugh’s absence.
    • J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, and other players show emotion and solidarity in the postgame interviews, with Corum emphasizing the team’s closeness and McCarthy expressing love for his teammates.
  • Michigan football’s dominant win over Penn State.18:48
    • Clint Derringer: Michigan’s offensive performance against Penn State shows they’re built for the loss of key players, with 26 carries for Blake Corum and 10 for DOM Edwards, totaling 247 yards on the ground.
    • Derringer: Michigan’s convincing win against Penn State in a difficult environment is a strong statement to the rest of the league, especially to those in Columbus, and shows their commitment to running the ball.
    • Clint Derringer and Phil Callihan discuss Michigan’s running game strategy against Penn State, with Derringer suggesting it may be a statement against both Penn State and Ohio State.
    • Phil Callihan notes that Michigan’s dominance in the running game took away half of Penn State’s offensive attack, and that fans are more interested in the on-field competition than off-field drama.
  • Michigan Wolverines’ game strategy and player performance.24:36
    • Phil Callihan reflects on Michigan’s dominant win over Penn State, despite late Penn State score.
    • Clint Derringer highlights JJ McCarthy’s effectiveness in the game, including his 7/8 passing for 60 yards in the first quarter.
    • Derringer notes that Michigan’s success on the ground against Penn State led to a shift in game plan, with more emphasis on running the ball and less on passing.
  • Michigan football’s dominant victory and Harbaugh’s future.29:52
    • Michigan’s dominant victory in the trenches was key to their win over Penn State.
    • Phil Callihan observes that JJ did not appear to be injured after the game, despite being tackled and looking gimpy on one play.
    • Clint Derringer agrees, adding that JJ was bouncing around and looking normal after the game, which makes him feel better.
    • Michigan Wolverines fan Phil Callihan discusses the team’s performance in a big away game, with a focus on the crowd’s reaction and the potential for distractions.
  • Michigan football’s win over Penn State and key players.36:16
    • Clint Derringer: Michigan fans sent a message to Ohio State by beating Penn State, emphasizing the importance of stopping the run.
    • Phil Callihan: Penn State fans at Beaver Stadium were surprised by the number of Michigan fans who disagreed with the Big Ten’s actions, expressing a desire for a more traditional Football game.
    • Clint Derringer highlights Kenneth Grant’s performance in the defensive front, particularly a play where he ran down a 5-star running back from behind at 340 pounds.
    • Phil Callihan echoes this sentiment, rewatching a play where Grant came out of nowhere to make a tackle, leaving him in awe.
    • Phil Callihan and Clint Derringer discuss the Michigan football team’s recent win, highlighting the exceptional abilities of players like Blake Corum and JJ McCarthy.
    • Sherrone Moore, Trevor Keegan, and Phil Callihan reflect on the team’s turnaround, emphasizing the importance of trust and camaraderie among players.