RIP Meechie Walker. The FOX piece this fall on him and his connection to Michigan had me literally sobbing. Such a tragic story, but I’m thrilled Meechie got the chance to live out his dream before his life was snatched away from him far too soon. Prayers up to the Walker family.
Michigan just beat freaking Alabama in come-from-behind at the Rose Bowl to earn a spot in the National Championship Game.
That’s a thing that just happened.
Want an insane stat? Michigan not only scored a touchdown on every single one of its second-half possessions until victory formation time, it didn’t record a single 3rd down offensive snap in the second half.
24 official snaps. All first or second downs.
Domination.
Here's a comprehensive list of every school to make a New Year's Six Bowl in football, a Sweet 16 in basketball and qualify for the College World Series in baseball this season:
1. The University of Michigan
End of list.
Let's not forget this: At a time when college coaches everywhere are holding schools hostage to squeeze out every possible cent, Jim Harbaugh is about to win $1.5 million in bonus money that he'll give to members of the athletic department that lost wages because of the pandemic.
He’s going to be the butt of a lot of jokes in the aftermath of a 3rd straight loss to Michigan, but I want to extend a sincere thank you to Ryan Day. Going out of his way and make sure all excuses were removed ahead of time before this year’s game, that was a very selfless act.
Donovan Edwards, wearing a cast on his dominant hand and only carrying the ball in his off hand all game long, posting a 22-216-2 line against a defense that made its entire defensive gameplan "stop the run" is a legendary performance and should be treated as such.
I think we’ve seen Jim Harbaugh coach his final game at Michigan. The man walked away from the NFL to take a job at his struggling alma mater. And in less than a decade, he’s delivered three straight B1G titles, a turned tide in the OSU rivalry and a freaking National Title.
I’m glad the FOX cameras got this great shot after J.J. McCarthy’s 31-yard pass to Roman Wilson.
There aren’t many teams that could pull off what Michigan pulls off when it comes to the QB rotation. A testament to the culture of the team, but also to just Cade and JJ as people.
I hope that when Michigan eventually beats Ohio St again, my kids are in good enough health to have their children’s children bring them to my grave so they can stick a tiny little M flag next to my rarely visited tombstone in an effort to pay homage to their loser great grandpa.
Ohio State is bringing back its entire defense while Michigan lost its quarterback and is about to lose its head coach. Tough to say who had the better week.
That’s Jim Harbaugh and Juwan Howard embracing in the middle of a Michigan Stadium field with tens of thousands of Michigan fans surrounding them after a 15-point win over No. 2 Ohio State. I love this school. I love this moment. Go Blue.
Gotta feel awful for Ohio State fans. To have your team play in a high stakes matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in America and have the officials interject themselves into the outcome must be devastating. You truly hate to see it.
Zak Zinter was a high draft pick and he decided to come back for one more season, largely for games like today. It’s not fair. Prayers up to him and his future — there’s no better student athlete to serve as the face of this school and this program.
If you had told me after the first 20 minutes that Michigan kept this game close, let alone beat Ohio State by 3+ touchdowns, I would have laughed in your face. This was in Columbus, without Blake Corum. This was more impressive than 42-27. Soak this in, Michigan fans. Amazing.
As we inch closer to the end of the season, let’s recognize everyone’s biggest wins of the season:
- Michigan: 22-point win over Ohio State, 24-point win over Penn State
- Ohio State: Utah’s 23-point win over USC
- Michigan State: Mazi Smith incorrectly transporting a firearm
Don’t bank on this Cinderella run ending soon for UMBC, either. I just did some research and 16 seeds have never lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Did Illinois make the second week of the NCAA Tournament? A year-by-year look:
2006: no
2007: no
2008: no
2009: no
2010: no
2011: no
2012: no
2013: no
2014: no
2015: no
2016: no
2017: no
2018: no
2019: no
2020: no, but it wasn't their fault
2021: no
2022: no
There’s going to be a lot of chatter about that flag at the end of the Super Bowl. But make no mistake about it. That’s not the biggest officiating blunder at that stadium in the last two months. Not even close.
Baylor lost to Kansas tonight. Michigan now has the second best record in college basketball among high-major programs, trailing only Gonzaga — which has a big matchup against Thomas Jefferson Middle School’s B Team later tonight.
Hearing Ryan Day is taking this loss really hard. It appears he’s so depressed he may not even have the motivation to call up Kirk Ferentz and give him all of Michigan’s signs in advance of next week’s Big Ten Championship Game.
Michigan -- without its head coach -- goes on the road and beats Penn State, a top-10 opponent, by multiple scores.
The Wolverines didn't attempt a single pass in the second half.
Ohio State played “Pump It Up” after taking a 35-28 lead over Michigan late in the first half. After that song, the Wolverines finished the game on a 47-34 run and won by six.
Hello. Michigan just erased a 15-point deficit in the NCAA Tournament with its starting point guard in another state, and went on to win by double digits. I’m having a pretty above average afternoon, how about everyone else?
Michigan was one of the Last 4 In.
It drew the regional hosted by the defending national champ.
It drew the super regional hosted by the nation's No. 1 team.
It entered the College World Series with the worst odds to win it all.
Now it’s in the national championship series.
I have a confession. All the MSU fans that are livid about Mazi Smith playing in the B1G Championship Game, saying “just imagine if the roles were reversed?” are actually making a very good point.
There’s no way an MSU player would ever play in this year’s B1G Championship Game.
Michigan has punted the ball once in the second half of the last three Michigan-Ohio State games combined.
Once.
2021:
- TD
- TD
- TD
- TD
- victory formation
2022:
- TD
- punt
- TD
- missed FG
- TD
- TD
- victory formation
2023:
- FG
- TD
- FG
- FG
- victory formation
This game sucked. This season was amazing. It might take some people a little time to separate the two, but don’t let a rough ending take anything away from a season that should be considered nothing but an absolute success on every possible level.
Kenneth Walker III had a fantastic season. He's my pick to win the Doak Walker Award. And I think MSU fans are 100% right when they say that program brand plays a factor in determining Heisman Trophy finalists. My suggestion would be to get a better program brand. God bless.
Sherrone Moore is a guy that loves this University. And I know for a fact those players in the locker room love him back. So thrilled for him to have this moment.
Prediction: Ohio State rallies late, Dwayne Haskins connects with Terry McLaurin on a long TD pass in the final minute of the game. Michigan blocks the PAT attempt.
Final score: Michigan 128, Ohio State 6.
Some programs like talking about toughness in postgame interviews. Others stare the No. 2 rushing defense in America right in the face, say “you can’t stop us” and run the ball every single freaking play of the second have an prove their toughness with their actions.
The University of Michigan has made the Final Four in basketball, baseball and hockey over the past 15 months. No other school has made the Final Four in more than one of those sports during that span.
Urban Meyer put Michigan on upset alert for today's game.
J.J. McCarthy is now on the sidelines without his helmet midway through the 3rd quarter because it's time to give backups some reps.
It's going to be Michigan vs. Washington in the CFP National Championship Game next Monday in Houston.
No. 1 vs. No. 2.
College football's last two unbeaten teams playing for the sport's ultimate prize.
LFG
I am not ready for today to be Aidan Hutchinson’s final game in a Michigan uniform, so my advice for Michigan is to ensure that today is not Aidan Hutchinson’s final game in a Michigan uniform.
Everyone saying that the MSU players involved in the tunnel attack should be suspended for the rest of the season are completely missing the point. Their season ended tonight. They simply do not care what happens after tonight’s game. Suspend them for next year’s U-M game.
The Detroit Lions are going to the NFC Championship Game.
This is happening less than two weeks after Michigan winning the National Championship.
What a time to be alive.
Florida State, a name brand school in a Power 5 Conference, legitimately won every single game it played and doesn’t get an opportunity to compete for a National Championship. What an awful system.
I’m thankful for Eli Brooks, who played his ass off tonight, just like he did for the past five years. A great representative of this school. It’s sad to know his career is done.
There’s a ton of question marks over who else may be done. Coming weeks/months will be fascinating.
Both of these things are unequivocally true:
- Michigan State made plays at the end of the game. Michigan did not.
- The officiating in this game was absolutely atrocious and 100% affected the final outcome of the game.
Wow, I was so tied up in watching Michigan beat Alabama that I totally missed this news. Does anyone know who is coaching Michigan in next week’s National Championship Game?
It’s cool that Michigan is playing in the National Championship Game and everything, but I’m still furious about that weak non-conference schedule to start the season.
Looks like Tommy Stevens, who most expected to be Trace McSorley's replacement in Penn State, is leaving Happy Valley. Here's a look at what will be his final touchdown pass as a member of the Nittany Lions.
Michigan won the Big Ten, is the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff and has a Heisman Trophy finalist. Have a great rest of your day, everyone.
PSA: There's absolutely no need to boo or do/say anything stupid. Having someone like Cade McNamara on the roster is a huge asset for Michigan. He's a Big Ten Championship winning QB, a really solid QB and a team captain. You can be a J.J. QB1 proponent without being anti-Cade.