Did anyone else watch that game? Penn State's #8 made some incredible catches down the stretch to enable PSU to tie the game. It was a real classic that a) exposed Michigan as not a top team, and b) was a shot in the arm for the beleaguered PSU program. Penn State is far from being back, but their 107,000 white-clad fans are happy tonight.
I watched the PSU/Mich ending... I didn't have a choice! They wouldn't show my game until it ended... which seemed to be NEVER. Can't believe Mich kicker didn't win it for them.
It was the ugliest OT game I've ever seen with fumbles and multiple missed FGs. The Michigan FG kicker looked like he was 40 yrs. old. He's a 5th year senior. In contrast, the PSU kicker was a skinny freshman. Both teams gave away opportunities to win before putting it together in the 4th OT. I was impressed with PSU's white-out. The aerial view of the stadium gave the impression that all 107,000 fans were wearing white. ND called for a green-out vs. Oklahoma. Outside of the student body, there was hardly any green and lots of red. Aaargh!
His first attempt in regulation was LONG... 53 yards and he left it just short. Can't be too down about that one. In the first OT he had a short one, but UM blew the blocking assignments and a guy shot through to block it. Not the kicker's fault. He shanked the winner in the second OT... that one will haunt him.
Sid, not sure if Penn State exposed us as not being an elite team. Akron and UConn already performed that task. M looks like a 9-3 or 8-4 team this year. Likely we will lose to the Buckeyes at home and MSU on the road and will likely lose one of the upcoming games against NW or Nebraska. Our offensive line and running backs are in shambles. Right now, if we move the ball, it is either by Garnder's legs or arms but that comes with the price of multiple turnovers. Looks like the honeymoon is over for Hoke as the M Internet sites are starting to resemble NDNation after the Oklahoma game. Gled for Penn State though. Playing with only 65 scholarship players and no bowl game to look forward to, their players and coach left it all on the field yesterday. O'Brien has done a great job the last two years holding that team together after the NCAA allowed others to loot from the roster last year. That he was able to keep nearly all of their players from bolting elsewhere after sanctions were imposed and play with the tenacity that they have exhibited the past two seasons, is an impressive accomplishment.
Bobda, Michigan is an enigma. They certainly have the talent and (I thought) the coaching to be an elite team, but they seem to be struggling in the areas that you pointed out, O-line and RBs. There's still half a season to go. Stay tuned.
Terry, that maced Wolvie fan ended up being a lucky bastard as he probably was incapable of seeing the end of that game. After reading the Deadspin article, my thought is that it was a shame the police did not go for the mace and taser daily double.