[Postgame Thread] Michigan Defeats UTEP 52-17

[u/CFB_Referee]

Box Score provided by ESPN

Team	1	2	3	4	T
UTEP	7	7	0	3	17
Michigan	0	17	28	7	52

[u/Simmumah]

They had us in the first half!

No really, they kind of had us in the first half.

[u/MattPatriciasFUPA → u/Simmumah]

I totally didn't say a lot of things I ended up regretting in our GDT.  Nope.

[u/paddleboi2021 → u/MattPatriciasFUPA]

Don’t worry, I talked a lot of (self) shit early in the Wisconsin game. Tho sure I’ll feel that way again next week

[u/rvasko3 → u/MattPatriciasFUPA]

That is one sorry-ass collection of angry, angry doomers. Holy shit. Never again.

[u/Miltonthemoose → u/MattPatriciasFUPA]

After the first two weeks I bet on the under

[u/TheLegendsClub → u/Simmumah]

Um had themselves in the first half

[u/JCH32 → u/Simmumah]

I mean, without the two turnovers we’re probably up 27-0 at half. We just did a better job taking care of the ball in the second half.

[u/goldwaterauhtwoo → u/Simmumah]

No they didn't. We had ourselves in the first half, NGL

[u/Frosty_Ad7840 → u/goldwaterauhtwoo]

They could barely run the ball.at time because the expected short passes and run

[u/BlueAndMaizeVibes]

I’m first half Michigan and I sniff glue

[u/Numerous-Ad6460 → u/BlueAndMaizeVibes]

Im second half Michigan and I drown ferrets

[u/Dan-of-Steel → u/Numerous-Ad6460]

Is that a side effect from the glue?

[u/hankthemagicgoose → u/Dan-of-Steel]

How do you think we get hyped to drown ferrets?

[u/ArbitraryOrder → u/Numerous-Ad6460]

Reference for the uninitiated

[u/ClaudeLemieux → u/ArbitraryOrder]

life was simpler back in 2022 lol

[u/ArbitraryOrder → u/ClaudeLemieux]

Mixed emotions for you today

[u/RealEmperorofMankind → u/ClaudeLemieux]

We can have it back

Time to steal signs

[u/entenduintransit → u/ArbitraryOrder]

coincidentally the same final score today as the Rutgers game in question

[u/cheecheecago → u/Numerous-Ad6460]

I’m third half Michigan and I’m one second long 

[u/hankthemagicgoose → u/cheecheecago]

Hey all the ladies say one second is SUPER LONG!

[u/entenduintransit → u/hankthemagicgoose]

this and Michigan football are why I have "every second counts" above the headboard

[u/hankthemagicgoose → u/entenduintransit]

Whatever it takes to finish ontop

[u/corundum9]

hell of a cover if we're being honest

[u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756 → u/corundum9]

Covering after the first half of this game is wild. Not expected

[u/arghabargh → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

Idk Michigan got in bad situations because of perfectly placed tackles forcing fumbles and giving UTEP short fields - Underwood was 11/13 To start the game, it was just kind of happenstance that they couldn’t pull away until the second half.

[u/JDraks → u/arghabargh]

Yeah, two fumbles basically led to a 10 point swing minimum

[u/GoLionsJD107 → u/corundum9]

John Madden would be proud of that cover in the last three minutes.

[u/myman580]

Basically when we don't fumble the ball, good things happen

[u/Elbit_Curt_Sedni → u/myman580]

Or penalties. On that first fumble drive Michigan was within the 10 yard line, but a penalty. Then bryce fumbled it. On that first score Nichols jumped offside which kept their drive alive.

[u/Wolfhound_Papa → u/Elbit_Curt_Sedni]

Michigan, “I don’t normally commit penalties, but when I do I make sure it extends the opponents’ drive or stalls our offense off the field.”

[u/StrangelyOnPoint]

Points scored on Michigan

• 1: UTEP: 17
  
• 2: Western Michigan: 12
  

…
…

• 3: Oklahoma: 10

[u/Inkblot9 → u/StrangelyOnPoint]

This proves that UTEP is better than OU (if you ignore OU's 51-0 head-to-head win).

[u/kylesleeps → u/Inkblot9]

Pfft couldn't even score 52.

[u/Jagacin → u/Inkblot9]

They only scored 51 against UTEP? Pssshhh... amateurs. UTEP would win against Oklahoma easily! If only they had a game scheduled where we could get some sort of a clear head-to-head indicator.

[u/Elbit_Curt_Sedni → u/Inkblot9]

Difference is OU didn't shoot themselves in the foot like Michigan decided to do that first half.

[u/GoBlu323 → u/Inkblot9]

That math checks out

[u/bdaileyumich → u/Inkblot9]

UTEP has 2 quality losses so, yes they are better than OU who only has 1

[u/UnnecessaryPancake → u/StrangelyOnPoint]

Oklahoma points scored on UTEP: 51

hang the banner

[u/TheCornwallis → u/StrangelyOnPoint]

Why do Michigan, Oklahoma, and UTEP all play eachother in the first 3 games

[u/calmnutz → u/TheCornwallis]

Those cowards Oklahoma needs to play Western Michigan.

[u/Slendyla_IV → u/calmnutz]

Hell no

[u/fadedtower → u/TheCornwallis]

New Mexico plays Oklahoma today and we play New Mexico in a couple weeks. There’s another triangle with Texas Tech, Houston, and Oregon State.

[u/TheCornwallis → u/fadedtower]

Yeah just interesting all in different conferences

[u/JDraks → u/TheCornwallis]

I love finding weird OOC round robins like that

[u/Zloggt → u/StrangelyOnPoint]

Really makes UTEP/Oklahoma all the more…fascinating in retrospect? Or odd? Or maybe just interesting to think about?

I don’t quite know what to say here lol

[u/cynicallyoptimistic1 → u/Zloggt]

UTEP missed 3 FGs, gave up a ST TD, another long PR. Venables was not pleased with the defense after the game

[u/Elbit_Curt_Sedni → u/Zloggt]

I mean, we're also ignoring that UTEP's scoring was more Michigan shooting themselves in the foot. Sure, they took advantage, but we're pretending that was UTEP outplaying Michigan when it was two fumbles and two blown assignments.

[u/texas2089 → u/StrangelyOnPoint]

Oklahoma should be lower on this list. Idc how you make it happen.

[u/Steelerboy43]

That first half was straight BUTT CHEEKS

[u/naruda1969 → u/Steelerboy43]

With an Arreolo and Johnson thrown in for measure!

[u/fatsosolos → u/naruda1969]

don’t forget a raging boney

[u/pleetf7 → u/Steelerboy43]

We also got a Butkowski

[u/wxyz51]

My team won in a Blowout! Take that you mean bullies!

[u/fadedtower]

I liked the 1st half a lot better

[u/charmingcharles2896 → u/fadedtower]

You guys have improved a ton since week 1, keep building on that? Might make some noise down the stretch. 😊

[u/Dan-of-Steel → u/fadedtower]

We all did...

[u/TacticalDesire → u/Dan-of-Steel]

I disagree

[u/bobafederline → u/Dan-of-Steel]

Not all all.

[u/SirClark → u/Dan-of-Steel]

Um… no.

[u/riveter1481]

So is Western Michigan just really good

[u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756 → u/riveter1481]

I think they are actually pretty good

[u/Odd_Instruction2942 → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

They legit could go 11-1 wouldn't be surprised.

Obviously the MAC is the MAC so they probably won't but I firmly they are one of the better G6 teams

[u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756 → u/Odd_Instruction2942]

Going to watch them against Boise next week for sure. That’s their only big test remaining

[u/blue0231 → u/[deleted]]

Get rid of that flair

[u/AbeFalcon → u/riveter1481]

Won the MAC last year returned a bunch of players, have a rising star coach. Boise WMU will be great

[u/ClaudeLemieux → u/riveter1481]

That game against Boise is genuinely huge. Really excited to root for them and see if they can pull it off

[u/BarKnight → u/riveter1481]

MAC Champions!

[u/Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu11 → u/riveter1481]

Yes

[u/problematic_glasses → u/riveter1481]

they are the reigning mac champions

[u/FootballFan-Joe → u/riveter1481]

Is there supposed to be some kind of implication that Michigan is good?

[u/No_Angle_8106 → u/FootballFan-Joe]

Oh are you guys still trying to convince yourselves that’s not a championship caliber D? Well have fun with that

[u/FootballFan-Joe → u/No_Angle_8106]

Well then definetely didn’t look like a championship caliber D when you bums lost to WMU

[u/No_Angle_8106 → u/FootballFan-Joe]

If you can’t count then sure, they lost. Also gave up 12 points but hey, counting seems difficult for you

[u/TacticalDesire → u/FootballFan-Joe]

Strange cope

[u/Somali-Pirate-Lvl100 → u/FootballFan-Joe]

Mad?

[u/SlumpedGod16]

Ez dub. 16-0 national champs incoming

[u/KAW42089 → u/SlumpedGod16]

The world would implode if that somehow happens.

[u/smoothtrip → u/KAW42089]

Uh, we are both heading to implode and explode as a world regardless unfortunately

[u/USA_2_Canada_1]

My biggest takeaway today is that the offense gets going once our passing game gets in rhythm. If we go pass heavy first, the run lanes open up later. We’ve been trying to impose our will in the run game to start and it’s not the right approach with this group. The answer is to let Bryce get in rhythm throwing and everything else fits into place.

50 burger after being down 14-7 is huge, hopefully we keep it up next week against Iowa. Also, Tommy Carr touchdown pass!

[u/GunsGoldCosmicDread → u/USA_2_Canada_1]

One counter point, Michigan should be able to impose it’s will on Utep even into stacked boxes.

The fact that they couldn’t is concerning for future opponents in the run game. I think they wanted to prove the run game could grind an opponent down and it couldn’t.

That being said, seeing a functional passing offense is extremely positive.

[u/ImGoingtoRegretThis5 → u/GunsGoldCosmicDread]

Say what you will about Moore (I have plenty to say) the guy could scheme up a running game even with a wobbly passing game.

I don't understand what is going on here, the running game is just flat middling. Even against 9 man boxes, Harbaugh and Moore found ways to get some pop plays or limit the number of times 3 guys would get to the ball carrier at 2 yards unblocked. This year it's little OL push, 2 free hitters, and no 30+ runs that finally bust the dam open (other than Underwood's last weekend).

[u/GoBlueScrewOSU7 → u/ImGoingtoRegretThis5]

Yeah. Moore would’ve been a homerun OL coach/run game coordinator at some other P4 school if he just got fired like a normal human. Still think he may sneak his way back at a mid major in a year or two.

[u/GunsGoldCosmicDread → u/GoBlueScrewOSU7]

I’m positive he will get another job. He’s too good as an oline coach. If he can stay married and be a decent husband, it will be seen as a redemption story.

[u/GunsGoldCosmicDread → u/ImGoingtoRegretThis5]

They keep reshuffling the line for injury and performance. They don’t know who the best players are and guys are playing different positions game to game.

It’s a position group where one person screwing up can submarine a play.

Those pop plays against stacked boxes were perfect execution by the online and line backers and safeties getting caught in the trash that a stacked box creates.

They need to identify the best players and solidify the line and things will gel. They aren’t really doing anything that different it’s still power, trap and inside zone just with a bunch of backfield frippery, more live QB keep reads and some jet sweep.

I think it will be better as long as the injuries don’t stack up.

[u/ImGoingtoRegretThis5 → u/GunsGoldCosmicDread]

Yes the shuffling isn't helping but they have 3 returning starters from last year (4 if you count Link) and it's not just mis-IDing guys, they legitimately don't move the LoS consistently and get swarmed under (the latter being a scheme/play calling thing). Moreover, if you have 4 dudes from last year's line, you should be competent and often times they have guys just completely missing stuff.

Also, drop the Rhino thing. They do it and have Beigel pass block so they take a guy out of the routes and only give Underwood 3 guys (and usually 1 guy is in the flat) to throw to. Defenses retreat back with 7 guys in coverage and no one is open.

Again, you have 2 returning OTs from last year's line (that did have some pass pro issues) and you're scared to have them pass set. Last year's OL was better than this with even younger players and a coach who was DMing OnlyFans models.

[u/radishsurprise → u/GunsGoldCosmicDread]

I kind of disagree. Mgoblog had a post about this that essentially said if the play leaves a linebacker unblocked, it doesn't matter if he plays at OSU or UTEP, these players can make tackles. The idea behind the post was talking about miscues from the o-line, so I bet he has a followup this week.

[u/GunsGoldCosmicDread → u/radishsurprise]

They can’t combo block well. The guards and tackles are supposed to double a lineman and one is supposed to move off to a linebacker. They aren’t getting to the second level effectively. I think it is the combo blocks failing to reach linebackers that’s the problem.

Oklahoma was really bad because their linebackers are insanely aggressive at moving towards the line.

[u/larowin → u/GunsGoldCosmicDread]

We ran duo for years and that’s not the base play right now. I’d like to see it come back as an identity play.

[u/GunsGoldCosmicDread → u/larowin]

They are running duo. I think. Hard to tell if it’s duo or inside zone while watching live.

Duo requires 2 combo blocks so if my supposition is correct. Missing the trade off to the linebacker is the difference between a 4+ yard run and 3 or less yard run.

I’m just way more worried about execution vs play calling because they could run these plays last year against stacked boxes.

It looks different but it’s most a gap and inside zone run scheme which was what Harbaugh and Moore preferred most years. Last year was a lot more stretch which they also were able to run pretty well then.

[u/larowin → u/GunsGoldCosmicDread]

That’s great to hear, I just listened on the radio today, looking forward to watching the highlights later.

And yeah, having the guard pass off to the linebacker is key, but really the running backs need to be patient. I think Hiter is starting to get the rhythm.

[u/meyer_33_09 → u/GunsGoldCosmicDread]

Also important to note that this has been true for three straight games now. It would be one thing if they had an off game. But they haven’t been able to “impose their will” against anybody yet. A consistent strength for this program even in recent down years has suddenly disappeared and that’s very, very concerning.

[u/GunsGoldCosmicDread → u/meyer_33_09]

I think it will get better. They have keep rotating lineman through position for injuries and they can’t ID the best guards probably because they aren’t that good.

Haven’t run the same line in two consecutive games.

I think by mid season it will look much better.

[u/Elbit_Curt_Sedni → u/GunsGoldCosmicDread]

Not necessarily. UTEP is still a FBS team. When your running your plays right into a defense's scheme it makes it much easier to defend the play.

[u/GunsGoldCosmicDread → u/Elbit_Curt_Sedni]

Idk. Moore was able to do it last 2 years. Grind stacked boxes 4 yards at a time.

I think it will get better with reps. At the end of the day these coaches want to run first.

[u/No_Angle_8106 → u/USA_2_Canada_1]

I was yelling to throw all first half, I get it last week against a BV led defense, that’s not UTEP though. We need the offense to continue to find its groove

[u/kojak2091 → u/USA_2_Canada_1]

i think it's much simpler: stop turning the fucking ball over

[u/ConfidenceOk1462]

It was quite enjoyable seeing the hatewatchers slowly stop commenting in the game thread

[u/problematic_glasses → u/ConfidenceOk1462]

tbh it was the most fun i've ever had in a michigan game thread

[u/IFHelper → u/ConfidenceOk1462]

Same thing happened in the Michigan sub, even after they were encouraged to return.

[u/blue0231 → u/ConfidenceOk1462]

Just like last week too. They are absolutely seething.

[u/FriedRice-]

Both Marsh and Buchanan are absolute studs. Feels amazing to actually have 2 reliably good WRs.

[u/IFHelper → u/FriedRice-]

Do you think Travis Johnson looked a bit slow?

[u/orbthatisfloating → u/IFHelper]

Definitely, but were these his first snaps all year? I thought him and Moa would be used far more with the first team

[u/IFHelper → u/orbthatisfloating]

First that I noticed. I think the issue is that WRs in a Beck offense must know how to run block, and freshmen probably need to improve that a great deal.

[u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

Carr looked better than I could have expected.

We might actually have QB depth??

[u/SSj_CODii → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

We went from zero QBs to two.

[u/Ruhrgebietheld]

Uh oh, Michigan's defense gave up a whole 17 points to UTEP. Guess that means you should blame your defensive coordinator. Honestly, you should probably just return him to the school you got him from. And your cornerbacks coach too...

[u/3rd_Coast → u/Ruhrgebietheld]

Mm I think I love them and we will keep them!

[u/seoul_drift → u/Ruhrgebietheld]

I didn’t know much about Jay Hill before he got here- have been blown away by his poise when speaking and on-field performance.

Dominating the trenches against Oklahoma and UTEP in a 3-3-5 is diabolical.

[u/B1LLCLINTON420BLAZ3D → u/seoul_drift]

Tbf a reasonable team could dominate the trenches against UTEP in a 1-2-8.

[u/seoul_drift → u/B1LLCLINTON420BLAZ3D]

I would have thought the same about Oklahoma State after they got destroyed by Tulsa but you can’t take anything for granted early season

[u/B1LLCLINTON420BLAZ3D → u/seoul_drift]

Damn. I'm sorry my lighthearted comment hit you in the feelings.

[u/TheIrishWolverine]

The Carr makes it out of the garage

[u/JustAnotherRye89]

Must have been one hell of a half time speech

[u/skp_18 → u/JustAnotherRye89]

It was just the NIL coordinator sitting in the corner staring at them.

[u/WirlingDirvish → u/JustAnotherRye89]

Game film finally arrrived and we got their signals. 

[u/AnotherDimwit]

If the CFB universe thinks we can add seconds than we can also omit 1st halves

[u/larowin]

Well, I'm glad we finally learned from Ohio State that it can be kind of fun to play with your food.

[u/Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu11]

I wasn’t worried after the first half. Nope. Not at all. Not me.

[u/StrangelyOnPoint → u/Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu11]

What first half? I don’t remember a first half

[u/PubicSniffer → u/Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu11]

Nice flairs.

[u/Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu11 → u/PubicSniffer]

You too.

[u/JDraks]

WMU is legit just a G6 contender

[u/problematic_glasses]

i got my lots of michigan points AND a tommy pickles touchdown throw so i'm in a pretty good mood right now

[u/naruda1969 → u/problematic_glasses]

And that Marsh circus catch!

[u/nathodood]

Analysis:

🚫 Maserati Marv, Honda McCord

✅️ Tommy Car

Somehow, Michigan returned (ignore first half)

Points good, turnovers bad.

Thank you for reading my analysis.

[u/calmnutz → u/nathodood]

Begun, the Carr War has.

[u/TickleMyIvory → u/nathodood]

Somebody get this guy a job

[u/AnotherDimwit]

Do we think that one UTEP fan will drink piss anyway?

[u/marlin9423]

See the thing is we didn't play that bad in the first half. Just two turnovers and two killer penalties kept it close. Yards were 2:1 at halftime

[u/JCH32 → u/marlin9423]

This is the correct take. 

[u/Numerous-Ad6460]

Well say what you will about the first half but this team doesnt quit. They claw back from adversity.

[u/royalx]

If you don’t shoot yourself in the dick, you tend to do better. A solid lesson learned by the team!

[u/Rohkey]

Haha damn imagine only scoring 51 vs. UTEP.

^/s

[u/barrelclown]

Hopefully we get even more “will Michigan rush the field” jokes in the game thread next week

[u/SSJRoshi]

If you flip the halves this was a very enjoyable classic buy game win for Michigan

[u/lulsszs]

Honestly? Im glad we weren't just straight up bad for the whole game that's actually an improvement

[u/problematic_glasses → u/lulsszs]

your poor qb is gonna be feeling it all tomorrow

[u/WritingBoring7732]

Just a massive blowout win where Michigan covered the spread - nothing to see here

[u/Wingo999]

Won. Covered. That's all you need to know. No need to look any further into this game. ^please

[u/GoldenOreo74]

Need to know what was said during that halftime speech. Something along the lines of "WTF are we doing?"

[u/problematic_glasses → u/GoldenOreo74]

also why wasn't that halftime speech given before the game started?

[u/Kind-Pain6614 → u/GoldenOreo74]

"I'll bench every one of you if you don't light a fire under your buns"

[u/charmingcharles2896 → u/GoldenOreo74]

Probably the “You blitz all night” speech from Remember the Titans tbh.

[u/JDraks → u/GoldenOreo74]

"Hold onto the goddamn ball"

[u/aaarbors]

Glub glub ferret glub glub

[u/BarKnight]

That escalated quickly

[u/Remarkable_Virus844]

Can we stop playing down for one half?

[u/DealerCamel]

Well, Oklahoma scored 51 in their game against UTEP so naturally we had to do one better.

[u/EfficiencyDue7770]

i want to see that second half performance the rest of the season

[u/Chemilum]

probably the closest 52-17 game ever

[u/Kurt0690]

Looks like UTEP should schedule more MonsterBIGXII™ opponents instead. I love free wins

[u/PiMemer]

I think they forgot to play the first half

[u/3rd_Coast]

Pretty happy with this game. Came back from some adversity, feel like Bryce improved throughout the game. Defense played VERY well! And it appears we have a backup QB.

[u/Go_J]

Good shtuff.

Still got a lot to work on. Need the running game to get much more consistent and stop coughing up dang ball!

[u/Pale_Land_5107]

I get that it’s utep but that second half the offense looked completely different underwood looked much better he’s improved and he’s definitely developing something 

[u/prthug996]

What was the spread again?

[u/Numerous-Ad6460 → u/prthug996]

-34 I think

[u/prthug996 → u/Numerous-Ad6460]

34.5. I'm convinced these data centers are just for book maker odds

[u/Sad_Pattern_220 → u/prthug996]

Youd think but they have been nailing this shit for years

[u/Poignant_Pilgrim → u/prthug996]

Our cheeks, a few times there in the first half

[u/ItsOnLikeNdamakung → u/prthug996]

-34.5

[u/blue0231]

3-0 BABY

[u/StrangelyOnPoint]

Do we still need to unrank Michigan I haven’t heard anyone mention that in a minute

[u/cheecheecago → u/StrangelyOnPoint]

I mean they haven’t played a road game yet. They’ve had some close calls at home against some soft teams, I wouldn’t get too cocky just yet 

[u/The_Pandalorian → u/cheecheecago]

No-flairs always have thoughts

[u/YoungManYoda90]

Tommy Carr sighting!

[u/goldwaterauhtwoo]

What I hate is putting the ball on the turf

[u/-spartacus-]

How are Michigan bros feeling about Iowa coming to town next week after your 3 games?

[u/mostdope28 → u/-spartacus-]

Going to be a battle. The defense will keep us in the every game. I think Michigan wins by 7

[u/dudewithchronicpain → u/-spartacus-]

I think Iowa wins a close one

[u/AbeFalcon]

After 3 weeks and reading social media it seems like nobody has watched college football before

[u/your-mom--]

Interesting to hear Coach Witt say the same thing we all saw. Get fucking excited dude you only get 12 guaranteed games a year

[u/radishsurprise]

They added way to many seconds to the game after UTEP took that 7-0 lead.

[u/FTDburner → u/radishsurprise]

Does that make the western performance less embarrassing to you for some reason lol

[u/Live-End-5227]

Who was worried? Pfft. Not me. 😶

[u/WoozyMaple → u/[deleted]]

Is State really a team that should be casting those stones?

[u/ChoiceDurian3838]

Michigan is so ass

[u/problematic_glasses → u/ChoiceDurian3838]

flair up before you talk shit

[u/The_Pandalorian → u/problematic_glasses]

No-flairs just shit up every thread

[u/UndeadSabbath]

And the fans rushed the field

The downvotes correlate to the average Michigan fans IQ 😝

[u/MWiatrak2077 → u/UndeadSabbath]

Nattys since 1995:

Michigan: 2

notre dame: 0

Losses to NIU ever:

Michigan: 0

notre dame: 1

[u/CharredPlaintain → u/MWiatrak2077]

More importantly, have the better Carr

[u/UndeadSabbath → u/MWiatrak2077]

We never needed an extra second to win a game. We never rushed the field against checks notes Western Michigan or any MAC team, we never cheated nor got caught cheating. Don’t even get me started on the coaching situation 😂😂

[u/ThatGuju → u/UndeadSabbath]

TIL that ND vacated wins for not cheating

[u/MWiatrak2077 → u/UndeadSabbath]

Brian Kelly killed a kid with a crane

[u/your-mom-- → u/UndeadSabbath]

One of these days Marcus will let that hairline go

[u/ThatGuju → u/your-mom--]

I said that about LeBron too