Grading the Bucks: M!ch!g@n

Offense: B
A situation of winning despite ourselves.  Miller was great early on but tailed off quickly against an overrated UM defense (yes, they haven't allowed a 200 yard passer, but they haven't faced an elite passer--and Miller had 125 in the 1st quarter).  I was surprised by the lack of creativity on offense, but do what you have to to win.  Hyde was sensational again, running extremely hard are converting key 3rd downs when needed.  The receivers were lackadaisical which has been a theme ever since Hazell left to lead the Golden Flashes to the BCS (!).  Going into the offseason, I hope Braxton's football IQ gets an overhaul--someday he'll figure out that this isn't high school.  His ability to diagnose the defense/pick up the blitz is still below average and needs improvement.  I expect great strides with another year of experience...oh yeah, we didn't lose this year...

Defense: D/A
Had to separate this by half.  The first half was a comedy of errors with blown assignments (CJ Barnett was out of position on every play), missed tackles, and a three-stooges-esque 'tackle' on Denard by Bryant and Howard (allowing a huge 70+ yard run with 40 seconds to go in the half).  The defense looked confused and immature.  Then halftime happened.  Give major credit to the defensive coaches for their adjustments because the second half was some Silver Bullet dominance.  Shazier and Boren played some of the best linebacker ever completely shutting the Wolverines down.  The picture of Boren plastering Gardner is just spectacular.  Roby has tailed off at the end of the year, but the entire team stepped up for the final half of their season.

Special Teams: B
Basil, with 6 FG attempts this season coming into the game, was phenomenal going 4 for 5 with a HUGE 52 yard FG as time expired in the half. The detractor was a major gaffe by Corey Brown fumbling the punt early, allowing UM to take an early lead.  Other than that, special teams were so-so.

Coaching: B-/A- 
Offensively, I give the coaching a B- because there were many plays on which Hyde was on absolute fire and they opted for a pass...with a line that struggles in pass pro and a QB that can't diagnose the blitz.  The goalline stand by the Wolverines was a serious coaching blunder in my opinion.  2nd and 1 from the 2 and Tom Herman calls a slow developing play action...where UM is bringing the house and Miller can't see it.  Miller was absolutely destroyed because he missed the read and the RT couldn't block the all out blitz.  After that play, a bad snap forced a FG on a series that should have easily resulted in 6.  Another instance of giving the sun and blue a glimmer of hope (so maybe it wasn't too bad). I'm giving the defensive coaches an A- for the incredible halftime adjustments.  Can't go full A due to the ridiculous 1st half, but they showed fantastic ability to adapt and adjust.

Overall: B
Any win over that school up north is a great one, especially one that culminates in the 6th undefeated untied season in OSU history.  It may not have been the buttwhooping it should have been, but the result was correct.  Send the Wolverines into another offseason of 'what-if' while Buckeye Nation looks forward optimistically and end this season with a completely different 'what-if'...  No time to waste worrying about 2012.  It's over; it was perfect; let it stand on its own.  On to 2013 and the undefeated season defense.  Congrats to Urban!  Congrats to the 2012 Buckeyes! 12-0 is sweet no matter the circumstances.