Grading the Bucks: Week 13 -- TTUN

That's the stuff....stick it in my veins

Offense: A
MVP: Dwayne Haskins, QB
What. A. Performance!  I knew our offense was capable of great things, but the wolverine defense has been great all year.  That didn't stop Heisman Trophy finalist (I'd assume), Dwayne Haskins, from making mincemeat out of Don Brown's defense.  The major surprise from the game was the offensive line that was just spectacular given the circumstances.  Winovich and Gary were quiet all day which is a testament to much (MUCH) improved play by the Big Uglies.  Welcome to the party, Chris Olave and have yourself a game.  Mike Weber had a quiet 96 yards on the ground which went somewhat unnoticed but was a huge accomplishment.  Honestly, the drive of the game was the FG added just before half (should have been 6, but important nonetheless).  After allowing Michigan to pull within 2 just to a gaffe of epic proportions, the Bucks drove down the field in about 40 seconds to score points in the waning seconds of the half.  Talk about stabilizing the momentum shift.  An enormous series. 6 passing TDs and 62 points against the country's number 1 defense? I'll take it.

Defense: B
MVP: Malik Harrison, LB
The defense gave up 39 points but played very well (most of those points came in garbage time--i.e., the latter 2/3 of the game).  Chase Young played well, but there wasn't a great deal of pressure on Shea Patterson most of the game.  The star of the defense was Malik Harrison who was phenomenal making tackles all over the field.  It was a welcome change to see the linebackers step up in a HUGE game.  Even the secondary stepped up (Sheffield was burned on 2 amazing catches where you just tip your cap and move on).  The reason for the defensive resurgence was more due to the Wolverines style of play (1950s football) than to turning a corner on defense, but I'll take it.  The Bullets of 2018 are designed to stop a power running attack and attack short passing routes which made this game a walk.  The problems come against spread offenses with 5 foot tall burners (see Purdue, Maryland, everyone else).  Northwestern might prove a little sneaky next week because power team they are not.

Special Teams: ??
MVP: Chris Olave, WR
The unit with the biggest crap yourself play (Demario McCall's fumble on the kickoff) and nearly sealing the deal (blocked punt for TD).  The fumble could have gone down in history as the biggest bonehead play in the history of the rivalry.  While Michigan was being absolutely dominated in the first half, they were able to pull within 2 with less than a minute to go based on a ridiculous mistake.  The punt block set all right and saved this unit from ignominy.  I don't know how to grade a unit with the highest of the highs and lowest of the lows, but here we are.

Coaching: B+
The coaches finally worked up a scheme.  Maybe it was the last 5-10 weeks in which we looked clueless all coming to a head, but the team was ready to go.  I watched the UM/IU game and saw the Wolverines get destroyed on the crossing routes as well as every pass in the middle of the field.  The coaches made the adjustment and exploited the weakness.  Somehow they got the linebackers anticipating the plays (correctly) and forced some discipline.  Somehow the better athletes looked like...the better athletes.  Amazing what a little work from the coaching staff can accomplish.  I was really excited to see the Tate Martell package and...oops.  This was the part of the plan that didn't work at all.  They needed to read the room after the initial failure (no one believes he'll pass....maybe try it?).  When the Martell package stalled on first attempt and Haskins is cookin', maybe it's time to put that away for the remainder of the game and fix it before rolling it back out.  The second appearance of Martell was just sad, and I felt for Tate as I think this could be used effectively (later this year even), but not on last Saturday.  Michigan is sound in the QB run defense and wasn't having anything to do with him.

Overall: A
The defense still gave up a ton, but a dominant win over Michigan always gets an A.  As I tweeted, the best part about this win was that they REALLY believed it was their year.  They truly thought the years of punishment were at an end...and we smacked them, gave them a swirly, and sent them packing.  The fans are starting to question if they'll ever win again....I hope not.

GO OHIO! BEAT THE WILDCATS!