The deeper this season goes, the more questions arise.
Michigan, engulfed in a sign-stealing scandal that led to a three-game suspension for coach Jim Harbaugh — his second banishment of the season — remains a large question mark.
Was the sign-stealing that much of an advantage? Was Michigan limited by playing without Harbaugh on Saturday? Is this team not nearly as good as some thought?
The Wolverines’ first legitimate test after a season-long parade of cupcakes didn’t reveal much in the way of answers. It was a quality win, though it hardly was impressive. Entering the showdown, the common belief was that Michigan was the premier team in the Big Ten, on a different level than Ohio State. It didn’t look like it against Penn State. The Buckeyes actually may be better. They’ve certainly played a tougher schedule, highlighted by a win at Notre Dame, and they will have the best player on the field in Ann Arbor on Nov. 25 in Heisman Trophy contender Marvin Harrison Jr.
Of course, you have to give Michigan credit for finding a way to win in a hostile environment without its leader, who was suspended by the Big Ten on Friday for violating the league’s sportsmanship policy after an investigation into the alleged sign-stealing operation.
Then again, I expected more defiance in terms of its translating into dominance. The team wore “Michigan vs. Everybody” shirts and winter hats to the game. After the victory, an emotional offensive coordinator and line coach Sherrone Moore, Harbaugh’s replacement, went off on a profanity-laced tirade.
“Coach Harbaugh, I f—ing love you, man,” Moore said while fighting back tears. “I love the s— out of you, man! I did this for you. … For this university, the president, our [athletic director]. We got the best players, best university, best alumni in the country. Love you guys.”
The actual play on the field left a lot to be desired. Oddly, Michigan opted to pass just eight times, running the ball on 32 straight plays at one point. That was enough to beat Penn State and big-game-challenged coach James Franklin, who is 3-17 against top-10 teams as the Nittany Lions coach. That same conservative philosophy won’t get it done against Ohio State. Maybe Harbaugh will be back for that game if Michigan can win its request for a temporary restraining order against the Big Ten and commissioner Tony Petitti. A hearing is scheduled for Friday.
It certainly seemed like Michigan missed Harbaugh on Saturday. It will have to play much better in two weeks to get past Ohio State, whether Harbaugh is on the sidelines or not. Maybe by then, we’ll have answers to our many Michigan questions.
Milroe’s maturation shows
So much has changed for Alabama since the first few weeks of the season. The defense has found its footing. Young players have grown up. But no factor has been bigger than the play of quarterback Jalen Milroe, who has gone from being benched to playing as well as anyone in the country.
He has produced 18 touchdowns over the last five games, and had a hand in finding pay dirt six times — yes, six! — in the Crimson Tide’s blowout of Kentucky on Saturday that clinched the SEC West title. He became the first Alabama player to ever throw for three touchdowns and run for three more in the same game. An argument can be made that Milroe should receive an invite to New York City in mid-December as a Heisman Trophy finalist; the sophomore has been that dominant of late.
His season could’ve gone in different directions after coach Nick Saban sent him to the bench following the Sept. 9 home loss to Texas. He handled it well, reclaimed his job and hasn’t looked back. It was reminiscent somewhat of how Jalen Hurts dealt with getting replaced by Tua Tagovailoa in the 2018 national championship game. Milroe has displayed similar leadership qualities.
Good work if you can get it
Jimbo Fisher is going to get a ton of money, a buyout upward of $75 million, to not coach Texas A&M anymore. He should give some of that cash to Jameis Winston. Without Winston, Fisher never sniffs the Texas A&M job.
In the two years Winston was his quarterback, Fisher went combined 27-1 and won a national championship. His 12 other seasons as a head coach: 101-47. That averages out to an annual record of 8.4-3.9, which is basically what he has done for the Aggies with a 45-25 mark across six years. That’s incredibly mediocre, and sure wouldn’t have landed him a job as good as A&M’s.
Fisher isn’t a great coach, but his agent, Jimmy Sexton, is a Hall of Fame negotiator.