I know, you think that's my one-word description of those idiots continuing to defend the memos.

It is, but the purpose of this post was to describe the play of the Wolverine offense against Notre Dame throught the third quarter.

The play calling is atrocious, and when it's good, the execution sucks. They only seem to have two pass plays--a low-percentage long ball down the field, or a short play almost deliberately contrived to avoid being caught beyond the first-down marker. The Irish O-line is making Michigan's look like schoolgirls. Unable to score a touchdown, they may still win this, but they sure don't deserve to. And if they do, it will be the defense and special teams (at least the field-goal kicking unit, and ignoring the guy who tripped Breaston for the fumble) who will be responsible, not the offense.

[Update]

Talk about dumb play calling. Why didn't Notre Dame go for two, after that gift of an interception? Now Michigan can (at least in theory) win it with another field goal (the only offense they're capable of today).

[Update]

A draw play on third and nineteen? A draw play on third and nineteen?!!!!!

Sure, why not.

They deserved that blocked punt. Why not give them the gift of another TD? I mean, it's not like they had any plans to score any more this game anyway.

[Update]

Clearly, the offense needs a lot of work. They are not going to win this game. The only chance at this point is a returned interception.

It's nice to excuse them because they lost Underwood early, but if your offense becomes totally ineffective because you lose your best runner, you don't have much of an offense. Losing Underwood would explain a couple touchdowns in the margin, but not the inability to get into the end zone completely. At least not for a team with the bench depth that Michigan should.

[Update

OK, so they've scored again, off another turnover. Why not?

You can't blame the defense for this (you can rarely blame the defense for a Michigan loss). They're worn out. They've been on the field for far too much of the time, because the offense is...what was the word again? Oh, yeah, up in the post title.

[Update]

OK, as usual, they tease, getting a TD two and a half minutes before the end of the game. Of course, just to tie, they have to get two points after, and repeat the feat...

[Update]

OK, they get the two points, but miss the on-side kick. Now, of course, I have to watch to see if the defense can make a last stand.

[Wrapup]

As I said, the offense lost this game. The Dee did as well as possible under the circumstances, but the O came alive a few minutes too late.

This isn't the end of the season, but it's probably the end of any hopes of a (mythical) national championship for the Woverines this year (unless they go the rest of the season undefeated, and Notre Dame ends up number one at the end of the season).

Carr has to take his O coach to the woodshed, and perhaps even considering replacing him. As I said in the post title, this was a pathetic performance on the part of the Michigan offense.

Rand, I'm going to venture a guess that you're a Michigan fan/alum...

That was just a lucky guess.

Perhaps we can do this again during the Iowa/Michigan game? Should be a good one. The Big House is always good for 7 points, at least.

I was always good at figuring out the obvious.

As a proud UM alum (Go BLUE!) I live blogged the game as well. Had to stop after their final score. I just completed my thoughts about the worst part of the team (O-line) and turned off all electronic devices.

It was depressing.