#18 Michigan vs. #11 USC
September 21, 2024 at 12:40pm
Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI: 110,702 (of 109,901)
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes

CommBro Breaker

The real CommBro Breaker of the week was that Miller Moss completed passes to only nine receivers this game. Apparently his power is only activated when that 10th receiver catches the ball. Not only have we figured out the exact reason USC lost, we have uncovered the mystery of the conspiracy. I can now safely end this post.

 

 

 

 

 

No, of course that wasn’t actually the end. No matter how much I wish I could end it that quickly with how little time I have, I could never do that. I’d rather not post anything at all (a habit I got too comfortable with the past five years) then make a joke of a post like that, but I digress…

USC took on its first conference game as a Big Ten member and it had to be on the road against the defending National Champs. It wasn’t any regular road game either, as the Big House boasts the largest official capacity in all of the United States—and their reported attendance numbers were even higher than that. Luckily, the Trojans an entire bye week to prepare for the game, but it really didn’t look like they took advantage of it.

The offense didn’t just come out looking flat, but the offensive line spent a good amount of time flat on the ground. So much so, they substituted players in the second half and proceeded to…spend slightly less time on the floor. Tack on the receivers dropping passes again, they had Miller Moss feeling more harassed than a sea turtle hatchling crossing the beach.

Outside of three blown plays, the defense did decently (runs of 53 yards, 41 yards, 63 yards, which total to about half Michigan’s total yards). Two were due to poor positioning and one due to poor tackling. In the end, that’s pure copium though. Michigan scored as a result of those three plays and gave them enough to win the game. Besides, is it really a brag to allow a one-dimensional team run for 290 yards? Don’t get me wrong, being the first year of this defensive turnaround, the change is still impressive, but there are still things for them to work on.

Even the bright spots had some blemishes. Halfway through the third quarter, Michigan still had not managed to score (or really move the ball) that half, but Moss helped them along with an interception on the perimeter. The quick pick six to put the Wolverines up two scores again. Woody Marks decides to take the ball down to the 2-yard line with a 65-yard run, which the offensive line botched with a false start. Costly when the offense had to fight for every yard. The ensuing crucial 3rd down play resulted in a sack/fumble that was very nearly returned for a game-clinching touchdown. Woody Marks saved the day again with not only stopping the defensive lineman from scoring, but doing a clean strip and recovery that looked straight out of a video game. The double possession change even reset it to first down. It’s sad that’s what it took to finally score.

Then towards the end of the game, on the second to last USC drive, they picked the wrong time to dip back into all their problems: poor OL play leading to rushed (incomplete) passes, false starts, and, ultimately, a 3-and-out. The outcomes likely would’ve been better if they kneeled it three times. At least they would’ve burned more time and put more pressure on Michigan to throw with under 3 minutes to go.

The officiating was also subject to some criticism. There were definitely a few obvious missed facemask penalties, horse collar tackle, delay of game on 4th-and-1 that allowed a conversion, and some no-calls that might’ve even led to the injuries. They were egregious enough that the broadcast commentators made mention of several. In a game this close, every bit matters, and those very well could have been difference makers. You could argue they should have just played better and it wouldn’t have mattered. But of course we have to point it out.

Given the total penalty yardage for both sides in the game was 57 yards, the refs probably just let everything play out—Or we can claim our favorite thing here: CONSPIRACY. One of the refs, Chris Coyte, is actually a Pac-12 transplant. HMMM.

Good/Badisms

Good: Blocking the PAT after Moss’ pick six could have been huge, since a field goal at any point could have sent this game to overtime. It also provided a morale boost after a rough play

Bad: That being said, not being to drive down the field at the end to get into field goal range and taking a sack just outside of field goal range at the end of the first half could have gotten that aforementioned overtime.

Bad: Despite the blocked PAT, there were still some errors with special teams (too many people on the field, too few people, etc.)

Bad: Continued red zone scoring issues. USC currently sits at #77 (of 134) on red zone touchdown percentage

Good: Eric Gentry forcing and recovering the Donovan Edwards fumble that set up the go-ahead score. He also led the team in total tackles (12), tackles for a loss (3), and tied on sacks (1).

Bad: 8 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, and a countless number of QB hits and pressures allowed by the offense.

Bad: Not being able to pick up a first down until the second quarter.

Push: Woody Marks got his second 100-yard rushing game in a row, and fourth of his career. More than half the yards came from that one run though.

Good: The USC defense impressively held Michigan to a 4th down from 1st and 6 at the goal line. If only they were able to finish that last play (or get the holding call, if you want to argue that).

Good: The #4s on both sides of the ball were extremely impactful. Woody Marks for the aforementioned reasons, and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold with some key tackles that weren’t flashy, but were crucial open field tackles that stopped first downs in the first half.

Really Bad: I didn’t proofread this time…like at all

Double CommBro Breaker

Somehow a Lincoln Riley team became a lower scoring, defensive team. While the whole team has things to improve on (including Riley’s own decision-making), a consistent offensive line would instantly make this a playoff team without any other changes.

Uplifting (?) Stat of the Week: Czaplicki has cemented his spot at #1 average yards per punt, more than an entire 2 yards per punt higher than the #2.

Uplifting Stat of the Week #2: While they allowed 3 big plays this game, the USC defense sits #13 nationally in allowing plays of 10+ yards

Semi-misleading Stat of the Week: The USC offense had an astounding 9 drives of four plays or less. Only semi-misleading because most of them were bad, but it’s inflated by two and three play touchdown drives.

Useless Stat of the Week: On that crazy fumble off of fumble drive, it went 6 plays for 66 yards. Are you superstitious?