Ok.

Posted on September 10, 2026 at 04:49:10 PM by gbmcq

None of these are excuses and problems in their own right, but there's been some consistent themes I've gotten from people since the game ended.

They were not taking Western seriously. They spent time prepping for OU. They thought they could go vanilla or work through some things (extend camp) without impacting the game. There are coaches on offense and defense that have admitted the gameplan didn't suit the game and they didn't adjust. Coaches have admitted they probably didn't rotate the way they wanted, didn't realize how bad the snap counts were for some players.

I think they were shocked how bad the first half went. Had a plan for the second half, then after the punt came the near 14-minute drive, and before they knew it, they were losing and running out of time.

All that to say, talent isn't the issue. There were six MASSIVE missed assignment plays that could have led to explosive touchdowns. This game should be a wake up call to players and coaches, and all I've heard this week is that practice has been very good.

None of this matters until Saturday, but yeah.

Back to the board

Thread:

I hope I don't regret this... McQ&A?* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:36:01 PM
- Will Palepale get more than 6 snaps? (nm) - By danny September 10, 2026 at 05:29:36 PM
  - I don't know. Pierce and Etta were really good, Jonah played well too. And they used DEs at 3T like I was hoping they would. More guys at DE playing probably means more NASCAR and more DE at DT.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:34:37 PM
- Isnt it insane to talk about starting Carr before sat Rutgers? - By y2wolv September 10, 2026 at 05:14:57 PM
  - CJ was a legit top QB in his RS Soph season. If Bryce face-plants Sat I'm all about trying Tommy* - By mtb September 10, 2026 at 05:54:20 PM
  - Disagree. Things are different now. Yes, Bryce could’ve used 2-3 years to sit like Vince Young did. But it’s different now. There is a lot more pressure to perform immediately. And he’s getting paid handsomely for it. - By toffee September 10, 2026 at 05:34:05 PM
    - Bryce does not get benched unless he shows he is unfixable. If he gets benched he will never play at Michigan again.* - By WOK September 10, 2026 at 05:38:38 PM
      - Doesn't need to be benched, but maybe you start giving Carr some 2nd halves (if possible)* - By mtb September 10, 2026 at 05:55:10 PM
      - This is where I'm at.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:40:33 PM
    - But he's already playing and he's getting paid no matter what. Benching him for also not ready true freshman Tommy Carr changes what about the fact he is getting paid a lot?* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:35:55 PM
  - Say what??? "But this year is about getting him right for 2027" I didn't sign up for that . I want more than that * - By Spirit September 10, 2026 at 05:33:29 PM
    - Right. That's so revisionist it's insane. That's what LAST year was about* - By mtb September 10, 2026 at 05:56:53 PM
  - No, I agree, and well said. You articulated better what I said below.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:16:57 PM
    - I could see them try to get Carr a series or two in games after Oklahoma to get his feet wet but not a 48 offensive snap type game. ** - By django September 10, 2026 at 05:29:34 PM
- Is the team too light? (nm) - By GritsGoBlue September 10, 2026 at 05:07:36 PM
  - Need to bench press more for sure. No, I don't think so. I am reserving OL judgement for after Saturday because even if the OL improves a lot of the stuff that can be improved in one week, OU is a massive test.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:09:56 PM
- Kimi better than Max?* - By carlson September 10, 2026 at 05:02:00 PM
  - Monza was very Max-like. No way is he better today, but man Kimi looks like the real deal. If he consistently has a car he can with, his career is going to be something else.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:08:49 PM
    - I've been watching F1 for a long time and I can't recall ever seeing this level of improvement in one year..... - By carlson September 10, 2026 at 05:24:18 PM
      - I gave a lot of credit to the car early, but now? With what he's done to his teammate, with the other cars catching up, and what he did at Monza. Yeah, people aren't freaking out enough about what he's doing.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:25:28 PM
        
        NOT saying he is another Senna, but refusing to go easy and just doing what he needs to win is very Senna like. He had Monza won, Toto is on the radio telling him to take it easy, and the kid pushes HARD for the fastest lap... on the very last lap. That is Max & Senna like. * - By Spirit September 10, 2026 at 06:01:05 PM
        
        I told you, maybe it's the look, but that's who he reminds me of.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 09:07:49 PM
- Are you hearing anything regarding how the coaches are handling Bryce and what their plan is? Also, anything from the players only meeting and the general feel going into this week from the coaches/players?* - By django September 10, 2026 at 05:01:09 PM
  - Re: Are you hearing anything regarding how the coaches are handling Bryce and what their plan is? Also, anything from the players only meeting and the general feel going into this week from the coaches/players?* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:07:31 PM
    - Thanks Q * - By django September 10, 2026 at 05:12:02 PM
- do you like - By tem September 10, 2026 at 04:54:42 PM
  - Man, that's depressing lol.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:04:16 PM
  - Replace Matrix with The 'Burbs * - By Spirit September 10, 2026 at 04:59:18 PM
- I don't see Carr playing Saturday barring injury. With that being said, how bad does Bryce have to be for Carr to be the starter going into UTEP? (m) - By Spirit September 10, 2026 at 04:54:22 PM
  - For Carr to START at UTEP? Whew, not just bad, but Bryce needs to become uncoachable. Whitt likes Bryce and believes in him and is willing to trust the development and time it may take. So Bryce needs to stall and Whitt think it's the end before a starting change is made IMO.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:02:30 PM
    - I think Michigan wins Saturday so I'm not suggesting that. However, the statement above that this season is about getting Bryce ready for 2027 is bullshit * - By Spirit September 10, 2026 at 05:37:14 PM
      - Yeah, I'd say its more so the coaches expected there to be some development across this season, and that 2027 would be his peak year. That said, the mistakes he made and the amount he reverted back to bad habits was very concerning. I think staff said look, growing pains fine, but this was all bad.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:41:45 PM
      - I think, right or wrong, many hoped he would slowly (steadily) improve this year and be full blown by 2027. Of course, after game 1, people are no losing patience.. - By ameriKa September 10, 2026 at 05:41:07 PM
- Has you level of trust that the staff is being truthful shifted at all after seeing the live product?* - By WOK September 10, 2026 at 04:53:39 PM
  - No. I know people say they lied, fall camp hype was a lie, etc, but multiple things can be true. - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:01:18 PM
- balon d'or prediction? yamal right?** - By kal September 10, 2026 at 04:49:33 PM
  - Mbappe.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:51:13 PM
    - wow** - By kal September 10, 2026 at 05:00:12 PM
- Are you regretting this yet?* - By Cap September 10, 2026 at 04:46:55 PM
  - No, going great lol.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:49:54 PM
- overall prediction for Saturday...and is BFN ready to go if needed?* - By Jason September 10, 2026 at 04:46:42 PM
  - Michigan 24 Oklahoma 20* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:49:46 PM
    - Welcome in. Water’s warm right?…..* - By ameriKa September 10, 2026 at 05:47:30 PM
    - you're silly * - By Nikos September 10, 2026 at 04:54:21 PM
- Is Coach Whitt napping in his office at Schem? (nm) - By suede September 10, 2026 at 04:41:56 PM
  - Kudos to him! -- Poster P* ;-) - By Cap September 10, 2026 at 04:55:06 PM
  - Bowling alley.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:49:21 PM
    - Comfy couches there?* - By django September 10, 2026 at 05:02:52 PM
- Give me a reason for optimism wrt to the offense* - By Daytripper September 10, 2026 at 04:40:17 PM
  - Ok. - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:49:10 PM
    - ty* - By Daytripper September 10, 2026 at 05:31:14 PM
    - heh, i remember watching their drive in the 3rd. one minute i was watching, playing a little on my ipad then looked up and saw the end of the 3rd. was not good.** - By kal September 10, 2026 at 05:02:47 PM
    - This is not what I wanted to hear. - By LS&Play September 10, 2026 at 05:00:17 PM
      - That's not the same thing as what I'm saying I don't think?* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 05:03:51 PM
- Are practices harder or less hard under Whittingham than they were under either Moore or Harbaugh?* - By brick September 10, 2026 at 04:39:12 PM
  - Hmm. That's difficult. I'd say based on player comments I've gotten over the years, Harbaugh's could be too physical, Moore's were hard because they could be longer and compacted, and Whitt's are challenging but players seem more positive about it. If that makes sense?* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:45:26 PM
    - Interesting; thank you!* - By brick September 10, 2026 at 05:00:23 PM
- Snaps for Manuel “Everything” Beigel?* - By LS&Play September 10, 2026 at 04:38:58 PM
  - Down. 10?* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:43:59 PM
- would Whitt be one and done at 4-8? * - By Nikos September 10, 2026 at 04:38:15 PM
  - I would think not, but, new AD coming in and maybe Whitt himself thinks uh oh? They're not going 4-8 anyway.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:43:47 PM
- How many alarm bells are sounding after that Bryce presser? Am i overreacting?* - By crumbs September 10, 2026 at 04:37:20 PM
  - I didn't like it with my immediate reaction, but Bryce has never been good at those. I think he was more frustrated with the reporter than Whitt in that moment as well. I think the context is we hate the presser because of how he played. If he beats Oklahoma, no one cares.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:43:00 PM
- What do you think is the most reasonable source of improvement in the offense. (The more specific the better)?* - By ftb September 10, 2026 at 04:37:13 PM
  - Offensive line, easy. Whitt and Beck were very honest, public and behind the scenes that they messed up. Gameplan, rotation, RHINO usage. I think they players themselves know they played "soft" at times, but coaches know they messed up too.* - By gbmcq September 10, 2026 at 04:40:05 PM
    - Good.* - By ftb September 10, 2026 at 04:42:41 PM