Simply stated, this is a painful game to watch as a Michigan fan. We are playing sloppy and have turned over the ball three times, two of which have led to Army touchdowns and account for Army leading 14 – 7 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
Army is no slouch. They were 11-2 last season and had a 9 game win streak. Their coach Jeff Monken has installed a potent option run attack in an era where spread offenses with wide-open passing dominates. They have a good team and all the pundits said this was going to be a tough game for Michigan. Through 3 Quarters it has been.
Army was driving for a third touchdown. On third and 5 to go for a touchdown, Army went for their second pass reception. Michigan intercepted and ran the ball back to about the 15. The offense, with help from a pass interference penalty by Army, moved the ball down the field and scored to tie the game at 14 – 14.
The problem for Michigan die-hards is that we are awaiting a return to what Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr the collective record was 360-101-9 and the winning percentage was 78.1%. The won a total of 21 Big Ten titles. Since then, Coaches Rich Rodriguez, Brady Hoke, and Jim Harbaugh an 84-56-0 record with a winning percentage of 60% and no Big Ten Titles.
Jim Harbaugh came in as head coach in 2015. The hype was crazy. It was assumed that Michigan would be immediately returning to the glory that many Michigan fans were accustomed to. We would be beating Michigan State and Ohio State again. We would be winning Big Ten titles again and we would be playoff contenders in the BCS. Harbaugh has had an improved record over Rodriguez and Hoke at 38-14 and a 73.6% winning percentage. But, he has most disappointing 0-4 record against archrival Ohio State and a less disappointing 2-2 record in-state rival Michigan State. Bowl games? He is 1-4 winning only in his first year. While his winning percentage is much improved over Rodriguez and Hoke, it has not match Schembechler, Moeller, and Carr. He also has established a reputation of not being able to win the big games.
There is 3:50 left in the Army game. The score is still 14-14. Michigan has the ball and has a drive going. The first string quarterback Shea Patterson just got hurt trying to extend a run. The very able Dylan McCaffrey came in on third and short. He handed off for no gain. They went for it on fourth down and didn’t get it. Army is now driving and is close to field goal range with :17 left in the game. I am just sitting here awaiting a sad outcome or overtime. The ball is on the 32 with :02 left. The kicker is attempting his first college field goal attempt. Michigan has just iced him. The kick is up and… we are going into overtime.
As fans, we want exciting games. Michigan fans, at this point, want dominating defensive efforts and offenses that put up 14 or more points a quarter. We are just not getting that.
Army struck first blood in the OT and leads 21-14. Michigan has to get a TD now. They made it look easy.
This new offense is not impressive. They turn the ball over too much and run too much for what was supposed to be a no-huddle spread. We are making it look hard. Michigan just scored a TD. We are tied 21-21.
Michigan was upfront in the second OT. Three incomplete pass attempts and a field goal gives Michigan a 24-21 lead. Army takes over. They ran on the first two downs. The first was for no gain and the second was for a loss. On third down, Army dropped back to pass, sack, fumble, Michigan recovered, and that is all she wrote. Michigan beats a very good Army team 24-21 in two overtimes.
Whew!
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