Statement Saturday | Dr. Sap’s Decals

An epic dose of decals delivered by Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis:

Statement Saturday?  To quote Ricardo Montalban from Fantasy Island: “Indeed!”

But this game was more of a wood-shedding.  My gosh that was great to see!
This is the most impressive November home win, from start to finish since…I don’t know?  Seriously.  When was the last time a Michigan football team looked that dominant, against a ranked opponent, at home, in November?  You’d have to go back to 1995 against Ohio State, but I put this game ahead of that one.

I’ve been holding back on this statement for a few weeks now, but can’t hold back any longer.  Admit it.  I have.  This team is special.

OFFENSIVE CHAMPION – The offensive line set the tone on the opening drive, and then Shea Patterson took over – on the ground and through the air.

[Shea Patterson - Mark Kolanowski photo]
[photo: Mark Kolanowski]

When your QB can make plays throwing the ball and running the ball, well, not only are you tough to defend but like Bo used to say, “Having a QB that can run and pass forces the defense to defend and account for everybody.” Patterson is not just a thrower.  He can hurt you with his feet as well.  Just ask Penn State.

DEFENSIVE CHAMPION – I can remember watching SEC teams the past 10-20 years and just marveled at how dominant their D-lines were. I mean, they dictated the game. They stuffed the run and made opponents one-dimensional in their attack.

Chase Winovich (Penn State-Michigan 2018)
Chase Winovich (Penn State-Michigan 2018) – [photo: Mark Kolanowski]

Sound familiar?  That’s exactly where Michigan’s D-line is at right now. Winovich, Uche, Gary – that entire unit is that dominant.  Just like those SEC D-lines were a few years ago. The old axiom still rings true today: Defense wins championships.  Don Brown’s Dudes are that kind of dominant!

COACHING CHAMPION – I’ve already mentioned Don Brown and his Dudes, but really the entire coaching staff deserves a helmet sticker for this victory.  They had an extra week to prepare for Penn State and prepared they were – in all phases of the game.  Teams need to gel & be cohesive to win, but the same holds true for the coaching staff.

Coach Don Brown with Jim Harbaugh - Michigan vs. Penn State @MVictors - Mark Kolanowski photo

I’m not inside Schembechler Hall and I’m not at practice nor am I in meetings, but I get the sense that these coaches are doing a great job of teaching.  Remember all the pain-points of last year?  All have been erased & turned into positives. That’s coaching.

UNIFORM CHAMPION – Earlier this week did you hear Penn State coach James Franklin call out Michigan’s defensive backs for holding?  A classic coaching ploy to garner notice for the officials to look for it in the game. Michigan’s reaction?  White gloves for everybody – not just the DBs – to blend in nicely with PSU’s all-white road uniforms.

For what it’s worth, I noticed only one holding call on Michigan’s DBs.  Details are important, at every level of the game.  

That’s the winning edge & winning difference.  Don’t underestimate it.

Need more?  Here’s more content from Saturday’s Penn State-Michigan game: