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]](https://i0.wp.com/mvictors.com/images/2014/pg5.jpg?resize=960%2C1440&ssl=1)
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.
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.
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:
