What was Michigan`s strength of schedule?
So BEFORE the game it's "we're going to beat them because we played a tougher schedule."
AFTER the game - if we lose - it'll be "they got a free pass to the playoffs," which is the same excuse we heard when Clemson wiped the floor with us at the end of 2018. This is why I hate "strength of schedule" arguments.
Fiutak is pretty good most of the time, but I have a few problems with the threads of evidence he's trying to compile to make his argument:
1) Sort of like it was Georgia’s time over the last two seasons after coming close to big things, and a bit like it was Clemson’s turn in 2016 and 2018, Michigan appears to be ready to make this season its own.
This comparison doesn't even wash. 2015 Clemson lost to Alabama (basically) by one play (artificially) and then won the next year when (take your pick or both of them) Jalen wasn't a passer, Scarborough got hurt, pick plays, and won on the technical last play from scrimmage against an exhausted defense. Michigan lost to a team that got blown out by 58 points.
Those are
NOT similar accomplishments. And Georgia has been in contention since 2017, not 2021. "Couldn't beat the (second) worst team chosen for the CFP" isn't the win Fiutak thinks it is here.
2) Texas QB Quinn Ewers was able to hit the throws and go on the drives needed in the 2023 season-defining win in Tuscaloosa.
Ewers threw for 500 more yards than McCarthy did - despite playing two fewer games and being hurt. Oh, and not having the advantage of knowing the other team's signals for that matter.
And what drives did Ewers actually do? Texas won by ten points caused by two turnovers where Texas started with the ball at the Alabama 30 and the Alabama 5. In the first one, they took 10 plays INSIDE THE 30-yard-line to KICK A FIELD GOAL!!!! But yes, Quinn Ewers was totally the Second Coming of Tebow-Cam-Manziel on that drive!!!
Ewers only had one actual sustained drive that was impressive, in the fourth quarter. He hit two other big plays for TDs early, which (wait for it) Michigan hasn't really done this year. He and Texas deserve all the credit in the world for executing, but I fail to see how this is really relevant to a team that hasn't hit big plays, too.
3) Texas A&M had one of the best defensive lines in America, and Alabama’s ground game was held to 23 yards on 26 carries.
This is a tad bit misleading, though.
McClelland had 12 of those carries for 45 yards. And nearly half of those were in the final 5 minutes when Alabama was intentionally playing it close to the vest to hold onto what they could of a 9-point lead, meaning the whole damn stadium knew basically what play was coming.
You see, Alabama wasn't overly concerned with inflicting a "double-digit home loss" on Jimbo.
What lowered the rushing yards was Milroe got sacked six times and was far less cool under pressure then than he was after that game. Let's not deny he has improved.
Bear in mind Alabama rushed for 114 yards against a better Georgia defense WITHOUT MCCLELLAN!!! Now, I'm not saying we should totally discount what happened in October, but keep two other points in mind: a) that game was IN College Station; b) aTm was a completely different team at home than on the road (seriously - go look - they were 6-1 at Kyle Field and only lost to Alabama by six). I could point out their coach at the time had a special animus for Alabama as well but whatever.
4) Bama needs to be able to run at least 40 times.
If Alabama runs the ball 40 times - most likely - it is a blowout and Saban is trying to keep the playbook vanilla and not embarrass Michigan.
5) Minnesota is the only team that got close with 39 carries, and it lost by 42.
Minnesota threw a Pick Six on the second play from scrimmage in that game.
They had another Pick Six in the second half, and Minnesota then ran the last 11 plays from scrimmage to keep from losing worse than they did.
This is not exactly evidence of anything other than Minnesota is the second-worst team in the B1G.
