Real Kato Blog: CFB 2024: Week 6

Michigan makes another change at quarterback, but still loses to Washington.

Michigan 17, Washington 27
With the Michigan offense struggling to gain traction (again), Washington jumped out to a 14-0 lead and it was looking pretty grim. To nearly everyone's surprise, Michigan benched Alex Orji and trotted out Jack Tuttle at QB. I had thought Tuttle was still injured, or that at best he was third string on the depth chart. But on he came, and he provided an instant spark. He seemed like a real quarterback, progressing through reads and quickly identifying open receivers. The threat of the passing game then opened up the running game, and Michigan surprisingly scored on three consecutive drives to lead 17-14.

The spark did not last, though, as Tuttle coughed up two game-killing turnovers, one a fumble and one an interception. Both can probably be chalked up to not getting enough repetitions, though, and I don't want to discount the striking change in the personality of the team that Tuttle provided. I think he's clearly QB1 at this point, and maybe a bye week will give him the practice time he needs to gel with the rest of the offense.

What we really can't forgive, though, is the play of the offensive line, in particular freshman RT Evan Link, who is very much in over his head. Michigan was again without Miles Hinton in this game. If he's healthy in two weeks for the Illinois game, he'll be back at LT, and it would be mind-boggling if Jeff Persi doesn't get the start at RT over Link.

The defensive secondary left a lot to be desired as well. I counted four instances where CB Jyaire Hill slipped or fell down in coverage, which suggests an issue with his footwork. Michigan doesn't really have any depth behind him, though, so they're probably going to have keep going with the guys they have. But I dunno, maybe there's a coaching problem here? DB coach Lamar Morgan is experienced and accomplished, but I keep seeing these guys out of position and playing with poor technique.

In all, Michigan lost as I expected them to, but it actually feels better to lose and see some semblance of improvement than to win ugly games in undeserving fashion. With Tuttle at the helm, Michigan might get back to at least mid-tier competency, a goal that was starting to look out of reach.

Let's revisit Michigan's schedule here:

Aug 31: Fresno State: Win
Sep 7: Texas: Loss
Sep 14: Arkansas State: Win
Sep 21: USC: Win
Sep 28: Minnesota: Win
Oct 5: @Washington: Loss
Oct 12: Bye
Oct 19: @Illinois: Toss-Up (was: Lean Win)
Oct 26: Michigan State: Lean Win
Nov 2: Oregon: Probable Loss (was: Lean Loss)
Nov 9: Indiana: Toss-Up (was: Lean Win)
Nov 16: Bye
Nov 23: Northwestern: Lean Win
Nov 30: Ohio State: Probable Loss (was: Lean Loss)

We've gone 1 of 3 on games I listed as toss-ups early on. Of the remaining games, Oregon and Ohio State seem increasingly out of reach, and Illinois and Indiana are apparently much improved this season, so those now seem like toss-ups too. 7-5 now looks more likely than not, and 5-7 is not out of the realm of possibility. What a comedown for this team. I know Michigan lost a lot to the NFL, but teams like Alabama and Ohio State reload. Michigan's recruiting has not been up to snuff, and we're starting to see the results of that.

Michigan has a much needed bye this week to try to right the ship.

Notable Results
It was a shocking weekend all around. In easily the upset of the season, #1 Alabama lost to unranked Vanderbilt 40-35, and it took a second half comeback to even get it that close. Vandy led this game wire-to-wire, and outgained and out-possessed Bama to boot. It was a legit win.

Meanwhile, #4 Tennessee was upset by a good-but-not-great Arkansas squad 19-14. #8 Miami was way down against Cal but managed a 21-point fourth quarter to win 39-38. #9 Missouri got stomped by #25 Texas A&M 41-10. #11 USC lost to Minnesota 24-17. It's led a lot of people to wonder: is anyone any good this year?

#6 Oregon stomped Michigan State 31-10. #3 Ohio State got off to a slow start but eventually crushed the life out of Iowa, 35-7. #7 Penn State beat UCLA 27-11.
Nebraska beat Rutgers 14-7.

N.C. State lost to Wake Forest 34-30. Starting QB Grayson McCall went out with a frightening head injury. CJ Bailey played well, but turnovers and a poor rushing attack eventually doomed State to the loss.

Games to Watch on TV
No Michigan this week, but some big games still, especially OSU playing Oregon.

Sat, Oct 12:
#10 Clemson at Wake Forest, 12:00 PM ESPN
Washington at Iowa, 12:00 PM Fox
Wisconsin at Rutgers, 12:00 PM BTN
#1 Texas at #18 Oklahoma, 3:30 PM ABC
#4 Penn State at USC, 3:30 PM CBS
Florida at #8 Tennessee, 7:00 PM ESPN
#2 Ohio State at #3 Oregon, 7:30 PM NBC
#9 Ole Miss at #13 LSU, 7:30 PM ABC
Syracuse at N.C. State, 8:00 PM ACCN
#18 Kansas State at Colorado, 10:15 PM ESPN

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Posted by Ken in: sports

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