Harbaugh outcoached by Kelly in Notre Dame’s 24-17 win over Michigan; Illinois survives
Harbaugh’s Wolverines lack focus, and it’s gold for Irish
SOUTH BEND, IND. — Two Midwestern teams with equivalent talent lined up Saturday night. Notre Dame and Michigan both have bowl-shaped stadiums, big-money donors and demanding fan bases that expect a national title every few years.
The difference Saturday night? The reason Notre Dame controlled the game from beginning to end in its 24-17 victory? Coaching. Period.
It must sting Jim Harbaugh to get outfoxed on a national stage. He’s 1-5 against rivals Michigan State and Ohio State — and now 0-1 against Notre Dame.
He went 2-0 against the Irish as a Michigan quarterback. Apparently it’s easier to make handoffs and throw passes than it is to design plays. Irish defenders were practically in the jerseys of Michigan receivers all night. No breathing room.
Before we get to Harbaugh and his new prodigy, Mississippi transfer quarterback Shea Patterson, let’s laud Brian Kelly.
He has shown a distinct inability to develop quarterbacks during his tenure, at times turning purple on the sidelines in frustration. Last season, Brandon Wimbush completed less than half his throws. But he looked like a new man Saturday, showing great speed to avoid the rush and poise on the run.
“Coach Kelly has done a great job of helping me to make those necessary improvements,” he said.
Wimbush’s numbers (12-for-22 passing, 170 yards, 59 rushing yards) do not do justice to a clutch performance that marks a turning point in his career.
“He played with an edge to him, a confidence,” Kelly said.
Patterson, meanwhile, limped off the field in the fourth quarter after appearing to injure his right ankle. He returned, and his numbers were fine (20-for-30, 227 yards), but he threw an interception and had no touchdowns, on the ground or through the air.
Actually, the entire Michigan team scored no touchdowns from scrimmage until the final two-plus minutes, crossing the goal only on Ambry Thomas’ 99-yard kickoff return before a late TD made it a seven-point game.
The Wolverines showed a general lack of discipline Saturday, committing three personal fouls. They set up illegally on a punt. Holder Will Hart dropped a snap on a field-goal try, jarring memories of punter Blake O’Neill dropping a snap in that shocking loss to the Spartans.
Do Harbaugh’s players lack ability? No.
Focus in big games? Absolutely. Safety Josh Metellus got ejected for targeting, going helmet to helmet after Irish tight end Alize Mack left his feet to make a sensational catch. Metellus’ replacement, Brad Hawkins, mistimed a jump that allowed Chris Finke to haul in a 43-yard touchdown pass.
Chase Winovich later hit Wimbush late on a third-and-goal incompletion, extending a drive.
“Mistakes were made,” Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh’s postgame press conference was largely a waste of time.
When I asked why his team keeps performing poorly in big games, he spoke of “good old-fashioned resolve” and said, “we can be a very good football team.”
While Michigan committed seven penalties, Kelly’s team was flagged four times.
“We’re a disciplined football team,” Kelly said. “That’s one of the tenets on our offensive side and defensively, we don’t tolerate them. It’s the way you coach. At the end of the day, you get what you demand.”
Harbaugh rolled the dice on a fourth-and-4 from the Notre Dame 45 in the third quarter. Patterson dropped back and, seemingly predetermined, fired to tight end Zach Gentry. Safety Alohi Gilman was right there to break it up.
On its next third down, Michigan called an option left. Patterson pitched to Chris Evans, who got completely swarmed, having to cut back inside for a loss of 1.
Harbaugh worries about silly stuff. He’s still the only coach in America, as far as we can tell, who refuses to release a depth chart. He operates fall camp in a bunker, rarely coming up for air to speak.
Harbaugh doesn’t need better players to start winning big games. He needs to examine himself.