Now that I have had time to #### the Michigan loss to Appalachian State, I have to sit back and wonder what happened…. Or do I?

Let’s start with the coaching staff. Today is the perfect reason why Michigan fans have been asking for the ouster of Lloyd Carr for a few years now. While I could not watch the game, I did get to listen. And listen I did. Carr did NOT plan for this game. This was definitely apparent. I could take a long time to explain this, but I have 2 words for Carr: Failed Conversion. I’m sorry, there was plenty of time left in the game. Someone take that damn chart away from him. He obviously cannot read how to use it.

Ron English also deserves some blame here. The first pass to the crease could have been a fluke maybe. The second time it happens, he should have said “Hey, maybe we should stick someone inside and watch that.” The third time was just unforgivable. After the second time they got beat inside the seam, English should have adjusted their scheme. He failed to read this until well into the 3rd quarter. I can’t fault the players on this; the cover schemes they ran were called on the sideline.

 

 

The staff was looking well ahead of this game, by the time they realized it, it was too late.

 

 

Appalachian State came with a game plan, and they should have expected it. Yes, they are an FCS/Div 2-AA school, but that is not an excuse. Championship teams plan EVERY SINGLE GAME!!! Appalachian State proved that today. They ARE a championship team. They are the 2 time defending champions in their division. Carr should have known they’d come with a plan. That is of course if Carr was a championship coach, which by the game today proved he was not. Will this teach Carr a lesson, probably not? Seeing how he cannot seem to understand what a game plan is, I would suggest that the University pack him in before Monday and start looking ahead to next year.

 

 

Now this is not to take anything away from Appalachian State. People may argue with me, but I imagine that they could beat about 75% of FBS/Div 1-A schools. They are a very good team. Regardless of division, they are the 2 time champs. I honestly do not think they should have won this game, but it does not surprise me either. They are a good team and my hats go off to them. Many will say they pulled off the ultimate of David and Goliath, I surmise that people underestimated them. They played flawless football for 3 quarters and managed to hold o####ood Michigan team.

 

 

As for the players, I can only fault them so much. I cannot say they were outplayed. They fought back and fought back hard. Mike Hart, who in my opinion should be a Heisman candidate, carried that team to the come back. He played a great game. This game while a loss, showed the kind of heart and determination he has. While a lot of people will say “Oh big deal, he had a bruise”, if you ever had one and played sports you’d know how hard that is. He sucked it up and almost single handedly pulled them back. I’m sure if he could have gone out there and kicked that field goal, he would have. He gave a lot to this team. For the coaching staff to let him down like that is unjustified. He could not have done more, 23 carries 188 yards and 3 TDs; the coaching staff should be ashamed right now. Truly worthy of Heisman consideration, if it were not for the loss, a loss that should never have happened.

 

 

All in all, there is only so much players can do. With the right coach, this could be a great team. Carr let them down. The University let them down. This is why I am not surprised by the loss. Carr has proven time and again that all he does is choke. The University stood by him knowing full well that he would do it again. They also know that this would be his last year. After all, why restructure a contract for obvious end of year release if you knew he could not win? Why not just fire him? I say it’s time for the University to remedy that mistake and remove him now.

 

 

I really think if they don’t, the rest of this year (what can be salvaged) is over. It will turn into every man for himself. What have they got left to play for now? Sure they could win out, take the Big 10, and maybe a decent bowl game. Nothing BCS at this point unless the other top teams made major mistakes and Michigan blew out every other opponent on the schedule. Certainly no title game. Wouldn’t that be an embarrassment to all of FBS/Div 1-A that the National Champions got beat by a lowly FCS/2-AA school? Or would it actually serve notice that maybe pre-divisions are not the cupcakes everyone thinks they are?

 

 

Honestly, I’m not surprised. I expected it to be a close game. I expected a close game between two championship teams, problem is, only one of the coaches showed up for the game. I’m not really even surprised by that either to be honest. The only thing that shocked me, this has not happened sooner. Teams should be on notice, plan for every game, no matter how cupcake you think it is.

 

 

I know most people will just take this as a rant at Carr, but honestly it is HIS responsibility to make sure his team is prepared. His responsibility to make sure they are not looking past what is a good team in Appalachian State. And certainly his responsibility to PLAN for a game.

 

 

I honestly don’t know what else to say. Michigan does not suck; the players do not suck; however the coach does.