TTUN was inexplicably gifted an extra second on the clock by Big Ten refs on Saturday night, down 12-7 to Western Michigan at the "Big House." Quarterback Bryce Underwood took advantage, launching a 47-yard Hail Mary pass off his back foot into the end zone after evading the Broncos' pass rush, and somehow connected with receiver JJ Buchanan. That resulted in an undeserved 13-12 win in Ann Arbor.
The clock read 00:00, then it didn't. Fishy, right? MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher is already in contact with the Big Ten's Tony Pettiti and Co. WMU's president showed up to speak at the postgame presser to complain about what went down.
If you think the B1G is going to work to overrule this result, though, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
The Wolverines survived Week 1 against a MAC opponent, through nefarious means, no less. They won't survive the schedule ahead of them, however.
And most notably, TTUN won't survive "The Game" against Ohio State. The Buckeyes didn't need hocus-pocus clock magic to beat their MAC opponent in Week 1. They also don't need to lie to themselves like Kyle Whittingham has all season.
OSU is in a different weight class from TTUN, but so is a lot of the B1G
Western Michigan outgained the Wolverines on the ground in Week 1. Clearly, TTUN's only hope of fielding a competitive team this season is to rely on Underwood's arm. Even that is a bad plan, considering his pick, fumble, and inability to get the offense going beyond the first and final drives.
Supposed freshman phenom running back Savion Hiter looked anything but. Underwood (217 all-purpose yards, rushing touchdown, game-winning passing touchdown) and Buchanan (126 yards, game-winning receiving touchdown) were the only meaningful offensive producers for the Maize and Blue. It was bowling-shoe ugly.
That's not going to work against Matt Patricia's defense. That's not going to keep up with Arthur Smith's offense.
Frankly, it's not going to keep up with most of TTUN's schedule. Non-conference Week 2 opponent Oklahoma looked like world-beaters against UTEP on Friday night. Iowa and Penn State also pitched a shutout. Indiana looks like it hasn't lost a step from its title team despite mass roster losses to the NFL. These were all mismatched games, but talent shows up when it's ready for the moment.
Whittingham is in over his head in this seat. He's not ready for this moment.
TTUN doesn't have the mental edge to contend in the Big Ten
Some felt it was overreacting to harp on Whittingham's refusal to say he hates Ohio State last month. Now you see why it's important to trick yourself into hating your opponent in a violent sport like football.
Whittingham comes from a Utah program where wins and losses didn't determine whether the state he was in would collectively enjoy their night based on the results of a football game.
It's going to quickly become clear what he signed up for after this uninspiring win. Whittingham, at age 66 and turning 67 in November, may not have the stamina to withstand how bad things get when the Wolverines aren't winning.
If things don't turn around quickly, there could be some awkward conversations about Whittingham's performance way sooner than most would've expected.
Add us as a preferred source on Google