REVIEW: 2012 Sugar Bowl 78th edition
Final Score: Michigan 23 Virginia Tech 20 F/OT Prediction: Va Tech 28 UM 24
Scoring by Quarter:
Michigan 0 10 7 3 3 23
Va Tech 3 3 3 11 0 20
Classic case of “you lose games kicking field goals”, oh well
it’s a win for the Big Ten. Now on to the keys “review”:
1)
Denard Robinson vs. Logan Thomas
Denard Robinson sure didn’t put up the numbers that I was expecting him
to, throwing 9 of 21 for 117 passing yards and ONLY 13 yards on 13 carries
(rushing yards are taken away for sacks against), he did however throw a couple
TD passes to his WR Junior Hemingway. At times, he did show off his running
ability (Longest Run: 16 yards) and avoidance, for the most part the Hokies
“lunch-pale” defense kept Robinson in-check. Logan Thomas did everything for
the Hokies offense (267 total offensive yards, 1 rushing TD) expect cash in on
more Red Zone opportunities (Hokies 5 Red Zone possessions: 3 FG’s, 1 TD, and
turnover on downs). I thought at times in the Red Zone, either the play-calling
or Thomas’ decision making cost the Hokies from scoring more points. Both QB’s
threw an INT, Robinson’s resulting in 3 points for the Hokies and Thomas’
resulting in 7 points for the Wolverines.
2)
Fitzgerald Toussaint vs. David Thomas
It
didn’t surprise me that, neither running back had a huge game, just the way the
game was being played and how I felt about watching the two defenses. Toussaint
carried the ball 13 times for 30 yards (2.3 yards per) and made one catch for
14 yards. The Hokies defense seemed to have multiple guys in on tackles and did
a good job tackling the ball-carrier, unlike the ACC Championship Game when
they were gashed for 217 yards on the ground by the Clemson Tigers. David
Wilson probably made one of the biggest bonehead plays (C’Mon Man) of the bowl
season. On Virginia Tech’s opening drive, Wilson took a hand off and ran to the
right side, seeing he wouldn’t be able to find a hole proceeded to reverse his
field, as he was doing so he ran backwards and was tackled for a loss of 22
yards (Va Tech had it 1st and Goal at the 4 yard line!). Wilson
needed to just take his loss and go down, all but certainly killing the
opportunity of a touchdown (it was a 2nd and goal from the 26 after
that play). Wilson did run for 82 yards, taking 24 carries to do so (3.4 yards
per) neither RB contributed much in this match-up.
3)
Michigan’s Special Teams vs. “Beamer Ball”
In a game that had plenty of special teams, Michigan’s unit came out on
top in this one. Brenden Gibbons was 3 of 3 for the Wolvernies, including the
GW in Overtime from 37 yards out. Even though, the Hokies placekicker Justin
Myer (3rd on the depth chart of kickers) kicked 4 out of 5 FG’s, he
missed the one in OT that would of put the pressure on Michigan’s offense to
match it or score a touchdown. I’ve never been a fan of kicking FG’s (even
though that’s the only way the Browns put points on the board I LOVE YOU PHIL
DAWSON, YOU’RE MY BOY!) I just felt that it was too much to asked for a 3rd
string placekicker to kick 5 FG’s in one game, nonetheless, in the Sugar Bowl
(#losegameskickingfieldgoals). Two
things stood out while I was watching the game, that dealt with “Beamer Ball”
1) the roughing the punter penalty on the Hokies attempting to block the punt
(which resulted in the Wolverines keeping the ball and scoring a TD later on
the same drive) 2) Beamer’s call to fake the punt at mid-field, backfiring on
the Hokies and setting the Wolverines up with great field position (Wolverines
would get a FG on that possession). Beamer Ball was 0 for 2 on the night and
generated nothing in the return game to help out the offense, advantage,
Michigan. (Side note: how the heck do your top two kickers get suspend,
KICKERS, C’Mon Man).
4)
Brady Hoke vs. Frank Beamer
Coach Hoke has done a tremdous job in turning the defense around at
Michigan. A unit that was a practical joke under from Head Coach Rich Rod, the
Wolvernies stepped up when it mattered holding the Hokies to four FG’s on the
night. I believe, just maybe, yep! I saw Coach Hoke wearing the headset once
during the game. Coach Beamer’s struggles continue in big games, as he falls to
1-5 in BCS bowl games. A lot of people were curious (myself included) why
Virginia Tech was in this game and overall, they didn’t prove to me any why they
should have been.
Aftermath:
Michigan- Michigan football is relevant, again. With the return
of some key players, most importantly Starting QB Denard Robinson, Michigan
will try and continue to build on the success that Coach Hoke has brought back
to the program. Again, like this season I see the Wolverines challenging the
other teams in the Legends Division for the right to represent that side in the
Big Ten Championship Game.
Virginia Tech- With the emergence of Sophomore QB Logan
Thomas, the Hokies will have someone to build around (even if David Wilson
leaves early for the NFL, the dudes got a nice car, did you see that?). The
Hokies always have a solid defensive unit,
my only question : Is the hour-glass running out on the Beamer era in
Blacksburg? Time will tell, but like every year the Hokies should find
themselves competing for another ACC Championship.
This makes me sick to my stomach, but Congratulations
Michigan for winning a BCS Bowl Game for the Big Ten. Here’s a little something
for you to think about.
