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Week 13 vs. Ohio State

By Aaron McMann | amcmann@mlive.com

Well, Michigan was unable to pull off the upset. The Wolverines looked good for about a quarter and a half, but Ohio State was able to gets its offense going … and then came the mistakes. From the offense. From the defense. All around. Now, the Wolverines sit at 8-4 and await their bowl assignment. That will come by this time next week.

Before that, let’s revisit Saturday’s 31-20 loss to the Buckeyes, Michigan’s sixth straight loss to Ohio State.

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Quarterback

Come to find out, John O'Korn (pictured) had a full week to prepare for Ohio State. Brandon Peters (concussion) never cleared protocol and was never a serious option to start this game. That left O'Korn as the only serious option, given his experience and previous starts this season. But he came out of the gate looking incredibly uncomfortable. He overthrew three receivers in the first two drives, seemed to settle in … and then came the fumbles. He bobbled the football twice, overthrew Chris Evans on a crucial fourth down play and then, with an opportunity to win the game, threw a late-game interception. Michigan had a shot in this game, but there were too many mistakes by O'Korn. D

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Running backs (and fullbacks)

Still wondering why Jim Harbaugh and the staff didn’t stick with the run game. They got healthy production from Chris Evans (11 carries, 67 yards) and Karan Higdon (pictured; 11 carries, 55 yards), and crucial short-yardage gains from fullback Khalid Hill. Both backs averaged more than 5 yards a carry — and most of the production came in the first half. Evans added five catches for 34 yards, while Evans and Hill each added a catch. Michigan has made more of an effort to get the backs more involved in the passing game, and it’s certainly helped.

B

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Offensive line

The final stats acquit the offensive line here some. While yes, things got progressively more difficult as the game went on, the group gave the running backs running room and did a decent job in protection. Ohio State finished with five sacks and seven tackles for loss, but keep in mind, at least two of those were either bobbles or fumbles from O'Korn. You can only block for so long at that point. The group was hit with three penalties, including two in the first half, but gave O'Korn time to throw there in the second half. He just couldn't hit his targets. C

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Wide receivers

Michigan had 17 catches, including six from the receivers. Kekoa Crawford had two catches, including a 43-yard screen pass that helped set Michigan up for a third-quarter touchdown, Eddie McDoom (pictured) had two for 28 yards (including a 24-yarder) while Drake Harris (hi Drake Harris!) and Grant Perry each added one. An encouraging sign, but it would have been nice to see Donovan Peoples-Jones build on his game at Wisconsin. B-

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Tight ends

Zach Gentry (pictured) and Sean McKeon remain a focal point of this offense, combining for another four catches and 38 yards, and a touchdown. Gentry — the former quarterback — had a 27-yard catch on Michigan's first touchdown drive, while McKeon found himself open in the middle of the end zone on the second. McKeon was open in the end zone during the first TD drive, but O'Korn overshot him. He also dropped a pass later in the game. Overall, a good game from the tight ends. B+

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Defensive line

The group turned in one of the best quarters we've seen all season long, holding OSU to minus-12 yards rushing and minus-6 yards of total offense. The Buckeyes followed up with 99 yards rushing in the second quarter, and finished with 226 for the game. Holes opened up for J.T. Barrett (67 yards) in the second quarter, and J.K. Dobbins (101 yards, TD) in the second half. Rashan Gary (pictured) racked up 10 tackles - three for a loss - and two sacks, while Chase Winovich added nine tackles and a sack, but three of OSU's four touchdowns came on the ground. And two of Michigan's three sacks came in the first quarter. After that, it was OSU's game. C+

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Linebackers

It's always tough to give this group an honest grade when one side of the defense plays well and the other is shaky. OSU had a field day on the ground after the first quarter, while backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins broke a 22-yard run to set up OSU's game-winning touchdown. Mike McCray (pictured) had 10 tackles, including two for a loss, while Devin Bush was held to just five tackles. C-

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Defensive backs

Michigan's defensive backs allowed one pass play for positive yards in the first 22:59 of the game. Then J.T. Barrett hit Marcus Baugh for a 25-yard touchdown pass. OSU completed nine plays for 124 yards, with three catches making up 81 yards. This secondary has been prone to giving up big plays all season long, but it did its job and gave Michigan a fighting chance. Tyree Kinnel and Khaleke Hudson (pictured) both had a pass breakup, Lavert Hill had 1 1/2 tackles for loss, and Josh Metellus had an interception go in and out of his hands. B+

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Special teams

Donovan Peoples-Jones (pictured) returned a punt 42 yards to set up Michigan's second touchdown of the game. Brad Robbins booted two punts of 50-plus yards, including one that went 58 yards. But a blocked point-after attempt and inability to generate good field position on kickoffs hurt an offense that needed every point it could get. They're not there yet, but this group has the potential to be really good next year. C-

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Coaching

Don't blame Jim Harbaugh (pictured) and the coaching staff for O'Korn. They had no choice here but to play him, and did their best trying to funnel most of the offense through the running backs. They worked in more receivers, diversified some of the play calling and hoped for the best. It looked like it was going to work for a little while there, then everything came back to Earth and OSU fired up the offense. Valiant effort, but this team just wasn't good enough to beat OSU. C