Michigan fell at home to Michigan State, 14-10, in a rain-soaked affair on Saturday night.
The Wolverines' offense was ineffective all game, only tallying 300 yards while turning the ball over five times.
Fifth-year senior quarterback John O'Korn did not play well in his first start of the season, tossing three picks and no touchdowns.
The defense did its part, though, holding MSU to 252 yards and no points in the second half.
Find out what they're saying about O'Korn, the defense and much more here:
John Borton, TheWolverine.com: Wolverines Turn One Over To The Spartans, 14-10
"The skies sobbed over Ann Arbor Saturday night. In the end, the vast majority in The Big House joined in.
"Michigan State invaded Michigan Stadium, built an 11-point halftime lead, then hung on through a monsoon to slog away with a 14-10 win over the Wolverines. Five Michigan turnovers — to none for the Spartans — doomed an effort that continually came up short.
"A final Hail Mary heave from fifth-year senior quarterback John O’Korn tumbled to the turf, leaving the Wolverines (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) adrift and the Spartans (4-1, 2-0) sailing away with in-state bragging rights for another year.
“'You can’t expect to win when you turn it over five times,'” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. 'Or it’s tough to win.'
"That Michigan even had a chance represents a testament to its defense, which pitched another second-half shutout and held the Spartans without a first down in the final 30 minutes until the waning moments. MSU managed only 252 yards to Michigan’s 300, but a pair of first-half touchdowns was all it required."
"Rain, rain and more rain
"Rain fell in Biblical proportions at Michigan Stadium on Saturday night. You half expected Noah to show up in an arc.
"It made for a sloppy second half. There was nearly no passing game to speak of in the final two quarters. Michigan State didn't even have a second-half first down until its final drive of the game.
"But when the rain started, Michigan State held the lead, which was critical. With the conditions stifling both offenses equally, the Spartans were able to stay on top."
Anthony Broome, Maize N Brew: Takeaways from Michigan’s 14-10 loss to Michigan State
"Questioning the Coaching Staff
"Yes, that is allowed. And it should be.
"This football team never looked ready to play outside of the opening drive of the game on offense, which resulted in another stalled drive in the end zone that brought about a field goal attempt.
"The play calling in this game was, at times, atrocious. During a stretch of the game where the rain started coming down, Michigan passed the ball as frequently as one would if they were playing in an indoor stadium. Which is mind-boggling considering the fact that they actually did have some success on the ground.
"There are still some huge lingering questions about this program that exist in year three under this coaching staff.
"This is a program with an offensive guru at the helm, yet the offense has gotten worse each year. Quarterback play has fans yearning for the return of Jake Rudock-like production, which while solid is not what the expectation was when Jim Harbaugh was brought in to resurrect Michigan Football.
"The offensive line has gotten worse every season when the expectation was that this was going to be a team where their identity was going to be to run the ball and grind out games led by the guys in the trenches."
Ace Anbender, Mgoblog: Michigan State 14, Michigan 10
"Death by a thousand self-inflicted cuts.
"Michigan State's offense didn't look like it belonged in the same league as Michigan's defense, which forced eight three-and-outs, added a turnover on downs and didn't allow a point after the 8:07 mark of the second quarter. By those numbers, you'd think the Wolverines would've won this game in a blowout.
"But the offense, well, it all went wrong with the offense. They turned the ball over five times: a Ty Isaac fumble that killed any momentum from a promising start, a Sean McKeon fumble when they were driving at the end of the first half and three John O'Korn interceptions. O'Korn's picks came on consecutive second-half possessions as rain fell from the sky in sheets; the coaches continued to call passes despite O'Korn's struggling and the receivers having a tough time hanging onto the ball.
"That was it, really. State needed only one long touchdown drive and another on a short field to get the win, while Michigan found new and demoralizing ways to shoot themselves in the foot.
"After the game, the quarterback dismissed concerns about the play calling and the weather, instead putting the loss on his own shoulders.
"'I take full ownership for this loss,' said John O'Korn. 'You can't turn the ball over and expect to win, and you can't give them great field position all game and expect to win.'
"'You've got to execute the plays that are called regardless of the conditions and we didn't do that tonight.'"
"Jim Harbaugh now faces something he has never encountered in his college career.
"Pressure.
"After a startling 14-10 upset loss to "Little Brother" Michigan State, a bit of the veneer has been stripped bare from the Harbaugh myth here at Michigan.
"He's still a great coach. We know that. We've been hit over the head with it. But the bottom line is starting to loom bigger than the robust Spartan defense that shut down the punchless Wolverine offense Saturday night.
"Coach Khaki is 1-4 against his alma mater's two biggest rivals. If it hasn't already, that will soon become an issue.
"So will this unsavory nugget: Harbaugh is 13-3 at home halfway through his third season. All three losses are to the hated Buckeyes and Spartans.
"As much as they love Harbaugh here, they hate Ohio State more. He is 0-2 against the Buckeyes. Since Harbaugh took the job three years ago, Mark Dantonio has beaten Michigan twice himself and taken the Spartans to the College Football Playoff."
"Even prior to the weather rolling in, it was a defensive battle from start to finish. The Wolverines actually outgained their counterparts 300-252, with the Spartans converting just two of 14 third downs. Two scores less than 10 minutes apart, though, proved to be the difference — quarterback Brian Lewerke's 14-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, his 16-yard touchdown pass to Madre London in the middle of the second quarter.
"While the loss put a dent in Michigan’s College Football Playoff hopes, it did the same for its biggest rival.
"Thanks to its week two loss, Ohio State needed, in part, Oklahoma and Michigan to run the table. Not only did the Wolverines lose in week six, the Sooners did the same as 30-point home favorites earlier in the day in Norman.
"It’s far too early for both UM and OSU to be excluded from the Playoff discussion, but the former did neither of the Big Ten East schools any favors with this home loss."
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