Michigan just called the worst 4th and Goal play-call vs. TCU

Jim Harbaugh faced plenty of criticism for electing to use a “Philly Special” play call near the goal line as Michigan had the ball in scoring position early against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

Armed with the best offensive line in college football, the Wolverines decided a trick-play pass was the call, and not a field goal, or a running play. Fans and media called Harbaugh and the offensive staff out for that decision.

The play came on 4th down and 2 with 10:30 remaining in the first quarter. Colston Loveland was sacked by Dylan Horton for a loss of 8 yards on the play.

Here’s a sample of the reaction:

Take. The. Points.

— Shannon Saccocia (@ShannonSaccocia) December 31, 2022

The next time an OC tries to call the Philly Special pic.twitter.com/oF2qdltYNf

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 31, 2022

“Stick to your gameplan that you have. You’ve got a great offensive line. Great blocking OH NOOOOOOO” pic.twitter.com/U4PkTGoIR6

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 31, 2022

Michigan: “We have the best offensive line in the country and will out-physical any team we play by running it down their throats.”

Also Michigan: “lol playoff time, let’s do a Philly Special and try passing, what could go wrong here”

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 31, 2022

Michigan called the Philly Special against TCU… but they weren’t playing against a Matt Patricia defense so it didn’t work out. pic.twitter.com/fG8e10UZm0

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 31, 2022

Best O-Line in country for the past 2 years, but let’s run Philly special pic.twitter.com/5rpI9S5d2T

— Will Blackmon ? (@WillBlackmon) December 31, 2022

Philly Special only works on Matt Patricia.

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) December 31, 2022

Jim Harbaugh drawing up the Philly Special on Michigan’s first drive of the game: pic.twitter.com/uz3c5i36di

— Brian Y (@byysports) December 31, 2022

It is still mind-boggling to me that the Philly Special was ever allowed to work again after the original, and it is validating when a defensive back just shuts it down by standing in place

— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) December 31, 2022

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.