Michigan suffers costly red-zone problems during lackluster first half in Fiesta Bowl
By Keith Farner
Published:
Michigan came into the Fiesta Bowl against TCU scoring on 94% of its red zone drives this season (60-of-64), the 5th-highest rate in FBS, per ESPN Stats and Info. But to start the game, the Wolverines were stopped on a 4th down play when a trick play didn’t work.
And then the Wolverines fumbled at the goal line after a 50-yard pass setup a prime scoring opportunity.
It was the first time Michigan didn’t score a touchdown on its first 7 drives since last year’s Playoff semifinal against Georgia.
Put it all together, and the Wolverines were singing the red zone blues in the first half.
Through it all, TCU led 21-6 at halftime.
Here is a sample of some of the reactions:
As I said the other day, it is not good for a team to take the opening drive down the field and not score when they get in the red zone. This is not good for Michigan backers, like me.
— SharpSpread (@SharpSpread) December 31, 2022
Michigan in red zone pic.twitter.com/5AjI5WxKVf
— EnterPRIZE Sports (@enterprizesport) December 31, 2022
Michigan still has a shot to win this game and I’ll leave it at that. Fix the red zone issues and you right back in it.
— D. (@dariusss_m) December 31, 2022
Michigan getting to cute in the Red Zone pic.twitter.com/qdngBAa8un
— Bald_Coach_K (@coach_bald) December 31, 2022
Watching Michigan in the red zone pic.twitter.com/klWGeMacdk
— Christopher (@cschemanske) December 31, 2022
The Michigan defense has not looked good at all, but the red zone blues on offense are really killing them. Zero TDs inside the two yard line is awful.
— Bobby Murphy (@bobbymurphy2000) December 31, 2022
Michigan in the red zone… #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/o2Wk4zDkew
— Gabe (@Gabe_TFB) December 31, 2022
Michigan in the red zone pic.twitter.com/pZTsL3Tq7c
— Kofie (@Kofie) December 31, 2022
Michigan has had some familiar problems (poor red zone O, McCarthy accuracy issues) but the new problem that few saw coming is TCU working the Wolverines at the line of scrimmage. Dee Winters has been everywhere.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 31, 2022
Michigan really running a basic high school offense man. Take the easy throws and runs. Both times they were in the Red Zone, just simply run the ball up the middle. Don’t be too fancy #GoBlue
— Coach Larry Rudolph (@ScoutFball) December 31, 2022
Announcers keep talking about the TCU defense holding in the red zone – sorry man, this is Michigan imploding.
Philly special = over thought it
Always QB sneak that close, why handoff on the 1-inch lineFwiw Michigan got jobbed on the TD overturned
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) December 31, 2022
Michigan in the red zone #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/wxcbEvOlXy
— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) December 31, 2022
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
