Michigan lost a bitter fight in the Fiesta Bowl to TCU on New Year’s Eve. The Wolverines fell 51-45 in an instant classic to the Horned Frogs that had just about everything. Including curious playcalls, one of which committed by Michigan and head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh and the Wolverines called the famed ‘Philly Special’ play on an early 4th down and Goal. TCU stopped the Wolverines and prevented them from scoring a touchdown. Given the six-point margin of defeat, the playcall received scorn in the moment and left a bitter aftertaste following the game. After it was all over, Harbaugh claimed responsibility for the call.
Brad Galli tweeted, “Jim Harbaugh said he called Philly Special and takes full responsibility for it. ‘Sitting here now, wish I would have called another one,’ he said.'”
Jim Harbaugh said he called Philly Special and takes full responsibility for it.
“Sitting here now, wish I would have called another one,” he said. pic.twitter.com/a0qv71Y9uu
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 1, 2023
The answer obviously won’t change the result. It probably won’t change the minds of Michigan fans who are understandably upset in the moment. The Wolverines battled for a long time to get to where they are now. Their lofty 13-0 record was a first for the program in their illustrious history. They’ve won back-to-back Big Ten Championships and they’ve also now appeared in the College Football Playoff in consecutive years.
However, the Wolverines’ loss to TCU in the Fiesta Bowl was their sixth consecutive bowl game loss. They’ve lost every bowl game they have played in, dating back to the 2016 Orange Bowl. That streak could’ve been snapped had things gone a different way. Perhaps, if they didn’t get so cute in the beginning, they would have.
