It isn't all the refs fault

What if I told you Jim Harbaugh was wrong? What if I told you Michigan cost themselves the game against Ohio State? What if I told you it's time to stop acting as if it was all the referee's fault?

Michigan lost the game 30-27 in double overtime after leading the game 17-14 in the fourth quarter. Head coach Jim Harbaugh says the refs cost them the game after a controversial no call pass interference on Grant Perry on third down in the second overtime and of course the most talked about call, a first down for Ohio State Quarterback, JT Barrett on fourth down and one yard to go. An argument can be made that he came up short, but that's not what cost the team the game.

In the fourth quarter alone Michigan only gained 12 yards of total offense while surrendering 139 to Ohio State's offense. Michigan had three turnovers, including a pick six and a fumble on the goal line compared to the Buckeyes only having one that resulted in the fumble for Michigan. You can plead your case of there being missed calls. You can plead your case that the calls cost the game, but in reality Michigan not capitalizing on the struggles of the Buckeye offense.

You can also put blame on Harbaugh himself, why was Jabrill Peppers only used to run the exact same play he's run all season long and hasn't worked since the Rutgers game? Harbaugh said he had a ton of plays that he was saving that included more of Peppers in the offense, well what game was he saving them for? The Big Ten title game they won't be playing in? The big playoff game that is likely out of question now? Oh I know, the College Football Championship game that they won't be playing in. There's no excuse for not opening up the playbook in the biggest game of the year.

Sit and blame the refs all you want, but in reality it wasn't their fault for the loss. It goes on Harbaugh and the play calls, quarterback Wilton Speight and three turnovers, and most importantly not getting stops while the offense was halted the entire fourth quarter. It's time to stop with blaming the refs because it isn't their fault. They didn't play the game for Michigan, Urban Meyer didn't pay them, there was no cheating, it was all fair. Harbaugh just got beat again and searched for an excuse, what a surprise.