tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50782871269301761412024-03-13T10:32:52.105-07:00When Carcajous Attack!Insightful commentary and coverage of Michigan Wolverines football.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-51225243058440542192010-01-11T15:00:00.000-08:002010-01-11T16:02:25.328-08:00When Carcajous Start a New Adventure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8bpM0j9x2YkP0HPfSiTBU1mZyQXRcDFxfXE-DbEJz_EbvxIoTD6cPriW6CXVKroWPzrKX9g8v4CTq4wP-JEAW4vL10M1wzDxAO3ouxM-8p48qWXJSoXFtKziTFP9ubBu_OyYmCOwyff6/s1600-h/Puppy+Carcajous.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8bpM0j9x2YkP0HPfSiTBU1mZyQXRcDFxfXE-DbEJz_EbvxIoTD6cPriW6CXVKroWPzrKX9g8v4CTq4wP-JEAW4vL10M1wzDxAO3ouxM-8p48qWXJSoXFtKziTFP9ubBu_OyYmCOwyff6/s400/Puppy+Carcajous.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425634897734304978" border="0" /></a><br />Today the <a href="http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/">WCA blog </a>reaches the end of its own road. I certainly had a blast with the blog this last year.<br /><br /><a href="http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/">When Carcajous Attack! </a>was my first attempt at sports blogging, and despite going it alone these past 12 months, I actually learned a great deal. I sincerely appreciated all of the comments from followers this past year, as well as the many considerate links extended to my stories by so many of my fellow Michigan sports and football bloggers. It was really cool to see other people reading and responding to some of my views, observations and ideas.<br /><br />Let me say that it is not easy to run a meaningful sports blog on Michigan football, not to mention Michigan athletics. Not many people end up accessing and reading the thing in first place. And to get the hits, writing interesting and unique stuff can be challenging and a lot of work. There were days and weeks where I didn't feel like I was getting together sufficient content in the first place. Often times work and family life got in the way of contributing more.<br /><br />So for 2010 I've decided to explore a new method, expand my horizons, and improve the exposure of my work. I'm taking my Michigan Wolverine football addiction - or <span style="font-style: italic;">affliction</span>, if you will - over to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/markusr2007">Maize N Brew Blog</a>, which has been providing excellent content on Michigan athletics for several years now, including my own main area of obsessive interest: Michigan football.<br /><br />I'm really looking forward to writing alongside Dave and the entire cast of great writers of the<a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/"> Maize N Brew</a> crew this year. It should be a lot of fun. And I figure if my writings go downhill, I'll still have a new group of colleagues as a support group to help me improve my personal coping skills with things like 3-9, Michael Rosenberg, 5-7, and whatever the 2010 Michigan football season may have on tap!<br /><br />Of course, it is now mid-January and the dreaded "dead period" is almost over. Michigan football recruiting, Spring Game 2010 preparations, Coaching Changes, Position Battles, Pre-Season 2010 Predictions, Way-to-Early Opponent Previews, and of course Michigan schedule analyses will all be coming up on deck soon. If you enjoyed some of my past writings from the <a href="http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/">WCA blog</a>, please be sure to visit and bookmark Maize and Brew blog going forward.<br /><br />Thanks again for everyone's support of When Carcajous Attack!. It was a lot of fun.<br />See you over at <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/">Maize N Brew!</a><br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Markusr2007<br />Hail to the Victors!<br />Let's Go Blue!Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-71844527298730565442009-11-16T11:01:00.000-08:002009-11-16T11:42:37.219-08:00Shiny New Racing Wheels On Your Offense? So what.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWjcD0-M3hslriP9kLa4ugC9uum2dEDF8fZcIYa4wCPuuNvbS7u4udJXmkMaEB4cTklcOQFVpO8M3P1zSHivAgPHJncemotMTVnVbGMSJEKp2T2DmwwOXe8Hkr8r5y4-3fCyOioliJkNq/s1600/Nova.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWjcD0-M3hslriP9kLa4ugC9uum2dEDF8fZcIYa4wCPuuNvbS7u4udJXmkMaEB4cTklcOQFVpO8M3P1zSHivAgPHJncemotMTVnVbGMSJEKp2T2DmwwOXe8Hkr8r5y4-3fCyOioliJkNq/s400/Nova.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404789197529252578" /></a><br />I think Rich Rodriguez and Calvin Magee have done the right things offensively this year. The pieces appear to be in place for the Michigan offense to take off in the future: three talented mobile quarterbacks (Forcier, Robinson and incoming frosh Gardner), experienced and quick slot receivers (Odoms, Roundtree and Grady), talented wide receivers (Stonum, Hemingway), an improved offensive line (Molk, Omameh, Schilling, Huyge and Dorrestein) and a deep stable of promising running backs (V. Smith, M. Shaw, M. Cox). Yes, the Michigan pass blocking still stinks to high heaven, but the quarterbacks in place at least have the skills to try and escape. You heard it here first, but I think Michigan is going to be a 450+ ypg offense in 2010 and will again be ranked highly nationally in rushing offense.<br /><br />Obviously, more attention will be applied to the defensive side of the ball and recruiting going forward. Michigan is giving up a ridiculous 400 yards per game ON AVERAGE, and 28 points per game ON AVERAGE. I think Rodriguez understands the gravity of the situation. Yet, at other times, I seriously wonder. The horrendous Michigan defense of 2008 just got a whole lot worse in 2009.<br /><br />The thing is, Michigan doesn't need just a good defense, or a good enough defense or a passable defense. If Big Ten titles and Rose Bowl invitiations are even remotely important to Michigan's football program anymore, then the defense needs tons of attention: Better coaching, better football players and, after back to back losing seasons, Herculean efforts on the recruiting trail.<br /><br />Michigan football is basically a 1972 Chevy Nova beater. Rodriguez is the 17 year old owner, who had 400 bucks cash back, and decided the priority was to get the mag wheels and racing tires first, then renovate the engine and the exhaust much later. This is OK. But it's still a Chevy Nova beater that he doesn't dare take to the drag race competitions. Unfortunately, it's already "later" for Rodriguez.<br /><br />Michigan will never compete for a Big Ten championship again, let a lone a .500 football season, unless it starts playing some semblance of Division I defense. I don't have to take readers on an excursion to Obvioustown here, but OK, why not?<br /><br />Let's consider for one moment, just who in the hell has been winning all these Big Ten titles the last 10 years and how there defenses have, you know, performed. <br /><br />Rich Rodriguez and staff might be surprised to learn that it's not a fucking coincidence that the Big Ten champion fields not just a "good defense", or a "passable defense". <br /><br />No. They field the <span style="font-weight:bold;">BEST defenses in the conference full stop</span>! Penn State and Ohio State, for example, have been demonstrating rather consistently the best team in total defense and often the best scoring defense as well. For Michigan it can be no different.<br /><br />You either have this feature, or you don't. Sure, those mag wheels may be shiny and bright. They might even look cool too. But until the engine gets ported and the exhaust gets modified, that vee-hicle of yours isn't going to win races.<style type="text/css"><br />table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}<br />.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}<br /></style><br /><br /><table class="tableizer-table"><br /><tbody><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th style="text-align: left;">Big Ten Defensive Leaders</th><th> </th><th> </th><th> </th></tr> <tr><td> </td><td style="font-weight: bold;">Yrds/Gm</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">Pts. Game</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">Big Ten Champion</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">2009</td><td>Ohio State - 258</td><td>Penn State - 11.6</td><td>Ohio State</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">2008</td><td>Penn State - 263.9</td><td>Penn State - 12.4</td><td>Ohio State, Penn State</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">2007</td><td>Ohio State - 225.3</td><td>Ohio State - 10.7</td><td>Ohio State</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">2006</td><td>Wisconsin - 243.5</td><td>Ohio State - 10.4</td><td>Ohio State</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">2005</td><td>Ohio State - 275.3</td><td>Ohio State - 14.8</td><td>Ohio State, Penn State</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">2004</td><td>Wisconsin - 275.9</td><td>Wisconsin - 14.6</td><td>Iowa, Michigan</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">2003</td><td>Michigan - 287.3</td><td>Michigan - 15.9</td><td>Michigan</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">2002</td><td>Purdue - 317.5</td><td>Ohio State 13.1</td><td>Iowa, Ohio State</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">2001</td><td>Michigan - 301.64</td><td>Michigan - 17.5</td><td>Illinois</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">2000</td><td>Michigan State - 318.3</td><td>Ohio State - 18.0</td><td>Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />There are very good reasons for Michigan's defensive ineptitude at linebacker and the secondary, most of them having nothing at all to do with Rich Rodriguez. Some of the issues are so serious, that Rodriguez's and Greg Robinson's options are also limited in what they can do in the time they have. <br /><br />After last year's 3-9 debacle, there's been almost too much emphasis on rectifying the offensive side of the ledger that Michigan. Rodriguez must now pay much closer attention in the off-season to the defensive side of the game (defensive staff coaching efforts, player development, and defensive recruiting), or this grand but brief experiment at Michigan will close out not just poorly, but with non-conclusive results as well. <br /><br />There. The excursion to Obvioustown is over.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-46874559873730006282009-10-26T20:46:00.000-07:002009-10-27T00:03:46.652-07:00Random Reactions to Penn State Loss<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarejGsDtzSwWLUzdRAaa4YGtLwPaxyl7l3DDhp2x4HJloTfOPKSaRRbiXelG1cXM1E1Z-gfhlCjqF8-898Cn9TEXjENxpDkcpEAuDPArcKBp6lNkJh_-mylVLa3l4_sQEdvF6PP-pgMkS/s1600-h/Quarless.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarejGsDtzSwWLUzdRAaa4YGtLwPaxyl7l3DDhp2x4HJloTfOPKSaRRbiXelG1cXM1E1Z-gfhlCjqF8-898Cn9TEXjENxpDkcpEAuDPArcKBp6lNkJh_-mylVLa3l4_sQEdvF6PP-pgMkS/s400/Quarless.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397122730320628562" border="0" /></a>I watched the game from beginning to end on Saturday. Then I slept on it. I had to. I didn’t look at anything on Sunday because, well, quite frankly I was ready to jump off of the nearest bridge following Michigan's 25 point loss at home to Penn State.<br /><br />That sounds really bad, except for the fact that the nearest bridge to my house is at my neighbor's house. It's a little Japanese stone garden bridge with a gnome or troll or something guarding the entrance. Or maybe it's just a miniature windmill. I forget. Anyway, at it's highest point this bridge is only about 6 inches from the ground.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIEwdLvKRSYwmyBv4OQ31F4emAib8Cc0L9a5iifI4XPa7ouClERDaqmNtBUoEBUaQwkmlirLg1acbRkg8eYd-yf2XBHE3ergFalaSV5txJVFBsAdbxUdHDFU2TtMZEYTyBJMyjdw-Yh8z/s1600-h/bridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIEwdLvKRSYwmyBv4OQ31F4emAib8Cc0L9a5iifI4XPa7ouClERDaqmNtBUoEBUaQwkmlirLg1acbRkg8eYd-yf2XBHE3ergFalaSV5txJVFBsAdbxUdHDFU2TtMZEYTyBJMyjdw-Yh8z/s320/bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397137477181412962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Bridge of Sorrow</span><br /></div><br />Michigan is now 5-3 this season and looking as shaky as they ever did on both sides of the ball. Actually, there were times during the Penn State game that I thought the Michigan defense played fairly well. Then I realized that PSU's tailback Royster did rack up 100 yards and quarterback Darryl Clark had a “field day” through the air with 230 yards and 4 (!) touchdowns courtesy of the Michigan defense.<br /><br />The Nittany Lions outplayed Michigan in every facet of the football game, except maybe punting. This was a good Penn State team. Not unbeatable, but a good opponent. From a mental toughness standpoint, Michigan's response was an emphatic "not ready". They're just not. They're either too young, too inexperienced, or not talented enough at certain positions. I don' t know. If they were ready, then they certainly wouldn’t be handing a 6-1 Penn State team with free interceptions, fumbles, safeties and penalties all on a silver platter with pretty garnishes on the side in front of a nationally televised audience.<br /><br />Michigan was thoroughly and decisively out gained offensively yet again. When this happens, the options for football teams are limited. You either:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">a.) play out-of-your-mind awesome scoring defense, or<br /><br />b.) play out-of-your-mind effective offense, scoring touchdowns like a mother on every offensive possession, forcing the UM regents to contemplate procurement of a more robust stadium scoreboard, or<br /><br />c.) both </span><br /><br />Instead the opposite occurred Saturday.<br /><br />Why do we feel so shitty about the 10-35 loss to Penn State Saturday?<br /><br />Two reasons really.<br /><br />One, this was the most decisive loss for Michigan all-season, and the worst loss since the 7-42 drubbing in Columbus in 2008.<br /><br />Two, I’m thinking it’s the yards per play statistics.<br /><br />Yep.<br /><br />On Saturday Michigan had its worst yards per play output of the 2009 football season with only 3.42 yards per play.<br /><br />So, uh, when was the last time Michigan had aYPP stat outcome below 4 yards per play?<br /><br />You’d have to go back to the 2008 football games against Ohio State (3.0 YPP), Northwestern (3.22) and, of course, the lovely Utah game (3.22).<br /><br />All were losses.<br /><br />All of the sudden it's as if Michigan football fandom collectively realizes all at once that ending this football season 6-6 or 7-5 looks all the more probable (and delightful?) as the irrational expectations of Michigan’s 2009 football season following the 38-34 in-yo'-face victory over Notre Dame crashes to the ground at 9.8 meters per second.<br /><br />Penn State 35, Michigan 10<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">On Offense</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Rushing Attack:</span><br />Michigan rushed for 110 yards against the best rushing defense in the Big Tenon Saturday. Penn State typically surrenders only 79 yards rushing per game. So are these 110 yards by Michigan an accomplishment of some measure? I guess so. But it is still 109 yards well below Michigan’s season game average.<br /><br />Penn State’s defense - <a href="http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/2009/10/when-carcajous-attack-lions.html">obviously consumed with indignation for WCA's public critique of their bakery basket football schedule</a> - effectively "owned" this blogger by allowing the Wolverines only 10 points - pretty much in alignment with their 8.7 per game average allowance this year.<br />Meanwhile Michigan star tailback Brandon Minor had only 48 yards in this game on 12 carries and then got….wait for the surprise everybody!…...injured. I claimed in the off-season that Michigan has probably one of the most talented stable of backs in the Big Ten right now with Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown and Michael Shaw, plus incoming freshman Vincent Smith.<br /><br />I still stand by this claim. But one deciding factor that will likely prevent 2009 Michigan from ever achieving the 2002 West Virginia’s Wonder Year 9-4 turnaround is this: The inability (or unwillingness) to ride one or two of these running backs on a consistent and dedicated basis into glorious sunsets of victory. The experienced offensive line and talented running backs are competitive advantages upon which Michigan has been unable to fully capitalize in Big Ten play this year. Rich Rodriguez and Calvin McGee probably would if they could, but the UM offensive line, while improved, is probably just not good enough. The serious knee injury to center Dave Molk throws an unneeded wrench into an offensive machine that never ran full-throttle in the first place. Most importantly, the incessant fragility of running backs Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown has affected Michigan’s rhythm, play calling and level of aggressiveness in football games more than ever. How great was it that Michigan marched down the field with authority on that first drive to take a 7-0 lead, only to see it never repeated again in regulation?<br /><br />Michigan has played games poorly this year and still won. Michigan has also played games poorly and lost. So now it's time to ask when will Michigan win a Big Ten game by playing extremely well? If there’s an opportunity to do just that, it would have to be next week when the worst team in the Big Ten conference, Illinois, hosts Michigan in Champaign. If the game against the Retreating Illini is not a decisive victory for Michigan, then seriously folks, head for the mountains. I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that if Michigan wins Saturday, it will not be in decisive fashion. It cannot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Passing Attack:</span><br />After Michigan’s first two games versus Western Michigan and Notre Dame, I was happy.<br /><br />Really happy?<br /><br />Yeah, pretty happy.<br /><br />Not just because Michigan was 2-0. Forget that noise. No, I was happy because the Michigan passing numbers were not only improved from the year prior, but they were “revealing”. Alright, that’s maybe a little too dramatic. What if I had just said that Michigan’s passing numbers “slid nicely into alignment with the concept of what Michigan’s offense would surely become in the future: a read spread option offense with surprising balance!” Wow! What a change that would be! Talk about exciting to watch and difficult to defend! In those first two games Michigan rushed and passed for about 200 yards. Brilliant! Try to stop THAT oncoming locomotive, Big Ten Conference!<br /><br />Unfortunately, since the Notre Dame game the Michigan offense has lost its center and went wayward. Some of blame goes to the freshman quarterback play. Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson are both confident and young. We remember the mistakes, but they've both made just as many or more great plays. They’re only going to improve in the coming years. They’ve got tremendous skills with great upside (more upside than any other Big Ten quarterbacks right now, in my view), but still have a long way to go in order to learn all the intricacies of this offense, to develop wider and deeper field vision, and to accrue more patience. More competition is on the way next fall. I am not worried about Michigan’s quarterback situation because it's only going to get better.<br /><br />Some of the blame goes to the offensive line. They’ve done better at run blocking this year than last, but the pass blocking still needs a ton of work, and/or bigger players with better technique in the future. Tate Forcier passed for only 140 yards, was sacked 5 times, completed only 43% of this throws, including one INT, and made several mental errors versus Penn State on Saturday. The Nittany Lions are one of the better defensive teams in the conference along the defensive line and linebacker positions. The next best defensive teams in conference, unfortunately, still remain on Michigan’s slate: Wisconsin and Ohio State. Michigan has a lot left to prove along the offensive front line, particularly with Dave Molk’s absence.<br /><br />The area of greatest disappointment in 2009, in my view, is at the receiver positions. I do believe Michigan has some talented players with a lot of promise here like Martavious Odoms, Kevin Koger and Kelvin Grady. What’s surprised and disappointed me most has been the statistical output of senior Greg Mathews and junior JR Hemingway thus far this season. Mathews and Hemingway work on the outside, but are both 4th and 5th in receptions respectively for Michigan this season. This makes sense to some degree as the slots are utilized more frequently on many quarterback read progressions. But Mathews and Hemingway (and anyone else who happens to line up outside the slot positions like Darryl Stonum) have been largely underutilized this year by Michigan's play-calling staff. As a result, the versatility and potency of this year’s spread offense has diminished to a great extent. Michigan’s best games passing were 223 and 225 yard performances against Indiana and MSU respectively. Michigan can do much better in the passing department. They will have to in order to defeat the upcoming conference opponents.<br /><br />In my view, Michigan’s success over the next 4 games lies almost entirely with the offensive performance. Offensive balance is going to be very important. This team should be averaging about 200 yards on the ground and 200 yards in the air each game. Obviously, this is not happening right now. Until it does, I think we can expect opponents to out gain Michigan offensively on a regular basis. This will have an unfortunate and adverse affect of charging the Michigan defensive unit with preventative duties for which it has repeatedly proven itself largely ill-equipped.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Word About Turnovers</span><br />At this point last season, Michigan was recovering from it’s 4th consecutive loss to MSU at home 21-35. After 8 games in 2008, the Wolverines already had thrown 12 interceptions and lost 13 fumbles. The numbers in 2009 are much less: 9 interceptions and 8 lost fumbles. Fewer turnovers certainly have helped Michigan this fall. However, the common denominator has not changed: Michigan is still not a good enough defensive and offensive football team to commit turnovers and still win football games.<br /><br />I fear the savage turnover lesson from 2008 may rear it’s ugly head yet again over the next two games against underperforming, yet capable, football teams like Illinois and Purdue.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">On Defense:</span><br />Michigan’s defense is pretty much a dead-ringer to last year’s 2008 defense.<br /><br />That bad?<br /><br />Well, kind of. Michigan is giving up 5.2 yards per play so far in 2009. They gave up 5.3 at this point in 2008 (after 8 games). In terms of yards per point, however, Michigan is slightly better this year forcing opponents to travel 20.4 yards versus 17.3 in 2008 for every point scored.<br /><br />After 8 games, we know how good Michigan is defensively. Many Michigan fans lie awake at night pondering ridiculous questions like if only Brandon Graham and Donovan Warren both had younger identical twin brothers, or if only they could be cloned two or three times over just like the first stormtroopers in Star Wars Episode II.<br /><br />The outlook for Michigan over the next four games is unfortunately pretty dire. This is because there there's little evidence to suggest we should not expect more of the same, i.e.:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.) Surrendering 364 yards total offense on average</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.) Wolverine secondary getting torched for 230 yards passing on average and allowing approximately 130 yards rushing in every game. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />3.) Surrendering 24 points per game, gaining 1 interception per game, and ½ of a recovered fumble per game. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.) Handing out 2 turnovers on average per game offensively</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.) Giving up huge touchdown plays and improbable 3rd down conversions.</span><br /><br />Combined with unpredictable performances by this quarterback-centric offense, this is a bad recipe all around for Michigan.<br /><br />Some emerging players on defense for Michigan:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DE Brandon Graham 15 TFL and 5.5 sacks (alas a senior)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CB Donovan Warren 47 tackles, 3 INT, 7 pass breakups (NFL draft likely)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LB Obi Ezeh (junior) 62 tackles, 22 solo</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LB Stevie Brown (senior) 47 tackles, 28 solo</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">S Jordan Kovacs (walk-on extraordinaire) 50 tackles, 24 solo</span><br /><br />DE Ryan van Bergen (29 tackles, 3 sacks), DT Mike Martin (29 tackles, 1 sack) and DE Craig Roh (22 tackles, 2 sacks) have all grown this year as well with their on field performances.<br /><br />So is there any good news?<br /><br />Perhaps there is. The league’s most effective passing offenses are out of the way. Three out of Michigan’s next 4 opponents are below average throwing teams (Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio State). All are predominantly average-to-above average rushing teams.<br /><br />7-5 is certainly a possibility for Michigan. 8-4 is also possible. At the same time, the Penn State game outcome indicates loudly and clearly Michigan fans need to ready themselves for the possibility of 6-6.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-91100798731264170472009-10-21T22:30:00.000-07:002009-10-22T00:51:50.347-07:00When Carcajous Attack Lions!<span style="font-weight: bold;">Preview: Michigan vs. No. 13 Penn State, October 24, 2009 – Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When You Crave Irrational Exuberance On A Level That Only Brett Musberger Can Deliver:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-tM_f3WQf2fGdNx7le3tsDmEfi2asC2WEiqYjejIlWaoc2WRXjBVHGo2sXw5N6jv2yXoUNl9pZn9z9Qxp3WkpclVDZLQMfA_U6tWRaa7-QrwulFVPN4UEeWw8Lg7m-GM_-Km0yCrW-Wm/s1600-h/Musberger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-tM_f3WQf2fGdNx7le3tsDmEfi2asC2WEiqYjejIlWaoc2WRXjBVHGo2sXw5N6jv2yXoUNl9pZn9z9Qxp3WkpclVDZLQMfA_U6tWRaa7-QrwulFVPN4UEeWw8Lg7m-GM_-Km0yCrW-Wm/s400/Musberger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395295581629842578" border="0" /></a><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">“And we’re here LIIIIIIIIIIIVE again in the BIG HOUSE in Ann Arbor, Michigan in front of yet another record crowd here this late Saturday afternoon to witness the 15th HISTORICAL (!!!!!) meeting between the Wolverines of Michigan and the Nittany Lions of Penn State! Welcome everybody!<br /><br />Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions are now 6-1 and 2-1 in the Big Ten after shutting down the mighty Minnesota Gophers at home last weekend 20-0. To find Penn State’s only blemish on their record this season you’d have to go back to that frustrating evening home loss to Big Ten leader Iowa right here on ABC!! That game included three uncharacteristic Penn State interceptions, 1 lost fumble, and a blocked punt for an Iowa touchdown. It might interest fans on both sides of the field today to note that Penn State and Michigan have faced one common opponent this year: The Iowa Hawkeyes. The final results of those contests were the same, yet they were also somewhat different. Penn State lost at home to Iowa by 11 points, while Michigan lost to those same Hawkeyes on the road by only 2 points.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the Michigan Wolverines of Rich Rodriguez are 5-2 and just 1-2 in Big Ten play. Michigan is a younger team than Penn State. They’re still struggling to find their identity this year ever since that upset win over Notre Dame earlier this year in this very stadium. As a result, everyone is asking the same question week after week: How improved is Michigan really? That question will be answered today against Penn State. While it’s true that the Wolverines absolutely bashed the daylights out of lowly Delaware State 63-6 here last Saturday, no one has forgotten the two straight Big Ten conference defeats against Michigan State and Iowa by relatively small margins only a few weeks ago.<br /><br />Will this contest of Big Ten Gladiators(!) go down to the wire here again today?!<br /><br />Let’s find out, shall we?”</blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">This football game is important for Michigan for the following reasons:</span><br /><br />1. Joe Paterno has been the head coach at Penn State since 1966. Very few college football teams have achieved a winning record against the Nittany Lions on Paterno’s watch. Of the short list of football teams that do have all-time winning records against Penn State, (which includes Oklahoma 2-0, Alabama 8-4, Ohio State 12-8, UCLA 2-1, Wisconsin 7-6, for example) Michigan has a fantastic record : 10-4 record all-time against PSU. This includes 9 straight Michigan wins between 1997 and 2007. Since the first meeting in 1993 Michigan has won these contests rather decisively with an average margin of victory of 4.7 points. (average score 23.3 to 18.6). Penn State’s lone victories over UM in Michigan Stadium date back to the Clinton administration: 1994 and 1996.<br /><br />2. Beating Penn State would even out Michigan’s conference record at 2-2. A UM victory would also likely place the Wolverines in a ridiculous 6-team tie for 3rd place in the Big Ten with all 6 teams having 2 conference losses by the end of action Saturday. Indeed, carcajous are known to wreak havoc on their surroundings.<br /><br />3. Michigan started strong against unbeaten and No. 3 Penn State last year, but ultimately were manhandled and humiliated 17-46 on national television for their 5th loss of the season. Rodriguez and the Wolverine seniors will definitely want to dish out some payback this weekend - in spades, if they can be so mustered.<br /><br />4. A victory over 13th ranked Penn State would give Michigan a 6-2 overall record, 100% certainty of landing a bowl bid in 2009, and a good chance of returning once again to the national rankings.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Three Great Reasons to Wipe That Ridiculous Smile Off Of Your Face:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Nittany Lion Tailbacks Evan Royster </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXysEi7BbY0uA4fFUbzheYcDC35nQ14gxhsrAcJ-fD9dGgbi3YmBQmFJ4RMnsS5PS2vTz1ZEVvx9CbrmxQ7e5YGqSsTIKx-QzYClAv1dUPIwXH7YBKgTUrSPuq0e9t85uAEiEmeyXkrTOP/s1600-h/Evan+Royster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXysEi7BbY0uA4fFUbzheYcDC35nQ14gxhsrAcJ-fD9dGgbi3YmBQmFJ4RMnsS5PS2vTz1ZEVvx9CbrmxQ7e5YGqSsTIKx-QzYClAv1dUPIwXH7YBKgTUrSPuq0e9t85uAEiEmeyXkrTOP/s400/Evan+Royster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395295941342294338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"I'll drag you to the end zone this time. But next time the fare is $2.50"</span><br /><br /></div>Evan Royster is sort of Penn State’s version of Brandon Minor. Royster is 6-1 and 209 lbs. The main differences are that Royster is far more resilient to injury, he actually possesses good speed and agility to juke would-be tacklers out of position rather than just bowl them over. He’s also becoming a more dangerous receiver as of late for Penn State. Brandon Minor has caught 1 pass all year long for 1 lousy yard. Royster has 8 catches for 114 yards (14 yards per catch) and 1 TD. Royster is a runner first, however, averaging an impressive 5.8 yards per carry and 92 yards per game behind <a href="http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/2009/05/2009-big-ten-team-predictions.html">a questionable offensive line.</a> He has 4 rushing TDs after 7 games. If opponents want to beat Penn State, then they have to emulate what Iowa did successfully against Evan Royster. They held him to just 69 yards rushing and kept him completely out of the end zone. The result of this effort placed greater urgency and pressure on quarterback Darryl Clark to throw and run the ball himself in order to win, which he would have done more or less successfully, if it hadn’t been for the 3 drive-killing interceptions. With Royster running the ball on par at 5.8 yards per carry, this frees up Clark and the rest of the PSU offense to do 5 or 6 other offensive plays extremely well. Michigan has had difficulty stopping the run in general this season, though they had some success at times against mainly pass-centric offenses like MSU and Iowa recently. The Wolverines have certainly not faced a power back with the size and speed of Royster this year. PSU’s offensive line has performed slightly below expectations this fall. Controlling the line of scrimmage and Evan Royster will be priority No. 1 for Michigan this Saturday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Nittany Lion Quarterback Darryl Clark</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0wstaC5EFG9KPg1JmF9ifKVyAHaQCo64OAVlovzmk8-3u_shCVnSFBVfQ0D86LX5wC3MT8ftOdV5ku8hfd9sMFKkpqjUPZxLJKSHgeH_Uo7BFYJKkF0GuVUsX9xbZfkpATTYYyP15_YF/s1600-h/Darryl+Clark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0wstaC5EFG9KPg1JmF9ifKVyAHaQCo64OAVlovzmk8-3u_shCVnSFBVfQ0D86LX5wC3MT8ftOdV5ku8hfd9sMFKkpqjUPZxLJKSHgeH_Uo7BFYJKkF0GuVUsX9xbZfkpATTYYyP15_YF/s400/Darryl+Clark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395295946169892786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"Oh, wide open..."</span><br /></div><br />A year ago in Beaver Stadium, Penn State’s quarterback Darryl Clark punched in an average day at the office against Michigan. He wasn’t amazingly accurate throwing the football. He hit on 18 of 31 passes (58%) for 171 yards and only 1 TD. He didn’t set the world on fire rushing in that game either, as he had 9 carries for 45 yards (5 ypc) and two 1-yard touchdown runs.<br /><br />In fact, ever since this guy took over for Anthony Morelli at the position, it’s never really been about what Darryl Clark does to opponents on his own. Sure, Clark is a decent runner. He’s even become a better passer (62% accuracy YTD) this year. No, it’s more about how Darryl Clark forces opposing defenses to keep their heads on a swivel all the time, and account for ALL of the other offensive weapons that Clark “activates” by just being present under center. Galen Hall uses Darryl Clark like a chemical enzyme to create hesitation in Penn State’s enemies. Even with a significant decline in wide receiver speed and talent in 2009 compared to the year prior, we can still see how just a little hesitation is all Penn State really needs to score a lot of points and gash opponents easily for hundreds of yards.<br /><br />In terms of quarterback footwork, timing, throwing mechanics, and fakes, one would be hard pressed to find a better quarterback in the Big Ten right now than Darryl Clark. At midpoint of the season, he already has over 1,600 yards passing. His receiving targets may not be spectacular, but 6 different Nittany Lions have 11 catches or more, and 5 different ones have found pay dirt this season at least once. With the exception of perhaps the Iowa game, it is fair to say that Clark has not been pressured very much this season. This is partly due to reasonably good offensive line play against a schedule of opponents that can be closely compared to bakery goods you’d find in the Hostess aisle of your local grocery store. It’s probably not a coincidence that the toughest opponent Clark has had to deal with this year (Iowa) just happened to be the same team that blanketed him for only 19 yards rushing and nabbed 3 interceptions.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Penn State’s Linebackers and Secondary</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS9-rSxaFpbrAQnIFHEggk7WnbmFIzQUko6goRq_lw0j_tnIlvyNTOdxU5iOze4ZUlREkDb4hVc67xrgpG97-irPYLMZUCqDR1oGfbkJnlvRfFzCqKFuMbT3Kmgeu8Dqk_4Kq093pVSEE/s1600-h/Sean+Lee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS9-rSxaFpbrAQnIFHEggk7WnbmFIzQUko6goRq_lw0j_tnIlvyNTOdxU5iOze4ZUlREkDb4hVc67xrgpG97-irPYLMZUCqDR1oGfbkJnlvRfFzCqKFuMbT3Kmgeu8Dqk_4Kq093pVSEE/s400/Sean+Lee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395295950580713650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Penn State's Linebacker Sean Lee</span><br /></div>Penn State has the number one scoring defense in the nation going into this football game. They have given up only 8 points per game. This fantastic statistic is almost certainly the product of combining Akron, Temple and Syracuse with just a smidgeon of Eastern Illinois, all in Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions will now face the No. 1 scoring and rushing offense in the Big Ten in Michigan (even when we subtract out Michigan’s blood-curdling statistics of the Delaware State game). Michigan will be the most run-centric, yet strangely versatile offensive opponent that the Nittany Lions have faced all year. Even Iowa, which was primarily a drop-back passing team, did find surprising success with their walk-on tailback Adam Robinson who collected 88 yards rushing, 14 of them on a rumbling, stumbling touchdown run in the 4th quarter against PSU’s apparently exhausted defense.<br /><br />Penn State’s linebackers, Navaro Bowman, Chris Colasanti, Sean Lee and Josh Hull are some of the better defenders in the Big Ten at their positions. They will be as good as or better than what Michigan State and Iowa put forward against the Wolverines in recent weeks. The Penn State secondary of cornerback A.J. Wallace, and safety Nick Sukay is not as good as the Iowa Hawkeyes’ secondary in terms of takeaways, but they’ve given up the fewest passing yards (163 per game) in the league (while playing frosted cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles!) and only 3 passing TDs all year. PSU has collected 8 interceptions so far after 7 games.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Carcajous Attack! On Offense:</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutkmbQ3haGgdZ3jscQDC1nrrWJ6aESGRRw8G-WDlRV7lvOKU8-I4XfnPgJR1EnBgiD8Z0kygJowvfD8kNRlAykLoSLj4RazCkq8uT7yPLXHmBhRnHY3vtOTCqVqhsTiV7ilIjwhXN7X_j/s1600-h/Greg+Mathews.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 327px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutkmbQ3haGgdZ3jscQDC1nrrWJ6aESGRRw8G-WDlRV7lvOKU8-I4XfnPgJR1EnBgiD8Z0kygJowvfD8kNRlAykLoSLj4RazCkq8uT7yPLXHmBhRnHY3vtOTCqVqhsTiV7ilIjwhXN7X_j/s400/Greg+Mathews.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395297255935771906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Michigan Senior Wide Receiver Greg Mathews</span> </div>It’s weird. Michigan is 5-2 (4-2 in my view, because DSU was really just a scrimmage), but they’ve been out gained offensively by every opponent save Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan this fall. That’s not good. It also answers the question whether Michigan has “turned the corner” offensively with Rich Rodriguez read spread option offense. They really haven’t yet. But with the young players and speed Michigan has assembled at the skilled positions, they are approaching that corner very soon. Michigan needs a big game offensively in order to beat Penn State on Saturday. The Wolverines’ offensive strategy must emphasize balance. Michigan’s rushing offense reasserted itself to some degree during the road game to Iowa with 3 rushing TDs and 195 yards on the ground. They had way more success than PSU had against the same defense, and on the road to boot. Unfortunately, the Michigan passing game has been stalled somewhat over the last 4 games, largely due to Tate Forcier’s shoulder problems and the obvious hesitancy of Rich Rodriguez and Calvin Magee to let backup Denard Robinson chuck the ball downfield. To beat Penn State and come close to equaling the Nittany Lions own offensive output, Michigan must get the ball successfully to the edge with the slot receivers, and more importantly to the outside wide receivers ten yards plus downfield on a regular basis. Only in this way can the PSU middle be adequately softened for the death strikes of Shaw, Brown and Minor up the middle and over the ends. For this reason I say that Tate Forcier and his receivers Greg Mathews, JR Hemingway, Kevin Koger and Martavious Odoms are the key to victory Saturday. The Michigan receivers must have exemplary performances. The PSU DL and LBs are very good. Without good receiver performances, the pressure will be way too high on Tate Forcier and the Michigan running backs to do it all themselves. The potential return of starting center David Molk from injury is a positive development for Michigan’s running and passing attack Saturday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Carcajous Attack! On Defense:</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyCAqOk-BF7dpQWGWr4D-w4zKfX78qlDCQ0i561I3wqZtsOkS7j8t6K-Ro7s0skwTl_EgZByVScsqeHD4AChVOoijycpNglcRDPMf_2vAChRUyt1Tz49RkCgnUWSL1t6X_qRQOyB9o2_f/s1600-h/stevie+brown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyCAqOk-BF7dpQWGWr4D-w4zKfX78qlDCQ0i561I3wqZtsOkS7j8t6K-Ro7s0skwTl_EgZByVScsqeHD4AChVOoijycpNglcRDPMf_2vAChRUyt1Tz49RkCgnUWSL1t6X_qRQOyB9o2_f/s400/stevie+brown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395297259428034274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Stevie Brown: Linebacker Speed to Counter PSU's Own Spread and Shred</span> </div><br />The fact of the matter is, Michigan’s defense isn't very good this year. So every time we enter this chasm of despair together, well, do we really want to go into it with Penn State on deck? I guess we must. Yes, we’ve observed some defensive improvement at times versus Michigan State and Iowa. I love Brandon Graham and the rest of the guys on defense. They’re playing their hearts out right now. But let’s not pretend that Michigan opponents haven’t had their way with the Wolverines Saturday afternoons this year, because they have. Yes, it was nice to see Michigan hold Iowa and their non-rated, walk-on tailback from Des Moines to just 83 yards rushing. Every time I want to do a celebration dance about something good like that, I get smacked in the face with a two by four from the other side of the equation. You know, like the 284 yards passing drummed up by “Bad Ricky” Stanzi. Reasons for optimism are easily shattered just like so. I mean, if Ricky “I’m not Chuck Long” Stanzi can throw for 284 yards and Kirk “Molasses in Wintertime” Cousins can cut upfield for 10 yards per carry on this Michigan defense, then I make no apology for what I’m about to say here: Darryl Clark is the best quarterback Michigan’s defense will have faced this year. Better than Clausen. Better than Cousins. And eleventy billion times better than Stanzi. Based on the evidence of past performance, Darryl Clark will have a very good day running and passing against this Michigan defense. A “field day”? Well, I ask readers, what evidence do we have to suggest otherwise? This will be the first fully-fledged run-centric spread offense Michigan will have played against. Even if the Michigan defensive line plays out of their minds and pressures or sacks Clark with any frequency, the Michigan linebackers have been so frequently out of position to make a play, it just isn’t funny anymore.<br /><br />So the one ray of hope for Michigan on defense, it seems to me, is if the Wolverines can somehow stuff the running success of star tailback Evan Royster. If that can be achieved some how, some way – and I must draw your attention to the capital “I” on the “If” - then the entire Penn State game plan rests on Darryl Clark’s shoulders. And as good as Darryl Clark can be both running and passing the football, he has not delivered well when it’s all on his shoulders alone for a full 60 minutes, particularly in away games when Penn State is ranked and favored to win.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Time:</span><br />On October 18, 2008 third ranked Penn State crushed Michigan 46-17, handing Rich Rodriguez and his first Wolverine team their 5th loss of the season. Nittany Lion tailback Evan Royster tore Michigan’s defense to shreds with 174 yards rushing and 1 TD. Darryl Clark passed for 171 yards and 1 TD before the PSU scrubs played out the rest of the game. Returning from a long bout of injury, Michigan’s Brandon Minor rushed for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns in the game. It was a humbling and embarrassing loss for Michigan football and more than your average triumphant result for Penn State because they had closed the book on Michigan’s 9 game winning streak in the series.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What to Expect</span><br />I joke about Penn State’s cupcake schedule this year. Actually both teams coming into this game have had a comparable “easy time of it” up to now: PSU’s opponents thus far are 24-21, while Michigan’s opponents are an equally unimpressive 23-22 to date. However, there is a case to be made that Michigan has been more frequently and thoroughly tested than Penn State to this point of the season. Michigan has played some pretty decent opponents in Iowa, MSU, Notre Dame already. While PSU’s best opponents so far have been definitely Iowa and possibly Minnesota. Conversely, Michigan has played two awful football teams in EMU and Delaware State, while Penn State has played Akron (1-5), Syracuse 2-4, and a clearly psychotic and derailed Illinois squad (1-5). I just think Michigan enters this game with a much better idea of how good and bad they really are.<br /><br />This is probably going to be Darryl Clark’s and Evan Royster’s last game against Michigan this Saturday. Clark is like 35 years old or something, and graduates this fall, while Royster is so going to get drafted. Nobody knows how good the PSU offensive line really is. In my view, it’ll probably play on a scale somewhere between the Iowa and Minnesota performances, which means unimpressive by PSU standards, but holy sh&t definitely bad news for Michigan’s defense. Then again, semi-competent offensive line play by opponents usually does spell out the words “bad news” for Michigan’s defense. Or maybe it spells out the word “Touchdown!”.<br />I forget.<br /><br />Despite minor improvements by Michigan’s defense over the last two games, I don’t believe there’s much to prevent Darryl Clark from throwing for over 300 yards and 2 TDs in this game. Royster should have a decent game as well with over 100 yards on the ground and 1 TD at least.<br /><br />Offensively, I’m convinced that Michigan is going to have good success against the Nittany Lions on the ground, despite a good PSU DL and LB corps. Michigan should easily surpass Iowa’s 21 points scored. But here’s the problem for Michigan: The defense can’t stop big plays from happening (ever), and the passing game has been floundering. Tate Forcier says he’s 100%. I’m not buying it. I expect to see plenty of miscues, hanging on to the ball way to long, sacks, and possibly an interception or two. The key question for this game boils down to how frequently Tate Forcier manages to connect on passes +10 yards downfield with his main receivers Odoms, Mathews, Koger and Hemingway. I recommend avoiding AJ Wallace.<br /><br />Past Michigan performance in this category of downfield passing instructs us to ignore the possibility entirely. But if these downfield connections do occur Saturday, then I think Penn State is in trouble on many levels, because such success won’t just open up a can of other things that could destroy PSU. It probably would open up an oil drum full of things that could destroy PSU. If there’s no downfield passing game for Michigan on Saturday, then the Wolverines will be relegated to a more simplistic attack, and have serious problems either keeping up or separating from PSU (if UM has the lead).<br /><br />This then leads us to questions about new offensive plays or trick plays for Michigan. Now I’m sure Rich Rodriguez, Calvin Magee and Greg Robinson have a number of cool plays they’d just love to throw at Old Man Paterno on Saturday. They might even catch PSU by surprise on one or two of them. But will it create enough confusion and delay for other things to really open up offensively or defensively for Michigan? If there’s a time for Michigan to demonstrate new weaponry, it would be Saturday.<br /><br />I think we can expect PSU and Michigan offenses to march up and down the field on each other and the game with relative impunity as the clock quickly approaches 00:00. Michigan really doesn’t play Big Ten football games any other way. Just to make us all feel at-home about this concept of winning and losing football games by a butthair, Michigan fans can also fully expect ABC’s Brent Musberger to relentlessly spout off groan-worthy anecdotes of the glorious Big Ten upsets of yesteryear, JoePa, Mario Manningham, yaddayadda.<br /><br />After about three hours of predictably horrid defense against big Penn State offensive plays, the score will somehow remain very close, like Michigan 27, Penn State 28, with precious few seconds left to play on the clock.<br /><br />Then, in the end, on to that “Field of Gladiators!!!” described by Mr. Overdidit (Musberger), a 6 foot, 5 inch, 212 lbs senior field goal kicker trots on to the field for Michigan.<br /><br />Olesnavage 3, Lions 0.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WCA Prediction: Michigan 30, Penn State 28</span>Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-77207283023536411672009-10-21T20:37:00.000-07:002009-10-21T23:27:53.573-07:00We Will Not Score Before It’s Time<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESMEm98L-Si7eyL_vx8oZuWZfwHh5WD5tFOpwgMv3wbb1V_pUy27VH3i2V9l79CILVM9d37RXIZS9YKPdORyAv0zyl5kNHaPNsoBk6idL4KW3-VllbsLwofPu-mrxMcrvr7LUzM0ZwoBK/s1600-h/Forcier+%26+RichRod.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESMEm98L-Si7eyL_vx8oZuWZfwHh5WD5tFOpwgMv3wbb1V_pUy27VH3i2V9l79CILVM9d37RXIZS9YKPdORyAv0zyl5kNHaPNsoBk6idL4KW3-VllbsLwofPu-mrxMcrvr7LUzM0ZwoBK/s400/Forcier+%26+RichRod.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395274981765947826" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">"Just like we talked about at halftime, Tate!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Right coach. No more field goals. Only touchdowns"</span><br /></div><br />The Michigan Wolverines football team in 2009 has so far proven to be a 1st and 4th quarter football team offensively. Here are Michigan’s points scored by game quarter so far this season*:<style type="text/css"><br />table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}<br />.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}<br /></style><br /><br /><table class="tableizer-table"><tbody><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th style="text-align: left;">UM Offense '09</th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Game Quarter</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">1st Qtr</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">2nd Qtr</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">3rd Qtr</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">4th Qtrt</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">OT</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">Total</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Points</td><td style="text-align: center;">69</td><td style="text-align: center;">44</td><td style="text-align: center;">28</td><td style="text-align: center;">57</td><td style="text-align: center;">0</td><td style="text-align: center;">198</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">% of Total</td><td style="text-align: center;">35%</td><td style="text-align: center;">22%</td><td style="text-align: center;">14%</td><td style="text-align: center;">29%</td><td style="text-align: center;">0%</td><td style="text-align: center;">100%</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This is actually kind of a good thing because it shows that Michigan typically starts out football games pretty strong, which can boost the confidence of the entire team.<br /><br />The Wolverine defense has been spectacular in the 3rd quarter of football games this year while being consistently awful in the 2nd and 4th quarter. Below we see UM opponent points scored by game quarter*:<br /><br /><table class="tableizer-table"><tbody><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th style="text-align: left;">UM Defense '09</th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Game Quarter</td><td style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">1st Qtr</td><td style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">2nd Qtr</td><td style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">3rd Qtr</td><td style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">4th Qtrt</td><td style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">OT</td><td style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Total</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Points</td><td style="text-align: center;">37</td><td style="text-align: center;">56</td><td style="text-align: center;">9</td><td style="text-align: center;">45</td><td style="text-align: center;">6</td><td style="text-align: center;">153</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">% of Total</td><td style="text-align: center;">24%</td><td style="text-align: center;">37%</td><td style="text-align: center;">6%</td><td style="text-align: center;">29%</td><td style="text-align: center;">4%</td><td style="text-align: center;">100%</td></tr></tbody></table><br />On average Michigan is being significantly outscored in the 2nd quarter of games by their opponents.<br /><br />Since the defense tends to “open up the floodgates” in the 2nd quarter (37% of opponent points scored), they probably garner the greatest attention by the UM coaching staff at halftime (Greg Robinson, Rich Rodriguez, etc.). What I'm imagining here is an appropriate level of woodshed conversation or ass-chewing followed by a team rally around the whiteboard.<br /><br />If this is happening, and we look at the above numbers, we might be tempted to ask this question:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">If UM opponents are scoring 61% of all of their points in the 1st half, then why wait until half-time for the talking to?</span><br /><br />Well, whatever is being "changed" or said at half-time probably can’t be done before kickoff because the coaching staff doesn't know 100% what kind of crap the opponents are going to pull and what tactical adjustments or reversals need to take place. I guess we should just sit back and be grateful that whatever “it” is, is taking place at half-time in the Michigan locker room. I mean, feast your eyes on that 3rd quarter opponent scoring will you. Michigan has given up 9 points all year long in the 3rd quarter.<br /><br />Come to think of it, judging from the team’s 3rd quarter performance, the Michigan staff might also wish to light a torch under the hineys of the Wolverine offensive players at halftime as well.<br /><br />If there's a time for Rodriguez and Magee to break out the Howitzers offensively, it'd definitely be the 3rd quarter, not the 4th. This would certainly ease the pressure off of an already shaky defensive situation. Doing so would probably keep team confidence higher and for a longer duration, not to mention allow Michigan football fans to regrow their fingernails some.<br /><br />* =<span style="font-style: italic;"> The Delaware State numbers are removed above, because from a statistical point of view due to the low strength of the opponent, the numbers are not very indicative.</span>Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-8913104415037124192009-10-21T08:47:00.000-07:002009-10-21T08:50:04.726-07:00Michigan AD Bill Martin to Retire<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg533Lv-hljLAs3yiJo3D7L1wzhlbkEEh1TqBNGpfMrcxYU287OFXMxASMUQWhw_QCFJ0e5Cx06Nyl04rNzr4hmzlKpn24a6vY2x290w4ISRdr5NGalFu4sS2ySXlgfBlkiVXMDx9NDOql7/s1600-h/Bill+Martin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg533Lv-hljLAs3yiJo3D7L1wzhlbkEEh1TqBNGpfMrcxYU287OFXMxASMUQWhw_QCFJ0e5Cx06Nyl04rNzr4hmzlKpn24a6vY2x290w4ISRdr5NGalFu4sS2ySXlgfBlkiVXMDx9NDOql7/s400/Bill+Martin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395081071366553634" border="0" /></a><br />An <a href="http://www.mgoblue.com/genrel/102109aab.html">interesting development here</a>. Bill Martin will retire September 4, 2010.<br /><br />What's going on?Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-10794497540321600982009-10-21T08:40:00.000-07:002009-10-21T08:44:01.055-07:00Running with the DevilAt WVU the tailbacks would sometimes line up 1 yard back to the right or left of the quarterback in the shotgun. Sometimes they're lined up parallel side-by-side with the quarterback. It looks to me like WVU would run or throw out of such positions.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z29OBPwRjaY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z29OBPwRjaY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-83062628749566229222009-10-15T21:31:00.000-07:002009-10-16T21:23:51.722-07:00When Carcajous Attack Hornets!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C4LHGwkg_DZWl6N5Kd36BJdhgobTgVId2TZN9ClJpVNugWEdu-0sf5AEFRkfW1KpxeX13uoft5MO9djcxvkAQdZstqLe2oiljStJ5PhoSzPzycXjttYNxRKbNh4R_6wzznTS-Z1q03d3/s1600-h/Delaware+State+vs.+Delaware.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C4LHGwkg_DZWl6N5Kd36BJdhgobTgVId2TZN9ClJpVNugWEdu-0sf5AEFRkfW1KpxeX13uoft5MO9djcxvkAQdZstqLe2oiljStJ5PhoSzPzycXjttYNxRKbNh4R_6wzznTS-Z1q03d3/s320/Delaware+State+vs.+Delaware.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393065915074836178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Preview: Michigan vs. Delaware State, October 17, 2009 – Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When You Crave Irrational Exuberance On A Level That Only Brett Musberger Can Deliver:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“We’re here LIIIIIIIVE in the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan in front of what may not be 100,000+ fans in the stands here for the first time since 1975!! We’ll soon see! </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">This will be the first meeting ever between these two schools on the gridiron. Delaware State is only the second FBS opponent to play Michigan in this great stadium. The last FBS team to come in here, you might ask? That was Appalachian State, and they shocked a 5th ranked Michigan team 34-32 back in 2007 during Lloyd Carr’s final season here…and what a great game that was!!!</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Well, although Michigan is 4-2 now and coming off two straight road defeats against likes of Michigan State and Iowa, the probability of a third straight defeat of Michigan appears to be very remote indeed. Delaware State is 1-3 and ranked 7th in the 9 team Mid-Eastern Athletic conference. The Hornets lone win came on the road against a decent Hampton team (3-2) by a score of 21-6. Delaware State has some talented players, but they’re going to have to fight and claw with every fiber of their being just to avoid getting pulverized by a Michigan football team that is favored to win by something like 5 touchdowns today!”</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVIVfzD87flYovR7f-nYzSohMRGkUpjCUiKTIGCBYrQq_1RN2nMTjoEuzjTgYQWBaFnOKPhL2c5DIvA1aI-jk4GLzvIKTeS1MxaGmC1P9g0jPtr3vtwzI-EiURWUw97pbPGhm6FhQUrRT/s1600-h/mus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVIVfzD87flYovR7f-nYzSohMRGkUpjCUiKTIGCBYrQq_1RN2nMTjoEuzjTgYQWBaFnOKPhL2c5DIvA1aI-jk4GLzvIKTeS1MxaGmC1P9g0jPtr3vtwzI-EiURWUw97pbPGhm6FhQUrRT/s320/mus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393052590172023810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />This football game is important for Michigan for the following reasons:</span><br /><blockquote>1. This is essentially a scrimmage game for Michigan, but it is not meaningless. A win over the Hornets places Michigan at 5-2, just one victory away from a .500 season and almost certain bowl eligibility.<br /><br />2. The DSU game should allow Michigan to experiment with some new plays and sets offensively and defensively. It should also provide Michigan’s 2nd and 3rd string players with ample playing time in the 3rd and 4th quarter.<br /><br />3. From an experience, talent and player rating standpoint, Delaware State really has no business sharing the same field with Michigan. Though Michigan is 0-1 versus FBS football teams in the modern era, Delaware State is not a national champsion ship caliber team like Appalachian State was. The Hornets would need to play a perfect game themselves and then at the same time call upon an avalanche of help from the Wolverines to pull off an unthinkable road upset.<br /><br />4. Michigan should get to rep and then rest it’s starters in this game. The Wolverines can then sit back and watch the other Big Ten teams bash each other over the head with a shovel this weekend.</blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Three Great Reasons to Wipe That Ridiculous Smile Off Of Your Face:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Hornets Quarterback Anthony Glaud (if healthy)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqacT_Qf9o4lmgqE1ksfD2DZvD2xMMwP4TDtKEfO2apgjAQQk9bxwVMobb2nwfnD5YPXVsEpZUAlLGHgi-h-9pfQauTlBTGZ1grMWe_MRxs4YIX0gl6xeUfQZ6i0m_UC8JYcwORI9ymdJo/s1600-h/Anthony+Glaud+QB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqacT_Qf9o4lmgqE1ksfD2DZvD2xMMwP4TDtKEfO2apgjAQQk9bxwVMobb2nwfnD5YPXVsEpZUAlLGHgi-h-9pfQauTlBTGZ1grMWe_MRxs4YIX0gl6xeUfQZ6i0m_UC8JYcwORI9ymdJo/s320/Anthony+Glaud+QB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393053038234265922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Delaware State Quarterback Anthony Glaud</span> </div><br />In 2008 Delaware State had a spectacularly-named senior quarterback, Vashon Winton, who was almost single-handedly responsible for 99% of the Hornets’ offense, throwing for 1,321 yards and 8 TDs, and rushing for 486 yards, including 10 rushing TDs on his own. When Winton graduated, the full weight of responsibility guiding DSU to move the ball in 2009 shifted over to junior quarterback Anthony Glaud. Glaud will be the first truly mobile quarterback that the Michigan defense will face this year. While Glaud is certainly not Armanti Edwards, his moves and escape skills make him a dangerous and rather essential weapon for Delaware State’s offense. After only 4 games Glaud’s passing exploits include connecting on 65 of 113 throws (58%) for 578 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. His rushing stats are no where near Vashon Winton’s. Glaud averages only 2.3 yards per carry and has scored only 2 rushing touchdowns. Glaud’s forte is throwing more than running, which has lead to problems. He’s already been sacked 5 times for -28 yards this fall. Unfortunately, word around town today (Thursday) is that Glaud is hurt and may not be 100% going into this game with Michigan. His backup is Nick Elko who first played last week in the loss to Bethune-Cookman. Elko was 5 of 15 for 39 yards and 1 INT.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.) Delaware State’s Awesomely-Named Wide Receivers and Running Backs</span><br />I don’t know, man. I just like these guys because they all seem to have really cool names like: Darius Jackson, Larrone Moore, Zacharri Charles and Eric Jones. Each of these DSU wide receiver dudes has over 10 catches this fall, but only 1 has caught a touchdown pass: Zacharri Charles. OK, so what’s the big deal? Isn’t this the part where we all yawn, shake our heads, grab a beer and turn the channel to the OU-Texas or USC-Notre Stain game instead? Hell no! What I’m trying point out here is that Delaware State offensively went from a run-oriented, QB centric team to a pass-first QB centric team this year with Anthony Glaud. DSU definitely spreads the ball around to different playmakers on offense. These four receivers are averaging 7.5 yards per catch and have contributed 517 yards of DSU’s total offense so far. These receivers <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ARE </span>Delaware State’s offense!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXjJdVEQPAZMbFBEq5Dsx6NCcUN-FcBlFNNKv_H1MAU9DLqkmxy0fhUQzivq-bZGDF73oT90R71AVR4sbaevJeVsfR7z61_dF2rLUC3R9B7k8kQsl7PIs1SSr4587H0-uX-p7T7W9mwzL/s1600-h/McQueen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXjJdVEQPAZMbFBEq5Dsx6NCcUN-FcBlFNNKv_H1MAU9DLqkmxy0fhUQzivq-bZGDF73oT90R71AVR4sbaevJeVsfR7z61_dF2rLUC3R9B7k8kQsl7PIs1SSr4587H0-uX-p7T7W9mwzL/s320/McQueen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393054474720553138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Tailback Tahree McQueen, 5-10, 190+ pounds of Hornet Sting</span><br /></div><br />DSU’s running backs - one of them possessing perhaps the coolest name of all -Tahree McQueen, and Jason Randle, are the Hornets’ leading rushers. However, they’ve only contributed 328 rushing yards and 1 touchdown after 4 games. McQueen is small but packs a punch at 5-10, 194 lbs. and a 4.8 yards per carry rushing average. His accomplice, Jason Randle, is the Hornets’ fullback. Randle is of similar stature to McQueen, and wears the unlucky No. 13 on his back. It’s unlucky for opponents as Randle has literally dragged tacklers along for 152 yards this fall, at a 4.1 yard per carry clip and scoring 1 of DSU’s 4 total rushing touchdowns this year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.) DT Fabian Dunn, DT Tyron Hurst and LB Mike Gable</span><br />I’m not saying these guys will be busy on Saturday. In fact, if they are busy in any way shape or form, then I’m sorry, but Michigan has some serious issues to work out before facing Penn State’s defensive line next week. If this game pans out as it should, then the only Delaware State players making tackles at all should be the cornerbacks and free safeties. In some ways, this has already been the case for DSU this season as two defensive backs, Avery Grant (25 tackles, 3 TFL) and Jerome Strums (23 tackles) are ranked pretty high on the tackle action already. The reason I mention the DT’s Dunn and Hurst is because both have done well to get backfield penetration against spread offense opponents this fall and both have registered 2 sacks so far.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hYZCj5UJv2r0bNxA3u7Xlz42FkXaed8mh16TyhBqYy38egl9a8wz7_ECQ0PKWaOkHDEmzXf37NpvAhdnHCenpZ_q9JGqQLDGb9ft4MiDNQo9l_ZeAk0AimzV_-Nr_Kw-tS79QbgNgkpt/s1600-h/Tyron+Hurst.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hYZCj5UJv2r0bNxA3u7Xlz42FkXaed8mh16TyhBqYy38egl9a8wz7_ECQ0PKWaOkHDEmzXf37NpvAhdnHCenpZ_q9JGqQLDGb9ft4MiDNQo9l_ZeAk0AimzV_-Nr_Kw-tS79QbgNgkpt/s320/Tyron+Hurst.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393055214186679730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Defensive Tackle Tyron Hurst </span> </div><br />The best defensive player for DSU, however, is senior linebacker Mike Gable who seems to be omnipresent on the football pitch with 30 tackles, 2 TFL and 1 sack. If Michigan’s offensive line gets to the second level frequently versus DSU, particularly to Mr. Gable, then it will be “off to the races” on a regular basis. While the DSU offense has struggled to put points on the board all year, the Hornets’ defense has done a relatively good job against sub-par FBS opponents in scoring defense, allowing only 16 points per game.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_ChBQvryAO3ScDtk6rg0SvyWpS80vyqQB1dbxWWeUx638zIB5UgNaVYmBYMapNZGi67fzXtIxTBv-7UxuQSYHtj_pXcaZFN58rPTYXyy1ZtJKO2euhy_-30UE0Sy5c11yO401evOE7q2/s1600-h/LB+Mike+Gable.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_ChBQvryAO3ScDtk6rg0SvyWpS80vyqQB1dbxWWeUx638zIB5UgNaVYmBYMapNZGi67fzXtIxTBv-7UxuQSYHtj_pXcaZFN58rPTYXyy1ZtJKO2euhy_-30UE0Sy5c11yO401evOE7q2/s400/LB+Mike+Gable.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393057954201791890" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mike Gable says: "Have your epinephrine at the ready."</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Carcajous Attack! On Defense:</span><br />Michigan’s secondary gave up 601 yards passing in the last two games against largely passing offenses of MSU and Iowa. Michigan’s defense also gave up about 25 points in each game on average (which is sort of par for Michigan this season). In terms of rushing defense, Michigan had its best performance since the Western Michigan game, allowing Iowa only 63 yards rushing. Most interesting perhaps was Michigan’s improved ability to apply pressure on the quarterback and get sacks (2) against what many believe was the best offensive line in the Big Ten and the entire Midwest last Saturday. Something appears to be churning on defense for Michigan. I’m not sure what the results are going to be in the end, but with Woolfolk and Warren now at corner, more man and press coverage should yield some better results for the Wolverines. Michigan’s horrendous safety and linebacker play observed thus far this season should take a siesta break this weekend at least to some degree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-OUg03R8Yw5QeQ1MFSpJXmkj3Bu5RkrHpiSDZduUmrdWc5mmrsOYgkkwbG_APt0z1RyzeAT-3NgMbJ-7c0jZEEopyh-XcOALd4ZgRIp4XnI_Lxbioiv-Yk_Y2SQnvAJXaRZlzzJe3hKa/s1600-h/Donovan+Warren.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-OUg03R8Yw5QeQ1MFSpJXmkj3Bu5RkrHpiSDZduUmrdWc5mmrsOYgkkwbG_APt0z1RyzeAT-3NgMbJ-7c0jZEEopyh-XcOALd4ZgRIp4XnI_Lxbioiv-Yk_Y2SQnvAJXaRZlzzJe3hKa/s400/Donovan+Warren.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393057425427508594" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Michigan Cornerback Donovan Warren</span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></div><br />Michigan’s talent and speed advantage over DSU is so great, it will be disappointing if the 2nd and 3rd string Wolverine defensive lineman are not getting significant pressure on Glaud and stuffing the Hornets’ rushing attack convincingly. Delaware State has repeatedly struggled to move the ball, and has shown a great deal of difficulty getting into scoring position. However, I for one will not be surprised one iota if two things happen:<br /><br />1.)Anthony Glaud somehow has a remarkable day throwing the ball against Michigan's LBs and secondary on Saturday.<br /><br />2.) MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins rushed for 11 ypc and 75 yards, and so does Anthony Glaud.<br /><br />The Michigan defensive ends and linebackers will be challenged to contain Glaud. The Wolverines defense should get some nice preparation work in for Penn State's mobile quarterback Darryl Clark next week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Carcajous Attack! On Offense:</span><br />With the exception of David Molk’s leg injury and Tate Forcier’s mild concussion, Michigan is going to be pretty much at full-strength on Saturday. This means tailbacks Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown likely return to the lineup. There will be frequent trucking over hapless defensive backs, not to mention ridiculously long touchdown runs. I don’t mean to be flippant or disrespectful of the DSU football team. I’ve already mentioned above that they do have some play-makers on defense. But Michigan’s worst opponent this year by far this fall was Eastern Michigan, and the Wolverines won that game handily 45-17. Delaware State would call themselves fortunate to lose by such a margin this Saturday.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipR9vT98JULbpMN-IvbW8qS6lZj99et8fjQVo_5d77fDMD8RyqNkr_l58HiBhf-jcNQoF-LH_y-U8N4NWQM0rjfg4Hz4OC0tkAE-SnWhATteGiBdlSqGvMOYRihvbwdF09s8WWV6m9z-Lc/s1600-h/BrandonMinor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipR9vT98JULbpMN-IvbW8qS6lZj99et8fjQVo_5d77fDMD8RyqNkr_l58HiBhf-jcNQoF-LH_y-U8N4NWQM0rjfg4Hz4OC0tkAE-SnWhATteGiBdlSqGvMOYRihvbwdF09s8WWV6m9z-Lc/s400/BrandonMinor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393057481327230642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Minor Trucking Co.</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Time:</span><br />There never was a meeting between these two schools before and I doubt there ever will be again. Michigan fans should enjoy the offensive fireworks of Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown, and Denard “Shoelace” Robinson in this one and <a href="http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/2009/02/delaware-state-hornets-to-invade.html">then stick around at half-time to watch two amazing marching bands</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What to Expect</span><br />Michigan is going to score over 40 points in this game, but not much over 50. We’ll see a lot of great plays by Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown, Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson, as well as the Michigan defense (sacks, INTs), etc. as things might get way out of hand by the third quarter. We should expect some new plays and greater emphasis on the downfield passing game. In this game Greg Mathews, Junior Hemingway and Martavious Odoms should give nice performances. Mathews and Hemingway have been very quiet over the last 5 games. That needs to change not only in this game, but in preparation for bigger contests in the coming weeks.<br /><br />By the 3rd quarter the Michigan scrubs will get significant playing time and things should get slightly more interesting.<br /><br />For those of you who said they never want to see Nick Sheridan take another snap from center at Michigan ever again, well….I’m sorry.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WCA Prediction: Michigan 48, Delaware State 3</span>Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-41720348654975063622009-10-13T16:37:00.000-07:002009-10-14T09:58:02.916-07:00Back to the Future: Second half of Rodiguez’s Year 2 Finish at West Virginia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5aoZ5BkEE1xp0kNISupU_qO-jrHkNjGDFt_mcwB0G0w4RhOcVIEF7H0enMRdSHiHGe0XOyZgAyH9uZKgNQBYpxz-hWKH5ZTFci53xd3d7jC3RBlaXPs3AsbuAldEGbcRj9PxokqbqWSp/s1600-h/RR+at+WVU.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5aoZ5BkEE1xp0kNISupU_qO-jrHkNjGDFt_mcwB0G0w4RhOcVIEF7H0enMRdSHiHGe0XOyZgAyH9uZKgNQBYpxz-hWKH5ZTFci53xd3d7jC3RBlaXPs3AsbuAldEGbcRj9PxokqbqWSp/s400/RR+at+WVU.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392235363024507842" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CMRITTE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place" downloadurl="http://www.5iantlavalamp.com/"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City" downloadurl="http://www.5iamas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]-->Rich Rodriguez’s second Michigan Wolverines football team is currently 4-2 in 2009. <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> has lost two consecutive conference road games against <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> and <st1:state><st1:place>Iowa</st1:place></st1:state> by 6 and 2 points respectively. There are now six games remaining on the <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> schedule including some tough contests against <st1:place><st1:placename>Penn</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place>, at <st1:state><st1:place>Wisconsin</st1:place></st1:state> and <st1:place><st1:placename>Ohio</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place>. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<br />How did this compare with Rich Rodriguez’s second year of “magical improvement” at <st1:state><st1:place>West Virginia</st1:place></st1:state> in 2002?<span style=""> </span>How did the Mountaineers finish? <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<br />Interestingly during Rich Rodriguez’s second year at <st1:state><st1:place>West Virginia</st1:place></st1:state> in 2002, the Mountaineers also started 4-2.<span style=""> </span>This included 3 decisive wins, 1 close win and 2 decisive losses: <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Tennessee-Chattanooga (decisive win by 49 points)</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:place>East Carolina</st1:place> (decisive win by 20 points)</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:place>Rutgers</st1:place> (decisive win by 40 points)</p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Cincinatti (close win by 3 points)</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place>
<br /></st1:place></st1:state></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place>Wisconsin</st1:place></st1:state> (decisive loss by 17 points)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place>Maryland</st1:place></st1:state> (decisive loss by 31 points)</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Coming off a disasterous 3-8 campaign in 2001, with a 4-2 record at midpoint of the 2002 season Mountaineer fans probably didn’t know what kind of team they had on their hands. With 6 games left in the regular season, Rodriguez’s Mountaineers would face three ranked foes: No. 1 ranked Miami (FL), at No. 13 Virginia Tech, and at No. 24 Pitt.<st1:state><st1:place> West Virginia</st1:place></st1:state> proceeded to go 5-1 over these last 6 games with 3 decisive wins, 2 close wins and 1 decisive loss:</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:city><st1:place>Syracuse</st1:place></st1:city> (decisive win by 27 pts)</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:city><st1:place>Temple</st1:place></st1:city> (decisive win by 26 pts)</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:placename>Boston</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>College</st1:placetype></st1:place> (decisive win by 10 pts)</p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Virginia Tech (close win by 3 pts)<span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Pitt (close win by 7 pts)</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Miami (FL) (decisive loss by 17 points)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This was how a 4-2 team finished 9-3 and landed in a Dec 28<sup>th</sup> bowl (Continental Tire Bowl).<span style=""> </span>Rodriguez's 2002 Mountaineer team lost that game by 26 points to <st1:state><st1:place>Virginia</st1:place></st1:state> 22-48.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsT7LCKNY1wgl7rtuqLuP4DOyBIMA6pLYK230QM3Z1E8umwMEJBSLfxjTTHjpvq_Mm3LAvc61iP6UoeNm-xUjRQ3pTLOn82GJiwDLloULixbXtcFAFPDoujkjJDmFjYyRQwbWhjdYZaNg/s1600-h/Quincy+Wilson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsT7LCKNY1wgl7rtuqLuP4DOyBIMA6pLYK230QM3Z1E8umwMEJBSLfxjTTHjpvq_Mm3LAvc61iP6UoeNm-xUjRQ3pTLOn82GJiwDLloULixbXtcFAFPDoujkjJDmFjYyRQwbWhjdYZaNg/s400/Quincy+Wilson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392235601190240994" border="0" /></a>With <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s remaining schedule, it might be tempting for Michigan fans to make the following equivalencies:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">2009 <st1:place><st1:placename>Delaware</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> (W) = 2002 <st1:city><st1:place>Syracuse</st1:place></st1:city></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">2009 <st1:place><st1:placename>Penn</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> (W) = 2002 Pitt </p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">2009 <st1:state><st1:place>Illinois</st1:place></st1:state> (W) = 2002 <st1:city><st1:place>Temple</st1:place></st1:city></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">2009 Purdue (W) = 2002 <st1:place><st1:placename>Boston</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>College</st1:placetype></st1:place></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">2009 <st1:state><st1:place>Wisconsin</st1:place></st1:state> (L) = 2002 <st1:city><st1:place>Miami</st1:place></st1:city> (FL)</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">2009 <st1:place><st1:placename>Ohio</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> (W) = 2002 <st1:state><st1:place>Virginia</st1:place></st1:state> Tech </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">9-3. Wouldn’t that be something?</p> Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-90293326773264575572009-10-12T19:55:00.000-07:002009-10-13T07:34:21.532-07:00The Michigan Difference - Part 2: Taking Inventory After Game 6<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJG8puLxrMlvybjYxwhxln-FQG8pDWruCUw8uJXIxMV20STkNTEsbPw21HiUnMHnnFBjhgb7O0JskcDlBQRgNLkcN7vbiIzQF_8RsHZ2HRCUiCZEkxkM1BKsLCYes-HyMEep2dfAZDV96/s1600-h/Jordan+Kovacs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJG8puLxrMlvybjYxwhxln-FQG8pDWruCUw8uJXIxMV20STkNTEsbPw21HiUnMHnnFBjhgb7O0JskcDlBQRgNLkcN7vbiIzQF_8RsHZ2HRCUiCZEkxkM1BKsLCYes-HyMEep2dfAZDV96/s400/Jordan+Kovacs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391928409889766690" border="0" /></a><br />I wanted to do a post-game Iowa post-game write up, but I’m entering crunch time for a series key projects this week. More than this I'm still recovering from a serious bout of post-game depression and a shameful drunken stupor only 24 hours ago. <a href="http://michigansportscenter.com/2009/10/turnovers-doom-michigan-in-30-28-loss-to-iowa.html">Sean over at Michigan SportCenter blog</a> does an excellent, quarter-by-quarter summary of Saturday night’s events in Iowa City. Also, Dave over at <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2009/10/12/1081748/growing-pains-michigan-football">Maize N Brew offers a great run-through of the game</a> as well. Highly recommended reading. Man, does Iowa owe Michigan a team-signed “Thank You!” card for all of those turnovers (5) and coverage mistakes, or what?<br /><br />Well, OK. So the 2009 Michigan football season is now half-baked. If you had told me back in August that the Michigan Wolverines football team would be 4-2 after 6 football games, I would have said that you too were “baked”. Like a space cake. Yeah, probably one of those hashish-laden donuts or something.<br /><br />Anyway, here we are. Four and freaking two! Woo-hoo!<br /><br />Thanks to this strong start, and with teams like Delaware State (1-3), Penn State (5-1), at Illinois (1-4), Purdue (1-5), at Wisconsin (5-1) and Ohio State (5-1) on the cold fall horizon, Michigan might very well secure bowl eligibility by or before the November 7th contest against Purdue, if all goes well. An upset by Michigan over one of the three conference leaders (Wisconsin, Ohio State and Penn State) certainly isn’t out of the question either.<br /><br />Taking another look at Michigan’s numbers in 2009 compared to 2008 after 6 games played, this is what we know:<style type="text/css"><br />table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}<br />.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}<br /></style><br /><table class="tableizer-table"></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table class="tableizer-table"><tbody><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th style="text-align: left;">The Michigan Difference - First 6 Games</th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">OFFENSE</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">2009</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">2008</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">Variance</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Points</td><td>198</td><td>113</td><td>85</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Points/Gm</td><td>33</td><td>18.8</td><td>14.2</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Rushing Yds</td><td>1229</td><td>784</td><td>445</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Passing Yds</td><td>1027</td><td>965</td><td>62</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Yds/Gm</td><td>376</td><td>292</td><td>84</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Plays</td><td>407</td><td>387</td><td>20</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Yds/Play</td><td>5.6</td><td>4.5</td><td>1.1</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Points/Play</td><td>0.49</td><td>0.29</td><td>0.20</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Yards Per Point</td><td>11.61</td><td>17.35</td><td>-5.74</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">INTs</td><td>7</td><td>9</td><td>-2</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Fumbles Lost </td><td>5</td><td>11</td><td>-6</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Avg Time of Poss.</td><td>26:44:10</td><td>26:27:50</td><td>16 min 20 sec</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Offensively After 6 Games</span><br /><ol><li>Michigan has scored 85 more points than 2008, and is scoring almost 14 points more per game (2 TDs more) this year: 33 points per game in 2009 vs. 18.8 points per game at this point in 2008.</li><li>Offense has rushed for 445 more yards and passed 62 more yards than during same six game time frame in 2008.</li><li>Wolverines are averaging 85 more yards per game than 2008.</li><li>Michigan has run 20 more plays than it did during the first 6 games of 2008.</li><li>Offense is now gaining 1.1 more yards for every play it runs than it did during the same 6 game time frame in 2008.</li><li>Michigan is scoring .20 more points per play that it runs than in 2008.</li><li>Michigan’s offense is far more effective in 2009 than 2008 in that it must travel less distance on the field in order to score points: 5.74 yards less for every point scored, to be exact.</li><li>It goes without saying that fewer team turnovers makes winning games easier and losing far less likely. Michigan has 8 fewer turnovers in 2009 that it did over the same number of games in 2008.</li><li>Though time of possession is quickly becoming a less relevant statistic in the modern game of college football (if don’t believe me, ask Wisconsin, which had the ball over 42 minutes against Ohio State last weekend and still lost. By 18!), Michigan is holding on to the ball far longer than 2008: 16 minutes and 20 seconds more over the same number of games in 2008. Not a surprise considering better offensive effectiveness, fewer turnovers, and rather poor defensive performance.</li></ol><table class="tableizer-table"><tbody><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th style="text-align: left;">The Michigan Difference - First 6 Games</th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th><th><br /></th></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">DEFENSE</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">2009</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">2008</td><td style="font-weight: bold;">Variance</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Pts Allowed</td><td>147</td><td>149</td><td>-2</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Points/Gm</td><td>24.5</td><td>24.8</td><td>-0.3</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Yds/Gm</td><td>384</td><td>344</td><td>40</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Plays</td><td>430</td><td>413</td><td>17</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Yds/Play</td><td>5.4</td><td>5</td><td>0.4</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Points/Play</td><td>0.34</td><td>0.37</td><td>-0.03</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Yards Per Point</td><td>19.31</td><td>19.12</td><td>0.19</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">INTs</td><td>7</td><td>3</td><td>4</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Fumbles Recovered</td><td>4</td><td>8</td><td>-4</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold;">Avg Time of Poss.</td><td>33:15:50</td><td>33:32:10</td><td>-16 min 20 sec</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Defensively After 6 Games</span><br /><br /><ol><li>Michigan’s defense is only nominally better against the score in 2009. They’ve given up only 2 fewer total points than at this point in 2008, and average giving up about 25 points per game.</li><li>Michigan’s defense is giving up 40 more yards per game than this point in 2008.</li><li>Michigan opponents are enjoying 2.8 more plays per game and therefore more opportunities to gain first downs and score points. This means allowing 17 more plays over the same time frame in 2008.</li><li>Michigan is giving up about one half yard more per play than 2008.</li><li>Michigan remains more stingy against the score than in 2008, allowing .03 of a point less than same time period of 2008.</li><li>Michigan is about the same as 2008 in yard per point category, forcing opponents to travel about 19 yards for every point they score.</li><li>In the turnover category, it’s a wash. Michigan’s defense has 4 more interceptions than at this point last year, but it also has 4 fewer fumble recoveries. The delta at this stage on defense forcing turnovers is zero.</li><li>Opponent average time of possession is decreased by 16 minutes and 20 seconds per game in 2009.</li></ol><span style="font-weight: bold;">And That All Means What Exactly?</span><br />It means that at mid-season the 2009 Michigan Wolverines football team are going to continue playing football games on the edge, losing games by the width of a butthair one weekend, while vanquishing foes by the same micronic measure the next.<br /><br />Nobody is safe. This Michigan football team simply cannot be trusted.<br /><br />Sure, they'll give up tons of yards through the air and even on the ground at times. They even give up quite a few points per game. When the Wolverine defense isn't handing out free huge big plays on third-and-long to lull you into a sense of false security, then they're actually holding opponents to field goals. What's really different this year is that the offense can score from anywhere and at anytime on the football field and there are 9 to 10 different guys who are more than vaguely familiar with the endzone. The special teams are more or less rock solid except for punt returns, and the Wolverines have two quarterbacks that can inflict major property damage running or passing. We'll continue to see Michigan games going down to the wire (4 of the last 6 certainly did). Nobody celebrate until the clock says "00:00".<br /><br />Michigan has two decisive wins (WMU by 24, EMU by 28), two close wins (ND by 4, Indiana by 3), two very close losses (MSU by 6 in OT, Iowa by 2), and no decisive (or bad) losses.<br /><br />The “no bad losses” part is important (and not a little bit unexpected) when we consider that Michigan was 3-9 last year with their only wins coming against 7-6 Wisconsin (bowl team), 2-10 Miami and 7-6 Minnesota (bowl team). Five of Michigan’s 9 defeats last year were by 14 points or more. In 2009 Michigan is outscoring opponents by about an average 8 point margin per game.<br /><br />Offensively speaking, Michigan’s offense has regressed since the Eastern Michigan game in both points scored, yards gained and most notably in 3rd down success rate. Such statistics do not bode well for the Wolverines in the more competitive games down the road vs. Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State where frequent 3-and-outs means picking up the Michigan defense with a Dust Buster at the end of the game.<br /><br />Defensively speaking, Michigan has struggled to stop just about every opponent from gaining tons and tons of yards. Michigan opponents can pretty much decide for themselves how they want to move the ball on Michigan and end up with 400+ yards total offense by game end. Only Illinois’s defense is more pathetic right now in total rushing and passing yards surrendered per game. This is very worrying at midpoint of the season considering Michigan’s most prolific offensive opponents to date have been Notre Dame and Michigan State. Actually, and it sounds really sort of strange to say this but, the best offensive team Michigan plays next might very well be – of all teams - Purdue. Against the score Michigan’s defense leaves a lot to be desired: 7th in the league, surrendering 24.5 points per game.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Things to Look for Games 7 through 12</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. New offensive plays</span><br />If there’s an opportunity, I recommend WCA visitors go and check some of the video highlights from WVU football seasons between 2002 and 2007. Check some of the formations utilized (particularly two-back sets), and some of the fakes run by Pat White. It’s not only impressive to watch, but it’ll make you salivate about Michigan future with Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson. I submit to you that after 6 games Michigan is no where near having installed Rich Rodriguez’s playbook.<br /><br />Maybe 30-40% max. There’s a lot more to install. Most of this is due to having two true freshman at quarterback who must learn and perfect the functional pieces first and run them at full-speed with 100% confident of position and timing. That takes time to achieve. We did see some new plays instituted in the Iowa game including some speed option pitchouts by the quarterback to a trailing tailback that gained good yardage every time. I think we can expect to witness more full-fledged triple option plays, slot option pitch plays, and counter run plays involving slot backs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More INTs and Improved Defensive Press Coverage on the Edges</span><br />The truth is, there are far less talented secondaries in the Big Ten than Michigan’s right now. That’s right. This is not to say that Michigan has a “diamond-in-the-rough” situation right now in the defensive backfield. Michigan has massive deficits in speed and talent here which must be shored up with better recruiting. However, Donovan Warren and Troy Woolfolk are fine cornerbacks and truly do belong opposite each other at that position. As for the safety positions, well, every man and his dog knew it was going to be a long season with plenty of “you’ll-gouge-your-eyes-out-kid!” 3rd-and-forever conversions along with a healthy helping of WTF wide open downfield flies for six.<br /><br />I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Michael Williams is a only sophomore who was on special teams most of last year. He can hit like UCLA’s Don Rogers at times, but he’s still learning his role and coverages. He’s not very fast, but should improve his coverage skills with on the job training. The other safety, Jordan Kovacs*, has been freaking everywhere on the playing field this fall. If he can put some meat on his bones and learn to stop making ridiculously weak arm tackles at times, then I really like where this kid’s career may be heading at Michigan. I swear, if Kovacs wraps his arms every time when tackling, there’d be a buckeload more TFL for the Wolverines this year.<br /><br />(Sidebar *: Frankly, I don’t give a goddamn if Jordan Kovacs (or anyone else) is a walk-on or not. I’ve read a number of dismissive comments from Michigan fans about Kovacs on other blogs coming from Thurston Howell III-types suggesting the words “Michigan walk-ons” comprise of an oxymoron, equal to something along the lines of undesirable Michigan State enrollees, or disease-ridden filth. I say bullshit, Skippy, Buffy, or whatever your yacht-driving, down-in-front whining, fondue-eating parents call you. Kovacs is physical. He’s smart, and he just happens to be leading the damn team in tackles for the last 4 football games. He’s not fast, yet the kid seems to be on every freaking tackle. He’ll earn a scholarship from Rodriguez this season and a degree from Michigan. I don’t get it. What’s not to like?)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More Downfield Passing Yards to the Outside Receivers</span><br />Even Rodriguez pointed to this in today’s press conference. Greg Mathews and JR Hemingway have been completely underutilized this year, and that is a shame. I’m sure they’re getting open more often, but you can only connect so many times with young kids operating at quarterback trying to make all their reads in a matter of nanoseconds and not royally screw stuff up. I expect quarterbacks coach Rod Smith to show greater emphasis on this in coming weeks as Michigan displays more of it’s playbook, and while Forcier and Robinson improve the speed and progression of their reads.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Improved Rushing Numbers</span><br />Once Dave Molk returns at center for the Illinois game (my best guess), watch out for greater nastiness along the Michigan front wall. For the next two weeks, however, I expect more regression in the running game and sub-par performance (i.e. less than 200 yards rushing per game).<br /><br />In 2002, West Virginia rushed for 38 touchdowns. Thirty-freaking-eight, people! And seventeen of those mo-fo’s were delivered personally via express service from then starting Mountaineer tailback Avon Cobourne who must have possessed an X-Men-like force-field or something to ward off injuries that year. Unlike “Wolverine”, Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown are not mutants. They do not have an adamantium exoskeleton and does not possess any other such wizardry. Come to think of it, if Minor had his own X-Men role-playing card, it would no doubt state “Not A Mutant, Plus 100 for Speed, Plus 2,000 for Battle Damage-Wield, and Minus 1,000 for Longevity”<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-RbcSET4hnRleBBNGW8m7aGDa9f05j59URjFvjc6Mcmk1arS1_vjEkhgKHlVYNAPVjx3rszdqzD6bQrL8BBpSSka6FXfU-MpIDJ2KXAuFGrg3ayrkSzw4K-Faeo9V86M_5ZsUguPS-Mx/s1600-h/No+Admantium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-RbcSET4hnRleBBNGW8m7aGDa9f05j59URjFvjc6Mcmk1arS1_vjEkhgKHlVYNAPVjx3rszdqzD6bQrL8BBpSSka6FXfU-MpIDJ2KXAuFGrg3ayrkSzw4K-Faeo9V86M_5ZsUguPS-Mx/s400/No+Admantium.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392092219807263970" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Brandon Minor: "Well, I do run as though my exoskeleton is made of admantium."</span><br /></div><br />Yet, you’ll find no joy convincing Big Ten opponents that both aren’t great running backs for Michigan. Unfortunately neither Minor nor Brown has been “reliably durable” during their entire Michigan careers. Not a knock on them. It’s just the way it goes sometimes. I do expect Rodriguez to try and make hay while the sun shines and as long as these two fine players occupy the Wolverine roster. They’ll be used as much as possible. Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown in a two back set? Alright…but just this once!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why I Bought An Entire Crate of Pepto-Bismol and Keep An Open Bottle on Ice</span><br />Injuries. Christ. This is something I've worried about a lot this year more than any other. Ever. The Big Ten slate only gets tougher. The weather gets colder and the surfaces get more slippery. We’ve seen a troubling regression offensively with center David Molk out. When he returns, it will make a difference. When Brandon Minor is healthy, Michigan plays better and opponents get trucked. But not much else has changed about this Michigan team on the injury front. Thankfully there have been few injuries on the defensive side of the ball. If there ever are injuries at linebacker or the defensive secondary over the remaining 6 games, then fly away little sparrows. Fly far away.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-4203807416398445652009-10-11T03:37:00.000-07:002009-10-12T12:11:25.591-07:00How About Calling Fan Myopia Into Question?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rB3Sr_zgw34R0gZe40MUP9Ipv9eRRt-nujVvA034fByQidtwZRjMYptRgJhWTPj8mowUDxZ0gtCT-E-9uX8KnSFLnJTSKXTlaK7FvsquleEB7qKzYS3WhJI2AovEMUY85Pn_GtCZxNH2/s1600-h/Denard+Robinson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rB3Sr_zgw34R0gZe40MUP9Ipv9eRRt-nujVvA034fByQidtwZRjMYptRgJhWTPj8mowUDxZ0gtCT-E-9uX8KnSFLnJTSKXTlaK7FvsquleEB7qKzYS3WhJI2AovEMUY85Pn_GtCZxNH2/s400/Denard+Robinson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391291421626987810" border="0" /></a><br />Following Michigan’s close road loss tonight at 12th ranked Iowa tonight 28-30, I was surfing the web for a few minutes searching for other college football stories (especially those laced with schadenfreude) to sooth some of the pain in my brain and abdomen that comes from hours of yelling, celebrating, swearing, and drinking, all in no particular order.<br /><br />I stumbled across the <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/9788/rodriguez-on-robinson-that-spark-was-still-lit">following post over at the ESPN College Football Nation Blog written by Adam Rittenberg</a>. This post seemed to grab the torch (and pitchforks) of no doubt thousands of Michigan football fans who had watched the game tonight by calling into question Rich Rodriguez’s decision to put in freshman quarterback Denard Robinson over freshman starter Tate Forcier with just 1:25 left to play in the football game:<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"Granted, Robinson had boosted Michigan by leading an 11-play, 59-yard scoring drive minutes earlier. And Forcier had struggled throughout the night, completing just 8 of 19 passes with an interception and a fumble.<br /><br />But Forcier has been Mr. Clutch for Michigan this year, leading game-winning touchdown drives against both Notre Dame and Indiana and a game-tying drive last week at Michigan State. Robinson, meanwhile, boasts tremendous running skills but seems ill-suited to lead the two-minute drill with no timeouts. He entered Saturday night having completed 4 of 11 passes for 57 yards with two interceptions."</blockquote><br />I watched the game from start to finish. I don’t think Forcier played that badly. He did not play particularly well, either. I was struck by how many online posts involved placing the weight of the entire game outcome on the coaching decisions in the final 3 minutes.<br /><br />I saw things very differently.<br /><br />In my view, for the third week in a row, Michigan could call itself fortunate to be trailing only 14-20 at halftime to Iowa. It very well could have been 14-28.<br /><br />In the second half of the game, this is what we observed from the Michigan offensive possessions with quarterback noted:<br /><br />Drive 1 (Forcier): 14:55 in 3rd at UM 33: 3 and out (UM 14, Iowa 20)<br /><br />Drive 2 (Forcier): 10:39 in 3rd at UM 39: 4 and out (UM 14, Iowa 23)<br /><br />Drive 3 (Forcier): 8:57 in 3rd at UM 43: 10 play, 57 yard drive for TD (UM 21, Iowa 23)<br /><br />Drive 4 (Forcier): 14:15 in 4th at UM1: 4 and out (UM 21, Iowa 23)<br /><br />Drive 5 (Forcier): 12:56 in 4th at UM 25: 4 and out (UM 21, Iowa 30)<br /><br />Drive 6 (Robinson): 7:42 in 4th at UM40: 11 play, 60 yd drive for TD (UM 28, Iowa 30)<br /><br />Drive 7 (Robinson): 1:25 in 4th at UM17: 3 plays, INT<br /><br />In the second half Tate Forcier delivered one touchdown drive and four three(or something)-and-outs. If Forcier really is “Mr. Clutch” not to mention a gifted pro at running the 2 minute drill (Michigan runs a no huddle spread offense all game long so WTF is a 2 minute drill?), then what business does Denard Robinson even have being in the football game?<br /><br />Well, the answer is that despite Michigan’s (and Forcier’s) flailing about offensively in the 4th quarter, the game was tight at 21-23 with over 13 minutes left. All of the sudden Iowa scored an easy touchdown on a 42 yard strike to TE Tony Moeaki, rambling the distance untouched.<br /><br />Not sufficiently surprised? Me neither.<br /><br />With Michigan now down by two scores (9 points), Forcier is sent out to the field again by Rich Rodriguez. Forcier (and his cohorts) respond by promptly directing yet another three-and-out. Anybody with two brain cells to rub together could see plain as day that Forcier’s decision-making, field presence (-5 yard delay of game penalty), not to mention his throws were way off. It’s also possible from Forcier’s buckling over in pain that I witnessed on the TV screen, that he might have hurt his wrist or shoulder on the earlier possession, or something. Regardless, this final three-and-out by Forcier and Co. was costly to Michigan because Iowa proceeded to whittle away 4 more precious minutes off the clock on their ensuing possession<br /><br />By the time Michigan got the ball back, there was 7:42 left. Rodriguez is visibly pissed off. He decides to try Denard Robinson at quarterback and, despite certain groans from yours truly, this decision was the right one, resulting in a touchdown that shrunk the Hawkeye lead back down to 2 points once again, 28-30.<br /><br />So with 3:16 left Michigan only needed a quick defensive stop, and a field goal to win the game. The defense delivered on their end of the bargain. Jason Olesnavage’s longest successful field goal kick this year was 44 yards. Irrespective of which quarterback Rodriguez would select for the final drive, this would mean leading the Michigan offense at least 50 yards (from the UM 17) in 1:25 minutes with no timeouts all the way down to the Iowa 37 yard line in order to put Olesnavage in position to match his earlier 44 yard field goal try.<br /><br />Yes, Tate Forcier has certainly delivered his share of Hollywood-esque final drive theatrics against Notre Dame, Indiana and almost pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind stunt in East Lansing a week ago.<br /><br />So why not put him back in, since that’s what he does best? I mean, he’s even said it himself: <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-10-08/tate-forcier-qa-comebacks-and-all-stuff-thats-just-how-i-play">“That’s how I play”</a>.<br /><br />Then I wondered.<br /><br />Has it occurred to anyone that maybe Forcier was given the chance(s) already to play out the game “his way” tonight against Iowa? Denard Robinson can run and throw well too, not mention make electrifying plays in his own right. Or have we all somehow forgotten how he left defenders eating tire fragments as he scampered into the end zone against Western Michigan and again versus Eastern Michigan in a matter of seconds? Michigan rushed for 195 yards tonight against Iowa’s top 15 defense. Is it then so hard for Michigan fans to imagine Denard Robinson breaking out and scampering 83 yards for a touchdown on the final drive? What if he had just scampered out of bounds well in field goal range and with plenty of time left on the clock? What if he had connected to Odoms at or around the Iowa 31 with those 45 seconds yet to play?<br /><br />There seems to be a refrain stating something to the effect that Denard "can't do it" and only Tate "can do it".<br /><br />I don’t think it’s rational to believe that since Forcier achieved his acrobatic feats in games past that therefore the probability is high every time that he would achieve the same or similar feats again and again, week after week. Forcier throws interceptions, makes bad reads and commits fumbles too. He threw 1 INT tonight and also fumbled. And he does it in crunch time as well. We all know how the MSU game ended. On the other side of the coin Robinson played well tonight and, as improbable as it seemed at the time, actually and almost single-handedly brought the Wolverines back from the dead.<br /><br />In my view, not only did Denard Robinson deserve the opportunity to lead the team and win the football game “the way HE plays it” on this final drive with 1:25 left to play and no freaking timeouts, Rich Rodriguez was right to make that choice.<br /><br />Forcier had his opportunities, and with 4 out of 5 stalled drives in the second half, a fumble and an INT, a 2 score deficit. Furthermore, switching back to Forcier on the final drive despite Robinson’s previous touchdown drive would have not only been a slap in the face to Denard, but unfair to the rest of the football team, come victory or defeat. Forcier got his reps in and did his damnest. To deny Robinson his shot would not have been right.<br /><br />Rodriguez didn’t throw away the football game with this last drive decision. College football is a team sport. The outcome of football games (the final score) is the product of a progression of multiple events. It’s very common and traditional within our society to attempt to attribute all the glory of such outcomes to one player or once coach. This is how we try to make sense of the unbelievable and the highly improbable in team sports. But this approach underestimates the complexity of events and the speed with which they take place. It’s also rarely the truth. A great many more things contributed to the last second Michigan victories and losses this year than one single player, one play call, or one coaching decision. If we as fans only notice what is immediately before us, only what is most recently apparent to our eyes on the television screen, then we focus on the bad throw, the dropped punt, and then we long for some young kid to re-play yet another epic last-second, game-winning episode. When we do this, there’s a risk that we miss the non-apparent things that are occurring in between, such as a young south Florida kid stepping into the game for the first time of the night, completely cold, no previous reps, under the freezing night sky, and rallying the team to score, helping them all quickly forget that 42 yard Iowa touchdown play which shook the blackened stadium.<br /><br />This loss hurts. The Michigan football team may be 4-2 tonight, but it is growing up quick right in front of our eyes. We would all be wise not to miss the good stuff.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-72365024660326540502009-10-07T15:24:00.000-07:002009-10-07T16:18:26.175-07:00When Carcajous Attack Hawkeyes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3da6RT9cS0cHgLrp_Ndo3hcb10tjx2XxTLqJpfjoPXttzzJ2FeAvOzD-fO3qYmuHZz1Q-aV3DpDREf-dKxyL5jf8-zC048hPpPOcGna8SlMl-a2BlkrAFZXvrcmwHvFxaY7HZlOH6qft/s1600-h/Michiganinsert.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3da6RT9cS0cHgLrp_Ndo3hcb10tjx2XxTLqJpfjoPXttzzJ2FeAvOzD-fO3qYmuHZz1Q-aV3DpDREf-dKxyL5jf8-zC048hPpPOcGna8SlMl-a2BlkrAFZXvrcmwHvFxaY7HZlOH6qft/s400/Michiganinsert.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389998821997231650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Preview: Michigan at No 12 Iowa, October 10, 2009 – Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When You Crave Irrational Exuberance On A Level That Only Brett Musberger Can Deliver:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5XqHNugrpZaGWK69tq6-ZOmw2wRP1IPH7drj5vShMYfynADyToCOAkt8h-buue9CZMzG3FgYQjQA-Lp6JaPqoSB4YDE2rnr3q7-E0ZsqAV_M5CNdmGPEYrm7OwwQ2iJxQCInergQ8VLR/s1600-h/Musberger+and+Kirk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5XqHNugrpZaGWK69tq6-ZOmw2wRP1IPH7drj5vShMYfynADyToCOAkt8h-buue9CZMzG3FgYQjQA-Lp6JaPqoSB4YDE2rnr3q7-E0ZsqAV_M5CNdmGPEYrm7OwwQ2iJxQCInergQ8VLR/s200/Musberger+and+Kirk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389998985705144722" border="0" /></a><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">We’re here<span style="font-weight: bold;"> LIIIIVE! </span>and it’s Saturday night in Iowa City as the unbeaten Iowa Hawkeyes host the Michigan Wolverines for only their 7th prime time game in Kinnick Stadium! Folks, I’m really going to be doing the play-by-play in this one folks with my good buddy Kirk Herbstreit, so prepare yourself mentally for my over-sensationalization of the game setting, not to mention repeated statistical gaffes. Kirk? OK, uh, Herbstreit's grabbing another beer right now down at the concession stands, so uh… let's continue!<br /><br />Well, the Hawkeyes really are 5-0 having already survived some tough contests on the road and at home this year. They’re led by one of the better scoring defensive units in the country with a number of starters back from last year, and giving up a measly 13.4 points per game. Norm Parker’s Hawkeye defense is currently ranked 10th in the land against the score and 32nd nationally in yards surrendered per game. All of this after vanquishing some pretty decent opponents like Arizona and Penn State.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Michigan is 4-1 now, playing their second consecutive road game of the season here tonight. The Wolverines are coming off a late rally loss to in-state rival Michigan State. But I’ll tell you, this Michigan team can certainly display a powerful, balanced offensive attack when they want to, led by their star freshman quarterback from southern California, Tate Forcier. Michigan has proven over and over again that they can score quickly from anywhere on the field and with just about with anyone at the skilled positions. Seven different Wolverines have caught passing touchdowns this year while 6 different Michigan players have scored rushing touchdowns! Iowa’s great defense will somehow need to account for all of those possibilities. Michigan’s been banged up at running back and along the offensive line in recent weeks. The Wolverines’ high-rated rushing attack was successfully doused by the Spartans’ front seven last weekend, so Rich Rodriguez will look to re-establish that rushing game dominance once again here tonight against the Hawkeyes.<br /><br />Offensively for Iowa they’re led by junior quarterback named Ricky Stanzi. Seven different Hawkeye receivers have caught touchdowns passes this year, so this kid obviously likes to spread it around and keep defenses honest. Despite Iowa’s huge offensive line advantage over their opponents, the Hawkeye rushing attack was a big question mark during the off-season following the graduation of star tailback Shon Greene and a serious knee injury to returning tailback Jewell Hampton. But so far Adam Robinson has answered the call for Iowa with 72 yards per game rushing, 4 TDs and a 4.6 ypc average. Look for Robinson and another fellow tailback Brandon Wegher to get a good number of carries and catches out of the Iowa backfield tonight.<br /><br />Defensively, boy Michigan is really struggling right now. They’ve given up a lot of yardage on the ground and through the air over the last 4 games. However, they’ve done relatively well against the score, giving up just 23 points per game on average. Without forcing many three- and-outs, the Michigan defense has been spending an awful lot of time on the field this year. Against MSU the Wolverines held the offensively ball for only 20 minutes. It’s going to be a great one. Michigan and Iowa, as the Blackout falls upon us all right here in Kinnick Stadium!<br /><br />What? You didn’t have the courtesy to bring ME a beer?<br /><br />Damn you, Kirk!</span></blockquote><br /><br />This football game is important for Michigan for the following reasons:<br /><br /><span>1. Michigan leads this series 40-10-4 all-time against Iowa on the gridiron. Six of those ten Michigan defeats occurred after the Hayden Fry era began at Iowa in 1979. </span><br /><br /><span>2. A victory over Iowa almost certainly secures bowl eligibility and a .500 season for Michigan in 2009 following that disappointing 3-9 record in 2008. </span><br /><br /><span>3. A victory over Iowa also keeps Michigan’s Big Ten title hopes alive and increases the team confidence for upcoming road games against Illinois and Wisconsin. </span><br /><br /><span>4. A loss to Iowa on Saturday night probably eliminates Michigan’s Big Ten title hopes altogether and likely postpones any chance that the Wolverines will return to the Top 25 for several more weeks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Three Great Reasons to Wipe That Ridiculous Smile Off Of Your Face:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1qsG72EE0NdKQOX5Os1fJml7XcYo5fNY2NAHtTzFJvtX9aLod-IE6BLVzd-J-oHNfOxWIM6mLXipE8ey95lj730NasNZdi7LICtgpOxtlvpUokceskyGn3uekwN_qtwas-mlkrmNKQYC/s1600-h/Tyler+Sash+is+Awesome.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1qsG72EE0NdKQOX5Os1fJml7XcYo5fNY2NAHtTzFJvtX9aLod-IE6BLVzd-J-oHNfOxWIM6mLXipE8ey95lj730NasNZdi7LICtgpOxtlvpUokceskyGn3uekwN_qtwas-mlkrmNKQYC/s400/Tyler+Sash+is+Awesome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389989156269539490" border="0" /></a> </span><span><span style="font-style: italic;">Tyler Sash: Iowa's Very Own Interception Machine</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>1. Safety Tyler Sash</span><br />If we wanted to know why Iowa is 5-0 right now, we’d look no further then the performance of the Hawkeye defense. Iowa has 8 starters back from 2008 including the follow list of menacing defensemen: DEs Adrian Clayborn, Broderick Binns, DTs Christian Ballard, and Paul Krug, LBs Pat Angerer, AJ Edds and Jeremiah Hunter, not to mention star DB Shaun Prater. But when we look at the Iowa defensive statistics, we immediately notice something else: Kirk Ferentz and Norm Parker have a group that creates a lot of turnovers: 10 interceptions and 4 recovered fumbles after only 5 games. And for some crazy reason, a sophomore safety named Tyler Sash seems to be closely associated with many of them. Sash kind of surprised people last year with 5 interceptions and 147 yards in returns back in 2008. It’s 2009 and the guy already has matched the 5 interceptions and 117 yards in returns. Since Michigan runs a read spread option attack, much of the plays Michigan calls will depend on the position of Iowa’s safeties pre-snap. Tyler Sash defies space and time by being omnipresent all over the field making nice wrapping tackles in open space. It should surprise no one that Sash already leads Hawkeyes football team in solo tackles with 21. Most opponents avoid throwing to Sash’s side of the field.<br /><br />Unless something changes significantly going into Saturday night’s game, Michigan is going to try and run on this Iowa defense immediately. Except Iowa’s defense is better than Michigan State’s, is currently No. 3 against the run in the Big Ten, and pretty much devoured read spread option attacks of ISU, PSU and Arizona over the last several weeks. If Michigan fails to achieve when running, they’ll turn to the air. This is where Mr. Sash arrives on the scene with a full squirt bottle of Smile Remover.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.) The Entire Iowa Offensive Line</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifODf_r8zv4neqWOQmftuRs-wg_9i4WkC_F_EwJrhwwLKluKzEzr3ksbEBUzX6bd73eXVcKYQBkNhRLCyo6fyDDW7KGLIzmJTjOyT7AqVLuLyaPzFUya7L8T9hkObRss25MZ6CJSHK5BwK/s1600-h/Bulaga+Destroys+LB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifODf_r8zv4neqWOQmftuRs-wg_9i4WkC_F_EwJrhwwLKluKzEzr3ksbEBUzX6bd73eXVcKYQBkNhRLCyo6fyDDW7KGLIzmJTjOyT7AqVLuLyaPzFUya7L8T9hkObRss25MZ6CJSHK5BwK/s400/Bulaga+Destroys+LB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389989718874648066" border="0" /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga: "Mongo pancake Prince Kwateng!<br />Him former leading tackler for Northwestern!"</span><br /></div><br />Yeah, you knew it was coming. Hell, we all did way back in August. These Hawkeye offensive lineman are living, breathing case studies in hugeness. Overall this group is quite experienced and talented: Bryan Bulaga (6-6, 312), Kyle Calloway (6-7, 315), Dace Richardson (6-6, 305), Julian Vandervelde (6-3, 300) and C Rafael Eubanks (6-3, 280). Iowa’s offensive line has worked through some injuries so far this year, but most will be back at full health for the Michigan game. Iowa’s rushing game is only ranked 7th in the Big Ten so far, averaging just 140 yards per game, but with this group back to full health, that stat is destined to be killed. Tailbacks Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher are young but have played remarkably well. Michigan’s defensive line is tiny compared to these behemoths, so expect plenty of trucking by the 3rd and 4th quarter of this one. Since Michigan’s rushing defense is currently as horrible as can be, giving up 153 yards per game (ranked 9th in the Big Ten), well, let’s just say it’s only mid-week and Iowa’s offensive line and running backs are collectively licking their chops for kickoff to finally arrive.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.) Junior Quarterback Ricky Stanzi</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszTkmNjvwpcmiN2RnmVqn8_IMp5Ec2TCweGTcCbkMHnV7w3dDb6m71Bq-VgONCXvR2S4Jiu9QFeYEwV6mpTu_BmVSExTyzRcdqGKJLQzZ_HERBaQXib0CChw3vGhQEN44ap1o7TwPmaHi/s1600-h/Ricky+Stanzi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszTkmNjvwpcmiN2RnmVqn8_IMp5Ec2TCweGTcCbkMHnV7w3dDb6m71Bq-VgONCXvR2S4Jiu9QFeYEwV6mpTu_BmVSExTyzRcdqGKJLQzZ_HERBaQXib0CChw3vGhQEN44ap1o7TwPmaHi/s400/Ricky+Stanzi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389990669201623394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Not Chuck Long. Ricku Stanzi <span style="font-weight: bold;">IS</span> Ricky Stanzi.</span> </div><br />In <a href="http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/2009/05/2009-big-ten-team-predictions.html">my 2009 Big Ten preview</a>, I really thought something ridiculous would happen in the absence of tailback Shon Greene this fall. With no heir apparent replacement at running back for Greene, I believed that Stanzi, now a junior, would step up and become the second coming of <a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/multimedia/photo_gallery/0609/gallery.cfb1vs2/images/long.jpg">Chuck Long</a>. Stanzi has not played like Chuck Long the last 5 games, as his 59% completion percentage, 8 TDs and discouraging 7 interceptions clearly attest. But he does an more than adequate job of leading the Iowa's offense up and down the field. He has a seemingly endless lineup of talented receiver targets like WRs Marvin McNutt (12 rec, 242 yrds, 2 TDs) and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (8 rec, 138 yards, 1 TD). This week star Iowa TE Tony Moeaki returns from injury. Moeaki is big, reliable and a key part of the Iowa offensive attack in play action. The tailbacks too have done a very good job as receivers for Stanzi out of the backfield. The important thing about Ricky Stanzi is that he seems to improve his play in key football games, like the road game at Penn State and Arizona game. Without significant pressure, Stanzi will have a glorious evening against Michigan’s youthful secondary and linebackers.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHt2yeeTMNLabpojXaxKnp9dm-d8QImenMWsiU9SY-XHPU5clXPSZOAoRU-xuh7yjzZblngPJNKXjqhuXymuFHQosB_7DsmhJZAx_9yPRJKrtisWqjpuPV2MLxotH8TZXu3jMifYb1zaS/s1600-h/moeaki1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHt2yeeTMNLabpojXaxKnp9dm-d8QImenMWsiU9SY-XHPU5clXPSZOAoRU-xuh7yjzZblngPJNKXjqhuXymuFHQosB_7DsmhJZAx_9yPRJKrtisWqjpuPV2MLxotH8TZXu3jMifYb1zaS/s400/moeaki1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389992154940537106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Iowa's Tight End Tony Moeaki. Coming to an end zone near you.</span> </div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Carcajous Attack! On Defense:</span><br />By now reality has probably sunk in for most Michigan football fans everywhere. This uncovered reality is that the 2009 Michigan Wolverine football team cannot stop passing offenses. It cannot stop any kind of power run offense either. It can’t really even slow opponents down a little bit. The one thing Greg Robinson’s defense has somehow managed to achieve, rather inexplicably, is force opponent field goals in the redzone. It’s unknown whether such fortune or ability will continue into Michigan’s Big Ten schedule. To understand the gravity of the situation on defense for Michigan this year, all anyone has to do is review how Michigan’s defense played the last two games against Indiana and MSU, and substitute all of those opponent field goals for touchdowns.<br /><br />Do that now.<br /><br />Right.<br /><br />Yeah, me too. Except I couldn't stop crying.<br /><br />Well, for what it’s worth, Iowa is 6 of 9 this year on field goals, and isn’t exactly scoring a lot of points these days (10th in scoring in B10 with 25 points per game). They haven’t really had to.<br /><br />The truth is that ever since the Notre Dame game, Michigan opponents have been able to march up and down the football field fancy free. Through the air or on the ground, it doesn’t really make a difference. (If Rich Rodriguez had a preference, he’d probably want opponents to shred his defense by throwing the ball because at least that way his own offense could get the ball back a little quicker.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRnGPq_z8-02eYedccLwhxOvVYCEkJ5mp5GieEU9unrYovIc_t9Rvs31g4XobMKptpMb_-zeD1frFqwl_5-bON8YNrF8UDpieAYnTbvwJL9rJcJ51wCtRDuVMzuZI6qmrjGd8UH9MTGBU/s1600-h/Brandon+Graham.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRnGPq_z8-02eYedccLwhxOvVYCEkJ5mp5GieEU9unrYovIc_t9Rvs31g4XobMKptpMb_-zeD1frFqwl_5-bON8YNrF8UDpieAYnTbvwJL9rJcJ51wCtRDuVMzuZI6qmrjGd8UH9MTGBU/s400/Brandon+Graham.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389994627074060546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Michigan's Defensive End Brandon Graham</span> </div><br />If you didn’t like Michigan’s chances against MSU’s passing attack last week on the road, you’ll probably like the Wolverines’ prospects against Iowa even less. Unlike Michigan State, Iowa actually has something resembling an NFL offensive line that has done a good job in pass protection. Similar to MSU, the Hawkeyes have a decent quarterback and a talented cast of receivers and backs. Those backs may not be the fastest on the planet, but they’re do break tackles, block well, and serve as excellent receivers on screen passes. Unless Michigan’s own front four gets regular pressure on quarterback Ricky Stanzi in this game, Iowa will be able to run and pass roughshod over Michigan all night long. Brandon Graham, Mike Martin, Ryan van Bergen and Craig Roh are on notice. They must get pressure or the risk increases that this game gets out of hand fast.<br /><br />Michigan’s linebackers and secondary were ripped apart last week by a number of screen pass plays to the tailback (MSU’s Glenn Winston). As luck would have it, this just happens to be one of Iowa’s favorite chapters in their offensive playbook – a long repertoire of screen passes to tailbacks, play action downfield posts and flies, as well as quick dump passes to the tight ends. The Michigan linebackers and secondary have received a lot of well-earned criticism so far this year. They’ll need tighten up coverage of Iowa’s WRs and TE’s and show good containment around the edge. Stevie Brown, Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton must show significant improvement in reading play action, taking on much bigger blockers, and find ways to disrupt the routes of Iowa’s big tight ends.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Carcajous Attack! On Offense:</span><br />Last week Michigan tried their bread-and-butter read spread option rushing attack against their opponent’s main strength (MSU’s run defense) and failed in embarrassing fashion with just 28 rushing yards to show for it. Why the epic fail to run the ball against Michigan State? Well, we’re all led to believe that because Rimington Trophy candidate David Molk is out for another 3 weeks at center, and despite all calls to UM’s improved OL depth and experience, the Wolverines offensive line and backfield has suddenly become out of sync. Star running backs Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor were both completely ineffective last week. So Rich Rodriguez and offensive coordinator Calvin Magee will probably introduce some new plays into the offense this week to try and turbo-charge the running game Saturday night. If Iowa’s vaunted defense has shown one weakness at all, it would be their rushing defense (giving up over 122 yds/game). Even so, the Hawkeyes have given up zero (0) touchdowns on the ground this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Wi-DRCGmfhzSUQ5C-Bjp8binhyPhh9IisRN0MPWyz31vmA73pmXHjyjcgaPxW9dX6aORan-9VOEoa3UGFjFFKxem3HxSgshFLgXsXRLzaooTJXuPwnKFl-6XwqYtRzxk_5LuIRYh-Aol/s1600-h/Force+Levitate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Wi-DRCGmfhzSUQ5C-Bjp8binhyPhh9IisRN0MPWyz31vmA73pmXHjyjcgaPxW9dX6aORan-9VOEoa3UGFjFFKxem3HxSgshFLgXsXRLzaooTJXuPwnKFl-6XwqYtRzxk_5LuIRYh-Aol/s320/Force+Levitate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389995186541644530" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Midichlorians! Yeah Bayy-Bee!</span><br /></div><br />If Michigan’s OL problems aren’t corrected, then they’ll turn to the pass. Can Michigan’s offensive line can protect it’s quarterback long enough to make reads and get the ball away safely? The answer is a qualifed “yes” only because of the midichlorians and waterbug DNA coursing through the cells of Michigan’s starting quarterback Tate Forcier. Iowa’s front seven is truly outstanding, and while the secondary may have given up significant points and the yardage, they possess interception king Tyler Sash at safety and welcome back star Shaun Prater at the cornerback position this week. Forcier will need to step it up a notch because this Iowa defense has dealt with mobile quarterbacks pretty well this year, holding Penn State’s Darryl Clark to just 19 yards rushing and intercepting him 3 times. With the injury at center and the reduced production of the Wolverine offensive line the last two games, Michigan’s pass protection is probably not going to be much better than last week. Rodriguez and Magee must implement passing plays with easy safety valves for Forcier to dish the ball off more quickly when under pressure and take advantage of what will surely be zealous over pursuit by Iowa<br /><br />Michigan’s offensive players are probably much faster than those faced by the Iowa defense at any time this year. Michigan must exploit speed mismatches wherever they can in this football game.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Time:</span><br />On October 21, 2006 Michigan launched a vicious defense and a relentless off-tackle zone rushing attack featuring senior tailback Mike Hart that eventually wore Iowa down in second half of the game, allowing Michigan to separate from a 3-3 tie early in the 3rd quarter to win handily 20-6.<br /><br />Iowa’s last victory over Michigan was in 2003 in Iowa City when Hawkeye tailback Fred Russell, an Inkster, Michigan native, ran for 110 yards against the Wolverines, setting up three Nate Kaeding’s field goals to lead 12th ranked Hawkeyes (4-1) to a 30-27 victory over 4th ranked Michigan (4-1).<br /><br />Dammit, why is it that these Iowa-Michigan games have so many damn field goals in them? (BTW, don’t ever watch the 1981 and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQqfrbuAgvY">1985</a> games. Ever.)<br /><br />This will be Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez’s first game ever against Iowa.<br /><br />Iowa’s head coach Kirk Ferentz is 2-3 all-time versus Michigan since 1999.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What to Expect</span><br />First, this Iowa team is better than Michigan State or Notre Dame.<br /><br />Way better.<br /><br />Iowa has been playing lights out, blackout, defense against superior opposition and every kind of offensive attack this season, including both pass- and run-centric spread teams and more pro-style offenses. Consider, for example, that Iowa’s opponents this year have a cumulative W-L record of 15-8 compared to the rather unimpressive 11-13 record of Michigan’s last 5 opponents. Michigan hasn’t played anyone, while Iowa clearly has.<br /><br />Second, on paper at least, Michigan appears to be a much more explosive offensive football team than Iowa because they’re faster, they can score a lot of points very quickly. Michigan has a multitude of scoring weapons to chose from, not to mention their very own Ace of Spades player, freshman quarterback Tate Forcier. Iowa’s defense must find a way to control Forcier’s escape routes and laser-guided passing abilities for a full 60 minutes. This is way easier said than done. But if Iowa can somehow pull that off, (whatever “that” is), then Rodriguez’s spread offense is almost surely dead in the water. Michigan’s offensive line is in disarray and Iowa’s defensive front four is ready to setup camp in Michigan’s backfield. They should be able to reach Forcier frequently in this game, unless he manages to escape or improve the quickness of his release.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9P8_t1ERwUbMZ3jb2Gb86J8nLS2ISwnMcBYABqHpux9RBgCno4YFKheyVTZljU_OI-LrGHaE5_VJtPSzm5fBCJKkH6MzlBMwRFzYd50-1tegE5-2Ilb-3g6J45SquWxMSZ3NIdH0S1T1/s1600-h/Ace+of+Spades.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9P8_t1ERwUbMZ3jb2Gb86J8nLS2ISwnMcBYABqHpux9RBgCno4YFKheyVTZljU_OI-LrGHaE5_VJtPSzm5fBCJKkH6MzlBMwRFzYd50-1tegE5-2Ilb-3g6J45SquWxMSZ3NIdH0S1T1/s200/Ace+of+Spades.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389999746689633570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Motorhead - Tate Forcier</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pushing up the ante, I know you've got to see me,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Read 'em and weep, the dead man's hand again,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I see it in your eyes, take one look and die,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The only thing you see, you know it's gonna be...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tate Force-ee-yay!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tate Force-ee-yay!</span><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9e5cqe_JE0Q&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9e5cqe_JE0Q&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed><br /><br /></object><div style="text-align: left;"><object width="425" height="344">Third, Iowa’s offensive assignment is straight-forward and will be fairly easy. They will attack the Michigan corners and linebackers relentlessly with a mixed bag of what they do best: off-tackle and off-end dives with play action, then blast the Wolverines with plenty of screen passes in the flat and over the middle. They’ sprinkle in a few deep Z outs and flies to McNutt and Johnson-Koulianos for good fun. True, Ricky Stanzi has had bouts of Jekyll and Hyde over the last few weeks, overthrowing wide open receivers or just throwing perfect strikes into the arms of competitors. But if the last 5 games are any indication, Michigan’s secondary and linebackers will be easily confused with play action, and will have few answers for Iowa’s short, tight-end targeted passing game. By halftime Iowa will likely have what I’ll call “an uncomfortable lead” over the Wolverines.</object><br /><object width="425" height="344"></object><br /><object width="425" height="344">In the second half, Michigan’s defense will adjust and tighten up as it usually does and perhaps force a turnover and a few three-and-out’s.</object><br /><object width="425" height="344"></object><br /><object width="425" height="344">Michigan’s offense line will continue to search for some semblance of rhythm against the Iowa front lines and linebackers, but without significant success. This lack of productivity in the running game will foist more pressure upon young Forcier and the Michigan receivers to delivery late game heroics. The efforts will be valiant, but will likely go horribly wrong in the end, i.e. Interception City.</object><br /><object width="425" height="344"></object><br /><object width="425" height="344">Michigan ends up 4-2, Iowa will be 6-0. And yet, somehow it’s going to be alright.</object> <object width="425" height="344">The Wolverines will re-group, beat Delaware State, Illinois, Purdue and probably upset one of the three other opponents: Penn State, Wisconsin or Ohio State for almost certain bowl eligibility.</object><br /><object width="425" height="344"></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><span style="font-weight: bold;">WCA Prediction: Iowa 27, Michigan 19</span></object></div></div>Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-81460513824032342702009-10-06T21:33:00.000-07:002009-10-07T10:46:47.793-07:00The Michigan Difference: Taking Inventory After 5 Games Played<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mVyhXopt3NKlWdj94g8G0OsneLC7q_NLRq8WAz7fmbxlFGXxtEiALYlbdkbonfoFbZpMCA_zz2doftnfvRn6Kj0u9kVt9F2kkmcwtkrB286hL-l8ydzr1tJACfaP3HWh0zQVQFXpKk2z/s1600-h/Tate+Forcier.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mVyhXopt3NKlWdj94g8G0OsneLC7q_NLRq8WAz7fmbxlFGXxtEiALYlbdkbonfoFbZpMCA_zz2doftnfvRn6Kj0u9kVt9F2kkmcwtkrB286hL-l8ydzr1tJACfaP3HWh0zQVQFXpKk2z/s400/Tate+Forcier.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389722094986390994" border="0" /></a>At this time last year, Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines were 2-3 after a devastating 25 point loss to Illinois in the Big House 20-45 on national television.<br /><br />Today Michigan is a surprising 4-1. But if we're honest with ourselves, two of those four victories and the one loss to Michigan State were very close (less the 6 points) and probably could have gone either way. 4-1 yes, but 2-3 or 3-2 were also probable outcomes for Michigan after these first 5 games.<br /><br />It might sting a little bit to hear this, but low margin victories and losses are not the sign of a championship football team. Decisive victories, however, are. I'm not talking blowouts necessarily. What I mean is winning football games handily by outscoring opponents by a convincing margin (14 pts or more) and utilizing strong enough defensive play to thwart any comebacks. The most powerful championship caliber football teams possess a combination of great defense and high-scoring, potent offenses. Not all championship teams have such characteristics. But the most powerful ones certainly do.<br /><br />After observing 5 games, Michigan is simply not a championship caliber football team this year. Not yet anyway. This is not to say Michigan isn't any good, or isn't improving, or that the Wolverines aren't a competitive football team. By taking a quick inventory of Michigan's progress after 5 games, we can clearly see that Rodriguez's project to restructure and reformat the Michigan football team has yielded some very interesting results both offensively and defensively. I'll get to the details shortly below.<br /><br />Performance, experience, talent and skill are still lacking at key positions for Michigan this fall, particularly on defense. This will have repercussions not only for the 2009 football season, but subsequent years as well. Linebacker, cornerback, safety and even defensive end must be shored up with higher-caliber players in the future to ensure productivity. These issues must be minimized as much as possible through consecutively strong recruiting outcomes by Rich Rodriguez and his staff over the next two to three years, particularly against the raging current of other top 10 college football programs recruiting with great success nationally (Florida, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Penn State, USC and LSU). This will be a major challenge.<br /><br />For now, let's take a quick look at the 2009 football team after 5 games compared to the 2008 Michigan football team at the same interval of time. Of course, the schedules were different so the Wolverines' competition may have been higher or lower on offense and defense during these two years (and periods). We'll first look at a comparison of the Michigan offensive units followed by the defenses of these two years.<br /><br />The most compelling statistics in my view are Michigan's <a href="http://sportsgambling.about.com/od/nfl/a/fooballypp.htm">yards per point</a> as well as some of the individual statistical variances between 2009 and 2008.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Michigan Difference: 2009 Offense vs. 2008 Offense - First 5 Games</span><br /><table style="width: 334px; height: 434px;" class="tableizer-table"><br /><tbody> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">OFFENSE</td><td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">2009</td><td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">2008</td><td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Variance</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Points</td><td style="text-align: center;">170</td><td style="text-align: center;">103</td><td style="text-align: center;">67</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Points/Gm</td><td style="text-align: center;">34</td><td style="text-align: center;">20.6</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">13.4</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Rushing Yds</td><td style="text-align: center;">1040</td><td style="text-align: center;">614</td><td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">426</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Passing Yds</td><td style="text-align: center;">903</td><td style="text-align: center;">845</td><td style="text-align: center;">58</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Yds/Gm</td><td style="text-align: center;">388.6</td><td style="text-align: center;">291.8</td><td style="text-align: center;">96.8</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Plays</td><td style="text-align: center;">339</td><td style="text-align: center;">321</td><td style="text-align: center;">18</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Yds/Play</td><td style="text-align: center;">5.79</td><td style="text-align: center;">4.55</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">1.24</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Points/Play</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.51</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.32</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.19</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Yards Per Point</td><td style="text-align: center;">11.69</td><td style="text-align: center;">15.02</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">-3.33</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">INTs</td><td style="text-align: center;">5</td><td style="text-align: center;">5</td><td style="text-align: center;">0</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Fumbles Lost </td><td style="text-align: center;">2</td><td style="text-align: center;">11</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">-9</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Avg Time of Poss.</td><td style="text-align: center;">26:32:00</td><td style="text-align: center;">26:23:00</td><td style="text-align: center;">0:09:00</td></tr></tbody></table>Offensively, Michigan's 2009 football team has to travel 3 yards less than it did a year ago to score 1 point. This means that Michigan's offense is demonstrating greater effectiveness this fall than 2008. Gee, ya think!?<br /><br />Michigan's offense is also doing other things rather nicely like, oh, I don't know, how about not giving away expensive Christmas presents to opponents months in advance (fumbles and interceptions), scoring way many more points per game, running more plays, gaining more yards per play, as well as becoming more versatile and balanced (rushing versus passing yardage), etc.?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Michigan Difference: 2009 Defense vs. 2008 Defense - First 5 Games</span><br /><style type="text/css"><br />table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}<br />.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}<br /></style><br /><table style="width: 324px; height: 379px;" class="tableizer-table"><br /><tbody> <tr><td style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">DEFENSE</td><td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">2009</td><td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">2008</td><td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Variance</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Pts Allowed</td><td style="text-align: center;">117</td><td style="text-align: center;">136</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">-19</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Points/Gm</td><td style="text-align: center;">23.4</td><td style="text-align: center;">27.2</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">-3.8</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Yds/Gm</td><td style="text-align: center;">392</td><td style="text-align: center;">347</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">45</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Plays</td><td style="text-align: center;">358</td><td style="text-align: center;">341</td><td style="text-align: center;">17</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Yds/Play</td><td style="text-align: center;">5.47</td><td style="text-align: center;">5.05</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">0.42</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Points/Play</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.32</td><td style="text-align: center;">0.4</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">-0.08</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Yards Per Point</td><td style="text-align: center;">20.87</td><td style="text-align: center;">17.91</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">2.96</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">INTs</td><td style="text-align: center;">6</td><td style="text-align: center;">3</td><td style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">3</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Fumbles Recovered</td><td style="text-align: center;">4</td><td style="text-align: center;">7</td><td style="text-align: center;">-3</td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: left;">Avg Time of Poss.</td><td style="text-align: center;">26:32:00</td><td style="text-align: center;">26:23:00</td><td style="text-align: center;">0:09:00</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Defensively, Michigan appears to have improved in the other direction, although recent performances against Notre Dame, Indiana and Michigan State might have us all wondering about the accuracy of "getting better".<br /><br />In terms of yards per point, the 2009 Wolverine defense is clearly forcing opponents to gain 3 more yards for every point they wish to score. This means that while the Michigan defense might be giving up hectares of real estate to their opponents this year, that real estate is going down in value, i.e. they've been pretty stingy on the scoring side of things (so far). Michigan's defense is giving up 4 points fewer per game than last year.<br /><br />If your stomach is doing somersaults whenever Michigan happens to be on defense, this is because Greg Robinson's defense is allowing 50 more total yards per game in 2009 than last year. It doesn't help that Michigan is also allowing offenses 9 more minutes of possession time than 2008. The Wolverines also appear to be content giving up higher yards per play than 2008 (5.47 versus 5.05). It might feel bad all around, but the results on the scoreboard so far have improved (19 fewer points surrendered over first 5 games).<br /><br />Take some Pepto-Bismol and lie down. That's all I can tell you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So What's The Right Question to Be Asking At This Stage?</span><br />Of Michigan remaining seven opponents: atIowa, Delaware State, at Illinois, Penn State, at Wisconsin, Ohio State, how many games will be "probable close wins or losses" versus "decisive victories"?<br /><br />So far Michigan has beaten two very weak teams (WMU 2-3, EMU 0-4) by decisive margins. Michigan has beaten two mediocre opponents (ND 4-1, Indiana 3-2) by rather low margins (by about 3 points each) . The Wolverines have also lost to a mediocre MSU football team (2-3) by 6 points in OT.<br /><br />It'd be different if Michigan had beaten Indiana in the same fashion that it had manhandled WMU and EMU. Yet, the fact that Michigan struggled with the Hoosiers all four quarters and had to pull a rabbit out of their hat to win, and almost repeated the feat the following weak against MSU suggests that the Wolverines are an unpredictable, shaky and terrifying football team to be playing right now. Personally, I simply cannot trust that we really know how good or bad Michigan really is. If there's any good news, it's that we don't have long to wait very much longer to find out the truth. We'll know more late Saturday night following Michigan's second road game against a pretty good Iowa football team.<br /><br />If Michigan beats Iowa, then we're probably watching an 8 win football team this year.<br /><br />If Michigan loses to Iowa on Saturday night, then I submit to you that we are probably looking at a 6-6 or 7-5 football team.<br /><br />As of now, it looks to me as though Michigan should be able to defeat Delaware State, Illinois and Purdue in the weeks following the Iowa game. That would provide Michigan at least 7 wins on the year. Such an achievement would also serve as a nice stepping stone for Rich Rodriguez and staff from 3-9 a year ago to bowl eligibility and redemption.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-59641244998109776872009-10-05T11:12:00.001-07:002009-10-05T20:31:53.145-07:00Sore Shoulders? No Wonder.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtjRPz66lPb8vramG749uYAt82bZYsyc70HiRcMinkY2k6PnOoBvDmjJ7-EttkYEv8PhY3_Z2YwfiNjGFDbbkFf2qqEZIV1JiZ7w0gnn3efKewEmjMkRQE4I4I4Kp-C9mejld8NhVGQyZ/s1600-h/1f44c3e5-491c-45ea-96d2-fb7be28ebafe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtjRPz66lPb8vramG749uYAt82bZYsyc70HiRcMinkY2k6PnOoBvDmjJ7-EttkYEv8PhY3_Z2YwfiNjGFDbbkFf2qqEZIV1JiZ7w0gnn3efKewEmjMkRQE4I4I4Kp-C9mejld8NhVGQyZ/s400/1f44c3e5-491c-45ea-96d2-fb7be28ebafe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389186148576801218" /></a><br />Michigan State (2-3) held off a late overtime rally by Michigan (4-1) in East Lansing on Saturday.<br /><br />It never should have come down to that, but it did.<br /><br />This is because MSU had beaten Michigan in virtually ever facet of the football game for the first 55 minutes of play. It was only in the final 5 minutes, trailing the Spartans 6-20, that Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier decided to walk up to the line of scrimmage, put the entire game and Wolverine football team on his back and try to pull off another adventure of the improbable. The Wolverine offensive coaching staff could only look on in disbelief.<br /><br />Michigan approached the game with confidence. And why not? They were unbeaten at 4-0, a top of the Big Ten standings, and had seemingly redeemed themselves from the 3-9 record of their hellish season past. Meanwhile Michigan State was reeling at 1-3 after three consecutive defeats.<br /><br />In the game Michigan first tried to match strength for strength with the Spartans, but simply could not move the ball on the ground against the MSU’s 4-3 defense. The Wolverines managed only 28 yards rushing on the day.<br /><br />With just 5 minutes left in the game, it looked like Rich Rodriguez and offensive coordinator Calvin Magee had finally experienced an epiphany. It turned out that indeed Michigan State’s defensive secondary wasn't that good after all. Just like those crazy team scouting reports and hours of game film had confirmed and demonstrated all along! And so it was that with 4:47 remaining young Mr. Forcier, in obvious and considerable pain from his injured shoulder, launched a rocket pass to sophomore wide receiver Darryl Stonum covering 59 yards for the score.<br /><br />Spartan Stadium shocked. The sun starting to peek out while clouds still hovered.<br /><br />Michigan 13, MSU 20.<br /><br />Forcier wasn’t done yet. The Michigan defense, which had been ground all afternoon into fine powder by the surprising running (and less surprising) passing prowess of Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins, forced a rare three-and-out possession. Now with 2:53 on the clock and down by 7 points, Forcier went to work again for Michigan, this time from the Wolverines’ own 7 yards line. <br /><br />Of the 93 yards that Michigan would traverse in 2 minutes and 51 seconds, Forcier was responsible for 39 on the ground and 39 through the air. The Spartans would of course do their share to help out and donate another 15 yards on a penalty. On 3rd and 8 with 00:08 showing on the clock, Forcier connected on a 9 yard touchdown pass to Roy Roundtree with 00:02 to play. <br /><br />Tie Game 20-20 and on to overtime!<br /><br />And that's where our illustrious fairy-tale ends.<br /><br />The Spartans ran in a 24 yard score during the last overtime possession to win the game by 6 points, 26-20, sending Rodriguez, Forcier and the entire Michigan football team back on the road, wondering only what could have been.<br /><br />As of the end of last week it looked like the Michigan State Spartans’ football season had been caught in a maelstrom and was about to be summarily smashed against the rocks. An emotional contest against hated cross-state rival Michigan was exactly what Michigan State needed to pull up their collective bootstraps and perhaps right their wayward ship once again. I distinctly remember some overly creative Detroit sports journalist using the phrase: “Time will tell” in a recent column headline. OK, Time will tell.<br /><br />As for Michigan, they must collect themselves and heal injuries. The coaching staff must determine what went wrong with the vaunted read spread option running game that had done fairly well the previous 4 games, and then make corrective adjustments.<br /><br />Defensively, as bad as it looked Saturday against MSU at times and the week before against Indiana (and by the way, it looked godawful most of the first 3 quarters on Saturday), Greg Robinson’s defense is actually finding ways to force field goals and keep the young Wolverines in football games. <br /><br />For the first two games, the offense carried the Michigan team to victory with a balanced running and passing attack and by simply outscoring the opposition. Despite the loss on Saturday and the surrender of 400+ offensive yards again, the Michigan defense may actually be finally finding it’s bearings. The wheels aren’t coming off the Michigan offense, but clearly the injury to center David Molk is causing major disruption in the rhythm of the Wolverine rushing attack. It’s doubtful that this can be corrected completely with another week of practice.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Your shoulders are sore? Well, it's Because We've Been Riding Them Since Game 2!</span><br />As outstanding and heroic as Tate Forcier has been so far this year, there are seven games left and it’s time for him to settle down as the starter. Forcier is simply waiting way too long to get rid of the football. This could be on the UM receivers not getting open, the lack of decent pass protection or the lack of a safety valve receiver on certain plays. It could also be Forcier’s inexperience. <br /><br />In my view, however, the “freshman mistake” comments need to end right here and right now. Forcier has already started 5 collegiate football games this year. This practice of holding on to the ball until the last moment is something Forcier must recognize as a serious risk and try to minimize it. Yet, the long pauses and Fran Tarkenton impressions keep coming week after week. The scrambling around and throwing off the back foot is going to create turnovers, possibly cause injuries, and likely place Michigan’s already porous defense in the worst of possible circumstances. <br /><br />But what happens? With an beautiful TD throw here and a shocking first down play there, it's amazing to me how all of this recklessness is so quickly forgotten. And at what cost? If no one is open, take off and get some yards, or just throw it away. In the game of college football, you can still be the game hero by not being the hero.<br /><br />While Forcier can certainly do more to help himself become more patient, the Michigan seniors need to step up and remind Forcier that they intend to contribute as well. And if they do this, they have to actually deliver! Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown, Greg Mathews, Mark Ortmann, David Mooseman must show some burst over the next 7 games. <br /><br />It is not right to have the success of this football season ride on Forcier's busted shoulders alone.<br /><br />On the Wolverines’ horizon lie a tough, 12th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes team that resembles Michigan State in many ways, except perhaps that they’re much better offensively than predicted in the off-season, with arguably the biggest and best offensive line in the entire Midwest. Iowa’s defense has played remarkably well this year against run-oriented offenses including spread formation teams like Iowa State, Arizona and Penn State. They are known for causing turnovers, particularly interceptions. If Michigan's defense can't control a quarterback like Kirk Cousins of Michigan State, they're going to have an "interesting" time against Iowa's Ricky Stanzi. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Expectations for a Young Team</span><br />As a last comment following the Wolverines' loss to Michigan State this weekend, I will say this: Michigan’s football team is remarkably young. It’s easy see that this football team possesses significant talent and promise for the future. Only 2 players will graduate from the starting lineup on defense this fall: DE Brandon Graham and LB Stevie Brown. On offense, Michigan will lose 5 players to graduation: TB Brandon Minor, TB Carlos Brown, WR Greg Mathews, OG David Moosman and OT Mark Ortmann. <br /><br />When Michigan was unbeaten at 4-0, as excited as everyone was, many failed to recognize that two of the wins were close, non-decisive wins (ND, Indiana). The other two victories were rather expected, decisive wins (WMU and EMU). Saturday a close loss has been added to Michigan's experience. This Wolverine football team is going to continue to grow and surprise people. It would be a mistake, for example, for teams like Penn State, Wisconsin or Ohio State to discount Michigan this year. The high expectations that came with 4-0 now need to be appropriately adjusted following Saturday’s performance.<br /><br />The Michigan offense and defense are not where they need to be to win a Big Ten title. Rodriguez’s read spread option offense is not running on all cylinders. The defense is giving up way too many big plays.<br /><br />So what exactly can Michigan fans expect over the next seven games?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. A good number of explosive plays and scores by the Michigan offense.<br /><br />2. A high number of explosive plays and scores given up by the Michigan defense.<br /><br />3. Close, barn-burner, cardiac-arrest-inducing UM victories.<br /><br />4. Excruciatingly-close UM defeats.<br /><br />5. More moments of brilliance which will foreshadow a bright future.</span>Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-61588749455201991302009-10-01T09:58:00.000-07:002009-10-07T01:10:47.650-07:00When Carcajous Attack Spartans<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC58YJBBLy6rFmbMkVCMSwG2aHJSR0rt9ANdUWwOyqFFSds4rk4LYBb-yG9yUgskTbMX0wRzR_xjZa5X6t0vTa-xq7nThtZ2NDJ89thpXOSmpi1hySs3CYp4-bLCYhHSQwUl9FeLjZ6Xz/s1600-h/850368.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC58YJBBLy6rFmbMkVCMSwG2aHJSR0rt9ANdUWwOyqFFSds4rk4LYBb-yG9yUgskTbMX0wRzR_xjZa5X6t0vTa-xq7nThtZ2NDJ89thpXOSmpi1hySs3CYp4-bLCYhHSQwUl9FeLjZ6Xz/s400/850368.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387679445345494034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"I hate Michigan more than any of you stupid people!"</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />When You Crave Irrational Exuberance On A Level That Only Brett Musberger Can Deliver:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“We’re here LIIIIVE! in rainy East Lansing, Michigan, where the Michigan State Spartans host their hated rivals, the Michigan Wolverines! The Spartans have been saying all along this week that Michigan doesn’t respect them. Well, the newsflash for the Spartan team on this one is that Michigan hasn’t been respecting the Spartans for many, many years. This is because respect isn’t demanded and received just like that. It’s gotta be earned.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Spartans have had bragging rights since last years 35-21 win in Ann Arbor, and Dantonio has turned some heads on the recruiting trail in the state of Michigan as well. Still, there has been a curious reversal of fortunes since the 2009 began for these two teams. MSU was 9-4 last year under Mark Dantonio. Michigan was a horrid 3-9 under first year head coach Rich Rodriguez. Today Michigan enters this game 4-0 led by an exciting freshman quarterback Tate Forcier, who is a little banged up coming in here. Meanwhile, Michigan State is struggling for answers with a shocking 1-3 start. The Spartans lost a heartbreaker in this very stadium by two lousy points to Central Michigan on a last second field goal. The next week they were beaten by three points by rival Notre Dame on the road. Then last week the Spartans basically had the floor taken out from under them by the Badgers of Wisconsin in Madison 30-38. Michigan last week escaped the jaws of defeat at the hands of Indiana by only 3 points.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The defenses of both of these teams have struggled considerably in recent weeks. The Wolverines have managed to overcome their defensive weaknesses with a higher-scoring and balanced offensive attack.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Michigan and MSU have played only one common opponent this year: Notre Dame. Michigan of course won that game by only 4 points and in the final seconds. MSU lost to the Irish by only 3 points on the road.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So the question is, which MSU team will show up today? Michigan State must win this game to salvage their football season. Michigan must win this game to keep the sports media dogs off Rich Rodriguez. This should be a great game, but the weather really sucks here right now. I’m soaked to the bone already, dammit! Take it away Markus!”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This football game is important for Michigan for the following reasons:</span><br /><br />1. Michigan owns this rivalry series 67-29 all-time. Historically speaking Michigan State football teams just don’t beat Michigan football teams in back-to-back years. It’s been thoroughly and repeatedly tested in scientific laboratories all over the world with published findings in hundreds of journals. Despite the anomaly that occured 1965-66-67, it's sort of a scientific law now, or something.<br /><br />2. MSU fans had the audacity to chant “Little-Sister” after the 35-21 victory in Ann Arbor last year. Does such raw insolence go unpunished? Little Sister, no. Twisted Sister, maybe.<br /><br />3. Mark Dantonio frowns a lot. It’s because he hates Michigan with every fiber of his being and much more than any previous Spartan football coach or fan in history. His hatred for UM is greater than that of John L. Smith, Nick Saban, George Perles, Darryl Rodgers and Denny Stolz combined. The only problem is that Michigan football players just love to see that frown on the clown.<br /><br />4. Bowl eligibility. Michigan wins this game and they’re 5-0, one victory away from bowl eligibility after a 3-9 season. A 5-0 Michigan would also cast a foreboding cloud over Iowa’s night game against the upstart Wolverines on October 10th in Iowa City. An MSU team at 1-4 is just "Schadenfreude mit Kirsche und Schlagsahne darauf"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Three Great Reasons to Wipe That Ridiculous Smile Off Of Your Face:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Captain Kirk Cousins</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQP3YzIWzlO8mODP7jZ0uiZ35RZXHKwKNVGmgZqMImJuUbap5dK_qxVubZYKwkMUjfaLGCmrhDkf9n8wzpW3WlRPAFzkkg6Kvb00UOu3rIxmzTHOraYbcfI8gNjZeLCHGuMSmDvp1mcEz/s1600-h/Cousins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQP3YzIWzlO8mODP7jZ0uiZ35RZXHKwKNVGmgZqMImJuUbap5dK_qxVubZYKwkMUjfaLGCmrhDkf9n8wzpW3WlRPAFzkkg6Kvb00UOu3rIxmzTHOraYbcfI8gNjZeLCHGuMSmDvp1mcEz/s400/Cousins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387680158472905122" border="0" /></a><br />61% of passes, 7 TD, 2 INT and 850 yards.<br />Kirk Cousins is not yet the greatest quarterback you’ll ever see. But he’s good and can inflict plenty of battle damage. He’s also one of the two main reasons why MSU’s passing attack is ranked No. 3 in the country. The other reason is backup QB Keith Nichol (50% compl., 5 TD, 2 INT, 403 yards) and a long list of talented wide receivers with very good hands. Unlike most college football fans, I think a two quarterback system can be very beneficial on many fronts. But by now it should be abundantly clear to Mark Dantonio that Kirk Cousins separated from Nichol way back in the CMU game. Since Michigan hasn’t fielded a legitimate pass defense since the 2007 Capital One Bowl, Cousins (Nichol or any green-clad individual under center for that matter) should have a great game throwing against the dainty Wolverine secondary players not named Donovan Warren. (Now just watch Cousins do the exact opposite and throw right at Warren. Sheesh!) I’m serious when I say that, if the weather cooperates, MSU’s quarterbacks could very well have a record day against Michigan through the air.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />2. Mean Green Tacklin' Machines - MSU's Linebackers</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29qsy0QnSQz2mw3VxYmIAovNmogzeVH4253yXzy0OUz7-4KhFI0miVE3hcCqMi9L4v041O-p52RchqPM9e_F4PaTv0iwA7jnMrynhuDEH4_cqSEYxSHHEfpKUDFiFszKmVz9mNHxgUDUA/s1600-h/Jones+and+Anderson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29qsy0QnSQz2mw3VxYmIAovNmogzeVH4253yXzy0OUz7-4KhFI0miVE3hcCqMi9L4v041O-p52RchqPM9e_F4PaTv0iwA7jnMrynhuDEH4_cqSEYxSHHEfpKUDFiFszKmVz9mNHxgUDUA/s400/Jones+and+Anderson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387680154853225266" border="0" /></a><br />So after losses to Notre Stain and Wisconsin, the MSU defense is getting a lot of bad press this week. But I’m not buying it at all. Well, not yet anyway. In my view, the Spartans have some of the best linebackers in the Big Ten including junior Greg Jones, senior Adam Decker and junior Eric Gordon. These guys are good players and they’ll likely be all over the field Saturday, including possibly, and with a certain degree of regularity, the Michigan backfield. Michigan has played 4 opponents so far and has beaten them all. None of those opponents had linebackers nearly as good as Michigan State’s.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. The Blair White Project</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzysi9LTX2AKNXgj2nqEItq7SJxfP4mpDU5huJSCMdD_K1WfuIDS0unBpkaG2XZ_CWpjHFnilKmTzKlEt2uvfPcDbB9IJeKL1BN4A3_a-GtKDJYUzUIrztwqogT0zipYYpM7E1yp92VKc/s1600-h/Blair+White+2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzysi9LTX2AKNXgj2nqEItq7SJxfP4mpDU5huJSCMdD_K1WfuIDS0unBpkaG2XZ_CWpjHFnilKmTzKlEt2uvfPcDbB9IJeKL1BN4A3_a-GtKDJYUzUIrztwqogT0zipYYpM7E1yp92VKc/s400/Blair+White+2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387680146777033010" border="0" /></a><br />OK, yeah, so BJ Cunningham made an acrobatic TD catch last week against Wisconsin, and Mark Dell, Keyshawn Martin and TE Charlie Gantt are all talented, experienced and dangerous Spartan receiving targets as well. I agree, man. But to me the guy to watch out for is usually well under the radar, keeps to himself, does his blue collar blocking jobs, goes dark for a few series, and then all of the sudden shows up at the freak show on 3rd and long with octopus hands saying “Surprise! I’m wide freaking open! Bwahahahaha!”.<br /><br />Touchdown, aaaaaand cut!<br /><br />That’s wide receiver Blair White. White really came on the scene last year with 659 yards receiving, but with just 1 TD. In 2009, after only 4 games White already has 350 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns. This is going to be a record year for White.<br />And since Michigan’s secondary can stop essentially nobody from throwing the football and gaining continentally-sized chunks of yardage, not to mention easy touchdowns, I expect all of the MSU receivers to have a great day on Saturday, particularly our friend Mr. White.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Carcajous Attack! On Defense:</span><br />After watching the last 4 Michigan football games, 2 decisive wins against weak opponents (WMU and EMU) and 2 close wins against what we must agree are “meh” opponents (ND, Indiana), Michigan fans have few reasons to be sweating buckets of confidence as their team goes on the road against the No. 3 passing offense in the country this weekend.<br /><br />On defense, you can expect MSU to attack Michigan’s weak points almost immediately. In case you’re wondering, those would be the Michigan cornerbacks and safeties. MSU’s barrage will include long posts, deep outs and just about anything and everything to JT Floyd’s side of the field. By the end of the year, Mr. Floyd will either be a damn good cornerback for Michigan, or a 3rd gear version of Morgan Trent. The jury is still out. Floyd and Kovacs are going to get a major workout against Dell, Cunningham, Martin and White. What should help is the return of Michael Williams at safety this week alongside safety Troy Woolfolk.<br /><br />The other Wolverine weak point is the Michigan middle: the linebackers. This is where MSU tight ends come in: junior Charlie Gantt, sophomore Brian Linthicum and even freshman Dion Sims. These guys already have 20 catches for over 350 yards and 3 TDs after just 4 games. They will be called upon frequently in this game. Despite a pretty talented front four, Michigan has been inconsistent in getting pressure on and sacking the quarterback. Much will be required of DT Mike Martin and DE Brandon Graham in this football game. Michigan’s other defensive end, Ryan Van Bergen (Ryan of the Mountains!) got angry and blew up an entire offensive series for Indiana last week with his own bare hands like some jealous Neolithic era god grappling lightning bolts in one hand and a massive hammer in the other. Can Van Bergen show the same kind of rage in Spartan Stadium on Saturday? This is what Michigan needs, because Graham is getting double-teamed like no tomorrow.<br /><br />The inescapable fact is that, at least today, there’s no evidence to suggest Michigan can stop Michigan State’s passing attack, or any other passing attack for that matter. There is danger that MSU could get an early and decisive lead in this game as a result. Against the run, the last three lead running backs against Michigan have done remarkably well: Indiana Darius Willis 152 yards, 2 TDs, Eastern Michigan Dwayne Priest 91 yards, 1 TD, Notre Dame Armando Allen 139 yards, 1 TD. Preliminary indication is that MSU’s Ray, Caper and Winston should gain good yardage against UM’s demonstrably porous run defense.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Carcajous Attack! On Offense:</span><br />If Rich Rodriguez and Calvin Magee are smart men, then they’re going to attack MSU’s weakest link on defense. That would of course be the Spartan secondary. The Spartan defensive backs were actually supposed to be a strength of the team this fall. But if you believe Michigan’s secondary sucks (and it most certainly and thoroughly does at this stage of the season), it’s still a few micron-sized degrees better than Michigan State’s for two reasons: The Wolverines haven’t given up quite many points per game, and at least with the Michigan secondary there’s a remote threat of an interception taking place.<br /><br />If only Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier were 100% healthy for this game, then I could make the argument that Michigan State is, generally speaking, in big, big trouble this Saturday.<br /><br />But he’s not. And they’re not.<br /><br />Forcier shoulder is very sore.. He’s still the same freshman as he was last week, running around trying to make shit happen, often attempting to do way too much on his own. Forcier’s talent, skill and creativity is unquestioned for freshman, but he’s now getting smacked around like a ragdoll as was predicted in the preseason. On the road, against MSU’s fast and punishing linebackers, not to mention starting DE Trevor Anderson, this scrambling around approach by Forcier could be a big problem for him and Michigan. Forcier must re-assume the role of “point guard” and dish the ball off more quickly to players far more robust than he, who can make gains, score the points and take the punishment. As exciting as second string quarterback Denard Robinson is as at running the football, if Forcier ever goes down with injury, Michigan’s high octane offense basically loses it’s starboard engine and will eventually crash.<br /><br />Now if Rodriguez and Magee are creatures of habit, they’ll pound the ball between the tackles and around the ends like Wisconsin did and probably find some measured success as well against MSU. But it won’t be enough to win the football game. Michigan has been doing a good job of scoring and rushing so far, but in my estimation MSU has the best front 7 that Michigan’s offense has ever faced to date, and could stall several key Michigan drives. Michigan desperately needs to make the most of every offensive possession in this game, which means scoring touchdowns and not settling for field goals. MSU’s team confidence is shaken right now. Michigan must capitalize on this quickly and decisively.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Time:</span><br />On October 25, 2008 the small MSU crowd in the stands of the Big House chanted “Little-Sister” repeatedly as the clock ran down to 00:00. Final score: Michigan State 35, Michigan 21. A closer look reveals that the game was tied at halftime 14-14. Then the Spartans were delivered grapes, wine and a victory on a silver platter by the Wolverine football team . Michigan proceeded to throw 3 interceptions, lose 1 fumble, and were penalized for 70 yards. Michigan accomplished only 252 yards of total offense compared to MSU’s 473. Michigan is 67-29 versus Michigan State all-time since 1899. The Wolverines have not lost back-to-back games to the Spartans since 1965-1966-1967 football seasons. The last MSU victory over Michigan in Spartan Stadium was eight years ago: 2001 MSU 26, Michigan 24.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What to Expect:</span><br />With both defenses playing so badly the last 3 games, I’d normally respond by saying that this is going to be a “very high scoring affair”. However, the East Lansing weather forecast for Saturday suggests 40% chance of rain and 54 degrees. I’m convinced that the game outcome will rest on the best rushing offense in yards gained, fewest lost yardage to penalties, and of course fewest insidious turnovers. Michigan’s best offensive player in close games is without question Tate Forcier, but he will not be 100%. It’s second best players are running backs Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown right now. Michigan State’s best player is probably quarterback Kirk Cousins and his favorite wide receiver Blair White. In rainy weather, neither MSU nor Michigan will be able to fully capitalize on their respective defensive weaknesses: the defensive backs. MSU’s offense so far has been a much more pass-oriented one. Michigan’s has been fairly balanced, but slightly more run-oriented. If the weather is wet, Michigan’s chances to win this game are likely increased to some extent. Michigan is out to legitimize it’s Cinderella turnaround with a victory over it’s second key rival, while MSU’s season essentially rises and falls on this game (what else is new?). Both teams should be breathing fire as a result.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WCA Prediction: Michigan State 31, Michigan 28</span>Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-80479322199673058102009-09-29T12:14:00.000-07:002009-09-30T17:22:03.863-07:00Winfred Cooper: Future Michigan WolverineDuring trying economic times like these with increased foreclosures, rising unemployment, bottomed out consumer confidence, and rampant mortgage fraud, it makes me wonder where all the goodness has gone.<br /><br />Sometimes people tune it all out and just focus on football. I do that sometimes. <br /><br />But every now and then you run across a great story about something bigger and better than football. Like the story below from journalist Jamie Sotonoff of the Daily Herald. <br /><br />Read it. It will lift your spirit and warm your heart right up.<br /><br />Winfred Cooper is a high school football player for Elgin High School in Elgin, Illinois, a community located west-northwest of Chicago. He loves to play football, and has big dreams for his future, including someday becoming a college student and playing football for the University of Michigan Wolverines. <br /><br />So what happens during a local high school football game between Lake Park and Elgin when Winfred's coaches, teammates, friends, family and even athletic opponents come together and decide to make a difference, even if it's for just one brief moment?<br /><br />Something wonderful. Something of dreams.<br /><br />Take it away <a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=323321">Jamie Sotonoff</a>.<br /><br /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1659835055" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=41503635001&playerId=1659835055&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=true&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed><br /><br />Hail to the Victors, Young Mr. Cooper! And Go Blue!Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-18072107890632748482009-09-28T16:11:00.000-07:002009-09-29T12:46:43.750-07:00Michigan Lands Another Big KickerThe University of Michigan <a href="http://michigan.scout.com/2/903448.html">received the verbal commitment from Will Hagerup</a> of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Hagerup is a 3-star rated Scout.com prospect and the No. 4 rated punter in the country with many other high-profile offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern.<br /><br />Hagerup is 6-4 and 210 lbs as a high school senior. This is in alignment with the size and stature of Michigan's more recent punters like Zoltan Mesko (6-5, 238 lbs), Adam Finley (6-4, 209 lbs).<br /><br />The last Michigan punter who hailed from Wisconsin also played outside linebacker for the Wolverines, John Anderson (1974-1977). Anderson was an All-American for Michigan and an All-Academic Big Ten honoree. Anderson hailed from Waukesha, Wisconsin and went on to star as a Linebacker for Bart Starr's Green Bay Packers in the early 1980s. While playing for Bo Schembechler at Michigan, <a href="http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fballam/aaanderj.htm">John Anderson had a 39.5 yard per punt</a> average. <br /><br />Anderson's most famous play in a Michigan uniform was not a punt at all. It was a bear hug tackle of Ohio State's quarterback Rod Gerald on the Buckeyes' last threatening drive which caused a fumble, which Derek Howard recovered for Michigan, sealing the 14-6 win over Ohio State, the Big Ten championship, a trip to Pasadena, and prompting Ohio's head coach Woody Hayes to throw down his clipboard and punch things - anything - within his direct vicinity. Even an unfortunate ABC sideline cameraman.<br /><br />Anderson is appropriately numbered "86":<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UVx0s8JdE7c&hl=en&fs=1&start=284"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UVx0s8JdE7c&hl=en&fs=1&start=284" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Back to Mr. Hagerup. Yes, he punts like a maniac, and even plays TE for his high school team, the Dukes. You can follow his and the Dukes 2009 gridiron exploits <a href="http://www.bluedukesfootball.com/">here</a>.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-39668419833066097102009-09-28T12:00:00.001-07:002009-09-28T12:18:42.907-07:00UM Defense: Take All the Yards You Want<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeWmdgsGHdbqpyVGg0AhUPCCAn9EJoGMDhUHbnZZ2h4l-aEvkbds6ev8vU-RmrunpaPOYBNHWLTERXJw04X46BOr7fgMwcNYddrQTUs9NBv7sLQp6b0BabDC0dErouO5heKjFhqnc0QPv/s1600-h/MichiganIndiana2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeWmdgsGHdbqpyVGg0AhUPCCAn9EJoGMDhUHbnZZ2h4l-aEvkbds6ev8vU-RmrunpaPOYBNHWLTERXJw04X46BOr7fgMwcNYddrQTUs9NBv7sLQp6b0BabDC0dErouO5heKjFhqnc0QPv/s400/MichiganIndiana2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386595274934463394" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CMRITTE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s rivalry week in the state of <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Both teams are trying to gear up for the upcoming gridiron showdown in <st1:city><st1:place>East Lansing</st1:place></st1:city> this coming Saturday, where <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> (1-3) hosts No. 22 Michigan (4-0). <span style=""> </span>These days it is probably true that when it comes to rivalry football games at the collegiate level, you can pretty much throw out team records.<span style=""> </span>Conference rivalry games are different than your run-of-the-mill conference games in that there’s a massive amount of external pressure placed on players and coaches from partisan fans and alumni heading in to the game.<span style=""> </span>There’s a lot of internal pressure generated from the players themselves as well. As a result, emotions really run high heading in to such games. They can get so high sometimes that players and coaches become blind to important assignments and game preparation. After the first hits are exchanged, both teams eventually start to settle down, and the very nature of the college game takes control and gradually overrides all of those pre-game emotions.<span style=""> </span>It’s part of what makes the college game eleventy billion times better than NFL football could ever hope to be. </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">One month ago, one would have been hard pressed to convince anyone in the <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> and <st1:city><st1:place>Detroit</st1:place></st1:city> sports media, let alone national college football fans, that the Michigan Wolverines would be unbeaten and ranked heading into this football game Saturday.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Going one step further, it would have been next to impossible to convince those same sports pundits that <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> would be 1-3 at this stage of the season and positioned last in the Big Ten.<span style=""> </span>I include myself in that group of “would-have-been-difficult-to-persuade’s”.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I thought the <a href="http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/2009/05/2009-big-ten-team-predictions.html">“Bakery Basket Opponent” for the Spartans would be <st1:place><st1:placename>Montana</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place></a>, and I was right.<span style=""> </span>I thought the <a href="http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/2009/05/2009-big-ten-team-predictions.html">“Falling Anvil Opponent” for <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> would be <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>.</a>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">But today I don’t know. I really don’t know.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If we look at both teams and what they’ve achieved so far, there are some very interesting similarities.<span style=""> </span>In any college football match up, we tend to focus on the differences and any identifiable competitive advantages between the two opponents. Let’s took at some important statistics to compare these two teams after just 4 football games.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michigan State's Offensive and Defensive Yards Per Point Statistics:</span><style type="text/css"><br />table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}<br />.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}<br /></style>
<br />
<br /><table class="tableizer-table">
<br /><tbody><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>MSU</th><th>MSU</th><th>Opp</th><th>Plays</th><th>Yards</th><th>PPP</th><th>YpPlay</th><th>YpPoint</th><th>Opp Yards</th><th>Def YpPoint</th></tr> <tr><td>Mont.St.</td><td>44</td><td>3</td><td>75</td><td>493</td><td>0.59</td><td>6.6</td><td>11.2</td><td>160</td><td>53.3</td></tr> <tr><td>CMU</td><td>27</td><td>29</td><td>56</td><td>316</td><td>0.48</td><td>5.6</td><td>11.7</td><td>418</td><td>14.4</td></tr> <tr><td>at ND</td><td>30</td><td>33</td><td>65</td><td>459</td><td>0.46</td><td>7.1</td><td>15.3</td><td>437</td><td>13.2</td></tr> <tr><td>Wisc</td><td>30</td><td>38</td><td>68</td><td>486</td><td>0.44</td><td>7.1</td><td>16.2</td><td>436</td><td>11.5</td></tr> <tr><td>Total</td><td>131</td><td>103</td><td>264</td><td>1754</td><td>0.50</td><td>6.6</td><td>13.4</td><td>1451</td><td>14.1</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><style type="text/css"><br />table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}<br />.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}<br /></style>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michigan's Offensive and Defensive Yards Per Point Statistics:</span><table class="tableizer-table">
<br /><tbody><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>UM</th><th>UM</th><th>Opp</th><th>Plays</th><th>Yards</th><th>PPP</th><th>YpPlay</th><th>YpPoint</th><th>Opp Yards</th><th>Def YpPoint</th></tr> <tr><td>WMU</td><td>31</td><td>7</td><td>78</td><td>439</td><td>0.40</td><td>5.6</td><td>14.2</td><td>301</td><td>43.0</td></tr> <tr><td>ND</td><td>38</td><td>34</td><td>71</td><td>430</td><td>0.54</td><td>6.1</td><td>11.3</td><td>490</td><td>14.4</td></tr> <tr><td>EMU</td><td>45</td><td>17</td><td>56</td><td>448</td><td>0.80</td><td>8.0</td><td>10.0</td><td>285</td><td>16.8</td></tr> <tr><td>Ind</td><td>36</td><td>33</td><td>74</td><td>372</td><td>0.49</td><td>5.0</td><td>10.3</td><td>467</td><td>14.2</td></tr> <tr><td>Total</td><td>150</td><td>91</td><td>279</td><td>1689</td><td>0.54</td><td>6.1</td><td>11.3</td><td>1543</td><td>17.0</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MSU Offense Vs. </span><st1:state style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Defense</span><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place>’s offense is currently 22<sup>nd</sup> in the land, average a staggering 438 yards per game.<span style=""> </span>They are ranked 34<sup>th</sup> in scoring, averaging 33 points per game.<span style=""> </span>How do the Spartans attack their opponents offensively? They throw the football. They throw, and throw, and then throw some mo’.<span style=""> </span>It’s a weird change from 2008, particularly when one considers the young talent and speed of the MSU backfield of Caulton Ray, Larry Caper and Glenn Winston. Yet <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place>’s passing attack is ranked 3<sup>rd</sup> in the country right now! I read that and think, Christ, does former quarterback Ed Smith have another year of eligibility we didn’t know about? Did Dantonio hand over the keys to former coach Darryl Rodgers before heading to the <st1:country-region><st1:place>Bahamas</st1:place></st1:country-region> or something? MSU averages 321 yards passing to only 118 yards rushing per game. While on paper the Spartans are looking powerful offensively, the problem for <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> football this year has been translating all of that marching up and down the field into something meaningful on the scoreboard.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>MSU has been outscoring it’s opponents only 33 to 26 over the last 4 games.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately, their offensive Yards per Point have been increasing each week against tougher and tougher defenses. <span style=""> </span>MSU’s average Yards per Point statistic is currently 13.4. For every 13 yards gained offensively by Kirk Cousins and Co., they score 1 point.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So what happens when the Spartans unleash their aerial assault on <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> this coming Saturday? They’re going to gain lots and lots of real estate, that’s what.<span style=""> </span>In 2009 <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> defensive team can only be described in four words: </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g9ctp9FHkDGLgf0DSkDS0dq6EDET7st9IGmfCOuG5iXowMFfrR7EPluHJsUXZMf8-QUXSjGX5GE10ITOI4Pf2CjSAzrM0tNBEVHIMotEAQwXz-0_lUoYcNipAurWfGK8Qu1f-4prcuuU/s1600-h/evilkirk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g9ctp9FHkDGLgf0DSkDS0dq6EDET7st9IGmfCOuG5iXowMFfrR7EPluHJsUXZMf8-QUXSjGX5GE10ITOI4Pf2CjSAzrM0tNBEVHIMotEAQwXz-0_lUoYcNipAurWfGK8Qu1f-4prcuuU/s400/evilkirk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386597990434371714" border="0" /></a>
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">“Aaaahhhhhhrrgghhhaaaaawwgodt!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">OK, actually I really meant “Bend But Not Break”.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Against the pass this year, Michigan has been spectacularly awful (to put it mildly): 975 yards given up, 244 yards per game, ranked 102<sup>nd</sup> of all 120 FBS teams.<span style=""> </span>Rushing defense is only slightly better, but nothing to crow about: 568 yards given up, 142 yard per game, and ranked 77<sup>th</sup> in the land.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">But when it comes to scoring defense, <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s "Bend But Not Breakedness" in 2009 shows up on Saturday like an unexpected jack-in-the-box, giving up only 23 points per game and ranked 58th in the country against the score. <span style=""> </span><st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s Defensive Yards per Point after 4 games is, well, startling: 17.0.<span style=""> </span>This means that UM opponents need to gain 17 yards to score a single point (on average) against the Wolverines.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">So yes, <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s defense has allowed opponents of every level of offensive potency to march up and down their backyard. For all I know, GERG and the Michigan defensive players may as well be serving their opponents free refreshments while they toil away running max protect 52 red stack all game long. But despite all their “fun in the sun” against <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> offensively, Wolverine opponents have been so far unable to capitalize on such efforts and place points to the scoreboard.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">That’s where the bending comes in.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">You know – bent over completely with discoloration at cracks and the seams, coming damn close but not quite snapping right in half? </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Yeah. That’s <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s defense this year.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Yet, with this being Michigan’s first road test against a hated cross-state rival, one might call into question Michigan’s ability to successful mix past fortune with the walking disaster that represents Michigan’s overall defense and expect anything but a huge letdown this week.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place><b style="">
<br /></b></st1:place></st1:state></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place><b style="">Michigan</b></st1:place></st1:state><b style=""> Offense Vs. MSU Defense<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If there’s any goods news in 2009, it’s that <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> has officially turned the corner offensively. That’s right. It hasn’t always been pretty, and there will most certainly be moments of horror to come in 2009, but even the most disingenuous doubters must now admit that Rodriguez has done his homework and laid a foundation for those same strategies and tactics that worked so well at West Virginia between 2002 and 2007 to find root and flourish at Michigan.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Offensively, the Wolverines are ranked similarly to the Spartans nationally, averaging 422 yards per game, 38 points per game, and ranked 30<sup>th</sup> in total offense.<span style=""> </span>When it comes to running the ball, Rodriguez has proven that his methodology for this game delivers results in about 24 months.<span style=""> </span><st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s rushing offense is currently ranked a jaw-dropping 7<sup>th</sup> in the country. The Wolverines now average 240 yards per game on the ground per game. The Wolverine passing offense is certainly not high on yardage, 182 yards per game and ranked 69<sup>th</sup> nationally, but <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> already has 7 passing TDs in 4 games.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Defensively, <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> is about as pathetic as <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> has been.<span style=""> </span>The Spartans are almost identically useless at pass defense, giving up 997 yards passing so far, 249 yards per game, and ranked 105<sup>th</sup> nationally.<span style=""> </span>Against the run, MSU is clearly better than <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>, giving up 114 yards per game, ranked 52<sup>nd</sup> nationally.<span style=""> </span>Against the score, the Spartans are giving up a comparable 26 points per game on average.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">
<br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">So What Gives?<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">OK, so <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> slays opponents by carpet bombing them from the air and displaying some decent run defense. Meanwhile, <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> shreds you to ribbons with a deceptive read option rushing attack and just outscoring you because they know the defense couldn’t stop a 90 year old lady from <st1:city><st1:place>Pasadena</st1:place></st1:city> from rushing 85 yards for a touchdown. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Is that all? Is there any other compelling difference here between the two teams?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Above we noted that MSU’s offensive yards per point has been 13.4 so far.<span style=""> </span><st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s offensive yards per point is 11.3.<span style=""> </span>So one difference is that offensively speaking, <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> has been less prolific than <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place>, but far more effective in terms of translating yards gained into points scored. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">While MSU is doing an equally horrible job on defense of stopping anyone this year as <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>, their total defensive Yards per Point is 14.3.<span style=""> </span>This is worse than <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s defensive yards per point of 17.0 so far after 4 games.<span style=""> </span>This means that <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s defense is forcing opponents work harder and gain more yards in order to score points than <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place>’s defense is.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">
<br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">The Good Match Ups Unfortunately Don’t Match Up<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When MSU is on offense, it will be MSU’s strength (awesome passing) versus <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s weakness (god awful pass defense).<span style=""> </span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Sparty, here’s that perfect scenario you’ve been looking for but could never find after the first 4 games.<span style=""> </span><st1:state><st1:place>
<br /></st1:place></st1:state></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place>
<br /></st1:place></st1:state></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place>Wolverines</st1:place></st1:state>, wake up!<span style=""> </span>Coffee’s on!<span style=""> </span>Hibernation time is over!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">When <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> is on offense, it will be UM’s strength (turf shredding, rototiller ground game goodness) versus MSU’s strength (run defense).<span style=""> </span>Optimal situation for Sparty. Not the end of the world for <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>, but certainly not ideal.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-fNCyTLQUovQPDfrPwXcv8DK2W_3jhW6ImbJmyf0f6X3idikn-qiIWHJqyWK-TmhruZ_tTbeEjxSf7sKxsaUax50S8n3pW4YpevTRRXlpbeRg0yoKU8xpbSe7zQ1sWRdjf53SgukpM-t/s1600-h/unbreakable+my+ass.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-fNCyTLQUovQPDfrPwXcv8DK2W_3jhW6ImbJmyf0f6X3idikn-qiIWHJqyWK-TmhruZ_tTbeEjxSf7sKxsaUax50S8n3pW4YpevTRRXlpbeRg0yoKU8xpbSe7zQ1sWRdjf53SgukpM-t/s400/unbreakable+my+ass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386599607531361986" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Unbreakable my ass</span>
<br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place></st1:place></st1:state></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place>
<br /></st1:place></st1:state></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> will not be able to stop <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> offense from gaining continent-sized chunks of yardage in Spartan Stadium.<span style=""> </span>It would require a Herculean defensive effort and a major overhaul of the Wolverine linebacking corps and secondary to make stopping MSU an even remote possibility.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In summary, defensively speaking, <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> is a bad football team. As if the <st1:state><st1:place>Indiana</st1:place></st1:state> and EMU games didn’t make that abundantly clear. The Spartans will ensure plenty of exposure to this truth on Saturday.<span style=""> </span>Offensively speaking, this is the perfect game for Michigan to unleash the throwing prowess of Tate Forcier and his long list of healthy receivers like Greg Mathews, JR Hemingway and Kelvin Grady.<span style=""> </span>By now there is no mystery anymore that <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> cannot stop and will not stop anyone through the air this fall.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately, Forcier is injured, may not play, and even if he does will not be 100%.<span style=""> </span>Due to the anemic play of the <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> defense, Forcier will also likely find himself in circumstances that require him to try to do too much.<span style=""> </span>Whereas <st1:state><st1:place>Indiana</st1:place></st1:state>’s defensive front 7 was pretty tough at times, <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place>’s might be the best defense <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> has faced all season. <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">
<br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Penalties and Special Teams<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes rivalry games go down to the wire and like that ridiculous sport called "soccer", it can all boil down to penalties and infuriating sissy kicks in the final moments to determine the victor.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place>
<br /></st1:place></st1:state></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> and <st1:place><st1:placename>Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype></st1:place> are comparable in the penalties department.<span style=""> </span>MSU has 28 for -221 yards, and <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> has 25 for -209 yards. <span style=""> </span>So both teams probably cancel out on the probability of penalties, though I would be unsurprised to see UM to get the shitty end of the stick with penalties and officiating on the road in <st1:city><st1:place>East Lansing</st1:place></st1:city> this weekend. Just somebody watch the clock, please.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As for special teams, both punters are excellent.<span style=""> </span><st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s Zoltan Mesko has a 44.3 average while MSU’s Aaron Bates is just killing it this year with a 45.6 average. For PATs and field goals, both teams have been extremely well served by their specialists. <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state>’s walk-on kicker Jason Olesnavage is 19 of 19 on PATs and 3 of 4 on FGs with the longest being 44 yards.<span style=""> </span>MSU’s Brett Swenson is 14 of 15 on PATs and 6 of 7 on FGs with a long of 45 yards.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">A final game preview of Michigan at Michigan State will be coming soon later this week.....
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-13909770622015161402009-09-27T10:43:00.001-07:002009-09-27T11:06:31.090-07:00Cinderella's Wearing Combat Boots...or Maybe Flip Flops<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/igsmIi4V0EM&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/igsmIi4V0EM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Looking at the game footage once again today (courtesy of one of the finest human beings on the planet, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/WolverineHistorian">WolverineHistorian</a>), Michigan has displayed some ugliness already in each of the last three games versus Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan and Indiana. The lack of position depth, experience and other warts are making themselves more than evident in the secondary, the linebacking corps, quarterback and even the more veteran offensive line. <br /><br />But, man, when facing the Michigan team this year, opponents damn well better be prepared to bring it for a full 60 minutes. Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson's defense, as ugly as it has played so far, has given up 91 points total after 4 games (23 pts/game), but only 31 points in the second half. And Calvin Magee and Rich Rodriguez has the team running fast break the entire football game on offense. It can score quickly and from anywhere on the football field, either running or passing. They're not waiting for 3rd down and long either. <br /><br />Things have changed. <br /><br />That last TD pass from Forcier to Odoms looked.....improbable....didn't it?<br /><br />Cinderella obviously isn't waiting around anymore for that stupid ass glass slipper to show up.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-46558670121342816112009-09-27T08:11:00.000-07:002009-09-27T08:22:59.879-07:00Michigan Escapes Indiana 36-33<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cP4u748TcZYaCccqv5dzaecDZMi9lHXEyv1DMYYFWqxMf-3c5-HLYxDwCf1654MGuep_6izXQkNFUBEZN5JAD4IIepdgAbXA-3Rx9UA-TinAJdReHHb3OFzKM01f5KZNz9YVtz-gh8zI/s1600-h/Tay+Odoms+after+1st+TD+catch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cP4u748TcZYaCccqv5dzaecDZMi9lHXEyv1DMYYFWqxMf-3c5-HLYxDwCf1654MGuep_6izXQkNFUBEZN5JAD4IIepdgAbXA-3Rx9UA-TinAJdReHHb3OFzKM01f5KZNz9YVtz-gh8zI/s400/Tay+Odoms+after+1st+TD+catch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386166097268009010" /></a><br />They will call it an ugly win. And it certainly was. But Tay Odoms was smiling.<br /><br />Down 33-29 in the final moments of the fourth quarter the sophomore slot receiver Martavious Odoms made the game winning score Saturday on a 28 yard touchdown pass reception from banged up Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier to give the Wolverines (4-0) the victory 36-33. Surprisingly, this was Martavious Odoms’ first touchdown reception as a Michigan Wolverine. <br /><br />Kudos to the Indiana Hoosiers (3-1) and their head coach Bill Lynch. The new Pistol offense is improving each week for them and Michigan's defense served as a nice practice dummy to work on. Indiana came to Ann Arbor with a creative game plan: attack Michigan’s corners and the middle of the field with a mixture of short and long passes, and as for running the ball, just employ a full frontal assault on Michigan's center line and linebackers with isolation runs up the middle and to the outside. This approach worked well on Saturday against a soft, malleable Michigan defense. Want the evidence? Hoosier tailback Darius Willis shredded Michigan for over 152 yards and two touchdowns, including an 85 yard jaunt. Indiana outrushed (197 yards to 149 yards) and out-passed Michigan (270 yards to 223 yards) in this football game, and had fewer turnovers and penalties as well. <br /><br />Michigan’s read spread option offense had previously been averaging 287 yards rushing per game, but Indiana’s defensive front seven halved that output on Saturday. The Wolverines also lost 3 fumbles, threw one interception and generally looked out of sync with several players replacing injured starters on both sides of the ball. Yet the Hoosier defense still struggled to prevent three Michigan scores on the ground and two through the air, including a 2 point conversion run by Forcier early in the 4th quarter. <br /><br />For the second straight week tailback Carlos Brown lead the team on to victory with solid contributions and big plays, with 83 yards rushing, 61 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns. Banged up senior tailback Brandon Minor tacked on another 50 yards rushing and one TD as well. <br /><br />Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier seemed off in this game, but did his best to continue his spot-on imitation of former Wolverine quarterback Rick Leach in this game. Forcier hit on 11 of 21 (52%) passing attempts for 184 yards, 2 touchdown chucks, 15 yards rushing and 1 touchdown run plus a 2 point conversion run. Forcier also just happened to be behind the game winning TD pass again. However, for the third straight week, Forcier threw an interception (1). He was also sacked twice for -7 yards and appeared to have injured his shoulder in the game. Denard Robinson led Michigan on one touchdown drive (Minor TD) and was 2 of 3 for 39 yards passing and contributed 24 yards rushing. <br /><br />Next week Michigan travels to East Lansing for it’s first road game of the season against cross-state rival Michigan State (1-3). Following last year’s 3-9 finish, and Saturday’s close win over overmatched Indiana, Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverine team are looking past no one this season. The Spartans are currently ranked last in the Big Ten standings despite a strong signing of recruits in 2008 and high pre-seasons praise and accolades from the local Michigan and national press. Despite the 1-3 start in 2009, it’s worth noting that 2 of MSU’s losses were by a total of only 5 points (CMU by 2 pts, Notre Dame by 3 points). The Spartans currently lead the Big Ten in offensive yards per game (439) and are 4th in scoring (33 pts/game). They lead the conference in total passing yards (1,283) and in first downs per game (24). <br /><br />Being 4-0 is the best Michigan could have hoped for to this point of the season. The past victories provide this young Michigan team much needed confidence. But the Wolverines must make no mistake, Michigan State on the road will be the toughest opponent they've faced so far this year. This game will be a key determining factor as to how good the 2009 Michigan football team intends to be and how far they might go.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-1070057221694195962009-09-25T15:52:00.000-07:002009-09-25T15:55:10.151-07:00Punter Recruit Visiting UM For Indiana Game<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbUhZGv7SZ_CuXptcInc-F3LYq-g18Rl56xX3ER6rP1KvoRytE8bdunDt_Fil6qd46oKwS95dvflkiNvwSHAC5parhXDz44_g86MKQxKCJ1uiMKYv3Sc_ftCs5CirP99bnPMDSx2bFJLr/s1600-h/Hagerup+punting.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbUhZGv7SZ_CuXptcInc-F3LYq-g18Rl56xX3ER6rP1KvoRytE8bdunDt_Fil6qd46oKwS95dvflkiNvwSHAC5parhXDz44_g86MKQxKCJ1uiMKYv3Sc_ftCs5CirP99bnPMDSx2bFJLr/s400/Hagerup+punting.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385542005381482130" /></a><br /><a href="http://michigan.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=8&c=1&nid=3824507">Will Hagerup</a>, one of the highest ranked punters in the country from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, may be visiting Ann Arbor this weekend to take in the wares of University of Michigan and its football program.<br /><br />Hagerup is a prime recruiting target for Michigan to replace its senior punter and Ray Guy finalist, Zoltan Mesko next season. Hagerup may have another good reason to come to the football game in Ann Arbor this coming Saturday. Will’s older brother, sophomore Chris Hagerup, is the starting punter for the Indiana Hoosiers. Chris Hagerup currently has a 42.0 yard average per punt compared to Mesko’s slightly better 42.2 yard punting average. <br /><br />The Blue Dukes of Whitefish Bay are 3-1 so far this year. From the available team statistics so far, Hagerup has averaged about 33.4 yards per punt.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-35432960162432693112009-09-25T12:30:00.000-07:002009-09-26T06:50:39.172-07:00When Carcajous Attack Hoosiers!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgna5aYI33g_Eb8kX8TumjM29vkvQnH5l7_cxsGrKC_BQjSPYqRx5oDix2EjmKg_X_tUiGE_OrWLpBlr6vIVVVMUfNsXoIEC5Tr6IE45Ooggd0t7TJMcc35LA5QYGm57vMKWIi2Svkoc7AT/s1600-h/Chappell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgna5aYI33g_Eb8kX8TumjM29vkvQnH5l7_cxsGrKC_BQjSPYqRx5oDix2EjmKg_X_tUiGE_OrWLpBlr6vIVVVMUfNsXoIEC5Tr6IE45Ooggd0t7TJMcc35LA5QYGm57vMKWIi2Svkoc7AT/s400/Chappell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385491607754347266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Preview: No. 23 Michigan vs. Indiana, September 26, 2009 – Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When You Crave Irrational Exuberance On A Level That Only Brett Musberger Can Deliver:</span><br />“Did I mention before that we’re LIVE!!! in Ann Arbor, Michigan yet again! Two Big Ten football teams that were 3-9 only a year ago are today undefeated 3-0 in 2009 and entering their first game of Big Ten play. The last time these two schools met on the gridiron was 2006 when Michigan crushed the Fightin’ Hoosier’s 34-3 in Bloomington. One cannot overstate the challenge ahead of Indiana in this game. The Hoosiers have not won a Big Ten opening game since 2001 (versus Wisconsin 63-32 under then coach Cam Cameron). They have not beaten Michigan since a 14-10 victory in 1987 in Bloomington. They have not beaten Michigan in the Big House since 1967. Michigan and Indiana have each played at home one common opponent this year: Western Michigan. The results were quite different. Michigan defeated WMU in resounding fashion 31-7, while Indiana hung on for dear life in the waning moments of a mistake-prone football game 23-19 over the Broncos." <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This football game is important for Michigan for the following reasons:</span><br /><br />1.) From here on out Michigan faces 9 straight Big Ten opponents <span style="font-weight: bold;">(CORRECTION: 8 Big Ten opponents because Delaware State is not a Big Ten team!</span>) with no bye week. Today there are 5 unbeaten teams in the Big Ten conference (UM, PSU, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa). Four of them clash head-to-head this weekend (UM vs. Indiana, PSU vs. Iowa). Michigan won only two Big Ten games in 2008 at home versus Wisconsin and at Minnesota. A decisive victory over Indiana on Saturday, therefore, keeps Michigan tied for first place in the Big Ten conference standings.<br /><br />2.) A UM victory over Indiana keeps the Wolverines in a position of considerable strength and confidence heading into next Saturday’s match up, and first game on the road, against cross-state rival Michigan State in East Lansing. All eyes on that damn clock!<br /><br />3.) Historically Michigan claims hegemony on the gridiron over a number of Big Ten teams, but none quite to the same extent as over Indiana. Michigan has played Indiana only 59 times since the turn of the century. The Wolverines are 50-9 all-time versus the Hoosiers (only 59 meetings!?), and 29-1 since 1970.<br /><br />4.) Michigan’s defense has faced essentially 2 pro-style football teams (WMU, Notre Dame) and 1 power run team (EMU) so far and had mixed results. Indiana will present Michigan with their Pistol Offense on Saturday, giving Greg Robinson’s Wolverine defense some much-needed additional preparation against a downhill, power run-oriented offense, plus a passing attack that really spreads the ball around to many different players and can score a lot of points quickly.<br /><br />5.) Just like last week versus Eastern Michigan, the Wolverines need to be able to heal team injuries and be fortunate enough to avoid new ones in this game. Michigan must also continue to build greater depth and experience at several key positions by getting more reps for 2nd and 3rd string players at quarterback, along the defensive front, linebacker and the defensive secondary. This opportunity was afforded last week against EMU in the second half. Michigan has a similar opportunity for more playing time on Saturday if they can overpower the Hoosiers early.<br /><br />6.) This will be Rich Rodriguez’s first game ever against an Indiana football team.<br /><br />7.) Following Michigan’s 2006 road victory over Indiana 34-3 in Bloomington, the Wolverines proceeded to lose 4 straight football games (Ohio State, USC in 2006, and versus Appalachian State and Oregon in 2007) before shellacking Notre Dame in Ann Arbor 38-0.<br /><br />It’s important to note that Indiana returns 6 starters on offense and 9 starters on defense for the 2009 football season. On the other hand, Michigan returns 9 starters returning on offense and about 7 starters on defense. On paper Michigan is a far more talented football squad than the Indiana Hoosiers at just about every position. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Three Great Reasons to Wipe That Ridiculous Smile Off Your Face:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Hoosier Quarterback Ben Chappell</span><br />Ever since former quarterback Kellen Lewis was kicked off the Indiana football team, every man and his dog thought Bill Lynch and the Hoosier football team was as good as toast for 2009. <a href="http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/2009/05/2009-big-ten-team-predictions.html">I never really bought into that argument 100%.</a> Why not? Well, aside from 9 starters returning on defense for Indiana in 2009 including 49 total letterman, it’s a little known fact that as a backup last year (2008) to Kellen Lewis, quarterback Ben Chappell played in 9 games and threw for over 1,000 yards, 4 TDs and 3 INTs. He also rushed for 72 yards and 3 TDs. So the kid did some things that made you at least recognize his arm strength, playmaking skills, and overall talent package. The 2008 experience serves Chappell well in the new implementation of the Pistol offense by head coach Bill Lynch this year. To date Chappell is now hitting on 70% of his throws for about 224 yards per game and 7.3 yards per attempt. He does admittedly have only 3 TDs and a disappointing 3 interceptions after just three games against opponents of questionable potency (Eastern Kentucky 1-1, Western Michigan 1-2 and Akron 1-2), but Chappell makes things click for Indiana and his consistency is getting better. What’s more is that Chappell really spreads the love amongst his speedy receivers. Four different Hoosier receiving targers have 9 or more catches so far this season. <br /><br />Chappell has three favorite targets to throw to. All of them are big and possess big play speed: Sophomore Tandon Doss (6-3), Sophomore Demarlo Belcher (6-5) and junior Mitchell Evans (6-3, a converted QB). I suspect that covering these players with any degree of consistency is going to be a serious challenge for Michigan’s banged up and rather smallish secondary on Saturday.<br /><br />Suffice it to say that Ben Chappell is a good quarterback. He has plenty of dangerous weapons to work with on offense. He is only a junior, and is already showing improvement each and every week this season. This has to be a welcome relief to Hoosier fans following the Kellen Lewis departure.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Pistol Packin’ Hoosiers</span><br />If you had ask me about the greatest Indiana Hoosier running backs since 1970, I could probably name four: Mike Harkrader, Anthony Thompson, Vaughn Dunbar and BenJarvis Green-Ellis. Four! That’s a pretty damning indictment on Indiana football’s stature in the run-oriented, “smashmouth” Big Ten conference over the last 40 years. But, if given time, that might change once Indiana’s new Pistol offense starts to churn out anything closely resembling what Chris Ault achieved over his many years at Nevada. This is a deceptively powerful offense and can score a lot of points quickly when executed well. With the loss of Kellen Lewis at quarterback, I really like Bill Lynch’s decision here because it plays into Indiana’s few strengths: a quarterback that can throw and experienced running backs. Hoosier tailback Demetrius McCray is the team’s leading rusher with 228 yards, 1 TD and a 5.4 YPC average. Indiana also fields a good amount of depth to complement McCray with senior tailback Bryan Payton, junior Trea Burgess and freshman Darius Willis. Of all of these backs, Demetrius McCray is clearly the one to watch.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. The Hoosier Defensive Line and Linebackers</span><br />Indiana is sort of weird in that they have two defensive coordinators: Co-DC Bryan George who is DC but also looks after the defensive line and Co-DC Joe Palcic, who is also the secondary coach. Indiana runs a 4-3 defense and returns 9 starters on defense in 2009 including two of the best defensive ends in the Big Ten conference: seniors Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton. Kirlew tallied 11 sacks over 12 games last fall. The Hoosiers also have two of the finest linebackers in the Big Ten in team-leading tackler senior LB Matt Mayberry, as well as senior LB Will Patterson. Both are hard hitters, have nice sideline-to-sideline quickness and tackle well in space.<br /><br />This level of experience and talent along the Hoosier defensive front and middle is extremely important because the Hoosier secondary, while nicely-sized, is not fortified with a high-level of talent or experience. Chris Adkins and Richard Council are the most experienced players there. After three games against relatively benign opponents, Indiana’s defense looks improved over 2008. In my e-pinion, they have the ability to beat teams like Virginia and Purdue this year and perhaps surprise somebody else as well. So far they’ve only given up only 17.7 points per game and 312 total yards per game (ranked 4th in the league for both categories). It might sound strange for me to write this, but I do predict that Michigan’s run game and pass protection will encounter a much more pronounced challenge by the Hoosier front 7 on Saturday that they’ve seen all season. And I include the Notre Dame game in that assertion. Such challenges are a good thing for this young Michigan team.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Carcajous Attack! On Defense:</span><br />While I don’t like the fact that Michigan’s defense is ranked 9th in the anemic Big Ten in any category, particularly defensive yards per game (359 yards given up per game), Greg Robinson’s efforts have placed Michigan 5th in scoring defense so far with 19.3 points per game, which isn’t too shabby given Michigan’s more fortunate offensive fireworks displayed thus far in averaging 38 pts per game. In my view, Michigan’s defensive statistics after 3 games confirm to the severity of the situation that was predicted months ago. The Wolverines have inadequate depth and experience at all defensive positions. Still what does it say to you that Greg Robinson’s defense has not given up a single point in the 3rd quarter and has given up only 21 points in the second half after the first three games? Michigan is giving up about 235 yards through the air and about 123 yards on the ground each and every game, but they’re finally making teams work for their points this year. Michigan’s defense starts slow, but plays hot in the latter half of football games. This will be an advantage against Indiana.<br /><br />Indiana is going to try and keep Michigan’s vaunted read spread option offense off the field with the power run game and a lot of quick out passes and flies from Ben Chappell to his 3 favorite receivers (Doss, Belcher and Evans). Chappell has only been sacked once this season in the season opener versus EKU. With the exception of Chappell’s three interceptions, the Hoosiers have done a very good job of eliminating lost fumbles. Unless the Wolverines found some better linebackers over the last 6 days, the Hoosiers are going to be able to run the ball on Michigan just as EMU and Notre Dame did. Like the Notre Dame game, Chappell’s throwing accuracy and the height and speed of Indiana receivers will be a problem for UM in this game.<br /><br />That all said Indiana’s offensive line has not yet faced a defensive front like Michigan’s.<br />They must control Brandon Graham, Mike Martin and Craig Roh, or there will be serious consequences in the Hoosier backfield all game long.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />When Carcajous Attack! On Offense:</span><br />As “good” as I believe defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton are, and as talented as Mayberry and Patterson have proven to be at linebacker for the Hoosiers, Indiana’s defense is about to run into a buzz saw on Saturday. Most college football pundits are still doing triple-takes about the Michigan turnaround from 2008 after just three games. Rich Rodriguez’s Wolverines are now No. 1 in the Big Ten in scoring (38 points per game) and No. 2 in total offense (439 yards per game). Michigan has outscored it’s opponents 114 to 58 so far. Unlike the Wolverine defense, the Michigan offensive unit does better early on in football games, having scored 63% of its points in the first half. <br /><br />For Indiana, nothing done right or well versus Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan or Akron is going to matter much. Do we have to go through the yards per carry statistics and the number of different UM players that have a touchdown to their credit? <br /><br />OK, then let’s do that. Michigan tailback Carlos Brown? He’s averaging 8.8 yards per carry. Tailback Brandon Minor? 6.7 yards per carry. Quarterback Tate Forcier? 3.7 yards per carry. Six different Wolverines have scored rushing touchdowns. Seven Wolverine receivers have 5 catches or more. The Hoosier front seven will need to apply significant pressure on Tate Forcier early and try tp “force” critical mistakes. Forcier played well below par last week in passing yardage, but has his star receiver Junior Hemingway back at full health from injury this Saturday.<br /><br />Star tailback Brandon Minor is questionable for Saturday’s game due to injury, but Carlos Brown, Michael Shaw and Vincent Smith are capable and dangerous backups for Michigan. Second string quarterback Denard Robinson has already scored spectacular touchdowns runs in two of Michigan’s last three games. Indiana doesn’t know this Michigan team at all offensively, and since more of Rodriguez’s playbook is being installed each week, they’ll need to be prepared for just about anything. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Time:</span><br />Michigan last played Indiana on November 11, 2006. The Wolverines pounded the Hoosiers 34-3 on ESPN broadcasted nationally. This set up a huge clash of highly ranked unbeaten teams in No.1 Ohio State 11-0 versus No. 2 Michigan 11-0 in Columbus in the “The Game” the following week. Bill Lynch has never coached a game against Michigan before and it’ll be his first visit to the Big House as head coach. <br /><br />The Indiana-Michigan series has not been particularly exciting mainly due to the one-sidedness. It is interesting to note, however, that just 30 years ago, one of the most exciting Michigan-Indiana games was played in Ann Arbor came down to the last seconds. With the game tied 21-21, Michigan’s junior quarterback John Wangler connected on a highly thrown pass to true freshman wide receiver Anthony Carter, who reached to catch it and then proceeded to rambled past several Hoosier defenders into the endzone as time expired. This win was over one of Lee Corso’s best Indiana football teams. <br /><br />If I were Hoosier head coach Bill Lynch, I’d keep an watchful eye on any true freshman on the Michigan football team roster who hails from Florida.<br /><br />Pssst, Bill! Denard Robinson!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AEF6edfexco&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AEF6edfexco&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What to Expect:</span><br />Part of me believes this will be a EMU game redux because the Hoosiers will try to run the ball out of the Pistol I formation, eat clock and keep Tate Forcier and Co. on the sidelines. Another part of me believes this could be a tough challenge for Michigan’s rushing attack, requiring the Wolverines to throw much more than they had to versus Eastern Michigan. Therefore, I do expect a more balanced offensive attack by both teams offensively in the ratio of passing yards to rushing yards. <br /><br />Hoosier quarterback Ben Chappell is just too good not to connect on at least one TD strike or two to those tall wide outs of his in this football game. By now we all know just how cooperative the Michigan defensive secondary will be on that one. Likewise, because of Kirlew’s and Middleton’s aggressive play and Indiana’s 9 sacks over the last three games at defensive end, Forcier is going to roll out frequently and exploit the over pursuit. With proven run threat like Carlos Brown, Michael Shaw and Brandon Minor, Forcier should have a great day throwing against Indiana’s rag tag secondary players. One should not be at all surprised to see some touchdown runs by Michigan’s quarterbacks in this game from the read option play.<br /><br />Then there are the rushing attacks to consider. The Hoosiers should be able to move the ball on the ground against Michigan in much the same way as the Irish and Hurons (Eagles) did: right up the middle on delays, draws and traps. The play action of the Pistol offense is going to easily confuse Michigan’s linebackers, and open up some nice running lanes for Demetrius McCray. However, I do expect Robinson to make some good adjustments yet again at halftime to shut this down for the latter half of the game. Despite the loss of center Dave Molk to injury, Michigan should be able to pound the Hoosiers into submission with the read spread option attack this Saturday. If Minor doesn’t play, then expect Carlos Brown to have a 100+ yard day. We can expect 100 additional yards rushing split between the two quarterbacks (Forcier and Robinson) and one other running back (likely Michael Shaw).<br /><br />As predicted for the EMU game, Mr. Denard Robinson’s appearance in the upcoming Indiana game will again prove to be electrifying.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WCA Prediction: Michigan 38, Indiana 17</span>Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-70069805305865234772009-09-20T20:14:00.000-07:002009-09-20T21:24:19.948-07:00Eagles Taken Down by Carlos Brown<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP99pk9b-pP6ROxrF84mAslt3253HdHqs0KUBCbVsGsIajIQkY7As5hR2r2FLAqRMSbIiHg9eU1Ghy-9anRNW14sm56-sdYzUp-PURqz_v8byOXCK8rxM-MH5jBgxct8N5pXeZJLE1zlH/s1600-h/Carlos+Brown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP99pk9b-pP6ROxrF84mAslt3253HdHqs0KUBCbVsGsIajIQkY7As5hR2r2FLAqRMSbIiHg9eU1Ghy-9anRNW14sm56-sdYzUp-PURqz_v8byOXCK8rxM-MH5jBgxct8N5pXeZJLE1zlH/s400/Carlos+Brown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383770258586222146" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Michigan's Carlos Brown Taking It Downtown<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;">(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)</span><br /></div><br />The Michigan Wolverines struggled early with Eastern Michigan on Saturday. But gradually, over the course of 60 minutes of play, Michigan's meat-grinder rushing offense wore down the Eagles with several big rushing plays and an improved second half defensive effort to defeat the Eagles (Hurons) 45-17 with over 107, 903 fans in attendance.<br /><br />Michigan's 28 point margin of victory against EMU on Saturday was the most decisive for a Wolverine football team since a 2007 victory over Notre Dame 38-0. It was also the offensive highest point total achieved to date by Rich Rodriguez at Michigan, and the second highest point total for a Michigan offense since the 2007 victory over Purdue 48-21.<br /><br />Eastern Michigan kept the game respectable in the first half, closing the gap to 17-24, aided by the running of both quarterback Andy Schmitt and a fleet-footed tailback named Dwayne Priest, who had 91 yards rushing and 1 TD.<br /><br />But Eastern simply had no answer for the Wolverines' own rushing onslaught. Eight different Michigan players carried the football on Saturday and half of them found the end zone at least once. By game end, Michigan had tallied 380 yards on the ground. The Wolverines were sparked by spectacularly quick runs from senior tailback Carlos Brown who had 187 yards in just 13 carries and two touchdowns, including a 90 yard TD jaunt in the second quarter.<br /><br />Defensively, Michigan struggled to stop Eastern Michigan's ball control offense in the first half. The Eagles matched Michigan in first downs achieved (17). Most astonishing was that the gamestrategy of EMU head coach Ron English had managed to keep Michigan's explosive offense on the bench for 40 minutes of the game. Michigan worked to make the most of their few opportunities, scoring 45 points in the remaining 20 minutes of ball possession in the game. Michigan's defense gave up 3.7 yards per carry, but kept EMU's passing game under wraps most of the day, surrending 15 catches for only 106 yards. With Schmitt and Priest, Eastern Michigan accumulated 285 yards in total offense against the Wolverines - an average outing for the Eagles thus far this year. Wolverine defensive coordinator Greg Robinson emphasized some key read adjustments at halftime. His players responded by shutting out EMU on the scoreboard in the second half.<br /><br />The hero of Michigan's last two games, quarterback Tate Forcier, was slightly off Saturday, hitting on only 54% of this throws for a meager 68 yards. Michigan's second quarterback, Denard Robinson was 0 for 4, and threw two interceptions. Robinson eventually redeemed himself via two electrifying touchdown runs of 13 yards and 36 yards in the second half.<br /><br />By vanquishing EMU on Saturday, Rich Rodriguez and Michigan have already tied last year's win total of three. Also, at 3-0 Michigan is one of only 5 remaining teams in the Big Ten that is undefeated. Penn State, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa are all 3-0.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some other items of interest:</span><br /><ul><li>After 3 games Michigan leads the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 38 points per game compared with 18.7 points per game this time last year</li></ul><ul><li>After 3 games Michigan leads the Big Ten in rushing with 812, and is basically tied for first place in the conference with Purdue in total yards per game (439 yards per game).</li></ul><ul><li>After 3 games, Michigan has yet to lose a fumble in 2009. By game 3 of 2008, Michigan had already lost 6 fumbles and had 3 interceptions.</li></ul><ul><li>After 3 games, Michigan's total defense is currently ranked 9th in the Big Ten giving up 359 yards per game on average. In scoring defense, Michigan is currently ranked 5th giving up only 19.3 points per game.</li></ul><ul><li>Michigan moves up from 25th in the AP poll to 23rd this week following the win over EMU.<br /></li></ul>Next weekend Michigan faces it's first Big Ten opponent in unbeaten Indiana (3-0) in Ann Arbor for the annual homecoming game. Michigan has not lost to Indiana since 1987 in Bloomington 10-14 when Bill Mallory was the coach for the Fightin' Hoosiers. The last time Michigan lost to Indiana in Ann Arbor was a 20-27 defeat to arguably the finest Indiana Hoosiers football team ever, the 1967 Big Ten Co-Champion.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-59965107653529959902009-09-18T20:25:00.000-07:002009-09-18T21:20:54.644-07:00Michigan LB Mouton Suspended for EMU Game<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcs-tOy8AuZ7LyO7-HagmXFAumCTUFNvQNtce-oQEwOBV8KOGMVzY4EYK8glEIviS7rxzfYrtx5W6tCryTTFfB1z_2pQY6D1ElMu2aJBM9y7hnJ_EpaaWVoBRCgEVknttvKu6ksyUP8sxo/s1600-h/Jonas+Mouton.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcs-tOy8AuZ7LyO7-HagmXFAumCTUFNvQNtce-oQEwOBV8KOGMVzY4EYK8glEIviS7rxzfYrtx5W6tCryTTFfB1z_2pQY6D1ElMu2aJBM9y7hnJ_EpaaWVoBRCgEVknttvKu6ksyUP8sxo/s400/Jonas+Mouton.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383025163321785410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton</span><br /></div><br />One of Michigan's leading tacklers on the football team, junior linebacker Jonas Mouton, has been suspended by Big Ten conference officials one game for delivering a bop uppercut punch to a Notre Dame offensive lineman Eric Olsen during the middle of the second quarter of last weeks 38-34 Michigan victory last weekend.<br /><br />Rich Rodriguez did not acknowledge the punch even took place and therefore did not administer any corrective action. Looking at the game footage of the incidence, it's difficult to acknowledge the incident. This was a grave error in my view by Rodriguez and his staff. I can understand one coach missing it, but certainly not all of them.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zPYueAc5XAE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zPYueAc5XAE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Suffice it say that the Wolverines are about as thin at linebacker as a Japanese paper window screen. Replacements for Mouton for tomorrow's game against Eastern Michigan might include:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">42 J.B. Fitzgerald, Sophomore (4 star)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />52 Kevin Leach, Junior (Walk On)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />4 Brandon Smith, Freshman (4 Star)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />25 Kenny Demens, Sophomore (3 star)</span><br /><br />It's also possible that some of the outside linebackers on the depth chart could move inside, such as:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">58 Brandon Herron, Sophomore (4 star)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />81 Steve Watson, Sophomore (4 star converted TE)</span><br /><br />I don't think I'm overreacting here when I say that no one should be shocked if EMU's tailback Dwayne Priest has well over 100 yards rushing against Michigan's defense this coming Saturday. Michigan's inside linebacker performance hasn't exactly set the world on fire after two games. Mouton and Ezeh have both played just slightly better than last year. Unfortunately, that's not saying very much. If there's any silver lining in suspending a starter like Mouton, it comes against a non-conference opponent that Michigan should rather easily defeat. There's also the possibility that Michigan might actually uncover someone else in the depth chart that can do a capable job as a replacement.<br /><br />As unfortunate as Mouton's recorded behavior is, the timing could have been a lot worse for the Wolverines. Player suspensions like this one applied against EMU or a Delaware State games is far less serious for Michigan than applied against Big Ten opponents.<br /><br />Back to the footage itself, as an experienced, junior football player, I do wish Jonas Mouton would have demonstrated better leadership and control here. And Rodriguez better judgement.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078287126930176141.post-12921874655712831952009-09-17T13:55:00.000-07:002009-09-17T16:07:41.838-07:00When Changing Your School Nickname Is A Bad Idea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e_yuGfD2yobmSuuC1fga4O7fdKxtM3hwpY_PRYiqCN9l0-fw6kthuNUOIZVaEzNjJIivbK8pTW-FK9Ei2TtWDZQwFAnWRWxR70znjGXZk4_-nYWZNqGWnkwb0IUIBYUvahIDmKze-O0U/s1600-h/Eastern+Michigan+1981.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e_yuGfD2yobmSuuC1fga4O7fdKxtM3hwpY_PRYiqCN9l0-fw6kthuNUOIZVaEzNjJIivbK8pTW-FK9Ei2TtWDZQwFAnWRWxR70znjGXZk4_-nYWZNqGWnkwb0IUIBYUvahIDmKze-O0U/s400/Eastern+Michigan+1981.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382555455759554690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.emich.edu/">Eastern Michigan University</a> changed the nickname of its many athletic teams to "Eagles" in 1991. Prior to that year, Eastern Michigan athletic teams were known as the "Hurons".<br /><br />The Hurons <a href="http://www.essortment.com/all/huronindians_rjru.htm">were a unique, fierce and very interesting</a>, woodland Native American tribe located in regions of Quebec, Ontario and throughout much of the Ohio Valley of the United States. In the 1840s many Hurons were even displaced by military force to far flung areas of Kansas and Oklahoma. Sadly, there are only about 4,000 Hurons left in the United States and Canada, and most refer to themselves today as the <a href="http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=646">Wyandot tribe</a>.<br /><br />As for Eagles, well, let's just say there <a href="http://highschoolnicknames.homestead.com/common.html">isn't a more common school nickname</a> in the entire state of Michigan than:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Most Common High School Nicknames in the state of Michigan:</span><br /><br />Eagles 43<br />Panthers 29<br />Wildcats 27<br />Vikings 26<br />Bulldogs 24<br />Trojans 21<br />Cougars 19<br />Falcons 18<br />Cardinals 17<br />Tigers 17<br /><br />Aside from "Eagles", the other options on the table at the time apparently were the EMU "Green Hornets" and EMU "Express". <br /><br />So yeah, there were many EMU students, alumni and faculty at EMU who were disappointed, and even outraged, by the name change from historic Hurons to the more politically correct Eagles back in 1991 because they felt that the Hurons nickname was not a racial epithet or derogatory toward Native Americans at all. It's interesting too that EMU went ahead with the decision anyway, despite a number of other schools like the University of Illinois, Central Michigan University, and Florida State University maintaining their more regional, Native American school nicknames for their athletic teams. Some EMU alumni continued <a href="http://www.huronalumni.org/">an online campaign to bring back the historic Huron nickname</a> for the school and claim to have support from elders of the Huron/Wyandot tribe.<br /><br />I'm not superstitious. Far from it. But it is somewhat interesting to note that prior to the EMU nickname change to the Eagles, EMU's Hurons football team winning percentage was 45.5% (245 wins, 264 losses and 30 ties) since 1929.<br /><br />Following the name change to the "Eagles" in 1991, EMU has won only 29.6% of their games (60 wins, 142 losses and 1 tie).<br /><br />In fact, EMU football's last winning season was 1989 when they finished 7-3-1. EMU's last bowl appearance was the <a href="http://www.mmbolding.com/bowls/California_1987.htm">1987 California Bowl in Fresno, CA</a> when they knocked off the San Jose State 30-27. In both instances, they were still known as the Hurons.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOIp5qlcUR8OHB1_tiFYsWqWnLU4XZTdwhpAwKVGJYpZ-Ge09F74MEAHumyuQsM089FxfzzfyhMxZBQkczyFXhQ_7btM0JL29VExuJ-kBEKJWkNJXWpSFnD3aTsv1U_yf94KySfcZIH-G/s1600-h/EMU+1987+California+Bowl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOIp5qlcUR8OHB1_tiFYsWqWnLU4XZTdwhpAwKVGJYpZ-Ge09F74MEAHumyuQsM089FxfzzfyhMxZBQkczyFXhQ_7btM0JL29VExuJ-kBEKJWkNJXWpSFnD3aTsv1U_yf94KySfcZIH-G/s400/EMU+1987+California+Bowl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382556094532043842" border="0" /></a><br />The most successful era of Eastern Michigan football was the 1950s when the Hurons were 49-37-2 over 88 games with a winning percentage of 56%.<br /><br />I fully understand the pressures associated with these nickname changes. But in the case of Eastern Michigan, I cannot help but think an opportunity was missed to maintain athletic tradition at the school, honor Native Americans and the Wyandot/Huron nation, and raise the historic consciousness of Americans at the same time. <br /><br />Once a Huron, Always a Huron.Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599907559645474571noreply@blogger.com0