Michigan Tuesday: New Season and Win #1

The reigning National Champs took the floor officially for the first time last night with some returning players and lots of new ones.  I questioned if Oakland should've been nearly a 30-point dog and I was right.  Oakland gave the Wolverines a ton of problems with its 1-3-1 Beilein type zone defense, but Michigan came away with an 84-68 win.

McKenney (shot 5-12) seemed to have an off night with 17 points, which was matched by Gayle who started at small forward for the Wolverines.   JP Estrella was dominate at times and added 15 points but also fouled out.  Michigan played 10 players without big man Moustapha Thiam who was out with an illness. 

Hard to see what this team will be without Thiam in the lineup, but the defense and rebounding will need some work.  Michigan also didn't shoot that well going 31-71 or 44% from the field, but that will get better.  Quinn is a knock down shooter but a liability on the defensive side of the ball as he learns D1 basketball.  

A win is a win, and I'm excited to see what this team looks like with Thiam in the lineup, Coach Boynton seemed reluctant to put Moller the other 7-footer in the game.

• JHD and Nichols are expected back for MSU 

• Babalola is healthy but not ready to play yet 

• No new news on Sprague 

• There will be an open kicking competition in practice this week 

• Oklahoma fired their OC on Monday

Michigan Monday: National Champs Tip Off The Season and Too Early on Sparty

With Yax being one of the top story lines in the NBA, Mara playing well, and Dusty actually coaching an NBA team, it was no wonder Michigan won a National Championship last season.  They were loaded, had elite coaching, and played for each other.  The next version of Michigan Basketball takes the floor for the first time this regular season tonight in Crisler against Oakland.  We know Oakland to be a very well coached team and not the easiest of opening games for the Wolverines.  But Vegas feels differently and has the Wolverines nearly a 30 point favorite to win tonight (-27.5).

Michigan will need to be a guard first team this season, with Cadeau, McKenney, and Gayle leading the way.  Not to forget recent transfer Noland who we hope can provide Cadeau a legit back up when he needs rest.  Yes, there are talented bigs on this roster but Michigan will be successful if their guard play is really strong. 

6:00 on BTN

Too Early Look at the Sparty (2-6)

Best Win: Toledo 

Worst Loss: 31-3 to Wisconsin

Pass: 180 Yards per (207)

Run: 110 (122)

Score: 19.9 (124)

Give Up: 25.8 (85)

Neither Sparty or Michigan's new head coach this year is having a very good time in their new jobs.  I would say neither fan base is happy. Sparty is on a 6 game losing streak, so that makes Pat Fitzgerald the biggest loser at the moment.  He knows there is only one way to save the season and that would be a win over the hated Wolverines.   Sparty will be well rested coming off a bye and Michigan is coming off a un-even effort against Rutgers on the road.  

Don't love the kick time as it competes against the best game of the year in Miami @ ND that is even on the same network.  

• The Chargers are 0-7 now 

• Levi Kerr a 4 star 2028 QB commits to UNC over Michigan and others. 

Post Game: Never Easy

                                    Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Michigan played like a a 2 TD favorite for most the game. The only issue was that they also kept Rutgers in the game with self inflicted wounds. Nobody is popping bottles with a 7 point win over a Rutgers crowd that probably had more Wolverine fans then Scarlet Knights.

On to the Cheers and Jeers!

Cheers:

• Tommy played very well and saved Michigan with his feet for two TD's.
• The defense hasn't given up a completed pass in back to back weeks in the 2nd half 
• I love JJ! 
• I love Bracy! 
• Beck had a decent day with the offensive play calls 
• Hiter ran hard 
• Hello again TE's! 
• Marsh had 7 catches 
• Benny Patterson had his best day as a Wolverine
• Moa 1 catch for 44 yards and good decisions on the punts
• Cam Brown averaged 46.5 yards per punt 

Jeers:

• Trey Missfieldgoalski should be watching the rest of the season 
• The offensive line had a terrible 1st half 
• Mason Curtis catch the ball! 
• Sowden less penalties please! 
• Jordan Marshall tackled himself 
• Defense giving up two big plays that kept Rutgers in the game 
• Those officials should be suspended, they can't figure out a DPI or OPI or Kick catch interference to save their lives.  WR's are now just grabbing CB's in hoping the Ref thinks its the defense. 
• Tommy has to get the ball to Marsh on those long throws, those were two easy TD's if he throws it further 
• Rutgers QB had 3 completed passes for 123 yards, WTF?
• Michigan never making anything easy 

This is a Win and that's about all you can say about it.  Michigan dominated but kept Rutgers in the game with bone head penalties, missed scoring chances, and blown assignments.  I like how aggressive Hill's calls are, but it was pretty obvious they were going to call a run into that blitz in the 2nd half.  The QB wasn't completing passes and their best WR was out. 

Lastly, the Offensive line has to play better. Jake Butt was highlighting how bad they were in the 1st half. 

Learn, clean up the mistakes, scout the soccer team, get healthy, and Beat State. 

Rutgers Halloween Preview

Time: 12:30

Location: SHItadium 

Weather: 57 No Rain 

TV: BTN 

Line: Michigan -15.5

This is a spooky game for many reasons.  1. Its kicking off at 12:30 2. It's Halloween and 3. If Michigan doesn't win this game, there will be a Soprano's SUV waiting for Coach Whitt and Beck after the game. 

The Wolverines have one of the best defenses in the country and one of the worst offenses.  Rutgers has a really good WR with the last name Duff, that is doubtful for the game.   Rutgers would probably fire Schiano if they could afford to.   Michigan might fire Whitt if there was anyone in charge in Ann Arbor to fire him.   Both situations are FANTASTIC! 

Dear Coach Whitt:

Your clearly not listening to my advice or anyone's advice.  Your just the happy go lucky guy doing his own thing like its Utah where nobody gives a damn.  It's obvious your the CEO but it also obvious your not engaged at all on the offensive side of the ball. 

Now, a little about the game this Saturday.  Losing to Rutgers is un-acceptable by any means but since your pretty good at losing games Michigan should win, I bet you don't understand that the Scarlett Knights will give you the best effort they have had all year on Saturday.  They are starving for win and would love nothing more then a season saving win over the Wolverines.  

You understand what that means, correct?  It means after the game, I don't want to hear things like:

Coach Beck really wanted a few Red Zone calls back.  

I didn't agree with that play call, but I didn't say anything 

Does anyone know what time the Bada Bing closes?

I didn't think it was possible to mess up Michigan's power run game but you and Beck have found a way.  Please line up and play some power football.  It's something Michigan has been doing for over a 100 years. 

Get Carr some easy throws, use the TE's and try to get one of Michigan's running backs over a 100 yards.  Wouldn't that be something! 

In the end, the Michigan Defense will have to win the game and probably score 14 or more points on their own.  

Final words, don't come back to Ann Arbor if you don't win this game.  We are all nearing our Whitt's end.  

Michigan 24 Rutgers 10