Indiana Preview

Time: Noon
Location: Big House
Weather: 58 - No Rain
TV: Fox
Line: Indiana -7.5

There is not a college football fan alive that still isn't in shock that Indiana is the reigning National Champions.  The only thing I can relate it to is when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series in 2016. 

IU lost to Ohio State last week at home, when their MSU transfer WR stepped out of bounds on a wide open TD throw.  Some will argue that mistake is on Hoover who should've lead him more to the open space in the end zone.   IU doesn't turn the ball over or make many penalties, they play clean football. 

Dear Coach Whitt:

When you were hired to Ann Arbor we expected a coach to bring in leadership, bunch of new talented coaches to get this team to compete by playing clean fundamental football or what IU has done the last 3 seasons.   As a Michigan Football fan, I've never thought or have spoken this sentence in my life:  I hope Michigan can play like Indiana. 

Thank you for making the QB change, it was long overdue and had an immediate impact.  There is still plenty to fix on offense and I'm also worried that Carr will play like a true freshman at some point.  The guy seems to be ready for the moment, so a huge hat tip to him. 

An area that I'm worried about and maybe I'm the only one, is the defense.   The defense seems to be giving up a ton of yards and long drives.   That unit will have to dominate on Saturday for the Wolverines to win this game.  IU doesn't turn the ball over so your defense will need to get off the field with 3 and outs.   The secondary will need to lock down Marsh and get pressure on Hoover.  Hill the DC and Hill the DB will both have to have big days.  IU has struggled to run the ball and that will need to continue.  

On Saturday, I would love to see a clean game on both sides of the ball.  If Michigan turns the ball over a couple times and has 10 penalties for 100 yards, it will be a wrap.  IU will try to confuse the young Carr into making mistakes, so if Michigan can run the ball that will be ideal! Beck will need to give Carr some confidence throws but also some downfield throws if those go well.  It's time to unlock this offense with Carr running it.  

I predict Michigan will be motivated to play but will they play clean?  Time to show what type of coach you are.  Because the coaching fire power on the other side just had an historic two years.  This team can be beat and it would be great if Michigan played its best game of the year and pulled the upset.  We're all waiting to see that. 

IU 28 Michigan 17

Big Ten Weekend Preview and Maryland Had Enough

Not the best weekend for match-ups for the Big Ten who was hoping for a top 15 battle between IU and Michigan.  Well, IU lost to OSU last weekend and Michigan got past a struggling Penn State team.  We shall carry on with a non-inspiring weekend of Big match-ups. 

Rutgers @ NW (-16.5): If this was next year, Northwestern would be on the playoff bubble.  They are playing good football at 5-1 and looking to send the 2nd Big Ten coach packing this season.  Northwestern 31 - Rutgers 14

Oregon (-8.5) @ Illinois:  Who is going to QB the Ducks?  What happened to both of these teams this year? Why in Nike's stock down?  Can they make an innovated shoe? Oregon 24 Illinois 21

MSU @ UCLA (-14.5):  UCLA is a team on the rise, with a young coach.  MSU is just the opposite.  UCLA 28 MSU 17

Iowa (-6.5)@ Minnesota:  Both teams beat Michigan, wow it hurts just to think that.  Iowa 21 Minnesota 10 

USC (-3) @ Wisconsin: Maybe the Trojans are playing better when they travel East?  A least this is a night game and in the Central time zone.  Is Wisconsin quietly good?  USC 17 Wisconsin 14

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The Big Ten made one mistake when they expanded.  It was the Rutgers/Maryland wave.  There was no reason for it.  I don't want to hear about the DC and NYC TV markets, neither really care about college football and for sure not the Terrapins and the Scarlet Knights.  Both should be relegated to the ACC. 

Not so ironically, both had head coaches on the hot seat.  Mike Locksley was fired this week and Greg Schiano might be next.

Some names to consider:  Manny Diaz Duke, Brian Hartline USF, Dan Mullen UNLV, Jason Eck New Mexico, and Brian Kelly. 

The only one that makes me laugh is Brian Kelly who would not be motivated to coach Maryland after his runs at ND and LSU.  Jason Eck is a really good coach and Brian Hartline has a ton of upside as a head coach but still learning the role. 

This is funny as IU must have Mr. Miyagi on staff

Wolverine Wednesday: Welcomes New 2027 WR

Michigan Football got a high rising senior commitment from FL WR 3-star Yuto Kawamura-Johnson on Tuesday as he flipped his commitment to the Wolverines from Toledo.  Yuto was planning a visit to Penn State this weekend, but picked the Wolverines first.  ESPN is the highest on Yuto as the 198th WR in the country. 

One reason kids don't get ranked higher originally, is because they haven't seen the field much prior to their senior year and that is the case here.  YKJ is 5'11 and 185 pounds and was starting to see a bunch of new offers come at him.  UK, FAU, UConn, Wake, and Louisville had all recently offered the HS senior that is averaging 24 yards per catch this season.

Welcome! 

Michigan Tuesday: I Don't Know Who Is Starting?

Coach Whitt didn't want to give up who the starter will be against #6 IU this weekend.  This reminds me of a story of a Michigan AD who went on the radio saying he wasn't going to be fired and was fired days later (or quit with a surprising separation package). 

Everyone knows who Coach Whitt's choice is and there were rumors as soon as he took the job that Coach wanted a different QB under center.  I also don't understand how not stating the starter confuses Indiana who clearly also knows that Carr is starting. 

Other News and Notes:

• Zach Marshall is clearly suspended for his leaked group text

• Babalola was dressed last game but has only had a week of practice, we should expect to see him get some snaps at LT soon. 

• I'm wondering if we can start drawing some parallels and conclusions with Bryce and Arch both expected to be benched this weekend.  Being the #1 player in the country as a QB does not guarantee success on the field in college and most definitely does not lead to success in the NFL.   NIL investments needs to come with results instead of potential. 

• 12:30 kick for Michigan @ Rutgers on Halloween

• The 24 team playoffs kills the Bowl Game scrimmages now correct?

• PFF highest rated Big Ten DB in Week 7,  Rod Moore Jr.!