Michigan Monday: Too Early Look at The Boilermakers

There isn't a funnier community then Sparty Twitter.  Their program could be absolutely on fire and they would still call out a reason or reasons why they didn't win this game.  Many of you who read this blog, already know the reason they are harping on from Saturday's game.  #14 was not offsides! When he stripped the ball from Bryce and MSU thought they had a big turnover.  I know Terry McAulay said he didn't think he was off sides, but I'm not sure Terry is very good at his job right now.  I do know he has no idea what targeting is.  To give Sparty credit, it was close but I believe his upper half of his body was at least off sides at the snap.  

I know Michigan Basketball is doing these exhibitions to raise money for NIL, etc.  But there never should be a Michigan Basketball game that conflicts with a Michigan Football game, unless its some weird bowl game.  Which in that case the exhibition would be on the football side.  

Purdue (2-6) (0-5 in BIG10) 

Best Win: Ball State 

Worst Loss: Rutgers 

Pass: 246 per (56th)

Run: 142 per (84th)

Score: 22.9 (101st)

Give Up: 27.8 (92nd)

Line: Michigan -21.5

Purdue is on a six game losing streak and we have the BTN to thank for making this matchup a night game.  Why BTN?  This is a noon kick if I've ever seen one.  Purdue is better then they have been but they are still not very good.  They had Rutgers beat last weekend and let it slip away at home.  Michigan is looking for win and then will have their second bye week before heading to Chicago to play Northwestern at Wrigley, and then next week to Maryland.  Everyone knows who is coming to town later in November. 

• Brian Kelly gets embarrassed by Texas AM on Saturday night and then loses his job Sunday morning.  If you follow college football at all, you could have predicted that action on Sunday.  You don't get embarrassed at LSU at night and hope to keep your job.  It was a bad hire and a bad outcome.  I hear Coach O wants back in coaching! 

• I'm starting to get worried about Rod Moore's health and his ability to play for this team the rest of the year.  

• I hope we hear an update on Sullivan's and Rod's health today from Sherrone 

• JJ is expected to start this week for the Vikings.  I hope he doesn't continue to hold the ball for so long.  

• Roman Wilson got his first NFL TD.  He almost didn't!

• Michigan is #21 and ranked ahead of USC

• The NFL has to do something about the second window on Sunday.  Those games are tough to watch after non-stop action on the Red Zone in the first window. 

MSU Post Game: Jimmy F'ing Rolder

 Jacob Hamilton/mlive.com/TNS

If you're like me, the punt block game has left serious scar tissue on my brain.   No matter how bad MSU QB throws bounce passes to his WR's or Michigan is up on the scoreboard, I feel MSU has some crazy comeback in them.  I felt that from the very beginning of the game last night.  

As Michigan is looking to close out the game with its running game, Justice Haynes fumbles and gives MSU life at midfield.  All I can say it thank goodness for Jimmy Rolder.  You can make the case he has saved the game for Michigan the last two weekends and probably has saved Wink's job.  His two stops on 4th down last night were crazy good and sealed the game and that terrible Paul Bunyan trophy.  

 

Cheers:

• 2 Michigan RB's over 100 yards, Yes Please! 
• Letting MSU make the personal foul penalties 
• Jimmy Rolder defensive MVP 
• 2nd half adjustments 
• 276 yards on the ground 
• Moore is always good for a late game sack 
• Hollenbeck had a good day punting one went 67 yards 
• Wink has finally realized he can't blitz so much 
• Michigan Basketball beats St. John's in this weird exhibition season

Jeers:

• Chip has to find some type of passing game.  
• Morgan is going to have his own section here soon.  
• Great job catching punts as Goodwin runs into him 
• Tries to tackle Justice on a break away run 
• Pass hits his face mask 
• Marlin Klein was a yard off sides in his alignment 
• For 276 yards on the ground I thought the running game was average most of the game 
• Offense was very predictable 
• Hill can you please catch one of the gift interceptions please! 
• Sullivan's injury 
• Need to use Bryce's legs in the redzone more often
• Missed opportunities to blow the game wide open early
• Another 2nd and long first down given up by the defense 

The game was ugly like most Michigan - MSU games are.  The difference was in talent and Michigan keeping its head, while MSU could not keep their composure. A road win in the Big Ten is a good win and Michigan now has Purdue on tap in the Big House next week before hitting the road to Chicago and Maryland.   The offense can't be that predictable and needs to find a way to get the ball to #1 and #4, if we are going to close out the year with wins. 

Preview Michigan State

Time: 7:30
Location: East Lansing
Weather: 45 and 2% of Rain

TV: NBC 

Line: Michigan -14.5

This is an instate rivalry game and Sparty's Super Bowl.  MSU is on 4 game losing streak which has the fan base pinning for James Franklin. Michigan looks good at home and not so good on the road, even though this trip is just an hour north.  This game never should be played at night and it is again.  NBC should be showing something else and this game should kick a noon.   Night game, big spread, MSU Super Bowl, and a chilly kick make this very upset worthy if Michigan doesn't pack their A game. 

Dear Sherrone, 

I know your familiar with this game and this team.  There is a ton of hate in Sparty's heart against your program and team.  You have the #1 QB  recruit from the State of Michigan and there are a number of kids that weren't recruited by Michigan in Green and White on Saturday night.   These kids know each other and they might be somewhat friendly off the field, on Saturday night they will be enemies. 

Michigan has more talent but Sparty is playing for their season.  They will create rings and other memorabilia if they win on Saturday night..  Michigan will have to be prepared for a team that will play as hard as they can to win this game.  Expect fake punts, fake field goals, and a ton of 4th down attempts.  The kitchen sink will be on the field in Spartan Stadium.  

Bryce has to play clean and Michigan can't keep Sparty in the game by mistakes.  Let MSU make the 15 yard personal foul penalties, make sure your team is above all the BS.   I really hope Justice is healthy because he could really tip the game to the Wolverines favor with 200 yards on the ground. 

I've been quiet on Wink this week as his unit played well against UW.  Sparty has another very athletic QB who likes to run for 1st downs to keep drives alive.  Chiles will have to have a career game but he played really well early last season in Ann Arbor.  Our expectation is the defense plays the same way they did against UW and not against USC.  Not sure what is going on in the secondary but let's get our first team unit back out there please.   

Here is my advice, (thank you for taking it to heart last week).  Spy Chiles, keep him in the pocket, get the best players back in the secondary, continue to throw to the TE's, let Justice and Jordan run free, protect against Tom Foolery from MSU, throw to McCulley and Marsh, don't commit dumb penalties, play clean, and stay above the noise.  The best medicine is driving home with that ugly trophy. 

Michigan 28 MSU 13

Big Ten Preview: Week 9

What a stinker for a Big Ten weekend match-up preview.  UCLA is the top Big Noon game and the Instate rivalry of Michigan - MSU tops the NBC game of the week. On to the show:

UCLA @ IU (-26.5):  I love UCLA's turnaround but that comes to a halt this week.  IU 51 UCLA 14 

Northwestern @ Nebraska (-8.5): Both of these teams are 5-2?  That seems strange to me.  Nebraska just got embarrassed by PJ Fleck and Matt Rhule wants the Penn State job?  Nebraska 24 Northwestern 14

Rutgers (-1.5) @ Purdue: Not sure this is a watchable game.  I think Purdue sneaks one out here.  Purdue 28 Rutgers 21. 

Illinois @ Washington (-3.5): Both of these teams are 5-2? Illinois is ranked again? I guess this is a good game.  Will Illinois get the travel west cold and not show up and play?  I like UW after the Michigan loss as Illinois travel west.  UW 31 Illinois 20 

Minnesota @ Iowa (-8.5): Both of these teams are 5-2? This could be a good game.  Iowa plays great defense and Minnesota plays well at home.  This game is at Iowa.   Iowa 21 Minnesota 14

Wisconsin @ Oregon (-31.5):  Do not watch this game.  It will be ugly and it will be amazing if Luke gets through this year in this role.  Oregon 61 Wisconsin 6