Wolverine Wednesday: Losing Recruits Is Never Good

That title is a bit misleading, yes there are times where its best if a recruit and Michigan go their separate ways.  Maybe it was a really bad senior season, legal issues, or eligibility issues.   Michigan lost one recruit on Tuesday and it looks like a legacy recruit is heading to South Bend.  

Sidney Rouleau decommitted from Michigan yesterday after taking a visit to Syracuse over the weekend. Sidney is a 3-star prospect that transferred to Texas from Canada.  His name hasn't come up much lately and Sidney might of picked a school a little closer to home.  I'm pretty sure the Wolverine staff is not losing sleep over this one.  

The next one they might, 2028 Asa Burch is seeing insiders flip their predictions from Michigan to ND over the weekend.  Asa is of course the son of Alfie who was a WR and DB at Michigan.  Asa is also a 4-star edge prospect and the 89th player on the 24/7 composite.  Right now 24/7 has 100% predictions to ND. 

• Looks like Moody is back in the NFL with the Ravens.  I wonder if he is going to kick and play QB?

• ND didn't have the best Tuesday night as the first CFP rankings have them 11th barley in the playoff.  ND hosts #1 Miami this weekend and everyone expected a top 5 or at least a top 10 match-up. They are ranked #4 in the AP. 

• The Michigan Oregon game is a 3:30 kick on FS1.  Speaking of things nobody expected both seasons for the Wolverines and Ducks and their match-up being on FS1. 

• I think these early coaching searches are interesting.  NC State is interviewing all their famous former players, RG3 wants the Baylor gig, and Brian Kelly wants all the openings.  Manny Diaz winning at Duke is going to get him another job.  

• Quick question, do you think Greg Kampe from Oakland Basketball has turned down a ton of other jobs?  That guy can flat out coach basketball. 

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.