Michigan Monday: Too Early Look at IU

Before I start on the Too Early, I wanted to fix something I left out of Cheers and Jeers on Sunday. 

Cheers:

• Bryce Underwood acting like a captain and supporting Tommy Carr while he was playing.  He was engaged and celebrating with Tommy after TD's.  That's a class move.  He could've went all Tate Foricier, but didn't.  

After a wild Saturday of upsets, Miami sits a top of the rankings as the reigning National Champs and pretty much everyone else lost on Saturday.

Indiana #6

Best Win: Iowa 

Worst Loss: OSU at home 

Pass: 249 per (75th)

Run: 200 per (29th) 

Give up: 13 (4th)

Score:  36 (25th) 

The turnaround at Indiana has been historic and un-precidented .  IU has been historically one of the worst football programs in the country then Cignetti rolls into town and goes to the CFP in Year 1 and a National Championship in Year 2.  He has ruined the "honeymoon" period for every new head coach at any new job.  (can put Dusty in that sentence as well) 

This team has been so good, they haven't lost a game since the CFP loss to ND in year 1, before they lost to Ohio State on Saturday when Marsh couldn't keep his feet in bounds.  That's how close they were to handing the Buckeyes their 2nd loss.  Now, they roll into the Big House pissed off and a struggling Michigan offense looking them right in the eye.  

As you can see their national numbers are not jumping off the page, but they are playing good defense and giving up less then 2 TD's per game.   The Michigan Defense will have to figure out a way to get off the field and keep this game close. 

• Did we have a JJ sighting on Sunday? 👀

• Blake with another TD, this time receiving!

• Loveland also got his first TD of the year! 

• 24 team playoff, I need to get my head around that. 

• The last time the Chargers were 0-6, Harbaugh was the QB

Penn State Post Game: The Only Option

Isaiah Hole, WolverinesWire

Coming out of a bye week the Michigan offense didn't execute anything in the first half on Saturday and was down 3-0 at halftime.   At the half, everyone's group chat blew up saying the same thing, "it has to be Tommy time!".  With his grandfather watching next to old number 14 Brian Griese, the new #14 Tommy Carr took the field to start the 2nd half.  The crowd cheered as they hadn't had anything to cheer about for the prior 2 hours. 

You watched the game, so you know the defense got 3 turnovers and Carr turned those into 21 points in the 2nd half.  Michigan wins 21-18 after a failed attempt at an onsides kick by Penn State.  

These type of games are why we have Cheers and Jeers:

Cheers:

• Michigan found a way to win in the 2nd half 
• Hiter with a big run when Michigan was backed up near the goal line! 
• Kuzdzal's long run changed the game! 
• Tommy for not being nervous 
• Bracy is my MVP of the game! 
• 5 solo tackles 
• 1 Pick 
• 1 TFL 
• 1 Sack 
• couple of big pass breakups 
• Marshall ran hard 
• A TE Hogan Hansen caught 2 balls 
• Rod Moore with a pick (did he get injured celebrating?)
• Defense with 3 turnovers
• Moa caught all the punts! 
• JHD had a nice game 
• Boney Tony is going to be superstar 
• Troy Bowles quietly is the best player on defense 

Jeers:

• The defense was either hot or cold
• Can we please stop making defensive penalties when the game is on the line?
• Marsh needs to catch the ball
• Jyaire Hill had a tough day against #0 in White 
• Can we double that guy? 
• Earls seems to make one dumb penalty a game 
• Bryce played terribly and needed to get pulled 
• The 1st half 
• Cam Brown, what was with those punts?
• I still thought the play calling on offense was really bad 

We all assume this is Tommy's job moving forward.  Which it should be, we all saw the difference of being trained as a QB vs, being an elite athlete trying to play the position.  Now, my concern is, the defense needs to get off the field.  I think maybe they forced one 3 and out the entire game.   Michigan is going to have to win games on defense the rest of the year and with the National Champs coming into town after their Marsh steps out, it could be ugly if the Wolverines defense doesn't get quick stops next Saturday.  

Michigan's running game was a little bit better gaining 211 yards but most of that came on 2 big runs.  Michigan sill needs better production on 1st downs. Still 90 yards passing is not going to beat good teams, we have to get the ball to JJ, Marsh, the RB's and TE's in the passing game.  Maybe Michigan can be more balanced with Tommy under center.  

Any chance we could play Minnesota again with Tommy at QB?

Penn State Preview

Time: 3:30 EST 

Location: Big House 

Weather: 53 Sunny 

TV: CBS 

Line: Michigan -7

These two programs are at similar cross roads.  Both hired new coaches in the off season and both programs were ranked to start the year.  The problem is both have been pretty bad lately.  Penn State is 3-3 and Michigan is 3-2 and neither programs seem to have any answers.  There are even empty seats in Happy Valley and that is a strong statement.  The Big Ten set up two premier games this weekend.  OSU at IU and PSU at Michigan, that plan didn't go as the home office thought. 

Dear Coach Whitt:

Coach, I'm very disappointed in the effort the team brought in Minnesota.  They looked tired and disinterested the entire game.  This is a tough question to ask, but have you lost the locker room?

I know you were brought in to be the CEO, but the lack of discipline, turnovers, penalties, poor execution, and lack of effort are very troubling.  Then you do something maybe unpresidented for Michigan Football and brought in two new transfers this week.   What is the thinking behind that?  Are there more injuries we don't know about?  How are these guys able to enroll in October?  

That is the issue coach, there are more questions then answer at this point. The good news is the guy across from you is also facing similar questions.  He rolled into to Happy Valley from Ames, Iowa to learn the Big Ten is different then the Big 12, a lot different.  I think you are feeling something very similar from your time at Utah.  

Ross Perot when running against the Governor of Arkansas for the President of the United States, had this memorable line:  "You can't go from managing the general store to managing Walmart".  Ross clearly didn't win the election but the saying is accurate to both yourself and Matt Campbell, who reportedly turned down the Detroit Lions at one point.  

Coach this is where I give you advice on the game, but this week I don't have any.  I'm not sure how to fix your problems on offense.   I've watched Bryce for 18 games not get any better but he is still the starter because he makes bank.   I see a 2nd string guy with strong QB mechanics and no experience continue to sit and watch.  There is also a Colorado State transfer with a ton of playing experience continue to watch as well.  I see what should be the best RB's in college football continued to get stuffed at the LOS, and talented WR's not get the ball.    The offensive line is also very questionable at this point and I'm not smart enough to understand if its scheme or skill. 

I'm glad you made one good hire with Jay Hill's defense who will probably have to win the game on Saturday again, like they did against Oklahoma and almost did against Minnesota. 

Coach, my hope is your team got better the last two weeks but Michigan fans need to see it with our eyes and not our heart.  The injury report was troubling for both teams and I'm not sure we are going to see inspired football from either party on Saturday.   This is where I tell you each week to play clean football, no turnovers, and only a few penalties, but that hasn't worked.  So I'm going to change the advice this week, try to have some fun with the kids this week, play the game like you were playing Madden and just throw deep every play.  Go George Costanza and just do the opposite of every football instinct you have and lets see how that plays out.  

Prove me the fool for questioning you.  

Michigan 17 Penn State 14

Big Ten Week 7 Preview and Michigan - PSU Injury Report

This is one of the premier weekends that the Big Ten schedulers spit out for big TV ratings. Yes, its Rutgers - Maryland week! Buckle Up! 

Friday Night: 

Washington @ Purdue (-3.5):  How is the state of your program and/or defense?  Being an underdog to Purdue is not a great sign.  Purdue just rolled the Golden Gophers and Washington has big travel and a short week.  Did I mention they also can't stop the run?  Purdue 31 Wash 27 

Saturday:

Ohio State (-3.5) @ IU:  The last two national champions are facing off in the regular season.  IU survived a scare at Nebraska last weekend and Ohio State just keeps throwing the ball to the future Heisman winner.  Both teams are beatable and both have been living on Fox's Big Noon.  I like a low scoring battle here.  OSU 23 IU 17 

Northwestern (-7.5) @ MSU:  This is the Pat Fitz Bowl, sponsored by Gorton's Fish and Chips.  Pat is in his in first year at MSU but his former team is now 4-1 and plays in a new Billion Dollar stadium.  I think his old program where he played and coached is doing pretty well, current program, not so much.   Northwestern 33 MSU 23

Rutgers @ Maryland (-4.5):  The premier Big 10 match-up of the weekend.  This is your DO NOT WATCH Game of the weekend.  Maryland 20 Rutgers 17

Wisconsin @ UCLA (-2.5):  Who is the best young coach in the Big Ten?  Bob Chesney is.  UCLA is undefeated in the Big Ten and Wisconsin only loss this year is to ND.  Yes, the PSU - Michigan game was supposed to be the 2nd big game of the weekend, but this game is actually it!  I love UCLA and the points here.  UCLA 28 Wisconsin 20 

Nebraska @ Oregon (-7):  Both teams are coming off heart breaking loses.  Nebraska thought they were back to find out, you have to play a 4th quarter and Oregon found out that UCLA is for real and they have to have better QB play.  The biggest question is Riaola a double agent?  He got benched last weekend.  This is a 11PM EST kick.  Oregon 38 Nebraska 21

PSU - Michigan Injury Report 

They almost needed a 2nd page.