Michigan Thursday: Wildcat Bites

Michigan Basketball team showed up outside of Chicago last night as the #2 in the nation with eyes on being #1.  The Northwestern Wildcats going in were 2-11 in the Big Ten and the Wolverines expected a layup line the entire game.  Michigan showed up "sleepy" and the Wildcats were not missing from the field.  

Cadeau had one of his "turnover" games but was shooting well from 3.  The entire Michigan Basketball team looked disinterested in playing.   They found themselves down by 9 at half and surly would play better after the break.  Nope, the same teams hit the floor at the start of the 2nd and the Wildcats grew the lead to 16 points over the #2 team in the nation. 

There were a few issues for the Wildcats, they were getting into foul trouble and there were hints they were starting to wear down.  Both were accurate as Cason showed up for Cadeau (who didn't play much in the 2nd) and scored 13 of his 18 points in the 2nd session.  Yax had another good game with 15 points, 12 boards, and really good defense when Michigan needed it (also led the team with 37 minutes).   

Michigan did not wrestle the lead back until under 6 minutes in the game.  Then Northwestern tired and beat up didn't have any more gas left in the tank and lost by 12 points.  

Here is why I like this comeback for the Wolverines.  This was one of the worst showing by this team all year and they still won by 12 points.   They got into deep waters down 16 and fought back and won.  NW was on fire and Michigan wasn't.   The only way to come back from 16 down is to play defense and that is what the Wolverines did.   The young guns off the bench won this game.   Cason had 18 and McKenney hit some big 3's for a total of 12 points.   

A win on the road in the Big10 is a good win.  No matter the sport there always seems to be drama when Michigan heads to Chicago to play the Wildcats.  I'm still shaking my head over that game at Wrigley.  

The combine invites are out and Michigan will have a nice showing at the event:

Did I mention yesterday that Dusty landed another big fish in recruiting?

From Yahoo Sports:

Cosby, a 6-foot-10 versatile forward from the prestigious Montverde Academy, was long considered a consensus top-10 prospect in the 2027 class. However, his commitment came paired with the news of his reclassification into 2026. Despite moving up a year, Cosby remains one of the most coveted prospects in the country, currently sitting at No. 22 overall in the Rivals Industry Ranking and a high four-star (borderline five-star) on the 247Sports Composite.

Michigan Thursday: How Did The 2026 Recruiting Class Finish?

Michigan signed a kicker, a DE/LB who is the brother of the starting DE, and a long snapper yesterday.  This was after Michigan signed a very nice class in early December, then all hell broke loose, and now Michigan has a completely new coaching staff and was able to secure most of the class. 

Rankings per 24/7:

5 Stars: 2 Meadows and Hiter

4 Stars: 9
3 Stars: 10
Not Rated: 3

National Rankings per Service:

24/7: 12 

Composite: 12 

On3/Rivals: 12 

ESPN: 11 

It seems all of the services just have Michigan's class right outside the top 10.  Please note, these rankings do not include true freshman Salesi Moa who is a 5 star on some services.  He is offically a transfer.  

Michigan might have the best DL class in the country highlighted by Carter Meadows and a great RB with Savion Hiter. 

With the program completely exploding days after the early signing period.  I'm happy with this result. 

Wolverine Wednesday: A Boring National Signing Day

This used to be one of the best days on the calendar, now it sort of sucks.  Players were flipping and signing their LOI's, now with the early signing period in December,  this day as become a bad bowl game.  

Michigan will have a few players join the team offically. 

One guy is already in:

• Kicker Jacob Baggett appropriately signs during breakfast! 
• Ndi Etta signs with Michigan today, he is listed as a DE coming in.  He was a LB in high school. Also the brother of Enow who is currently on the roster. 

These are the only 2 players I expect to sign with Michigan today. 

On a side note, the cold handshake between Dusty and Izzo is way overblown.   Let's move on. 

• Who placed a bet that former Michigan Basketball player Adrien Nunez would be participating in NBA All Star Weekend? He is playing in the celebrity game.

• Michigan incoming Freshman DE Tariq Boney just became a 4 star to 24/7!

• Michigan will also announce Captains and a Leadership Council for the Fall as well.

• Future Michigan Basketball commit PF Quinn Costello is a McDonalds All American.

• If you follow EJ Holland for Michigan recruiting news, he is moving jobs to cover Miami, FL now.

Michigan Monday: Still Smiling From Friday

Anytime Michigan Basketball can make Tom Izzo sad, it's a good night.  Tom was sad on Friday night after Michigan entered the Breslin Center and walked away with a victory.  Michigan doesn't win very much in that barn and had lost 4 in a row to Sparty no matter the location. 

Michigan got out to a big lead, let it slip away in the 2nd, and played smart at the end of the game to sneak out a convincing win.  This team really seems to up the focus when they get down a few points.  Neither team played their best game but Michigan's effort was much more consistent.   Guard play really drives this team and Cadeau had a solid game.   Yax is always dependable on both sides of the floor and Mara started the game hot.   A great win for the Wolverines who went through Nebraska and MSU in a matter of days.   When Michigan plays smart basketball they are very hard to beat.   Still haven't seen that December team on the floor in Big Ten play, but if we can get spurts, we should be in pretty good shape! 

• It's a family business as Grant Newsome is hired by John Harbaugh with the Giants

• It's a family business as Michigan got a commitment from 2026 Texas LB Ndi Etta brother of Enow Etta.  As you might imagine, this seems to be a package deal for Enow to stay in Ann Arbor and remove his name from the portal.  Ndi is not ranked but has offers from the likes of Toledo, Miami of OH, UTEP, Army and others.  Welcome Ndi!

Michigan Friday: Minter to Ravens

I'm happy for Jesse and sad at the same time.  Where would Michigan be right now if Warde was smart enough to hire Jesse Minter as Michigan's head coach instead of Sherrone?   My guess would've been playing in the CFP, not the Cheesy exhibition. 

Jesse has done a tremendous job for the Chargers and now replaces Jim's brother at the Ravens.   I would really like to know if Warde even contacted him this past cycle?  Don't get me wrong, Whitt is a strong hire but missing out on Jesse Minter hurts.  

Michigan now has three head coaches in the NFL who were either the head coach or defensive coordinator for Jim at Michigan.  Hard to imagine that none of those guys came back to Ann Arbor.   As you know, Coach Mac is one game away from the Super Bowl and will face the potential next MVP in Stafford on Sunday.

Michigan also grabbed a commit from a 2026 kicker Jacob Baggett, who is ranked the #8 kicker in the country.  Former 2026 kicker commit Micah Drescher backed out of his letter of intent with Michigan a few weeks ago.  Jacob is from Charlotte and picked the Wolverines over UK.   His Bio says he has a big leg and has range over 55 yards and 65+ on kickoffs.  Welcome Jacob and please kick that baggett between the uprights!

Enjoy the OSU - Michigan game and Trey's jersey being retired. 

Michigan Friday: Last Day to Hop into the Portal

Why has the last two weeks felt like 2 months?  The portal activity has just been crazy and it seems like it started back in December.   I imagine we will see some more movement today, I hope it continues to be positive movement for the Wolverines.  

Welcome Back to Ann Arbor, Glad you never left! 

• CB Shamari Earls 
• DE Nate Marshall 
• DE Dominic Nicholas 
• LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng
• S Rod Moore
• DL Enow Etta (back from the portal)
• TE Zach Marshall 
• DL Trey Pierce 

These are all important saves to the roster.  Enow was getting a ton of interest in the portal and Trey just saw his brother join the team.  I believe the new staff is 3-0 in keeping Marshalls on the roster.  Fingers crossed its 4-0 with "Marsh" in the last name. 

The big news is 5-star athlete Salesi Moa who originally signed with Utah, thought about flipping to Michigan after the coaching change, enrolled at Utah, then jumped into the portal.  Will announce his college decision tonight at the Polynesian Bowl.   His brother who is in the portal is a former LB at MSU, who has also visited Ann Arbor during this cycle. 👀

There is also some buzz around a 2026 CAL DB Ernest Nunley who just received his release from Cal.  

Important Dates:  Tonight at 11:59 ET is the deadline for players to request entry into the portal, Sunday Jan. 18, 11:59 p.m. ET is the latest schools can enter players into portal. 1/27 Add/drop date for classes at U of M.

• Michigan Basketball at Oregon on Saturday 4:00 NBC

• Want to feel old? Michigan Basketball has offered Jamal Crawford's son

• Jesse Minter is getting a ton interviews for a head coaching role in NFL.  With John off the board, I expect hires to happen pretty quickly now. 

• 2 QB's back to their teams that Michigan will see next season: Mateer at OK and Moore at Oregon.

Michigan Tuesday: Portal News and Notes

• Former Michigan CB Jayden Sanders to ND 👎

• Portal Wolverine S Jordan Young back to Ann Arbor 👍

• Tevis Metcalf joins his brother in the portal 👎

• Michigan secures a commitment from Nebraska IOL Houston Ka'aha'aina -Torres 👍

• BYU LB Max Alford Nephew of Tony is also joining the Wolverines! 👍

• Michigan lands Memphis CB Christopher Bracy from the portal! 👍

• 2026 Utah 5-star athlete Salesi Moa who has been on campus for a week has jumped into the portal 👀

More thumps ups then down is a good day!  Seems the CAL LB had some issues with admissions, which is hard to believe.  We need more LB's and secondary depth please.   I like how this staff works quietly in recruiting the portal.  

Michigan Tuesday: Early Enrollees

When Michigan signs a new recruiting class in December, your first thought maybe, I can't wait to see these guys in a Michigan jersey next Summer.  Well, you don't have to wait that long and many in this class will be enrolling this month and participating in bowl practices.  17 out of the 27 players are expected to enroll early.   

Here is the complete list with their 24/7 composite rankings (HT to Maize and Brew):

Five-star Savion Hiter: No. 8 overall, No. 1 RB
Four-star Travis Johnson: No. 107 overall, No. 14 WR
Four-star Brady Marchese: No. 134 overall, No. 20 WR
Four-star Malakai Lee: No. 144 overall, No. 14 OT
Four-star Jamarion Vincent: No. 168 overall, No. 20 CB
Four-star Marky Walbridge: No. 228 overall, No. 24 OT
Four-star Matt Ludwig: No. 242 overall, No. 12 TE
Four-star Brady Smigiel: No. 343 overall, No. 23 QB
Four-star Jordan Deck: No. 359 overall, No. 30 S
Four-star McHale Blade: No. 384 overall, No. 42 DL
Three-star Bear McWhorter: No. 514 overall, No. 40 IOL
Three-star Adrian Hamilton: No. 659 overall, No. 55 IOL
Three-star Markel Dabney: No. 741 overall, No. 48 LB
Three-star Jonathan Brown: No. 741 overall, No. 45 RB
Three-star Tommy Carr: No. 860, No. 44 QB
Three-star Jaylen Pile: No. 1,219 overall, No. 185 WR
Three-star Kaden Catchings: No. 1,411 overall, No. 117 LB

Getting bowl prep and spring practice is so important to their development and ability to contribute to the team next season.

I did not realize that 10 teams turned down bowl games. Even Rutgers turned down a chance to play in a bowl game. The Bowl Games are slowly going extinct.

• ND is really mad and may leave the ACC over their exit from the CFP. This should also be a sign, ND you need a conference. 

• The question mark for Michigan vs. Texas is how many starters are actually going to play in Orlando. 

• Michigan Basketball is #1 in the USA Coaches Poll and #2 in the AP. 

• Sherrone says he is going to hire a QB coach to work with Bryce and the other young QB's on the roster. No offense, but that is something you should've considered a year ago. When it was clear your transfer portal QB wasn't playing this season.

Signing Day Wrap Up

This has been a crazy week, we had the GAME on Saturday and Signing day on Wednesday.  The biggest non-Michigan Big Ten Championship with #1 vs #2 is happening on Saturday and outside those fan bases, nobody seems to care.   Very weird time.  

Michigan had two good signing days and now it seems complete.   Wednesday was better then Thursday as Michigan lost two high 4-stars on Thursday to Stanford and South Carolina.   Michigan replaced the 4-star WR with a flip of Brady Marchese from Georgia.

Michigan signed 26 players, here are their team rankings:

24/7: #11

Rivals: #12

ESPN: #10

Michigan is 4th in the Big Ten. USC has the consensus #1 class, Oregon a top 5 class, and OSU with a top 10.

Michigan still has to do some work in the portal to try to load up for Sherrone's make or break next season.  One he will start off suspended for the 1st game. 

Big Ten Championship Preview.  

I can't think of a more even match-up in any Big Ten Championship game.  It really is going to steal some thunder from the CFP because both teams are moving on, no matter the outcome.  My guess is the IU fans will be pinching themselves and wondering how the hell they got here?  I'm not sure I've ever witnessed this type of turnaround.  We will see if Curt can keep it up. 

I think this is going to be a low scoring game.  Both defenses are strong.  OSU's defense is better but so is IU's offense.  The only time IU was in deep water this season was against Iowa.  Which confuses me and might have been the pink locker rooms.  

This is a home game for IU but very driveable for Buckeye fans.   This is a Ohio State championship environment but if the lights aren't too bright for Indiana, I like them to win the game.   IU 24 OSU 17

National Signing Day Take 2

• 3:20 Michigan has flipped Georgia 4 star WR Brady Marchese 👍
• Boom 5 Star RB Savion Hiter is in! 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊
• Michigan lost Zion Robinson to Stanford 👎
• Michigan lost Julian Walker to South Carolina 👎

Welcome Brady!  He is 6'1 185 from Cartersville, GA.  His offer list included VT, UF, FSU, South Carolina, GT, WVU, Ole Miss, IU, Auburn, ASU, Vandy and many more.  He visited A2 in May. 

Yesterday is clearly overflowing into Thursday as 24 out of the 27 commits signed with the Wolverines on Wednesday.  Some big hitters still remain on the board.  

Savion is in! Michigan's two consensus 5 star players are now signed.  

Julian Walker the 4/5 Star Edge will make his decision between Michigan and South Carolina this morning.  UNC was also recruiting him hard yesterday.

WR Zion Robinson is delaying his decision until further notice as every Texas school is after his flip.   So we won't hold our breath on this one. 

Michigan is also involved in some flips of their own and hopes to make some noise with a surprise signing or two today. 

There was also some news yesterday with Michigan rightfully firing their Special Teams coach.  Penn State losing their entire class outside a couple local kids and still doesn't have a head coach as Jeff Brohm was the latest to turn them down. 

Keep hitting the blog and I will have the news with recruits as soon as it hits! 

National Signing Day Class of 2026 Bonanza!

Breaking News:  Michigan has let go Special Teams coach JB Brown, which was a no brainer.  JB was on staff for 5 years at Michigan. 

Mid-Day update:  17 players are signed.  Another 10 to go.  The top rated player Cater Meadows is in but Michigan still waiting on Hiter's signature and Walker's decision.  Julian Walker is expected to sign on Thursday with Michigan or South Carolina.  

Michigan's top 2 WR's are under attack from local schools.  VT is going after Travis Johnson and Texas is trying to flip Zion Robinson.  Michigan needs both of these WR's badly and I'm sure the other programs are telling them that Michigan is a running back school. 

Michigan could be trying to flip LSU committed CB Havon Finney who is delaying his signature with LSU. 

Super WR Calvin Russell is not signing with Syracuse but is expect to go Miami.   He was high on Michigan at one point. 

Michigan beats VT and holds on to WR Tyler Johnson!!!

Not Signed Yet:

• Savion Hiter 5 Star RB 
• Julian Walker 4/5 Star DE 
• Zion Robinson 4 star WR 
• Marky Walbridge 4 star OT 
• Travis Johnson 4 Star WR 
• Jam Vincent 4 star CB 
• Andre Clark Jr. 4 star CB 
• Jonathan Brown 3 star RB 

Signed in the afternoon window:

• 7:00 4 star OT Marky Walbridge is in!  
• 5:30 4 star CB Andre Clark Jr. is in!
• 4:15 4 Star WR Travis Johnson is in! - Boom! 
• 4:00 3 star RB Jonathan Brown is in!
• 3:46 4 star CB Jam Vincent is in!
• 3:30 3 star LB Markel Dabney is in!
• 2:45: 4 star DL Alister Vallejo is in! 
• 2:36 3 star LB Aden Reeder is in! 

7:27: Welcome to the biggest day at BHB! I will be tracking every signed LOI and celebrating every new Wolverine.  We already have some in the house already and it's not even 7:30 AM yet! 

• 12:43 3 star WR Jaylen Pile is in! 
• 12:31 4 star S Jordan Deck is in! 
• 12:20 4 star OT Malakai Lee is in! 
• 10:50 3 star TE Mason Bonner in in!
• 10:40 3 star LB Kaen Catchings is in!
• 10:22 4 star QB Brady Smigiel is in! 
• 9:37 3 star Edge Tariq Boney is in! 
• 9:26: Long Snapper Colton Dermer is in! 
• News: Julian Walker still seems torn between Michigan and South Carolina.  We will see if he signs with either team today. 
• 9:12 4 star TE Moose Ludwig is in! 
• 9:02 4 star DL Titan Davis is in! 
• News: 4 Star WR commit from Texas Zion Robinson is now not expected to sign today.  As other schools are after him. 👎
• 8:49 3 star DL McHale Blade is in! 
• 8:30 VT Flip from yesterday OL/C Adrian Hamilton is in! 
• 8:20 Legacy 4  star OL Tommy Fraumann is in! 
• 8:12 Kicker Micah Drescher is in!
• 7:45 Boom! 5 Star DL Carter Meadows is in!🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊
• Welcome 4 Star QB Tommy Carr!  Just like Grandpa, always be early! Tommy is in! 
• Welcome 3 Star OL Bear McWhorter who was the first in I believe! 
• In other news: Backup OL Connor Jones is expected to enter the transfer portal.  Connor is currently a RS Jr.  Connor appeared in 11 games over four seasons, and played 38 offensive snaps and 37 special teams snaps in his career.  Best of luck Connor! 

Michigan Monday: A New Carr in the Garage and a Too Early Look at Maryland

CJ Carr felt disrespected that Michigan was after Dante Moore the #1 recruit in the Nation and even though Michigan recruited CJ they didn't show him a ton of love.   So it was a bit of shocker when CJ picked ND after his Grandpa famously stated, "to hell with Notre Dame".  

CJ's younger brother Tommy is also a QB in Saline and a 3 star recruit. Tommy committed to Miami of Ohio a few months ago and this weekend decided to switch his commitment to the Wolverines.  Some fans might be wondering why Michigan continues to flip MAC commits.  I'm ok with this one for many reasons.   

1. It's Lloyd's grandson and all Carr's should go to Michigan

2. Michigan's top committed QB in this class just blew out his ACL 

3. Michigan dearly needs depth in the QB room 

Tommy's other offers were from the MAC, Wake Forest, Iowa State, and Rutgers. 

This was a no brainer and I usually say Welcome to Michigan Tommy but you are already home.  

Maryland (4-6)

Best Win: Wisconsin

Worst Loss: UCLA 

Pass: 233 (64th)

Run: 110 (118)

Score: 23 (99th)

Give Up: 23 (59th)

Mayland has had 2 streaks this year.  They started the year with 4 straight wins and now are on a 6 game losing streak.  They also have a freshman QB running the show for the Terrapins.  School officials  announced yesterday that their head coach Mike Locksley will return for another year.  The school and athletics department are famously cash strapped and they say they will invest more into football's NIL program.  That is a clear sign that the program didn't want to pay a buyout and big dollars for a new coach.  They will save that expense and put it back in the program.  

Line: Michigan -13.5

Kickoff at 4:00 BTN

• Raise your hand if you knew Devin Bush was on the Browns? Keep it up if you knew he scored a TD yesterday?

• Is Andrew Marsh the best WR at Michigan since Nico?  

• Fox is reporting and I did get some inside info on that Justice is out for the year.  Which really sucks. 

• The internet could not find another college game where a team won the game with a -5 turnover margin.

• Let's hope we get some good news on Marshall at Sherrone's presser today 

• ND women's basketball team hosts Michigan's women's team in Detroit and Michigan wins by 40.  That is an interesting arrangement. Can all Michigan's non-conference games be played in Detroit?

Wolverine Wednesday: It was Ugly

Michigan Basketball took the floor at Little Caesars last night against Wake Forest.  Michigan controlled much of the 1st half but started to miss shots in the 2nd and had to struggle to get the game to OT.  The 7'3 Mara is really the difference in this talented team right now.   He is a huge rim protector and adds some nice offense.  Michigan won the game by 1 point in OT. 

Michigan still needs to be better in many areas against good teams. 

1. Hit free throws.  The game would have been easily handled if the free throws were made. 

2. Too many bad turnovers 

3. Better point guard play 

4. Don't settle for 3 pointers 

Many of these issues are the guys not playing much with each other.  It will get better and it's a big win, when they are playing so poorly.  They also need to hustle, Wake came back in the 2nd by just playing harder.  They have a ton of talent on the team and that talent won't win games alone if they don't play hard. 

A win is a win and the team is 2-0. 

It's flip season as the early signing period will be here before we know it and Michigan flipped another LB yesterday from USF in 3 star athlete Kaden Catching.  Kaden is 6'2 220 from Mississippi and had offers from the likes of Memphis, Ole Miss, Liberty, and other smaller programs.  Michigan is hoping they found a diamond in the rough here.  Welcome Kaden! 

Michigan has now flipped prospects from Wisconsin, Miami of Ohio, and USF in the last week. 

Michigan Friday: Welcomes a New LB

Michigan has done well in finding talented Linebackers in the portal and on the recruiting trail.  I wish they weren't all hurt at the moment.   Wisconsin is struggling in all phases right now and even though they say Luke will be back, nothing looks good about the Badger program right now. 

That led talented Ohio 3 star LB Aden Reeder from St.X in Cincinnati to flip his commitment from Wisconsin to Michigan after a recent visit to Ann Arbor.  Aden is expected to play the Ernie Hausman role in Michigan's future defense.  He is rated the 45th LB in the country and is also strong student with eyes on the Engineering school at U of M.  Michigan needed another LB in the class and Aden fit the bill! 

Aden had offers from the likes, UC, Nebraska, BC, UK, UVA, VT, WVU, IU, MSU, Northwestern, Iowa, Maryland and Minnesota.  Welcome Aden! 

• RIP to former WMU DE Marshawn Kneeland who was coached my Michigan's DL coach Lou Episodio at Western. 

• As a reminder, two games to watch for Michigan fans this weekend.  Tonight - NW @ USC and Oregon @ Iowa on Saturday. 

• Michigan is playing Wake Forest at Little Caesars Arena next week.

• Is it possible two things can resolve itself this weekend?  
• I would love to have my ESPN back for college football on Saturday 
• Would love for the Government Shutdown to not affect my flight to Chicago to watch Michigan play NW at Wrigley.  

Michigan Tuesday: Gets Buckets

If your a YouTube TV subscriber MNF was not an option last night so that only left Michigan's opener on FS1 against Oakland.  Michigan has struggled with Oakland in the past but not last night.  The Wolverines went on an early 20-0 run and never looked back and set a program record for points in the first half with 69.  They finished with 121.

Look at some of these point totals:

Johnson Jr.: 24 

McKenney: 21 

Tschetter 16

Burnett: 14 

Yax: 12 

Mara: 12 

Gayle: 11

Yax didn't start because he has a (non-structural) hand injury.  So he scored 12 with one hand last night.  Yes, we had an All American come off the bench.   Oakland was also down 2 starters.  Dusty's son even got his first college points when he hit a 3 late.  

It was a dominating performance and if this team doesn't turn the ball over, they are going to be really good.  Did I mention, UNC transfer point guard Cadeau had 12 assists?   That is some good basketball right there! 

• There is a new name in the Penn State head coaching search and its Louisville's Jeff Brohm, congrats on the incoming raise from Louisville Jeff! 

• Michigan NW will be a Noon kick from Wrigley in a couple weeks

• Northwestern plays USC on Friday night on Fox, if your interested in seeing what Michigan has in it's next game.

• Michigan is trending for Wisconsin LB commit Aden Reeder who visited for the Purdue game and clearly sees a need for good LB's in A2.

Wolverine Wednesday: Too Many Night Games

I get why NBC wants Michigan on night games.  Even if Michigan is playing a bad team, they bring with them a big audience.  Each week there isn't a good night game.  Fox Big Noon game this week includes UCLA, some weeks just won't have good match-ups.   

Still Michigan is playing way too many night games.  This week's game against MSU and Purdue the following week at home are both a night.  What are we doing?  Doesn't NBC have the NBA now?  Show an NBA game and give us back our Noon kicks!   

I will stop yelling a clouds now and give you real information.

• BG is back! He signed back with the Eagles

• Lane Kiffin says Brent Venables steals signs, what everyone does it? I'm shocked. 

• Michigan has offered Wisconsin LB commit Aden Reeder 
• Michigan offers Northwestern LB commit Brayden Reilly 

• Word is Marcus Freeman is having his agent call on open jobs.  He either wants out of ND or more likely wants a big raise. 

• Jimbo Fisher and Coach O both want to coach again 

• Link's injury is expected to be not as serious as expected and we might see him back this season.

• Cam Rising has been coaching Brady Smigiel before his injury 

• 14 former Wolverines made NBA Rosters
• 5 are on a 2-way (Goldin, Houstan, Livers, Castleton, Dickinson)
• Kobe Bufkin was cut from the Nets

Michigan Monday: Too Early Look at USC

Michigan traditionally does not play well when they fly over the Rocky Mountains.  Not sure why, it just has been the case way back to the Bo years.   Last year, Michigan played terribly in Seattle against an average UW team.   Now this week, they head to the Coliseum to face USC on Saturday night. 

USC likes to throw the ball and score points.  Michigan will need a great defensive effort to leave LA with a W.  Ask James Franklin if his team was ready to make a trip across the country to face the 0-4 Bruins.  They weren't and UCLA had the biggest upset ever in Big Ten Conference play.  

USC 4-1 

Best Win: @ Purdue 

Worst Loss: @ Illinois 

Pass: 338 per game (3rd)

Run: 227 Per (17th)

Score: 48 (3rd)

Give up: 23 (64th)

Line: Michigan +1.5

USC has scored a ton a points but has yet to play a complete football team.  They lost to Illinois on the road after Illinois gave up a 100 points to IU.  Hard to know how good this football team really is.  With that said, they play well at home and just as hard it is for USC to travel East, it will be the same for Michigan to travel West. 

• Quick question to the BHB inmates, why are people now just figuring out that Penn State Football Fans can't trust James Franklin?

• 2 top 10 teams lost to two unranked teams with a combined 1 win on Saturday. 

• Michigan 2026 QB Commit Brady Smigiel has torn his ACL and his California HS career is now over.  He is still expected to enroll in January.  

• Michigan now #15 in the AP

Michigan Monday: Too Early Look at Wisconsin and Weekend Thoughts

Both Michigan and Wisconsin had bye weeks last weekend as both team needed the rest and healing time.  Back to work this weekend as the game at the Big House will be the Fox Big Noon Match-up. 

Wisconsin 2-2 

Best Win: Miami of Ohio 

Worst Loss: Maryland at Camp Randall 

Next 5 games: Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, and Oregon.   YIKES!

Pass: 205.8 Per (89th)

Run: 117.8 (110)

Score: 20.8 per game (108)

Give up: 18.8  (937th)

Out of all those .8 stats it seems Wisconsin is only good at playing defense.  Seeing a Wisconsin team be 110th in rushing the ball just does not compute in my Brain.  With the next 5 games Luke Joseph Fickell might find his seat very warm. 

Line: Michigan -16.5

Weekend Recap:

Ryder Cup: The US team needs to rethink the Ryder Cup.  This competition means so much more to Europe right now then it does the US.  Most of the European squad lives in the US anyways.   The US 

Team just can't get their head around the funky format on Friday and Saturday.  To use a bad pun, that golf is foreign to them, it just doesn't compute.  Sunday it was clear the US has better head to head golfers but the US just doesn't like the weird early round formats.  

The loss by Penn State was the most Penn State thing ever.  I'm also pretty sure I saw James Franklin punt from like the 40 yard line on a 4th a short earlier in the game.    Does Drew Allar remind anyone of that one friend in college that was 50% clumsy and 50% a really good athlete?  The problem was, you never knew which one would show up in the championship softball intramural game. 

This doesn't compute in my head.   Iowa played Rutgers a week ago and gave up 28 points.   IU a week ago played Illinois and scored 63.   IU travels to Iowa and struggles to score 20 points.  Did Iowa defense get really good in a week or did Curt Cignetti out think himself?

In the rare occurrence of a Pretender - Contender game, both USC and Illinois came out as Pretenders.

OSU predictably played UW close for a half and then put them away in the 2nd half. 

Minnesota and Rutgers are the same team. 

• Bobby Petrino is back leading Arkansas after Sam Pittman got fired.  Bobby after crashing his motorcycle was one of the best press conferences ever! 

• 4-star CB Dorian Barney flips from Michigan to Ole Miss. 

• Mason Graham was back in Michigan as Cleveland lost to the Lions on Sunday afternoon. 

• Sounds like the 1st ever concert at the Big House went well.  Let's hope this a great way to raise money for the athletes! 

Michigan Tuesday: News and Notes

• Kickoff for the Wisconsin game at the Big House a week from Saturday is scheduled for Noon.  Fox on the call. 

• Z was named Co-Big 10 Special Teams Player of the Week 

• Hutch had a nice punch out fumble on Derrick Henry in a big win for the Lions last night 

• Sherrone is back and will re-evaluate the way the team practices to reduce injuries.  He is also going to work on team fundamentals and catching the ball. I have an idea for the WR's.  Add Jason Avant to the staff.  He is the best hands catcher I have ever seen at Michigan. 

• Everytime I watch the Browns on defense on the Red Zone, I see Mason Graham getting double teamed.  Interesting how they are playing the former Wolverine rookie. 

• Former Virginia Tech QB and Super Bowl winning head coach Bruce Arians is going to help Va Tech hire a new head football coach.

• Michigan offers Iowa linebacker commit 4-star Kasen Thomas

Wolverine Wednesday: Dusty Doing Work on The Recruiting Trail

I love how Dusty never stops working, probably not great for his work life balance but great for the Michigan Basketball program.  Dusty did it again pulling a 4-star (borderline 5) Quinn Costello, the number 30-45 overall prospect (depending on the service) in the class of 2026. The 6-10 forward chose Michigan over Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, North Carolina among others. Welcome Big Man!

• Kobe Bufkin is always on the move and has been traded from Atlanta to Brooklyn.

• RIP Robert Redford

• Is this week's Illinois @ Indiana on primetime the biggest ever between these two programs?

• Florida's RB coach got suspended 3 games for being involved in a altercation before the LSU game. Is not coaching against Miami really a punishment?

• I'm surprised there are people out there that don't think Tom Brady would be on a headset with Chip Kelly calling the plays and Geno Smith executing plays. Words that don't belong in the same sentence: Chip Kelly, Geno Smith, and Tom Brady.