Michigan Tuesday: Memories of the Recent Past

It's hard today to remind ourselves we have been extremely lucky and blessed the last 3-4 years.  Michigan fans have had 2 National Championship in its two top sports in a very short time span.  That type of shit doesn't happen around here very often.   It has been a blessed ride.  

The issue is, neither program is the same.  Both head coaches headed to the pro game as soon as they lifted the trophies.  So even though we loved the run and enjoyed the Championships, the aftermath had a bitter taste of Warde being asleep at the wheel.  

It's fair to say Michigan is not alone in this area, you see Cignetti jump to the Carolina Panthers and UConn's Dan Hurley quickly left for the Lakers.  Wait a second, that didn't happen and it seems Michigan is the only place coaches are looking to leave before they receive their Championship rings. 

So now we are left picking up the pieces of a broken Football Program, who's successor preferred Only Fans instead of Offense, while his peer on the defensive side of the ball is leading the Baltimore Ravens.  Great decision there Warde.   In comes CEO Kyle Whittingham to clean up the mess.   He won the off season and little else so far.  He is now faced with maybe the hardest decision of his career.  The top ranked QB in the history of Michigan High School athletics or Lloyd's grandson whose brother is a Heisman candidate for ND.  Kyle wake up, we have a problem! 

On a side note, I got to watch live maybe one of the worst teams in college football on Saturday night,  Texas Southern.  They are god awful, but their offense might be better then the Wolverines right now.  

Again, the only positive is Michigan has a good defense and two weeks to fix the problems on offense.  Changes have to be made, they have to.  

• Usually, TV networks fight over the Penn State @ Michigan.  Not this year! The game time is set for 3:30 and none of the networks have grabbed the game yet.   Hey CW, you want a Big Ten game?  The time slot suggests its CBS or BTN. 

• One of the surprises to make an NFL roster has been Braiden McGregor who has made the Jets for a few years.  Unfortunately, he has torn his peck muscle and is out for the year. 

Michigan Monday: A Too Early Look at Arkansas State

We will get in how to correct the offense later this week.  I have thoughts as I'm sure you do as well.   For some reason, ND losing to a MAC school, PSU struggling with a MAC school, and Iowa losing to its instate rival made Saturday somewhat bearable.  

Jim won his first NFL game after his return to the league and Mike MacDonald won his head coach debut as the Seahawks Head Coach.  Neither game was easy on the eyes but a Win is a Win.  

Congrats to Sparty who upset Maryland on the road.  They made a good hire in East Lansing and a guy that will worry more about the X and O's than the other instate school. 

As Ann Arbor legend Bob Seger sings, time to "Turn the Page"

Arkansas State: 2-0 

Anyone guess their nickname?  Red Wolves is correct! 

Next question: Anyone guess who their head coach is?..............Butch Jones 

Best Win: Tulsa 28-24 last week.   After Michigan they play Iowa State. 

2023: They were 6-7

Pass: 286 per (37th)

Run: 140.5 (85th) 

Score: 37 (45th)

Give up: 27.5 (102nd) 

Butch is going to bring in a talented dual-threat QB in Jaylen Raynor who leads the team in passing of course and also rushing.  Michigan will need to spy him with one if its speedy LB's.   Butch dreamed of being a head coach in the Big House while he worked in Big Rapids and Mt. Pleasant.   Now he is counting on Michigan having a hangover from the Texas game and will overlook the Red Wolves. 

• Looks like the game we were hoping to get on Saturday was played Sunday night at Ford Field.  Was hoping to see Blake take a few snaps at RB.  

• Michigan is now #16 

• Are you aware there is a conflict between Comcast/Xfinity and BTN about the former PAC 12 teams now in the Big Ten?  Some viewers have those games blacked out in certain markets. 

 

Michigan Tuesday: A Tall Hill to Climb

Lavett Hill was strangely not drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft but signed with the Chiefs as a free agent.  He also had short stays with Eagles, Cardinals, 49ers and Browns but never made a roster.  Now the Steelers have signed the former Wolverine after he played well in the XFL (25 tackles and 2 picks) last season.  Mike Tomlin has enjoyed coaching former Wolverines and let's hope Hill sticks after the final cuts in a couple of weeks. 

• I missed the BTN Michigan Camp episode last night but I assume there wasn't much new said.  From social media: JJ is a great leader and generational talent at QB, Blake and Donovan are quicker, stronger, faster and Jake Butt asks nothing but TE questions. 

• Kris Jenkins comes in at #6 on Bruce Feldman's Freak List this year. #1 is South Carolina's WR Nyckoles Harbor. 

• Michigan is also ranked #2 in the AP Poll.

• Has anyone else noticed that Devin Gardner is in a national Wolf and Shepard commercial with Gronk and Erin Andrews? DG and Jake Butt are really doing well in their early media careers. 

• I know many Michigan fans will be keeping an eye on Iowa to see how Cade and Erik All do this season.  I would also like to submit a team to follow: Charlotte.  Biff Poggi has been getting some great buzz down there and I hope this season is the first step in developing that program.  Biff gets a lot of credit for the turnaround in Ann Arbor and Charlotte was very smart to hire him.

• Michigan @ Nebraska will be a noon kickoff on Fox.

Michigan Monday: Leadership Mistakes

I don't know Shemy Schembechler but when I heard of his hiring about 6 weeks ago, I was concerned.  I didn't know about his social media habits or even what his career was.  Over the years, I had just heard rumors that Shemy was a bit of a polarizing figure. 

If you read this blog every day, you heard the news that Shemy was hired back in March, so it's a bit suspect that it took until May to confirm it and even a shorter amount of time for him to resign. 

We can all see this working in Jimmy's head, right?  Shemy reaches out after being let go by the Raiders in January and Jimmy said we will find a place for him at Michigan.   Shemy of course is the son of Bo and Millie and having a Schembechler working in Schembechler Hall just seems right.   Jimmy turns it over to Warde and team and the hiring process begins.   I'm sure they did a standard background check that probably came up clean.  What didn't come up clean was his behavior on social media.  

The Michigan Athletic Department and Jimmy are taking heat for this hire and its justified.  They should have known.  The fans knew, I knew, they should've known.  

That leads me to the 2nd leadership mistake to take place in the Big Ten.  

It seems Kevin Warren negotiated a TV contract with NBC that breaks a few rules.  Now, there is a problem.  

1. Warren delivered the Big Ten Championship Game to NBC in a few years which caused a huge penalty payment to Fox, who co-owns the Big Ten Network with the Big Ten. 

2. There is also confusion around inventory and pecking order of games each week. 

3. The Big Ten owes Fox $25M for the loss of revenue in the limited 2020 COVID season.

4. NBC did not know about the Big Ten rule about not playing late November games on Primetime.  Michigan, OSU, and PSU are pushing back.

Welcome to your new job Mr. Commissioner. 

NBC is pissed and balking at the current contract which is not fully signed.  The Big Ten is now considering if Warren is owned a large bonus for getting a TV deal done that really isn't done.  They have hired Korn Ferry to consider if this deal is bonus worthy or not.   Save the legal fees, it isn't.

Thank you, Chicago Bears, for taking Kevin Warren off the Big Ten hands, it seems Kevin wasn't the great business man and internal communicator we all thought he was.  

Bottom line, NBC should've known about the Big Ten rule about not playing Primetime games in November and Kevin Warren should've known what he was negotiating was not feasible for the league or its schools.   Leadership mistakes all around. 

• The ACC seems to be at a cross roads as the SEC and Big Ten are distancing themselves from the field.  Could we see a mass exodus?  There are rumors floating around that it could happen. 

• I loved the Michael Block story line this weekend at the PGA Championship.  That was a fairy tale weekend for him and the fans watching it. 

• I'm not sure I've ever seen Duncan Robinson play a better basketball game than he did last night.

• Darien Mayo has Michigan in his top 6, Mayo is a 4-star Edge in the 2024 class out of Good Counsel in Maryland.  

Big Ten Weekend Preview: Week 2

Week 1 was interesting for the Big Ten, there weren't any upsets but a few teams struggled against lesser opponents.  I'm looking at you Iowa, it's embarrassing to score 7 points with a field goal and 2 safeties.  The sponsored drive of the game, wasn't even a drive, because there wasn't one to choose from.  

This week is again mostly Big Ten vs. Tomato Cans with a few exceptions.  

ISU @ Iowa (-3.5): This of course is an instate rivalry for some type of corn trophy.  Normally, I'm looking forward to this game but with Iowa scoring 3 offensive points (offensive is the proper term to use) against an FCS team, I'm not sure what we are going to see on Saturday.  On the other hand, Iowa always lays an egg in week 1.  ISU 17 Iowa 12 (Viewer warning: beware of multiple punts)

Washington State @ Wisconsin (-17.5): If you remember WSU went through a mess last season because their coach wouldn't get vaccinated.   This team out of the PAC 12/10 plays hard but won't be a match for the powerful Badger run game.  Wisconsin 38 WSU 14

Duke @ Northwestern (-10): I like to call this the SAT Bowl.  I'd rather see both teams compete in the Manning College Quiz show.  NW 24 Duke 14

Arkansas St @ OSU (-44.5): Pain OSU 58 ASU 10

W. Illinois @ Minnesota: No line Minn 41 WIU 17

Ohio @ PSU (-22.5): I really thought Penn State would lose to Purdue.  But Purdidn't.  PSU 32 Ohio 10

Maryland (-27) @ Charlotte: Why is Maryland traveling to Charlotte?  Is there a NASCAR event or something?  Maryland 44 Charlotte 3

Akron @ MSU (-34.5): Fun times.  MSU 51 Akron 24

Virginia @ Illinois (-4.5) These are both strange teams, you never know if they're decent or just terrible.  At least there are 2 power 5 teams playing each other.  Illinois 17 Virgina 14

Indiana St @ Purdue:  No line and will Larry Bird be there?  Purdue 28 Larry 3

Wagner @ Rutgers: No line, no watch.  Rutgers 31 Power Painters 7

Georgia Southern @ Nebraska (-23.5):  In Primetime!  Nebraska 23.5 Georgia Southern 21

Idaho @ IU: No line and up against Michigan on BTN Primetime.  Should have a big audience. IU 42 UI 6 

I'm not sure there are words to explain how bad this weekend is for Big Ten Football. 

Michigan Friday: The Big Ten Becomes The NFL

The Big Ten just signed an NFL TV contract. 7 billion for 7 years.  They will have Big Ten football across 3 TV platforms including Fox, CBS, and NBC (is it 4 with the BTN?).  It will start at noon and then end at 11:00 each Saturday night.

A thought: With all these games across 3 networks: will the Big Ten Channel become the Big Zone?  Similar to the Red Zone?  

The Big Ten is doing the right thing and getting the most money they can and signing the largest college football contract ever.  I do think it's a mistake to not include ESPN in some way.  ESPN is the sports network people watch when sports are not on.  They also have the best college football pre-game show (and it's not even close).   Lastly, this will open up all 3 major networks streaming platforms, so expect Michigan Basketball on Peacock for example.  In fact, mid-week Big Ten Basketball is probably going to be on the network's secondary channels or streaming platforms.  

Lastly, all 3 networks need to get much better at college football.   Fox does an ok job, but I don't respect a network that continues to hire Urban Meyer (or thinks about rehiring him).  CBS has just been the SEC game of the week and NBC is similar with 1 ND game.   Fox does have one of the best booths with local boy Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt.  CBS, I will give you one piece of advice, NO GARY DANIELSON. 

Having 2 new networks jump into college football full time will give many former players new opportunites (Jake Butt for example) and play-by-play voices.   This also means we are going to be hearing a lot of bad calls as these networks find their footing calling more than one game a week. 

• Damani Dent sounds like he got banged up in camp and may miss some time. Let's hope it was just a fender bender. 

• UCLA Regents are pushing back on the move to the Big Ten.  Did they see the new TV contract?

• Eyabi Anoma is offically on the roster now and will wear #18.   Everyone is worried about him learning the defense.  His job is to rush the QB and should be able to play right away.   If he plays LB, then he will have a ton to learn.  He is listed as EDGE on the roster. 

• Former A2 resident for training and GOAT Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps spoke to the team over Zoom this week.  He talked about the importance of recovery, rest, and hydration.

Michigan Monday: Loses A WR To Injury

Michigan's offense is pretty deep at most positions right now.   Wide receiver is one of those position groups that has a ton of depth and getting guys on the field will be an issue for Michigan's talented WR's.   News broke on Sunday that true freshman Quintel Kent will miss the season with an undisclosed injury.  Kent is a 2019 3 star WR from Ohio, who most likely would be taking a redshirt year anyway.   Missing practice reps probably won't help his progress, as he was known as a great route runner in high school.   Kent posted this news on social media and there isn't any information on the injury/condition and whether its career ending or not.  Rumor: this is expected to be a Medical Scholarship situation, meaning he will never play football at Michigan but can go to school like a regular student on scholarship.

I'm going to list this as a rumor as it hasn't been confirmed with the player or the team, but it seems Ambry Thomas either has or had Mono.   Ambry is expected to be a starter at CB or at Nickel and if he had Mono would need time to gain some weight and get his strength back.   If this report is accurate, I expect AT could miss a few games while he is working his way back.   This could rush Dax Hill on the field at the Nickel position.

• Tom Brady gets a $8M raise this season.  He deserves double that! 

• Michigan adds a "Jordan" wall in Schembechler Hall.  With all the Michigan PE (Player Edition) shoes.  This should help with recruiting.  

• BTN is expected to do its Camp Tour at Michigan on 8/13

• Congrats to Ty Law on making it official on the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. 

• Jimmy was on Pardon My Take Podcast this morning, he spoke about how experienced this team is, thinks this could be the fastest defense he has had at Michigan, and that while at Stanford he ran the same play 13 times in a row against USC.  

Michigan Tuesday: An Early Look At Western Michigan

Side Note:  We got a few hundred "guess the score" entries and nobody picked ND to win the game.   So let's try it again.

Pick the Michigan - WMU Score on Saturday.

If there are ties, the first entry to hit my inbox (thebighouseblog@hotmail.com) will win the Tom VH book.   We will take entries right up to kick off.

Good Luck!
----------------
Western Michigan hosted Syracuse at home on Friday night.  They combined for 97 points and 1,181 yards.  It was clearly a defensive battle.   Western scored 42 points with a huge third quarter where they put up 28 points.   Out of Western's 621 total yards, 379 yards where through the air and 242 yards on the ground.

If your wondering how Drake Harris did?  He had one catch for 12 yards.  It will be great having him back in the Big House on Saturday, but he is clearly on the wrong sideline.  

Western's top RB is?

LeVante Bellamy ran for 120 yards on 11 caries and 2 TD's

WR?

D'Wayne Eskridge had 240 yards on 8 catches and 2 TD's

QB?

Jon Wassink threw for 379 yards, 2 TD's and 2 Int's


Michigan is -28.5 in the game


Western knows they can't match Michigan's defense so they will spread the Wolverines out and try to put a bunch of crooked numbers on the scoreboard.  They are hoping for a ND hangover.

• I wasn't surprised that Braylon got drunk on Saturday night and light up the Wolverines on twitter.  I'm also not surprised he has now screwed up his BTN gig.    

• Jimmy said during his presser he expects to keep the same OL that he had for ND.  He wouldn't tell us if he was planning changes.   I think its time for some changes, put Bredeson at LT and put Hudson in his guard spot.  

Michigan Tuesday: The Sub Emerges For a Day

Fall Camp

Jimmy likes to keep things behind closed doors and Fall Camp aka the Michigan Submarine has been submerged for a few weeks now.   Yesterday, the Big Ten Network came by for their annual visit and Jimmy pulled the sub up and let a few cameras in practice.   He even talked to the network, which is a rare occurrence.


I watched the BTN TV show and have followed a few notes on Twitter.   Here is my takes on the most important bullet points from the day:

• Each player was required to show its full inventory of shoes and it was complete and 100%.  No suspensions are expected for Shoe-gate.  Well done guys!
• Players looked bigger and stronger from last year
• The offense line looks better in drills but did struggle a bit against one of the best defenses in the country.
• Jimmy would like to name a starter at QB "sooner rather then later"
• Jimmy would not discuss Maryland and DJ Durkin
• Jon Runyan was getting first team snaps at LT
• The defense is crazy good and fast
• Overall run game looks better

Nothing ground breaking and it was nice to see Shea Patterson throw a few balls in practice video. 


The rumor mill is spinning that Elysse Mbem-Bosse who left the program last winter is a former player who sold his shoes.

• Derrick Walton has signed an NBA contract with the Chicago Bulls.  Congrats Derrick!  (its not a 2-way deal with the G-League like he signed with the Heat last year, its regular NBA contract).