Wolverine Wednesday: This Kid Looks Like Mason Graham!

2026 DT Alister Vallejo out of Texas looks like the 2025 NFL's #5 Draft Pick Mason Graham out of Michigan.  He is 6'3 and 310 pounds already and is wrecking ball on the defensive line.  Michigan beat out ND and Kansas for his services.   

Being compared to Mason is not fair for the soon to be high school senior but Alister looks like he could be Mason's brother and does have a wrestling background.  Similar to Mason, he is under rated at 3 stars in the composite (a 4-star to 24/7) but could be one of those guys that gets a huge bump by the services this summer.  

Michigan which has gotten off to a slower start in the 2026 class and had a class ranked in the 40's last week, now with 2 quick commits is #31 on 24/7.   That is a long way from a top 10 class but Michigan was in a similar position last summer before it got rolling on the recruiting trail. 

• Speaking of wrestlers, Jim has given a former Michigan wrestler Mason Paris a shot to make the LA Chargers as a FB.  Mason won the wrestler of the year award in 2023 at Michigan and hasn't played football since high school. "First time on the football field since high school," Paris wrote on social media. "Grateful for this experience and the exact reset I needed."  

• Speaking of Harbaugh, it seems he has had some health procedures during the off season.  He had his hip replaced and a cardiac ablation for atrial fibrillation.

• Coach Prime also seems to being dealing with a health issue and not with the team currently. 

• Former Detroit Lions QB Dan Orlovsky has decided not to replace former Detroit Lions QB Gary Danielson on CBS Big Ten Games and will stay with ESPN. 

Michigan Friday: House Money

Michigan Basketball has nothing to lose tonight, they have already won this season.   They went from the worst team in the Big Ten with a head coach wanting to fight everyone to maybe the nicest guy in basketball and the Sweet 16.  

Michigan Basketball is back and Dusty is to thank.   Since Michigan should be playing with a calm mind tonight, what do they need to win?  Auburn is good and athletic.   Michigan needs to be able shoot the 3 and get the ball to Vlad in the post.  Michigan has to make it's layups and like against Texas A&M, make your free throws!  From a defensive standpoint, contest the 3 ball and rebound. 

Auburn is a big favorite for a Sweet 16 game at -8.5 points.  House Money! 

• Michigan Football is hosting Top RB Javian Osborne today.  He is coming off a visit to ND. 

• Gary Danielson is retiring after this football season.   Thank goodness and please get some young talent on CBS. 

• Iowa Freshman Center who entered the transfer portal Owen Freeman picked Creighton as his next stop.  Dusty was in the mix but is busy right now. 

Indiana Preview

This guy scares me

Time: 3:30
Location: Memorial Stadium
Weather: 60 and Cloudy
TV: CBS (Nessler and Danielson)
Line: Michigan + 14

Nobody saw this coming outside of new Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti who came over from James Madison.   Curt brought in a ton of his old players and a bunch of new players from the portal that fit his system, and his team is 9-0 with sights on playing Oregon in the Big Ten Championship. 

His schedule has been very light to date, but they host Michigan this weekend and travel to OSU next.   There could be an argument made that IU's strength of schedule is not really improving this weekend as IU is a 2 TD favorite. 

Dear Sherrone, 

Well coach, you and your staff were flat out bad in the Oregon game.  Preparation, game plan, and in came adjustments graded out as an F.  You and your staff failed the program and your players.  

That is not acceptable on any level.  The expectation is you and your staff will be better this week and have a better outing.   We all understand this season is a wash and the next three games is complete non-embarrassment mode.   This game believe-it-or-not is winnable if Wink is awake and functioning at some level we haven't seen this year.   He has been a complete disaster and should not make it past Monday after the Ohio State game.  

Michigan will have to do 2 things well to have a chance on Saturday.  Move the ball and score points with every offensive possession and rush the IU QB effectively with 4.  Michigan will have to play zone coverages and pressure, pressure, pressure.  It would be great if Michigan's defense wins at least one game this year.   Remember, they were supposed to win them all.  

This season is done but you still have work to do on the recruiting trail.  Keep the momentum going and land Underwood and we will give you a pass on this season.  BTW: this pass is good for this year only.  

Time to be better in all phases. 

Michigan 24 IU 38

Wolverine Wednesday: This is Pro Ball

There is no pretending any longer that college football is an ameutur sport. Many programs are investing $20M into the portal and god knows how much into recruiting 4 and 5 stars.  Don't hold your breath when it comes to Michigan recruiting 5 star talent, Michigan will not be paying those fees anytime soon.  

I was even surprised yesterday when I looked up when Maction starts on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.  Answer is: not until November.   I was surprised, as I thought the MAC could be getting more viewers starting it now.  Probably has something to do with the Baseball Playoffs.  Side note, I told my son after N. Illinois beat ND, that they would lose their next game.  They did to Buffalo this past weekend.

The latest example of college football being a pro sport happened this morning when UNLV 3-0 starting QB Matt Sluka has decided to redshirt for the rest of the year after he says, " it became clear these commitments would not be fulfilled"  UNLV is surrounded by PAC 12 talk and is a solid candidate for making the college football playoffs.  UNLV quickly leaks he was getting NIL deals from other schools to leave.  I can not confirm or deny those calls were made by me.   😀

It's a new world in college football. 

• Michigan USC averaged 6.3M viewers, topped out at over 10M

• Sherrone won Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week 

• Josaiah Stewart won the Chuck Bednarik Player of the Week 

• Michigan was named the #3 Public University by US News and World Report

• This weekend is Military Appreciation Game vs. Minnesota

UNLV Preview

Hey Reb

Time: 3:30 

Location: Big House 

Weather: 75 sunny

TV: CBS (Nessler - Danielson)

Line: Michigan (-37.5)

Is there really much to say in a game where Michigan is the 37.5 favorite?  No, there really isn't.  But today I have to write 3 letters instead of 1.  

UNLV beat Bryant easily in Week 1 but gave up 409 yards of offense.   That is not a good sign for the Running Rebels in the Big House.   On offense they want to run the ball and being 1 dimensional against the Michigan Defense is also not a great strategy for success.   

Dear Jimmy, 

It sounds like it was a bit stressful but the sandwiches were good last weekend.   What ever happened to your plans to go to Cedar Pointe with Sherrone?  Watching the game on TV was probably the best move.  

I assume with all the good things you saw last weekend a few issues were worked on this week during practice.  We can't have a kicker missing extra points, I can understand shanking a field goal every once in a while, but that part of the special teams has to be better.  

Secondarily, TCU put something on tape and it was filling the box to stop the run.   I loved how Michigan passed the ball and will need to continue to do that.   Hit the TE's more and try to get the ball to some freshman WR's which will really help recruiting.  That will open the running lanes for the Dynamic Duo. 

That is enough for now and enjoy your round of golf at Arcadia Bluffs and we will talk next week. 

Dear Jay, 

Congratulations on being the head coach for a half.  Your last name is Harbaugh so I assume you know what to do.  If you have any questions, just ask Grandpa who I'm not sure I saw on the sideline last week.  Maybe he is in the press box?

The little criticism from last week was targeted at your Special Teams unit, which I expect to be better this week.   You will have both Coordinators back and all you will need to do is be the Guardian of Victory for 30 minutes.  

Mike, 

Congratulations on being Michigan's top rusher and now Michigan's head coach for 30 minutes as well.  I'm really happy you are on staff and one of my favorite players of all time.  What an honor it must be to coach maybe the best Michigan combined backfield ever.   Enjoy this day and follow the advice I gave Jay above about being the Guardian of Victory.   

If Michigan can stop UNLV's run game, it is going to be a long day for former Missouri head coach Dave Odom.  Remember when UNLV hired Bishop Gorman's head coach?  Because he had one of the best HS teams in the nation.  Crazy Times.   CBS must love that Texas is playing at Alabama and their top announcing team is at UNLV @ Michigan.  I've feared the day Gary Danielson and his outdated takes would be calling a game in the Big House.  It is now here.  Which is a bit ironic coming off one of the Detroit Lions biggest regular season victories in recent memory. 

Michigan 48 UNLV 6

Michigan Thursday: Jimmy's Turn at the Mike

Jim Harbaugh will take the stage today at Big Ten Media Days at 12:30, I assume he won't take questions on the pending NCAA suspension as it has not been finalized or announced.  I'm sure it will be a circus-like atmosphere. 

As a reminder the Michigan players in attendance today will include Blake Corum, Mike Sainristil and Kris Jenkins. 

• Colorado has elected to leave the PAC 12  10 9 to re-join the Big 12 conference next season.  That is one program going through a ton of change.   The PAC #? continues to lose members and can't get a TV deal, which is leading to a slow death. 

• Zavier Simpson has signed a two-way deal with the Detroit Pistons.  I hope he gets more than his fair share of time on the Pistons roster. 

• It seems the TV executives at CBS think it's a good idea to put Gary Danielson on Big Ten games as he spoke at Media Day.   Please put him on Minnesota - NW.

• Speaking of the Golden Gophers, it seems there are some rumblings about player mistreatment.  Too many hours rowing the boat?  

• We knew there would be a ton of Michigan night games with these new TV contracts.  MSU and Purdue are the 2 latest.  What could go wrong with a night game in East Lansing after the tunnel incident last season?

• As I reported earlier in the week, Northwestern 4-star 2023 LB Nigel Glover will be visiting this weekend and could be the first player ever to go from the Big House BBQ to suiting up on the practice field. 

Michigan Tuesday: We Want It All

Late last week we learned that Erick All had back surgery in Hurricane Ian torn Fort Meyers, Florida.  Which led me to a couple of thoughts:

1. He is clearly out for the remainder of the season

2. He must have really needed a specialized surgery if he traveled to Florida and to an area that was recently devastated by Hurricane Ian. 

3. Fort Meyers must have the best surgeon in the country for his condition.  

We clearly don't know any details on his back or that procedure, what we do know is that Jimmy confirmed he is out for the season.   That is tough news but hopefully he will consider a medical redshirt and come back for another year in Ann Arbor.   Hoping for a quick recovery! 

• Jimmy roasted Coach Franklin as being the ring leader for the PB&J tunnel backup a couple of weeks ago.   Love it! He even threw in terms like sophomoric and whining. 

• Seems focus won't be an issue this week in practice as everyone seems to want to bring the Paul Bunyon Trophy back to Ann Arbor.  Not sure, I've seen Jimmy so passionate about getting a win this weekend. 

• Caden Kolesar also posted a surgery update on his leg or knee. 

• Michigan @ Rutgers will be another primetime game. 

• Big Ten won't mess with the football divisions until USC and UCLA get here in 2024. 

• CBS is finally getting smarter about where they use Jim Nantz as this will be his last Final 4.  Next, they need to change him out of the booth with Romo and let him just do golf.   I'm clearly not a fan of the pompous, hair dyeing, MVP tie giving, burnt toast eating, Fab 5 hating announcer. 

• Mac Jones should've gotten a targeting call on the slide kick last night.