Wolverine Wednesday: Peppers Getting Praise from Belichick

Jabrill is going into his 2nd year as a New England Patriot, we also know his first year with New England was coming off an ACL injury.  Most experts believe it takes a full two years to be 100% back from an ACL.

“Yeah. Oh my god, yeah. He’s a much different player now than he was last year at this time or even in training camp,” Belichick said. “A full year after the injury, a lot of confidence in the communication, the system, his assignments. He’s playing fast, aggressive, helping out his teammates. Last year he was trying to learn things, now he’s helping out his teammates, anticipating, making calls or adjustments that maybe help him or possibly help his teammate be in a better position to defend a certain play or type of play. Yeah, he’s been great. He’s way ahead of where he was last year.”

That is pretty high praise from a guy that is pretty dry with the media.  Keep it going Pep! 

• Bryce West a 4-star CB from Cleveland, visited Ann Arbor last weekend.  Most believe he is headed to Columbus. 

• Deyvid Palepale 2024 DT is down to 3 schools, Michigan, USC, and PSU. (all predications are to the Maize and Blue)

Wolverine Wednesday: Thunder and Lighting

Michigan believes it found a winning formula last season on offense.  When everyone is spreading you out, Michigan wants to run it down your throat while mixing in a targeted passing game.   Its very similar to how Jim's brother has been successful in the NFL.    Michigan had so many elite Running Backs over a year ago, one decided to be elite at UCLA, while another one played in the Super Bowl.   

Miami's OC Josh Gattis might of gotten all the flowers for this offensive strategy, but we really know who was pulling the strings last year.   We also know this is not a Leory Hoard type of strategy, Michigan's offense wants both speed and power out of the backfield.  

This is why Michigan's 2023 recruiting now has both types of RB's committed.   First is local boy, Cole "Copa" Cabana who is the speedster in the class and yesterday the power committed in GA RB Ben Hall who is 5'10 and 225 pounds.  

Ben or Benjamin is a 3 star prospect and the 48th RB in the country to 24/7.  His offer list includes the likes of BC, Cincinnati, Purdue, Wake Forest, The MAC, Minnesota, and Utah.  Mike Hart is out there working and finding the perfect guys for Jimmy's offense.  

Welcome Ben!

• Tiger Woods played a practice round at Augusta National yesterday.  Intresting....

• Naz as expected is heading to the WNBA, congratulations on a great Michigan career! 

• Jabrill Peppers will be playing for the Patroits next season

Wolverine Wednesday: Pep Traded To The Giants

Jabrill Peppers was traded last night to the NY Giants for OBJ and a number of draft picks.   Normally, you would think this would be a good thing for Pep, but Cleveland is shaping up to be a very good team in the AFC and now the Giants are in re-building mode.  

The one positive is NYC is a much better place to live and a very high profile market.  If Pep is used correctly, he could become an NFL star playing in New York.  Pep also grew up in NJ and now much closer to home.

Former Spartan LeVeon Bell is also heading to the big city, as he will sign a contract with the Jets today.  The deal will make him the 2nd highest paid RB after Todd Gurley.  After sitting out a year, Bell wanted to reset the RB market and that didn't happen.   Which means he made a mistake losing $14M last year.   I wonder what type of shape he is in?  He did spend a lot of time in Miami while not playing last season.

• The latest FBI sting is now focusing on rich people trying to bribe coaches of smaller sports at high academic schools to get their kids admitted.   This is clearly a shot a the "old boys network".

• Per James Light on Twitter from a recent coaching clinic:  Ed Warriner talked about how UM became more of an Outside Zone/Pin & Pull team because Higdon was so good in that scheme. Ed said he personally favors tight zone, but wanted to run what Higdon did well.

Wolverine Wednesday: Pep Was Not A Fan of DJ Durkin

DJ Durkin only coached Jabrill Peppers at Michigan for one year and it seems Pep wasn't a fan.   He was on the Rich Eisen show yesterday and gave Rich his $.02:

“Coach Durkin was a different guy,” Peppers told Eisen. “His tactics were different. It felt extreme at times. I’m just as shocked reading all the stuff that’s going on now, because I thought he was only like that because it was his first time coaching us. He was defensive coordinator, so he was just trying to get us to buy into how he wanted his defense to play.

“And I thought once he became a head coach he would calm down a little bit, become more of a people person, a players’ coach. But I wasn’t really following him once he left because a couple of guys, including myself, didn’t like how everything went down when he left.”

With the current situation at Maryland and being able to recruit Don Brown,  I think Michigan will take its current situation vs. the coaching situation on defense when Jimmy got to Ann Arbor.  (I still think many fans would like Jedd Fisch back on offense).

Need some extra motivation to work out today?

Follow @Ben_Bredeson74 on a tour of @UMichFootball's weight room, which is whatever level comes above top-notch. 👌 pic.twitter.com/dWsQ9FCbIP

— Michigan On BTN (@MichiganOnBTN) August 14, 2018

• 17 Days until Football  

Michigan Friday: News and Notes

• Michigan has offered Kansas City Rockhurst 2019 four-star OL Danielson Ike

• Coach B had the team over to his house to spread a few yards of mulch.  Nice work coach!  The key is having a pitch folk!  #been there done that!

• Mo Wagner's NBA draft status seems to be on the rise, we will see what happens after this weekend's NBA Combine.

• Warde Manuel wants both Coach B and Jimmy to retire at Michigan.  Couldn't agree more.

• As the season winds down, Michigan Baseball is on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

• Peppers and his Cleveland Browns will be on HBO's Hard Knocks this pre-season.

BHB Deep Thoughts:  Scott Frost in his playing career and in his coaching career has won two disputed National Championships.  One was split by the media and coaches polls and the second one was self pro-claimed.  Since he is at Nebraska now, maybe he should just send the 1997 trophy up to Ann Arbor and close down the 97 debate.

Michigan Monday: Former Wolverine News

• Denard is getting a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys.  Dallas could have Denard, Taco, and Jourdan all on the same team.  Nice!

• As you know, Jourdan's trial starts today and is only predicted to last a couple of days.  Hopefully, it is resolved in the best possible way for all parties.

• Jabrill Peppers signs a 10.3M four year contract with a $5.6M signing bonus with the Browns.   Congratulations, This is life changing money and I hope he is smart with every dollar!

• Jimmy takes a staff member from RR.  Reports are that Jimmy has hired Arizona's Matt Dudek as Michigan's next Director of Recruiting.   It seems Matt is well liked and a very good hire.   Inside Joke: Should we let Matt recruit defensive players?  Just kidding Matt, welcome!

• Don't forget the BBQ at the Big House is this weekend.  We will have more on it as we get closer to the event.

• Instate recruit Vincent Gray, a three-star cornerback from Rochester committed to Mizzu on Friday.  Vincent wasn't on Michigan's radar.

Michigan Thursday: Loves Wierd News

Come on Sabrina Parr?  This ESPN Cleveland Radio hosts thinks Peppers does everything except snorting pepper.  


"He's on the lean and the molly," Parr said on "The Really Big Show" on ESPN 850. "The guy's not going to make it. He's not going to make it through the season.


"He's another Josh Gordon ... I've seen it first-hand from a different vantage point, and it's the same thing all over again. How are you already high out of your mind, and you've only been here for a week."


Sabrina has been let go and now looking for another position.   On a side note, I hope Peppers is making the right decisions.

Here is another weird one:

Anyone remember Donovan Tate?  He was a QB that RR and Michigan recruited in the 2009 class.   He was a top baseball prospect and decided to enter the draft instead of playing college football and was picked in the third round.    He flamed out in baseball due to alcohol and drugs (and he wasn't able to hit either) and now wants to get back to football.  He is 26 years old. 

Guess who has accepted him on the team?   You got it! Rich Rod.   Donovan will be a walk-on as the Padres (who drafted him) have to pay his tuition per his baseball contract.  

RR is on the hot seat in Arizona and probably has one more year to get it turned around before they let him go.   So he is willing to take a chance on a 26 year old under center like Chris Weinke.

• Michigan has offered 2018 four-star defensive tackle Bobby Brown.  Is it his prerogative to take it?

Michigan Friday: Peppers to Cleveland and Taco to Dallas

Usually, I don't applaud anything that the Browns do, last night I did as they picked Jabrill late in round one with the 25th pick.   Three picks later Dallas picked up Taco with the 28th pick.  

This is a win for the players and the Michigan program.   I know both guys wanted to go higher but all that anyone will remember is that they were first round picks.   Congratulations to both guys!

I like that Jabrill will get to work with Greg Williams who will find a way to use his talents and a pass rusher is a huge need for the Cowboys.   It's also good that Pep will only be a few hours away from campus if he needs support or wants to come back to A2 for a game.

• Peppers released the practice video of him pulling a hamstring before the Orange Bowl.  This should silence the "he sat out" conversations.

• I expect to see Worm go pretty early today in Round 2.   I thought this is also the day we were going to see Jourdan Lewis, but after his charges, I'm not sure where he will be picked now.   Hopefully, Jake will go in Round 2.   I believe he has an insurance policy that he can collect on if he drops past the second round.   (I have also heard those policy's are hard to collect on, but with his ACL injury it would seem to be pretty cut and dry)

• Mark May is out at ESPN, per the layoffs this week.   Even though Trey Wingo has been doing the second and third day of the drafts for many years, I thought he struggled in the big seat last night.

• Yesterday Dennis Norfleet signed with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders.

• Dalvin Cook didn't get drafted in round 1 after he ran through Michigan's defense in South Florida and MSU's Malik McDowell was at the draft but didn't get selected.

• Reports are former Michigan Basketball Player Mark Donnal is heading to Clemson.

• Reports are starting to leak out that Jimmy and Staff will do a co-camp in GA at Valdosta State and one with UCLA in LA.

Michigan Tuesday: Darn It Jabrill

I hated to hear the news yesterday that Jabrill tested positive for a diluted sample at the NFL Combine.   As you know, the NFL considers a diluted sample a positive test.   Peppers camp is saying that Jabrill was under the weather that week and cramping and killed at ton of waters and Gatorade.   Either way, this doesn't help his draft stock.   I hope he decides not to attend the Draft.

• Jimmy gets in trouble for playing catch in a Shopping Mall in Rome. 

• Jake Long after years of injuries and being the #1 pick in 2008, officially retires from the NFL.

• Michigan Basketball is going to take a Grad Transfer from a Point Guard from Ohio named Jaaron Simmons.  He seems like he has been a volume shooter on a team that didn't have a ton of scorers.   He averaged 16 points and 6 assists per game.  Read more about him at UMhoops.

• Since DTR is headed to UCLA, Michigan is down to Florida's Joe Milton and Arizona's Tyler Shough.  The Crystal Balls have been favoring Michigan for Joe and Tyler just got a visit from Pep before the Rome trip.   There is some buzz that Michigan might take both, which seems a bit strange with limited spots in this class.

• With Will Mallory headed to Miami, Michigan's TE sights are set on Mustapha Muhammad (who could be a silent) and Jeremy Ruckert who could be down to Michigan and OSU.

Michigan Monday: Wolverines Run Fast This Weekend

The Wolverines were impressive at the NFL Combine this weekend.  The events go through today which will lead up to Michigan's pro day.   The Wolverines were impressive in the bench press and the 40 yard dash.  Here are a few 40 times:

Amara Darboh - 4.46
Jehu Chesson - 4.53
Jabrill Peppers - 4.46
Taco Charlton  - 4.92
Ben Gedeon - 4.75
New this morning:  DB Delano Hill runs a 4.48

Worm didn't run due to an injury.   Pep had a good time, I think he would have liked to run a 4.45, I thought Ben's time was really good. 

Remember when we thought Darboh was the slow WR?

Ben also did 27 reps on the 225 bench press, which was #1 for the LB's.

Pep will also work out with the DB's today and might run the 40 again.
-----

Michigan Basketball also runs away from Nebraska on the road 93-57.  Michigan was favored by 4 point going in and won by 36.

This team is really good when they play really well.  Case in point, (thanks to twitter) Michigan has given the follow teams their biggest loss of the year:

MSU— 29
Indiana—30
Purdue—12
Marquette- 18
SMU—22
Nebraska- 36

This win should make the Wolverines a lock in the NCAA tournament.    They play Illinois on Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament in DC.   Coach B also tied the late Johnny Orr for the most wins as Michigan Basketball Coach.   Fun Big House Bob fact, Johnny Orr lived about 5 houses from me (when I was growing up) while he was the coach at Michigan.

• Another point that the Wolverines had a good weekend.  Logan - The Wolverine Movie made 238 Million dollars world wide this weekend!

Wolverine Wednesday: Peppers Heading To The NFL

We knew it was coming.  How could it not be?  When you have a chance to be drafted in the top of the first round, you have to go pro.   Jabrill Peppers one of the best athletes to ever play in the Big House has decided to forgo his senior year and head to the NFL draft.

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Peppers said. “I’m choosing between cementing my legacy as a college player and starting my pro legacy. It’s something you dream of when you were a kid. I was torn between the two.”
                           
Peppers said he ultimately came to a decision this weekend while visiting his family in his native New Jersey. He informed Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh of his decision in a meeting in Harbaugh’s office on Monday. “He thanked me and told me it was a pleasure to coach me,” Peppers said. “I told him it was a pleasure to play for him. He molded me for the next level, that’s how he operates. He runs his program like an NFL team. He’s done more than enough to prepare me for this moment.”

Congratulations Pep and thank you for coming to Ann Arbor when many top recruits in the country were not even considering playing for Brady Hoke.

• Jake Butt said his ACL surgery was a success.   I hope he has a quick recovery and gets picked in the first round.

• OSU just had a de-commitment from a 4 star WR Tyjon Lindsey.

• Jimmy was at the Vandy - UK basketball game last night.

Peppers Says His Decision Hasn't Been Made Yet

Has Forbes ever broken a sports story?  My guess is not very often.  

This guy is saying that Peppers has picked an agent and is going pro.   As we all know, this is probably the case eventually but someone should probably let Jabrill know.

Funny how I haven't made any decisions on my future. This is a complete false report. https://t.co/r3t4QV3DSe

— JP5 (@JabrillPeppers) January 3, 2017

• On OSU news, reports are they are hiring former IU head coach Kevin Wilson as a the OC.  He is quite the offensive mind but I'm not sure his crazy fits with Urbans crazy.  We will see.  They have also hired Ryan Day at the QB coach.  

• Speaking of IU football, Mike DeBord is leaving Tennessee to be the OC at IU.    This guy must have a lot of friends in coaching.

• Freddy "footwork" Canteen who was put on a medical redshirt, will graduate this spring and will look for a school to do the graduate transfer thing.

Michigan Friday: A Big Recruiting Weekend

One of the questions in college football recruiting is:  Should we have an early signing period?  I think we should at it should be around 9/1.    With that said, we actually do have an early signing period and it's this month.    Kids that will enroll in January need to have their paperwork signed and ready to go this month.   The issue is kids can do that for a couple of schools they are considering, so it's not a given for recruit to turn in paperwork that they are 100% coming to Ann Arbor.

With the recruiting black out period approaching over the holidays.  This is a huge weekend for the Wolverines and their 2017 class.   Those expected in include:

Najee Harris - Is the #1 player in the nation and a 5 Star RB.   He is committed to Alabama but Michigan seems to be trending.   He will need to make a quick decision as he prefers to enroll early.

Donovan People-Jones - Is the #1 WR in the nation and top player in the state.  He of course is also a 5 Star WR.  He is taking his official visit to Ann Arbor and similar to above will need to make a quick decision.   This would be a huge loss if he goes elsewhere. 

LB Drew Singleton - 4 star LB from Peppers HS.  He blew out his ACL this year but it has healed quickly and will be ready to go next year.   I think he is a strong lean to A2.

LB Jordan Anthony - This IMG was just given a 5th star from Rivals.  Will announce this month and he is a maybe to visit.   Another strong lean to the good guys.

CB Ambry Thomas - Newest Wolverine commit.

DE Deron Irving Bey:  He is planning to announce at an all star game.  This is an MSU and Michigan race.  This is his last official visit.

Paris Ford:  Has a perfect Auto Dealership name and is planning a visit this weekend.   He is a 4 star safety commit to Pitt.   (Update: this visit has been cancelled as it seems Michigan wants Elijah Hicks or will just stay put with the current commits)

Commits in town for their visit include:  Dylan McCaffrey, AJ Dillon, O'Maury Samuels, James Hudson, J K-P, and JaRaymond Hall.

• 4 Star OL Aaron Banks announces today.  He doesn't really talk to the services and it seems to be a complete roll of the dice on where he goes.  Best guess is between Michigan, ND and UCLA.   Update: It seems Michigan has told Banks that they are full on the offensive line.

• Peppers of course will be in NYC this weekend.  There is a very small chance he wins, but congratulations on being a finalist and enjoy the weekend!

• Surprise!  Major Applewhite gets the Houston job.   He was the OC and now will be the new head coach.   I guess they just couldn't get bye Lane Kiffin's baggage.

Wolverine Wednesday: Starts to Stack Awards

Jabrill Peppers was named the 2016 Paul Hornung Award winner today as the most versatile player in college football.

Jake Butt wins the Mackey Award for the Top Tight End in College Football.

Its great to see these two Michigan Men and great football players win these awards.   Both are very deserving!

• The Jim Harbaugh's Coaching Tree got another win this morning as South Florida's Willie Taggart took the Oregon Job.  What a great hire!  I wonder if there are any jobs left for PJ Fleck?

• This was expected:  Per TomVH from ESPN: Shane Morris is going to do the graduate transfer thing.   What could have been with this former 5 star QB?  I think the best way to evaluate Shane is by saying, he could throw the ball through a brick wall, he just might over throw it.

•  Brian Griese & Steve Levy will call the Orange Bowl.

• The Michigan Basketball team snuck by Texas last night by 3 points at Crisler.

• CA DB Darnay Holmes will not visit A2 this weekend.

• Isaiah Wilson will announce on Christmas.

• IMG FL LB Jordan Anthony and heavy Michigan lean, just got awarded a 5th star from Rivals.  Yes, please.

Michigan Tuesday: Peppers Heads to NYC

I know Michigan lost the last 2 out of 3 games and that everybody and their brother knew the play Michigan was running when Peppers took snaps from the shotgun.    Still Jabrill Peppers deserved a trip to NYC as a Heisman finalist and he received that invitation last night.

Congratulations to Jabrill!  Loved that Michigan's two recent Heisman Trophy winners were the duo that announced the finalists.

• MSU Malik McDowell is heading to the NFL draft.  I assume he doesn't need his mothers signature to play pro football. 

• Jimmy offered Luke McCaffrey the brother of Dylan and Christian.   He is a 2019 recruit.

• Best line from Jimmy's Orange Bowl presser, on the officiating from the OSU game:  Did you have any conversations with Jim Delany at all?
  “No. We just—we see it differently and leave it go at that.”

• Michigan has a huge recruiting weekend coming up which we will discuss later in the week.

• Michigan's Orange Bowl Ticket Allotment is now sold out.  Stub Hub has tickets starting at $130, lower bowl for $200 + Fees.   Hotels are crazy expensive for the New Year's Eve Weekend,  I recommend getting your room ASAP.

• After what seems like 10 years Caris LeVert has finally been cleared to play.  He did not see action last night for the Nets.

Michigan Monday: Does Post Game Today in a Yankees Announcer Voice

Hey Superman - Let me see you Fly! David Guralnick, Detroit News

Sorry for the late recap from this weekend:

It's really starting to get hard to find flaws with this team.  Wilton who has had some accuracy problems in the past, looked much improved on Saturday afternoon.   I was thinking the same thing, but I will let Jimmy say it, We were just executing well. I was really, really impressed. Those first three drives of the game, and then the entire game-- I thought Wilton Speight might have had one of the best games of his career.

Wilton was 16/23 for 253 yards and 2 TD's.  Most importantly he didn't throw anything that resembled a bad throw or one that could be picked.   They say, he spent the entire bye week looking at film and I think it helped. 

The defense nearly pitched another shutout but a 50/50 ball went Illinois way.  The running game was also sharp, led by some nice running by Higdon who lead the team with 106 yards.  

Kenny also got back on track and hit two field goals.  


Cheers:

• Improved QB Play
• Defense for giving up one TD
• Thomas had a nice game at safety and his first Int.
• Higdon is a very nice back and has a huge upside
• Darboh was one yard away from another 100 yard performance
• Wheat got his first TD!
• Another great coaching job by the Michigan staff (no let down)

Jeers:

• Grant Perry is in the dog house and didn't play
• Chris Evans blacked out after his hit
• Peppers didn't get in the end zone

I don't know what targeting is anymore but it sure looked like it on Evans hit.   He blacked out and was doing better by half-time, I suspect we won't see him this weekend against MSU.   It's best for him to rest a couple of weeks before any contact. 

Now it's time to turn the page and look what happens to be in the front windshield:  A trip to East Lansing! I know the Buckeyes lost this weekend but first things first.   I don't think there will be any trouble getting up for this game.    I also don't care how the Spartans are playing, this is going to be a hard hitting game.   Love the 12:00 kick!

------------

In the your best Yankees announcer voice:   Welcome, Donovan Jeter........Jeter

Right after his de-commitment from ND last week and his official visit to Ann Arbor this weekend, four-star Beaver Falls DT/DE Donovan Jeter announced he wanted to commit to the Wolverines yesterday. Jeter is 6'5 and 250 pounds, reports are he got as high at 300 last year but has trimmed down.

He is a 4 star to all the services and pretty much a top 300 player.  ESPN rates him the highest at #80.  His offer list was pretty incredible with the likes of Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Miami FL, MSU, Nebraska, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Pitt, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, UCLA, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others.

This was a strong Greg Mattision recruitment and he gave the Pittsburg media this following quote (HT to Mgoblog)

“I don’t want to play for a mediocre school,” he said. “I don’t want to play for a team that goes like 7-6. I want to go to a school that plays in the big bowl games or plays in the College Football Playoff. I don’t want to go to an average school because I don’t think I’m an average player. I want to make big time plays on a big time stage.”

Wow!

This is the 3rd DT in this class and it will now be interesting to see how this affects the recruitment of last weekend visitor Jay Tufele and in-state Deron Irving-Bey.

• Weekend visitor LB Willie Gay de-committed from Ole Miss after his visit to A2 this past weekend.  

• Breaking News:  3-star weakside defensive end Kwity Paye has de-committed from BC and committed to Michigan this morning.

• Michigan Maryland is a 3:30 kick off

Michigan Monday: Likes Steak

The most exciting news from the 78-0 win on Saturday was that Ann Arbor's Ruth's Chris Steak House was offering a discount equal to Michigan's winning margin.  So 78 points should equal 78% off.   Well, they capped it at 50% and until Thursday.   It made the Mike and Mike ESPN Radio show this morning and on ESPN front page.  Those who got a seat, eat well!  That is a very good steak house!

Bye weeks are great for resting injuries and doing a little recruiting for the staff.   Not so great for blog content.   I will do my best this week to dig up information that you might find interesting.

• Oliver Martin will play in the Army All American game and will take two more official visits (Oregon and MSU) before making a decision.  The Wolverines like their chances with this talented WR.

• Jimmy liked how Jabrill and Chris Evans played on Saturday and felt those two broke the game open. 

• A few Michigan targets were scheduled to visit Rutgers on Saturday.  LB Drew Singleton and OT Isaiah Wilson.  I wonder how that worked out for Rutgers?

• DP-J visited OSU over the weekend, he was scheduled to go to Florida but that game was cancelled due to the hurricane.

• Michigan at OSU will kick off at Noon

• Jimmy is expected to watch the #1 player in the nation RB Najee Harris game this week.  Harris is committed to Alabama but many insiders feel he will end up somewhere else.  He doesn't really talk to the recruiting services so not sure who if anyone has the most recent information.

• I'm hoping we start to see Peppers jump into a number of Heisman conversations this week.

Michigan Thursday: Looks Towards The Big Ten Weekend

Its clear what is the top Big Ten game of the weekend.  It's one of the biggest games of the weekend in all college football between #4 Michigan vs. #8 Wisconsin.  That preview will be tomorrow in its regular time slot. 

Lets look what else is happing in the Big Ten:

MSU at IU:  Both are coming off disappointing loses.   Everyone was riding high on the Spartans after the upset of ND.  Then we found out ND wasn't any good, MSU turned the ball over against Wisconsin and got blown out itself.   IU who likes to score but never plays much defense, lost to Wake Forest last week.   I'm not sure what IU has this year but they could sneak out a win here if they continue to put up points.   MSU is favored by at TD.  MSU 38 IU 34

Minnesota at PSU:  We saw Penn State pretty much lay down in the Big House last week.  They have been hit hard by injuries and just don't have the depth to make them a top tier Big 10 team.  The Golden Gophers do what they do every year, they are 3-0 early and now want to make some noise in the Big Ten.   PSU is favored by 3.   Minnesota 28 Penn State 14

Illinois at Nebraska:  Is Nebraska for real this year?  This program seems to be on the rise and they have been playing pretty good football this year.   Illinois isn't there yet and a 20.5 dog in this game.   Nebraska 31 Illinois 17

Purdue at Maryland:  These teams are pretty much a mystery.  Can Purdue make a bowl game this year?  They will have to win this game if they are.   Maryland is favored by 10.
Maryland 24 Purdue 21

Rutgers at OSU is a 38 point line.

Northwestern at Iowa:  Not a huge fan of Iowa this year, but Northwestern has played 4 games at home and won 1.  Iowa is favored by 13.5.   Iowa 31 NW 10


-------

• Yahoo's Pat Forde has a nice write up on Peppers.  It's a good read!

• Another visitor this weekend:  4 Star DE Deron Irving-Bey.    Commit watch? 

One thing to watch on Saturday is Wisconsin's field goal kicking.   Their kicker is hurt and during the MSU game it seemed they went for a number of 4th downs to try to score more TD's.    Could be an interesting dynamic for Saturday. 

Michigan Tuesday: Peppers Turns Wow into POW!

Jabrill Peppers might be one of the best athletes to ever wear the Maize and Blue.  With that said, he just did something that has never been done before.  He won the Big Ten Player of the Week for Defense and Special Teams in the same week.  Peppers did share the defensive player of the week award with Ohio State's Jerome Baker this week.

For the season, Peppers leads the country with 9 1/2 tackles for loss through three games. He's also the nation's leading punt returner with a total of 173 yards.

Michigan has had a Big Ten POW each week of the season.  Mike McCray won for Defense in week one and Wilton Speight won the offensive award in week two.

• Insiders are saying that Drake Johnson is probably done for the year and Michigan will look into a 6th year of eligibility for him.  If anyone deserves a 6th year it's Drake.  That kid has been crazy unlucky with injuries.

• Quinn Nordin also seems to have a hamstring injury.  Hopefully, Kenny can work out his issues from last week.   Come on, Kenny!

• Many Michigan fans threw up in their mouths a little bit when Ann Arbor resident and former ESPN top man Mike Tirico said, (during the MSU/ND game) that every week a player gets to wear the #1 jersey because ND has the top winning percentage in college football.   Well, it seems that percentage is so close now that if ND were to lose one more game and Michigan continues to win, that Michigan would have regained that title.   Maybe ND can then hand out the #2 jersey.   ND plays Duke this week, so its probably not going to happen this week.

• Jimmy killed it on the Dan LeBatard Show today.  Listen to the podcast on ESPN radio.   That is the perfect way to interview him.

Peppers Post Game

David Guralnick, Detroit News

I had a bad feeling about this game after the UCF game (BTW did you see UCF took Maryland to two OT's last night?).  If Michigan has a kryptonite its a tempo spread team.  If the other team has a decent QB, Michigan looks like they are lost in a foreign country without a map or GPS.

When Michigan is down 21-7 and we just watched Louisville embarrass #2 FSU , I thought Michigan might have a hard time stopping the Buffalos at any point on Saturday.   I had a few choice words in my head ready and waiting for Mr. Don Brown.   I'm also yelling things like Michigan never plays well on BTN and I hate Matt Millen. 

Then Don Brown put the #1 recruit in the nation in the game and Gary responded.   The defensive line finally started creating a pass rush and putting pressure on the senior QB Liufau.  Eventually, it even knocked him right out of the game after a Wormley tackle.

As far as the offense, Michigan started the game running the ball well but kept throwing incompletions.  At one point, I was calling for O'Korn because his mobility was something I thought Michigan needed.   I was wrong, the running game kept going and Speight started to find his mid-range passing game to Jake Butt.     By the end of the third quarter, it was evident that Michigan's large offensive line was wearing down Colorado's defensive front.   

That touchdown right before halftime was huge and the difference in the game. 

I haven't mentioned Jabrill yet.  He had his best day in a Wolverine jersey and was freaking everywhere.   He had 9 total tackles, 3.5 TFL's, 1 Sack, 2 rushes for 24 yards, 2 KO returns for 81 yards, and 4 punt returns for 99 yards and a TD.   There wasn't a better player on the field (well the greatest QB of all time was actually on the field!).

Lets get to the cheers and jeers:

Cheers

• Peppers was fantastic!
• Jake Butt clearly didn't enjoy dropping a couple of balls last week.  He caught 7 for 87 yards.
• The offensive line opened some nice holes for the running backs
• Smith ran hard
• Gary was a difference maker when he got in the game.
• The overall team didn't fold when they got down big at the start
• The punt team, got two blocks and had some nice returns from Pepp.  It kept Michigan in the game early.

Jeers

• Wilton had a few highlights but struggled most of the game.  I thought he was hurt after the fumble, because he couldn't get the ball to the WR's.   That scramble and throw to Perry was his best play of the day.  He was 16 of 30.
• Don Brown has to have a better plan when Michigan plays spread teams.  He did adjust but Michigan can't get behind big against OSU for example and win that type of game.  Ask Oklahoma.
• Kenny Allen- his punts seem to be line drives and missed two very makeable field goals.  A couple of extra points didn't look good either.
• Michigan's safeties had a tough day deep.  Michigan needs Jourdan Lewis to get healthy quick and take some pressure off the safeties.
• Nike for not making a #5 Jersey

Yesterday cleared up a lot of questions in college football.  Ohio State is for real and the talent and experience Michigan many had thought in the off season is now equal or trending higher for the Buckeyes.  Michigan State is also for real after taking it to ND in South Bend.   Those two road games are going to be very tough for the Wolverines and they will need to play much better then they did yesterday.  Luckily, Michigan now has a great coaching staff and can fix issues they witnessed in the game.

Michigan's next two games are against Penn State and Wisconsin at home.  Neither play the spread and I expect Michigan could look pretty good against both teams.   Michigan also really needs Jourdan Lewis and Taco back.  I hope they are healthy for Penn State.