Michigan Monday: Too Early Look at The Boilermakers

There isn't a funnier community then Sparty Twitter.  Their program could be absolutely on fire and they would still call out a reason or reasons why they didn't win this game.  Many of you who read this blog, already know the reason they are harping on from Saturday's game.  #14 was not offsides! When he stripped the ball from Bryce and MSU thought they had a big turnover.  I know Terry McAulay said he didn't think he was off sides, but I'm not sure Terry is very good at his job right now.  I do know he has no idea what targeting is.  To give Sparty credit, it was close but I believe his upper half of his body was at least off sides at the snap.  

I know Michigan Basketball is doing these exhibitions to raise money for NIL, etc.  But there never should be a Michigan Basketball game that conflicts with a Michigan Football game, unless its some weird bowl game.  Which in that case the exhibition would be on the football side.  

Purdue (2-6) (0-5 in BIG10) 

Best Win: Ball State 

Worst Loss: Rutgers 

Pass: 246 per (56th)

Run: 142 per (84th)

Score: 22.9 (101st)

Give Up: 27.8 (92nd)

Line: Michigan -21.5

Purdue is on a six game losing streak and we have the BTN to thank for making this matchup a night game.  Why BTN?  This is a noon kick if I've ever seen one.  Purdue is better then they have been but they are still not very good.  They had Rutgers beat last weekend and let it slip away at home.  Michigan is looking for win and then will have their second bye week before heading to Chicago to play Northwestern at Wrigley, and then next week to Maryland.  Everyone knows who is coming to town later in November. 

• Brian Kelly gets embarrassed by Texas AM on Saturday night and then loses his job Sunday morning.  If you follow college football at all, you could have predicted that action on Sunday.  You don't get embarrassed at LSU at night and hope to keep your job.  It was a bad hire and a bad outcome.  I hear Coach O wants back in coaching! 

• I'm starting to get worried about Rod Moore's health and his ability to play for this team the rest of the year.  

• I hope we hear an update on Sullivan's and Rod's health today from Sherrone 

• JJ is expected to start this week for the Vikings.  I hope he doesn't continue to hold the ball for so long.  

• Roman Wilson got his first NFL TD.  He almost didn't!

• Michigan is #21 and ranked ahead of USC

• The NFL has to do something about the second window on Sunday.  Those games are tough to watch after non-stop action on the Red Zone in the first window. 

Michigan Monday: On to the Dance

Well, Michigan has made it into the Big Dance (and avoided the play in game in Dayton) as an 11 seed and will face Colorado State.  If they get past the Rams they will have a very difficult game against the SEC Tournament Champions Tennessee Volunteers.  The NCAA tournament streak is still alive and we don't have to go channel surfing for any NIT action!  Michigan tips at 12:15 on Thursday in Indy to kickoff the tourney.  

Tom Brady's retirement lasted 2 months and the GOAT is back and will suit up for Tampa again next season.   Shuffle board and golf just didn't stick for the Tommy!

• Its amazing you can have a coach cheating on FBI wire taps and they still have a job.  Or did have a job, as Will Wade was fired from LSU this weekend.  Coach O is amazed how long that took. 

• ESPN went off and bought Fox's top broadcast team for Monday Night Football as Joe Buck will join Troy Aikman.  Not sure if these guys are worth such a high price tag, but sports seems to be the only TV people are watching these days. 

Michigan Tuesday: Face Matches the Uniforms

Remember when Brian Kelly would get all purple on the sideline after his QB would throw a pick or take a sack after missing a wide open WR?  Well, he is taking that face and coaching bona fides to Baton Rouge to become the LSU Tigers next head coach.  To me, this is a 100% fish out of water scenario and something that probably won't last 3 years.   There have been rumors Brian has been looking to jump to the NFL for years, but no takers in that league.  When LSU came calling with a warehouse full of money and a chance to face Alabama every year, Brian jumped quickly. 

Since ND has a similar recruiting base as Michigan's, fans quickly last night thought about who might be a candidate to jump to Ann Arbor?  Here are a few thoughts:

-WR CJ Williams is one of the top WR's in this class.  Michigan was his first offer, so there is a special spot in his heart.  He is from California and USC just got a new coach as well.  

-Amarion Walker is a 3-star WR from Louisiana was has been thinking about a flip to Ann Arbor already.  Does Kelly going to LSU change things? Michigan has 100% of the CB's.

-Tobias Merriweather is a 4-star WR from Washington.  Reports are Kelly was in home when the news broke, he is heading to LSU.   Awkward!   There is family in Detroit.  UW also has a new coach. 

-Josh Burnham, 4-star LB from Traverse City.  Instate guy in a position of need for the Wolverines.  Would seem like a good match if he wants to come home.  Don't know if any bridges were burned. 

Michigan needs WR's and getting a couple from the above list would be a home run.  Not sure what Josh is thinking, but I'm sure it will depend on what ND does for its next head coach.  DC Marcus Freeman status will also be a factor.  (Fickell to ND and Freeman to Cincy?)

• Domani Jackson decision is expected to go down to signing day.  It seems it's a Michigan - Bama - USC decision.  Favorite school growing up, regular national championship contender, staying home with a new coach.  

• Speaking of 2022 DB's - Zeke Berry a 4-star S out of California is expected to announce his college decision on Friday.  He is a former Arizona commit and a very good defensive back.  All CB's are to Michigan after a visit on Saturday.  I believe his quote was, "Michigan does everything different then the PAC 12" 247 ranks him the 63rd player in the country! 

• PFF now has Hutch as the #1 NFL Draft Prospect

• Gattis is now a finalist for the Broyles award for the top assistant

• With all these coaches running for huge paychecks, Harbaugh is donating all of his bonus to AD staff that had to take pay cuts due to COVID. 

• Last night it looked like BOB (Bill O'Brien) was leading candidate for the VA Tech job, now it seems like Penn State's DC Brent Pry.  They really like Penn State current or former coaches. 

• Reports are Temple to consider Chris Partridge and Mike Hart for its head coaching role.  Temple is considering a long list of top assistants. 

• Spencer Rattler who many thought might be the top QB taken in the NFL Draft is now in the transfer portal.   Oklahoma is also losing committed recruits every couple of hours it seems. 

Michigan Tuesday: Green Field

In business the term "green field" means a net new opportunity with few competitors.  For Michigan's defensive backs there are plenty of new opportunities with Ambry Thomas heading to the NFL.   Don Brown said last night, the leader in the clubhouse for the second CB starting position is Gemon Green next to Vincent Gray.   If we add one more last name color, the Michigan defensive backfield could be like a trip to Sherwin-Williams. 

If you have some extra time to worry about Michigan's Football team prior to Oct 24th, spend that time wringing your hands over the corner backs.  

• The Texan's canned the person that kept cutting Higdon, Bill O'Brien who was the GM and Coach.  I think they even worked out Shea Patterson a week or so ago.  The NFL Texas teams are 1-7.  

• Michigan Basketball will not be traveling to the Empire Classic in November, which means they don't open against teams like Villanova and Baylor.  Smart move! 

• I have been very interested in following Tarik Black's production at Texas.   Through 3 games he has 6 catches, 91 yards, and 1 TD.   Week 1 he had 4 catches, 80 yards and a TD against UTEP.  Since then 1 catch for 12 yards.  Texas scored 63 points in week 2 and 31 points in a loss week 3. 

• LSU is bring back alcohol sales and removing heath checks prior to entry for fans.  They call that stadium Death Valley. 

• Taco had a big sack last night.  Maybe he has found a home in KC. 

Michigan Friday: Former Wolverine Zips Over To The MAC

I hate not knowing the entire story when kids transfer.   Is there is an issue with the position coach?  Is there an issue with the Coordinator or maybe even Jimmy?  Is it playing time?  What's the deal?

Jaylen Kelly-Powell was a 4 star Safety out of Cass Tech in Detroit.  He enrolled early and got his degree in 3 years.  In that time he only played in 7 games and made a total of 4 tackles for the Wolverines.  

Injuries and position changes didn't seem to help JK-P.  He was at safety, nickel, and then CB.  Michigan clearly needs depth at CB and it seems Jaylen didn't have a path to playing time in the next two years, so he jumped in the portal.  

He announced this week that he was going to play the next two years at Akron.  I know everyone wants to play, but being a backup DB the next 2 years and possibly getting a graduate degree from Michigan vs. playing in Akron has to be a tough decision.   There was also a possibility that Jaylen wouldn't be offered a 5th year in Ann Arbor as well. 

Either way, good luck to him and hopefully he finds a new home in Akron and maybe gets to meet LeBron someday.

• Looks like most of the Big Ten Football programs are starting to open their doors starting on 6/15 on a limited basis.  

• There is some buzz that a Michigan - LSU home and home might be in the works. I hope Warde has someone else negotiating the contract with LSU.  

Michigan Friday: Oh Shoop

Clarion-Ledger

For a team that's in the off season, Michigan Football continues to make headlines.  The latest is that Bob Shoop (Not Stoops) is joining the defensive staff.   Bob is a long term DC with stops at places like Penn State, Tennessee, and recently Mississippi State.   Bob led the #1 defense in country in 2018 but did not have the same luck at Tennessee or last season at MSU.  

Development vs. Recruiting - why do we have to choose? Shoop is known as a very good defensive mind but not at all a recruiter.  This seems to be a McElwain type of hire for Harbaugh.  

I'm a bit confused and hope this becomes clear, because after losing your top two recruiters if you hire another DC and an assistant S&C guy, I'm going to lose my mind.  The Shoop hire would be good for a Brown replacement but I don't believe that is happening. 

I do agree the Michigan's defense needs good minds around player development, game plans, and coverages but the lifeline of any program is recruiting and Michigan is a step or two behind the top programs right now.   

Please hire a known recruiter with the last spot open on the staff! If Jimmy has excelled at one thing while at Michigan, its been hiring top assistants.  I sure hope that streak continue, because if you can't recruit, you shouldn't be on the coaching staff.

Update: Y'all gonna make me lose my mind, up in here, up in here.  Reports are Tank and Shoop are done deals.  Reports are Tank was at the coaching clinic thing in East Lansing yesterday.    IMO, these hires have a lot more Risk then Reward.   Harbaugh just hired a guy that can't recruit and another one that never has.  

• Chris Evans practiced 3 times with the team during bowl prep and was/is in good shape.  
• Winter Conditioning for the football team started on Thursday. 
• There are two spots the team could travel to in the Spring.  Jimmy is not spilling the beans on the locations. 
• Jimmy is looking at Coy Cronk an OT from IU who is in the transfer portal.   Coy has started 40 games at IU but was injured last season, he is also not a DT. 
• Michigan Basketball plays Iowa on the road tonight without Livers.   Yikes! 
• LSU has lost both coordinators to new jobs and all of its players to the NFL.   After everyone wakes up from the drunken week, there are going to be a few holes to fill. 

Michigan Tuesday: Better Team Won

Vegas probably took a bath on the National Championship game, as the rumor was all the money was on LSU and for good reason.   It was basically a home game and they have one of the most confident QB's under center that I have seen in college football.

As much as we want to hope, Michigan is not close to either team.   Both teams had elite QB play (even though Lawrence struggled at times), elite RB's, and elite WR play.   Clemson on defense went with 3 DL's, 1 LB, and 7 DB's to try to stop the LSU passing game.   That and some bad field position worked for a quarter, until the LSU figured it out.  Then it was over.

I was also impressed by both defensive lines and how they were able to rush the passer even with only 3 guys rushing.   The lack of quality DT recruiting is going to hurt Michigan upfront for years to come.

Good job on the comments from yesterdays post!

LSU was the best team and it was a Cinderella year for them.  Congratulations to the LSU Tigers, now everyone is 0-0 again and its time to get back to work and see if the Wolverines can shrink the gap.

• Time Machine commit from DB Myles Rowser in the 2022 class.  Myles is an instate product at Belleville and brother of Andre Seldon.   Still very early for 2022 rankings but he is not in 24/7 way too early top 100.  Myles continues the brother theme for the 2022 with Alex VanSumeren the only 2 commits in that class so far.  Myles reports a Penn State and West Virginia offers so far. 

• Michigan finishes 18th in the final AP Poll.  Michigan lost to the #3,#8, #9, and #11 teams in the nation.   At least there wasn't any bad loses this year. 

• In an expected move,  LB Edward Warriner has transferred from MSU to Michigan to join his dad who is the Wolverines OL coach.  Ed was a 3 star LB and probably will have to sit out next year with 2 to play.  No word if he is on scholarship or a walk-on, either way I support this move to keep daddy happy.  

Michigan Monday: Deep Thoughts

Yes, this is rivalry week and Michigan is coming off a bye week and MSU took a bad loses to Lovie Smith and Brandon Peters on Saturday.   Still I have some deep thoughts...…..

• First off, rivalry pushed aside the loss of Cassius Winston's brother and now the news is breaking that former WR for MSU and the Detroit Lions Charles Rogers has passed away at 38 goes behind sports and my heart goes out to both families. 

• LSU QB and former Buckeye Joe Burrow is having the season I had hoped for Shea Patterson.  That was a heck of a win by the Tigers on Saturday. 

• Is Michigan going to go all season without playing at 3:30? Update: Michigan @ IU now at 3:30. 

• I wonder which Bowl Michigan is going to play Florida in?  Please no

• OSU has played an un-believable easy schedule, they have Rutgers this weekend.  Their hardest road game all year, has been what at Nebraska or Indiana?

• Does Michigan have a Hyberbaric Chamber and is Franz Wagner hand in it for 20 hours a day?

• I still don't know if Minnesota is good or that Big Ten teams just can't play on the road.   It looked like James Franklin made some coaching mistakes in that game.  Minnesota goes to Iowa this weekend and will host Wisconsin.  It will be interesting to see if Golden Gophers can get through those 2 games.   So the odds are that the Golden Gophers will make the Big Ten Championship game before Michigan.  Come on, man. 

• The Chase Young situation is starting to look like a setup with the NCAA.  Funny how something that happened almost a year ago is now an issue.  There are reports now he might only miss 2 games (not against PSU and U of M) but Maryland and Rutgers.  This reminds me of the time Auburn suspended Cam Newton for just a Tuesday for possibly taking a couple hundred grand from a booster.

• App. State beat South Carolina this week (who beat Georgia).  I just don't understand why AD's not follow my rules, #2 is never schedule App. State. 

• Arkansas fired their head coach on Sunday after losing to Western Kentucky and being 2-8 this season.  Remember when our AD paid Arkansas millions of dollars to cancel the home and home series? Solid investment there Warde. 

• MAC Action on Tuesday has been moved up a couple hours due to a possible winter storm. 

• I don't know what happened on Saturday will motivate Sparty or crush them.  I think either is possible.  No matter what, MSU is dangerous as hell for the Wolverines on Saturday.  

Michigan Monday: Things We Learned This Weekend

Les and Cam gone at LSU:   Both guys obviously have ties to Ann Arbor.   I never understand why coaches have such at hard time at adapting.   Les is a players coach and very good recruiter.    His style of offense is just completely outdated.   I also don't understand why he didn't make changes in the off season, after he nearly got fired last season.  I would have waited until the end of the season, but it was clear a change had to be made.   He did win a lot of games at LSU and even a National Championship that we all remember too well.    Let us not forget where LSU went many years ago to hire a head coach when they had an opening - MSU. 

ND:  They aren't as good as we thought they were.  Which sort of spoils MSU's win over them a week ago. 

Wisconsin: Is pretty darn good.  Many had thought Wisconsin would be average this year.  They have a very difficult schedule, a new QB, and a no name defense.   They have now knocked off two top 10 teams and play another on Saturday.   Many of us on Michigan's schedule looked towards MSU, Iowa and OSU as being the big tests the Wolverines had to pass this year.   Saturday will be just as big or bigger.

MSU: Does have issues and Wisconsin exposed them.  It will be hard for them to move the ball on talented defenses this year.

Nebraska:  I'm not sure they are back after a close win over Northwestern but they are going to be in the hunt in the Big Ten West.

Iowa: 14-7 over Rutgers?  Might be some issues in Iowa.

Michigan

• Jimmy shows us something new every week on offense.  He will do whatever it takes to win.   He also doesn't like to pull out starters until under 4:00 minutes left in the game. 
• Taco and Jourdan make the defense so much better.   Jourdan locks down a side of the defense and Taco's consistent pressure always moves the pocket and gets the QB nervous.
• It looks like Kenny fixed his field goal and extra point issues from the week before.   He still makes me nervous in a big/close game.
• Jeremy Clark will be missed.  He was a consistently good DB and will be hard to replace.   He also gave Michigan flexibility at the safety position, which struggled against Colorado.  It would be great if he could get a injury redshirt.
• RB depth is unbelievable - Michigan has 5 starters at the RB position.  They also have a highly touted freshman who is redshirting and Drake Johnson who is hurt looking for a 6th year.  
• Mo Hurst could be a high NFL draft pick if he continues to play like this.
• Special teams is better this year because Michigan has it's starters on that squad.  When that happens, injuries like Jeremy Clark will also happen.

A Look Ahead to Wisconsin:

• 4-0 wins over MSU and LSU.  Struggled against Georgia State.
• Ranked #8 in both polls
• Give up 11.8 points per game, which ranks #7 in the country
• Score 30 points per game (66th in the country)
• Played two QB's this year
• Play Michigan, OSU, Iowa and Nebraska in the next 4 games
• ESPN Big Ten Power rankings is #2 behind OSU
• Michigan is a 10 point favorite on Saturday ( Hello Big Ten Power Ranking people?)

Michigan Thursday: Hires Les Miles Agent

Is there a better agent in the world then the guy that represents Les Miles? If your wondering, his name is George Bass and if your a head coach in any D1 or professional sport you need to get George's phone number and ask if he will represent you.

George is the master of taking any opening and turning it into more money or years on Les's contract at LSU.  He did it twice at Michigan (Pre and Post RR) and now has done it with another SEC school Arkansas.   Anytime Les gets a phone call from a friend or colleague from another school, George turns it into big dollars!   I'm not sure we will ever know the truth but many believe Michigan never offered Les a job either time.   As the story goes this time, George was contacted by Arkansas about TCU's Gary Patterson, he said thanks but no thanks and then asks how much would they offer Les and set up the conversation.   Arkansas AD Jeff Long was on Bo's staff at Michigan and knows Les from his time at U of M.

I usually preview the Big Ten games of the week on Thursday.  I expect many of you won't be watching Nebraska vs. Wisconsin for the second time.   The only things to care about for Michigan fans is:  if Wisconsin wins, it pushes the Wolverines to Tampa for the Outback.   It would also mean that a 5 loss Big Ten Team would be in the Rose Bowl.   That should go over well on ESPN.

• Michigan is busy trying to find another OL for the 2013 class to replace Dawson.  The latest to get an offer is 6'4 255 pound OG/OT Cameron Hunt from Corona, CA.  Cameron is a 4 star  recruit to Rivals, Scouts and ESPN.  He is expected to visit A2 on 12/14.  He is a verbal to Cal but they are coach-less at this point.  This could be one recruitment to watch. 

Side Note: Louisville to the ACC.

I think this another good example of how Michigan could play more Midwest opponents in the non-conference schedule and could get away with a home-home contact because it's so drivable from A2. 

Examples are:
Kentucky SEC about 5 hours from A2
Cincinnati Big East about 3.5 hours from A2 (could play in NFL stadium)
Louisville ACC about 5 hours from A2

Could also include Tennessee and Vandy as well but longer drives.

With many recruits/players families living in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana.  These games are good for recruiting and good for the recruits families traveling to the game.

Wolverine Wednesday: Fire and Ice

If you want to make headlines do it on a holiday weekend, where there isn't much to talk about.  Logan Tuley-Tillman found that out the hard way this weekend.   His burning of the Ohio State letter made all the rounds the last couple of days.   It hit the web sites of USA Today, NBC Sports, ESPN and others.

I just put up a link because I thought it way funny more then news worthy.  Now LTT has death threats and awful twitter remarks from crazy OSU fans.   Way to take it to far Bucky!    This is a 17 year old kid having a little fun on Twitter not anymore or less.   Find some perspective please.  You wonder why Kirk Herbstreit had to move to Tennessee and he is a former OSU QB!  Don't go against the Nut!

This also isn't the first time this has happened.   Devin Gardner burned his letter from Ohio State when they decided to offer.    The background here is Devin was a 5 star QB and interested in hearing from OSU.  He was going to consider the Buckeyes but he didn't hear from them until late in his recruitment.  When he got his letter he burned it and posted in on Facebook.

So the media reaction and the reaction of OSU fans is way overblown. 

Now the Ice:

The Michigan commits took a hit on the new Rivals top 100 player ranking.   There is a philosophy out there that recruiting services prefer to rank non-committed players higher because there is more interest on where they are going to go.  

Shane Morris drops from #16 to #22
Mike McCray drops from #44 to #55
Chris Fox drops from #46 to #57
Patrick Kugler drops from #54 to #73
Kyle Bosch drops from #60 to #77
Dymonte Thomas drops from #77 to #95
Jake Butt (previously #96) drops out of top 100

• Michigan commit David Dawson now has an LSU offer and just received a call from the Hat.   This offer could make him think a bit.  He says he is still committed to Michigan, but he probably shouldn't entertain LSU too much more if he wants to stay in the Wolverines 2013 class.  

• DT Henry Poggi has been pretty quiet on the recruiting trial.  The last I heard he was hoping to make a decision before his senior year.

• RB Derrick Green has blown up the Rivals Rankings and is now a 5 star prospect and ranked #12 in the nation.

Michigan Coaching Search: Lips are Sealed

So David Brandon and Les Miles met yesterday afternoon.  They might have even shared a BBQ dinner before David jumped on his private jet back to Willow Run.   Neither Les or Dave are talking. 

So the question still remains:  Did they have chicken or ribs for dinner?  Maybe both! 

Was there a Michigan job offer?  Was David there to ask a high profile former Michigan coach what his opinion is on who should be the Wolverines next coach?  We don't know. 

What we do know is that Les has a speaking engagement at the coaching conference today in Dallas.  We also know that David Brandon is home back in Ann Arbor.  If I was the Michigan AD and didn't have a coach signed up and needed to interview a number of candidates to fill my open position.  I sure the hell wouldn't be at home enjoying an Izzy's Meatball sub for lunch, I would be in Dallas at the coaches convention with a card table and a sign that says two things: Our helmet has wings and I'm willing to pay $5M a year if you can coach defense.

So is Les already signed up?  I don't know.  I'm sure LSU will make a run at keeping him.  

But we should know by the end of day.  So keep hitting your refresh button and I will let you know as soon as something breaks.   

Looking More and More Like Les

It seems David Brandon is on his way to Baton Rouge to finalize talks or a contract with Les Miles. 

As you will see from this link.  A U of M plane is heading from Hilton Head to Baton Rouge.  Why you ask would be the Michigan plane be in Hilton Head?  One theory suggests that Lloyd Carr has a home in Hilton Head and David Brandon is there "selling" LC on the Miles hire.  Lloyd and Les notably did not get along due to some past history on the recruiting trail and maybe some other past issues.

Les has always made it well known that Michigan is his dream job and probably his last job as a head coach.

I will give you my feedback on the pros and cons if the deal is finalized.

Stay tuned.  There could be an announcement as early as late this afternoon or tonight.

Touchdown Panda!

Since the last 3 weeks we have been Sad Panda, I thought I would give you a little Touchdown Panda today!

Random Thoughts:

• I was just kidding about scoring 70 points in yesterdays post
• Can a Defense play better then the week before after giving up 65 points this week?
• I had a strange feeling that Tate Forcier would win a game for Michigan this year. 
• I really hope Denard is ok.  He seemed pretty good jumping around after the sack on the last play. 
• I really think Taylor Lewan is the next Jake Long, but his two penalties and specially the last one almost cost Michigan the game.
• More Mike Shaw please. 
• Weird things that go through your mind after a win like that while watching LSU and Alabama:  What if LSU fired Les Miles and he came to Ann Arbor as Michigan's new DC?  I know it's a crazy thought, but talk about the best of both worlds. 
• I was not happy that Michigan went for the field goal in the 3rd when they were up a touchdown. 
• I thought Ray Vinopal and Courtney Avery played pretty well at times. 

Bowl Game Baby!  Bowl Game!

Enjoy the rest of your night with an adult beverage!

Michigan Thursday: Recruiting Blitz

Over signing is something that has to stop.  If your not familiar with over signing; it's the practice of taking too many recruits for your open scholarship spots predicting that some of your kids will not qualify.  An example would be taking 30 kids for 25 spots and the possibility for having 5 kids with out scholarships that you have to cut if they can't afford to pay their own way.

Coach Saban at Alabama has been a regular in over signing and now a "Michigan Man" at LSU is practicing the same thing and just had a cut a kid that was already in his dorm.  Thanks to Mgoblog this is how it went down:  "I got called to coach Miles' office. I had no idea it was coming," Elliott Porter said of his being asked by LSU to 'grayshirt' this season and re-enroll next year. "He just told me that they didn't have room for me. I moved out of my dorm today and I am now back home trying to figure everything out. It's been a rough 24 hours." …  "I have to win a waiver, but it shouldn't be a problem," Porter said. "It's unfair how they told me at the last minute." …"I want to be somewhere that I am wanted," Porter said. "I understand how things are going at LSU, and they didn't have room. To me what happened today wasn't fair. But it's how things go. It's a business. And I fully understand that now."

LSU is spinning it that the kid wanted to leave on his own accord.  Which the above statement contradicts.

I know there are a lot of "sleazy" things in College Football and Basketball, but to pull a kids scholarship after he is enrolled and moved in to his dorm is pretty low. To echo Brian's (at Mgoblog) point, the possibility of Les Miles becoming the next Michigan head coach has taken a big hit.

The NCAA needs to start getting involved at stopping this practice.  This isn't professional sports.

• Ed Davis has eyes for the Green and White.  The Detroit LB picked MSU yesterday.   Ed attended Michigan's camp and got an offer, then Iowa followed and then MSU jumped on the train late.  Ed has former coaches and friends on the Spartans.  The rumor mill was saying there was a lot of negative recruiting going on regarding Michigan and it wasn't coming from East Lansing.

• Michigan WR Valdez Showers didn't make a decision but cut his list to 6 schools:  Michigan, Auburn, Florida, Northwestern, and Michigan State.    He is planning to make his decision in the next 3-4 weeks.

• Demar Dorsey is still not cleared to play of U of L.  Maybe the academic situation was a bit different then we were lead to believe?  We will see and I hope for DD that this gets resolved soon.

• It was important to get Jack Tabb a DE/TE prospect from NJ in Ann Arbor earlier this week.  Coach Rod was in Chicago for the Big Ten Media festivities, but the other coaches showed Jack and his family around the campus.   It seems Jack enjoyed his visit and is planning to make a decision in September.

• OH LB Austin Traylor tells TomVH from Mgoblog that he is making his first cuts on Saturday.  He is rated 4 sars by Rivals and has an offer list of: Arizona, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, BC, Duke, MSU, Cincinnati, and many more.  

LSU gets beat by Arkansas

Well, what happens now? LSU lost last night in an "epic" 3 OT game against Arkansas. What does that mean for Michigan and Ohio State?

• OSU is sitting at home hoping that West Virgina or Kansas/Missouri lose another game after this weekend. If that happens, then they slip in the backdoor into the National Championship game. Can anyone say Playoffs?
• Michigan now has an opportunity to hire Les Miles and not worry about interfering with a National Championship game.
• The rumor mill on the Michigan job search has been very quiet. The Detroit media is reaching for anything. It's obvious they don't have any inside information.
• It's sort of ironic that Les has to answer questions about Michigan all week, loses and then helps Ohio State.
• The Columbus Media weigh in on the coaching search. I'm sure he knows what he is talking about.
• Chris Spielman mentions that Glen Mason should be considered. What John Cooper and Earl Bruce are too busy?
• I think the only person with a Columbus address that should even comment about the Michigan coaching search is Kirk Herbstreit. Glen Mason is pretty funny. Nice work, Chris!
• Fox Sports thinks that Les was out coached by a Nutt and that Michigan should be scared on what they saw.

Side Notes: Michigan basketball goes 1-1 in Alaska. Good Coach - very little talent on the floor. 3-4 years this program will be back.

LSU AD Makes Interesting Comments

So Bill Martin has been working on his search since September. If he has been working on it for that long you would think he has a good idea of who he wants to hire. Everyone and their brother believes it to be Les Miles. Does even the LSU AD think that?

See the following comments from a local LSU paper.

Should LSU coach Les Miles get offered and accept the head job at Michigan, there is the possibility he could still be with the Tigers for the BCS national title game on Jan. 7 in New Orleans if LSU were to make it that far.


LSU athletic director Skip Bertman said if such a scenario develops, he would want Miles to coach the Tigers in the national championship game before leaving for Michigan.

"If it were to be a national championship and the advantage for LSU to win, it would be my opinion that I'd want the coach (Miles) there to win the game," he said. "But I think that the decision to be made is too premature to even talk about for something like that."

Does he know something we don't? Those comments seem pretty strange coming from a guy that wants to keep his head coach.

I guess the next few weeks will tell, but it looks like Les could be Bill Martin's choice.

Lloyd Carr Retirement on Monday

Reported at mgoblog.com on Monday night. ESPN is reporting that Lloyd Carr will retire on Monday.

That may put Les Miles in a very difficult situation with a game the day after Thanksgiving and the SEC Championship game in the next two weeks. Not to mention the National Championship game if LSU wins out.

News and Notes: Wednesday Edition

• Let's be clear, Brian from mgoblog.com broke the Lloyd Carr retirement story. It was the opening story on SportsCenter last night at 6:00. Brian had it 24 hours before anyone. I am also proud to say bighouseblog.com had it Monday night as well.


• A nervous AD at LSU responds to questions on whether Les wants to go to Michigan. Les was on ESPN radio yesterday and couldn't hide his love for the Michigan program. LSU better back up the Brinks truck to Les right now if they want him to stay.

• ESPN makes a good point about a coaching change and recruiting. There is a two week dead period in December. What a great time to make a change and keep the top recruits that have verbally committed.

• Update: 2 new names that I didn't mention who could replace LC are: 1) Kirk Ferentz - IOWA HC. I wouldn't support this hire. This guy is a solid head coach and has turned down the NFL, but what has he really done at Iowa? I know he is very well respected at U of M. 2) Michael Trgovac - Who? You ask? Mike is the current defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. Born near Youngstown, Ohio, Trgovac was an All-American noseman at the University of Michigan before starting his NFL coaching career. It seems OSU has had success with a coach from Youngstown. I wish I could remeber his name.........


• Wojo article talks about Carr and the "Game"


• Don't expect any news on Henne and Hart before Saturday morning. They both will play


• Michigan Basketball expected to get two recruits today in the early signing period.

• Look for the special Buckeye John, Michigan - OSU Preview today.