Michigan Monday: Looks For Big Changes

The Michigan Football program has somehow gotten worse under a respected head coach.   Which is pretty much shocking to everyone that follows College Football.  I took some heat when Coach Whitt was hired because I pointed out that Utah had gently pushed him out.   He then impressed many of us with his staff, his portal additions, and his ability to keep most of the roster intact.   

This roster, this coaching staff, new discipline, and a new focus was going to lead to a successful season with a difficult schedule.  Maybe Michigan could sneak into the CFP?  Here is the problem, nothing on the offense side of the ball has worked.  Nothing.   Coach Beck a respected OC is running plays and an offense that seems foreign to everyone, even the players running it.  Michigan is losing their winnable games and guess what is going to happen when they play the big boys?

So now what?  I honestly don't know.  

Our 8 figure QB is completely broken and looks disinterested

The offensive line looks to be running blocking concepts that are new to them 

Our great RB's are getting hit at the LOS because every defensive box is overloaded 

Michigan's TE's are an afterthought 

Michigan's 2 really good WR's seem to be the only options in a terrible passing offense 

The positive is Michigan has two weeks to fix what is broken and they won't take a loss this weekend.  Michigan also has a solid defense that probably should take the week off after all the plays they ran on Saturday.  

Here is my concern:  Coach Whitt has come to Ann Arbor as a football CEO and not a hands on head football coach.  Him saying he is going to sit down with Coach Beck to figure out the unacceptable offense, seems like a meeting that's a month over due.  

Is there conflict between the donors and the new staff on Bryce? Because I see a backup QB with a legendary name and good QB mechanics sitting on the bench. 

Has Bryce mentally checked out? Is he overwhelmed?  Because he is not processing the field at all.  Many times he is making the wrong read on the option handoff to the RB's and missing wide open WR's/TE's.

Coach has a ton of explaining to do at his presser today.  But I'm not sure I will believe any of it, until I see it.  

• Etroit Lions

• Are there any good football teams in the State of Michigan right now?  Yes, there is.  1 - Ferris State defending National Champions are 5-0.  

Wolverine Wednesday: Does Coach Whitt Know?

I've been critical of Coach Whitt and staff for not knowing Michigan traditions until after they happen, they should have a Michigan Historian on staff.  Examples through 4 weeks that Coach Whitt was surprised about:

• Michigan playing poorly in game 1 
• Michigan playing poorly in a night game 
• Maize Jerseys 
• That people are still talking about a play from Week 1 
• That the Wolverines play best a noon 
• Iowa has some weird magic
• Every point against Iowa is ultra important 
• Every defense they will face will sell out to stop the run 
• Even when you win it feels like a loss as the Michigan Head Coach 

There is another one coming up on Saturday and you better be prepared.   Minnesota will play like they are in the CFP this weekend to win the Little Brown Jug.  It's the most important trophy the 

Golden Gophers can win.   They will not win a Big Ten Championship or get to the CFP,  this game and maybe a bowl game in Nashville are the most important prize for the Golden Gophers. 

When you have young players and transfers they don't understand.  When you mix in a new staff and they are naive to these things, do you know what happens?  You actually lose football games you should win.  Best example was the Iowa game last weekend.   Long time, Michigan fans knew bad things were coming after that weird tip ball that landed in a Hawkeye's hand after coming from out of bounds. 

If the Wolverines are not ready to play on Saturday, they are going to lose another game and the oldest trophy in college football.  

Like I said on Monday, sometimes playing at home has too many distractions.  Get on the road, start bonding as a team, play Michigan Football and start to dominate on both sides of the ball.  Everyone has to be better this week, Coaches, Coordinators, Head Coach, Players, Defense, Offense, and Special Teams. 

Wolverine Wednesday: What I'm Thinking a Week 1/2 Out

Fall Camp is over and Game 1 install is moving forward for our Michigan Wolverines.  We have a weak slate of Week 0 games this weekend, which for some reason is now called an extended Week 1.  In 10 days we will have Michigan Football back in the Big House! 

Here are my thoughts at this point:

• I think Michigan has the talent and coaching to compete in every game this season, even against the OSU and the Oregon's of the world on the road. 
• Bryce's needs the light to come on and come on quickly.  He has to remove himself from his bank account and just focus on being the best QB he can be.  The season is really riding on his accuracy, decision making, and protecting the ball. 
• Everyone loves our RB's and so do I 
• I think the OL is going to be special with 8-10 deep that can play! 
• WR is going to be a strength this year.  Michigan has two NFL players with Marsh and JJ and a host of young guns ready to blow the tops off a defense.  
• I expect less from the TE's this year.  With such a loaded WR room. 
• I can't tell you how excited I am about a defense run by a coordinator that knows how to coach the college game. 
• I think the DE's will surprise us, and the DT will be solid. 
• I also like what I'm hearing in the secondary between the experience and young guys.  
• My biggest concern is at LB, Michigan lost a ton here and I'm very concerned that teams might be able to move the ball due to this position grouping.  This is the biggest question mark on the team right now.
• Special Teams!  Do your job, make your kicks, catch punts, and make tackles.  

I like this team a lot but it rides on Bryce's shoulders, he has to take the reins and have his talent match his production. Don't love the potential hole in the middle of the defense, but what can help that is a great pass rush and a bunch of athletes that can cover. Hill is also been aware of this problem for 9 months, so I'm sure he has a plan. Maybe more zone?

I don't see this team blowing out good teams (like our basketball team did), I see them being competitive and playing fundamental football.   If they play smart, I see them as a borderline playoff team this year.  

Let's get this thing kicked off! 

• RIP Dolly Parton 

• So nobody loves this NFL Roster back to the NCAA?  Does the new Big Ten rule mean Roddy can't come back to the Basketball Team

Michigan Thursday: News and Notes

• Michigan's General Council Tim Lynch is changing jobs and moving to Stanford.

• In a strange stat, Utah hasn't had a QB drafted since 2005 when Alex Smith went #1.  That won't be the case for Coach Whitt at Michigan. 

• Sherrone's accuser is suing Michigan for Freedom of Information Act on not releasing the finding of the investigation. 

• Michigan is in a tight recruiting battle for 2027 four-star OL Lincoln Mageo

• Michigan commit Ifeanyi Emedobi who is new to football learned the game from playing Madden.

Wolverine Wednesday: Random Mid-Week Thoughts

• Is it good Coach Whitt is not a Michigan Man?  I think so.  It's more important to hire a coach with Michigan sensibilities then it is hiring someone with Michigan ties to the school.   For example, I wouldn't buy a used car from Urban Meyer but I know the guy an recruit and coach football.  We also know Coach Whitt comes from the Meyer tree.  So here is the question, Does Coach Whitt have Urban's good football qualities but with Michigan Football's sensibilities?  I'm betting he does.

• Do we all agree Michigan's success next year rides on the development of Bryce this off season?

• Kamden Lopita made the Elite 11 Finals which has 20 QB's attending.

• Did you know EMU Ladies Golf Team was really good and just lost in the NCAA Semi's to Stanford?  Congrats on a great year! 

• How in the world does Mike McCarthy keep getting all these jobs with historic NFL Franchises?  Green Bay, Dallas, and now Pittsburg?  The guy comes off as being a really bad coach IMO.

• I'm starting to feel the NBA is just un-watchable.  The games are not even close and we are in the conference finals. 

• The Cavs keeping their head coach and Harden hours after getting swept by the Knicks is classic Cleveland. 

• Memorial Day needs sports on during the day.  

• Does Dusty ever take a vacation?

• How can we make the UFL better?  I think it has to have more involvement from the NFL and include late round draft picks or something.  I want to watch football during the summer but for some reason this football just doesn't keep my attention. 

• The PGA Tour needs to figure out a way to welcome back the LIV golfers after that league folds.  No way anyone is going to put up big dollars to save that league.  Pay a fine and lets move on to better PGA fields.  Those worried about Phil, I know he is going through some health stuff with his family, but I expect he would head to the Champions tour if they let him back in, which they probably won't. 

Michigan Tuesday: The War of Warde

You know how I feel about Warde as Michigan's leader of the athletics department.  He is way over his head and has overseen the most roller coaster time in the history of the program.  My opinion is, that Warde should not be leading this program any longer, his good things (hiring Dusty and Coach Whitt) does not over weigh his huge mistakes.  It's amazing to me how such a powerful University can't find a true leader to lead this athletics organization. 

Angel did an interview with Warde and his answer were very by the book.  My biggest takeaway is that he has no fear of losing his job.  

Q: So you don't have any concerns about your job security?

A: No.

Q: Why are you so confident?

A: I'm confident in what I've done and how I've done it, and what I've asked people to do. Again, I'm not perfect, and I don't know anybody who is, but I'm confident that I have done everything to make sure that we do things the right way within the department. The rest of it, I don't sit and worry. I worry about moving us forward and continuing the success that we've developed over the years since I've been here.”

Let me clear something up completely.  You don't pay a law firm millions of dollars to do an investigation on the Athletics department if your not expecting a change of leadership.  If the findings come out negative or troublesome, there is zero chance Warde retains his job.  Signs are pointing to a negative finding is that the expectation was this investigation was to be completed in January, it's April, and law firms get paid by the hour.  

Want more proof that Warde is poor leader and not getting his message received by the people he leads?  (bold is mine).  The question was did you or the regents ask for the investigation into the athletics department?

You’d have to ask the Regents their conversations about it. The next morning (Dec. 11, 2025 after Moore was fired), I talked to Domenico, and I said I would like the Office of Equity, Integrity and Compliance to work with me to find someone to come in and do a cultural assessment, because apparently my words are not getting through. So I’d like some help in what else can be done.

When you tune out your leader, you don't respect that leader.  There is an old saying in the business world, "employees don't leave companies, they leave leadership"

Michigan Tuesday: Spring Practice News and Notes

Michigan is in its 2nd week of Spring Practice and things are starting to sneak out and players are meeting with the media.  Here is what I've gathered from a number of sources:

• Bryce is struggling a bit but being coached the way he should've been as a Freshman.  No one is concerned as this is a new offense and its still very early.  He also is still a young QB that didn't have a QB coach last season.  Which was a huge mistake. 

• Michigan's Oline is still banged up but could be elite when healthy and under the coaching of Jim Harding. 

• Could Michigan have one of the best WR's rooms in the country?  Maybe! 

• Carr has looked good but BFN is not on campus yet and the LSU QB is expected to redshirt due to injury. 

• Defense is ahead of the offense, which is not uncommon at this point. 

• True Freshman WR Travis Johnson has impressed in camp. 

• The culture is more Harbaugh like vs. what the team has had the last 2 years. 

• The S&C program is completely different and good different. 

• Hiter of course looks good with a huge upside.

• John Henry Daley spoke to the media and is feeling good and is expected to be cleared for full football activity on 6/1!

• JJ Buchanan has impressed and spoke to the media, he expects this WR room to be elite. 

• Transfer CB Smith Snowden says the team has bought in to the new staff and new approach.

--------

• U of M Women's Basketball lost to Texas last night, still one of the best seasons in program history!

• There is some smoke around 5 star Brandon McCoy joining Dusty's program!

• That 7'9 guy on Florida's roster is entering the portal, if he fits. 

Michigan Tuesday: Names Spring Captains

Michigan Football has much needed new leadership this year and they have new policy and procedures.  The newest procedure is naming Spring Captains, which makes sense as there are lots of new players on the roster from the portal, Utah, and true freshman. 

The 2026 Spring Captains are Rod Moore, Trey Pierce, Jordan Marshall and Bryce Underwood. There is also a leadership counsel made up of 15 players from each position group.

• There was a outstanding question on why there wasn't announcement about Marsh staying?  They were waiting for his birthday and we got it yesterday! 

• Sounds like Brian Jean-Mary is heading to ND at a LB coach.

• Dusty was at the Pistons Nets game to see Danny Wolf and Juwan Howard.

• Vlad got the gameball for the Heat last night!

• Gus Malzahn is retiring from coaching.

Wolverine Wednesday: Are Michigan Opponents Reading The Wolverines Mail?

Michigan is paying a hefty fine and Sherrone has to sit one more game next year due to Michigan being better than everyone else at stealing signs.  The NCAA should be thanking Michigan for pushing them to in-helmet communications.  Anyways, as this season has moved forward its clear what Michigan is doing is not surprising Michigan opponents in fact they are expecting it. 

USC started the trend by sitting on the run game and screen game.  (Remember when we couldn't get Michigan to run screens?).   Next MSU defense did the same thing and the Michigan offense struggled for most of the game.   We thought there is no way Purdue could do the same in the Big House but they did and the Michigan offense continued to struggle.  

What about the defense side of the ball?  Yes, Wink has his tendencies as well and opponents are playing right into it.  The strategy when you blitz is you throw to that area as its now not occupied by a defender.  I watched the Purdue offense closely and everytime Wnik brought a blitz the Purdue QB threw right at it.  Which means Michigan is doing 2 things, #1 they are tipping the blitz from that side and #2 they are expecting blitz and game planning for it.  I love how fast Barham gets to the QB, but when you do that, you also leave a huge hole to run through.  

Chip and Wink both have a ton of experience and I'm sure they understand this better than anyone.  Both have their challenges with injuries, depth, and for a Chip a talented 18 year-old QB that is lacking experience.  I'm clearly not a coordinator, but I play one on TV.   My advice would be to stop blitzing so much Wink.  If the opposing QB is expecting blitz, he will already have happy feet and be looking for a dump off.   The Washington game turned in my opinion, when Wink stopped blitzing. 

I love Bryce's upside but he is starting to struggle as the defense is now playing into his tendencies.  Michigan has two good WR's and a stable of talented TE's.   Use the TE's like you did in the State game, they are a mismatch for any LB and should be open for those 5-15 yard gains.  The WR's can stretch the field and maybe open a down field threat, but move the sticks with the TE's.   Also take the play that is in front of you.  There was probably 3 times Bryce could have ran for 1st downs but threw an incompletion. 

Michigan will have to be different the rest of the year if they are going to have a chance to win out. 

• Michigan is #21 in the new CFP rankings 

• Mazi got traded to the Jets, let's hope this gives him a new opportunity to have a good NFL career. 

• Is anyone thinking Iowa has a shot at the playoffs?  They play the Ducks this weekend in a sneaky good game.  Winner maybe out of the playoffs.  

• Jedd Fisch name is starting to pop up for some of the new openings.  I wish Michigan considered him more seriously when Jim left. 

• Sounds like golf played a role in both the LSU and Auburn firings.  Rumor is Brian Kelly had nearly 400 rounds at his country club and that Auburn fans new Hugh Freeze was getting fired when he canceled his standing tee time on Sunday with his wife.  

Michigan Monday: The Messy Weekend and A Too Early Look at UW

The State did not have a good weekend for sports.  Tigers are out of the playoffs, Lions fell to the Chiefs,  2 LA teams beat 2 Michigan Universities in college football, Eastern and Western Michigan did post wins.    We will get to the Wolverines in a minute.  Time to discuss to James Franklin.  

James is who he has always been and Penn State this weekend had enough and will cough up around $50M to walk him out the door.  James over 12 years in State College has been a great recruiter and a terrible in game coach.  He was that way day 1 and continued that in his 12th year.   Penn State continuing to pay him and extending him when other schools came calling is on them.  To quote the famous Dennis Green (RIP), "He is who we thought he was he was, and we let him off the hook" .  Until Sunday when they fired him.  

Before we look at UW a couple more thoughts about the disaster in LA.  

Michigan's worst defensive down is always 3rd and long.  What the F is happening when Michigan gets a team in 3rd and 22?  Do they completely lose focus? USC called a running play and it went for like 42 yards.  WTF! 

I like Sherrone but if Baltimore ever gets tried of John Harbaugh, I would hire him during his farewell press conference.  John Harbaugh is the perfect fit for Michigan Football and would be my #1 candidate over any other coach in the sport.  

I'm not sure what happens on some of these road games but Michigan seems to forget how to play football.  I will go on record, I hated the Wink hire.  Hated it.  Early last season I would've given him an F for the talent he had and the performance he was getting.  He of course flipped that and had a really nice finish with wins over Ohio State and Alabama.   With that said, have we flipped back?   What the hell was that on Saturday?  This is the healthiest the defense has been all year and guys were out of position and were not prepared for a a quick passing game.   Every NFL team runs that offense and Wink didn't know how to stop it?  There are two things that travel, defense and a run game.   Michigan was running ok but Wink left the defense in Ann Arbor.  

Sherrone some of this is on you.  What the hell is going on? Why isn't the team prepared to play on the road.  BTW, did you F up the Quarterback situation in the portal again?  Is Mikey not even an option at this point?  Bryce was cleary banged up during the game.

Ok, I got that off my chest.  On the other hand, football is a weird sport and sometimes you can travel across country, fill an opponents stadium with fans, and get your ass handed to you by a lesser team because its football.  College Football is now professional football and pretty much anyone can win any Saturday.  Michigan certainly did not see that John Mateer in the Red Rivalry when they traveled to Oklahoma a few weeks ago.  Will be interesting to see how USC plays ND next weekend.   Michigan really made Wisconsin look decent last weekend. 

On to Washington (5-1)

Best Win: Comeback against Maryland on the road 

Best Loss: Ohio State in Seattle 

Pass: 279.7 per (25th)

Run: 188.8 per (37th) 

Score: 39.2 per (19th) 

Give up: 19.7 (37th) 

This team is a problem and plays right into all of Michigan's weaknesses.   They have a diminutive QB who is fast, likes to run, and can spin it.  I watched some of the Rutgers game and everything he did, I was thinking this is a nightmare for Michigan.   On the other hand, he does tend to turn the ball over and they have yet to play a decent team on the road yet.   Plus its a really bad body clock game for them with a noon kick.   So I'm saying there is a chance! 😀

• I hope Justice ribs are ok and he can go this weekend.  We should find out more during Sherrone's presser today.  Also concerned about Payne.

• Salt meet wound - Penn State QB Drew Allar is out for the year. 

• So IU is really good.  Curt will be flooded with job offers in 2 months.  (that is an example of how a team was really prepared for the moment and environment on the road)

• Michigan is expected to be all over Penn State 2026 and 2027 commits.  Wasn't current PSU freshman TE Andrew Olesh very close to committing to Michigan? 

Michigan Friday: Back Early To Review the NCAA Hammer

The NCAA today levied a punishment against the Michigan program for stealing signs from other programs.  Every rival fan base has been waiting for this deal for 2 years and I'm guessing they're disappointed that the expected hammer is more of a paper cut. 

Let's review the penalty as we know it:

• Loss of post season revenue: which is estimated at $20+ Million for two years.   That is probably an hours worth of work fund raising to the alumni and supporters that can bankroll that.  

• +1 game suspension for Sherrone, which will happen in 2026.  He is already taking a two game suspension this year.  Not sure I understand this one, with all the Harbaugh game suspensions, this one seems a bit over the top.  But your just suspending a guy for 4 hours on a Saturday.  Which really isn't a big deal.

• 10 Year Show Penalty for Harbaugh - He doesn't work in college football any longer.   Not a penalty. 

• 8 Year show for Conner - He will be fine working in other areas of football. 

• 3 year for Denard - This is tough for him and I hope he finds other work.  I would love to see him get a job in the NFL. 

• Chris Partridge did not get a show clause and probably should not have been fired from Michigan. An over reaction from Warde.

• 25% reduction in official visits 

• 14-week prohibition on recruiting communication 

• 4 years probation

This is more of Jimmy, Sherrone, and Denard not helping the NCAA make their case against Michigan then the sign stealing penalty.  The NCAA has zero power to get people to talk and when they don't cooperate, the NCAA restricts the way they can make a living with show clauses.   What a great organization. 

This is all very manageable and not that big of a penalty.  Michigan still has a National Championship and our head coach misses 3 games the next 2 years.  

It's over folks, time to move on to the season!  

Michigan Friday: Gehe Blau

Michigan seems to be moving a home game in 2026 against Western Michigan to Germany.   Yes, Ann Arbor is about 100 miles from Kalamazoo, but they are now moving it to Germany.  

Here is the release from Michigan Football: 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Football program is engaged in ongoing discussions to kick off the 2026 season on foreign soil, playing host to Western Michigan at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, on Saturday, Aug. 29. This non-conference matchup would become the first game played by the Wolverines outside of North America.

Also known as Waldstadion, Deutsche Bank Park is the home field for Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga, which is the top tier of the German football (soccer) league. The retractable roof stadium has a capacity of 55,000 seats and was opened in 1925. Germany has hosted five previous NFL games in the country, with Deutsche Bank Park hosting two regular-season games during the 2023 season: Kansas City Chiefs 21, Miami Dolphins 14 (Nov. 5) and Indianapolis Colts 10, New England Patriots 6 (Nov. 12).

"We are in advanced discussions to create this first-of-its-kind opportunity for our student-athletes and fans," said Warde Manuel, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. "The University of Michigan is one of the few worldwide brands in college athletics and the interest in playing an international game would be unique. This would be a great opportunity to teach 'Go Blue' to a new group of fans in Germany."

"I am excited about the football and educational experience this game could provide for our players," said Sherrone Moore, U-M's J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach. "We are always looking for unique opportunities to expose our student-athletes to other cultures. In the last 10 years, our program has been to Italy, France and South Africa, and this game would provide another chance to grow our international fanbase."

Brett McMurphy is reporting this is a done deal. 

I think this is a fun trip for some Michigan fans, but not much more than that.  The stadium is half the size of the Big House and steals a home game from season ticket holders. 

Michigan Thursday: Firecracker News and Notes

 🧨Michigan Basketball seems to be playing in a Cash Grab tournament against San Diego State and Auburn in Vegas next season, but it seems Michigan released it too fast.   These type of tournaments will pay the players directly.  

💥Vlad signed a two-way contract with the Heat.  That is where he will split his time between the G-League and the Heat Roster. 

🧨OSU wide receiver Jeremiah Smith guarantees wins against Michigan in the next two seasons.  Please say more and keep saying it!

💥LSU is asking for NCAA approval to put an advertising patch on their football uniforms.

 🧨Morez Johnson Jr. is hooping for Team USA in the FIBA U19 Tournament! They face Canada on July 4th! Oscar Goodman is also playing well for New Zeeland as they continue to advance as well.

💥5-star WR Calvin Russell III will announce his decision on Saturday between Michigan, Syracuse, Oregon, and FSU. 

🧨4-Star CB Dorian Barney will also announce on Saturday between Michigan, GA Tech, Texas A&M, PSU, and Ole Miss. 

💥Tim Hardaway Jr. signs with the Nuggets ending the dream of 3 Wolverines on the Pistons roster. 

🧨Thank you to Matthew and Nicole Lester who gave $6M to the Michigan Football program and didn't want their name on anything.  It drives me crazy that there is a some family name Defensive Coordinator role at Michigan.  BTW: Matt and Nicole, if your interested in funding a Michigan Football Blog, let me know! 😃

Have a great and safe holiday weekend everyone and lets hope we can talk about the big commitments on Monday!

Who is In and Who is Out for Today's Exhibition

Heading to the NFL Draft and Opted Out:

• RB Kalel Mullings
• RB Donovan Edwards
• S Makari Paige
• LT Myles Hinton
• TE Colston Loveland
• CB Will Johnson
• EDGE Josaiah Stewart
• DT Mason Graham
• DT Kenneth Grant

Transferred out

• RB Tavierre Dunlap (Eastern Michigan)
• RB Cole Cabana (Western Michigan)
• OL Raheem Anderson (Western Michigan)
• OL Andrew Gentry (BYU)
• C Dominick Giudice (Missouri)
• QB Jayden Denegal (San Diego State)
• P Tommy Doman (Florida)

Injury Report:

Out

Brady Prieskorn

Questionable

Jaden Mangham

Amorion Walker 

Jeff Persi

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Michigan got their #1 recruit, transfer portal QB and #1 transfer portal RB (Justice Haynes from Alabama committed last night!) all in December.   What a wonderful Holiday Season!  

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of my Big House Blog family!

National Signing Day Extravaganza 2025!

That's a wrap for the day!  Bryce and NOB are in and a great finish to a great class.  We will re-cap on Thursday!  

Big News:

-Dusty and the two 7 footers beat Wisconsin at Kohl last night!  What a great first win in the Big Ten in maybe the toughest location to win.  As soon as I say the two 7-footers are not working in the lineup, they do!  They win that weird tournament in Ft. Myers and then both go over 20 at Wisconsin.  Yes, Please! 

-Michigan OC Kirk Campbell was fired last night. 

-WR Tyler Morris, RB Tavierre Dunlap, OL Raheem Anderson are entering the portal

-Recruits have until end of day on Friday to sign in this period. 

-Cade McNamara is in the portal.  Cade having eligibility left is an upset.  😀

-Belleville NSD Event is at 5:00 EST tonight

-Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng will announce on ESPN at 2:30.  is BLUE!!!

Signed:

• Bryce Underwood, 5-star QB is in!
• Elijah Dotson, 4-star S is in!
• Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng 5-Star LB is in!
• Kainoa Winson, 4-star DB
• Kaden Strayhorn, 3-star OL 
• Julius Holly, 3-star DE 
• Jordan Young, 4-star S 
• Andrew Babalola, 5-star OT 
• Andrew Marsh, 4-star WR 
• Jasper Parker, 3-star RB is in
• Benny Patterson, 3-star DL 
• Jacob Washington, 3-star WR 
• Shamari Earls, 4-star CB 
• Nate Marshall, 4-star DE
• Eli Owens, 3-star TE 
• Chase Taylor, 3-star LB 
• Travis Moten, 3-star DL 
• Jamar Browder, 3-star WR
• Avery Gach, 4-star OL 
• Donovan Johnson, 3-star RB 
• Bobby Kanka, 3-star DL 

Committed but Not Signed Yet:

• Bryce Underwood, 5-star QB (might have heard of him)
• NOB, 5-Star LB (just committed) 
• Andrew Olesh, 4-star TE (expected to announce/sign on Friday)
• Jayden Sanders, 4-star CB
• Elijah Dotson, 4-star S 
• Jordan Young, 4-star S 
• Julius Holly, 3-star DE 
• Kaden Strayhorn, 3-star OL
• Kainoa Winson, 4-star DB

Big News right off the bat Michigan has a new commitment from Travis Moten a 3 star DL recruit from Louisville.  He signs with Michigan over Virginia and Texas Texas Tech! He was expected to announce on Thursday, instead he just signs with Michigan.   Travis is 6'5 and 250 pounds and had 16 sacks his senior season.  He is considered a late riser due to having a great senior season.  Maybe a diamond in the rough here! 

Michigan Monday: Season Saver

I try not to be a prisoner of the moment when I write this blog, but I must fall on my own sword and say I am during the Michigan Football season.    This season had some serious up and downs.  It also had some predictable outcomes.   We all knew Michigan had an issue at QB back in February and had a chance to have a great defense.   The defense was not great for most of the season and the prediction of needing a QB was spot on. 

The offense did not play great on Saturday but did enough to win.  If you're old enough to remember the John Cooper years, I had a flashback on Saturday.  It's clear Michigan is in Ryan Day's head and that feeling paralyses him, his coaches, and his players.   Sure Ryan Day has lost to 3 other Michigan teams, but those teams were really good.  Championship good.  This team isn't and isn't by a long shot.   It's the John Cooper effect.  

OSU 2024 Goals 

1. Beat Michigan 
2. Win a Big Ten Championship 
3. Win a National Championship 

It's common knowledge in college football circles that OSU has the most talented roster in college football.  We also know they they hit their salary cap doing it.   This is a professional football team and there is no question about it.   There is a difference between preparing and prioritizing a rivalry vs. analysis paralysis.  Day and company spend every minute of every day preparing to beat Michigan and its continues to cost him and his team on the field.  

Best Photo Ever 

twitter/x

I left off Tommy Doman in my post game Cheers.  Tommy has had a difficult year to say the least, but his 68 yard punt changed field position and changed the game.  Well Done, Tommy and you deserve your flowers today.   Same goes to senior Safety Makari Paige who might have had his best game ever against Ohio State. 

I know Michigan will play in a bowl game and all its stars will opt out but I really want the season to end on this note.

Time to get more big wins on Wednesday and start preparing for 2025! 

• Michigan after its big win hosted IU transfer portal WR Donaven McCully on campus.  

• It's flip season and Michigan scored a big one yesterday in 4-star DB Jordan Young from Clemson.  Jordan had only been committed to the Tigers for a month and Michigan never stopped recruiting him.  Jordan is 6'0 and 185 pounds and projects to Safety at Michigan.  Welcome! 

• Michigan and OSU were each fined $100K by the Big Ten office.  In return, Michigan and OSU are considering firing Tony P :-)

• Purdue fired its head coach Ryan Walters.   If Wink leaves to the NFL, Ryan would be a great DC candidate for Michigan.   Yes, I think Wink saved his job on Saturday. 

• The Bama committed 5-star OT Ty Haywood that Michigan is trying to flip is delaying his decision to the late signing window. 

• The guy that was running with the Michigan flag that was grabbed by the Buckeyes and then taken back was former Michigan WR Jason Avant.  Well done Jason.  Best hands as a Michigan WR ever! 

• There was a ton of flag planting going on across rivalry week.  Gus did you see them?

• Gus Johnson is getting rolled for his Ohio State - Michigan call.  I know he is a Michigan and Detroit Lions fan, but I'm starting to get worried about him. 

Michigan Monday: Doesn't Want To Look Towards The Weekend

I like this feeling and really haven't had it all year.  I wrote after close wins over bad teams that it felt like a loss.  Michigan played with heart on senior day and knocked out the Wildcats.  They put up 50 on a bad team and it was that 2023 feeling all over again.  

The USC win felt good but Michigan played terrible in the 2nd half and Mullins pulled it out late.  

Not to mention the momentum that the Bryce Underwood commitment has given the Wolverines.  Seeing him on the sideline and watching the fans reaction must of validated that decision for him.  

This is the spot where we look ahead to Michigan's next opponent.   I'm going to pass on that today as I want this feeling to continue.   We all know what OSU has and where they are ranked, no need to continue to remind ourselves.  Its a holiday a week! 😀

• Michigan Basketball is in a tournament in Fort Myers, Florida and play VT today.   Lessen the turnovers and get some boards! 6:00 tip. 

• Brandon Graham was playing his best game of the year on SNF last night then tears his pec muscle and is out of the year, which mean he might have played his last snap of NFL Football.  Brandon is a Michigan Man and has had an amazing career if this is it. 

• Harbaugh Bowl tonight on MNF

• Nebraska has qualified for a Bowl Game after a win over Wisconsin,  this is the first time Nebraska will go bowling since 2016.

• Former Wolverine commits QB Carter Smith and Jaylen Williams have committed to the Wisconsin Badgers. 

• So Franz is on fire lately.  Might have to take in a Magic game! 

• I hope we get news on Loveland today and a possible injury.  He did not come out of the locker room for the 2nd half by some reports.

Michigan Monday: Wake Up Warde, I've Got Something to Say to You

It's late in the season and you should be back at school. 

When you lead an organization and an area of your business is going through a crisis, do you know what you really want the leader of that group (that is in crisis) to do?  Not be focused on doing another job for another organization.  

Warde,

I know you struggle to understand why Michigan fans continue to call for your job, when you believe your doing an excellent job.  Warde you seem to struggle with the business side of Michigan Football.  To me you seem to be more of an academic administrator then a business executive.  I know the Domino's guy was complete disaster, but the Ford CEO did a pretty good job and got the program back on track. 

You were really late to NIL, you completely botched the Harbaugh situation, you completely botched the hockey coach situation, probably botched the Coach B move to the NBA, and Dusty looks to be one of best moves you've made.  That is not a very good winning percentage.  

You and Sherrone have completely screwed up this football season, with some of the best defensive players to have ever walked in the Schembechler Hall.  Let me list out the failures, just so you are aware of mistakes you've made. 

• No proactive planning for the 2025 season
• Not finding any QB in the portal
• Not brining in WR's 
• Sherrone has failed with his specialty of  offensive line development 
• Hiring of a washed up NFL DC that had no other options 
• Not brining in a former College Head Coach that could mentor Sherrone 
• Not leading with NIL until now 

These bad decisions have cost Michigan a decent football season coming off a National Championship. Embarrassing loses to Illinois and Washington is just awful.   You have failed at your job this season and there is no other way to say it.  

So now what?  FSU is going through a worse situation.  At least they tried to bring in a QB in the portal, it just didn't work for them.  They just fired their OC and DC yesterday.   Warde, you better be prepared to do the same.  You also better think long and hard if this job is too big for Sherrone.   Right now it looks like it is.   For me, its Bryce Underwood with a new OC and DC next season if Sherrone is to continue as head coach.  

Warde you are paid to make the important decisions.  You let the best college football coach leave for the NFL because you were nickeling and diming him.  You should be fired just for that.   What do you think the pressure is going to look like when OSU lights up the scoreboard on the Wolverines in a few weeks?  You better have a plan and it better not be, staying the course.   If that is your plan, Santa will have a different plan for you.   

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