Michigan Tuesday: The Vanilla Gorilla

Coach Whitt has some Harbaugh coaching similarities.  Both are a bit of old school and both are little different.  Evidently Coach Whitt has nicknamed John Henry Daley: The Vanilla Gorilla.  I don't like it, I love it! 

Readers be prepared, I will be running with this often! 😃

Speaking of the Vanilla Gorilla, he was named the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Week. 

• Iowa game with be a 3:30 Kick on CBS, this weeks game is also a 3:30 kick 

• Sounds like Babalola continues to have injury issues and won't be back for some time 

• Two Freshmen I expect to see more is TE Mason Bonner and DE Tariq Toney who was held twice on pass rush against Oklahoma.  Mason made a nice catch but had a foot out of bounds. 

• Oregon 5-star WR commit Dakota Guerrant was in A2 for the Oklahoma game

• Kerry Coombs has done a really nice job with the Special Teams units 

• Excited to see the Defensive line with Carter Meadows who will be back from injury this Saturday. 

Wolverine Wednesday: With Chris Johnson's News - Let's Not Forget About Thomas Gordon

Chris Johnson used to be the fastest man in the NFL, he went on National TV to say through a computer that now he has ALS.  The Ice Bucket Challenge has comeback to raise money for this awful disease.  Let's us now not forget one of our own, former Wolverine and Michigan Man Thomas Gordon was diagnosed with ALS in 2023.  If you can help, here is his go fund me link.  He needs $300K and has raised $38K to date.  Let's rally and take care of one of our own! 

• Dusty went on a local Dallas TV station to state what we already know.  He didn't like the day-to-day in college basketball because it became less about coaching basketball.

• I'm excited to see what Carter Meadows can do next season! 

• Caris LeVert is on the move again and was traded from to the Pistons to the Bucks.

Michigan Tuesday: Wiping The Dust from my Eyes

It took me a minute to figure out the Dusty to Dallas Mavs situation and how it all came together.  I now believe I have pieced together the story like a famous bad TV detective. 

So I present the evidence to Big House Blog Jury for your judgement:  

Evidence #1:

Dusty wins the National Championship flies home with the team the next day and ends up having to go right into the office due to the transfer portal opening. 

Evidence #2:

Since winning a Ring, Dusty has been working and non-stop recruiting.  No vacation or time off. There are reports he was even recruiting the Monday morning he took the Dallas job. 

Evidence #3:

NIL Juke out:  The top player in the portal Juke Harris committed to Dusty 2 or 3 times verbally.  Only for Juke and his agent to take a higher offer from Tennessee.   If you remember Yax came to Michigan when he had much bigger offers from the likes of UK, many suggest as high as double the Michigan offer.  NIL and situations like the one above, made his job less about coaching and more about being a GM. 

Evidence #4:

Michigan had an offer on Dusty's desk for weeks to make him the highest paid college basketball coach.  He didn't sign and was sending signals to the NBA.  In fact, if Steve Kerr didn't come back he was probably headed for Golden State. (per Brian Windhorst ESPN) 

Evidence #5:

Dallas made him an offer that was hard to turn down:  Big salary, being able to coach Cooper Flagg, and draft one of his former players.  If he fails or doesn't like the NBA, he of course has a soft landing back in college ball.  That is one time special offer. 

Evidence #6:

This is pure speculation, he could give his friend at St. Louis Josh Schertz a promotion to be Michigan Head Basketball Coach. (If Warde is thinking clearly) 

The defensive Michigan Fans rest your honor.  

So this wasn't Warde's fault but it still happened under his watch.   He should've known when Dusty didn't sign his contract right away, something was up and should've paid off his beach house like Alabama did when Saban was flirting with Texas. 

• You know how I feel about Michigan taking commitments from guys heading a 2-year mission.  I believe they are useless and rarely workout.  Here is a similar example that worked out in Michigan's favor.  Weston Port was a 3 Star LB recruit out of California in the 2025 class and committed to UCLA.  Both Michigan and UCLA are different programs now and Weston is ready to enroll in January when his mission trip to Spain completes.  He picked Michigan on Monday over many new offers.   This reminds me of  the Andrew Gentry situation and how he ended up in A2.  Welcome Weston and this should close out the LB class for the 2027 class for the Wolverines. 

• The buzz on 2 Michigan Freshmen that are expected to see the field early and often are of course: Savion Hiter and DT Titan Davis.

• Another bad sign for the Big Ten and college football.  Wisconsin will wear a Culvers jersey patch this year. 

Michigan Friday: News and Notes

• Looks like Dusty is going to schedule an exhibition game against Houston in Grand Rapids next season. 

• Former Michigan and current Patriots guard Mike Onwenu, who had no guaranteed money remaining in the final year of his 3-year, $57 million pact, has signed a revised deal for 2026. His cap charge is reduced by $7.5 million. He gets $10 million in guarantees/bonuses.

• Michigan DB commit Max Miles is currently on a visit to Minnesota

• Will Tschetter is ballin in Australia and finding a ton of success in that pro league! Go Will!

• Michigan is set to host 4-star OT Niko Kampas from London, England this weekend. I sure hope he plays American Football and not soccer. 😀

• True freshman OL Malakai Lee has made it to Ann Arbor and is offically part off the Michigan Football program.

• True freshman DL Titan Davis has made it to Ann Arbor and is offically part off the Michigan Football program.

• Michigan football WR commit Quentin Burrell ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at a UA camp in Chicago.  (ht: Wolverine Wire)

Michigan Thursday: Game Times Are Set For The First 3

Game 1: WMU 7:30 

Game 2: Oklahoma Noon 

Game 3: UTEP 3:30 

I know early in the season there is a need for primetime games and a very small inventory of compelling match-ups.  Still why Michigan continues to open a season at night against a MAC opponent just boggles my mind.  If I was in charge of everything, I would have Game 1 at noon, Game 2 in Primetime, and Game 3 at noon.  

The only reason Game 2 is at noon, is because Fox owns the 12:00 kicks for the Big Time for their premier game of the week.   Game 1 is a primetime because the Networks know Michigan playing anyone draws a large audience and Game 3 must be a CBS game who owns that time slot for the Big Ten.  

I still prefer the Bo quote: “We used to tell the TV stations that we’re going to tee the ball up at one o’clock. If you want to come down and take your little pictures, feel free.”

• Freshman DT Alister Vallejo has made it to Ann Arbor to start his career as a Wolverine!

• Freshman TE Mason Bonner has made it to Ann Arbor to start his career as a Wolverine!

• In-state EDGE Myles Smith will announce his commitment this afternoon

• MSU Guard Jeremy Fears, feared he wouldn't be drafted high enough and is heading back to East Lansing to kick it for another year.

• Cal commit edge Troy Bowens will visit A2 on 6-19

Michigan Monday: Spring Game Not So Deep Thoughts

I recorded the Spring Game and got to fast forward the commercials.  It was nice being able to watch a game in a short amount of time.   That is if you could call Saturday's afternoon scrimmage a game.  The first quarter highlighted Bryce and Marshall but no tackling.  The rest of the game was full contact unless you are a QB. 

Many Michigan fans thought Bryce had a poor to bad freshman year leading the team at the QB position.  I was a little more warm about his first year as Michigan's QB.  Going from High School to playing on the road at Oklahoma, is a Grand Canyon jump in competition.  No, he didn't light the world on fire, but all that experience goes into his memory bank.  If you remember, JJ was not really even allowed to throw the ball his Freshman year. 

Now Bryce has a new staff, a QB coach, and his even hired his own QB coach.  On Saturday we expected to see a guy that is better with his fundamentals to match his immense talent.  What we saw, was some of the same troubles he had last year.  Bad footwork, bad decisions, and inaccurate throws.  As many of you know, guys with incredible arm talent, sometimes lack the proper QB fundamentals as they can just rely on their powerful arm.  This is what I see with Bryce, his fundamentals go out the door when he gets pressure. 

Now the offense line looked terrible in the first quarter as Bryce had zero time to pass the ball.  The protection seemed to get better as the game went on.  

To make the pressure even worse on the former 5 star, his true freshman backup Carr had a very nice day and looked like the more competent QB.  If Bryce is going to become a better QB, he has to do it when no one is watching.  The time is now and the time is this summer.  I watched Justin Fields at Ohio State's first Spring Game, he was awful and couldn't complete a pass.  He got a ton better in that summer.  It's time for Bryce to do the same. 

• I was very concerned about the offense line in the first quarter.  They still have a ton of work to do and getting guys back from injury. 

• The defense line looked pretty good but was that them stepping up or the offensive line being bad?

• Hiter is going to be special, he did not look like a true freshman.  Brown also looked very good.  The RB room is in great shape! 

• Carr was incredible and like I said above, was the best QB on the field.  He threw accurately and even has some speed to get outside and first downs.  MVP of the Day. 

• In a 7-6 game, the defense is way ahead of the offense, which is not uncommon at this stage.  Nothing to worry about. 

• There was a couple drops at WR, but I do like the talent in that room and Michigan looks like they are good shape with all the transfer coming in.  Moa could be special but needs the summer in the weight room and the nutrition program.

• Bobby Kanka local kid, made a huge hit on 4th down on the goal line.  

• It was hard trying to watch the secondary on BTN, but they looked like they were fundamentally in the right places and were breaking up passes.

• Didn't love the Pitt kicker missing a makeable field goal.  There was no punting or kick returns. 

The Spring Game is meant to show like 10% of the offense and defense.  Bryce has a lot of work to do and Michigan needs to take many more steps forward to be playoff worthy next season.  I'm going to trust Coach Whitt that the team is together and got better during this period.  That is all you can ask for.  During the summer, they need to take another big step forward.

Michigan Monday: Big Day For The Program

Not sure we can really under estimate today to Michigan Football this fall.   Today, Michigan Football re-opens its doors and will welcome in freshmen officially to the program. 

We don't know the specifics of COVID testing for the program but I'm sure there are very tight protocols in place to protect all players and staff.    If Michigan has many players test positive it could close the doors to the program for weeks.    Houston Football shut down workouts after 6 players players tested positive and the city is considering another shutdown after their positive rates have spiked up.  Ohio State has asked players and parents to sign a COVID risk waiver as they opened their doors a week ago. 

Michigan is expecting all 23 freshman on campus today and I'm sure there is a process for current players to be tested so they can work out as well. 

• Tom Brady worked out with Deion Sanders son who is a 2021 QB recruit.   

Wolverine Wednesday: Welcomes Freshman on 6/15

Michigan freshman football players are being asked to report to Ann Arbor on June 15th.  Michigan signed 23 players in the 2020 class but 8 of them (Braiden McGregor, Blake Corum, Andre Seldon, Makari Paige, Zak Zinter, Nikhai Hill-Green, William Mohan and Aaron Lewis) enrolled in January and had a very unique first semester at U of M to say the least. 

Michigan has yet to release a date for voluntary workouts for the rest of the roster.  All players will be tested and all the social distancing rules will apply to those workouts when they happen.   

I still don't know if there is a ruling for the two weeks of Spring Practice that most teams missed.  Only Coastal Carolina and UConn finished their full spring practices as the national average was 2 practices completed prior to the shut down.   As you know, Michigan never got started and still has all that practice time in the bank, which I'm hoping they can recoup in July.   It would be great if all the new freshman could participate which usually doesn't happen in March of course.

• Jimmy and many other football coaches and players participated in a peaceful march in Ann Arbor yesterday. 

Michigan Thursday: Freshman Hype

This is the best time of year for practice hype, during Fall Camp you have your entire football team including all the incoming freshman.   This year has been no different and there are clearly two guys that seem to be getting a ton of hype: Rashan Gary and Chris Evans.


Rashan is no surprise as the #1 player in the nation.  Getting hype during his first camp/practices is to be expected.   The surprise seems to be all the buzz around Chris Evans. 


Chris was a 5'11 RB in high school in Indy and many recruiting experts expected his role might be at CB or Slot WR at the next level.   They weren't really sure how he was going to project to big time college football.    As you know, Jimmy likes to recruit football players and he knew that Chris was one and his speed could make a difference at a number of positions. 


Chris committed to Michigan early and got a late January offer from Ohio State, many thought that offer could flip the talented athlete from Indianapolis.   He thought about it and stayed committed to Michigan.


Now he is getting buzz as a Freshman that will make an impact this year at RB. 


Here are some tweets from a players press conference yesterday:

Both De'Veon Smith and Drake Johnson both mentioned Chris Evans as sticking out.

— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) August 17, 2016

Mason Cole also praised Evans, says he really knows his stuff.

— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) August 17, 2016

Drake Johnson, who is roomies with Evans, says he's "mad athletic" and smooth. Makes them say "wow."

— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) August 17, 2016




We are also starting to hear that Eddie McDoom is very fast and could be a deep threat this year. 


The Big Ten network called Bredeson an elite freshman and a guy that should start right away.   He was holding his own against Gary in some pass rush drills.


True Freshman we haven't heard any buzz on yet includes: David Long, Carlo Kemp, Devin Bush Jr., and Khaaleke Hudson.



Something I didn't know:


Moe Ways broke his foot in Spring Ball but is back healthy now.  "Yeah, Moe hasn't missed a day," Harbaugh said. "Moe's done a nice job. He doesn't seem to have any ill-effects from the injury he sustained in the spring. The play he got hurt, it was a touchdown pass, and he broke the fifth metacarpal in his foot. But he's showing no signs of that lingering or slowing him down."


Moe is expected to see significant time at WR this year. 

Michigan Thursday: The State of Alabama Really Doesn't Like Jimmy And His Camps

Alabama really wants to keep Jimmy out of it's state.

A bylaw passed April 12 by the Alabama High School Athletic Association allows its member football coaches to only participate in camps involving their players on the weeks of June 27, July 4, July 11 and July 25.

Student-athletes can attend camps prior to those dates as individuals, and at their own expense.

"We're not going to have it," Patriots coach Kevin Rose said. "To have that many kids, 500 kids, they need 12 high school coaches to help work the camp. And since that's no longer legal, they won't be coming to Bob Jones.

Michigan had planned to do a camp at Bob Jones.  Michigan will be in Alabama on 6/7 doing a joint camp with South Alabama.   This should free up Jimmy to do the 49 other states and every country in the world

• It seems true freshman Dylan now Kekoa (he prefers to be called by his middle name now) Crawford will wear #1.   The countdown to a Braylon meltdown begins in 3...2...1....

• David Long will wear #22

• Rashan Gary will sport #3

The Adidas Michigan clearance is beginning.   MDen has all it's Adidas gear 50% off.    Buy now to save or wait for the Michigan Jordan stuff this summer.  

Michigan Tuesday: Freshman Get Numbers

Fresh...................

4 R. Jones DE
6 K. Washington CB
8 T. Wheatley TE
9 G. Perry WR
10 Z. Gentry QB
12 A. Malzone QB
16 A. David K
17 T. Kinnel S
22 Karen Higdon RB
75 J. Runyan OL
77 G. Newsome OL
81 G. Perry WR
TBD: Nolan Ulizio and Shelton Johnson

Transfers:

2 Wayne Lyons CB
5 John O'Korn QB
15 Jake Rudock QB
39 Bloke O'Neill P

Anything stick out to you Bob?

A kicker got Denard's number.   That is a bit strange. 

Wayne Lyons gets one of the most historic CB numbers in Michigan history.  

For some reason #22 feels right for Karan Higdon and I'm not sure why I feel that way.

Like #81 being a WR number, feels old school.

#77 for an offensive lineman is a big deal, I think of Lewan, Jake Long and Jon Jansen. 

• 2016 4 star DE Jordan Elliott and Houston commit will take an official to Michigan. 

• 2016 Flanagan HS teammates LB Devin Bush Jr, S Devin Gil and S Josh Metellus are expected to visit A2 this weekend.  Michigan hosted a camp with Devin's father this past Saturday and Devin was un-able to attend.   Sounds like he will make it up with a visit.

• Where are they now story on Drew Henson.  Hint: he is a baseball scout.

Michigan Monday: The Freshmen Are In Town

Per Mgoblog here are the freshmen's new numbers:

Ian Bunting	94	TE
Juwann Bushell-Beatty	76	OL
Freddy Canteen	17	WR
Mason Cole	52	OL
Michael Ferns	51	LB
Noah Furbush	59	LB
Drake Harris	14	WR
Lawrence Marshall	93	DE
Bryan Mone	90	DT
Brady Pallante	54	DT
Jabrill Peppers	5	DB
Wilton Speight	19	QB
Jared Wangler	19	LB
Brandon Watson	28	DB
Maurice Ways	85	WR
Chase Winovich	58	LB

Also to note:  Ty Isaac will wear the A-Train's #32

Countess will wear #2 this season.  Good for him!

Here are some comments from the freshman (warning Freep link):

Ways on watching practice: What are the changes in Michigan’s offense under new coordinator Doug Nussmeier? “Just practice-wise. Coach Nussmeier, he’s a perfectionist. He’s very high-tempo, very energetic and during practice it has a faster tempo to it now. Guys are more energetic, guys are more upbeat and the offense is faster and smooth

Wangler:   Are you getting better advice from your brother Jack and Shane or your dad? “Probably Jack for the most part. My dad played back when Bo (Schembechler) was the coach, they played old-school football. My dad gives me advice everyday about playing and giving 100% everyday. But Jack is also giving me advice because he’s there right now, with school, what classes to take, what to do, what not to do. ... (My dad) thinks he knows everything but he doesn’t realize he was there 100 years ago.”

Peppers: Are you promised to start? “Not necessarily. They just told me right now there’s a couple battles that are undecided and I’ve just got to come in and work if I want those spots. As far as offense goes, I don’t think that I’m going to be playing offense right away, maybe later in my career. For now, they just want me to perfect my technique, keep perfecting my craft, learn the defensive scheme and what coach (Greg) Mattison is trying to do before they start moving me around. It’s definitely going to be defensive-focused but I definitely am going to battle for a couple special team jobs.” 


Bushell-Beatty:  Have you remade your body? “You could say that. ... During the All-American Game I weighed in at 350. Now I’m down to 315. Just determination and focus. I knew I had to do. The biggest thing for me was, I’m not going to go into college overweight. That’s not what I was going for. I want to go and be efficient.”

• 4 star DB Marcus Lewis is planning to visit Michigan in July.  He is currently committed to Florida.

Michigan Tuesday: Don't Forget To Hoke!

I'm sorry, I mean Vote.  Doesn't matter for which candidate you fill in the bubble for, make your vote count! 

Today's post topic comes from a question from Mike W.:

Hey just throwing ideas for you to cover any chance norfleet takes over punt return duties it seems like gallon has misplayed a few the last few weeks and I have a feeling that if its not addressed it could cost us gallon is reminding me of his freshman year when he couldn't catch a cold back there as a punt returner not to mention the only punt return norfleet had was a big play he is explosive and a threat he barley gets any returnable kickoffs so it's a way to get the ball in his hands 

Thank you and keep up the great work!

 

 

I would like to take this question in two different directions: 1) The impact of True Freshman this year & 2) Hoke's coaching style.  I hope to answer the question somewhere between both of them.


I will start with the second topic first, Hoke's coaching style.  We sometimes forget who Brady Hoke learned from when he was a young coach.   Jack Harbaugh at Western Michigan, then hired by Gary Moeller and coached under Lloyd Carr at Michigan.   Jack was a little before my time but we know that Gary and Lloyd were Bo Schembechler disciples.   To me that rings loudly for a strong defense and a conservative offense.  Which I'm sure hit Dave Brandon's hot button in the interview and was the complete opposite of Rich Rod. 

Brady strongly believes in upper classmen and not taking too many risks in special teams.   I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that Gallon is told to fair catch the ball if there is any on coming rusher anywhere in his sight lines. 

So I agree with you that Norfleet has been a nice surprise this year with his kick off returns but I have a feeling that Brady feels having a freshman field punts on the 10 yard line is too much of a risk and not worth it.   As long as Gallon is catching the ball (or not turning it over), I think his job is safe. 

Now to the impact of freshman this year. 

Dennis Norfleet wasn't a part of Michigan's class until the day before signing day.  He was a highly rated RB but many had felt his size didn't fit the Wolverines need.   I disagree and have a philosophy regarding players like Dennis and Michigan.   There should always be a roster spot for speed.   Sometimes you just need speed guys on your team, whether at CB, WR, KR or RB = you can't teach or develop speed and when a kids has it, Michigan should embrace it and find away to use it.   I really have enjoyed the way they have used Norfleet this year and wish they had got him more involved in other areas. 

Funchess is another true freshman we have been very excited about.  Big Al really needs a find away to get him more looks a game.  2 or 3 isn't enough. 

Other Freshman that have been on the field and should have been:

• AJ Williams - Mostly a blocking TE
• Mario Ojemudia DE
• Ondre Pipkins, NT
• Joe Bolden, LB
• James Ross, LB
• Jarrod Wilson, S

Guys who Redshirts have been blown but I wished they still had it:

• Terry Richardson, CB
• Royce Jenkins-Stone, LB
• Amara Darboh, WR 
• Sione Houma, FB

I understand that special teams is important and a missed tackle or block can change the outcome of a game, but I really hate when we burn redshirts on kids on just special teams.   My feeling on Darboh is, try him at WR and see what he can do and I really wish RJS still had his red shirt. 

Big Will being on extra point duty during his freshman year cost him a year of college development under Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison.  That might have been the difference in a NFL career or a corporate gig for that young man.

I know I got long winded but thanks for the question!

Michigan Monday: Fall Camp Opens

Fall camp opens today for Team 133.  Michigan has a very difficult schedule but has a ton of talent including seniors Denard Robinson, Roy Roundtree and JT Floyd.   Don't forget a very talented freshman class as well headlined by the likes of Ondre Pipkins and Kyle Kalis. 

With a bunch of talent sprinkled in with some experince, what types to Camp Questions remain?

• What to do about Alabama?  Is there a good offensive and defensive game plan?  Michigan won the scoreboard at the Sugar Bowl but got out played for most of the game. 

• Fitz?  Will Fitzgerald Toussaint be able to practice during Fall Practice?  Will he miss the Alabama game?  If he does, who is next in line at RB?

• Freshman ready to play?  I have heard that Kyle Kalis is physically ready to play.  Of course he doesn't understand the reads and blocking assignments yet but we could see him getting some early snaps.  Best bet to play early is the guys that enrolled early so keep an eye out for LB Joe Bolden and S Jarrod Wilson. 

• Mix it up Devin!  We know Devin Gardner will be playing WR but how much?  Michigan understands they need to get their best athletes on the field and Devin is clearly one of them.   If you use him a ton he has a greater expsouser to getting hurt.  Is the WR risk worth the reward?  If it is, Big Al feels confident in Russell Helping.

• Who is the 2012 Junior Hemmingway?  We need a big year from Roy Roundtree.  One of the things that stood out to me in the Sugar Bowl was that our wide receivers could not separate themselves from Va Tech's DB's.  Junior just out jumped them. 

 

• Is Denard accurate?  With a year under his belt in Big Al's system can Denard make an RG3 type of jump in his senior year?  He will have plenty of primetime games to display his talents.

• Don't got Molk & Martin?  Is this Big Will's time?  Will PeeWee Pipkins get a lot of early playing time? Will Black have an easy transition from DE to DT? Michigan has question marks on the defensive line and we need a big year from Big Will.  Anyone wish Big Will still had a redshirt year?

• Mattison 2.0:  We will see another big jump from this defense.  They surprised most people last year, will they still be able to improve on that performance?

Those are my main questions going into camp.  Do you have any that I missed?

Michigan - Delaware State Post Game

photo courtesy of the Freep

So, I was right in my pre-game prediction of a 48-3 score, the problem was that was the score a half time.

I also predicted it would be over after the first quarter and it was. Everything worked for the Wolverines on Saturday on both sides of the ball.

This was never really a football game with a final score of 63-6, Delaware St. was over matched and was at the Big House on Saturday for a pay day and a chance for Michigan to get one game closer to Bowl Game. (BTW: The Champs Bowl in Orlando had a bowl representative in the press box during the game)

Since this was such a lopsided game, let's jump to the cheers and jeers.

Jeers:

• Didn't like seeing Tate Forcier sitting on the bench in the first half and not up and supporting Denard when he played.


• A few too many penalties for the Wolverines
• Need better coverage on kick off returns


• Mike Williams at times still looks lost a safety

Cheers:

• A record 727 total yards on offense


• 84 Wolverines played


• Vincent Smith's 166 yards on the ground


• Brandon Graham played great with two sacks and touchdown after a blocked punt


• The Grady Brothers - the first time brothers have scored since the Bump Elliott days


• No injuries

With Penn State next Michigan should feel pretty good about it's chances after posting 63 points. Some other notes:

• James Rodgers WR moved to CB during the game


• JT Floyd was out with the flu and didn't dress


• Carlos Brown didn't dress and was out with headaches still after his concussion


• Boubacar is still day to day with his suspension


• RR is hopeful to have Molk back next week


• The Michigan coaches were planning to play Tate more, but after the first drive they decided to hold him out the rest of the game.


• Big Will got a number of snaps on the defensive line


• Minor could have played on Saturday put RR kept him out just for rest.


• RR planned to play Shaw and Smith as the main RB's for this game


• The announced crowd was 106,000+ but there was a number of empty seats

Get your FRESH man We got FRESH man here!

When Coach Rodriguez took over the Wolverines in December, we knew the roster and personnel would be different for the Wolverines when they opened their 2008 campaign.

So in early 2008, Rich and his staff of coaches hit the recruiting trail and tried to land some of his prototypical weapons that he likes to use in his offense. One of those recruits is Martavious Odoms from Florida. Odom's whose nickname on the team is "Lil Wayne" lines up at 5"9 and 168 pounds. To small for Big Ten Football right? Not in this new world of Michigan football. Odoms has been impressive in Fall Camp and will take the field with the #1 Offense on Saturday.

"He's very fast and explosive and very elusive," junior wideout Greg Mathews said. "And he's so small. "I just love to look down there and see him in the slot, because I know I don't have to make a crushing block to get him open."

One of Lloyd Carr's recruits is Freshman and Internet video star - Sam "the crimedog" McGuffie who as of right now is listed as one of the starting running backs with fellow Freshman Mike Shaw and Letterman Minor and Brown. For some reason the "Crime Dog" nickname hasn't stuck and his fellow team mates have tabbed him "Vanilla Ice". Let's hope he doesn't have one great game, date Madonna and then be never heard from again.

One of Michigan roster strengths this year is at Tight End a position that really isn't used in RR's offense. But all good coaches put their best talent on the field and returning starters Carson Butler and Mike Massey (coming off an injury) will fill the role nicely. With that said, another Freshman Kevin Koger from Toledo has been turning heads in practice and will also see some playing time this fall. The team has given Kevin the nickname "Greg Odom".

Darryl Stonum is another Freshman from Texas and has been on campus almost as long as his new coaching staff and is listed as a co-starter with Greg Matthews and LaTerryal Savoy at WR.

Other Freshman that you will see on Saturday include:

• Boubacar Cissoko (plays behind Donovan Warren at CB)


• Mike Martin (plays behind Terrance Taylor at Defensive Tackle)

Hopefully these young guys will bring some SEC speed to the Big Ten and give us some mis-matches. It would be great to see these guy in the open field scoring touchdowns for the Maize and Blue.

What they don't bring is experience, so expect some Freshman mistakes but hopefully the good will out weigh the bad on Saturday's this fall.