Michigan Tuesday: Fresno State Loses Its Head Coach

Michigan Football is getting close and camp will be opening in a few short weeks (7/31).  Michigan opens its 2024 campaign against Fresno State in the Big House.  Fresno is no pushover and is expected to finish 3rd in the Mountain West this season.   They were led by a famous head coach in former Cal headman Jeff Tedford, until yesterday when he stepped down due to health concerns.  Tim Skipper the LB coach will take over for the Michigan game.   Michigan Football knows something about interim head coaches. 

• Skip Bayless is leaving Fox, what's next is the question?

• Not sure I'm going to see my son for days after NCAA Football released yesterday afternoon.  

• The Bears open rookie training camp today and their top 2 picks are not signed yet. 

• WR Derek Meadows will pick a school on Sunday between Michigan, LSU, Alabama, ND, and Georgia.  ND is the leader in the clubhouse.

Michigan Tuesday: More Fox Football Games

Reports are that Fox will televise both the Michigan State and Ohio State games next season.   Which means we probably will need to get used to more night games.  


Ohio State will of course be protected and still be a noon kickoff but I expect Fox to move the Michigan State game to primetime.   We also know that Michigan - ND will kickoff the season at 8:00 PM.   Jimmy's teams at Michigan have struggled in Primetime, I believe his only wins during those hours are against Rutgers and Minnesota. 

• Michigan has offered Crandall (Tex.) 2019 four-star OL Branson Bragg.  Branson is expected to make a visit to Ann Arbor.

• Michigan Basketball might have a re-match against Villanova next season.

• Nike has been releasing shoes with Michigan colors without the Michigan Branding.  Here is the latest, Nike Air Max Essential at $160.

Michigan Thursday: Jacks of All Trades - Master of None

Nick Baumgardner is now with the Free Press and wrote an article this week that Brian at Mgoblog wrote a post on.  The key comment was from Grant Newsome:

The  offensive line? Players talked about how much new position coach Ed Warinner made simplifications this spring, mainly because he had no other choice. Grant Newsome told reporters Tuesday that Warinner stripped down the complex language and overall concept because it was overwhelming. 

"He said he was even confused by the amount of terminology and different plays we had in the playbook," Newsome said. 

On this blog, we have talked about "too many cooks in the kitchen" and this is a key example.  Jimmy had two offensive line coaches, coaching two different styles of blocking: Zone and Power.   What this did was confuse the offensive lineman and made sure they were not good at any expect of blocking.  

This is 100% on Jimmy and he should own it.   He had too many guys making too much money and not focusing on specific areas.   Tim Drevno was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for power, Greg Frey was brought in to coach zone blocking and the TE's, and Pep Hamilton was in charge of the passing game. (Jay of course was the RB coach)  What a mess! 

This year is much different:

• Pep seems to be the unofficial OC
• Ed Warinner is the only coach coaching the offensive line
• Sherrone Moore is coaching the Tight End's
• Jim McEwain is coaching the WR's
• Jay Harbaugh still has the RB's

I thought there were two embarrassing losses last year where Michigan's lack of blocking was very clear and could not be covered up by the dominating defense: Michigan State and the Outback Bowl.    The entire team looked checked out during the Outback Bowl.

Jimmy had to make changes to try to turn this battleship.   The schedule is brutal next season, thanks to Warde Manuel signing the new ND contract with the first game in South Bend.   Michigan will also have to travel to East Lansing and Columbus.   I love the ND rivalry, but would have preferred to keep the Arkansas and schedule the Fighting Irish where it was a better fit for Michigan then ND.   How Warde looked at the schedule and thought it was ok, is very hard for me to understand.   He has been a good AD so far but that was a "Dave Brandon" type of mistake. 

Michigan Friday: Opens Practice In Dtown

• NJ 2017 DT Corey Bold will visit for the Spring Game next week

• Press conference from DB coach Mike Zordich.  Save some time, our DB's are very good!

• Mike Alstott's son commits to Purdue to play QB

• Saturday's practice at Ford Field is now open to the public, tickets are free but you will need one to get in.  Get them on the Detroit Lions official web site.

• Michigan announced they won't have a night game at the Big House next season.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!!

Michigan Tuesday: Rankings, Rooms, and Remebering

Congrats to Alabama again last night, that was a pretty good football game.   I sure didn't expect 85 points scored  between the teams.  Clemson is also very good and will be #1 on many of the polls next year.  

Speaking of next years (way to early) polls:  ESPN has Michigan ranked #4 and USA Today has the Wolverines ranked #3.   Michigan finished ranked #12 in the final AP poll this season.   That is a successful year for Jimmy and staff  in year 1 of what we hope is the next 20 years.

The 2016 class or what I like to call the Hotel Harbaugh is filling up fast and I don't see many rooms left.   I did forget to mention yesterday that Chris Evans turned down his new OSU offer and will stick with the Wolverines.   Many had thought OSU was his dream offer and that he was planning a visit.   He tweeted out that he was grateful for the offer but Michigan is home.   His OSU offer was at CB and Michigan is still wanting him to play on offense.

Rooms Occupied:

7 players enrolled

Rooms Reserved:

17 verbal commitments

Rooms Available

3

The worst kept secret is that CA CB David Long has silently committed to the Wolverines.   He is still visiting Washington before he heads off to Europe (pretty sure I have never wrote that in a recruiting update before).   Michigan is the team to beat but UW has stolen a Michigan recruit at the bell before (CA S Sean Parker).   David wore a small Michigan arm band in the AA game.

If we assume Long is heading to Ann Arbor, does that leave a spot for LaVert Hill?  I doubt it.

We know that Michigan is keeping a spot open for Gary who is expected to make a signing day decision.

That would leave one spot open for the likes of:

• WR Donald Stewart (HS teammate of Gary) visit on 1/22
• TE Chase Allen is visiting this weekend
• WR Pie Young who still considers Michigan his leader
• LB Jon Jones - much needed position
• TE Devin Asiasi - visiting 1/22
• DT Boss Tagaloa - visiting 1/22 with Asiasi
• TX DE Levi Onwuzurike - trending away from Michigan at this point
• DE Connor Murphy
• DE Joshua Uche
• Athlete Jordan Fuller
• Athlete Khaleke Hudson
• LB Dontavoius Jackson

Can we oversell the hotel?

Not really and Michigan will have to be very creative with numbers and expect some in this class to flame out in the next few weeks.  I think Michigan is done on the offense line (outside of Texas graduate transfer Jake Raulerson) and would really like to add another LB in this class. 

I think Chase Allen will be on serious commit watch this weekend.   He will not want to wait until Asiasi gets to A2 a week later.  Asiasi also plays on the defensive line but wants to play TE. 

I think Michigan isn't in a great spot for either of the LB's left on the board.   Michigan has been the leader for Jon Jones for a long time but the longer he takes his recruitment the worse it is for Michigan. 

Lots of names for only one or two spots. 


The Harbaugh Brothers are heading into the Pioneer High School Hall of Fame.   Congrats to them both.  

Michigan Monday: Pewee to TT and Ticket Sales Are UP

Ondre Pipkins announced on Friday that he is heading to Texas Tech to play.   He has not graduated so he will have to sit out a year, which is probably the best for his health.   This is another missed year for Pipkins who has had a very hard time getting on the field in his Michigan career.  

We wish Pewee the best of luck on the filed but mostly off with his health!

Michigan now has an extra scholarship for this year which they will probably use on a deserving walk-on.  I assume getting another graduate transfer is not possible this point and who knows maybe the coaches knew he was transferring for sometime and used his spot on already.

• Michigan Season Ticket Sales are now heading North, instead of where they were heading after last years poor season.  Reports are there are 90,000 season tickets sold and both MSU and OSU is sold out.  So the Harabugh factor has increased interest in the program.  I would expect close to sell outs for Oregon State (first game in the Big House for Jimmy) and BYU if Michigan plays well early in the year. 

• One of Coach B's targets PG Cassius Winston is playing well at a Nike camp this weekend.

• Devin Bush's father who was also a recruited athlete discusses what his son is looking for:  “He wants to play with guys that are going to have a lot of passion, that are going to want to fly around and get to the ball and get there in an angry fashion, and play an aggressive style of defense,” the elder Bush stated.  “Be around a great defensive mind and play some great football.  That’s one of the things that is going to be important to him.  A lot of these schools… all are a great educational institutions and they’re going to (provide) a good education.  All these schools are designed to do that.  So he’s going to look at who can develop him more as a player and his relationship with the coach, the type of defensive scheme they’re going to play and how he is going to fit into it and the players around him.  It is really going to come down to that.”

Michigan Tuesday: Coach Hoke Has Regrets

We all do coach, It's good you are starting to realize it:

"I have to be a better leader, I should have taken some of the leadership (opportunities myself) and not anointed some of that (to just senior players)," Hoke said. "I could have done a much better job with consistency. Every day.

"(I should have stepped in) a little more, yeah. I think that's part of it."

Things are different this year:

"(The leadership this year) is different," Hoke says. "You've got guys who are leaders that are older, but we've changed the model a bit. Our seniors are always going to be important, but you always worry about entitlement, so what we've done is put together a leadership representative group. It's four guys from each class, and they were all voted on by their classmates.

"That's really been effective. We've already met twice, and we'll meet here in another week. And it's interesting to listen to perspectives at different levels and different maturities."

I like coach and think he is a good man but the above is a rookie move.   A good coach understands his team and understands what type of leadership it needs.   You shouldn't have to throw away a season to understand how to lead a team.   When you mix in the incompetence of Big Al, last year was a huge failure by the coaching staff.

• David Brandon is getting concerned about next years ticket sales.  Student tickets are way down and now faculty and staff are getting letters reminding them to renew.    Maybe David should look at the schedule and the current product on the field.  Time to buy a better grade of cheese!! (BTW - not allowing the Big Ten to give MSU back to back home games is also an issue).   What is the best home game this year?  Penn State?  Utah?  Maryland's first trip? That App. State game, selling future & past home games to Dallas and the seat licenses are starting to bite the AD in the wallet.

• One transfer is off the market at 6'9 Sean Obi committed to Duke last night.

• Michigan offered 2015 QB Deondre Francois, WR Miles Boykin and WR Auden Tate yesterday. 

Michigan Tuesday: Looks Like Another Top 10 Team

John Beilein's squad continues to make news off the court.   ESPN's Jason King has Michigan ranked #9 going into next season and the Wolverines just added another player to the 2013 team.

Andrew Dakich has accepted a preferred walk-on spot on Michigan's 2013 roster next year.   Andrew of course is the son of former IU player and coach Dan Dakich who also happens to be a ESPN college basketball game analyst.   Dan also coaches AAU basketball in Indiana and has coached some of the current Wolverines.  

Andrew is a 6'2 160 pound point guard and wasn't ranked by Rivals.   He had walk-on interest from the likes of Butler, Purdue and Michigan.  Having another ball handler from a basketball family is always a good thing.  Expect Dan to cover a ton of Michigan Basketball games the next 4 years. 





Here is ESPN's/ABC Primetime Schedule for next season:

Sept. 7: Notre Dame at Michigan, 8 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN or ESPN2

Sept. 14: Notre Dame at Purdue, 8 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN or ESPN2

Sept. 28: Wisconsin at Ohio State, 8 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN or ESPN2

Oct. 5: Ohio State at Northwestern, 8 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN or ESPN2

Oct. 12: Michigan at Penn State, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN or ESPN2

Oct. 26: Penn State at Ohio State, 8 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN or ESPN2

• The buzz around Michigan and LB Chase Winovich is very positive.   Chase is expected back on campus on May 10th and I think its safe to put him on "commit watch".

• MO LB Kyron Watson is also planning a visit on the 20th of May.  So it could be a race to who commits first.

Michigan Thursday: More 2013 Offers

Once the season ends the Michigan coaches get a chance to stop and think where their future strengths and weakness are at each position.   We then start seeing guys leave and some new offers go out.

A couple surprise position offers that have gone out lately is Linebacker and now Safety.   The rumor mill is spinning that injuries to Ringer and/or Poole could be severe and the coaches would like another speed LB in the 2013 class.   Michigan yesterday offered 4 star Safety Delano Hill from Cass Tech who is currently committed to Iowa.  (which is ok, since he is not a RB) 

Michigan is obviously still very high on Leon McQuay and was in home with his family this week.  Then they come home and offer Delano.   Are they related?  Could be.  Michigan also recently lost a DB in Conley as well.   This could also be another offer to keep the Cass Tech family/pipeline happy.  Not sure what this says about our current DB's on the roster.   On a side note, I sure hope Leon can make it to a Michigan practice in Tampa.  (I believe that is legal)

As we know, this weekend will be a big one for the current commits and a few prospects outside the 2013 class.  There are plenty of rumors floating around there could be a few surprise visitors this weekend.  We have heard one on the offensive side and one on the defensive side of the ball.   I guess we will see this weekend if the news breaks on who's in town. 

• The Notre Dame game next year will be another night game.  Will they be the defending National Champions?  Will it be their last visit to the Big House?  Will this help in the recruitments of guys like Derrick Green? 

• Kenny Lacy the OL and UCLA commit will not make it out this weekend and hopes to come out in January.  Many believe Kenny is pretty firm in his UCLA status.

• Iowa RB and past Michigan recruit Greg Garmon is transferring. 

• Ohio State coaches visited David Dawson yesterday.  Funny how the Buckeye coaches get to prospects before they head to Ann Arbor.

Michigan Friday: What Might Have Been Final Results

The What Might Have Been Poll is closed and the people of Big House Nation have spoken.   KG would of had the biggest impact (52% of the votes) on Michigan athletics if decided to come to Ann Arbor and play a little basketball.   KG would have been a dominating force and maybe the best low post player to come out of Ann Arbor ever.   I'm sure he will enjoy this honor after his Celtics missed an opportunity to close out the Heat last night in Boston.

I thought KG would be #1 but Jeter #2.  The Big House Nation didn't agree and said Payton Manning would of had a larger impact receiving 27% of the votes.  Sit back a dream for a minute, the same college program producing Tom Brady and Payton Manning.   High school QB's would be lining up to play here. 

Jeter (13%) and Mateen Clevees (6%) rounded out the final two spots.  It seems nobody wants to revisit it their memory the Michigan SUV car crash that brought down the program.  Neither do I!

That was fun, I hope you enjoyed this little project.   One guy that almost made the list was Eagles WR DeSean Jackson who wanted to commit to Michigan at the Army All American game but was told the Wolverines were full at that position.   I think he might have ended up in Carr's doghouse once or twice. 

• Kickoff Times Set:  Air Force 3:30 ABC/ESPN and UMASS 3:30 BTN.  Looks like those noon kickoffs are dying a slow death.   Which I don't like.

• Brandon Graham is motivated for next years NFL season.  He did not like being injured last year and not being able to contribute:  Brandon Graham currently holds the title of World’s Strongest Eagle. He is benching sets of 465 pounds. Squatting 405. He’s putting on a show in the weight room that has his teammates looking at him sideways.“He’s strong, now. He’s got that young strength in him,” says veteran tackle Cullen Jenkins, breaking into a smile. “They need to get him some relief or something, give him a hug. He’s a little too intense up in there.”  I think Mike Barwis has something to do with this.

• CA DT Joe Mathis has a top 10 of Michigan, Nebraska, Washington, USC, UCLA, Alabama, Miami, Texas A&M, Arizona St, and Tennessee.  I have a feeling the Wolverines would take a commitment from him if he wanted to come to A2.

• One of two prospects Michigan is looking at for RB in this class will be in town this weekend.  (He forgot he was taking the ACT) . His name is Jordan Wilkins a 4 star RB from Tennessee.  Jordan visited Auburn last weekend and all most pulled the trigger on a commitment, so lets hope his Michigan experience is even a better then his Auburn experience.  

• Rare Wolverine found in California .

Michigan Tuesday: Details on Josh Furman

Josh Furman's trial started yesterday and the reports basically says it was just an over blown situation that never got out of hand.  Josh and Tamani Carter went to friends out to address some texts from a guy that was in a back room of the house.  A number of female students kept Josh from entering the back room and one male roommate said if they didn't leave they would call the Police.  They called and Josh and Tamani left.   Josh has friends at this house and had been invited there many times.  Neither of the women involved felt threaten by Josh.  We will see what happens today as the trial proceeds, but if the ESPN account is true this case maybe thrown out and Josh should be on the active roster soon.

• EJ Time at 3:00 Today:  The latest buzz is favoring FSU but it's hard to say right now.   Oklahoma would be the only shocker choice.  Michigan and FSU coaches were both at this school yesterday.

• 2013 RB Derrick Green says Clemson is his leader but it would be hard to say No to Michigan.  Interesting.

• Former Michigan TE and NFL prospect Kevin Koger injured his Achilles tendon and just had surgery days before the NFL draft.  What bad luck for a good kid.   I hope he gets drafted or signs a free agent contract after his recovery.   I think he could have a nice NFL career with the right team. 

• Ty Isaac is planning another visit to USC with his Mom in May.

• Sounds like the Michigan at Nebraksa game will be a night game.   Michigan - Alabama is also a night game.   Michigan at ND is expected to be in prime time as well.    I guess us Michigan fans will have a few late nights next season. 

Michigan Friday: Tate Continues To Have More Questions Then Answers

Editors note: The BHB hoster has been down for awhile, so that is why some older posts were up.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  


Tate Forcier is a confused young man and I feel bad about his situation, not for the decisions he has made.

He was groomed early on to be a QB. He liked the recruiting process but wanted to be a Michigan QB and got an offer, enrolled early, lite up the Spring Game and caused the starter from the year before to transfer. Home School to High School Football to Michigan’s starting QB in a couple of months.

He starts the season and has a nice comeback win against ND and overnight had become a media sweetheart. This is where it all fell apart with Tate on the field and off. He became a superstar and as Michigan’s season turned bad, it seems his life off the field didn’t. After the season, there was rumors he hadn’t worked out with his teammates at all. Troy Woolfolk threw him under the bus at the Big Ten Media Days and Tate didn’t even have “Wings” on his helmet as he started fall practice.

To his credit he worked hard to get back in his teammates and coaches good graces but during the first games of the season Devin Gardner seemed to be the #2 QB not Tate. By mid-season Tate was clearly the #2 and even led Michigan to a win over Illinois which made Michigan eligible for a bowl game.

Rumors swirled he was having issues in the classroom and that he might not make it to Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl. He does a story with the Free Press saying things were good in the classroom and he was attending class. He was sent home two days later and didn’t play in the game.

The next day, RR at the Gator Bowl Press Conference basically said, he didn’t know what Tate’s status was at U of M as student. The rumor was he wasn’t going to class at all, which of course could not be confirmed.

Brady Hoke is hired and within days Tate is not welcomed back to the team after he goes to the media saying he wanted to stay at Michigan and that Michigan didn’t want him. After a couple of visits, Tate picks University of Miami as his next school.

Today we learn that Tate is not expected to transfer to Miami due to personal issues and that he hasn’t been on campus since his recruiting visit. This is another sad example of a talented kid with the wrong priorities. Seems ironic that Tate and Denard were in the same recruiting class and are complete opposites.

• Michigan – ND Night Game will be televised on ESPN 8:00PM kickoff.

Michigan Friday: It's all about the #4!

The two highlight of Thursday were Lion Kim at the Masters and the Michigan Hockey Team winning their Frozen 4 game. 

• Lion shot a decent +4 76 on Thursday.  Playing in your first major and with the likes of Davis Love III and former Master Champion José María Olazábal.  Right now it doesn't look good for him to make the cut unless he goes in red numbers today.  Either way it's a tremendous honor to play in the tournament and think he had done great!

• I will be the first to say that I know very little about Hockey.  What I do know is Michigan beat a great hockey team last night in North Dakota.  ND is said to be full of NHL players and pretty much blew out many of their opponents this year.  Either way, Michigan won a low scoring game last night and I even watched the last few minutes when Michigan scored the open net goal.  

 Other News:

• Michigan has already started on the 2013 class by already offering instate 6'3 187 pound QB Shane Morris who already has 4 BCS offers.   Shane and his family are Michigan fans. 

• With the new Big Ten Schedule formats - Michigan and Wisconsin will take 6 years off and the Wolverines and Badgers won't play until 2015. 

• ESPN loves Michigan Documentaries.  The Fab 5 was their highest rated 30/30 ever and now they are doing one on former Michigan QB Tom Brady, called the Brady 6. Which references the 6 QB's taken in the NFL draft before Tom.  Does any of these names ring a bell?  Chad Pennington (No. 18, Jets), Giovanni Carmazzi (65, 49ers), Chris Redman (75, Ravens), Tee Martin (163, Steelers), Marc Bulger (168, Saints) and Spergon Wynn (183, Browns). 

Michigan - Bama is Happening

Nick Saban let the "cat" out of the bag and announced the Michigan - Alabama game at Jerry World last night on his radio show.  It hasn't been officially announced but it seems like it's a done deal. 

I don't have any problem with this game and pretty excited to get a chance to go to "Jerry World" and see the Wolverines during Denard's senior year. 

What I do have a problem is which year they are playing the game.  In 2012, Michigan plays on the road:
Notre Dame, Nebraska, Ohio State and now Alabama at a neutral field.  Those are tough road games in one year.  

  

Michigan's 2011 and 2012 Football Schedules

The Big Ten conference divisions are what we expected and "the Game" is still the last game of the year. 

2011

10/1 – Minnesota
10/8 – @ Northwestern
10/15 – @ Michigan State
10/22 – BYE
10/29 – Purdue
11/5 – @ Iowa
11/12 – @ Illinois
11/19 – Nebraska
11/26 – Ohio State


2012
9/29 – BYE
10/6 – @ Purdue
10/13 – Illinois
10/20 – Michigan State
10/27 – @ Nebraska
11/3 – @ Minnesota
11/10 – Northwestern
11/17 – Iowa
11/24 – @ Ohio State

2011 is supposed to be Michigan's year to get back to Big Ten championship status.  If that prediction is to come true they are going to have to play Iowa on the road, Nebraska and OSU all in 4 weeks.  That is one tough road at the end of the season. 
 
Go Blue!

Wolverine Wednesday: Michigan Season Predicition

It's difficult to predict a season, when you haven't been in practice or seen this team hit someone in a different jersey.   With that said, I will give you what I think Michigan will do this year game by game. 

As a theme this year, I expect Michigan to score a lot of points and give up a lot of points (mostly through the air).

Game 1: UConn - This is not a MAC tune up game and UConn is difficult team coming off a bowl win.  I see Michigan coming out fast and hopefully can continue that momentum during the game.  UConn prefers to run the ball vs throw and Michigan's defense is stronger up front.   I see this game as an opening W for the Wolverines.

Game 2: at Notre Dame - I'm not sure what Brian Kelly has this year.  Is he going to have a Rich Rod year 1 or is he going to be able to work his magic that he had at Cincinnati?  Most expect him to struggle a bit.  Michigan does not play well on the road and I expect them to drop this game in week 2.   L

Game 3: UMass - This should be a easy win W for the Wolverines.

Game 4: Bowling Green - I see BG keeping this game close but Michigan pulls away in the second half.  W

Game 5: at Indiana - This is a game Michigan needs to win.  It's on the road and Michigan has 1 Big Ten road win under RR.  Must win has to equal a W.

Game 6: Michigan State -  MSU will be favored in this game but Michigan took them to over time last year at East Lansing.  A big rivalry game always favors the home team but State's strength at WR on offense is a big weakness for the Wolverines.  Hopefully the young DB's will have decent experience before this game.  I think it's time State loses  - W.

Game 7:  Iowa - Michigan played Iowa tough as well last year and I think Michigan could pull an upset at home but Iowa's defense is too strong.   I expect this to be a close game - L

Game 8: at Penn State- I think Penn State is very beatable this year with their expected poor QB play.  They will have a good running game and a good defense.   This is a very difficult game to predict here on 9/1 but the way Michigan has played on the road the last two years makes me think they will not be Happy in the Valley.  L

Game 9:  Illinois - Zook and company might have the worst team in the Big Ten this year.  This needs to be a win for Michigan, their struggles against Illinois that last two years is ridiculous.  This has to be a W!

Game 10:  at Purdue - This is a game Michigan should win but it's Purdue and they fall into the same category as Illinois.  Why is Michigan struggling against these teams?  Stand up and beat the boilermakers on the road.  W

Game 11:  Wisconsin - The Badgers always play poorly in Ann Arbor (see 2008).  This is very winnable for Michigan but I expect Wisconsin to be pretty good this year.  Another close one:  L

Game 12: at Ohio State - Enough said L.

Year long prediction: 7-5 with an upside of 9-3

Michigan Monday: UConn Loses a Key Defensive Player

UConn's starting defensive end Marcus Campbell tore his ACL this weekend in a non-contact drill at UConn's fall camp.  Greg Lloyd the other starting DE has an ACL injury of his own and will redshirt this year.  Now the depth chart falls to freshman and sophomores at that position.   Of course this isn't an ideal situation when you play a spread team in 19 days.

• TomVH at Mgoblog catches up with Florida OL James Elliott this weekend:   JAMES: Man, that was the most amazing school I've ever seen in person.
  TOM: It went that well?
  JAMES: We actually stayed a little longer than expected just so we could see everything, and meet Coach Rodriguez. We didn't realize he was in Seattle, so we wanted to stay to meet him. We got to see practice and talk with him about the visit. It was just great.
  TOM: What specifically has you so amazed?
  JAMES: One thing that did it for me was the players. Every time I met one, they would tell me about themselves, and where they were from. They found out I was from Florida, and they all went crazy. I met some kids from Pahokee, which is a school we played in the playoffs. It was cool to see how all the players were so nice like that.  I'm thinking that his nickname will be "Jumbo" if he becomes Blue of course.  James is 6'4 305 pounds.

• Tune into this weeks, "Hard Knocks with the Jets" on HBO.  A coach calls out Donovan Warren and says something to the effect, "If you tackled like that last year at Michigan, they would have won a few games".  This weeks show premiers on Wednesday.  Look for him tonight as well on ESPN for Monday Night Football as the Jets take on the Giants.

• Dee Hart's offical visit will be in 19 days to Ann Arbor for the UConn game.  Dee is on commitment watch for that weekend.  CB Avery Walls might also visit Michigan that weeked as well.  Both players have been to A2 before.  Dee 3 times and Avery one other time.  It also seems that 5 star safety Clinton-Dix might make the trip to Ann Arbor with Dee for the UConn game.

• A guy getting some good buzz from fall camp is running back: Fitzgerald Toussaint.  He is a guy that has speed and power.  Fitz redshirted last year due to some injuries and probably would have gotten some playing time as a freshman if he didn't get hurt.

Did someone say 19 days?  Notice no Tate highlights.  They are either keeping the wraps on him or he is in the doghouse.

Wolverine Wednesday: NCAA is Shooting For Everyone

Right now, there isn't a major program in place that is safe from the NCAA.   They are targeting anyone and everyone that might have made some mistakes.  The dirty little secret in college football is agent activity and what did and didn't coaches and Universities know. The Reggie Bush case set the precedent and now the NCAA is looking at just about everyone.  Florida, South and North Carolina, Alabama are just a few schools that the NCAA has on their radar.   We don't know a lot of details yet, but in the Florida case one player could have taken $100K between the SEC Championship game and The Sugar Bowl last year.   If this turns out to be accurate: Congratulations to the University of Cincinnati on not getting blown out by Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators last January.

Even Jim Harbaugh could be next for his Twitter activity regarding recruits.   As you know, head coaches can't talk about recruits until they sign an LOI.  Jim could be using some type of twitter "code" to break that rule.

If your not keeping score at home.  Here is the following NCAA activity in the last couple of weeks:

• USC AD Out, replaced by Rhodes Scholar and NBC Notre Dame analyst Pat Haden.  (On a side note, I'm not sure I have ever seen a person needed to get fired more then Mike Garrett who took a blind eye to just about everything).  USC is also sending Reggie's Heisman Trophy back.   These are clear signs that USC is trying to "clean up"  for the appeal process.  I wonder if Pat Haden is a Lane Kiffin supporter?  Of course we know that Lane was at USC when all the trouble was happening. 
• North and South Carolina investigations
• Florida and it's $100K case
• Alabama player at an agents party.

How does that miss filing of paperwork/forms and few minutes of stretching look now?  Not very serious if you ask me.  Yes, Michigan made some mistakes but the above crimes seem to be much more serious.  I'm guessing next month Michigan - NCAA meeting will go as follows.  

NCAA: I have seen all the paperwork on your internal investigation and your self imposed penalties.  You have done some nice work here.

David Brandon: Thank You.

NCAA:  We agree with your self imposed sanctions and even feel they are a little over the top.  But if you think that's what you deserve.  Let's go with that. 

David Brandon: OK.

NCAA: Were really busy with the SEC and Agent stuff right now, so can we wrap this up?

David Brandon: Sure. 

NCAA: Done, we officially accept your self imposed sanctions.  Want to get a Starbucks?

David Brandon:  Sure, how about a pizza too?

-------
Now on to some News and Notes:

• On a sad note it looks like Darryl Stonum hasn't been living up to his DUI probation and spent a couple of days in jail last month.  I'm guessing he will be spending a bunch of time running during fall practice and even miss the UConn game.  (caution Freep link)

• Want some PC Wallpaper of Michigan's Schedule?  Here is some great work. Enjoy them. 

• I think we are all worried on how Michigan will start the season against a good UConn team.  This mogblog contributor, did some research on how the Huskies did last year against spread teams.  The big thing that "popped" out to me was that UConn gave up 711 total yards to Cincinnati last year.  I am now a "little less" worried if our defense can make some stops.

• It seems Michigan is making sure guys are qualified before they get offered.  One example is 3 star Muskegon DE Damon Knox.  He has been told by the Michigan coaches that if he gets his work done in the classroom there will be a spot for him at Michigan.  Currently, Damon has one written offer from Ball State.  Damon spent some time at Michigan's camp this summer and impressed the Wolverine coaches.  He is 6'5 265 and known for his Bull Rush. 

Michigan Friday: Wolverines Tough Non-Conference Schedule

The Sporting News ranked Michigan's 2011 non-conference schedule the hardest in the Big Ten.  The reason?  They play two BCS Schools UConn and Notre Dame.  Sure there is a sighting of USC, Alabama, Miami, and the Arizona schools, but there are also Austin Peay, Towson, Arkansas State, South Dakota, every directional school in Illinois, and Northern Colorado.  I know Michigan has had it's share of mail in games, but this is somewhat embarrassing for the Big Ten in my opinion.  I didn't even know some of these schools played football. 

On a side note, I wasn't aware that Sam McGuffie was going to play against Big Ten school this year.  Northwestern plays at Rice.

1. Michigan: Connecticut, at Notre Dame, Massachusetts, Bowling Green

2. Iowa: Eastern Illinois, Iowa State, at Arizona, Ball State

3. Ohio State: Marshall, Miami (Fla.), Ohio, Eastern Michigan

4. Wisconsin: at UNLV, San Jose State, Arizona State, Austin Peay

5. Minnesota: at Middle Tennessee, South Dakota, USC, Northern Illinois

6. Penn State: Youngstown State, at Alabama, Kent State, Temple

7. Purdue: at Notre Dame, Western Illinois, Ball State, Toledo

8. Michigan State: Western Michigan, vs. Florida Atlantic, Notre Dame, Northern Colorado

9. Illinois: vs. Missouri, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois, at Fresno State

10. Northwestern: at Vanderbilt, Illinois State, at Rice, Central Michigan

11. Indiana: Towson, at Western Kentucky, Akron, Arkansas State

• Lambeau Field says don't forget about us for the Big Ten championship game.  I'm guessing fans paying high dollar for thier tickets aren't going to want to sit outside in early December. 

• The Michigan Daily previews the 2011 Michigan Linebackers.  IMO, this unit has the biggest upside on defensive and really needs to step up if Michigan is going to win some ball games.  The DB's and defensive line are going to be young and going to make mistakes.   The linebackers core needs to play like seniors.  If Jonas Mouton and Obi Ezeh don't make 1st or 2nd team All Big Ten then I think they have had a poor year and Michigan has given up a ton of points.

• As we know, one of Michigan's top prospects for the 2011 class is currently on campus: Dee Hart.  I consider Dee, Kris Frost and Anthony Zettel, the top 3 prospects on Michigan's board for 2011.

Michigan Thursday: We are Average!!!

Let's hope the Big Ten grades on a curve.

Dave Birkett did a story for Ann Arbor.com that lists Michigan's Big Ten pre-season ranking in a number of college football publications.  Most have Michigan #6 or #7 in the Big Ten.  Which is not very impressive, in what is expected to be an average Big Ten.

Ohio State is clearly the #1 team in the league after their impressive Rose Bowl win.  After that, I expect Iowa and Wisconsin to be solid but the rest of the teams are very similar.   Some may argue Penn State will be a solid team, but they have a number of questions on offense and mostly at the QB position.   I believe Iowa and OSU will fight it out for the Big Ten title with Wisconsin doing what they do most years and the rest of the Big Ten is up for grabs.

Michigan ceiling is 3rd place and basement would be last.   For RR's sake, I hope he is closer to 3rd then 11th.   If your wondering, 6th or 7th  place with 7 wins would qualify for anywhere from the Champs, Insight, or Pizza Bowls.

• Mgoblog give us a weekly recruiting update

• ESPN  does a story on Michigan running back recruit Justice Hayes

• Det News Sam Webb profiles some WR recruits that Michigan is focusing on

• We may know what the NCAA is going to do to USC as early as Friday

• Ohio QB Braxton Miller is expected to announce he will attend Ohio State this afternoon.