Wolverine Wednesday: How Many Viewers?

TV executives love the Michigan Wolverines and when you match them up against another college football blue blood Alabama in the best Bowl Game, people are going to watch.  27.3M was the average viewers for the game.   Which was one of the largest non-NFL audiences ever.   It max viewers over 32.8M.  The second game, averaged 18.4M viewers. 

• Interesting that the media is now reporting that 80-90% teams work on stealing the other teams signs. Which is not illegal BTW.  

Michigan Tuesday: A Too Early Look at Washington

How is everyone feeling this morning?  I know it was sort of hard to sleep after that incredible win.  I watched the Washington - Texas game and really don't remember much as my mind continued to race.  That feeling continued as I tried to sleep last night. 

Michigan is going to play Washington in Houston on Monday night.  A few thoughts:

-Is this a Big Ten National Championship?

-A game against a PAC 12 and Big 10 Championship should be played in the Rose Bowl!

-Jedd Fisch kept Washington to 10 points in the 2nd half and lost a close game.  Jimmy and Jedd discussion this week?  Count on it! 

-Michigan has played Penix a couple times a IU, with him getting a win in 2020.  Giles Jackson revenge game?

Washington 14-0

Best win: Oregon twice and Texas 

Worst loss: none, strangest game: win over Arizona State 15-7

Pass yards: 350 yards per (#1)

Run: 123 yards per (102nd )

Score: 37.6 per (11th)

Give up: 23.6 (50th) 

So its clear what Washington wants to do, they like to pass the ball and will give up a few points in the process.  Penix is an NFL QB playing on college team and will be a high pick in the next NFL draft in Detroit.  His only issue is he has a history of bad injuries. 

The best comp I can think of a team Michigan has played recently.  This is TCU with a better QB. 

Lastly: If anyone has extra National Championship tickets and want a reasonable price, please email me, I'm interested in a pair.  Thank you!! 

Per PFF College on Will Johnson last night:

33 Coverage Snaps 2 Times Targeted Zero Catches Allowed

Rose Bowl Post Game - It Should be Illegal to Be This Happy

It's never easy being a Michigan fan.  If you're like me, it was a wild roller coaster of emotions all night.  The first play interception throw by JJ gave me flashbacks of the TCU game.  Luckily, the Alabama DB had jumped from out of bounds to catch the ball.  

Then things looked great for Michigan as the defense continued to pressure Milroe and Michigan was actually running the ball.  Then little things starting beating our beloved Wolverines as Special Teams were the worst we have seen in many years.  Muffed punts, bad snaps, and a missed field goal is something you can't do against Alabama. 

Then Michigan is down 4 and Alabama looks to be closing in a TD that would easily win the game.  Michigan stopped them for another long field and now has a chance to tie. with a TD.  4th down is successful and Michigan ties the game on a nice short pass to Roman Wilson.  Still Michigan has to stop Bama, which they do and then almost cause a safety with another muffed punt.  

Blake scored in OT and Michigan stops Milroe on 4th and goal to secure the Rose Bowl.  Yes, it was a great win and Michigan will play for a National Championship a week from tonight, but there is still a need for cheers and jeers.

Cheers:

• Great comeback win! 
• Final drive and OT 
• Michigan's defense played very well! 
• 6 Sacks!
• Junior with 10 tackles 
• Barrett with 9 tackles, 1 sack and 1 TFL
• McGregor with 2 sacks 
• Stewart 1 sack and 2 TFL's
• Mason Graham in OT
• I thought Michigan's offensive line played better then expected 
• Blake with over a 100 total yards 
• JJ no picks or turnovers 
• Roman Wilson in the 4th quarter 

Jeers:

• Sherrone got a bit too cute at times with the play calling.  For example, Bama could not stop the run in the 1st half.  Run more! 
• I think Morgan will be a star but how many times will Michigan get burned by young guys not ready for the big lights?
• Special Teams were a mess
• Bad Snaps
• Bad snap caused a missed extra point
• Bad dropped punt by Morgan 
• Thaw muffed the final punt of the game 
• Missed field goal 
• Average punts 
• Roughing the punter that wasn't called 
• JJ's first pass 
• Dropped passes 

Many more names I could call out in the Cheers Section:  Josh Wallace and Derrick Moore made big time plays.  .

A historic win and night.  The job isn't finished.  

Good Night Rose Bowl

Rose Bowl Preview

Time: 5:00

Location: Rose Bowl
Weather: 62 No Rain
TV: ESPN
Line: Michigan -1.5

This game needs no introduction.  We know who is playing and what's at stake.  Michigan had a turbulent season off the field but has beat everyone on their schedule.  Alabama started the season with an early loss at home to Texas and found another way to go undefeated in the SEC and make the playoffs again. 

I continue to be in a camp with probably only a few members that believes Michigan's #1 goal each year is to beat the Buckeyes and be Big Ten Champions.  Anything else is icing on the cake.  This is an icing game for me.  But one I really hope Michigan wins for its players, who desperately want to play in another game after Monday. 

Dear Jim, 

Welcome back to the CFP and the Rose Bowl.  Your team has overcome adversity like I've never seen from any other program.  Your team is talented and skilled in every phase of the game and your ranked as the #1 team in the nation.  Michigan has yet to reach the mountain top, but you have done an excellent job bringing back the excellence this program and fan base deserves.    You know this is Alabama's second season every year and this is what they do.  You will need complete focus from your coaches and team to win this football game. 

I love what I've been hearing about a different approach to preparation for this bowl.  For some reason, this has been a trouble spot for the Wolverines long before you arrived as a player and you inherited this traditional issues of under performing in the postseason as a head coach.  You know what your up against and I know you have nothing but respect for what Saban has created at Bama.  Though this is not his traditional team, this team can be beat if the Wolverines play their best game.  

Michigan's offensive line will need its best effort of the season.  The offense play calls will need to mix the pass and the run to beat Bama'a defense.   We don't need good JJ on Monday afternoon, we need great JJ.  On defense, you have to stop Milroe from running and scrambling for 1st downs.  Michigan will have to mix pressures so he gets confused and hopefully continues to run in to Colson and Barrett for small gains.  Do me a favor and get Donovan involved in the pass game?  I expect Bama will lock down the Michigan WR's which should allow Edwards and Loveland to have big days.  Maybe keep a FB in to block for pass protection?  Lastely, please tell Sherrone to not call multiple WR screens. 

The talking is done, the practicing is done, the preparation from the coaches will go right up to kickoff I'm sure, but it's time for Michigan to take back College Football's mountain top.  Who better to start the CFP journey then Alabama?  It's going to take Michigan's best game of the season to get it done.  Play Michigan Football like you do between September and Early December and go get that fucking icing!

Michigan 24 Alabama 30 

Michigan Friday: 3 Keys in The Rose Bowl

Michigan will play the best team they have faced all season on Monday afternoon.  To beat the Tide, the Wolverines have to play very well and these 3 things are a must:

1. Offensive Line must play well.  They must open run lanes for Blake and Donovan.  They also must pass protect much better then they have been.  With the loss of Zinter this isn't going to be easy but a must for a Michigan to win. 

2.  We get Great JJ.  Saban understands that Bama has had trouble stopping the run.  He is going to stack the box to stop Michigan's run game like every other team as tried all year.   Which means JJ will have to hit Michigan's WR's and TE's to score TD's.  Pass Pro will be key but so will JJ getting outside the pocket, finding open targets and running for 1st downs.  Bama has talented DB's, so I love targeting the TE's and throwing to Donovan.

3. Contain Milroe.  Michigan has struggled in the past with athletic QB's.  There needs to be a serious plan to make sure Jalen Milroe stays in the pocket and not letting him run around. 

My preview for the Rose Bowl will come out on Sunday this weekend. 

• Michigan always seems to be the bridesmaid and never the bride in the Domani Jackson recruitment.  He was spotted a Bama's practice yesterday and picked Alabama 

• I have no idea on how to predict Bowl Games when you really don't know who is playing, who is in the portal, and who is sitting out for the draft?  Mizzou - OSU tonight might be interesting and give us a future look at what OSU has next season. 

Michigan Thursday: Breaking News - Mystery Transfer Portal Commit Josh Priebe

Per Maize n Brew - Photo from his HS recruitment in 2019

Michigan has done very well in the transfer portal the past few seasons, cherry picking top talent to fill needs.  The most success has come on the offensive line to plug holes for guys leaving for the NFL.  Michigan this morning picked up another transfer portal addition in Northwestern OL Josh Priebe.   This is Michigan's second transfer portal pickup this season from the Big Ten, as Josh will be joining Jaishawn Barham the former Maryland LB. 

Michigan's offensive line is expected to lose starters Zinter, Keegan, and Nugent next season, opening the door for players like El-Hadi, Crippen, Anderson, and Herring. 

Josh is 6'5 and 310 pounds and grew up in Niles, Michigan.  Not at ton of stats on Josh, but his Northwestern profile said he allowed 0 pressures against Rutgers last year earned a PFF grade of 81.2 against Minnesota.  He was a 3-star recruit in the 2019 class. 

Josh was named 3rd Team All Big Ten this past season and here is a blurb from an article I found: Priebe takes home All-Big Ten honors for the first time in his career. The senior captain from Niles, had an outstanding season leading the Northwestern offensive line, starting all 12 games at left guard. Behind Priebe, Northwestern rushed for 90-plus yards eight different times and scored 14 touchdowns on the ground. Additionally, Northwestern’s line allowed two or fewer sacks on five separate occasions. Priebe’s outstanding protection was highlighted by his allowance of zero pressures against Rutgers, Minnesota, Iowa and Purdue, per Pro Football Focus. According to PFF, Priebe posted a pass blocking grade of 80.0+ in four different games this season.

Welcome Josh! 

Eight 2024 recruits have enrolled and are at the Rose Bowl practicing with the team.  That is a pretty cool way to start your college football career! 

- Four-star QB Jadyn Davis
- Four-star TE Brady Prieskorn
- Four-star OT Blake Frazier
- Four-star LB Jeremiah Beasley
- Four-star ATH/S Jacob Oden
- Four-star OL Jake Guarnera
- Four-star EDGE Dominic Nichols
- Four-star LB Cole Sullivan

• PJ Fleck paid his 3rd string QB $30K to stay and play in a bowl game.  It worked and Minnesota beat BGSU in the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field.  Unfortunately, PJ will not make his Bowl Bonus because The Golden Gophers had a losing record. 

• The Rose Bowl had a press conference at DisneyLand on Wednesday, Jimmy did not answer any questions on his NFL future. 

• Joe Milton has opted out of the Citrus Bowl against Iowa.  Interesting choice, in my opinion.  

• Alan Bowman lead OK State to a Bowl win over Texas A&M last night.  Alan will try to get another year of eligibility and cash out his 401K next season.  Good luck to him!  

• USC got a victory in the Holiday Bowl before they join the Big Ten next season. 

Wolverine Wednesday: Reviews The Rose Bowl Uniform Changes

Michigan has the most iconic helmet in college football.  Most fans believe its a crime to mess with the legendary helmet.  That rule gets a small pass when it comes to the Granddaddy of them all:

What about the uniform?  Michigan is the home team:

Does JJ have special customized Jordan 1 Rose Bowl cleats?

What will the team be wearing on Media Night?

This sweatshirt and a 1/4 zip was available at MDen and Nike.com.  To quote an insider, these have been treated like "gold" and sold out in seconds.  If you have to have one, check out eBay. 

The team left for LA on Tuesday and now will continue its prep in California.

Michigan Tuesday: How Much? and a Too Early Look at Alabama

I usually don't read NFL insider articles on Jim Harbaugh wanting to go to the NFL.  They were wrong about him coming to Michigan and rarely have accurate information from the Harbaugh side.  For some reason, I did read The Rap Report by Ian Rapoport about Harbaugh before Christmas and he stated Michigan not only has offered the 5 year for 11M per year contract, but there is also a 10 year 125M deal on the table as well.  

That is the first I've heard of the 10 year/125M offer on the table.  If this big offer is truly on the table, in my mind there are two possible scenarios going on:

1. They are trying to work out the details of the offer and contract, 

2. Jimmy is slow playing this until after the CFP and NFL season concludes to see what options he has. 

I obviously don't like the #2 option at all.  

Moving on.  

Two fun facts on a post Christmas Tuesday. 

-Do you know why Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys are on in Primetime on Saturday?  Because the Wolverines will be playing on Monday Afternoon Football!  

-The last time the Detroit Lions won the division.  Michigan beat Washington in the Rose Bowl for an undefeated season.  The issue?  Michigan had 3 ties. What a strange season that was. 

Now to Alabama:

Record: 12-1 

Best Win: #1 Georgia 

Worst Loss: Only Loss, to Texas at home (2nd game of the year) 

Pass for: 228.5 per game - 59th 

Rushing: 172.7 - 47th

Score: 34.9 per game - 19th 

Give up: 18.4 per - 17th 

If you looked at those numbers without knowing the team, I bet none of us would have guessed Alabama.  This team struggled early in the year but got better each week.  Yes, they looked pretty bad in a rivalry game against Auburn but came back and put a solid effort together to beat Georgia the next week.   This is the magic of good coaching and Nick Saban is the best.  The reason he couldn't make it work in East Lansing was due to talent acquisition.   You could probably make the same case for the Miami Dolphins experiment.  Giving Nick a month to prepare for Michigan is a problem and I hope the Michigan staff is mixing up some magical shit to counteract that. 

• Want to know why Bowl Games are dying?  FSU backup QB Tate Rodemaker that filled in for Jordan Travis is now in the portal.  FSU will be barley bringing any starters to Miami for the Orange Bowl.  Another reason:  USF 45 - Syracuse 0, need one more reason?  The 5-7 Minnesota Gophers are playing Bowling Green today in the Quick Lane Bowl.  Minnesota had to bribe its 3rd string QB with $30K to play in today's game.  Good seats still available today at Ford Field, starting at $2 per ticket. 

Michigan Monday: What I like and What I don't about Alabama

I've been thinking a lot about Michigan's match-up against Alabama in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day.   There are things I really like about the match-up and some things I don't.  Since its a week too early for the "look ahead", I thought I would let you enter my mind for few minutes to see what I'm thinking about.  Please grab a flashlight, as its very dark in there and a lot of open space.  

What I like:

• Jesse Minter to be able to confuse the young Jalen Milroe with different looks and blitzes 
• Michigan's running game against Bama's defense, who gave up 244 yards on the ground to Auburn
• JJ being able to find Michigan's TE and WR if he has time to throw 
• Michigan being healthy outside of Zak Zinter 

What I don't:

• Giving Saban a month to prepare for Michigan 
• Jalen's ability to get first downs and long runs scrambling 
• Michigan's pass protection against Alabama's talented DLine 
• Michigan's inability to play well after a month's layoff 

This is not the Alabama "can't be beat" team we have seen in the past.  They lost by double digits at home to Texas, looked terrible in the rain at South Florida, and had to win on a hail mary to beat a bad Auburn team.  The issue is, 2 out of  those 3 were early in the season and this team is getting better by the day.  Michigan will have to pass to win and come with a great game plan.  They will also have to contain Milroe who can beat you with his feet any time during the game.

• Former OSU QB Kyle McCord transfers to Syracuse 

• Mizzu is favored over OSU in their bowl game

• Juwan Howard is back and has been cleared of any wrong doing in the rumored team altercation. 

• Is Penn State going to hire Tom Allen?

• Hill-Green who followed Biff to Charlotte is now heading to UCF 

• JJ was voted team MVP by his teammates 

• Michigan is trending for a late addition to the 24 class in 3/4 Star DE Lugard Edokpayi's

Michigan Friday: Wow! UCLA and USC Move To The Big Ten

Talk about news out of nowhere as USC and UCLA both have joined the Big Ten.   First, I thought it was a rumor, then I thought it would take weeks to get confirmed, and then it was done.   This all happened in like 3 hours.  I'm shocked on a couple things.  1 - how quickly this came together and 2 - how it didn't leak out before it was basically over.  

So what does this mean?

It means college football as we know it, is dead.   We are now in Super Conference territory where TV money is the most important thing.  The Big Ten is about to sign an NFL worthy billion dollar + TV deal that now includes one of the largest cities in America.  It was a huge win for UCLA/USC and the Big Ten.  

The conferences that lose in this battle is very clear:  PAC 10 (now), ACC, and the Big 12.   The PAC 12 (-2) is now going to lose more teams, as reports are that Washington and Oregon have already contacted the Big 10.   The ACC is now expected to lose Clemson and FSU to probably the SEC.   The only other big time program without a home is ND.  Who won't go to the ACC if they lose their top programs.   Which means at some point they will be forced to join the SEC or Big Ten.  

ND is on record that they would consider going to a league full time if, they lose a road to the playoffs or lose a TV partner.   What if you can't fill a schedule with quality opponents?   What if the Big Ten says, we have enough teams in our league and we will only be playing 1 non-conference game per year.   Sorry ND, your rivalry game with USC is now cancelled and so are the rest of your Big Ten games on future schedules.   

Travel is an issue:

Sure travel is going to be an issue to the West Coast for volleyball games, etc.    The cost of travel for teams is now going to triple, but the $100M a year from a TV contract will have to cover that.   Let's also be honest, with virtual school now becoming a standard thing, being in a classroom everyday doesn't need to happen anymore to get a quality education. 

What does this mean for Michigan Football?

Good and Bad.  Does this open the door for more West Coast recruits to come to Ann Arbor?  I think it does, how many California recruits has Michigan lost due to distance for their family to travel for games?  The distance from A2 from LA hasn't changed but saying you will get to play in front of your family once a year, might be the tipping point in Michigan's favor. 

If you have followed Michigan Football for a long time, you know the Wolverines don't play well when they travel west over the Rocky Mountains.   Never have.   Even when they would leave two weeks early for the Rose Bowl.   

Speaking of the Rose Bowl, this traditional match-up could be over in a few years.   Lastly, this is a clear sign that the College Football Playoff system staying at 4 teams is very short sided and needs to change immediately.  Interesting times. 

• Can we hire a baseball coach please?

• Collins Acheampong 4-star athlete who was supposed to commit today (probably Michigan) has pushed his announcement date into the future at some point.  😞

• Michigan Basketball has offered the nephew of Marlin Jackson. 

Have a great holiday weekend! 

Wolverine Wednesday: News and Notes

• ESPN follows Jimmy's Director of Communication and Operations JT Rogan for a day.  He does stuff.

• Simone Biles dates a former Wolverine gymnast and was at the game on Saturday.

• Bill Connelly points out when Michigan struggles, they struggle on first downs:

Michigan has snapped the ball 88 times on first down. The Wolverines are averaging a not-completely-awful 5.3 yards per play, but of their 464 total yards gained, 211 have come on five plays. They have gained one yard or fewer 43 times. Success rate: 33 percent — 27 percent rushing and a much healthier 46 percent passing.


It gets even worse when the Wolverines generate scoring chances. Yards per play on first downs in the red zone: 1.1. They’ve gained zero or fewer yards in eight of 12 instances.


Sounds like Michigan needs to be a bit more creative on first down in the Red Zone and pretty much everywhere.

• 2018 5-star DE Eyabi Anoma who seems to be a strong Alabama lean, is planning an official visit to Ann Arbor. 

• Want to waste $10M?  UCLA booster Tod Spieker has donated $10M to have his name in the Rose Bowl.  The Rose Bowl will now have Spieker field.   

Detroit News and Sparty!

The picture says a 1000 words......................

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Big Day for the Big Ten

Welcome to 2009. Today is the first day of the year and the first day for the Big Ten to earn or lose more respectability. Here are my predictions for today's match ups.
Iowa vs South Carolina: Iowa is a hot team, with most recently beating Penn State to keep them out of the National Championship game. The "old ball coach" hasn't quite made USC into Florida yet and Iowa wins this one. Iowa 23 SC 14

Georgia vs Michigan State: Georgia was ranked as the #1 team in the country starting the year in August. They had some injuries and some poor losses. Michigan State had a nice comeback year but they have played three quality football teams this year and they lost them all and got blown out by Ohio State and Penn State. Sorry Sparty, you don't match up well in this one. Good news is Matthew Stafford will be coming to Detroit as the Lions #1 draft pick, so enjoy this game as you scout Stafford for the Liedowns. Georgia 38 MSU 13

Penn State vs USC: I think this game maybe a little closer them some people think. The bottom line is that this USC defense gives up 8 points a game and the best defensive in the country. Penn State blew out Oregon State and USC lost to Oregon State. The key to this game is the Penn State's defensive, they have to create turnovers and play mistake free if they are going to win or even keep this close. Closer then many think. Penn State: 14 USC 21

I think the Big Ten will go 1-2 today with only Ohio State left to go on Monday. Happy New Year and enjoy what used to be the best football day of the year.