Preview Texas

Time: 3:00
Location: Citrus Bowl
Weather: FL Cold 60 degrees
TV: ABC
Line: Michigan +7

Well a lot has happened since Michigan left the field after the OSU game.  Sherrone lost his mind, job, career, and freedom in one day and Michigan hired a new head coach in Kyle Whittingham.  The team continued to practice under Biff and a few recruits left the program.  

We know of 3 opt outs for this game for Michigan in edge rushers Moore, Barham, and also El-Hadi an offensive lineman will also not be participating.   I expect there will be a few more due to injury, etc.  That is just on the Michigan side.  Texas also has had some players enter the portal but we don't know who is and isn't playing from the Longhorns.   To be honest, neither team probably wants to play this game as their playoff dreams were both crushed late in the year.  

Like all the other bowl games this season, we are not sure what to expect on either side.  The Vegas line reflects the Michigan program in turmoil. 

Dear Biff, 

Well my friend it was fun while it lasted.  You will most likely finish your time in Ann Arbor being the head coach for 3 games this season.  Your 2-0 so far and looking to close out a perfect record.  Your OC is gone and Wink needs to play without his best 2 pass rushers.  Looking at the IU win over Ohio State, the reason Michigan wasn't more competitive in the game against the Buckeyes was they couldn't create any pass rush.   Now that seems like a huge issue against Arch and the Longhorns.  

I know you wanted this full time job but the Texas Podcast was a bad move and I hope that was just some gamesmanship.   My expectation is that you kept this team going by focusing on the game and not what was going on outside Schembechler Hall.   If you did that, then Bravo Biff and I expect to see a competitive game today in chilly Orlando. 

Now for the game.  It's no secret how I feel about Wink, but this is a Wink type of game.  Most offenses start slow in Bowl Games due to the time off and the loss of players.  Michigan will need to play very strong defense if they are going to stay with the Longhorns.   On offense, I hope Michigan has some healthy RB's.  Marshall had a great Bowl Game last year and if Michigan is going to win this game he will need over a 100 yards and a couple of TD's.   

We are also looking for Bryce to make another step in the right direction.  Next year is his year, but it would be nice to set the table with a really good outing vs. a ranked team. 

Biff I don't know if your ever going to coach again or just head to the beach with that stack of money you and your father-in-law earned but it would sure be nice to go out with a win over Texas.   In bowl games the team that usually wants to be there, plays like it and the teams that doesn't, reflects that as well.  

Goals for today:

• Play hard 
• Show progress on offense 
• and most importantly stay healthy! 

The future is next season with this young talented roster and a new coaching staff.  Let's get through this game with healthy players and the off season and a new direction starts on Thursday. 

Michigan 17 Texas 27

Michigan Thursday: Chip Speaks

Tom Brady hired Chip Kelly away from Ohio State and Chip Lindsey joined the Wolverines in this offseason.   Chip since taking the Michigan job has been quiet until yesterday when he went on "In the Trenches" with Jon Jansen.  The most important thing he said, was that each QB in Spring Camp will get equal snaps: “For us this spring, it’s how do we put these three quarterbacks in position,” Lindsey said this week on Michigan’s in-house podcast, “In the Trenches” with Jon Jansen. “We’ll just rotate them through. I want them all to get equal reps with the older receivers or the next group down and put them in situations (like third-down and red-zone offense). It’s pretty simple then. It’s a production business. Whatever you produce, that’s who you are. Whatever you put on film is who you are.”

That makes sense but we know the expectation is that Kenne will be the day 1 starter, with Underwood playing the Year 1 JJ role, while Davis looks to earn gameday snaps.   Let's not forget Davis Warren will be back at some point next season after his ACL injury. 

Chip, I know you don't cover special teams, but what is the plan for the punter? 😀

• I was thinking Michigan Basketball had just a few more games left this season.  It's actually 6 difficult games. Mazie out on Friday for MSU. 

• Hutch is running again, glad to see a quick recovery. 

• Texas hired WVU RB Coach, which could have an impact on RB recruiting in the 2026 class.

A $20M Problem

I'm in the camp that believes coaches who live and breathe football 24x7 are not stupid.  Michigan was an elite team the last two years.  They had an elite QB, RB, OL, and Defense.  That combination Michigan rode to a National Championship after two years of hitting their head on the door of the CFP's.

Texas is the new Michigan and they proved that on Saturday.  

There are plenty of reasons to point to on what happened Saturday.  But the biggest is $20M. 

Ohio State, Miami, Oregon, Texas, etc was tired of losing and went into the portal and spent a boatload of money to bring talent to their programs.   Many of these teams tried to fish from Michigan's roster.  Alabama landed our backup Safety for $2-$3M.  Just think what Graham, Will Johnson, or Ken Grant would've fetched in the open market.  

This is college football now and you either spend with the big boys or your Clemson or Iowa.  Guess where Michigan is trending to. 

Fuck what happened yesterday.  We have 2023 and Early 2024.  Texas is the better team all around.  It wasn't close and Michigan wasn't even trying to win in the 2nd half.  It would've been a good game last season. 

Back to the $20M.  Sherrone and his new staff could clearly assess this team that 100% lacks playmakers on offense with a brand new offensive line.  They went into the portal and got a slot WR from Youngstown State.  Michigan didn't have $20M to spend and what they did have they spent on saving the current stars on defense.   I'm not saying either one is a life saver but Michigan had two former backup QB's starting for other teams on Saturday.   Matt Weiss and his lack of QB recruiting (or lack of money to recruit a QB) has potentially killed this season.  Michigan's best offensive player is a transfer and it's a kicker.  

How do you not bring in a serviceable QB?  Or another starting WR?  No money =No Championships.  This is college football now and the reason Saban works for ESPN now. 

I was against the Wink hire from the start.  Michigan had success with young DC's that could recruit and develop talent.  Wink might be the OG of this system but he is washed.  He was washed in the NFL and everyone knew it.  This team had to win on defense and it clearly didn't yesterday. 

Michigan has too many problems on offense to list.  We can dig into that next weekend.  Jack Tuttle please save us!

Texas Preview

Dallas News 

Time: 12:00

Location: Big House
Weather: 60 Windy
TV: Fox
Line: Michigan +7

This matchup almost happened last season in the National Championship game but Texas lost to UW in the CFP semi-final.  I'm pretty sure Michigan fans wouldn't have outnumbered opposing fans in Houston 3-1 if Texas had won that game. 

Texas has a ton on their plate this season as they are moving from the Big 12 to the SEC.  Many moons ago when they booked this game neither program thought how their current conferences would be constructed (Texas in the SEC and the Big 10 adding all the teams),  If they did, neither program would have signed this home and home.  Michigan travels to Austin next year.  

As for this game, Texas has a Heisman Trophy candidate QB and famous QB bloodline as a back-up.   They have speed on the outside and will look to throw the ball all around the yard.  This will be a huge test for Michigan's secondary and pass rush.  I don't know if  Texas QB Quinn Ewers developed Michigan hate after being in Columbus for a year, but we assume he has it..   The Lonhourns handled CSU last weekend without breaking a sweat in the Texas summer heat.  Michigan struggled against Fresno scoring points.  

Dear Sherrone,

I wanted to start with some pleasantries and congratulate on your first win as full time Michigan head coach.  But we don't have time for that.  This is Texas week and you will need all your time game planning to stop the Longhorns offense.  Michigan is an underdog in its own house and defending National Champions.  As a reminder, most football talking heads believe Texas is not only going to win but will embarrass the Wolverines on Saturday afternoon. 

Texas is going to test your entire defense through the air and on the ground.  I know they lost a few RB's to injury but just when you think they are 100% throw, they will sneak in a 20 yard run.  Sark will have an open playbook, Wink better have some funky formations to confuse Ewers. 

Michigan has to control both lines of scrimmage against Texas.  The defensive line must provide constant and consistent pressure on Ewers.  If he gets speed up and starts seeing Ghosts, Michigan will win this game.   Time for Moore, Grahman, Grant, and Stewart to become household names.  

The offense has to score points and we know we don't move the ball if Michigan's run game is not sharp.  The offensive line has to be 100% better this week.  Michigan must have big games from Edwards and Mullins.  The QB's have to test the Texas defense.  Warren must throw the ball down field and getting Edwards on the edge/into space is key.  I expect better play calling and some creative plays (not trick plays).  Are we going to see a real Orji run formation?  

Sherrone you know how to game plan for a huge game. I'm sure during the off season you spent more time preparing for Texas then you did Fresno State.  There also should be plenty of motivation in Schembechler Hall with being a home dog.  The wind might provide you a nice advantage if it blows at 15 miles per hour with gusts up to 28.  Michigan has to run and run wild.  To net it out, your squad has to play Big Ten Football with a dominating run game and defense.  W. Johnson, Hill, Hall, Paige, and Q. Johnson must play well with a huge assist from Michigan's pass rush.   Use the Big House fans and home field advantage to beat these Longhorns! 

Texas 28 Michigan 17

Michigan Monday: Home Dog

Both Fox and ESPN pre-game shows will be in Ann Arbor.  Michigan is the defending national champion and the most famous player on the field is a back-up QB for Texas.  This is a crazy game at a crazy time. 

Michigan is coming off a Harbaugh-ish performance over a solid Fresno State team and Texas won 52-0 over the team from Colorado that is not led by Coach Prime.  Texas @ Michigan will be a match-up of strength vs strength, Texas offense vs. Michigan's defense.  Wink is going to have his hands full with a Texas team that made the playoffs last season.  

Too Early Look at the Longhorns:

Record: 1-0  2023: 12-2 losses to Oklahoma and Washington in the CFP

Pass: 355 per game (21st)

Run: 190 per game (51st)

Score: 52 (17th)

Give up: 0 (1) 

Line: Texas -6.5

So those stats are just for one game against Colorado State.   The book on Stark and Texas are they like to throw the ball around the yard and score a lot of points.  They also can give up a lot of points in big games.  The 2 games they lost last season they gave up 37 and 34.  Michigan will have to look much more competent on offense then they did on Saturday night if they are going to win this game.  

The Don loves big games and Michigan is going to need him on Saturday afternoon. 

• USC had a nice win for the Big Ten on Sunday night.  

• Denard is coaching at Brighton Prep School.  I hope he can get things straightened out. 

• The Golden Gophers were the only Big Ten School to lose in Week 1. 

• Here is a tip for Brian Kelly stop playing in these neutral site games week 1.  

• Keon Sabb had 2 picks for Alabama on Saturday. 😠

• Andrel Anthony is back from his ACL and caught 1 pass for 4 yards for Oklahoma. 

• Happy Birthday #55 Mason Graham!

Michigan Thursday: SEC Schedule Is Scary

Oklahoma and Texas are packing up their stuff and moving to the SEC in 2024.  They're leaving the Big 12 high and dry for the money and exposure the SEC can bring them.  You know what else the SEC is going to do for both of them? Maybe a ton of more losses than these programs are used to. 

Here is Oklahoma's SEC Schedule in 2024:

Home: Alabama South Carolina Tennessee Texas (In Dallas) Away: Auburn LSU Ole Miss Missouri

Texas 2024:

Home: Florida Georgia Kentucky Mississippi State Away: Arkansas Oklahoma (In Dallas) Texas A&M Vanderbilt

Don't forget Texas will also have a trip to the Big House as well in 2024.

• Jett and Kobe are both going to be in the green room at the NBA Draft. Explain to me why we didn't get to the NCAA's Tourney last year?

• Michigan finished 6th in the Directors Cup

• The Michigan Basketball Alumni TBT Team that we thought was a done deal, will now not happen.

• Will there be beer sales at the Big House?

• Did you know the Playboy Mansion backs up to 14th hole at the LACC where the US Open is this weekend? There is probably a NETFLIX Documentary on the relationship between those two properties alone.

• Triva Answer: Matt Gutierrez, Clayton Richard, Ryan Mallett, Devin Gardner, Brandon Peters, Dylan McCaffrey, Cade McNamara, and JJ McCarthy

Michigan Tuesday: Green Field

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wolverine Wednesday: Spending a Year With Jimmy

Could you imagine trying to keep up with Jim Harbaugh for a year?  The recruiting trips, satellite camps, strategy sessions, 3 hour practices, etc.    Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Turnley did just that and ESPN yesterday shared a few pictures from the book David and Jim published.  


Its a short read and one I recommend checking out.   This is a heart breaking photo that David took after Jeremy Clarks injury.

David Turnley

• Former Michigan recruit Jean Delance a 4 star offensive lineman from the 2016 class is transferring from Texas.  He was very high on the Wolverines and I believe picked Texas because it was closer to home.  No word yet if the Wolverines are interested in picking him up.  He played in a couple games as a freshman and would have to sit out a year before being eligible.

This surprised me a bit as I seem to remember him struggling with the deep ball, maybe those were Rudock flash backs.

Wolverine Wednesday: Is Deep in the Heart of Texas

PT Brandon has scheduled two Michigan home games in Dallas as the AD in Michigan.   Neither games were against a team from Texas.   Now the rumor mill is spinning that Michigan and Texas are in negotiations to play a home and home.   This is what were talking about!  Two historic programs playing each other in the home stadiums.    This type of game moves the needle, I'm sure it will be a great match-up in 2042 or whenever they schedule it.   BTW it wouldn't be a great match up this year as Texas has a similar weekend as the Wolverines did when they lost 41-7 to BYU at home.   Misery loves company. 

• I thought a little ray of light out of the terrible Ray Rice situation was that Fitz might be called up from the practice squad to the regular roster.  Instead he got released by the Ravens yesterday.  

• It will be interesting to see what the Big House will look like this weekend.  Plenty of seats are available through the athletic department or ticket brokers. 

There is probably a full post here, but with all the chatter about letting Hoke go after the season, the next reasonable question is:  Who would be next?    There doesn't seem like there are ton of hires that could make the Michigan faithful happy.   It probably isn't a coordinator and the Sumlin's of the world are not going anywhere.   So who?


#1: Jim Harbaugh:  If he was hired instead of Hoke, would Michigan be in this position right now?   Don't we all agree, there is no way we would.  We might be losing games like Stanford lost to USC last weekend, but the norm would be probably 9-10 wins a year.   The time could be right time as reports are his relationships with the 49'ers seem to be strained.   He would need to be sold on turning around his alum mater and filling the shoes of his coaching idol Bo Schembechler.   If you pay him, there might be a shot.   Probably Sabin type of money, but it seems he is worth it.  Adidas would provide him pants. 


#2: Les Miles:  I know he is a grass eating, high hat wearing, strange clapping, head coach but he was down 17 points to Wisconsin and getting out played everywhere and came away with a win.    I know there are people in A2 that just don't like him but probably hate him.   With that, I ask you the same question:  If Sailboat Bill and Mary Sue had waited to hire him instead of RR, would we be in the same position we are right now?  I doubt it.    Les isn't getting any younger and this might be his last shot at his dream job.  


#3 Whoever it is, it won't be good enough.   Jon Gruden isn't coming here, so everyone else would be a poor choice.   John Harbaugh is welcomed and maybe even thought about it for a minute the last time, but that would be a long shot.   Jake Spavital, Texas AM OC is probably the hottest coordinator in the country but there is a ton of risk hiring a guy that hasn't been a head coach and trying to run the battleship that is Michigan Football.   Head coaches from WVU and San Diego State have had issues trying to run that ship.   Another name might be Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell, but would Michigan really hire the former Wisconsin QB? 


If Hoke can't turn it around this year, then the next hire has to have little to no risk or Michigan will be replacing their head coach and their athletic director.   Which probably wouldn't be a bad move.

Michigan Tuesday: Big House Blog Bullets

• Denard is a Davey O'Brien Semi Finalist with a bunch of other QB's.

• Burkhead has a knee issue and could miss Saturday's game.

• Brendan Gibbons was named Big 10 Special Teams Player of the Week

• Mac Brown is not in love with the Longhorn Network.  Takes too much of his time and shows too much practice footage. 

• Ward telling Coach Hoke that he was coming to Michigan: "I communicated with [Michigan Director of Player Personnel Chris] Singletary the night before that I wanted to commit," Ward said. Right before Coach Hoke was about to start getting ready for the game, Coach Singletary brought me to a room with Coach Hoke and [recruiting coordinator Jeff] Hecklinski.
  
  "I had a little small talk at first, then I said, 'Let me get to the point, I want to let you know you have my commitment to be a part of your program.' He went crazy and jumped up and gave me the hugest hug ever."

• Hoke said at his press conference yesterday that Raymon Taylor should be ready to play Saturday against Nebraska.

Michigan Thursday: A Little Bit of Everything

Derrick Green has set 2 other official visits after his visit to Ann Arbor next week.  He will visit Auburn for Georgia game on 11/10 and to Oregon for the Stanford game on 11/17.    Let's hope he loves A2 and the coaches so much that he never makes those visits.  Nike town concerns me. 


Michigan Basketball had their media day yesterday, so I provide you links for a bunch of stories on the Freshman 5 and Burke/Hardaway:  ESPN 1, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, Mgoblog, and UMHoops.   Check out the highlighter yellow new shoes! 

• Denard needs 576 yards to pass Pat White as #1 Running QB in the FBS.  He needs 1,136 yards to pass Mike Hart as Michigan's leading rusher. 

• In a class move, Brady Hoke and staff will wear ChuckStrong shirts this weekend to support his friend Chuck Pagano (head coach of the Indianapolis Colts) who is fighting cancer.  Brady bought 40-50 shirts and will give them to his coaches to wear this weekend.   I believe the plan is to wear them before the game. 

• Taylor Lewan made Phi Steele's 2012 All American Mid-Season Team.  Taylor is a NFL quality lineman but he hasn't had an All American type of first half.

• Michigan Alum Brad Bates was named the AD at Boston College.

• OSU and Texas signed a home and home contract for games in 2022 and 2013.  By that time we should have jet packs, right?

• RIP former Michigan captain Tom Coyle from the 1972 team.  He was 62.

Texas Stays on the Ranch

Texas liked the proposal that the Big 12 commissioner made and will stay in the Big 12 -2.  In the software business, we call proposals like the Big 12 put on the table: vapor ware.  It could be a great deal or bad business, but I think $25 million is aggressive.  I don't see how the Big 12 could be talking money when they haven't done it's own TV contract yet.

With that said,  it was clear that Texas didn't want to be just another member in a league, they wanted to be the member in the league.   So the Big 12 commissioner sold the Texas President and we will see if his magical wishes come true or was it just a trip to fantasy land?

Now, I expect ND to stay independent because they have the same "condition" that Texas has.   So, the Big Ten +2 seems to be done for now.   I don't expect them to grab Maryland or Rutgers now.   I expect them to stay with 12 teams and play a championship game. 

So the Big 12 has 10 teams and the Big 10 has 12 teams?  That makes sense.