Michigan Wolverines Football

[JNT]

Im a big blue fan. Just finished watching their annual Maze and Blue spring game. Couple of observations and notes.

It was nice to see that ridicules 3-3 defense gone, and a solid 4-3 in place. Hopefully their not to thin on the line as a result of recruiting the last few years for the 3-3.

Denard still looked insanely fast. Juking people out of their cleats. They would blow the whistle the second it looked like the QB would get hit, but no one could get near him. He was breaking 40-50 yarders if it was flag football. Back up, Devon Gardner looked really solid too.

Receiving core looked solid, but I doesnt look like they have a burner at RB.

One thing I can't believe is they still have not found someone to kick the ball through the uprights. Two dreadful FG attempts at mid to low range. How can a school of this stature not find a kicker. Looks like we'll be going for it on 4th and long everytime, again.

Hail to the Victors

 

[Burning Man]

I really think it was a reach hiring RichRod in the first place. IMO it was like trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. The same goes for Callahan at Nebraska a few years ago. It's pretty tough to figure out if someone "fits". I think now that they are going back to something everyone recognizes they'll at least make a bowl game here and there or have a shot against Ohio State.

 

[GoingPostal]

Hey at least this year you may have a shot against Ohio state!

 

[agctribefan]

no shot. The play them at the end of the year. All the guys will be back by then. Go Buckeyes! Even without their starters I thing the buckeyes would win.

 

[JNT]

A win over Ohio would be so good. Ease the pain of the past few years. If the new defense transitions well, and they can get a kicker to keep them in close games, Mich will be tough to hang with, especially with the offensive explosiveness they have.

 

[mikejh]

as an Ohio State fan i have enjoyed them beating michigan the last 5 or so years in a row, but the last couple years have just not been fun, just kind of sad, how do you feel good about beating such an underwhelming team?

i really want michigan football to become good again, and then i want the buckeyes to squash them

 

[JNT]

mikejh <=== :hammersma ===>me

 

[bdc30]

Was talking to Shawn (wilfredsimpson) and we'd definitely be interested in going to the big house for a game this year if we can get it together....

 

[NCost]

Ok, I'll try not to go to much ranting here, but...

1. RR had no chance when he came in. Why?
a. Carr left the program w/ only 62 scholarship players, should have been at 85 (bad recruiting because he didn't care anymore)
b. No scholarship QB when RR came in - Mallet was transferring regardless if Carr stayed or not.
c. No one supported RR, and he did what he told them he was going to do, and after 3 years our offense was good, just not deep.

2. Before you all call me a RR lover, I do blame him mostly for the Defense. Gerg sucked, but RR wouldn't let him run his own defense and wouldn't let him bring in his own staff. This is purely on RR's head.

3. RR just didn't understand what he was walking into and the tradition that was there. That is also his fault and unfortunately wasn't willing to change or bend to what needed to be so that Mich tradition would live on. That was his biggest fault.

4. Hoke has everyone in his corner so if he fails, it's purely on him and Brandon.

5. I've attended 5 coaches clinics the last 5 springs so every spring I get to be on the field w/ the staff and players during 3 spring practices. So after this years, this is what I took away...

a. Robinson will do fine in this offense and actually may do better since he'll have more protection and not have to run as much. Just needs to keep improving his footwork and accuracy.
b. Devon G. still needs work, hopefully his Redshirt will be approved, won't find out until August.
C. Cox, Touissant and Hopkins aren't bad at RB, with Hopkins being the downhill runner that will most likely get the most time. We've got a couple good runners coming in this fall, one might play (has the size to play)
d. Defense, well it does look better. The 4-3 is well, the 4-3. Doesn't matter if you run that or the 3-5 (not 3-3) that RR ran, it's all gap assignment, but w/ the way Mattison runs the 4-3 we'll see a lot more blitzes and Sam LB pursuit. The problem is we are still thin at LB and DB's, especially after losing 2 DB's on transfer this spring. Also three starting defensive players weren't playing this spring, so that helps us.
e. Kicking game - yep it's that bad. We're fine at punting, but place kicking sux arse. We have a freshman coming in I expect to start...Wiley I think is his name, good kid that can do it if he can handle the pressure.

As far as Ohio - as long as we're healthy we'll compete. The key will be how much of the offense they get installed and functional. I really don't expect much this year, to many questions really. Recruiting has been on fire and our 2012 class is shaping up nicely. If Hoke doesn't get it done in 3 years he must go, they set the precedent w/ RR, now they have to keep it IMO.

I grew up just outside of AA and played all my youth sports there, so you can say I'm a bit of a fan/addict, etc.

 

[Farani]

Spartans are the truth! When they can actually beat MSU, this thread will matter muhahahahahaha!

Wolverines can't even win a hockey National Title!

That's all in good fun, though...they're clearly the stronger program in hockey, too.

 

[JNT]

Ok, I'll try not to go to much ranting here, but...

Pretty much agree with all of it. In my ideal world, I wish there was some way Rich Rod could have remained on at least as O coordinator. It doesn't mean nothing if your offence can put 50+ points on the board, and give up 60+. Rich Rod has to wear that defense though. A 3-3 in the big ten, punishable by death.

 

[JNT]

Spartans are the truth! When they can actually beat MSU, this thread will matter muhahahahahaha!

Wolverines can't even win a hockey National Title!

That's all in good fun, though...they're clearly the stronger program in hockey, too.

Sparty is no longer the kicking boy in the state of Mich. What a world we live in now.

 

[jjon90]

Any predictions on the upcoming game vs. Notre Dame on 9/10 ?

 

[Farani]

Sparty is no longer the kicking boy in the state of Mich. What a world we live in now.

Sorry I meant u of m was the stronger program in hockey, too, when I said they. Msu may have won a title 5 years back, but umich has been consistently good for decades now. Red runs a great program. Msu has a long way to go in football & hockey. I hope both schools can get some badass programs going at the same time. It would be nice to see both consistently ranked in the top 25.


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[NCost]

I almost feel bad for MSU hockey...they hired the president of the CCHA to coach them and he's only got 1 year of coaching experience...way back when. He may turn out to be a diamond in the rough, but who knows.

Gonna be weird after next hockey season, no more CCHA, going to be B10 hockey. Not sure how I like that. The only thing I like about it, its gonna screw ND hockey as the CCHA is rumored to lose their automatic bid since they'll be losing UM, MSU in the conference. Their Strength of Schedule is going to tank. Where as the B10 will be strong as Minn leaves their conf and joins us as well.

I can't make any predictions about the ND game this year. Michigan will be ready for it, the question is will they have to depth. But if you look at how bad we were the last few years, we still beat ND, so it's up for grabs.