Michigan Thursday: Hey Coach Your Hired!

• EMU hired Drake head coach Chris Creighton.  The rumor is they did interview Mike Hart for the position.

• Notre Dame DC Bob Diaco is taking the UConn job.  MSU DC Pat Narduzzi turned down the job.   ND has now lost their OC to Miami, OH and  DC to UConn.

• Bryan Harsin from Arkansas State was hired at Boise State.   He was the former OC at Boise State.    Arkansas State seems to be the place to take a head coaching job before.

Come on folks, Michigan has an OC that could be a good fit at some of these schools!

Pat Narduzzi turning down UConn is interesting.  He must be thinking that there is a better job out there for him.   Some thinking is that if Sabin stays or goes, that Mark Dantonio might be a candidate for either Bama or Texas and Narduzzi would slip right into the MSU head coach position.

BTW, I think it's funny how people think Jim Harbaugh would ever be a candidate at Texas.  

• Taylor Lewan is 2nd Team All American.  Probably a 1st teamer if the offensive line is better.

• Coach Jackson was out to see weekend visitor RB Vic Enwere yesterday.   It seems the Wolverines are serious about adding Vic to the class.   He is currently committed to CAL.

• Big commit visitor weekend planned,  they will get a chance to watch practice on Saturday. 

• Michigan's #1 recruit left on the board, Malik McDowell is visiting Florida this weekend.

Wolverine Wednesday: Redshirt Shane?

First lets get to some interesting news.   We all know that Devin is in a walking boot and crutches.  The injury is turf toe, which is very painful and takes weeks to recover from (recovering depends on the grade of the sprain, this is probably a grade 2).   I would say he is questionable for the Copper Bowl, Brady believes he is going to play.

The reports from the first bowl practice is that Shane Morris is taking first team snaps and Russell Bellomy is back and has been cleared to practice.   Devin is expected to sit out at least a week of practice.  Which leads me to next year and the possibility of giving Shane's redshirt year back.  

It's clear that Devin is back and even though he took hundreds of hits this year he has proven he is  durable and a very tough player.   If Michigan needs a QB to come in for a few snaps or even a few series Bellomy should be able to do that and hopefully being in the program for 3 years could do so effectively. 

Michigan will also have true freshman Wilton Speight who will enroll at Michigan in a few weeks.   Wilton is not a regular freshman as he was allowed to re-classify recruiting classes and is a year older then a regular freshman.   He also will have the entire winter to train and Spring Ball/Summer Workouts to learn the offense.

If not for Russell's ACL tear, I'm pretty confident the coaches who have redshirted Shane this year.  Redshirting Shane next year allows him another year of grooming to take over the starting role for the following 3 years.  Even if he has to start and play the entire Copper Bowl.

• Don't forget this is a big recruiting weekend for most of the committed guys.  Including Peppers who is still being recruited by everyone and current CAL commit Vic Enwere.  The #1 goal of the weekend is to get Jabrill to re-confirm to the Wolverines.

• Michigan will practice Thursday and Saturday and then probably everyday next week.

• James Ross practiced on Tuesday.

Michigan Tuesday: News and Notes

• Remember recruit Pharaoh Brown?  He was the guy that tested the Michigan no visit policy and visited Oregon.  Well, he just got suspended by The Ducks for his role in a snowball fight that got out of hand, was recorded, and went viral.

• Devin Gardner entered the Michigan Football Banquet on crutches.  I hope it's something where he will be ready in 18 days for the BWW Bowl. 

• There are rumors already that Mack Brown is out at Texas.  Let the fun with Nick Saban begin!

• Michigan Basketball is no longer ranked and will get to host the new #1 team in the country Arizona on Saturday.  

• Jadeveon Clowney gets a speeding ticket going 110 MPH.  Former Michigan RB Vincent Smith was not injured in this event.

• Here is what the players will get at the BWW Game:  Trip to the gift suite; Fossil watch; Ogio Cube backpack.  There is a total price limit so the players have to choose which "gift" they choose.  No Chicken Wings?

Michigan Monday: Weekend Thoughts & Chicken Wings

Here are some random thoughts from this weekend:

• MSU was the best team Michigan faced this year. 

• UConn is interested in interviewing MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, please hire him!

• Da'Shawn Hand said no to Michigan and now he is trying to recruit the Wolverines best athlete in the class in Jabrill Peppers with him to Alabama.   I sure hope Nick Saban goes to Texas.

• Ohio State must really hate the State of Michigan. 

• Does Michigan really have to play in East Lansing again next year?  Couldn't they have worked something out like a game at Ford Field or something.

• Michigan commit Shaun Crawford can play.  Here are his junior year highlights.   There are conflicting reports on Shaun planning a visit to Columbus or not.

• There is starting to be a little bit of buzz on coaching web sites that Michigan will have staff changes.   Nothing to happen quickly, which means nothing before bowl prep and probably after signing day.   Again just a rumor.

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl:

Michigan was rumored to be either in the Gator Bowl against Georgia or BWW against KSU.  It ended up with the game in Arizona.   It seems the BWW Bowl had the third pick and choose the Wolverines over the Corn Huskers.

Since your probably not familiar with this bowl here are some factoids:

• It's played in Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona (not the University of Phoenix Stadium)
• Used to be called the Copper and Insight Bowl
• It's played on 12/28
• The game starts at 10:15 PM EST  -  Great start time for the kids!
• Big Ten is 2-5 since the contract started
• MSU won this bowl last year
• Minnesota has played in the bowl 3 times
• Indiana was even in this bowl game in 2007
• TBS was the original network, then ESPN came in and gave up the rights to the NFL Network.  After 4 years, ESPN picked the coverage back up.

This seems to be the appropriate "penalty" for the year the Wolverines had.    Congratulations to the Michigan fans in Phoenix.   At least Taylor Lewan gets to play at home for his last game in the Maize and Blue.

I would guess that no matter what comes out of the Michigan Athletic Department that David Brandon is not happy with this choice.  Since he is so worried about the Michigan "brand" playing in a game that will end at 1:30 AM EST is not the exposure he is looking for.

Since this game starts in 20 days, I guess bowl practice will start pretty soon.

Here is one reaction from a poster on Mgoblog:   This is a game that nobody cares about, on a day nobody cares about, in a time slot nobody cares about.

Michigan Friday: A Few Recruiting Nuggets and Updates College Football News

First a question from Uncle Ron: Big Bob my question still is Where is Nathan Brink?

Nathan had an un-disclosed injury that kept him out of his 5th year of eligibility.   He missed the final 8 games last year and graduated with a Sociology degree this past spring.   The inside buzz was he suffered a neck injury during practice.

• Winston not charged.   Which will open the door to him playing the NC game and a Heisman Trophy.  I'm all for innocent until proven guilty and don't have an issue with him playing in the ACC and BCS Championships.   I am really torn on the Heisman, to me it just doesn't feel right that his freedom is in question on a Wednesday and the next week he is standing in NYC accepting the Heisman.   It's just a very unique and worrisome situation.

• Reports are that Boise State Head Coach Chris Peterson is expected to accept the University of Washington job.  I'm not surprised at this move, Chris has turned down very high profile jobs and he seems like a Pacific Northwest type of guy.   This is a home run for UW. 

• Woodson thinks his friend Aaron Rodgers should shut it down for the rest of the year, if the Packers are out of the playoff race. 

• Gordon Gee is taking his "Carrot Top" act to West Virginia on an interim basis.  This is the "best" hire WVU has made since they replaced RR with Bill Stewart.   Nice job, Mountaineers.

• A sure bet in the Missouri vs. Auburn game is to bet on the Tigers to win. 

• RB Vic Enwere is expected to visit Ann Arbor next weekend 12/13.  RB Kalen Ballage is no longer an option for the Wolverines.

• Michigan commit Shaun Crawford who got a personal offer from Urban Meyer & OSU a couple weeks ago, is 100% committed to the Wolverines.

• One of the most interesting recruitments in 2015 will be with in-state four-star ATH Brian Cole.   Brian who most consider an MSU lean, recently called Fred Jackson "like family already" and has noticed how the Spartans have treated former Saginaw WR DeAnthony Arnett, who strangely is not getting any playing time.   Brian can play either WR or DB.  It seems the Wolverines prefer him at WR and State as a DB.

• Michigan's top target Malik McDowell got an in-home visit from Coach Mattison and Jackson this week.  They are pitching immediate playing time and improving Michigan's pass rush for him.  This is a very confusing recruitment and MM doesn't give the recruiting insiders any information at all.  It's very hard to tell where he is leaning and the word that he is a Michigan lean is purely speculation at this point.  

• If Michigan does miss out on MM and Hand that is a huge hit to defensive line on two prospects that were considered close to Wolverine locks.   I'm still looking for Michigan to pull a rabbit out of the hat and land one more big time prospect before signing day.  As it stands right now, there doesn't seem to be any big time prospects (outside of MM) considering Michigan at the moment.

B1G Championship Game & Some Recruiting Updates

Michigan's two top rivals will play each other in the B1G Ten Championship on Saturday.    It will be a match up of strength vs. strength and weakness vs. weakness.   OSU has a dynamic running game with Carlos Hyde and QB Braxton Miller vs. MSU #1 ranked defense.   MSU's offense is improved but not dynamic vs. an OSU's defense that has given up a ton of points lately. 

We will really see MSU's defense tested and if their offense can score points against a questionable Buckeye defense.   Dantonio loves Ohio State but I don't expect him to roll over in this game.   Sparty should be un-defeated right now but they had a "Sparty" moment against ND and tried a stupid trick play.    If MSU plays clean I think they have a great chance to win.  I think a strong defense and a offense that doesn't make mistakes will win this game.   If OSU can move the ball on MSU's defense, they will win by a couple touchdowns.    OSU is a 5.5 favorite.

MSU 20 OSU 17


Recruiting Updates:

• Peppers tweeted he will not turn down #2 if offered.  That is a pretty good sign he is still bleeding blue.  (thanks to the folks in the comments about my miss type).   Woodson 2.0 (no pun intended!)

• Hoke visits the Mone family and has a huge meal:

• Malik McDowell names a top 7 of Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Florida State, Florida, Albama, and LSU.  He will announce at the Army AA game.

• Fred Jackson is planning to visit Texas 3 star RB Vic Enwere on Saturday who is a soft commit to CAL right now.  The scoop is he might be considering a "flip" to Michigan after Fred visits.  Vic is a 2014 class prospect.   He is a 6'1 215 pound speed back.    (Some of you might be concerned with the number of running backs right now.   Next year it will be Green and Smith with Hayes & Norfleet at slot, with Drake Johnson coming off an ACL.  Thomas Rawls seems to have fallen way off the depth chart.   So there does seem to be an opportunity for a 3rd down back. 

• Michigan and Alabama were out to see Cincinnati LB Justin Hilliard this week.

• The UA AA Game Roster were just released.  7 future Wolverines are playing in the game.

Wolverine Wednesday: Michigan Drops One to Duke

Michigan was clearly over their tips last night.   The young Wolverines were on national TV in one of the most famous college basketball venues in America.   Nik was locked down on defense and everyone else struggled to find the basket.   

I thought Michigan's defense wasn't too bad but Michigan must find away to score points when they are not making 3's (or shooting them!).  Beiliein's challenge is to find a way to get McGary involved in the low post, now that everyone knows his name.    I liked the effort last night and the way college basketball is designed, because this game was an investment for the Big Ten season and March Madness.   A loss today could equal a win in Bloomington or East Lansing later in the year.

• ESPN is predicting a Michigan vs. Georgia Gator Bowl or "in what could have been" bowl.

• Trey Burke still has ice in his veins!  I hope people notice him in Utah.

• What is the deal with Ohio State and Florida schools in the BCS National Title game?  2002 season against Miami, 2006 season against Florida, and one game away from Florida State.   Thank goodness the BCS is dead after this year.

• Jim Mora is staying at UCLA with a new 6 year deal after UW came knocking.   Former UCLA OC Al Borges is available if UW is interested. 

• John Feinstein takes Urban Meyer to task.   I loved this quote from the piece:  The most dangerous con-men are the ones who are the best at what they do. Former Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams once described one of his peers as, “the most dangerous man in college basketball today.”   Why was he so dangerous?  “Because he’s a good guy, a fun guy to be around, he’s really smart, he’s charming and he’s a hell of a coach,” Williams said. “And he’s a complete crook.”