Monday, December 24, 2018

Michigan Monday: Exhibition Game Week

Michigan loaded up a plane and headed to Atlanta on Sunday to face the Florida Gators in less than a week.  I feel sorry for the journalist that are covering the game, can't feel great spending Christmas at the Atlanta Westin.   For the Wolverines, this is a business trip to get younger players some game time action and to see if they can eclipse 11 wins this season.  

Some practice buzz includes RB Christian Turner and CB Vincent Gray.   I expect with Higdon out, we will get a couple more looks at Mr. Turner and even Hassan Haskins who is back full time at RB after a stint on defense.  This is the first year where the new 4 game red shirt rule is in effect, so expect many younger players to see the field on Saturday.

In other news:
  • Shea Patterson is coming back for his senior year.  Which is great news.  Two years in Harbaugh's system should bring more positive results from that position.  

  • Michigan gets a PWO QB commit from a Rivals 2 star QB Ren Hefley.  Ren is a dual-threat at 6'1 and 185 pounds and played his high school football in Arkansas.   Welcome Ren! Any chance his nickname becomes Kylo?

  • Michigan's basketball team slept walked through another 1st half against Air Force on Saturday but found its footing in the second half.  I think this is just rust only playing once a week.    Speaking of a service academy, did you see what Army did to Houston in the bowl game?  You know Army is on Michigan's schedule next year right?  Who keeps scheduling these service academies?

  • With only a week left in the NFL regular season, expect more Harbaugh rumors.  The latest is that the Jets are going to come with a big offer.  Their owners name is Woody Johnson, that is all. 

  • Speaking of the NFL Tom Brady clinched another Division Title yesterday.   In his 18 years career he has won 16 AFC East Titles.   That is just crazy! 🐐
A Too Early Look at Florida:

Record: 9-3
Best win: LSU 
Worst Loss: Missouri

Finished tied for 2nd in the SEC East with Kentucky who beat them.  

Very consistent on offense where they rush for 209 yards per and throw for 217.   

Gators score 34 points per game and give up 20.

Florida ranks #24 in total defense

Dan Mullen is in his first year as Florida's head coach.  A familiar name coaching the Gators secondary, Ron English (former Michigan DC and EMU head coach).
 
Line: Michigan -6.5

Interesting trend, when Florida has lost this year they have scored 16, 17, and 17 points.  (Kentucky, Georgia, Missouri)

7 comments:

EzmoB said...

Jets will offer coach Harbaugh similar contract that John G at the raiders got. 10 million a year and complete control of personal. I hope he turns them down, if he does I think he will stay at Michigan for a long time.

szanreno said...

Read on:

http://gregghenson.com/cris-carter-urbys-water-boy-says-harbaugh-wants-out-of-michigan/

EzmoB said...

F Carter!

szanreno said...

That's true, but I wanted to point out that the writer says Harbaugh isn't going anywhere. This guy is usually spot on. He called the hiring of Harbaugh like he was in the room.

EzmoB said...

Jets just declined to go after coach Harbaugh. I don't believe that, they are playing the media game with that comment.

szanreno said...

The only thing that's going to pull him away is if he actually wants to go back to the pros. His deal at Michigan is as good as any pro coach out there and we don't even know all the perks he gets. I think he coaches as long as he wants to and right now he wants to be at Michigan.

doctorb said...

If Harbaugh uses the same meticulous approach to selecting coaches on the offense as he did for defense we will win the big ten championship next year. If not we will continue the dynasty in football at the down south.