This is the first traditional week for Big Ten openers but we still have a few non-conference stragglers including a big match-up between ND and OSU. Also, the fighting FAU Owls heads to Illinois. Let's see what else we got:
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Michigan Thursday: Big Ten Preview Week 4
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Wolverine Wednesday: What Have We Learned Through 3 Weeks
Michigan has now completed its 3 game non-conference schedule with only a little scare from Bowling Green with an assist by multiple turnovers. Now, they start the Big Ten portion of the schedule on Saturday as Wolverines welcome Rutgers to the Big House. What have we learned about this team through 3 games?
- Teams watched the TCU tape: Many of us thought that Michigan would be able to line up against anyone and run the ball down their throats. That has not been the case through 3 games and Michigan opponents are loading the box to shut down the run.
- JJ Can Be Really Good: With opponents saying, "beat us by the pass" JJ has honored that request with 2-3 really good games. Roman Wilson is always open and he needs to find more TE's. If he makes the right reads and puts some air on the deep ball, Michigan will be in good shape.
- Defense is playing well: Michigan has been beat up in the secondary and the defense has been playing great. The starting defense has only given up field goals and hopefully Johnson and Moore will be back this week.
- Special Teams can be special again: Michigan had really good special teams the last few years with Moody the best kicker in the country and AJ returning punts. Seems Turner is now more comfortable after a shaky first game.
- Concerns? The depth in the secondary is a concern if Michigan gets more injuries there. The pass rush has been good, but the 3 offensive lines were questionable. Michigan needs to be more creative to get the running game going. More Donovan Edwards please! How about a traditional screen pass?
- Top Pressure Rates in the NFL through 2 games: #1 Josh Uche: 25.0%
- OSU AD Gene Smith is telling congress today that recruits are asking for $5000 just to do an official visit.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Michigan Tuesday: Stop, Tuck, and Roll
As you know by now, MSU gave Mel Tucker a notice of termination for cause and 7 days to respond to the action, with a dismissal date of 9/26. This from ESPN's Pete Thamel's twitter post: In documents, Michigan State tells Tucker's attorney that the school has "amassed a body of undisputed evidence of misconduct that warrants termination for cause."
- Michigan @ Nebraska 3:30 kick on Fox
- Seems very unlikely that international recruit Lee Aaliya will be joining the basketball team this season, at least not to start the season.
- How about Chad Henne being in a Subway commercial! Always great to have a friend in Patrick Mahomes.
Monday, September 18, 2023
The Original Michigan Monday: Too Early Look at Rutgers and Smith Twins
We know recruiting is a dirty business. Some of the dirt is now legal with new NIL rules and Michigan will be competitive sometimes and other times not. I think Juwan is seeing that first hand in basketball recruiting. Michigan Guard Trevor Keegan weighs in, "“I have a lot of friends from different schools and different programs where they’re getting promised money up front, whether it’s the [transfer] portal or in recruiting, and when they get to the program, they’re just not getting what they were told,” Keegan says. “That’s causing a lot of problems in other locker rooms.”
- News Flash: Jake Moody is still really good
- Jake Schoonmaker got his first NFL TD on Sunday
- Chad Henne is staying retired and won't head to the Jets
- The Bredeson family didn't have the best weekend as Ben suffered a concussion in a comeback win for the Giants. Get well soon Ben!
- Juwan Howard had a scheduled heart surgery this weekend. Reports are he is doing well and should be back with the team in about a month. Get well soon coach!
- BGSU Demetrius Hardamon (the player that was carted off) is in stable condition and up and walking around, hopefully he will make a full recovery and will be released soon.
- Joe Milton throws a nice deep ball. He struggled this weekend in the swamp.