Friday, December 3, 2021

Iowa Preview


Time:
8:00
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium
Weather: Indoors 
TV: Fox 
Line Michigan -11


Dear Jimmy, 

I've been writing you letters every Friday asking you and your team to prove it to me that times have changed and that your team is different.  You sir proved that on Saturday without a shadow of a doubt.  I also want to thank you for your off-field decision making this week.  Donating your bonus to AD staff that took a pay cut is an extremely generous offer.   I also want to give you a heartfelt thank you for recognizing the young students that we lost at Oxford High School with a patch on your jerseys this Saturday.

In my entire life that was a top 5 Michigan moment great feeling having your team win THE GAME last Saturday.  Wonderful win, but I hope you turned the page on Monday.   There are plenty of examples of a team getting a huge program changing win and then failing the next weekend.   The latest example was MSU beating the current #2 team in the nation and then falling the next weekend to Purdue.  I've used the USA Hockey Russia and Finland example a couple of times, so I will spare you that analogy.   The bottom line is that Michigan's win over OSU gets diminished some if your team doesn't show up on Saturday night.   Playing for a championship is different and your team needs to be ready to play just as hard as they did last Saturday this Saturday.  

Michigan has never played in the Big Ten Championship game, so this is a new feeling and experience for your program and us fans.   It still feels pretty weird, actually.   I'm sure you feel the same.   I hope you went "Hoosiers" the Movie on your team this week to keep them focused on playing Michigan Football this Saturday.   Michigan's #1 goal every year should be winning the Big Ten Title and you and your team finally has its shot.  I expect the team to run through a wall and Iowa on Saturday night.  The other stuff will get figured out.  

I know you love my Friday advice, so I will continue it with Iowa this week.   Iowa plays old Midwest football.   They have a very conservative offense and win by playing elite defense.  If they win the turnover battle, they win games.  What this means is they want to play a low scoring game, that they can steal with a field goal at the end.  What Michigan needs to do is to play smart football.   What I mean here is run the ball but mix in a solid passing game.   The Iowa DB's love interceptions, so Cade needs to continue his smart decision making in the passing game.   If Michigan scores points and touchdowns, you will win the game.  Stay aggressive. 

Iowa is well coached, so don't expect getting turnovers and they love throwing to the tight ends.  I've watched too many Michigan - Iowa games where Iowa beat Michigan with TE throws.   The team that executes better will win this game.    Pressure the stiff Iowa QB with Hutch and Ojabo, confuse him with your zone and man to man defense.   Run the Michigan offense like we saw last weekend.  The one that ran the ball with authority and threw the ball to set up touchdowns.  If last weekend was a bad match-up for your defense, this offense is right in your sights.   I expect a huge game from guys like Brad Hawkins and Josh Rosh who have a ton of battle scars of falling short in making this game year after year.   

I don't have to remind you what is on the line this Saturday.  Time to cement your legacy and getting everyone in this program a ring.   Play to win the Big Ten Championship on Saturday.   Prove it to me!   

Michigan 28 Iowa 13

8 comments:

Chas said...

Something I'd like to see in a future post......The Michigan team has suffered very few injuries, get's a great O-line push, the D-line has become dominant, and there are many "Freaks" on the team. The aforementioned is all true despite not having a monopoly on the highest rated recruits. I believe that extraordinary credit is due Ben Herbert! Somehow RichRod's S&C guy became a celeb, probably warranted, but why don't we know much about Ben Herbert and his techniques? What are his philosophies and techniques on injury prevention, strength development, motivation, etc? I'd love to see a blog dedicated to this. Aside from that - GREAT WORK!!!! I hope Harbaugh reads your letters!

MichiganMan said...

Guys lets get this done tomorrow...I am on my way to the game...lets go MICHIGAN....

Blue for Life...
Hire and Fire Don Brown!!

Goblu said...

Fingers crossed that Jimmy and coaches have these boys fired up and wanting to stomp on the throats of Iowa.

MichiganMan said...

I am with you GoBlu...am already here and Indi is buzzing with Michigan fans...Iowa also have their fans...be we are making most noise...

Blue for Life
Hire and Fire Don Borwn...

Rudy said...

Let's do this...get that ring! GoBlue!!

Blue In Ohio said...

Zeke Berry has committed. I think Domani will regret his decision and may end up in AA via the portal in a couple of years.

szanreno said...

I don't think Michigan will be able to get up to the emotional level they were last weekend, no way. But if they play a good solid football game they should come away with the W. Good luck. Go Blue!!!

MichiganMan said...

Yea buckners how emotional were they today...loser go to OSU blog...congrats to good guys....

🔵 For life

Fire dim brown