Michigan Thursday: Jimmy's Turn at the Mike

Jim Harbaugh will take the stage today at Big Ten Media Days at 12:30, I assume he won't take questions on the pending NCAA suspension as it has not been finalized or announced.  I'm sure it will be a circus-like atmosphere. 

As a reminder the Michigan players in attendance today will include Blake Corum, Mike Sainristil and Kris Jenkins. 

• Colorado has elected to leave the PAC 12  10 9 to re-join the Big 12 conference next season.  That is one program going through a ton of change.   The PAC #? continues to lose members and can't get a TV deal, which is leading to a slow death. 

• Zavier Simpson has signed a two-way deal with the Detroit Pistons.  I hope he gets more than his fair share of time on the Pistons roster. 

• It seems the TV executives at CBS think it's a good idea to put Gary Danielson on Big Ten games as he spoke at Media Day.   Please put him on Minnesota - NW.

• Speaking of the Golden Gophers, it seems there are some rumblings about player mistreatment.  Too many hours rowing the boat?  

• We knew there would be a ton of Michigan night games with these new TV contracts.  MSU and Purdue are the 2 latest.  What could go wrong with a night game in East Lansing after the tunnel incident last season?

• As I reported earlier in the week, Northwestern 4-star 2023 LB Nigel Glover will be visiting this weekend and could be the first player ever to go from the Big House BBQ to suiting up on the practice field. 

Wolverine Wednesday: MSU's Coaching Search Just Got Tucker'ed Out

Michigan State's dumpster fire of losing its head coach in February and subsequent coaching search, got worse and better all in one day.

First, the news broke that Dantonio actually retired because MSU had hired a search firm for his replacement (while he was still in role) and that he had planned to coach in 2020 and then retire while naming his successor.   So with one last screw you, he retired immediately.  Real classy Mark.

Secondly, a member of the MSU BOT went on the radio and inferred that Luke Fickell was a "Waffling Flake".

Then the next candidate on the list Pat Shurmer who just took a new job with the Denver Broncos said he was tied up in meetings to even turn down the MSU job.

While all day people in the media continued to pile on a choice that would include former Wisconsin and Arkansas head coach Brett Bielema, it seemed inevitable that they would just name Tressel the interim coach.  Which would kill the 2021 recruiting class and put the program back another couple years.  With whiffing on the last two classes, MSU is arguably already in a 3-4 year hole.

The search had hit rock bottom and couldn't get any worse.  Which it didn't.

Then late night after Mel Tucker met with a bunch of Colorado boosters, he accepted the Michigan State job after the Spartans doubled his salary and the assistant coaching pool salary.   If you remember, just last week Mel had committed to staying in Colorado and his team.  Sounds familiar doesn't it? Is he a waffling flake?

Here is a little bit about Mel:

• Played DB at Wisconsin
• GA at MSU
• OSU DC in 1994
• Browns DC in 2008
• Jaguars DC 2009-2012
• Chicago Bears DC 2013-2014
• Bama DB coach 2015
• Georgia DC 2016-2018
• Colorado Head Coach 2019 

How did Mel do his first year at UC?  5-7 with a 5 game losing streak in the middle of the season. 

Which means it's still unknown if Mel is a good coach or not, but beggars can't be choosers and MSU had very few options.   Mel is known as a very strong recruiter and that should help Sparty in the coming years.  

If I was an MSU fan, my only concern would be: Is Mel a good head coach and is he worth $5M a year?  On the other hand, MSU had to over pay  anyone coming from outside the dumpster fire.  Which brings me to the leading candidate to replace Mel at Colorado in KC Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy.  To me Eric was a home run hire for Sparty and a person I would have risked that type of money on.  

Mel has had a ton of high profile coordinator jobs in college and pro and flamed out at many spots.  I don't know, maybe Bill Beekman really wanted to hire a guy from school that could be abbreviated with letters UC. 

HT to Mgoblog and the picture of 3 Muppets:

Bill Beeker-Man

Michigan Monday: Orange You Glad We Lost To Iowa

Yes, that is me being sarcastic.   That one night when our QB couldn't throw the ball in the ocean from the beach, when the weather was cold, when our WR's forgot how to catch, when our offensive line forgot how to block, and Michigan decided to get stupid penalties.     That one night with pink locker rooms cost Michigan a spot in the football final 4.    It is what it is. 

This weekend's games pretty much went the opposite of what Michigan needed to sneak into the playoffs.   I knew the Colorado game was over as soon as their QB goes down in the first series.   At about 9:30 on Saturday, I was ready to call all League Championships useless and over rated and then both Penn State and VA Tech started their respective comebacks and made each a game again. 

Having Penn State jump Michigan is hilarious and at the same time irrelevant.

College Football seems to love putting Michigan in Florida against an instate team.   They will play Florida State in Miami on the Friday Night before New Years Eve.    Michigan also opens against Florida in Dallas next year.   So they will play Florida teams back to back, with about 8 months in-between games.

Florida State is a nice named match-up against two teams that had playoff aspirations.   We will dive into the match-up in the next 25 days. 

When it was clear that Michigan was heading to the Orange Bowl on Saturday night, the first thing that popped into my mind, was that Michigan will have to guard against a Florida type let down that we saw in the Citrus Bowl last year.   Michigan's squad is full of draft eligible seniors that will be thinking about their NFL futures.    It's hard to believe that could happen on a Harbaugh coached team but we have seen it happen to many programs that barley missed the playoffs or BCS games.

Orange Bowl Tickets:

The best value I have seen are the Michigan allotment at $120 per ticket at Mgoblue.   That probably means you end up in the 3rd deck or end zone.  You don't know where you are sitting until they send the tickets to you via email before 12/15.     The issue with re-sellers and ticketmasters are the high add on charges.    Saw some lower bowl tickets for around $175 but those had high extra charges. 

Paying nearly $1000 for a family of 4 to go to the Orange Bowl seems crazy to me.  Michigan offered some folks a $245 ticket for a guaranteed lower bowl seat.  I could see that for a playoff game, not the Orange Bowl.  

• Michigan juniors with an NFL decision to make seems to be Mason Cole, Mo Hurst and Peppers.  We know Jabrill is most likely headed to the NFL as a first round pick but as of right now Cole and Hurst are leaning to comeback.    It will be interesting what the NFL feedback is on both guys.

• Michigan plays Cincinnati in game two next season and they are now officially in the market for a new head coach, as Tommy Tuberville resigned this weekend.   This seemed to be a forced resignation as Tommy said in his statement he still wants to coach. 

• Where in the world is Jimmy? On Friday he was in Utah to visit 4-star DT Jay Tufele  and Saturday night he witnessed in person Valor Christian's and Dylan McCaffrey's state championship win.  In fact, he was late to the Orange Bowl teleconference on Sunday. 

Peppers Post Game

David Guralnick, Detroit News

I had a bad feeling about this game after the UCF game (BTW did you see UCF took Maryland to two OT's last night?).  If Michigan has a kryptonite its a tempo spread team.  If the other team has a decent QB, Michigan looks like they are lost in a foreign country without a map or GPS.

When Michigan is down 21-7 and we just watched Louisville embarrass #2 FSU , I thought Michigan might have a hard time stopping the Buffalos at any point on Saturday.   I had a few choice words in my head ready and waiting for Mr. Don Brown.   I'm also yelling things like Michigan never plays well on BTN and I hate Matt Millen. 

Then Don Brown put the #1 recruit in the nation in the game and Gary responded.   The defensive line finally started creating a pass rush and putting pressure on the senior QB Liufau.  Eventually, it even knocked him right out of the game after a Wormley tackle.

As far as the offense, Michigan started the game running the ball well but kept throwing incompletions.  At one point, I was calling for O'Korn because his mobility was something I thought Michigan needed.   I was wrong, the running game kept going and Speight started to find his mid-range passing game to Jake Butt.     By the end of the third quarter, it was evident that Michigan's large offensive line was wearing down Colorado's defensive front.   

That touchdown right before halftime was huge and the difference in the game. 

I haven't mentioned Jabrill yet.  He had his best day in a Wolverine jersey and was freaking everywhere.   He had 9 total tackles, 3.5 TFL's, 1 Sack, 2 rushes for 24 yards, 2 KO returns for 81 yards, and 4 punt returns for 99 yards and a TD.   There wasn't a better player on the field (well the greatest QB of all time was actually on the field!).

Lets get to the cheers and jeers:

Cheers

• Peppers was fantastic!
• Jake Butt clearly didn't enjoy dropping a couple of balls last week.  He caught 7 for 87 yards.
• The offensive line opened some nice holes for the running backs
• Smith ran hard
• Gary was a difference maker when he got in the game.
• The overall team didn't fold when they got down big at the start
• The punt team, got two blocks and had some nice returns from Pepp.  It kept Michigan in the game early.

Jeers

• Wilton had a few highlights but struggled most of the game.  I thought he was hurt after the fumble, because he couldn't get the ball to the WR's.   That scramble and throw to Perry was his best play of the day.  He was 16 of 30.
• Don Brown has to have a better plan when Michigan plays spread teams.  He did adjust but Michigan can't get behind big against OSU for example and win that type of game.  Ask Oklahoma.
• Kenny Allen- his punts seem to be line drives and missed two very makeable field goals.  A couple of extra points didn't look good either.
• Michigan's safeties had a tough day deep.  Michigan needs Jourdan Lewis to get healthy quick and take some pressure off the safeties.
• Nike for not making a #5 Jersey

Yesterday cleared up a lot of questions in college football.  Ohio State is for real and the talent and experience Michigan many had thought in the off season is now equal or trending higher for the Buckeyes.  Michigan State is also for real after taking it to ND in South Bend.   Those two road games are going to be very tough for the Wolverines and they will need to play much better then they did yesterday.  Luckily, Michigan now has a great coaching staff and can fix issues they witnessed in the game.

Michigan's next two games are against Penn State and Wisconsin at home.  Neither play the spread and I expect Michigan could look pretty good against both teams.   Michigan also really needs Jourdan Lewis and Taco back.  I hope they are healthy for Penn State. 

Colorado Preview

Yahoo.com

Time: 3:30
Location: Big House
TV: BTN
Weather:  70% Rain - 76 degrees
Line: Michigan -19


Michigan and Colorado have played 4 times and Michigan leads 3-1.   You would think there probably isn't much history to the series.  We know that 1 win was one of the most historic wins in Big House history.   We will see that replay enough on Saturday, so no need to mention it here further.  

Colorado is no push over folks.  Yes, Michigan is nearly a 3 TD favorite but I believe Colorado will give the Wolverines some issues.   They have experience in the defensive backfield and a senior QB.   Their DC Jim Leavitt worked for Jimmy in San Fran and knows his offense well.

Michigan played two poor teams in the first two weeks and got a spot on ESPN and ABC nationally.   A 2-0 PAC 12 team comes to town and the game ends up on BTN.   Which is a clear sign there is a ton of big games on TV this weekend. 

Tale of the Tape
Wilton vs Colorado DB's =  Close win for Wilton
M DLine vs. Colorado OLine = Michigan DLine
Colorado QB Sefo Liufau vs. Peppers =  Peppers
Coaching = Michigan

Colorado will push the tempo and spread the Wolverines out.  It's no secret what the Wolverines have struggled with in the past.   Michigan and Don Brown has it's first real test of the year.   We will see what he has in store for QB Sefo Liufau.  I hope Jourdan is back and healthy, because I think Colorado will test the Michigan secondary as much as possible. 

I expect that the Colorado coaching staff, noticed how the UCF QB's got loose last week and will run Sefo has much as possible (he has 120 yards rushing in two games).    I also assume Don Brown fixed that issue during the week.

Say I love Aspen in the Winter if........................

• Wilton is accurate and hitting Michigan's talented WR's and TE's
• Michigan finds some type of running game
• The defense is prepared for the up tempo spread
• Michigan's D creates 3 turnovers and has 0 on offense

Yell, I have seen this sh** before if...............................

• Colorado's offense looks a lot like Indiana's
• A senior QB leads a team with nothing to lose
• Wilton is turning the ball over
• Michigan struggles to run the ball

I think this game could be an ugly one.   I hope Michigan prepares to come out and play like they did in the opener and not against UCF.   They can't over look this team.  Colorado has an experienced team and it's a program on the rise.  With that said, they have lost their last 22 match-ups against ranked teams.    Michigan should win this game but if they over look the Buffalos for Penn State, Michigan will find themselves in a close game. 

I think Michigan does run the ball and finds match-up problems with their talented tight ends.   Colorado again will be able to move the ball between the 20's but will find a hard time scoring touchdowns against a talented Michigan defense when the field shrinks.  Jourdan Lewis plays and gets a pick.    Peppers spy's on Sefo Liufau and doesn't let him scramble much.   Michigan pulls away in the second half.

Michigan 34 Colorado 13

Wolverine Wednesday: Bad Memories

I have many bad memories while watching games in the Big House.   Rocket, App State, FSU, Ricky Foggy are just a few that stand out.   One I will never forget is what Colorado and Kordell Stewart did to Michigan on the final play.    After it happened, I remember looking around at the 110,000 people in complete silence and disbelief.   I will never forget that feeling.  

It seems Colorado hasn't either.  They will wear the same jersey combination they wore in 1994.   The good thing for Michigan is we have Jim Harbaugh and he remembers as well.  I'm guessing this might come up in his pre-game speech.   On a side note, Jimmy worked with Colorado DC Jim Leavitt at San Fran, he coached the LB's.   Leavitt was rumored to be a candidate for Michigan's DC before Don Brown was hired.

• Mitch McGary's once promising NBA career seems to be at a cross roads.  His suspension of 4 games was just increased to 10 for not following the rules of his suspension.   He was already a long shot to make the Thunder's roster.

• DB Darnay Holmes will not make it to campus this weekend for a visit.

If you haven't seen Rich Eisen address the team last weekend, it's worth a look:

Full 5-minute @richeisen speech to @UMichFootball after last Friday's practice with @CoachJim4UM kneeling in awe. pic.twitter.com/2RovePxmuC

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) September 12, 2016

Michigan Monday: CMU Needs To Send Michigan a Thank You Note

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past two days you know that Central Michigan upset Oklahoma State on a Hail Mary/hook and ladder play.   The play actually never should have happened as the officials made the wrong call, giving Central an un-timed down after a 4th down intentional grounding call on OK State.   We now know the officials made a mistake and that play never should have happened.   What was interesting is that OK State decided to throw the ball out of bounds instead of punting.   I wonder why they didn't choose to punt?   I think we all know that answer!   Congrats to Central on another nice win.  How about the D1 football programs in Michigan?   Both Western and Central with big upset wins against power 5 conference teams and Michigan and MSU both un-defeated. 

• Per Jimmy's post game, Jourdan is now working through another issue.  David Long didn't dress either.

• Jimmy called out UCF's run blitzes as a reason the running game didn't really preform on Saturday.   I'm willing to accept that for some of the runs, I think the offense line should also take some blame.

• Michigan is a 19.5 favorite over Colorado on Saturday.

• Michigan up to #4 in the AP.

A look ahead to Colorado this weekend:

• 3:30 Kick, on BTN
• They play at Michigan this weekend and host Oregon the week after.
• Averaging 326.5 yards in the Air
• Averaging 261 rushing yards
• ESPN Power PAC 12 Ranking has Colorado ranked #7
• Colorado got 2 total votes in the AP and Coaches Poll. 

Central Florida Post Game

              Chris Wormley gets the block!  
David Guralnick, Detroit News

The important stat of the game was the final score of 51-14.   Michigan threw the ball well and played incredible special teams in blocking multiple punts and a field goal.   I like how when Central Florida put a ton of guys in the box to stop the run, Michigan passed and passed effectively.   Wilton played well and threw for over 300 yards, 4 TD's and more importantly didn't throw a pick. 

With all that said, I thought the Wolverines didn't have their best game on Saturday.   The offensive line was not able to find a running game and UCF ran for 275 yards. Michigan ran for a total of 119 yards.  Most of UCF's yards were on a few plays but those still shouldn't happen against a Michigan defense.   I can see the QB break away for one nice run, but UCF QB's had 67 yards total yards on the ground.  I don't even want to talk about that 87 yard sweep for a TD.    Michigan's leading rusher was Smith with a total of 38 yards on ten carries.

Cheers

• Wilton was sharp all day (does he have a strange throwing motion?)
• The Michigan offense is flexible enough to adjust during the game
• UCF had 56 passing yards
• Special teams had a great game
• Gary had a 1/2 a sack and two TFL's
• Peppers was everywhere
• No injuries

Jeers

• The offensive line run blocking
• The defense giving up 275 yards on the ground
• Michigan's top rusher had 38 yards
• 87 yard TD should never happen
• Butt had a couple of drops (did have an overall nice game)

I know Jimmy was trying to send a few messages by keeping the starters in the game.  I would have liked to see O'Korn play the entire 4th quarter.   I think he needs experience playing in this offense if he is needed. 

Next week, Michigan will play a real opponent in the Big House.  Colorado has an senior laded team and also has two blowout wins under their belt.   I expect the team will work on a few things this week in practice.