Rutgers Post Game

David Guralnick, Detroit News

I used to have a buddy that worked on the Michigan Golf Course.  He got me and another buddy on the course one Friday afternoon when the course was closed due to a football game the next day.  I swear we played 18 holes (with a cart) in like 2 hours and 15 minutes.  If you're wondering, neither one of us was setting the course record. 

This game felt like that round.  It was over in 2:52 minutes from my clock which is just crazy in today's football world.  I actually was going to complain about the number of BTN commercials and mini documentaries they play during the breaks, but if they are going to produce games in under 3 hours, I won't complain about commercials. 

Let's get to the Cheers and Jeers:

Cheers:

• No Michigan turnovers 
• JJ started shaky and got better 
• Defense only gave up 7 points 
• Blake Corum is so good 
• JJ was working the ball to the TE's 
• Very happy that Roman Wilson didn't transfer or go pro
• Mike Sainristil's pick 6 on a screen was crazy.  I missed it live as I was looking at Will Johnson after I thought the play was over. 
• 31 unanswered points by the Wolverines
• Nice to have Will Johnson and Rod Moore back
• The clock for under 3 hours! 
• I like the JJ rush option where he gets out of bounds 
• Congrats to Morgan on his first TD in the Big House

Jeers:

• Of course the long pass to start the game 
• #12 needs to tighten up his coverage skills 
• Didn't love that Michigan kept running the ball directly into a loaded box 
• Another missed FG
• Michigan has to get Donovan Edwards more touches and not at RB 
• Get Corum to 100 yards 
• Harbaugh did not manage his time outs well
• I thought the official's spots were bad all day 
• The first Rutgers punt seemed to catch the Wolverines off guard

I thought Rutgers coach Greg Schiano had the bonehead call of the day.  The 4th down play, where Mikey picks the screen.   If they kick the FG it's a one score game and Michigan might get tight.  One play could tie the game or even win it for Rutgers.  Instead, they call one of the worst screens ever and Michigan scores a TD.  

One to next week and Michigan's first road test at Nebraska.  Enjoy the rest of the day's games! 

Rutgers Preview

Time: 12:00 

Location: Big House

Weather: 72 and Sunny

TV: BTN (Jake Butt and someone else)

Line: Michigan -24

It's time to start the regular Big Ten season with the pre-season or non-conference over.  Michigan at times has looked unstoppable and disinterested other times.   Michigan's focus now needs to be squarely on the goal at hand and that is another Big Ten Championship.  

Rutgers comes in very much like Rutgers has under Greg Schiano, a tough hard-nosed football team that plays solid defense and likes to run the ball.  The issue will always be trying to attract elite talent to the Garden State's top college football program.   Rutgers does have some athletes, QB Gavin Wimsatt has thrown for over 400 yards and ran for 144 as a dual threat, RB Kyle Monanga was the Big Ten offensive player of the week as he ran for 143 with 3 TD's against VA Tech, and this name might be familar to Wolverine fans DL Aaron Lewis who was a 2020 Michigan signed recruit that only lasted a few months before he headed home to Rutgers.  Lewis has 12 tackles, 1 Sack, and 1 TFL this season so far. 

Dear Jimmy, 

Welcome back to your regular duties on the sideline.  Sorry to hear about your former player at Stanford and I'm sure his family appreciated you being at his service.  

I would assume your return to full head coaching duties has been welcomed by the coaches and players as your squad got very sloppy last week in a win against Bowling Green.   The easy part of the schedule is now in the rearview mirror and it's time to focus on the Big Ten and another championship.  

JJ looked like Patrick Mahomes the first 2 games but regressed against Bowling Green and made some bad decisions and wrong reads that cost him 3 interceptions and Michigan additional scoring opportunities.   I'm sure you and QB coach Kirk Campbell have worked with him all week on that.  

Your starting defense has only given up field goals and hopefully you'll be getting your important secondary pieces back in Will Jonhson and Rod Moore.  There is a pretty strong rumor that Mason Graham has a hand injury that will cost him a few games.  Time for Cam Goode and Ken Grant to get more snaps.  Their size should be a huge benefit against a Rutgers team that likes to run the ball. 

I know every team will stack the box to stop Michigan's running game but we have to find a way to run the ball more effectively.  I 100% support a balanced offense and throwing the ball to open the running game.  Michigan just needs to expect loaded boxes at this point and start with the pass.   Michigan's TE's are way underutilized right now.  

This Rutgers team is solid and undefeated.  They are very similar to Michigan in the way they approach the power run game and defense.  Michigan's defense has struggled in the past with mobile QB's and will need to keep LB Michael Barrett in as a spy.  If Rutgers is going to win this game, they have to run the wheels off QB Gavin Wimsatt and get lucky on defense a few times.   This team was beating your squad at halftime last season 17-14.  

If Michigan can stop the run and avoid costly turnovers your team will be victorious in your first game back.  It's time for Michigan to play a real opponent and show the country the quality team you really have.  

Michigan 38 Rutgers 14

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.”

Which leads me to a story of the Smith Twins that were committed to Michigan and have been rumored to be a flip candidate to Kentucky.  That flip happened late on Friday.  The Smith twins are from Kentucky but transferred to Loomis Chaffe a private boarding school in CT for their junior year.  Both were rumored to be a lock to Notre Dame, before Jerod committed to Michigan in April and his brother Jacob did the same in July.   Jacob really needed to be sold on Michigan and in recruiting circles it seemed his heart wasn't always in Ann Arbor.   Shortly after Jacob's commitment to Michigan, both brothers decided to transfer back to Kentucky and play at Corbin HS.  Thier 3rd school in 3 years.

Is this a story of brothers taking advantage of the new recruiting system?  Or just following their heart to play at their state school?  Hard to know, but we wish them well at UK. 

Early Look:

Rutgers 3-0 best win VT (also NW and Temple)

Pass: 135.7 Yards Per (126th)

Run: 210.7 (20th)

Score: 31.7 points (59th)

Give up: 10 (7th)

No mystery on what the Wolverines will see on Saturday.  Rutgers wants to run the ball and play good defense to stay in games.  If you remember correctly, Michigan struggled with Rutgers for at least half last season.  I believe the Rutgers QB thought Michael Barrett played for Rutgers and kept throwing the ball at him.   Last season's halftime score was Michigan 14 Rutgers 17.   The final score was Michigan 52 Rutgers 17.

• 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.

Michigan Tuesday: Loses a LB and Jimmy Catches a Stray

When you're a recruit it's pretty obvious if a team really wants you or not, if they keep recruiting you after you commit.  Case in point is 2025 3-star LB Mantrez Walker who decommitted from Michigan last night.  This might have been a situation with a guy that had an offer but it wasn't a committable one.  Walker has been hinting that he might be looking for other opportunities and made it official last night.   Reports from insiders say that Schembechler Hall wasn't very concerned with this development.   It would be good though if Michigan added to the 24 and 25 class instead of subtracting lately. 

Mel Tucker released a statement last night from his lawyer.  Basically, he says this was an adult relationship and I want my buyout.  In a random remark, he says that Brenda also had recent criticism of Coach Harbaugh.   First off, there is no reason to include Harbaugh in this situation and when asked later that day if he had any comment on Coach Tuckers situation, Harbaugh said, “Don't know anything about it. I know Brenda Tracy. Respect her a lot. She's done really good things, talked to our team. As far as — I’m not in a position to weigh in on it. Have no understanding or facts on the matter.”

It's not good to assume, but if I did, I believe this "criticism comment" comes from the situation that Harbaugh told Brenda he would have her back every year to talk to freshman and sophomores in 2019. The pandemic hit and budgets got tight and she hasn't been back to Ann Arbor.

Brenda replied on twitter after Harbaugh's latest comments: "I really appreciate this stance by Coach Harbaugh. This situation should not be weaponized for the rivalry."

• Sounds like Zeke Berry might have a lower leg injury and could miss multiple games. We beleive he got hurt on the opening kickoff against UNLV.

• I don't have words for the Aaron Rodgers Jets situation from last night.

• Rutgers 12:00 Kick BTN

Michael Barrett Has a Night

AP Photo/Noah K. Murray

Back in 2020 there was a poster on the Mgoblog message board that basically said, the answer to all Michigan's defensive problems would be to play Michael Barrett more.  That became a running meme on the site that Michael had magical powers and could fix any issue Michigan had.  For example, if Jimmy had left for the NFL, hire Michael as head coach.  You get the drift.  

Well, that poster looks like a genius this morning as Michael might have saved Michigan from a boat load of embarrassment and a Rutgers upset for the #5 team in the nation.   You watched the game and probably had high blood pressure during the 2nd quarter and halftime, just like I had.  There are plenty positives and negatives to the game and the reason why we do the famous Cheers and Jeers:

Cheers:

• Michael Barrett, his two picks, 1 TD, and another impressive return from the former HS QB. 
• 2nd half adjustments 
• Rutgers with 14 yards rushing
• Corum and Edwards both with 109 yards rushing each
• Donovan Edwards might be the best player on the team 
• Defensive line was dominate 
• Kris Jenkins had a nice game 
• Mike Morris with 1.5 sacks
• Michigan won the game 
• My boy #99 Goode had a nice TFL

Jeers:

• Run a different play from the goal line, Please!!!
• I screamed at Minter on the Rutgers big crossing route play that Will Johnson fell on.  The LB's blitzed and got caught up in the rush.  If you fill that zone, the freshman QB gets confused and takes a sack or throws a pick.   See 2nd half adjustments.  
• Michael Barrett also had a big mistake on punt block that got Rutgers an easy TD.
• JJ stop taking so many big hits!
• JJ a little bit more air on the deep ball
• WR's and TE's please catch the ball 
• Love Ronnie but his best catches are out of bounds 
• Injuries are starting to pile up 
• DJ we need you not to lose every 50/50 ball 
• Moody I need you to go 1-2 on the 50 yards kicks at least 

I don't know why Michigan seems to always struggle against Rutgers.  Maybe Schiano is building something there and their defense is not bad.  They will hit you and Michigan didn't seem ready to play in the first half.  That changed coming out of the lockeroom in the 2nd half and that was the focused Wolverine team we like to see in all phases.  The game was a lot closer than the final score but we will take W's in all forms around here. 

I'm worried about the injuries on the offensive line and we need Roman Wilson in the passing game.  Green is Michigan's best cover corner and even though he got cleared to play, Michigan held him out.  

Next up is Nebraska and that game time was announced last night.  3:30 ABC.

Rutgers Preview

Time: 7:30

Location: SHI Stadium 

Weather: 67 No Rain

TV: BTN

Line: Michigan - 26

Remember when Rutgers really wanted to be Michigan's rival and sent out a message from some mystery group and put another message on a high school field?  That happened because Michigan was pulling Peppers and Gary out of NJ.   Then Michigan showed up and beat Rutgers 100-0 and that talk quickly disappeared. 

Sailboat Bill tried to hire Greg Schiano as head coach and for some reason Greg turned down the offer. Thank goodness that never happened.  Greg headed to Tampa Bay and flamed out quickly, went to Ohio State as the DC for a few years, got hired at Tennesse for 5 minutes until the students protested for his role in Penn State's Sandusky situation.   After being out of coaching for a few years, Rutgers hired him back after a long negotiation.  No, Thanks! 

Dear Jimmy, 

It's been an interesting week.  It's not every Monday where you need to discuss criminal charges with the last opponent in the Big House.   You handled that situation very well and the entire MSU program should be forced to transfer to their satellite campus in Jackson, Michigan.  I hope Green and McBurrows are doing ok after that attack in the tunnel.  

With all that happened last Saturday, it's time to focus on Rutgers and the trip to NJ.   The Big Ten Network loves that Michigan primetime uptick in viewers and again put this game on at night.   This Rutgers team is getting better has they have used the transfer portal for a quick turnaround.

Their defense is not bad and only gives up 22 points per game but their offense struggles and you might see 3 different QB's on Saturday night.   The key will be to stop the QB runs.  Rutgers will try to trick the Michigan defenders into believing pass when all they want to do is try to get the QB out of the pocket for a big gainer on the ground.   If the defensive line stays in their lanes and the LB's read and react you will be just fine on stopping that offense.  

On offense, I would really like to see a bit more from the passing game.  JJ needs a 300-yard game and the WR's need some love.   How about we get Anthony and Clemons a few targets each?  Both can be game breakers and we need some of those before the trip to Ohio.  

Michigan has tended to play down to its opponents on the road this season.  Let's try not to do that on Saturday night, play clean football and don't turn the ball over.   It's been a strange week and the team's mind could be elsewhere, we need them focused on Rutgers and this business trip.  

Play Michigan Football and get the W. 

Michigan 48 Rutgers 14

Wolverine Wednesday: When Rankings Don't Matter

Pre-season rankings for College Football and Basketball just don't matter.  None of the teams have played a game yet and nobody knows anything.   Similarly, it could be said for the first CFP rankings last night that Michigan showed up as #5.   For example, MSU was in the top 4 this time last year.  How is that even possible?

The only thing the CFP standings are good for is a little insight into what the overpaid committee is thinking.   Everything will be worked out prior to the final rankings.   For example:

• #1 Tennesse plays #3 Georgia this weekend 
• #5 Michigan will play #2 OSU later this month 
• The SEC Championship game will have Tenn/GA vs. Alabama 
• TCU will continue to play bad Big 12 teams 
• Clemson has ND this weekend and Miami still :)
• Don't forget the ACC Championship game against UNC

Every week's ranking is a waste of time, until the final rankings come out. 

• MSU suspended another 4 players with a total of 8 now.  They're going to be very undermanned as they try to defeat a good Illinois team on Saturday.  Too bad.

• Sounds like Gavin Wimsatt will start for Rutgers at QB on Saturday night.  He is a dual-threat redshirt freshman from KY and the highest rated QB in program history. 

The Original Michigan Monday: Too Early Look at Rutgers and the Aftermath of Tunnel Terror

Let's start with the tunnel incident first.   Here is what we know:

-Ja'den McBurrows a CB coming off an ACL injury was in the tunnel and there is video of a number of Michigan State players punching him. 

-There is also a second video of Michigan starting CB Germon Green and an MSU player swinging his helmet at him.  

There is a photo of McBurrows and Green walking in the tunnel together after the Penn State game as well.  I assume they're friends. 

MSU President sent out a message that this is unacceptable and they are cooperating fully with the Big Ten and Police during the investigation.

Mel Tucker has suspended 4 players: Tank Brown, Khary Crump, Angelo Grose and Zion Young. Term undefined as the investigation is ongoing.

That is what we know so far.  Now, I will give you, my thoughts.  

The players involved should be thrown out of Michigan State and the Big Ten.  They should also have to do a ton of community service.

The Big Ten needs to come down hard on Mel Tucker.  He is the leader of that team and needs to take responsibility for his team's actions.  If you watched the game on TV, you saw a man continually swearing at officials (when they made the correct call), and telling his team to keep chopping (or whatever that motion was).  He looked like a bomb ready to explode at any moment.  I'm not at MSU practices or around the program in any forum, but to me that is a man that tried to lead his team into battle being ultra-aggressive when he knew he didn't have the talent to match-up.  I'm all for motivation and firing up your team, but sometimes young men don't understand where the line is and that line was crossed in the Michigan Tunnel.   That is on the head coach and the program he runs.  He should be suspended 3 games without pay.   I'm pretty sure his team didn't act that way when Minnesota came into East Lansing a few weeks ago and ran them off the field. 

On to Rutgers:

Record: 4-4, 1-4 in the Big Ten 

Best Win: BC

Worst Loss: Nebraska

Last game: Lost 31-0 to Minnesota 

Offense: Passes for 154 yards per (121 in the country) and Rushes for 150 yards per (66th)

Scoring: 20 points per game (228th) and give up 22.5 (87th)

Game: 7:30 on BTN, tickets from $36. 

This is Iowa without a great defense.  

Schiano has at least got this team back to some respectability, through better recruiting and the transfer portal.  Still a long way to go in this rebuild.  Rutgers needs 2 wins to make a bowl game.  Schedule doesn't have those wins:  Michigan, @MSU, Penn State, @ Maryland.  They hope to go 2-2 in that stretch with wins over MSU and Maryland.  

• Michigan needs some wins on the recruiting trail after last weekend.  There were plenty of great prospects in attendance including 2024 5-star QB Jadyn Davis.  Michigan got another CB for him this weekend on 24/7.

Michigan Thursday: Next Team Up = Rutgers?

Texas A&M is out of the Gator Bowl due to COVID, which has sent the Gator Bowl executives searching for another opponent for Wake Forrest.  An announcement today is expected that the fill in team will be Rutgers from the Big Ten East.  Rutgers did not make the 6 wins to accept a bowl invite and now is expected to get the invite.  Which would leave IU as the only Big East team not playing in a bowl game.   How Rutgers can get all its players back, get tested, practice, and play in a Bowl Game is beyond comprehension. The Gator Bowl is scheduled to be played at 11:00 at 12/31.

• CFP Teams don't have to arrive until 12/29.  Michigan should consider waiting as long as possible.  Michigan is still expected to arrive on Saturday.

• Happy Birthday to Jimmy he is 58 today!

• Don Brown has hired Michigan Man Mike McCray as OLB coach at Umass.  Well done Don. 

• CFP has now stated if a CFP team can't play due to COVID they have to forfeit

Rutgers Post Game - Bad Medicine

Tony Ding | AP Photo

All of us had the same thought in the back of our mind, didn't we?  That Michigan was improved but at some point the problems of 2020 would pop back up like a big forehead zit.   It's hard to teach a winning culture when your team turns over every year and this current Michigan team got a lesson in winning on Saturday. 

That lesson is, other teams are going to punch back and you have to take those punches and continue to execute and not go into a shell.   I think the coaches, who should understand that also got a reminder of that on Saturday during the 2nd half.   You have to punch back and keep playing well.  There is zero reason for our punter and kicker to all of sudden not being able to execute.  

We will get to the cheers and jeers in a minute.  But I saw a few things that troubled me.  First, its obvious that a good defense is not going to let you run right at them.  Rutgers defense gives up 11 points a game and after a first half of letting Michigan run, they made some adjustments and loaded the box.  A couple things, Gattis needs to make better play calls and they also need to let McNamara get out of bad play calls at the line of scrimmage.  If he is a smart kid and knows this offense, let him change a bad play call. 

Lastly, was Cade injured or concussed?  He was 1-7 and after the targeting/roughing the passer call.   He was also double pumping and didn't look right.  If we can see that the trainers, doctors, and coaches should be able to.  (if he was injured)

Cheers:

• A win is a win and we will take as many of them as possible 
• #25 scored two TD's and recovered the game winning fumble.  A good day for that number. 
• The defense only gave up 1 TD and held its ground, when they were tired and confused in the 2nd half. 
• David Ojabo made a winning play with the strip fumble 
• Chris Hinton is really coming into his own and I thought played well
• On some plays I saw Hutch fighting through triple teams

Jeers:

• Michigan got out coached in the 2nd half and they just stood there and took it without making adjustments 
• Ross got hurt 
• Cade went from great to terrible 
• The defense in the second half was confused and very tired after playing the entire half
• Moody I'm sorry you have to make that field goal.  You have to
• When Michigan gives up a personal foul penalty on defense they give up a TD on that drive
• 2nd half offensive play calling was offensive 
• How does anyone forget to get Corum to the edge of the defense?
• Michigan now has given Wisconsin and Nebraska tape on how to confuse its defense

I guess the good thing is this team won't have a big head as they prepare for a trip to Madison next week.  I was flipping back and forth from the Ryder Cup to the ND-Wisconsin game.  For 3 quarters I thought Wisconsin was the better team and then the flood gates opened.   Michigan never wins in Madison and has a huge test in front of them.   Can this team win on the road?  That will be answered in the next 2 weeks. 

Not a good day for the Big Ten: Iowa sleepy, OSU had a LB quit during the game, Minnesota (favored by over 30) gets upset by Bowling Green, Wisky gets blown out by ND, and IU has to rally to beat Western Kentucky.

Rutgers Preview

Time: 3:30 EST

Location: Big House 

Weather: 66 10% rain 

TV: ABC 

Line: Michigan -20.5

Dear Jimmy,

Well done through three games and now we start the Big Ten season.  This Rutgers team gave everything you wanted and more last season in New Jersey.  This isn't the team that you and Peppers put 70 on a few years ago.   This is a team full of transfers with a 3-0 record as well.  

Michigan has been playing mostly mistake free football for the first 3 weeks and that will need to continue on Saturday.  I know you don't look at lines but after Rutgers "paint ball" incident this week, they are nearly a 3 TD underdog in the Big House.   Everyone also knows what is coming up next week as the Wolverines take a trip to Madison (too bad the Ryder Cup is this weekend) .   I hate the idea of trap games but this could be one of them.  

Let's talk about trap games for a minute.  As this team is coming back to relevance and your seat gets colder in the eyes of the national media, Michigan can't over look anyone.  Rutgers is looking for a program defining win and they would love nothing but an upset win in the Big House.  As you know, their defense is only giving up 11 points per game.  

Keep running the ball and mixing in the pass to keep the Rutgers defense honest.  Corum is a superstar and get him the ball as much as you can.   I would also like McNamara to get a bit more comfortable in the passing game, we will need his decision making and arm to win games during the Big Ten.   

On the defensive side of the ball, keep up the good work.  I like what McDonald is doing and love how all the Wolverines run to the ball.  If Michigan plays their game they should be in good shape in this game.  If there is a ton of penalties and turnovers, this game will became uncomfortable. 

Play smart football and make sure the team matches or exceeds Rutgers intensity.   Your team has the talent and coaching to win this game.  

Michigan 31 Rutgers 14

Wolverines Wednesday: Prayers For Mike DeBord

Former Michigan OC for our last National Championship in 1997 Mike DeBord has suffered a stroke and is in intensive care.  Mike last year was on Harbaugh's staff during the COVID 2020 season and is currently the OC and QB coach at Kansas. 

Mike has had a long career and was the head coach at Central.  He spent sometime with the Seahawks and Bears in the NFL and was the OC at IU and Tennessee.   He was a bit of a polarizing figure in A2 as Michigan fans didn't love his play calling at the end of his time in Ann Arbor.  Either way, he was a big part of our National Championship team and we hope he comes through this healthy and has much more time with his family.   Please keep a good thought for Mike and his family. 

• Rutgers will be with out 2 defensive backs this weekend as Melton (starter) and Long (backup) was arrested for an incident with a paint gun. 

• Michigan is trending for 4 star 6'4 335 pound defensive lineman from Indiana Kenneth Grant.  Yes, please. 

• PFF's top rated RB's #1 Corum #2 Charbonnet  = I guess Michigan can recruit RB's.   (#3 is MSU's Walker III)

• 2022 4 star PF (basketball) Gregg Glenn who just visited A2 last weekend will announce in 12 days per his IG. 

• 3 star AL athlete "Private Eye" Deuce Spurlock will take his official visit to Ann Arbor this weekend.   Secondary nickname: "Pet Detective" is on commit watch. 

• 4 star 2022 Inglewood, CA Quarterback Justyn Martin has decommitted from CAL, has a Michigan offer and might visit this weekend for the Rutgers game. 

Michigan Tuesday: TV Times with News and Notes

• If you missed it, the Rutgers game on Saturday is a 3:30 kick on ABC and Wisconsin a week later will be at Noon on Fox.  

• I believe for the first time ever:  ESPN's Game Day and Fox's College Pregame show will be in the same location on Saturday morning.  In Chicago for ND vs. Wisconsin which is a Fox Game.  It seems Fox is eating into Game Day's ratings some.   I much prefer Game Day over anything Fox does for college football.   I do like Gus Johnson, a known Michigan fan.  

• Domani Jackson a 5 star DB from California has loved Michigan since he was little.  He is committed to his local team USC but the Washington game pulled some heart strings for the young man.  Here is a quote from his dad on a Sam Webb interview:  “Like I said, they surpassed our expectations. They did everything that they needed to do. It was mainly just about seeing how Domani fit in there, and when he walked around, the feeling that he got. The fans, were they receptive too him? Which they very much were. He was surprised at how many people knew who he was. The student body, when you walked past there they were yelling things at him (like), 'we want Domani! We want you to be here!' So, that was very welcoming to him, and that meant a lot to him. So, like I said, they surpassed everything they needed to do.”

• 5 Star power forward Yohan Traore will take an official visit to Michigan Basketball this weekend.  Always great to have Basketball Recruits on campus for a football game. 

• Michigan on BTN had a funny fact today.  Half of Peppers TD's at Michigan came against Rutgers. 

• PFF has Hutch as the highest rated DE in the country. 

• Western Michigan's head coach Tim Lester has tested positive for COVID. 

• Nico Collins got banged up and is out 3-4 weeks for the Texans.

• Schiano praised Mike Hart during his press conference on Monday and that he was thinking about hiring him.

• One of Manning's asked Gronk if he ever watches tape?  Gronk's response: “No I don’t. I just run by guys. If I’m feeling good, I’m feeling good.”  --- I'm pretty sure he knows a guy that watches a ton of tape for him.  

The Original Michigan Monday: Takes a Early Look At Rutgers

I know lots of Blogs do a Michigan Monday post, but I wanted to remind all the loyal BHB readers where they got it first!  😀

The non-conference season is over and its time to focus on a Big Ten Championship that has alluded Michigan Football for 17 years.  Rutgers comes to town and then Michigan goes on the road against Wisconsin and Nebraska. 

Rutgers and MSU have a similar strategy, they are trying to rebuild their program with new head coaches through the transfer portal as they improve recruiting.  Rutgers in the 2022 recruiting class is ranked 19 and MSU is 20th.    Both teams are 3-0 and it seems the strategy is working.  

Rutgers has wins over Temple, Syracuse, and Delaware this year.   The only close game was a 17-7 win over the Orangemen.  That game was a bit of a strange one as nobody scored in the first half and a majority of the scoring happened in the 3rd quarter.  Syracuse also had 3 turnovers and Rutgers didn't have any.  The Big Ten scheduler didn't do Rutgers any favors to start the Big Ten season, as they visit Michigan, host Ohio State and MSU in consecutive games. 

Rutgers QB is Noah Vedral who is a transfer from UCF and Nebraska and now on is his 3rd team.  This season he has completed 37 passes at a 67% rate, with 2 TD's and no picks.  

Rushing is ranked 80th with 144 yards per 

Passing is ranked 90th at 206 yards per 

Defense is tied with Michigan giving up 11 points per game which ranks 8th in the country. 

Offense scores 41 per and ranks 40th in the country.    Michigan is favored by 19, which seems on the high side.  3:30 Kick on ABC

• Sadly it seems Brandon Graham's season is over with an Achilles injury. 

• Ryan Day is having trouble finding a good DC, as he pushed Greg Mattison into retirement last season and now has taken play calling away from current DC Coombs. 

• Interesting game this weekend with ND playing Wisconsin in Chicago.  ND is playing Cincinnati in 2 weeks in the Brian Kelly Bowl. 

• Michigan is now ranked #19 in the AP 

• MSU had one of the nice wins this weekend over Miami. 

• Is the shine off Indiana and Tom Allen now?  Did he take a decent team to a good place in a COVID year but now is back to being IU?  I really thought both Nebraska and IU had a chance to make statements about their programs on Saturday and missed the opportunity.  

• Hopefully Michigan's injury report is clean when Jimmy takes the mike in a couple of hours. 

Preview: The Race To The Bottom

Time: 7:30 EST

Location:  SHI Stadium

TV: BTN

Weather: 46 at kick 

Line: Michigan -10.5 (what?)

I never thought I would be in this conversation in my lifetime.  Is Michigan or Rutgers the worst team in the East Division of the Big Ten?  I think MSU is probably the worst team, but one team has beaten them and the other took an L.  Penn State is 0-4 but they are just sleep walking right now and have 8 games to turn it around.  Wait a second, that's wrong its 2020 and what's up is down.   

Seems the AP loves them some 4-0 Indiana and throws them in the top 10.  Out of those 4 wins, the teams have a combined total of 3 wins.   Vegas is not buying them and they're 3 TD's underdogs to the professional team in Columbus. 

Why Rutgers?

They're building and playing for something.   They have 1 win over Sparty, who the next week executed against Done Brown's defense like they were the Patriots.   They also have Michigan's best DT in Michael Dwumfour that somehow the geniuses in Schembechler Hall let out of the building.   He dominated against Sparty's offensive line, his former teammates did not.  Mike is still struggling with injuries but this seems like his best season so far.   

Rutgers is a lot like Sparty, a bunch of rag tag Bad News Bears transfers that left a program for playing time under Schiano's New Jersey program.  This was a perfect match between Greg Schiano and Rutgers.  A guy nobody wanted for a job that nobody wanted.  

He at least is giving this team some toughness and they are in games.  Yes, they haven't won since the trip to East Lansing but they did score 27 points against Ohio State.    The loss to Illinois was not a good one. 

Why Wolverines?

I don't know man, this team is in maize fog.  They don't know if they're coming or going.   Everything is a mess, they should be 4-0 right now but they are sitting at 1-3 and everyone is running to hit the eject button on the plane with the flaming engines.  

I'm trying to find a reason for Michigan to win this game.  Michigan has better players and better recruiting classes but the Michigan coaches haven't been able to turn top 10 classes into wins.   Wisconsin, MSU, IU are never in the top 10 recruiting rankings, Rutgers barley gets into the top 40.  

I keep going back to this:  Michigan's best players are not in the program: 

Best DT: @ Rutgers 

Best CB: @ Minnesota and @ training for NFL Draft 

Best WR: @ Training and @Browns 

Best QB?:  In Ann Arbor but not with the team

Best Long snapper: @ training for the NFL Draft

Yes, even Michigan's long snapper opted out.  Michigan's lifeline is its running game.  If they can run over an opponent like Minnesota they can find enough stops on defense to find a W. 

Illinois ran for: 338 yards 

OSU: 203 yards 

IU: 109 yards 

MSU: 50 yards

Seems Rutgers run defense is trending the wrong way.

Ok, Mr. Basketball now, are you going to predict this thing?

I love how these TV networks set up primetime games just to watch the Wolverines flame out.   Seeing Michigan and Harbaugh fail is must see TV for everyone but Michigan fans.    My expectation when Michigan hired Harbaugh was that he would beat everyone but OSU.  That someday he would but it would take a few years.  Sort of like how Auburn beats Alabama every 5 years or so.   Now Harbaugh is losing to everyone because he stuck with defensive coordinator that thinks every problem is a nail and every solution is a hammer.  Time to throw out the tool box!

Michigan will be too one dimensional to score enough points to win and the defense will continue to decline.   If Michigan doesn't win this game, there might not be another W on the schedule.   At least this will be over by Christmas and everyone can have a happy holidays.    

Rutgers 41 Michigan 31

Michigan Tuesday: Early Signing Period Eve

Michigan got a future commit on Monday when DT Alex VanSumeren the younger brother of sophomore running back Ben VanSumeren committed to Michigan in the 2022 class.    So Michigan will have to wait for this talented instate player.  

Alex plays all over the field in high school but is expected to be a DT at the next level.   He is already 6'3 and 270+ pounds.   Welcome Alex and see you in a few years! 

Yes folks the early signing period starts tomorrow and lasts for 3 days.  I usually suggest you take a day off of work and constantly hit refresh on the Bighouseblog so that you can keep up-to-date on which commits have officially signed, surprises, and ones that are waiting for February.   I don't expect too many surprises or drama tomorrow.   So I suggest going to work and hitting refresh all day on your phone.   I will post all the commits as they officially become Wolverines.   Its traditionally the highest traffic day here all year. 

• 4 star and Elite 11 QB CJ Stroud will make his announcement on ESPN tomorrow.  He visited Ann Arbor two weeks ago and OSU last weekend.   All crystal balls point to OSU at this point, but the Buckeyes do already have a 4 star QB in the class.   If Michigan has a shot here it will be to convince CJ that he would be the Wolverines only QB in 2020.   Most expect a Buckeyes decision but this could be solid W for the Wolverines if they can change his mind today.  

• If you want to be confused tomorrow here is a good possibility.  Michigan has two 4 star safety commits from NJ.  One is named RJ Moten and the other is Jordan Morant.  Jordan had actually been taking some official visits including one to USC in November.   Both are expected to sign tomorrow with the Wolverines, unless new Rutgers coach Greg Schiano pulls a rabbit out of his hat.  

• Speaking of Rutgers head coaches, Chris Ash who got fired during the season is going to Texas to be their new DC.  Chris was the DC at OSU with Tom Hermann. 

• A coach that had plenty of offers, USC OC Graham Harrell has signed a new contract with USC.

Michigan Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving to the entire Michigan Fan Base!

Juwan Howard's team passed a test on Wednesday beating Iowa State but will have a real big test today as they face #6 North Carolina.  It was nice to see Franz Wagner back on the court and he hit two 3 pointers and finished with 6 points.  Michigan had balanced scoring with a side of 22 turnovers, which of course is way too much.  DD had another nice scoring game from the bench with 14 and Simpson sniffed a triple double (but had 8 TO's of his own).   Livers was again the top scorer with 17 points and Castleton's 10 points was a bit of a surprise.   Good Luck to Michigan today with NC and with Duke's loss it now looks like they will be playing the #1 ranked Louisville Cardinals next week.

• It seems Michigan maybe interested in former 2018 5 star WR Justin Shorter who is transferring from Penn State.   He did have a Michigan offer before signing with Penn State.   Justin is no longer on PSU's roster, so expect him to find a new home for next season.   As you may know, Josh Gattis was Justin's recruiter at Penn State. 

• Speaking of Penn State,  James Franklin seems to be on the top of FSU's wish list.   Reports are there is mutual interest.   Franklin could also be a candidate for USC if they make a coaching chance and don't hire Urban.

• BC's Steve Addazio is interested in the Rutgers job as he is probably on the way out at Boson College.  

Michigan Monday: The Week

Growing up a Michigan fan there were always two weeks I would look forward to, Notre Dame and Ohio State.  I can't stay that feeling has stayed with me during this week, as OSU has dominated the Wolverines recently.  Hell, they just had a coach retire quit with an undefeated record against our beloved program.   It's a bit of a strange week as well, Thanksgiving throws a huge wrench into the week and getting your mind right about Saturday when your sitting with family and friends around a feast seems like a bit of longshot. 

I watched most of the OSU - PSU game and its clear OSU will fall back into Urban mode for big games.   Run the RB, Run the QB, then when you get used to stopping the run, pass to talented WR's.   I hope Don Brown and Josh Gattis has one hell of a game plan on Saturday.   I also hope that plan includes throwing to Nico early and often.   It's also smart not to rush the MLB on 3rd and 8 because Fields is going to try to run for a 1st down.  

• Shea Patterson is back to back winner of Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week 

• So I assume the new redshirt rule can't be used retroactively, but Shea only played 3 games as a Freshman at Mississippi.   I know many of you are looking forward to Michigan's other QB's but having another year for Shea in Gattis system could be pretty damn good. 

• Its seems Josh Uche's knee injury is not serious

• Tim Hardaway went for 31 last night!  

• Greg Schiano will not be the coach at Rutgers again.  I think this man really has some issues with decision making.   He is un-employed at the moment.  Jedd Fisch and Anthony Campanile are reported candidates for the job.  

• Michigan's bowl projections are all over the board.  If MSU beats Maryland they will head to Detroit in the Quick Lane and could play FSU or North Carolina (per ESPN Bowl projections).

• Coach Howard get his first test on Wednesday against Iowa State in the Bahamas.  Tip is at  noon. 

• Jabrill Peppers has a fracture in his back. 

Michigan Thursday: Is Indiana Better Than Michigan?

Your first reaction might be to laugh at that question.  Historically the divide between these two programs is similar to the Grand Canyon.   Though the Wolverines have been slow starters this season and even slower on the road.   If Michigan doesn't go down 21-0 in the first half at Penn State, they win that game by probably double figures.

Indiana is improved and could be considered a Big Ten program on the rise.  I like to think of them as the Purdue Boilermakers before this season.   Michigan also has played poorly against IU recently.   The Hooisers took Michigan to OT in 2015 and 2017.

Let's take a look at the numbers:

Total Offense 
IU #31
Michigan #69

Rushing 
Michigan #67
IU #102

Passing
IU #13
Michigan #63


Total Defense
Michigan #5
IU #18

Rushing Defense
Michigan #17
IU #46

Passing Defense
Michigan #4
IU #10

Those numbers are shocking to me as I didn't expect them to be so close on defense.   I would have guessed IU had the #40 total defense and they are 18th.  I did expect IU to have better stats on offense mostly in the passing category.

IU clearly doesn't run that much, which is a bit strange as that is how they have gashed the Wolverines in recent years and even got Greg Fry a job on Michigan's staff.   The two biggest keys for the Wolverines will be stopping the passing game and scoring points in the passing game on offense.  THROW NICO THE BALL!

IU has a shaky offense line and will try to get the ball out of Ramsey's hand as quickly as possible,   so that Paye, Uche, Hutchinson, and Danna don't bury him.   Look for a ton of short passes, like what MSU tried to do most of the game.

Michigan must not sleep walk at any point during this game.  As I have said many times before, this is the definition of a trap game.

• Duncan Robinson went off last night against the Cavs and Coach B.  He had 8 3's in the first half and finished with 9 and 29 points.  

• Rutgers continues to spin its wheels in the hiring of a new coach.  Now the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault has come out against the possible hiring of Greg Schiano due to his Penn State days.
  

Michigan Thursday: News and Notes

• It seems Greg Schiano wants more at Rutgers than just his old job back.  He wants Rutgers bankrupt athletic department (who has already borrowed money against future Big Ten earnings) to build a football training and practice facility like other Big Ten teams.   Seems Rutgers is running out of choices, as just this morning Butch Jones has withdrawn his name from interest for the Rutgers job.   Quick memo to Greg, beggars can't be choosers, are you forgetting what happened when Tennessee tried to hire you? 

• The tug of war between Cincinnati's AD and USC continue over Urban Meyer.  It seems Mike Bohn has decided to take the job and will be named USC AD this afternoon.   It has been reported that USC's President doesn't want Urban Meyer but that stance might have been a deal breaker for Mike Bohn and other AD candidates.  The rumor is Mike is planning on offering Urban $9M per year. If you didn't know Urban is a UC graduate but he and Mike Bohn are not reported to really know each other.  Insiders believe that if Mike is taking the job that an offer to Urban is coming. 

• Former Buckeye Cris Carter is out at Fox.  He was let go today. 

• Former Harbaugh staffer at Michigan, Ron Price as been put on leave at Howard University due to allocations he has been threatening, intimidating and verbally abusing players. 

• Harbaugh is expected to watch new 2020 QB offer CJ Stroud play a game this weekend.  Michigan just offered and is considered a long shot to land CJ over his current offers like Ohio State and Oregon.  It will be key to try to get CJ on campus for an official visit.  Other options include FSU commit Jeff Simms and WSU commit Jayden de Laura who is the teammate of Michigan WR commit Roman Wilson in Hawaii. 

• Amara Darboh has been released by Tampa Bay, he may need to consider the XFL or CFL to re-boot his football career. 

What to watch this weekend:

Noon: Penn State @ Minnesota on ABC

3:30: LSU @ Alabama on CBS 

Keep an eye on:

3:30 Illinois @ MSU on FS1

4:00 Iowa @ Wisconsin on Fox