Utah Post Game: Same Problems Different Day

I wanted to use a different word in the title (instead of problems) but a lot of kids read this blog. 

The Michigan Football team looked very similar to Michigan fans last night, they looked good and terrible at times and clearly don't know how to win.   The difference between Utah and Michigan is one thing, the QB position.   Utah's QB threw one pick that didn't matter, Michigan's QB threw 3 that stopped it's team from scoring points and gave the other team 6.   The reason Rudock is here, is to protect the ball and not turn it over.   He did just the opposite in his first game as a Wolverine.   All 3 picks were targeted at the true freshman Grant Perry.  The first pick seemed to be an issue of the true freshman WR running the wrong route the other two were Rudock's fault and the third pick was a killer.  

Cheers

• Peppers looked very good in the second half.  
• Jake Butt is an All American prospect
• Smith ran hard all night
• The Michigan WR's showed improvement and played pretty well
• Wormley was pretty much un-blockable
• The team seems to be more competitive overall
• Jourdan Lewis is a very good corner
• The defense gave up 17 points and shut down their top RB and WR. 

Jeers

• The missed long throws to Chesson were game changers.  Both fall on Rudock and it's hard to believe they were over thrown by so much.   That was an easy 14 points if he puts a little air under the ball.  A senior QB needs to be able to make those throws.
• Michigan was not able to stop Utah's QB and now can expect teams to spread them out for the rest of the year.
• You can't lose the turnover battle and win football games
• I was a little upset that true freshman Grant Perry was targeted so much.  Like I mentioned above, all 3 picks happened on throws to Perry.  He did look good in the two minute drive.
• Stop throwing the ball to AJ Williams, know your personnel!
• The offensive line got dominated most of the night
• I see what Jimmy was trying to do with the game plan bit I'm a little torn on it.  It looked like they had about 20% of his offense installed.  Very vanilla and when it became obvious to everyone that Michigan wasn't going to run, the Wolverines continued to run.
• Tempo was slow on offense and it seems Rudock plays better with a faster tempo
• Our field goal kicking scares me
• Michigan left 17 points slip by due to mistakes and gave Utah 7 which equals ball game.  
• Those onside kicks were terrible

There are still reasons to be excited as this team will continue to get better week by week but if the QB play doesn't get better, they won't win too many games this year.   Lower expectations are now in effect for this season.   Michigan has a couple extra days to prepare for Oregon State and they better use them.

Welcome To Bizzarro World - The Utah Preview

 

Life is a strange thing, things can be completely opposite of what you thought they were.  Relationship and jobs can turn on the dime and be 100% different then they were the day before. Case in point is our beloved Michigan Football team: 

Last Year:

• Michigan's head coach Brady Hoke looked like a deer in headlights in pretty much all aspects of coaching this great program. 
•  Michigan AD, David Brandon was more interested in being the Jerry Jones of college football then listening to fans and students (aka his customers).
• Michigan QB Devin Gardner (even though a great guy) lost his confidence in the position and continued to turn the ball over and over.
• The Big House attendance was way down and the energy around the program was pretty much as low as anytime in my lifetime.
• Michigan opened it's season on a Saturday

Now:

• One of the best coaches in all of football and former Michigan QB is now the head coach of the Wolverines. 
• Former Michigan AD David Brandon is in now the CEO of a near bankrupt toy company. 
• Michigan has a 5th year transfer QB that is more Alex Smith then Colin Kaepernick
• The excitement around the program is just incredible
• Michigan is opening on Thursday night on the road on the first night of college football

This is a complete turnaround off the field, now it's time to see what we have on the field.  Welcome to the Utah Preview:

Time: 8:30 EST
Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium
Weather: About 80 at kick - No Rain
TV: Fox Sports 1
Line:  Utah -5


The hype of this game has been more about Jimmy making his debut then Michigan vs. Utah on the field.   These teams are familiar with each other as the Utes beat the Wolverines in the Big House last year 26-10.  There was a big weather delay and the game was completed in front of about a thousand Utah fans.  A clear example of where the Michigan program was just a year ago. 


Tale of the Tape:

Michigan OL vs. Utah DL = Push
Utah Secondary vs. Michigan QB and WR's =  Michigan
Utah Special Teams vs. Michigan Special Teams = Utah
Michigan Coaches vs. Utah Coaches = Michigan
Utah Offense vs. Michigan Defense = Michigan

Trivia Question Fail:   Which current Michigan player beat Utah last year?    Wayne Lyons Utah beat Stanford at home in OT last year. 

If you take a look at both rosters and recruiting rankings, Michigan would be a huge favorite off the bus, but football is played on the field and Utah has been the better one of late.   Utah is no joke and will try to beat Michigan at it's own game.   They have a 1500+ yard rusher in Devontae Booker  and a senior QB in Travis Wilson that is 6'7 and 233 pounds.   Last year Travis passed 313 times and ran 114 times.  He threw for 18 TD's to only 5 picks.  

Utah lost players on the offensive line and in their defensive backfield.  It will be interesting to see how the replacements play.   Utah will try to be physical and take shots down field to get the crowd going crazy.   They have an All American punter and I expect they will have a big advantage in the kicking game.

As for the Wolverines, your guess is as good as mine?  I expect the offensive line to be much better and create some holes for the RB's.  I'm excited about the Michigan defense and think they could be the difference maker in this game.  I hope Utah continues to try to run the ball in Michigan's talent front line and linebackers.  Michigan is deep in the secondary and will need to limit or deny big plays.

Shout a huge Hell Yes! if..............................

• Michigan's offensive line can push a talented Utah defensive front
• Michigan's QB is accurate and doesn't turn the ball over
• Michigan has a 100 yard rusher
• Michigan scores TD's and doesn't kick field goals
• The Michigan defense confuses the Utes all night

Scream I blame Brandon! if....................

• If you have 10 Fox sports channels on your cable but can't find Fox Sports One
• Michigan's road struggles continues
• Michigan's going west struggles continues
• The turnovers on offense continue
• The defense wears down in the thin air

The first games of the year in college football are pretty ugly.   They don't get a pre-season like the NFL and there will be plenty of mistakes on both sides.   Utah will want to play well at home and will try to get up on Michigan early.  We will see how far this team has come and if they can take a punch on the road.   My concern for Michigan is in the red zone, they can't just try field goals, we need TD's to win the game.  I'm very concerned about the place kicking. 

Most insiders expect a close, low scoring win by Utah.  I agree and disagree, I think Michigan has a very good shot at winning this game as Utah has no idea what to expect from a Harbaugh - Durkin game plan.  I think this could be a special night.   

Michigan 24 Utah 13

Wolverine Wednesday: One Day Away

It still doesn't make sense to me that we are one day away from a Michigan Football Game and today is a Wednesday.  It's true and it's happening.  It's going to be hard to work on Thursday isn't?  Might as well take an extra long Labor Day weekend and just take Friday off. 

• Michigan recruit and Penn State commit CB LaVert Hill is taking a wait and see on the Wolverines:  “He’s a good coach,” Hill said of Harbaugh. “He coached at the next level. He knows what he’s talking about and what he is doing. I am just waiting to look at (Michigan’s) season.” What does he hope Harbaugh brings to Michigan? Said Hill: “Just win games.”  Let's hope that winning starts tomorrow.  His brother is inline for some good playing time at TE this year, which should help in Hill's recruitment.  Hill is one of two second team tight ends with AJ Williams.

• Today is the day coaches could start communicating again with the 2017 recruits and Jimmy was on twitter last night at midnight contacting recruits.  No rest.

• Instate offensive lineman Michael Onwenu said he is "solid" with his Michigan commitment.

• NC RB Robert Washington de-committed from Syracuse and has contacted Michigan to see if they are interested in recruiting him again.

• Utah's starting RB is getting tired of the hype:  “For me, really, it’s getting annoying,” Utah running back Devontae Booker said. “They can have all the hype. We love being underdogs and proving teams wrong. Honestly, I feel like it’s overhyped. I don’t care if it was Michael Jackson or somebody. We’re just going to go out there and play hard and not worry about any celebrity stuff.”

• Jimmy was asked if his team knows who will be staring at QB:  "They know," Harbaugh said on the call when asked when he will tell them who is starting. "We know who's going to start, we know who's going to go in second or go in next."I want them both to prepare like they're going to be the starter. I don't know how to make it any clearer."

Tomorrow's post will be the BHB Michigan - Utah Preview

1 Day

Michigan Tuesday: Doctor May I See His Chart?

Dr. Rosen Rosen is here to review the released Michigan Football Team depth chart for the Utah game.  Like many charts, I'm sure this is only one version of the truth:

QB:  Jake Rudock or Shane Morris
RB: De'Veon Smith
FB: Joe Kerridge
TE: Jake Butt
WR Amara Darboh or Drake Harris
WR: Jehu Chesson or Grant Perry
LT: Mason Cole
LG: Ben Braden
C: Graham Glasgow
RG: Kyle Kalis
RT: Eric Magnuson

Dr. Rosen Rosen Analysis:  I think the real information is the starting offensive line, which we have pretty much known since spring practice.   Lots of Running Backs and Wide Receivers will play.  I'm pretty sure Jake Rudock isn't an "or" but a little gamesmanship from Jimmy.

DE: Willie Henry
NT: Ryan Glasgow
DT: Chris Wormley or Matt Goudin
Buck: Mario Ojemudia
ILB: Desmond Morgan
ILB: Joe Bolden
OLB: James Ross
CB: Jourdan Lewis
CB: Channing Stribling
FS: Jarrod Wilson
SS: Jabrill Peppers

Dr. Rosen Rosen Analysis:  A couple surprises on this chart that could or couldn't mean something.  Big Willie is at DE, which seems strange as he has always played on the inside.   Stribling starting at CB is another surprise.  He has always been a guy with a big upside but has always had trouble seeing the field.   When he did see the field he has given up some big plays.    The D-Line will have constant substitutions so all the guys will play.   Stanford transfer Wayne Lyons is the second safety behind Peppers and is an "or" with Dymonte Thomas.    I'm hoping Wayne hasn't been a disappointment in camp or is a little banged up as he has great experience and was hoping he could replace Countess in the lineup. 

• Jimmy said during his first radio show at Pizza House that the QB's had the best day of Fall Practice on Monday:  "They were the sharpest today," Harbaugh said. "I'll have to go back and look at the film … I'm not sure if a ball hit the ground."  Also a quick review of Utah:  "Utah is powerful and physical. They want to run at you," he said. "They have a quarterback that can throw and run it. He's not scared or afraid to do it. Defensively, they're very proud of it ... it seems like they've got some new guys in the secondary they are pleased with, and they have winning on their side.
  
  "They've done a fantastic job with that program. They have confidence and belief, a great crowd and environment."

2 Days!!!

Michigan Monday: Welcome to Game Week

It's hard to believe we are only days away from a Harbaugh coached Michigan Football game.   Not only is this game week, but its a short game week with the game on Thursday night.   The hype for this game is building as Fox Sports is doing it's best to hype it with a hour 1/2 pre-game special at 7:00 EST.   Fox will also have what they call a khaki cam, a camera dedicated to show Jimmy the entire game.

We still don't know too much about the starters or who is or isn't injured in the Submarine.   Those facts will reveal itself around 8:30 on Thursday night. 

• Special teams coach John Baxter spoke to the media this weekend and basically said the place kicker will come down to a decision before the game.  Kyle Seychel, Kenny Allen and Andrew David are the 3 guys that could do that role.

• Michigan was rocking some Journey on Saturday - Don't Stop Believing Wolverines!

• I was not expecting Illinois to fire Tim Beckman the week before the season, I thought that was coming the week after the season.

• 5 star CA LB Caleb Kelly will do his official visit to A2 for the UNLV game

• Instate WR Donnie Corley is waiting to see how the Wolverines use WR's before committing.   His relationship with the Wolverine coaches is getting stronger but MSU seems to be the leader in the clubhouse.

• Farmington ILB and Michigan commit David Reese had been looking at other schools but is now 100% to Michigan and will work with the staff to enroll in January.

• OL Jean Delance will do his official to Ann Arbor for the OSU game.

• QB commit Brandon Peter has jumped up in 247 ratings and is now the 46th rated player in the country.

Utah Preview

Time: 3:30 EST
Location:  Big House
TV: ABC/ESPN2
Weather: 80% rain
Line: Michigan -6







Both teams have 2 wins against poor opponents.  The difference is Utah is 2-0 coming off a bye last weekend.   Utah is still a fairly new PAC 12 member and fits in perfectly.   They love to score a ton of points, they are 3rd in the nation right now in scoring at 57 per.   Again, it's hard to know if that is Utah being great or the other teams being not-so-great.    They have also given up a few points as their two wins they have given up an average of 3 touchdowns per.  


Tale of the Tape
GMat vs. Utah's Spread = Utes
Michigan's 3 headed running game vs. Utah D = Mich
3 games vs. 2 games = Michigan
Hagerup vs. his bionic leg = touchbacks
Hoke vs. 4th down = Hagerup
Wile vs. Uprights = push


If Michigan is going to win this game they will have to dominate both lines.   Yes, both lines.   Utah prefers to run out of their spread but they will throw, to date they are very balance on offense.  Michigan's d-line and linebackers much keep everything in front of them and our corners can't bite on the run all the time. 


What to watch for

• Funchess?
• Can Michigan score 40+ points for the win?
• Turnovers on defense?
• More Norfleet please!
• Has Coach Nuss, been holding back his offense?
• Will Greg Mattison have a defense that can stop this spread?
• Michigan will have Green and Gardner  with over a 100 yards rushing
• We need good to great Gardner

I feel Michigan's offense need to throw to run the ball.   I like how Darboh played last week, if you add Butt and Funchess to the mix, someone should be open.   I like 3 step drops for Gardner and two choices to throw, if both are covered, run!!  Michigan is going to have to score a ton of point because the Michigan D will not shutdown the Utes all day. 


This is a scary game for the Wolverines and historically they haven't played well against spread teams with talent.   I think the Vegas line is way to high in the Wolverines favor.   Michigan will have to be very physical in this game with Utah and make them pay for their visit to the Big House.   Coach Hoke will have to come out of his child pose and make some aggressive decisions on the sideline.   Michigan has to score early and often and can't play catch up in this game.  If this is a heavy weight fight, Michigan needs to land power punches and not jabs.   It sounds like weather might play a big role in this game.  If that is the case, the team that can run the ball will get the win. My head says Utah is probably the favorite to win this game, I'm going with my heart. 
Michigan 48 Utah 32
Go Blue!

Michigan Monday: Looks Ahead to Utah

Last Saturday was what it was, a un-inspiring win by the Wolverines against one of the worst teams in the country.  This week, Michigan will continue to see where they are at against a solid PAC 12 opponent in the Utah Utes.  Let's take a quick look at what Utah has done through 2 games:


They are averaging 57.5 points per game which is ranked #3 in the nation in scoring
They have rushed for 248 yards per and thrown for 309 yards - which is pretty balanced
They give up about three touchdowns a game on defense.


Ok, so they have played Idaho State and Fresno State which isn't exactly Alabama and Stanford but Michigan's wins aren't noteworthy either.   Vegas right now is listing Michigan about a touchdown favorite.   Which clearly states they are not sure what either team has right now.   The PAC 12 teams love to score and give up a ton of points.   Let's hope Michigan scores a ton but defense limits them to roughly 20 points.   Devin Funchess needs an appointment with Mr. Miyagi this week to fix his ankle.  I love the miss matches that Funchess and Butt create on the field at the same time.


On a side note, Utah will be wearing all white uniforms on Saturday in the Big House.  Also, Michigan will open next years schedule on a Thursday night at Utah.    That smells like a Fox Sports One game.

• It doesn't take an expert to read Brady Hoke.   Example from his post game press conference: 
  Do you expect Devin back next week? “Well, we’ll see.”.   With Funchess limping around on the sideline on Saturday, he sure didn't look like he is going to be ready.

• 5 star CB Iman Marshall has confirmed that Michigan will get one of his 5 official visits.

• BTW: I thought Marcus Ray did a wonderful job doing color for the Michigan game, Braylon even did a good job during his quick visit.   One of the benefits of the Fox Sports 1, CBS Sports Channel, SEC and Big Ten Networks is that it creates a ton of jobs for former athletes.   

Game Day: Utah in the Big House

When history looks back at August 30, 2008, it won't document RR's messy separation from WVU, it won't document "sailboat's" Bill misadventures of a coaching search that ended much better then it started, it also won't document the disaster from a year ago.

Today is a New Day! 40 years of Bo and Lloyd (The Moeller years included) are now gone and there's a new man with a new system running The Wolverines. Today marks one of the biggest days in Wolverine History and Michigan isn't playing Ohio State, Michigan State or even Notre Dame.

What's ironic about today's game is there are two things that are "under construction" Michigan Stadium and The Michigan Wolverines. How have the Wolverines grasped the new system? Who will be the QB? Will the new Freshman make a big impression? Will the Defense dominate? All those questions start to get answered today when the Utes enter the Big House!

In what this blog as tabbed the "New Uniform Bowl" as both programs will be showing off their new uniforms for the first time today (Under Armour - Utah and Adidas at Michigan). The Utes are coming off a 9-4 season and ranked around 25 in most polls. Many sportswriters around the nation have Utah "being the BCS buster" this year and making a run at one of the BCS Bowls.

The strength of the Utah team is the offense lead by senior QB Brian Johnson who the last time was 100% healthy (in 2005) piled up 3,370 yards. The Ute's will also try to pound the ball behind an experienced Offensive Line.

The Ute's like to score points but they also like to give up points. The Ute's defensive is not that strong and had a tendency to give up a lot of points last year. It will be interesting to see if the young Wolverines can get some open field and score a lot of points.

The key to this game is Strength vs Strength: Utah's Offense vs Michigan Defense. The team that wins this battle will Win this game.

Tale of the Tape:

QB: Utah
Offense: Utah
Defense: Michigan
Special Teams: Push (both teams have good kickers)
Experience in the spread: Utah
Intangibles: Michigan


So how do you predict a game with so much mystery? I mean even the jersey's will be different. You look at things like Mike Barwis, that the Wolverine Fans will be a little louder and little more fired up today, that Utah is in the Big House, you look at team that got beat by a D1a team opening last year, you look at a team that everyone thinks is going to maybe play .500 ball this season.

The team with everything to prove is Michigan, the team that wants to make a statement is Michigan. It's a Brand New Day!

• Look for Shaw and McGuffie to pile up the yards
• Look for Michigan's defense to be very strong against Utah's offense
• Total points will be lower then people expect
• Watch for something "special" out of Special Teams

Michigan 24 Utah 17

Go Blue!!!!

Big House Game Week News and Notes

• Contest: Pick this weeks Utah vs Michigan final score and win the New A&E's DVD on Bo Schembechler and a Adidas Big House Blog hat! (what a deal). Also pick Michigan's leading rusher as a tie breaker. Send me an email with the score and leading rusher to win at thebighouseblog@hotmail.com. See it here at Amazon.

• RR has a press conference in an hour. Who can it be now? Threet or Sheridan. Update 12:30: No news on the QB. Shaw and/or McGuffie are listed ahead of Brown and Minor at RB depth (no big deal all will play). Odoms has locked up one of the starting WR positions, both Massey and/or Butler at TE with Koger getting some snaps as well, At LB: Obi Ezeh is listed ahead of John Thompson at middle linebacker and will be flanked by Austin Panter and Marell Evans, safeties are Stevie Brown at free and Brandon Harrison at strong, Harrison and Morgan Trent are the primary kickoff returners and Donovan Warren will start off returning punts, but Odoms is in the mix at both spots.


• Another Joppru in the Big House?: Bennie, an All-American for the Wolverines in 2002 (setting a single-season school record for receptions by a tight end with 53) brother plays for the Utes. Chris Joppru (also a Tight End) has only played in two games for the Utes, but will see significant time this Saturday. Any other Michigaganders on the Utes Roster? Yes, Sophomore tight end Neli A'asa is from Big Rapids. I guess the State puts out a lot of Tight Ends!


• Utah has been watching Tapes of WVU and Stanford:
  

  While suspecting Rodriguez may not be able to run an offense identical to the one he had installed at West Virginia, the Utes still are studying game film of the Mountaineers with the belief they'll see something similar to their own offense. Defensively, Utah has been studying tapes of Stanford, where coordinator Scott Shafer last coached. The Utes know Michigan's defense will be fast, but little else about it.



• Michigan offer D.J. Swearinger commits to Tennessee