Input: [Date] 34 weeks 4 days ago [Body] Patterson and Whittingham is just my non-Harbaugh wishlisht. I don't think either of them are coming. RE: McElwain - I think fans to come to terms with the idea of neither Harbaugh, Miles, Mullen, or any other candidate in those top two tiers coming to UM. You look at the hot coaching candidates these days like Sumlin, Briles, Mullen, Gundy...instead of trying to pry them from their current/established position, go find the next guy whose on his way. So when you look at that crop of candidates, guys like McElwain, Chuck Martin, Frost, Herman, Doeren...I prefer McElwain. I like that he learned from Saban and has CSU trending upward. I like that his offense fits the current personnel and that it's effective. CSU's offense was at the bottom of the barrel and after one transition year they've been top 20 the past two seasons. I think he's projecting to be a successful coach in college football. [Title]

Output: Patterson and Whittingham is


Input: [Date] 34 weeks 5 days ago [Body] I'm getting the same pole (that's what she said). If you eliminate the Harbaugh's I would love to see Gary Patterson or Kyle Whittingham. Although a Miles/Pelini reunion in Ann Arbor sounds appealing also. Of all the "plan c" type candidates I like McElwain the most. [Title]

Output: I'm getting the same pole


Input: [Date] 34 weeks 5 days ago [Body] I said this in the "if hoke is retained" thread...waiting until the team meeting made the most sense of the situation and explains why the AD has been quiet and why it has been business as usual in Ann Arbor today. This reduces media speculation and let's hoke tell the players himself and you avoid the backlash like you saw in Nebraska yesterday. [Title]

Output: I said this in the "if hoke


Input: [Date] 34 weeks 5 days ago [Body] I obviously have no idea but if I am going to stick with my theory...a series of last minute cancelations would get all the spectators and commentators buzzing. I think the silence from the department has a lot to do with getting to this final meeting tomorrow and letting the players hear it first. I am not saying I agree with the plan, it just seems to be a logical reason why we haven't heard anything yet. (Side question: have the visits been confirmed? Who/where are they visiting?) [Title]

Output: I obviously have no idea but


Input: [Date] 34 weeks 5 days ago [Body] Isn't the final team meeting on Tuesday? Would it not make sense/be respectful to let Hoke inform the players first and then make it public? Look at the player backlash from Nebraska yesterday when they informed players in an e-mail. I will start to worry tomorrow night. [Title]

Output: Isn't the final team meeting


Input: [Date] 35 weeks 18 hours ago [Body] Blue Moon Winter Sampler. The cinnamon something-or-whatever and the gingerbread ale are pretty good acually...and I like their winter ale. [Title]

Output: Blue Moon Winter Sampler. The


Input: [Date] 39 weeks 4 days ago [Body] 1. Jim H 2. John H 3. Gary Patterson 4. Dan Mullen 5. Todd Graham 6. Butch Jones 7. Teryl Austin [Title]

Output: 1. Jim H 2. John H 3. Gary


Input: [Date] 43 weeks 3 days ago [Body] The reality of the situation is that no school pulls coaches from those types of positions. For some reason people always want to assume that people will just jump ship for the slightest improvement in "prestige" but it rarely happens. Name the last time a coach left a top 25 type program for another top 25 type program (aside from Kiffin to USC and I'll grant you Sarkesian to USC if that counts). [Title]

Output: The reality of the situation


Input: [Date] 1 week 13 hours ago [Body] You sure that's not saying eastern Michigan is 4th worst? It's rither Idaho eastern or eastern Michigan. 9toad wins seems low for the last 20 years. Couple Carrs usual 9-3 and 8-4 years should have yielded some. Then you have the year we were undefeated headed into the pay game. That would have been about 5 road mins...etc [Title]

Output: Eastern michigan


Input: [Date] 3 weeks 5 days ago [Body] Hardaway and Stauskas will need to get lethal behind the arc to make it. There are plenty of 3 and D players that shoot better than them. Homer shades aside I don't see anyone having either run a half court set through these guys so IMO they will have to fit that shooter niche. It's a young mans league and teams will take a flyer on the next set of wings soon. Hopefully, they can make it a season or two and get to that second contract when the cap goes way up. [Title]

Output: Neg away but the lack of D means these two won't be the nba long


Input: [Date] 5 weeks 16 hours ago [Body] With every flyer recruit we've had over the last month you know there is only one way for this to end. Some are/will get squeezed out and I envison much less written on this site about shady recrutiing practices going forward...pot ->kettel ->black [Title]

Output: sounds about right. must get to 85 and it won't be pretty


Input: [Date] 5 weeks 5 days ago [Body] I mean no way Harbaugh is going to say no to the 4 and 5 stars down the road still showing interest. Given that we are already oversigned how is this going to work? People say "normal attrition" but really? I admit to not knowing the roster well but part thinks there is going to be a little Saban/Urban tactics used to "make it work" come fall. [Title]

Output: More concerned that we are going to oversign big time


Input: [Date] 7 weeks 12 hours ago [Body] I think the main reason my UM vs MSU comparison doesn't hold is bc UM moves the ball more on O and typically does rush or settle for has many bad 3s as GS is doing in this series. No drive in kick from GS. Just step back further and chuck... I do NOT want the cavs to win but GS has got to mix it up. They are putting in David Lee now... [Title]

Output: im shocked at number of bad 3s


Input: [Date] 7 weeks 12 hours ago [Body] GS vs Cavs UM vs MSU One team relies on the 3, cannot rebound, plays small. Other can't shoot well, crashes the boards, can play D well, focuses on slowing the game down. If you look at Lebron stats he has not shot well the entire playoffs or this series. Cavs are winning on D, crashing boards, timely big buckets. Similar to MSU. Will be interesting if GS can win this series. I am rooting for GS. They shoot too many bad 3s for my liking though. [Title]

Output: parallels to UM vs MSU


Input: [Date] 8 weeks 2 days ago [Body] I think B10 Ds are better than avg as they usualy tackle well and are not afraid to play physical. For that I never expect B10 O's to put B12 or some Pac12 type offensive statistics. But I think the B10 as a whole can make that next step to challenge the SEC only if they get better QB play and as a result aerial attack to balane out historically strong OL and RB play. You can't be 1 dimensional first stacked SEC teams. OSU won the title bc they had a GREAT running game AND their QBs could make teams pay for cheating against the Run. Most B10 bowl teams (let along the whole conf) couldn't do that very well as of late. B10 currently has some solid QBs and as a result had a good bowl season. Hopefully this is the beginning of a new trend. With so many teams going spread nationally hopefully the B10 can get better pro QB prospects since their is less competition out there. I don't see the B10 going full on spread anytime soon. At least not outside of OSU and IU. [Title]

Output: i will say I consider B10 D's better than avg


Input: [Date] 8 weeks 2 days ago [Body] anyone other than the biggest B10 homer can admit that. Look at the draft performance of offensive players for the conference. Lack of elite QB play (no first round picks since how long??) has stunted the offenses. As a result WR play has been medicore as well. OL is never a problem for B1G or RBs. But in modern CFB you can't be one dimensional or you get shut down (unless you run the option which I would argue is NOT one dimensional given the multiude of options per play). Too many B10 O's are one dimensional with no real aerial threat. As a result, Big 10 offenses have been very very bad as a whole for awhile. Basically all but 1-2 teams per year (one being OSU and the other rotating) are very medicore on O. To think this doesn't inflate traditional defensive stats is crazy. So agree with the OP that D stats for the cond are misleading. UM D' s have feasted on crap schedules since the late 90s. UM has held a bowl opponent to 21 points or less once since he NC season (Hokes Sugar bowl vs a bad VT team). UM wins bowl games when it can put up big offensive numbers bc come bowl games vs good non-B10 schools the D comes back to earth (statistically). [Title]

Output: This has been true for the last 7-8 years


Input: [Date] 8 weeks 5 days ago [Body] ESPN saying SEC will drop camps in 2016 IF an outright ban nationally is not approved by NCAA before then. They will still try and ban camps for now so Harbaugh is not out of the woods yet. I think by admitting this it hurts there chances on getting a national rule banning the practice in place though. http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12964883/sec-allow-satellite-camps-other-conferences-continue-to [Title]

Output: ESPN reporting something slightly different...


Input: [Date] 9 weeks 5 days ago [Body] I know coach B said that but he has never played a 4 that can't shoot and stretch the court. I see DJ playing it out as j mo part 2 with more length. Just imo, which yea...everyone has one. I also know we just recruited two bigs but I think one replaces Doyle and the other prob transfers bc of lack of PT. Trust me I would love some size and rebounding out of the 4 spot. Just don't think Belein will do it. I mean we are rolling with Irvin/Dawkins at the 4 likely this year. Irvin... [Title]

Output: I'll believe dJ at the 4 when I see it


Input: [Date] 9 weeks 5 days ago [Body] J mo was 6'8'' and had to max out in terms of footwork and positioning to make it work as a 5 man by his sr and redshirt sr year. I think dJ is the same height perhaps longer and is still 12lbs lighter. I just hope Doyle stays out of foul trouble. [Title]

Output: Debbie downer here but he needs to be 250+


Input: [Date] 11 weeks 20 hours ago [Body] Elite would be the double digit club up at top. We still have a ways to go. Its tough to compare bc the coaches on there didn't all start at their power 5 programs at the same time. I'd imagine Cal has done most of his damage since arriving at UK while Coach K has been a duke the entire period. [Title]

Output: exactly this shows that Coach B is NOT elite...not yet


Input: [Date] 11 weeks 2 days ago [Body] Very few even the diehard do that outside the student section. Those of us who stand up for big plays to cheer shouldn't be harassed by the "older generation" either. Yes just bc you are older doesnt mean you are allowed to harass people. That is not respect. If you or your family members can't stand for big plays they should stop going to games. Seriously. That is part of the experience and if they don't like it maybe it isn't for them anymore. [Title]

Output: Nobody is asking that we all stand all game


Input: [Date] 11 weeks 2 days ago [Body] Then you are probably the type to stand up in a big 3rd down play too. That's all most of us are asking for. Cheer the team and get up and make some noise on big plays. How do some of all these people "not able to stand up even occasionally" even make it into the stadium. I would think the stairs are too much. [Title]

Output: If you are the type to sit and make noise


Input: [Date] 11 weeks 2 days ago [Body] One person at a time if we have to. Hopefully the next generation of Michigan fans won't treat a game like a movie. Btw I'm 34 and would be standing right next to you. So no it's not like only recent grads who feel this way. Plan on feeing the same why as long as I am physically able. When I'm not I will stay at home and watch it on tv. [Title]

Output: Keep it up. We need to change the culture at Michigan stadium


Input: [Date] 11 weeks 2 days ago [Body] You shouldn't have to apologize for not being s complete homer. And no you weren't talking trash. 6'8'' and 207 is skinny as hell and in no way should sniff the 4 spot let alone the 5. It's like we forget that defense and rebounds are part of the game. All 5 positions for an NiT team maybe... Some ppl are saying decker is a comparable? Jesus. Dekker is a great athlete. Would be behind only perhaps Dawkins on our current team - yes including levert and Irvin. Everyone needs to chill on the d3 hype train. if we are lucky we get frosh year Stauskas or Irvin from this kid next year. If we are lucky. [Title]

Output: Agree 100%


Input: [Date] 11 weeks 3 days ago [Body] When we get a 4 that goes onto the NBA as a legit SF then we will win it all. OF late all of our4's have SG bodies. I;m not saying UM needs an NBA 4 we just need someone who can get D Rebs and hit the 3. We need someone 6/9-6/10 and 240+. Thats basically Donnal size but we are trying to play him at the 5.... which is terrible...IMO he is too soft to play the 4 let alone the 5. [Title]

Output: exactly...the 4 is THE position


Input: [Date] 11 weeks 4 days ago [Body] not NPOY but players as good as Burke (NPOY is a vote so anything can happen). 1st RD NBA PG's. I think we can expect that more than most teams based on Coach B and Co's track record. Thats not enough though bc the NCAA Elite do that too...plus have NBA bigs. [Title]

Output: haha my bad


Input: [Date] 11 weeks 4 days ago [Body] Bulls also had a guy named MJ...the GOAT and some defensive stopper named Pippen. Unless you see those two rolling through the door I'm not sure that is the best approach. To win in the tournament you need great guard play - check, will always be check with Coach B. Bigs that can rebound for you, limit the other teams possessions (defense doesn't stop until you actually get the D Reb). If we can actually get D Reb's we can then let our guard play (see above) win the game. - not check I mean with Trey Burke and Co we had the best offense in the country and a very solid college Big in Morgan and NBA talent at the 5 in McGary. We literally cannot do better than #1 O efficiency. It's not possible. So why not look at the other side of the ball where we are medicore. Why as the #1 O in the country to do more??? I mean Oregon football has never won a title for all of their numbers on O.... BTW, IMO you can't completely make up for getting killed on the glass with a low TO. It helps, heck it's required when we get dominated so much on the boards but it doesn't cancel out the fact that we give the other teams more possessions...we will continue to lose to the ELITE when we do so. Remember our Kentucky game??? They had 17 O Rebs to our 10 D Rebs (out rebounded by 11 total ). They won the game by 3. You telling me the rebounding wasn't the difference. We won TO battle by +4. We were fortunate to get by Tennessee that year (another huge team) as well. We barely beat UT despite shooting 55/55 from FG/3pt....UM puts too much pressure on the O. Remember Louisvile? Louisville had 15 O Rebs (UM had 7) - outrebounded UM by 5 otal. They are great at D so actually won the TO battle by 3+. That right there is 8 extra possessions and won by 6 points... Sure when we are clicking on all cylinders UM can beat anyone in one game. But to beat 2-3 Elite teams in a row that will have NBA size at least the 4 spot and/or the 5 PLUS their own great guard play (ACC-elite guard play is as good as ours and they have NBA 4's on their team) its a tall order. I'm not saying UM needs to scrap its philiopshy and turn into MSU or UL. I just think that if our 4 could defend better (really just get D rebs) and still be able to shoot well enough for spacing on O UM would make it to the top of the mountain. [Title]

Output: yeah but


Input: [Date] 11 weeks 4 days ago [Body] Need size at the 4. Size and can shoot is hard to recruit though. [Title]

Output: bc we play SGs at the 4 spot


Input: [Date] 11 weeks 4 days ago [Body] Coach B won't ever get stud 5's and thats ok bc you can coach up solid players into good college 5's. IMO, its the 4 spot that we are missing from becoming elite vs very good. Unless of course they can catch lightening in a bottle again with the National Player of the Year at PG combined it with an NBA "4" playing at our 5 spot...which I don't see happening but once every 7-8yrs if we are lucky. We are just going to get killed on the boards again. We will be extremely fun to watch on offense (be top 5 in offense nationally probably) but in the tourney we will run into a bigger team and likely lose in sweet 16 or elite 8 (depending on draw). [Title]

Output: Need a 4 that can actually guard 4's


Input: [Date] 12 weeks 6 days ago [Body] Trying to think if any coaches in league would be against it. [Title]

Output: I know OSU oversigns. Anyone else in B1G??


Input: [Date] 20 weeks 4 days ago [Body] Friday nights will have a game on Unimas (part of univision) as agreed in the most recent TV deal. Time Warner Cable carries its. I think some tiers of Direct TV have it. Unfortuantely, most in middle america probably won't have it unless they have something beyond basic cable. I have it here in NYC on TWC. I imagine people in Cali do as well. Sundays will be the days that have games on ESPN 1/2, Foxsports1/2...etc [Title]

Output: Friday night will have games on Unimas (part of Univision)


Input: [Date] 27 weeks 5 days ago [Body] Harbaugh really needs some god WRs if we are going with this passing attack. YAC is great but you need game breakers out there that can make BIG plays out of them. 49ers didn't have WRs that could get a lot of separation (like UM right now) and that lead to very few big plays for the O. Very few plays that stretched the field vertically. Vernon Davis who is a Funchess type mismatch made zero plays all year... Getting TEs, RBs, FBs involved is great but we need down field threats too. Too hard to execute 10 play drives to score consistently. In CFB now you need to be able to score 40 on anyone in order to be playoff caliber. Esp if we plan on beating Meyer. Running game will be great under Harbaugh but I do worry about the passing....imo [Title]

Output: As a 49er fan - problem was lack of big and and red zone


Input: [Date] 32 weeks 2 days ago [Body] The 49ers have one of the worst offenses in the league. Why do we want Harbaugh so bad? They showed a stat during the game and since week 7 the 49ers are dead last in every major category. Does this not concern anyone? Kapernick literally looks like Devin Gardner out there and this was Harbaughs hand picked guy. Watching UM on saturdays this year and 49ers on sunday was like watching the same team. I suppose, Harbaugh could recruit at sugh a high level that he could win playing man-ball but with the way CFB is going now I'm not sure that will be a winning formula. [Title]

Output: 49ers have one of worst offenses in the league


Input: [Date] 42 weeks 2 days ago [Body] I think this really set him back. He looks like a kid that had a cannon prob since he was in 7th grade so shot up recruiting boards. Missing a chunk of HS hurt his development. With younger players every season is huge for development. Unfortunately with UM's current staff we need as close as a finished product as we can get out of a recruit bc they have shown that they cannot coach up a QB. The most damning aspect of the Hoke staff is the LACK of progress during the year. With the constant excuse of a "young team" we should actually be seeing more signs of player development not less. Player ability from the first game to last should be a noticable improvement. We are not seeing this. Look at our D; everyone is back from last year but still seeing the same misakes from the DL and CBs as the OSU and KSU game. We have seen this some some progress with the 2 headed running attack. Some glimmers in the runn blocking (kalis had some nice plays last night) but at the QB and I say WR position we have not seen it. Darboh's routes are terrible. Chesson and Norfleet have not shown the ability to be downfield threats. [Title]

Output: Shane missed his whole HS Sr year right?


Input: [Date] 42 weeks 2 days ago [Body] Fire Brandon chants don't work. I was at the Minny game in seciton 19 and I didn't hear anything....I suppose if we ensure they are heard on the TV broadcast that is great but a picture tells a 1,000 words. Let's get a Fire Brandon tifo going in the student section. If that is too hard to smuggle in than just get 10-12 kids to bring in a rolled up sheet of paper and spell out: F-I-R-E B-R-A-N-D-O-N This is guaranteed to be on sportscenter and you are also guaranteed at least 5-7 zoom-ins with screen time on ABC. Doing this for the PSU UTL III would be perfect. Why should we limit this to kids. If some here on the Mgoblog-osphere tailgate and go to games why not have some of you with another F-I-R-E B-R-A-N-D-O-N somewhere outside the student section as well. [Title]

Output: Fire Brandon Tifo in the student section


Input: [Date] 42 weeks 3 days ago [Body] we will be under .500 this season zero playmakers on the entire team. Funchess can;t throw to himself. Jake Ryan is stuff playing MLB where he can't make plays. No one else on the roster even has the physical tools to be a playmaker.Do not say Clark. He is just a guy. Looks like tarzan plays like jane. [Title]

Output: average? wish we were average right now


Input: [Date] 42 weeks 3 days ago [Body] If that throw is anywhere outside the hashmark its a catch....they have a midget on Funchess 1on1. Also,how is Darboh a starting WR. Slow and runs TERRIBLE routes. He has single handily caused 2 INTs this season. Should have been a off pass int. [Title]

Output: DB on Funchess for that INT is a ft shorter


Input: [Date] 45 weeks 1 day ago [Body] I'm taking the wife to her first Michigan game for Minny. Also going with another couple (husband/ my friend is from Iowa). This will be my first "grown up experience" for a game though. All prior trips have involved going with old college buddies: getting hammered the night before, crashing at a crappy hotel, popping some advil the next morning and going to the game. I actually have to figure out a proper breakfast/dinners and a tour of the campus for the non UM people.... a lot more work. Glad its 330 so we have more time. [Title]

Output: Taking the wife to her first Michigan game for Minny


Input: [Date] 1 year 10 weeks ago [Body] Yeah its nothing special but worth recording and fast forwarding to our guys. GRIII is on the court doing drills right now. They are about to do a segment on him. [Title]

Output: GRIII is doing drills right now


Input: [Date] 1 year 10 weeks ago [Body] sorry to thread jack, SF's, PF, and C's today it seems. [Title]

Output: NBA Combine on ESPN right now


Input: [Date] 1 year 11 weeks ago [Body] just curious... I follow Champions League mostly but do my best to follow MLS as well. Its hard given the lack of TV time. I can catch Red Bulls action locally on MSG channel but try and tune into NBCSN's weekend games. Portland playing LA Galaxy right now. [Title]

Output: do you Euro soccer fans support MLS too?


Input: [Date] 1 year 13 weeks ago [Body] . [Title]

Output: btwn Levert, Walton, Irvin, DJ, and Chatmon we have 3 EE


Input: [Date] 1 year 13 weeks ago [Body] I feel like between btwn Levert, Walton, Irvin, DJ, and Chatman we will have 3 guys that will go pro by the end of their Jr season. The schollies will work themselves out. I know Chatman and DJ haven't play 1 min yet but I feel like with their skill set and athleticism from day 1 they will have a great shot at going pro. Successful in NBA who knows but I can def see them declaring by year 3. Chatman could easily be a 2 and done. Levert is 100% gone next season and then max and spike will likely be gone the year after. Really by picking up these two late recruits we are limiting schollies for next year only. and I personally think year 2 of Donnelv(PT wise), Doyle, Chatman, DJ, and Jr Walton, Jr Irvin could be a really really good team. Def as good as Burke frosh year. DAwkins and MAAR at min will be extra depth and maybe guys that play through their season season. We haven't every really had great depth before more Defensive oriented players. SOmething DJ and MAAR will bring. I like the way things are shaping up. Only guys missing is McGary. WIth him we would have been F4 favorites next season IMO. [Title]

Output: btwn Levert, Walton, Irvin, DJ, and Chatmon we have 3 EE


Input: [Date] 1 year 13 weeks ago [Body] Bottom line: Stauskas and Levert were/are better wings so they got the minutes at the "2" and "3" that GR3 wanted. If I had to buy NBA stock I would by theirs over GR3 right now too. If GR3 was better he would have gotten more run on the wings but he wasn't. With a freshman PG UM needed wings that could create for themselves and others to run the O. GR3 couldn't do that. He was a great finisher who could sometimes create for himself (if by that you mean create an elbow jumper). That would have clogged the O as GR3 getting more touches and initiatiing offense would have led to more TOs and worse shooting. Something Coach B just can't allow given our defense short comings. The only chance GR3 really had was if Coach B decided to go big. By that I mean he could have played Levert at PG and then Stauskas and GR3 at the wings. This could of worked but ultimately I think Coach B wanted Walton on the floor at PG more than he wanted Irvin or Max at the 4. I agree with Coach B there as well. [Title]

Output: Bottom line: Stauskas and Levert were/are better wings


Input: [Date] 1 year 13 weeks ago [Body] If Franklin comes in and starts doing the same UM is in real trouble. He is already off to a great start and has the best pro QB in the conf (soph at that). UM could be looking at 4th in the divison....I've ready given up in 1st. OL and running game is just too terrible to make that kind of a leap. [Title]

Output: Urb running circles around Hoke


Input: [Date] 1 year 17 weeks ago [Body] He is the tourney MVP right now.. [Title]

Output: he is as gone as Stauskas


Input: [Date] 1 year 17 weeks ago [Body] It will be between him and Yogi and I think UM winning the conf title again will be enough to give him the nod. [Title]

Output: Levert to be B1G Player of the year next season


Input: [Date] 1 year 19 weeks ago [Body] There offense is just as good as ours but they have shown that they can D us up if they need to. UM has not shown they can D up anyone let alone Duke. Advantage Duke. Coach K will NOT let Staukas beat them. More importantly, they can stick athletic guys with more quickness and relatively the same height on Stauskas ( T. Thorton is 6'4''). They don't have to put small 6' guys on Stauskas... Finally, Duke practically invented the 3ball game. They know how to stop 3s. They will give up drives and penetration all game long but that does not play to our strengths. It will take a very hot night from 3 from the likes of Walton and Irvin to beat Duke. Levert will drive on them like crazy again bc Duke will give us that. Stauskas will not be able to drive and will have to shoot contested 3s or get backdoor cuts. Duke is like the worst matchup IMO. [Title]

Output: We can't run with Duke


Input: [Date] 1 year 20 weeks ago [Body] yikes, he drove me crazy. Couldn't understand how a guy that big could not rebound.. I will say Lavall Blanchard (was actually not bad) and of couse Dom "Bomb" Ingerson. Dom Bomb would launch it like he was Stauskas...but Stauskas he was not. I was part of the original Maize rage back then, I believe it started the year before my freshman year 01'. [Title]

Output: Graham Brown? really?


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] Just look at who was drafted to the NBA from the top B1G teams last year (and who stayed ie G Harris, McGary, GRIII). Much more talent at the top at a player level for the B1G last year then this year. IU lost a ton, UM lost a lot, OSU lost its best stuff. Thats why the bottom of the B1G looks better this year. The top is just weaker. Remember UM was never outside the top ten all season last year in the polls... [Title]

Output: exactly


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] You use Wisc to sort of debunk that but you must admit that is a very rare scenario where a team beats two conf champs out of conference then finds a way to lose 5 conference games itself....just a weird scenario. I mean I don't care how you spin it IU, northwestern, and Minnesota are not very good teams and they all beat Wisc. You'd never say those three are on par with UVA or Florida would you? Even if Wisc beat UVA and Florida. Plus I think the big issue is its very hard to compare "middle tier" teams which by definition are going to have a decent amount of losses. How do you compare 9-11 loss teams across conferences objectively? How good can you really be with that many losses. If we we are saying the B1G 9-12 loss teams (middle tier) are "good" then by definition we are now saying the Big Ten has 9-10 "good teams". I just don't by it that a conf can have that many "good teams" and still think it has any elite teams. Elite teams would not have lost that many times to allow a conf to have 10 "good" teams. I think being good top to bottom is great for a conference and actually helps B1G teams in the tourney as they are more battle tested. I just think it doesn't mean much in terms of perception of the conference as a whole. In football I feel the same way. The SEC #6-7 teams are almost always better than the B1G or any other conference but who cares if they win some bowl game before Jan 1st. I roll my eyes at SEC fans bragging about their 6th best team just like I do B1G fans talking about their 6th best bball team that will probably lose opening wknd of the tourney and be forgotten. Nobody cares. In football, its all about new years day bowls and the BCS. Win those (esp BCS) and your conference perception goes through the roof. I feel like making elite 8 is like winning a BCS bowl (mainly due to the random nature of 1 and done NCAA tourney..ie matchups). Pretty much every program would consider an elite 8 trip or BCS win a great season. Outside of a couple heavily favored teams each season (Bama in football, loaded Kentucky or Duke team in Bball). [Title]

Output: I think looking at the top is the best way to go


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] B1G is behind the ACC and probably on par with the B12 this season. The B1G has a lot of depth top to bottom but that is overrated IMO. Nobody cares how good your 6-8th best teams are. In football or bball. Sure its great in BBall do to RPI, SOS, and all the metrics used for seeding. But at the end of the year when judging conferences nobody looks at your 6-8th best teams. Its all about how good your top tier is and for that reason I give the nod to the ACC bc their top tier is better than the B1G this season. Last year with MSU, IU, OSU, and UM all legit final four contenders that was not the case. This season only UM really has a chance for a final four run but we can also get bounced by a hot team in the sweet 16 due to our lack of interior O (we had McGary last tourney) nad ok D. I think last year we could whether a cold shooting night better bc Burke could just take over and McGary could bang down low. This year we don't have that. So overall, I think a league is judged by its top tier, top 4 if you will. Hopefully the B1G can get 4 sweet 16 teams and have 1 make the final four (UM). Hard to be the best conference if you don't have a final four team. IMO, its much more likely for the B1G to miss out on the final four than the ACC. [Title]

Output: BIG is way down vs last year


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] This will be huge if ILL can hold on. I think UM will lose one more before the end of the season so this L will offset that. I just think IU at home will be tough. [Title]

Output: haha Izzo face palm


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] just face guard him the rest of the way. let anyone else shoot [Title]

Output: Harris 3s are only way MSU gets back in this


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] finish them [Title]

Output: come on ILL!


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] But these guys are great athletes and more importantly have the best facilties and time to do the PT. I ran a half marathon 8 months after ACL surgery (used my own hamstring for the graft). Granted this is nothing close to playing Div 1 football but I also could only do PT on my lunch break about 2-3 times a week if I was lucky. I had an office job where I would work 9am-8pm so had little downtime. Now I whole heartedly agree on th mental aspect as I still sometimes have that feeling in my head 3 years after surgery. That being said, I always wondered what it would have been like if I didn't have an office job and could have dedicated REAL time and hours to my recovery in PT. Sucked but you gotta pay the bills and I'm not a pro anything so had my priorities. I pretty much do anything now as a "weekend warrior". [Title]

Output: true...but


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] Haven't checked the numbers but I assume he means his PPG avg is highest over the last 9 games. Sounds about right to me. IMO, he has emerged as our best all around player. O and D. also, anyone else worried about IU at home? Let just say I really hope MSU loses one more game. [Title]

Output: assuming he means highest avg over last 9 games


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] Nuss is going for the first major BCS gig he gets. Hopefully he likes what he sees in Shane Morris and sticks around until he graduates. If Nuss is as good as we hope our best chance is that he does well here. Leaves for a solid BCS program and then maybe comes back in 6-8 years when hoke is done. all that is a pipe dream though. I'd be happy with a functional running game next season. [Title]

Output: if Nuss is good he is gone in 3 years tops


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] well I did say as I know they are basically flag football teams. I also tend to think that Oregon's D is overrated. Thats just me though. I feel like it looks good when there O is rolling but when there O gets punched in the mouth the D is usually not able to make up for it. [Title]

Output: well I dis say


Input: [Date] 1 year 21 weeks ago [Body] I mean UM is not a great defensive team even when its trying (they have short moments of great D play though). Combine that with little intensity on D to start games and that equals Player X going off on UM in the first half all the time. And for some reason we as fans chalk it up to "that just have that guy going off, if he didn't do that we would be killing them". Of course by now its a consistent theme. Even back a couple years with Ohio U knocking us out of the tourney. This is my biggest fear opening weekend of the NCAAs. UM getting in a big hole vs inferior team and some guy going Yogi Ferrell on UM. We are basically the Oregon Ducks or of bball. As of late we are letting teams score TDs on nearly every possesion to start games only to come back and win 56-42... I'm starting to think it is something we are going to have to expect under Beilein and his wildly efficent Offensive teams. Perhaps the trade off for always having four shooters on the court is that you are just not going to be as good at defense. Although Duke makes it work...I tend to think its bc their shooters are a tad more athletic. My hope is that we can get a legit 5 that can rebound, start the break, and defend the rim at some point to make up for our deficiencies on the perimeter (I think we will always have it). I'd also like for one player out of our 1-3 to be a lock down defender type but its rare to have a lock down guy who is a Beilein quality shooter. All this being said, I would rather an efficient O and free flowing team than a grind it out all defensive team that can't shoot. Even if those teams win championships. O is just more fun to watch, esp in the college game. PLus we will send a pipeline of 1-3 players to the pros with this style. [Title]

Output: somewhat agree. lack defensive intensity


Input: [Date] 1 year 22 weeks ago [Body] Sorry, have to be that guy to bring up football. I want UM to be the best at both. Leave them nothing. Hopefully, with a new OC and maybe a couple suprise players in the front 7 on D UM can make a leap this year. Bball is clearly on the right path, what's even better is the Belien has done it molding 4 star players instead of just brining in 1 and done talent (which may or may not last). [Title]

Output: the scripts have flipped...football and bball...


Input: [Date] 1 year 22 weeks ago [Body] Stauskas is great and All B10 but to me its hard to be POY when you are not the clear POY on your own team...UM is lucky to have this problem and has full control of the Big Ten Tile outright bc of it. Credit to Belien for taking these parts and making it work. We should focus on the team goals and not this type of hardware anyways. Instead people are acting like its a sign of disrespect that Stauskas is getting the award... Stauskas is NOT this years Burke for UM. I think you are over looking the things Levert does bc it doesn't go with the Stauskas "is not just a shooter" meme. Watch Stauskas play defense. For evey bucket he has made this season, every single one, he has costs UM one. Luckily we have a great team with several weapons that we have overcome this woeful deficiency all season. And the team rises and falls on Nik bc yeah we need him to score 15+ points to make up for the 15+ he is giving up. Keep in mind we need Levert to score, run the break, get steals, rebound, get other players involved, guard the best player, play on top of the 131, run the half court O, get into the lane when nobody else can...etc etc. Levert is literally the best on the team in all of those facets of the game (sands Rebs). Stauskas is the best a shooting 3s, getting crazy sports center assists, and TOs. Note Stauskas has more TOs than Levert despite not being asked to create as much. Note, TOs are a frequent grip of people on here about Levert.... Stauskas is a great shooter who is crafty with the ball. Levert is a great all around player. Niether deserve POY recognition. Belien deserves COY for hopefully winning an outright title with a great shooter, great playmaker, and getting all the other pieces to work together. [Title]

Output: Levert will win MVP bc he is the most important player


Input: [Date] 1 year 22 weeks ago [Body] sorry but we we drinking the kool-aid here. Stauskas is not even the most important player on his team (Levert). When things go to hell we give Levert the ball. Levert actually tries to play D and rebounds and still runs the show on offense. He will win MVP at the banquet, book it. The BIG10 player of the year doesn't sit in the corner for about 5 games and get taken out of games. sorry. If Stauskas can somehow get back to leading the league in scoring he might win it bc lets face it the guys is all offense. He needs the scoring stats bc thats all there is. Nobody wins POT awards based on FG%... Its OK if UM doesn't have a POY winner, if all goes well we will have the Banner. IMO, Marble, Petteway, G. Harris could all win it. Should win it. Stauskas is dinged bc he plays zero defense, we have depth offensively and play as a team. You know reasons why we will hopefully win the league. [Title]

Output: too much hype for Stauskas


Input: [Date] 1 year 22 weeks ago [Body] Thats the most atheltic group and most capable of "making plays". Ryan is one of the few with size and speed on our D. Gedeon showed flashes and Ross is an instinctive blur (albiet still small) [Title]

Output: exactly what I would pick right now


Input: [Date] 1 year 22 weeks ago [Body] Morgan is just not atheltic enough to make plays against teams with speed IMO. He was good when the action came right at him (unlike Bolden) but when it came to the "make plays" meme outside of a couple big sticks (when the action came to him) and that Uconn pick I felt like he was just a guy out there. I like the idea of JMFR out there being able to make plays on every down 1-3; instead of just using him on 3rd down off the edge (which we could still do as a change-up). Plus if anyone can go sideline to sideline, bust through blocks or go around them its JMFR. He's the only guy on the D with that skill set (until we see it from the younger guys). [Title]

Output: good Ryan move IMO


Input: [Date] 1 year 23 weeks ago [Body] THjr was on fire from three. went at it with waiters one on one for a bit. THjr was the purer shooter but Waiters shook him a few times off the dribble. If THjr can work on the D the sky is the limit for him... [Title]

Output: 36pts for THjr...7 3's led all scorers


Input: [Date] 1 year 23 weeks ago [Body] Defenses know they have 10secs to sub now no matter what. How fast can UM get a FG unit on the field again? pretty fast. UM should be able to have some kind of sub package now that is realistic vs. the super fast spreads teams. [Title]

Output: exactly


Input: [Date] 1 year 23 weeks ago [Body] Not so much for Oregon and IU. Don't think it hurts Urban and OSU much. [Title]

Output: postive for the UMs and Stanfords of the world


Input: [Date] 1 year 23 weeks ago [Body] Not unless they have an epiphany on offense. Note I don't say defense bc there simply are zero defenders on this team outside of Walton so to expect a leap their is false hope. This team goes as its offense goes. The offense at least as the potential for greatness. Unfortunately, the half-court O we have seen all year will fail to score 60 points against OSU. Unless there are some signifcant new wrinkles or Irvin (yes Irvin) goes off like THjr did back in the day vs. OSU at home. OSU will do everything they can to make our half court D look good by throwing up bricks but I think there D will lead to just enough transition buckets for the win. OSU WILL come into this game with a chip on their shoulder... they rise up for UM. The entire game relies on UM O in the half court. They get buckets and they force OSU to play a half court O and UM has a chance. Over/Under: Stauskas 12 pts (over) Irvin 15 pts (over) GRIII 8 pts (under) honestly were would you put your money? Here's to Irvin going WAY over. [Title]

Output: Hate to say it but no way UM wins this game...unless


Input: [Date] 1 year 29 weeks ago [Body] I don't care you your DBs are, nobody can cover forever. Sure they've had good RBs, WRs, OL, LBs but other conferences have that. Nobody else has these DLs... [Title]

Output: the DL is where its most damaging IMO


Input: [Date] 1 year 29 weeks ago [Body] It's all about the front 7 especially the DL. Every single SEC team in the championship has among the best DL in the country that can consistently blow up plays. man UM has got to get the DL going. Watch these teams dominate the LOS its like UM is light years away.... Sure they are doing press coverage but the DL for Aub was/is blowing these plays up..very few "coverage" sacks or hurries against FSU. Meanwile UM. Hopefully Taco and Henry can make a leap next season. Pipkins was just a guy with weight issues before the knee injury. I think it takes him a full season to recover and even potentially be good. [Title]

Output: Difference between SEC elite and everyone else..DL


Input: [Date] 1 year 32 weeks ago [Body] I think he can be a starter on a team with an good PG (he can't carry a teams back court). He can be a good number 3-4 option IMO on a playoff team. He stroke is that good and he can get a shot off virtually anytime he wants. Plus, with the 3pt threat he forces teams to close out in a hurry but has the ability to drive all the way in for a dunk. ie you run him off the 3pt line he can still make you pay. If a team has a Big 3 he would be a great #4 option on a playoff team. That will probably be his best shot at a ring down the road. Burke IMO will be a very solid starting PG. Not sure if he can make all star level consistently. More of a Chauncy Billips "big shot making" type player but not the #1 option. [Title]

Output: THJr will be a starting SG soon enough


Input: [Date] 1 year 32 weeks ago [Body] I agree with what your data is showing in that a good coach makes the team better, great coach makes the program better. Before I started reading I thought to myself he really needs 20 wins over the next two years for all "hot seat" talk to go away. Funny that the data says that 20 wins pushes his 5 yr winning % to that of UM's historical average. I would cut him some slack given that he came after what the data says is the "worst coach in the modern era". That is going to cause some growing problems that we saw this year and last. Probably enough to account for ~2 losses. Given that, I think he needs the 20 wins less the 2 outlined above. So basically to answer your question, if he has <=18 wins then i could see a legit case being made for a firing (esp if at least 1 of the 9 wins isn't against MSU or OSU in each year). 20 wins and this isn't a discussion anymore. Consider though, If UM splits with MSU and OSU (soon to be division rivals) over the next two years we will be 4-6 vs them through 5 years of Hoke. By splitting we also hurt our chances of even winning the division. Lets face it, OSU is not losing to anyone in the Big Ten outside of MSU, UM, or perhaps Wisky on the road. UM can only afford 1 BIG loss a season if it ever wants to win the division going forward. 5 years of Hoke without winning the division I think mean trouble. That why I think two 9 win seasons still gets hoke in HOT water. maybe fired, 20 wins means there is a chance he probably made at least 1 BIG title game. [Title]

Output: Great Diary


Input: [Date] 1 year 33 weeks ago [Body] Been waiting to see some improvement but he has actually regressed from last year as there is no Burke to feed him. At this point I think Irvin needs as much PT as GRIII if not more. GRIII probably needs to start as I feel like he is the type of kid who will have no confidence (even less than now if possible) if he is benched. Time to see what Irvin can do with more PT. Irvin D = GRIII D if not better. GRIII also can't rebound much better. Irvin can actually drive without turning it over Irvin has a better stroke from 3 (if not a better %, too lazy to look). GRIII is shooting 3s with ZERO confidence. teams are actually playing off him on the perimeter and its hurting our other wings. [Title]

Output: GRIII is officially a liability on the court


Input: [Date] 1 year 35 weeks ago [Body] Hopefully there will be plenty more similar pieces leading up to the Game. More pressure on DB and Hoke to make changes to the O. It's going to be impossible not to compare the "state of the program" between UM and OSU and the gulf could not be any wider at this point. http://espn.go.com/ncf/notebook/_/page/gamedayFinal1124/week-13 "If they lose, the Wolverines will finish 3-5 in the Big Ten this season -- the same record Rodriguez finished with in his third year at the helm of the team." [Title]

Output: ESPN non-paywall article by Chantel Jennings as well


Input: [Date] 1 year 35 weeks ago [Body] Since its Senior day I would say don't boo. But seriously, take a Fire Borges sign and hold it up. If we can get 3-4 of these in the place and get the cameras on it that would be great. Gets the message across without affecting the players. [Title]

Output: Its Senior Day. Don't Boo. Seriously, take a Fire Borges Sign


Input: [Date] 1 year 35 weeks ago [Body] I think it's gotta come from the AD. I can't see hoke doing it on his own. They have some history and hoke obviously trusted him with his dream job (UM). We need external pressure. Lots of it. [Title]

Output: That's logical but I dunno man


Input: [Date] 1 year 35 weeks ago [Body] Hoke also won't fire Borges unlessed forced to. What can we do as fans to get the fire Borges movement going? Seriously, with enough fan uproar to Brandon maybe we can get Borges out. I'm going to start tweeting Desmond. Hopefully he speaks out again. Should we all tweet DB? We gotta do something. We have the largest alumni base in the country. [Title]

Output: Brandon not going I fire hoke. His guy.


Input: [Date] 1 year 35 weeks ago [Body] ! [Title]

Output: damn! scoop and score was there!


Input: [Date] 1 year 35 weeks ago [Body] Nice mix of blitz and coverage. couple nice cb blitzes there [Title]

Output: Mattison definitely earning his paycheck today. great calls


Input: [Date] 1 year 36 weeks ago [Body] The play effectively isolated Gallon and it would have isolated Funchess too..who btw is a BIGGER TARGET. ie easier throw for Gardner. As we saw Gardner threw it too high and it was uncatchable for Gallon. Maybe Funchess makes that play... Not saying throwing it to Gallon is bad. Just saying NOT throwing any fades to Funchess in the endzone IS bad. maybe Funchess sucks at it in practice. If he does then its an easy question for Borges to answer. Just say Gallon is better at them. To me it would seem like Funchess makes the throw an easier one for Gardner. [Title]

Output: how many fades have we seen to Funchess?


Input: [Date] 1 year 36 weeks ago [Body] Borges: What is the thought process behind throwing the fade endzone route to Gallon vs. Funchess? Is there something there in terms of matchups that you prefer with Gallon over funchess? [Title]

Output: #2


Input: [Date] 1 year 36 weeks ago [Body] ppl need to cut this kid some slack. He has been getting hammered these past few weeks. Repeated hits and pressure is going to make anyone feel jumpy in the pocket and miss a few throws. That happens to both Manning brothers too. Hopefully some of the quik passing continues and helps get Devin in a rhythm. Also, do people not realizr there was horizontal rain in the NU game. Not ideal conditions. [Title]

Output: exactly


Input: [Date] 1 year 36 weeks ago [Body] For Borges: You seemed to have a focus on spreading out NW with the horizontal passing game and then using the fake out-wide to open up the inside running game. Is this something you felt more comfortable running vs. NW then Nebraska and MSU? Or was it more about the weather conditions and/or UM personnel in this game? What is the rationale behind the PA on 3rd and long late in the game? Mattison: Seems like teams have consistently picked on the space between the LBs and safetys over the middle. Is there anything scheme-wise that can m inimize this vulnerability or is it just a lack of execution by some of the LBs in their drop backs. We have seen some success in this area (Morgan vs. UCONN) but also several blown plays. [Title]

Output: For Borges


Input: [Date] 1 year 36 weeks ago [Body] from what I'm reading on the blog it sounds like it was awesome [Title]

Output: man I missed it. anyway he can get a video of this?


Input: [Date] 1 year 37 weeks ago [Body] Still finds a way to move the ball... On the road. UM has no excuses... [Title]

Output: Neb short both starting guards, QB


Input: [Date] 1 year 38 weeks ago [Body] I agree with the MSU guy that they look to the short dump-off pick plays all the time. Combined with our so-so front 4 against the run (and two deep safety behind it) and you have a recipe for lots of 3rd and shorts.. I don't expected Mattison to deviate from his two high safety look much this game. But when he does bring heat (Jake Ryan or Corner Blitzes) they gotta be effective. UM forces 3rd and long and they WILL get off the field. Don't see MSU executing very well at all in long down and distance.That being said I foresee plenty of long marches for the MSU O. Hopefully UM can force a 3rd and long before the red zone... On the flip side, we all know the story UM O vs. MSU D. UM needs ND Gardner to step up. Plain and simple. [Title]

Output: Mattison is going to have to work some Blitz magic


Input: [Date] 1 year 38 weeks ago [Body] He has the second highest ceiling on the team. Higher than McGary, only behind GRIII...maybe. His skill set is THAT good. If he makes the leap and starts realizing that potentila he will be a top 3 player on the team and should get those mins accordingly. At the expense of Stauskas and Irvin..somewhat Walton at PG duties. Levert will get 30mins people one way or another. He is D Mo but a better shot and more defensive hustle (mainly bc he uses less energy on O). [Title]

Output: Levert appears to be making the leap


Input: [Date] 1 year 38 weeks ago [Body] SC just needs to do a weekly diary a counterpoint to Brian on Tues or Wed and leave it at that. Some weeks he might agree with Brian, others he may not. Either way he can say his piece in one post, perhaps respond to comments in that thread and leave it at that. or he can just leave. The internet will go on. I have gone back and forth with him in the past bc we disagree on something. It happens. I don't take it personally and he shouldn't either. Going around trying to change 100 posters mind every week one post at a time will drive you crazy. so stop doing it. [Title]

Output: SC just needs a weekly diary, leave it at that


Input: [Date] 1 year 38 weeks ago [Body] Q: Which coach needs to have a good November??? Rittenberg picks HOKE There are some big-picture questions to be answered about Michigan in November. What is the state of the program right now? Where are the Wolverines headed under Hoke? The recruiting success is undeniable, but it doesn't matter much if it doesn't translate to championships. The great thing about Hoke is he has made the expectations so clear for the Wolverines: Big Ten title or failure. By Hoke's own standards, he has failed for two seasons and the program has failed for nearly a decade. The Sugar Bowl championship in Year 1 was nice, and so was the streak-ending win against Ohio State, but Michigan benefited in both cases from extremely favorable circumstances. This is the month for the Wolverines to truly show they're taking the next step. They'll have a very hard time winning the division without beating Michigan State on Saturday. They could be challenged by Nebraska, Northwestern and Iowa before facing arguably the best Ohio State team they've seen since the 2006 season. Hoke isn't coaching for his job, a national championship or a dramatic turnaround from a long losing streak. But he needs to show in November that Michigan is taking steps toward a championships on the field, not just on the recruiting trail. http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/87727/take-two-b1g-coaches-seek-strong-finish [Title]

Output: ESPN had a timely article on this very topic today


Input: [Date] 1 year 38 weeks ago [Body] why do you need UM to check into a play you want when you know that they will "establish the run" into your loaded box many many times. Stacking the box and forcing Gardner to throw is as simple as it gets for D coordinators. No chess match needed. I have hope that we will air it out more like we tried to in 2011 though. The recent good performance by MSU offense is a blessing bc UM coaches hopefully won't think they can just play field position and get FGs. we should be targeting 24-28 points for the W. [Title]

Output: wayy to much credit to Borges IMO


Input: [Date] 1 year 38 weeks ago [Body] I agree completely. Tired of the lack of experience excuse for everything on this team. Lets not pretend Gardner is an 18yr old frosh. Btw, last year a RS Frosh QB won the heisman. This year Winston is the front-runner. You don't need to be a RS senior to be a good QB... sure as hell don't need it to be able to check plays. If the O could get to the LOS before 5 secs on the clock maybe we could give Gardner that chance but thats another thread. [Title]

Output: exactly the line I did not like


Input: [Date] 1 year 38 weeks ago [Body] agree on all accounts. [Title]

Output: agree with this assesment


Input: [Date] 1 year 38 weeks ago [Body] So everyone here who says MSU is just one game it and doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things... So if we were to beat OSU this year and snap there 24 game or whatever win streak I GUARANTEE every last one of you would say that was a program win. A sign that Hoke "gets it" and that the program is in the right direction. We all would bc its true. But if we lose to MSU this week then "its ok, its just one game". "it wouldn't mean anything or be a sign". "the loss wouldn't cause me to question any coaches". You can't have it both ways. and btw, based on the Big 10 format, the MSU game IS bigger than the OSU game. UM needs this to make the Big Ten Championship. You know that game Hoke always talks about and says anything but is a FAILURE. We lose this game and its next to impossible to even PLAY in the B10 title game much less win it. This IS the biggest game of the season and will clearly set the tone for the final stretch. [Title]

Output: MSU is just one game. But OSU isn't??


Input: [Date] 1 year 38 weeks ago [Body] We had upperclassmen along the line last year and it still sucked. Every year there is a new excuse for this program...some people are just tired of it. At a certain point you have to perform. This team has had an incredibly EASY schedule to date and now TWO BYE WEEKS...if we can't come up with a good game plan based on what we have personnel wise then ITS ON THE COACHES. At this point you know what you are and what you are not. Time to gameplan accordingly. [Title]

Output: how experinced was our line last year?


Input: [Date] 1 year 40 weeks ago [Body] this despite having TONS of time to throw since most of these were off PA in the IU game. also gallon was WIDE WIDE open. niether of those to will happen vs MSU on a consistent basis. now gardners lower % can be attributed to the length of these passes (further throw, lower comp%) but we know he will not have this amount of time vs MSU like he did IU. hence my aprehension to go to the iform "PA go DEEP" well toooo much. don't get me wrong, we have to do it several times... 5-6 bombs at least. I'd say once we approach mid field the bomb should be firmly in the 1st down playbook. also, IMO it seems like gardner does worse in the short passing game on drop back passing. perhaps sees the field less. Also, his 16% higher comp% in shotgun vs IU tells me he is more comfortable there. as well as the entire ND game. The MSU game has to be all about moving the chains. I actually agree with the coaches that it will be about field position and points will be a premium. I just know that we cannot move the chains and get goof field position, or flip the field after an MSU drive by running under center with the RB. this will directly lead to TFLs, 3rd and longs, and INTs. at this point its a fact IMO. shotgun, dink and dunk. 1st down PA bomb 5-6 times is the way to go. that will move the chains and loosen it up for Tousiant runs. Garder will have 10-15 carries hopefully to move the chains on critical 3rd downs or get to the endzone in the redzone. [Title]

Output: bc his completion % was lower from under center


Input: [Date] 1 year 40 weeks ago [Body] I think this is exactly how the coaches feel. I happen to think its wishful thinking to believe that this team will go on the road and have zero turnovers vs an aggressive D. conservative gameplan or not. What some are missing is that two safe runs for a total of 2 yds on 1st and 2nd down leads to a 3rd and long. prob more like 3rd and 14 with our OL and running game. There is NOTHING safe about 3rd and longs. Those generate TOs... Not first down passing. To your point, I am confident that if UM scores 24-27 points they will win the game. so long as TOs are under 3 and none of them go for pick six or sack-fumble-TDs. big IF but I really don't see MSU scoring 28pts without at least 1 defensive Touchdown. so IMO, our goal should be get to 24 pts... so to me, the answer is play it safe inside our own 40. Open it up once we approach midfield. Hopefully our D and the special teams will be good enough to limit our O plays inside our own 20. [Title]

Output: great way to look at it


Input: [Date] 1 year 40 weeks ago [Body] play close to the vest and grind out a win with field position(using our Iform RB running weakness). Or play to our offensive strength (shotgun, gardner, make plays). btw,you can't blanket funchess and gallon as well as commit #s to the run (which is what MSU does). Not enough players on the field. Given the gallon explosion they will shade a safety to his side, load the box to stop the run, and let the dice roll on our other WRs. This IS EXACTLY what they are going to do. We know it, coaches know it, my gf probably knows it. How Borges attacks this will determine the game. When they are not doing the above, they will rush less and player quarters behind it. They will switch between both hopping to catch gardner offguard and get a INT or 2. [Title]

Output: fair points but its about what the O mindset will be


Input: [Date] 1 year 40 weeks ago [Body] I fully expect Borges and Hoke to go conservative and play into MSU's hands by doing I form runs up the gut. Hoping to manage field position with our D and score on a short field vs. MSU (and minimize turnovers). That all sounds good in theory BUT... it's asking the UM O to play to its own weakness. Undercenter RB carries vs good DLs. MSU is more PSU then it is MINN. We should have learned from that game but I'm sure we did not. Now MSU secondary is >>>> than IU but IMO playing our weakness against MSU strength (UM RB carries vs MSU run D) is a mistake. Now I HOPE Borges decides to spread the field more and let Gardner operate out of the shotgun.We turn to this when the shit hits the fan and we have to score anwyays. A nugget from ESPN: -Gardner’s completion percent out of the gun against Indiana was 16 percent higher than it was when he was under center. -Gardner completed 9 of 14 passes when he was under center and averaged 35.7 yards per completion. -All four of running back Fitzgerald Toussaint's touchdowns came while Gardner was under center, though his personal average per carry under center is nearly half of what it is when Michigan runs the shotgun. -Michigan rushed the ball 23 times for 118 yards (5.1 yards per carry) out of shotgun. http://espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/ What do those stats tell me? Gardner is more comfortable passing in shotgun and we stand a better chance to move the change (esp against a team committed to stopping the run) via shotgun passing. Use our offenses "change up" effectively like we did vs. IU. By that I mean: 1] Use i form packages for PA, especially on 1st down. These are where the homerun plays to Funchess and Gallon will come. These are how we flip the field. Now this does not mean go PA every I form, but we HAVE to use pa passing on 1st down. 1 out of every 3 1st downs should be a pass IMO. Some for quick dinks to 5 yds. 4-5 bombs to funchess/gallon. Hoke should express "concern" to the media about the amount of PI MSU does as well. plant the seed with the refs early and often in the game too. 2] If we have committed to consistent use of shotgun to move the chains (via short passing), Now is a good time to run the delayed draws, inverted veers, or simply 4 wide with a QB keeper. IE use shotgun to run the ball. Pref on 3rd down on their side of the 40. Gibbons has been shaky so 40+yd FGs should be a no go. this means more 4th down calls for us in and around their 30-40yd line. knowing this we should run a couple times on 3rd and medium knowing that we have 2 plays. [Title]

Output: Fully Expect Borges to play into their hand. run up the gut


Input: [Date] 1 year 40 weeks ago [Body] And that does not work with a marginal OL. I'll take your word on the 2011 game but Gardner is a better passer than denard. Sure he throws bad ints which could kill us but his best chance is throwing more in 1st down. Putting him in obs passing downs is exactly what you don't want. We gotta avoid 3rd and longs and I am convinced that 1st down passes to funchess and gallon are the key to 3rd and short. Running on early downs consistently will lead to 3rd and longs. MSU will sell out to stop the run. This is a fact. We shoul spread them out and go shotgun to give the team it's best chance. Or go unbalanced and throw a quick pa pass like we did vs IU. We have the play calls, we just saw them vs IU. Much more creativity in getting the ball to playmakers in the flats. [Title]

Output: TV does show 8-9 in the box stuffing runs


Input: [Date] 1 year 40 weeks ago [Body] you say you don't mean run on every 1st down but you know safe means manball running on 1st down and TFLs...that equals 3rd and 13s which are NOT SAFE. I can guarantee you that UM run/pass will be more run heavy vs. MSU on 1st down and they will blitz the A gap like crazy and get multiple TFLs in the 1st half. Why should the gameplan play into this? Why not PA pass or straight up shotgun on 1st down just like we did against IU? Would it not be more effective against an MSU team loading the box and leaving DBs on islands? Would manball be more effective than the screens we actually threw this game. The quick hitters to gallon in the flat? the rub route to get Funchess the edge outside the numbers? All these faster developing plays on the edge that WE DID NOT SEE vs PSU... why does reverting back to manball up the geu and 3rd and 13s seem like the better strategy against a load the box team with ball hawks at CB??? I ask why bc we know we will see it in 2 weeks. UM will go "safe" and put Gardner in very tough 3rd and longs.. [Title]

Output: why go conservative vs MSU?


Input: [Date] 1 year 40 weeks ago [Body] I could tell we passed a lot more on 1stdown. This is what ppl on the blog have been calling for since Akron. And it worked exactly like we thought it would. I just don't know why it took Borges Psu and 27 for 27 to figure it out. Instead we played to our weakness and it cost us an L. Just like MSU, Iowa, and OSU games before.... Let's see if he sticks with this type if game plan. he has done this before and reverted back to manball fail. Let's see if he continues with more shotgun and 1st down pa. I'm willing to bet he puckers up at MSU and crashes into the interior OL again for the entire first half [Title]

Output: That's what it felt like upon first watch


Input: [Date] 1 year 40 weeks ago [Body] By passing on 1st down. That was the difference . IU not much worse than Akron or Uconn... This game plan was just superior bc we set out to score from the get go. Lots more 1st down passing. Gave Gardner easy completions. Basically what the blog has called for all year. [Title]

Output: Borges gets props for learning from Psu


Input: [Date] 1 year 40 weeks ago [Body] IU can score 30+ on anyone. UM DBs just need to play the ball in the air better and it takes away at least 14 pts in this game. This was always going to be a high scoring game. [Title]

Output: DB's just need to play the ball in the air better


Input: [Date] 1 year 40 weeks ago [Body] UM seemed to have a lot more PA passing on 1st down. Stayed ahead of the chains that way. Kudos to Borges. Good chg from last week [Title]

Output: Diff was passing on 1st down


Input: [Date] 1 year 41 weeks ago [Body] better late then never. Mgoblog was right from the get go though [Title]

Output: hmm shit hits the fan. we blitz and run spread O..


Input: [Date] 1 year 41 weeks ago [Body] all pass plays are 7 step drops? We have gallon and dileo...two slot ninjas. why can't we dink and dunk it somemore. PSU is shading everything to gallon so the other half of the field has to be open. BOth picks were thrown to bracket coverage on gallon. [Title]

Output: why isn't there a quick passing game?


Input: [Date] 1 year 41 weeks ago [Body] MSU in driver seat for legends with us having to go there. They have the best schedule and you could argue have played the best ball in the last 3-4wks. really hoping for some sparty nooo and a miracle IU upset. admit it or not MSU has a lot of momentum right now. [Title]

Output: yup


Input: [Date] 1 year 42 weeks ago [Body] please. more of this. Guy can't block. get him the ball instead [Title]

Output: Funchess getting looks...finally!


Input: [Date] 1 year 42 weeks ago [Body] about time. MSU is playing man and loading up the box like they always do. Nice to see Iowa just sling it. Playing against MSU you are going to have to get yards in big chunks. You can't consistently run against that loaded box with LBs constantly crashing. Hopefully Michigan doesn't get stubborn with the run against MSU. [Title]

Output: Iowa going to Air Raid O


Input: [Date] 1 year 42 weeks ago [Body] unless we are in a jam with serious foul trouble. At least I hope not. Not in the Big Ten. UM needs a four that can bang, get rebounds, and pick & pop from the outside. Rebounding in HS is a whole other level to rebounding in the Big Ten. GRIII struggled at the 4 in half court sets all year. This kid is even skinner. Granted he will fill out some but bball players (esp perimerter guys) don't bulk up like football players. He looks like Levert frosh year in terms of being WAY too skinny. He should step in at the 3 nicely with GRIII going pro. He will also get to bring the ball up the court some and initiate the offense. Good insurance as far as PG duties going forward.1/2/3 kids all the way. No skinny 4's please. [Title]

Output: no way this kids plays the 4


Input: [Date] 1 year 43 weeks ago [Body] Kurt Warner won super bowls and was MVP. came from arena league. There are other avenues. Sounds like you whole argument is based on the NFL age limit. Well lets drop that and see what changes... I'm guessing not much. Maybe 10 guys will get a sniff at the NFL out of HS per year. The rest will go to low cost, low quality niche market that is semi-pro OR Go to big time unviersities with built in fans that number in the millions with which to market your talents (at little cost of your own). And then go to the NFL. [Title]

Output: then why are they joining the cartel?


Input: [Date] 1 year 43 weeks ago [Body] Nobody is saying they can't go play arena ball. go play there and you can come up with food and housing using your $30,000 (if that) from the arena league. try making the pros that way. Michigan will be just fine. Just like Wash U St. Louis is just fine and hundreds of other schools. U of Chicago..etc [Title]

Output: then go play for the Iowa Barnstormers


Input: [Date] 1 year 43 weeks ago [Body] this is completely false. and again, nobody is stopping HS grads: http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/open-tryouts.html DES MOINES – The Iowa Barnstormers will hold their annual open tryout on Sunday, October 20 at Soccer City in Palatine, Ill., the team announced today. The tryout in the Chicago suburb is open to any athlete at least 18 years of age. Try and make the NFL on your own. Get paid from day 1... just be cafeul what you wish for. [Title]

Output: umm no


Input: [Date] 1 year 43 weeks ago [Body] don't forget http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/open-tryouts.html DES MOINES – The Iowa Barnstormers will hold their annual open tryout on Sunday, October 20 at Soccer City in Palatine, Ill., the team announced today. The tryout in the Chicago suburb is open to any athlete at least 18 years of age. Denard and Lewan could have done this 4 years ago. Something tells me it worked out better to go to UM and get everything paid for for 4 years. By everything I mean school, room, board, travel..etc Note, nobody paid me when I wanted a late night pizza or had to pay rent in AA back in 2001. I had to get the money on my own or use my schollys just live football players. They get more than enough in schollys to "get by" in school. Get by means ramen some nights, just like the rest of us. [Title]

Output: yup


Input: [Date] 1 year 43 weeks ago [Body] well said. Many schools don't need big time cfb or bball. The one's that do to keep afloat are probably not that great of schools to begin with. someone mentioned Baylor and RGIII doing so much for that school. well guess what Baylor is a fine academic school that has done just fine its entire history. Just like John Hopkins, Ric, Wash U St louis, Tulane, Fordham..etc..etc None of these schools have revenue sports to speak of. There are 100s more. [Title]

Output: +1000


Input: [Date] 1 year 43 weeks ago [Body] The players (all of them, even scout players) probably come pretty close to this in the full ride they get. UM out of state room and board is what $60k a year. Add in all the benefits (equipment, tutoring, clothes, meal stipeds, travel..etc) and football players get a little under $400k in four years. every last one of them. Plus football in large part just funds the other non-revenus sports as the athletic department at UM is self funding (one of the few in the country). Take it away the the Univ loses its largest recruiting tool to students but it will still be there. It'd be like any other private school in the country. A lesser Ivy if you will. ie just fine. Finally, take out the 150 kids a year that are 5star recruits (really these are the only types that could go pro from HS) and college football wouldn't even notice. Arena league and the minor league texas rattlers team in waco might get a small bump in ticket sales. We all tuned in to watch Novak and Stu douglas right? Lester Abram and Dominic Ingerson in basketball. We'd do the same to watch 3 and 4 start UM football players. Heck, this would be the big tens best chance to pass the SEC. I agree with Delany. I say remove the age restriction and let the kids have a choice. Go pro or go to school. Get some chump change now (which is what 18yr old prospects would get given the 5star bust rate) or go to a school for a free ride, 100,000 fans a week, education, espn promotting you, and STILL a shot at the pros in 3 years once you develop. [Title]

Output: Even if you take this $470k at face value


Input: [Date] 1 year 43 weeks ago [Body] Neb D is terrible. We can outscore them. ryan doesn't play O. MSU O is terrible. That game will be on the O 100%. IU...see Neb. PSU and Iowa will be a close hard fought game. NW would beat the crap out of us right now without improvement acorss the board. Need better D (ie Ryan) and better O. OSU will probably destroy UM unless Gardner goes into "ND mode" and we get some turnovers on D. Ryan there helps. [Title]

Output: exactly


Input: [Date] 1 year 43 weeks ago [Body] I tore an ACL myself and I know these athletes are coming back better and better now but I still wouldn't want to risk a setback. Really just need him for Northwestern and Ohio State. Both late Nov games. Can't win those w/o him IMO. Other teams have weaknesses like us. Beatable w.o him IMO. [Title]

Output: hope they ease him in


Input: [Date] 1 year 43 weeks ago [Body] The question about Devin, then denard, and if he learned anything from Denard that helps with Devin was funny. It read like Hoke wanted to say STFU [Title]

Output: ha


Input: [Date] 1 year 44 weeks ago [Body] tired of the OL excuses myself. great point about last year which had all the experience in the world. Still had excuses then. Given the youth I'm not expecting world beaters but better than Akron and Ucoon DLs which they are not. [Title]

Output: +1000


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] Why 3 different CBs in as many weeks (on the outside no less)? Are they all really that even? Even if they are at some point we have to pick one and get him the reps. Will the OL stay the same or shuffle the deck? Will we keep lifting our best DL players Pipkins and QWash in the Nickel? QWash is banged up some it seems. If there was ever a time to change it up its now. UConn, bye, then Minny. Not that any game is a gimme but compared to the rest of the schedule it would appear these are the only possible games where there might be some margin for error. Not 4 TO / pick six errors but some. [Title]

Output: going to be curious at rotations


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] Neb can't stand having a defense that bad. I think he gets lit up again by a couple BIG teams (NU and UM probably) and then probably again on Jan1 vs an SEC team for the death nail. He will probably go 9-4 again.Remember Wyoming put up 34 on them in game 1 too. I mean its not like the BIG is the pac12 or Big 12. By in large the O is weak and yet neb still gets destroyed in almost every big game. [Title]

Output: I think he gets canned


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] thanks for the info. I have been watching too. I'm leaving from NYC so its a train ride for me (not much$) also have a free place to stay (fiancee has friends in CT). So I don't lose a whole lot by going and not getting cheap tix (just time). I guess I'm just suprised how much the tickets are. Its $100+ now for endzone seats so not even that good of tix. I expected a lot of UM fans but figured UConn fans would be unloading like crazy take some cash for bball tix or something. I know the 8pm time prob doesn't help things either, more Uconn fans prob want to experience a night game. [Title]

Output: thanks for the info


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] Tickets are still over $100 online. I can't imagine it'd be tough getting something cheaper at the stadium but then again I don't know what the scalper scene is like around there. Any idea form locals or people near by? [Title]

Output: think there will be many scalpers?


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] It hasn't all been dink and dunk. I've seen opposing QBs sit and wait in the pocket for ages against us this season. That is on the DL. Sure there has been pressures on stunts occasionally, but lets not play it up like we've had lots of QB hurries rushing 4 but just haven't gotten the "sack". I will agree there has definitely been soft coverage too but I definitely think the secondary has performed much better as a unit. Virtually all big plays have come from the secondary or off of a blitz. very few big plays from the DL. [Title]

Output: I've see opposing QB sit and wait for stuff to develop


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] There will always be 3 SEC teams and OSU with that kind of talent. Are we unrealistic for thinking UM should be at least in the same arena in terms of DL talent? UF has had 7 DL drafted in the top 4 rds since 2007 btw. Longest they've gone is two years btwn DL top 4rd draft picks. UGA has not but that has not been there team strength. They've sent more LBs and DBs in the top 4 rds (UM doesn't consistently do this either btw). PSU has had top 4rd DL drafted at least every two years since 07. Purdue has has a top 4rd DL drafted at least every two years since 07. Of that group UM has probaly been closest to Purdue/PSU (3 top 4 rd since 07, 2 in 07). Usually 1 stud at a time. Which is still pretty good. I just think some fans would like for something a little better. Esp if thats the unit the coaching staff is hanging their hat on. As of now this DL unit doesn't have a playmaker. I mean when Hoke says this is Michigan foregodsakes and everyone eats it up. Yet when we as fans have the same attitude (UM foregodsakes... we should destroy Arkon and have a good DL) then we get labelled as being unrealistic, not patient..etc..etc Hoke says big ten title or failure. I bet if I said this team is a bunch of failures this year if they happen to lose to Northwestern and OSU and don't go to the championship I bet ppl would say I'm not being realistic and pile on me. We have to wait two MORE years..etc..etc. Hoke won't say that though. He'll just call it what it is. Nothing wrong with fans saying the same thing. DL is not that good. That's fair at this point. DL hasn't been elite outside of 1 year in last 6-7. That's fair too. [Title]

Output: There will always be 3 SEC


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] Trying to pump up their team to justify UM's piss poor play. Talking about transfers..etc Transfers leave big time programs bc they can't hack it (See Marvin Robinson). UM just sucked it up. Plain and simple. Time to move on. Players say they sucked, fans can say it to. its OK to admit that. [Title]

Output: not how I read it


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] the only year we have had two DL studs at once has been 2006 and we know how that turned out. Then we had woodly and branch at their peak destruction. SEC teams and OSU have that kind of DL EVERY YEAR. 2+ playmakers. They reload on DL. Michigan has to build up a DL over time and get experience across the front four it seems ( 3 guys plus 1 NFL pick). IMO, UM should be one of the teams that reloads at DL. Esp with Mattison and Hoke as coach you breach manball 247 (it is year 3, and year 1 was a BCS win). Hopefully Hand gets realed in and can make an instant impact along with upperclassmen Pipkins. Pipkins has shown flashes IMO. UM needs to get with the big boys and have 2+ playmakers on the DL. I was hoping Pipkins and Clark could do it this year. [Title]

Output: agreed.


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] IMO, the only time the DL got pressue on its own was basically due to good coverage. Secondary is not the problem IMO. Executed the gameplan vs. ND and aside from J. Lewis getting burned a couple times has been fine. The DL has shown nothing in 3 games outside of Beyers with a good bull rush here and there. Nothing. Where is the F. Clark and Taco hype now? MIA. [Title]

Output: actually, yeah


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] DL really isn just a bunch of guys, Has been for mnany years now with usually 1 playmaker at a time (Graham, Martin..etc). The elite usually have 2+ B Graham types at a time. UM usually had 1 elite guy at a time. Right now we have ZERO. [Title]

Output: great post. confirms what the eyes are seeing IMO


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] Usually UM still ""sells out" but there are still empty seats. its pretty bad from a $ perspective that they couldn't get the "sell out" for this game. Will probably we a recurring issue for the weaker games, esp after BIG BIG games. [Title]

Output: There are always empty seats for MAC, but they still "sell out"


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] Lewan is flat out saying this was a joke and an embarrassment. If he can call a spade a spade why can't we as fans. THIS GAME WAS AN EMBARRASSMENT. Its true. Stop trying to sugar coat it with your blue kool-aid. It's OK if Akron sucks. I mean even using youe logic and they are good, does that mean our offense is worse than James Madison? We are worse than UCF? No, you will say transitive property blah blah and still try to defend your shady logic like a some kind of scientologist. Lets just call it what it was. A joke an embarrassment for the program and conference. Nothing we can do but move on at this point. Let's STOP acting like Akron is something. Their ceiling is Purdue level football. ie a JOKE. [Title]

Output: Please stop making excuses for the team. The players aren't


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] Line play is the heart of all problems. skill players have been suprisingly good IMO this year. or better than expected at least [Title]

Output: I'd plus you 1992 to get you positive but I can't


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] my bright spot of the game. that and Fitz. Looks real sharp, I don't expect to see much Green this year. [Title]

Output: at least Chesson got a catch...TD too with plenty of YAC


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] really? It was the Gardner/Gallon show. Ress played well. Gardner and Gallon played better. UM OL and DL were throughly outplayed. Today Gardner had a bad game and the OL and DL had a draw vs Akron. Akrons RBs ran on us better then Fitz did on them actually. And that wasnt on fitz either [Title]

Output: did you watch the ND game?


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] agree on all of it really. Fitz has run hard every play this season. He has been real sharp from the get go. [Title]

Output: agree on Fitz


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] unless we reshuffle the OL and find something; I think UM needs to spread it out more and let Gardner do his thing. With the current group playing smash mouth is a waste of a down. I'm watching A&M go 4 wide every play and march on Bama....I don't want to go full spread all the time but I think we need to be pass first from here on out. Chesson flash some playmaking skill, Dileo knows how to find gaps, Gallon is Gallon, Funchess is a mismatch. There are weapons there. [Title]

Output: going forward on O


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] For a coaching staff that talks about the trenches SOO much the level of play has been a disaster on the Lines for a while now. Now its bad even with 4-5* talent... That is the most concerning thing. [Title]

Output: I'm just puzzled with the OL and DL


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] He has blitzed more as the game went on the last two games. I think by now we know what we have on the DL, and its not much. I hope, expect to see more pressure going forward via blitz. Sending 5 or 6. [Title]

Output: seems like he is giving the front 4 a chance to prove it


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] Seriously, all the pressure in game 1 was from teh blitz. As units the big guys in the trenches haven't been able to bring it. Story of the season so far. Gardner TOs yeah, but UM should be opening huge running lanes and sacking MAC teams with DL. Shouldn't need Gardner QB runs to move the ball. [Title]

Output: OL and DL are at a MAC level through 3 games


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] People's idea of what is dual threat are way different. Player A) Makes all the throws, can move in the pocket, roll out and deliver strikes. This is NOT a dual threat. That's just a QB that is mobile. Pro-style all the way. (Every past UM great). Player B) Can make all the throws (less consistent then Player A), can pull on a zone read and get 15+yds, after 2nd progression he scrambles and is a weapon not a fumble/injury waiting to happen. This is a dual threat. (Troy Smith, Manziel, Forcier). Player C) Not a good passer. Much better runner. This is a running QB. (Denard, Pat White) The people here that want dual threats want Player B. We know that Player C won't win NCs. Player A can be great (a #1 overall pick) but IMO he has to have AA OL in the game and probably AA type WR talent to beat an elite SEC DL. The odds of having AA pro style QB, OL, and WR at the same time are slim. A Great player B can beat that same elite SEC DL with All Big Ten WR, OL, and WR talent IMO. much more likely, and repeatable. [Title]

Output: Examples of Dual Threat QBs


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] I'll give you OU and FSU. But I put 2001 Miami in with the Bama disclaimer. ie immense talent that UM cannot expect to approach. 2001 and 2002 Miami was when in the middle of their hey day when they set the 1yr, 2yr, 3yr, and 4yr period record for 1st rd picks. That is not happening in a midwest school OSU 2002 is a huge astericks. BS IMO. I already gave USC the Bama disclaimer as well (immense talent) we can't expect to duplicate($). So really you have FSU, OU, and I guess OSU if you want but we all no they were very lucky that season. again, a major point to my argument is that UM can't recruit like Bama, LSU, and USC/Miami aat there peak. The former two bc of their local. The latter bc of $ and local. if you disagree with this premise then we will obs disagree on the greater idea on NC and Qbs. [Title]

Output: I'll give you OU and FSU. But


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] Unless you switch to a Texas Tech air raid with quick 3 step drops the whole game. Whats more likely, UM shift to Air Raid offense or UM have the same offense with a mobile QB to have a couple wrinkle plays (zone read, scramble for 1st downs..etc). I forgot, running the option prob would work as a curve ball. ND has a better OL, better DL , the next 4 best WRs (after Gallon) and Rees played a HELL of a game. Not many teams win that matchup playing traditional O. Luckily UM had the two biggest playmakres (DG, Gallon). [Title]

Output: few other game plans would work


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] With the team we have now. Only a handful of QBs would win that game for us. And they are all mobile. way too much pressure from ND DL for a traditional drop back to handle. unless he had Megatron avail.. [Title]

Output: yup


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] I think so. Not to put words in the OP's mouth but I think when he says dual threat he wants a guy who can actually run a zone read, pull, and pick up 15yds once or twice a game. Doesn't have to be Gardner. Forcier could do that. I too would actually like a QB who can move..and I mean more than just move in the pocket to by time (Rees was great at extending the play). I'd like a QB that can get 3rd downs by checking down to "run" and picking up that 3rd and 7 when he gets past his second read. Henne, Navarre for example could not do that. if the play wasn't executed at all levels then it didn't work. I don't think we need/want: Dennis Dixon, Denard, Tebow, Braxton Miller...etc. no arms. But: Forcier, Manziel, Wilson, Taji Boyd, Troy Smith all fit the bill IMO. IMO, it takes that to win it all unless you recurit like Bama (or old USC) and not even Hoke has done that yet (but he his close). A playmaker at QB can make up for potential shortcomings at WR or OL or RB. In the BCS era, really outside of Bama and LSU all teams have had a somehwat mobile QBs. With guys in the trenches like Bama and LSU you can have just about anyone at QB. I don't think UM has ever had DL talent like those two schools and don't think it'll happen soon. And those teams win with D (but thats for another post). Notice I'm not mentioning Newton, RGIII, VY, or Gardner as I think those guys really are usually the best in class type of player that you can't expect to get every 2 years or so. Forcier, Manziel, Wilson, Taji Boyd, Troy Smith types can be had though IMO. [Title]

Output: Question: Does a "third play guy" per Borges need to be mobile?


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] I know you forget more about football from a hangover then I even know. But it's just hard to hear and see hype on Funchess constantly (sleeper pick for a breakout game the last 10 games probably) when: A) he can't block and B) doesn't catch many passes (more than 2 in a game). Point A and B can't be refuted at this point (1 year plus 2 games). Most valuable decoy award I suppose works but I don't see/hear people touting Funchess bc of his decoy ability unless its to defend him in an argument about his role. Note, I'm sure Funchess will have a Air Force type game against Akon or Uconn and the hype train will get more steam but against tough opponents his mismatch potential is needed. Gallon can't do it alone forever. Real question, doesn't Butt play more H back bc he can actually block? If Funchess could block he'd get more H back duty right? I mean H backs have to pass protect, be a lead blocker, also run routes and catch passes. Sounds pretty complicated/versitile to me. How do you see Butt and Funchess' roles playing out this year? I just think if Funchess was as good as advertised in the pass catching game he would get more looks. Maybe thats ignorant, but at a ceratin point guys who are good recievers actually catch passes. Norfleet is getting as many looks it seems like and he's been a WR for 2 games. [Title]

Output: great points


Input: [Date] 1 year 45 weeks ago [Body] He's looking like Marvin Robinson / Furman Part 2 here. Outside of the Air Force game last year what has he really done as a pass-catcher? If we aren't getting him rec's then we might as well bench him bc he sure as hell can't block. He should be getting 2nd or 3rd WR type production on this team instead of 1-2 catch every once in a while, if that. He has 3+ catches in a game I believe twice, ever. "he won't learn if he's not in there" is BS too. He can learn to block better than what he is doing now in practice. He looks lost in blocking, like Nick Sheridan at QB lost. I'd rather have a guy in there helping Fitz out (a known playmaker) then a guy who catches 1 pass a game. Again, physically he is talented and looks like he should be a stud at catching the ball but if we aren't throwing to him then he really shouldn't be on the field. Butt is already getting as many looks in the passing game and is a better blocker. I mean we already go to Butt in the redzone more than Funchess which is crazy given funchess physical ability but Borges has got to be calling it for a reason. We know that he likes fades and Gallon, Roundtree, and Butt now have gotten them called often. None of them present matchups like Funchess. [Title]

Output: Funchess is a liab, yes i said it. way too much hype.


Input: [Date] 1 year 46 weeks ago [Body] Ticket prices were a lot lasta week; was hoping even more Uconn fans look to unload tickets between now and gametime. Any recommendations as far as traffic and parking for games a Uconn? What are other people planning on doing? I'm planniong on leaving NYC friday afternoon. Going to be staying at a friends place about 1hr away from the stadium (New London, CT area). [Title]

Output: thinking about going


Input: [Date] 1 year 46 weeks ago [Body] I'm expecting the secondary to get gashed several times. Bless Mattison but we have yet to see the secondary really contain a good passing O. Granted injuries have been an issue (Countess..etc). Until they do it though, I'm going to assume Rees gets 300+ and probably 3TDs. The key will be DL pressure/sacks/forced TOs. Don't think ND rush will do much. SC had a pretty stout DL with several weapons too. Their 3rd down DL with all DEs was particulary good and I expect ND to blitz and try and get pressure. UM OL held up well vs. SC, pressue rarely came quick and allowed for Gardner to find a man or tuck and go. Roll outs and O schemed helped. I think the UM game plan will be similar but with a little more success on the ground as I think the OL is better (even now) than any time last year. The key for UM O is for someone other than Gallon to make plays. Need Funchess to make plays or Need MSU Dileo, or Nortfleet to bust a couple. Prefably all three but only really need 1 to step up. I see high scoring close shoot-out. Hoping UM D causes TO fiesta like Neb at home a few years back and UM wins big. [Title]

Output: For some reason I invision this a lot like the SC bowl game


Input: [Date] 2 years 4 weeks ago [Body] hate to knock Burke but that is a severe lack of strength for a big time athlete. How or if that even translates to the NBA game who knows but that is definitely going to be a red flag to scouts bc Burke is not a super athlete. If he can't get away from his man (like Craft stuck to him like glue) that he's going to have to atleast body them up and play through contact. crazy bc THjr had some of the highest bench press of all players. I know diff players diff body types but you think they would have similar weight room programs from the S&C coach. Plus THjr is more wirey which usually translates to weaker lifting totals. Like others said I'd rather Burke go to a better team and be asked to just run the O be a 3rd option type player. He is very smart and finds the open man. Him on the pacers makes them instant contenders. If he's asked to be a #1 or #2 option as well as create I think he struggles. [Title]

Output: the 3 reps of 185 is incredibly weak


Input: [Date] 2 years 9 weeks ago [Body] Similar size. Both can score big or get lots is assist. Both great controlling the ball in half court or running the break. Burke prob better 3pt shooter. KJ maybe more athletic. [Title]

Output: How about Kevin Johnson from the suns?


Input: [Date] 2 years 14 weeks ago [Body] When it was crunch time Coach B ran with Levert in the tourney. That's why I think Stauskas could be hurt most by these announcements. Levert brings a more diverse skill set at this point and that's saying a lot bc Levert still clearly has room to grow. He was scout team until late last season. Also you underestimate Irvin. He is better than Stauskas on Day 1. I think he sits initially just out of respect for Stauskas but like Stauskas pushed out Vogrich he will get pushed out of starting spot early. The question is what does Coach B want off the bench first: Stauskas - sniper, spread the floor, hit threes, nice passer into low block (McGary to get more looks in O). Levert - second ball handler, better defense, better rebounding, better slasher. That's all assuming neither improve. I think Levert puts on weight and works on his 3 ball. Stauskas wil have to get LOTS better at D, become a playmaker with the ball in his hands(make plays for himself AND others). all and all a great problem to have. I like how many different types of weapons the team will have at the 2-4 spot. Some bigs, slashers, snipers, all with length, all with 1 yr in system except 5 star Mr. Indiana. Heck Donnal could make noise at the 4 too. [Title]

Output: Stauskas sat a lot in Final 4...


Input: [Date] 2 years 14 weeks ago [Body] Yuu heard it here first. By big ten season Stauskas will be the back up and first guy off the bench behind Irvin and GR3. No way Irvin is not starting at the 2 by B1G play and that doesn't leave room on the court for Stauskas. I actually think Levert could pass Stauskas for 6th man too. Levert was getting big boy minutes late in the tourney while Staukas sat. Levert plays better D and get always get his shot off and can even run the offense as the 2 guard. Stauskas just stands in the corner and can't guard his shadow. 2-3 spots will be interesting. [Title]

Output: Stauskas will be 6th man..maybe 7th


Input: [Date] 2 years 15 weeks ago [Body] But man his compeition looked like they were a bunch of 12 yr olds. I liked the alley oops and dunks though. Shows that he likes to try and play above the rim at least. Once he adds to his frame he will be a a nice big (assuming he can rebound at Big Ten Level). I think based on his height and O skill set he passes Max early likely resulting in a Max transfer. Irvin and Walton look like studs. Hopefully Walton can hit the 3 in Big Ten play. We saw what a PG shooting 3s does for the spacing on this team with Burke. Helps a lot. McGary and GR3 come back and UM could win the Big Ten / get a 1-3s seed. McGary and GR3 leave and it will be 8 seed. Too much talent not to make the tourney. While ours bigs outside of McGary are role players they are solid. I'm expecting big things from Stauskas and Levert next year. Mini leaps for Stauskas and big LEAP from Levert. I think Burke and THjr are long gone. I agree with Brian, staying for a senior year is a stigma at this point. Usually reserved for Euro league type players on most occassions. I don't think THjr wants that. [Title]

Output: Donnal looked like he has skills


Input: [Date] 2 years 16 weeks ago [Body] B/c I think they will pretty much eliminate all QB designed run plays given the QB depth chart. Probably tell Gardner not to run unless its 3rd down scrambles. Hopefully Gallon and Dileo get on the same page as Gardner for some sweet check-downs or audibles. Both guys are slippery in the open field. [Title]

Output: good