Michigan Football’s 10 Greatest Games

University of Michigan throughout it’s 130 years of Football there has been victory and defeat. There is a old saying one deserves not to lose but in sports one team falls just short. Michigan has the most wins in Divison I football. Also they have suffered defeat.

Every saturday the men that put on the Maize and Blue and 107,000 people that pack Michigan Stadium expects victory. Some Saturday’s…
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The Big House Boys: Michigan’s All Time Best

There’s no topic more hotly debated among fans of the same team than an “all-time” list. Fifty-year reunion alums don’t agree with the student section on the soundtrack choices at the stadium let alone a multi-generational squad of gridiron all-stars.
With a football tradition as rich as there exists at the University of Michigan, there are easily thousands of “top-ten” player combinations. …
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Michigan Wolverines Football: Offensive Position Battles to Watch

It’s officially spring and spring football practice has officially started on college campuses across the nation. 

The weather is not the only thing heating up this time of year, however, as position battles are commencing and the University of Michigan has plenty of them to keep an eye on before the start of the college football season. 

Coming off a disappointing 3-9 season, the…
Continue reading at Bleacher Report – Big Ten Football

Michigan’s 2008 Football Season "NOT" a Feel-Good Story

Life is great. Another start to the University of Michigan football season. New Coach, new team, new luxury boxes. Not sure what to expect, but how bad could it be? Plus I’m older now, and I don’t let my sports team affect me personally. That’s just stupid.

“All is good at Michigan”

Michigan loses its home opener for the first time in 30 years

I can’t eat. I can, but…
Story By Bleacher Report – Big Ten Football

QB Threet to transfer from Michigan

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

When Michigan's quarterback competition resumes March 14 at spring practice, Steven Threet won't be a part of it.

Threet announced Sunday he will transfer from Michigan after being granted his release from the team. The redshirt freshman quarterback told The Detroit News in a prepared statement that he doesn't know where he'll play next. 

"I've decided to transfer from the University of Michigan," Threet said, reciting from a prepared statement during a telephone conversation Sunday. "I have requested and received my release. I do not yet know where I will continue my collegiate career and will have no further comment until that decision is made."

Threet's decision comes as somewhat of a surprise, especially since he has already transferred once, from Georgia Tech to Michigan before the 2007 season. He certainly had his struggles last fall and true freshmen Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson seem better suited to run Rich Rodriguez's spread offense, but Threet held an edge in experience over both players.

He started eight games last fall and led Michigan in passing yards, completions and touchdowns. 

Forcier, who enrolled at Michigan in January, appeared to be a formidable candidate for the starting job before Sunday night. After Threet's transfer, it's hard not to consider him the frontrunner, at least until Robinson arrives this summer.

Nick Sheridan also remains in the mix, but Rodriguez has a lot of confidence in his two recruits, which could have played a role in Threet's decision. 

"I don't know if we could have gone out and gotten two better dual-threat quarterbacks than Tate Forcier and Robinson," Rodriguez said on national signing day. "So we're very excited about those guys coming in and competing with the guys we have.  … You know, both Tate and Denard are the guys that can run and throw. They're not the tallest guys, but they're guys that also, again, can make plays when they're there and sometimes make plays when they're not there. Again, they've got to learn. I didn't promise Tate he was going to be the starting quarterback, didn't on promise Denard yet. We promised them an opportunity to compete right away."

Forcier's opportunity begins March 14. 

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Big Ten lunch links: Brodell prepares for last game

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Catching up on a weekend full of links and several more from this morning …

• Iowa wide receiver Andy Brodell does not expect to be granted a sixth year of eligibility, likely making the Outback Bowl his final collegiate game, Andy Hamilton and Randy Peterson write in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.  
• Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer is still trying to make people forget about his last bowl performance, Joe Rexrode writes in the Lansing State Journal. 
• Former Michigan defensive coordinator Scott Shafer won’t be ripping Rich Rodriguez any time soon, at least not in public, Mark Snyder writes in the Detroit Free Press. 

“Shafer parted ways with Michigan by ‘mutual agreement’ a week before the school announced the change in the letter from athletic director Bill Martin, but there were conditions. It said Shafer could not publicly release the terms of his agreement, and he also agreed ‘that I will not issue any statements to the media or in a public or similar setting which demean or disparage the University of Michigan, the football program, or any of their employees, in any way.’”

• Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley isn’t campaigning for Joe Paterno’s job, even though many think he deserves it, Cory Giger writes in The Altoona Mirror. Paterno’s toughness and longevity resonate with his players, Chris Dufresne writes in the Los Angeles Times.
• The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jeff Potrykus does an autopsy on Wisconsin’s disappointing season and how the Badgers must bounce back despite losing plenty of seniors. 
• Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber got rid of his goatee and hopes to atone for “below average” play down the stretch, Kent Youngblood writes in the Star Tribune.

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Shafer resigns as Michigan’s defensive coordinator

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Scott Shafer is out as Michigan defensive coordinator after only one season on the job.

From the release:

University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez announced today that Scott Shafer resigned his position as defensive coordinator. Shafer spent the 2008 season as the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator and also worked with the cornerbacks.

“Scott and I agreed that moving in a different direction was in the best interest of the program,” said Rodriguez. “I appreciate Scott’s hard work on behalf of Michigan football the past year. He is a good football coach, a good person and a true professional. We wish him well in the future.”

Rodriguez will continue to evaluate his staff and review all possibilities before deciding upon a new defensive coordinator.

This isn’t a total surprise, as Michigan certainly underachieved on defense this fall, finishing 10th in the Big Ten in scoring (28.9 points per game) and ninth in yards allowed (366.9 yards per game). The unit got next to no help from Rodriguez’s offense but should have been better, particularly in the front seven.

Shafer was one of few outsiders Rodriguez brought in for his staff, most of whom joined him in Ann Arbor from West Virginia. The resignation or firing, however you choose to look at it, is certainly a setback for Shafer, a rising star who seemed destined for a head coaching position in the near future.

No word yet on possible replacements. Michigan’s linebackers coach Jay Hopson has defensive coordinator experience at Southern Miss (2005-07), and defensive line coach Bruce Tall served as defensive coordinator at Harvard, Northeastern and Ohio Wesleyan.

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Ohio State-Michigan: Wolverines Look to Prevent Fifth Straight Buckeye Victory

Before I get started with this week’s preview, congratulations are in order. Give some props to the Michigan basketball team for beating the number four-ranked UCLA Bruins Thursday night by a score of 55-52 at Madison Square Garden.

I could not believe my eyes and was ecstatic afterwards. Hey Sparties, still want to wait for basketball season? I can’t wait for Feb. 10 at Crisler Arena when Michigan plays MSU.

On with the preview.

 

Michigan Wolverines (3-8, 2-5) at Ohio State Buckeyes (9-2, 6-1)

Noon, Saturday at Ohio Stadium

Line: Ohio State -20.5

Weather: High of 36 degrees with partly cloudy skies

Well, here it is, folks—the 105th meeting between the University of Michigan and Ohio State University.

The 20.5-point spread is the largest in the history of “The Game,” and there’s a good chance the Buckeyes will cover given how bad Michigan has been this season.

It all depends on which Michigan team shows up Saturday. Are we going to get the Wolverines from the Minnesota game that played solid football for four quarters, or the team that has bombed against the rest of the Big Ten?

How about the team that played against Purdue, where just the offense showed up and the defense decided to lay an egg? Or the teams that played good for one quarter of a game against Wisconsin and Illinois?

All I know is if the Wolverines and the 16 seniors on this team want to beat Ohio State for the first time since 2003, they better show up and hit on all cylinders for a full 60 minutes.

Michigan has never lost five straight against the Buckeyes, but this has been a season of dreadful firsts for the Wolverines, so if this is the year it happens, I won’t be much surprised.

However, if Michigan should pull out the victory on Saturday, I will be elated and proceed to claim it the biggest upset in the history of the series.

It’s going to be a giant uphill battle, though, and I don’t see giving Michigan much of a chance.

 

Michigan Pass Offense vs. Ohio State Pass Defense

All Michigan fans can do is hope that Nick Sheridan brings his stallion and sword prepared to be knighted again instead of his usual white flag signaling surrender.

He’s got the 13th-ranked pass defense in the country to deal with, which has 14 interceptions, led by Kurt Coleman’s four and Malcolm Jenkins’s three.

Jenkins also has eight pass breakups, so I would advise against throwing to his side of the field altogether.

Michigan’s offensive line did pretty well against Northwestern last week. The Wildcats had a ton of sacks entering that game but only got one on the Wolverines.

I would normally feel all right about Michigan’s ability to pick up the pass rush, but Steve Schilling might not play after spraining his knee in practice this week.

Ohio State has a decent pass rush, accumulating 21 sacks this season.

In order to compensate, Martavious Odoms, Darryl Stonum, and Kevin Koger are all going to have to step up their game and get open quicker.

Stonum has been having a rough time with routes, and Odoms has a propensity to drop the ball, being the freshmen that they are.

Marcus Freeman and James Laurinaitis will most likely get to Sheridan before he can even get to his second read, which takes long enough as it is.

Advantage: Ohio State

 

Michigan Rush Offense vs. Ohio State Rush Defense

Brandon Minor is back this week, and after Carlos Brown returned from oblivion last week, Michigan should have a solid one-two punch this week.

The offensive line is run blocking better and better each week, and Brown and Minor should have some good lanes to run through—although those lanes might get filled up by the nation’s 26th-ranked run defense that only gives up 3.7 yards per carry.

The Buckeyes have an astonishing 54 tackles for loss, led by Freeman’s 6.5 and Laurinaitis’s 4.5.

Speed kills, though, and Minor and Brown have shown a lot of speed this season. Minor is bound to break a long run or two, while Brown almost did a couple times last week.

Advantage: Michigan (barely)

Ohio State Pass Offense vs. Michigan Pass Defense

Terrelle Pryor is going to be a nightmare to deal with for the Michigan defense. He doesn’t throw a lot, but when he has, it’s been effective.

Pryor has a 152.16 efficiency rating and has 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

While he’s lethal on the ground, he can be just as lethal if not more through the air.

Brian Robiskie is his favorite target (seven touchdowns), and Brian Hartline is averaging over 20 yards per catch.

Michigan’s pass defense has been a complete disaster this season, with Stevie Brown, Charles Stewart, and Brandon Harrison leaving the middle of the field wide open.

The Wolverines’ secondary ranks 89th in the country and gives up over 230 yards per game through the air.

Advantage: Ohio State

 

Ohio State Rush Offense vs. Michigan Rush Defense

This is the key matchup in the game if both teams want to be successful.

If Ohio State has a big day on the ground, expect another Buckeye victory, but if Michigan can slow down Beanie Wells and Pryor, the Wolverines will have a chance.

The Buckeyes rank 29th in the country, averaging 187 yards per game, with Wells rushing for 119.6 per game and 5.4 per carry.

He killed Michigan singlehandedly last year with 222 yards and the only two touchdowns at the Big House.

Now he has Pryor to aid him once in a while, who gets 50.9 yards per game and 4.8 per carry.

Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton are going to be crucial in slowing down Wells and keeping Pryor contained.

Ezeh and Mouton need to step up and show that they can be leaders on this team next season, and this is their audition.

Seniors Terrance Taylor, Will Johnson, and Tim Jamison are just itching to get their first victory against OSU.

If the defensive line can slow down Wells, and Ezeh and Mouton keep Pryor contained, Michigan can win this game.

Advantage: Even

 

Special Teams

Ohio State has two punt returns for touchdowns this season, but don’t expect them to get one this weekend with Zoltan “Space Lord Emperor of the Universe” Mesko kicking the ball into the upper atmosphere.

Neither team’s field goal kicker is dead-on accurate either.

Advantage: Even

 

Final Thoughts

The media has been blowing up stories about just how much Rich Rodriguez knows about this rivalry.

We already know Sweater Vest’s opinion and passion for this game. It’s the only big game he can win (at least since the 2002 championship game).

Rich Rod has been very open with the media, a lot more so than Lloyd Carr ever was, but I think he’s been holding something back.

There’s something he hasn’t told us yet.

Bo Schembechler said after the historic 1969 win that not even his players knew it, but every day they were practicing something for the Ohio State game.

Maybe RichRod has been doing the same and has a trick or two up his sleeves.

I still don’t think it’ll matter, but maybe it’ll help.

Prediction: Ohio State 31, Michigan 13

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Open Thread: That Team Up North

At long last, The Game is nigh.  Tomorrow, the Buckeyes and Wolvereenies play each other in the least interesting The Game matchup in what seems like forever.  For the Buckeyes, a win against Them will go a long way in securing its 5th BCS bowl bid in 6th years.  Depending on the outcome of the Penn State-Sparty game, their destinations may be Pasadena, New Orleans or even Miami.  For the Wolvereenies, this game represents the screeching halt to, empirically, their worst season in program history.

It has not been an easy transition year for first year head coach Rich Rodriguez.  Ryan Mallett’s departure after he took the reins left him with a walk-on transfer from Georgia Tech and Nick Sheridan, who equals death.  Justin Boren left, and the offensive line has not been up to the task of blocking in Rodriguez’ schemes.  Stephen Schilling, probably Rodriguez’ best lineman this season… which isn’t saying much… injured his knee in practice and is questionable for the game.  Further, the woes for that team that shall not be further named aren’t just limited to on the field stuff.  Sam McYouTube has been a constant transfer rumor for the past two weeks or so (though he is scheduled to play tomorrow), Zion Babb among others has been kicked off the team and Rodriguez has also lost a few recruits along the way.

All of this has led recently profiled MGoBlog author and Sean Waltman doppelganger¹ (see: Exhibit A, Exhibit B) to openly laugh at any prospect of Ohio State losing on Saturday.  In that same radio interview, Jason of Eleven Warriors expressed a little more optimism for That Team Up North’s chances on Saturday, though thinking that end result should be something similar to TTUN’s Penn State game earlier this year (brilliant first quarter, inability to play for all 4 quarters).  In short, with a 19.5 point spread given to the Buckeyes by the Vegas folks, most everyone seems to have this in the bag for the Buckeyes.

Of course, maybe I’m alone in being terrified about this game, but mostly because I fret over the Wolvereenies every day.  Indeed, the sole existence of the University of Michigan is an act of violence to my very essence and I will not sleep a quiet sleep until the ultimate demolition of said institution of evil and higher learning.  Still, on the matter at hand, the Wolvereenie defense poses some consternation for me tomorrow and, naturally, it’s because of our offensive line.  While there may not be a lot to boast about on the TTUN front four, it is probably their strength.  Moreover, our offensive line is certainly not our strength.  With an inconsistent, and sometimes outright awful, offensive line comes a variability of outcomes on offense.  Sometimes they’ve looked brilliant (Troy, Michigan State); other times they’ve made me hate life (Penn State, Purdue, USC, Ohio).  It’s no secret to anyone involved what the Buckeyes’ game plan will be when Ohio State has the ball.  But, if Beanie dives are going to work, our offensive line will have to handle the opposing front 4, 3 of whom are returning starters.  TTUN’s rush defense hasn’t been very good, allowing over 128ypg.  Further, they’ve been awful on defense, period (66th nationally on total defense, 80th nationally on point defense, 89th nationally on pass defense).  In fairness to the front four, much of that has been because of the TTUN offense’s inability to stay on the field.  If the running game works well enough to allow an air raid from Pryor, this game should effectively be over soon.

Sooo, this will be Heacock’s chance to shine on defense and show Buckeye fans that the very sight of a spread option offense won’t make his units explode like they did in January 2007².  To the frustration of the opposing fans, Nick Sheridan, the Harbinger of Doom himself, is the likely starter against Ohio State tomorrow.  Justin Feagin will be a change of pace QB.  This is a small victory by itself; while Threet and Sheridan aren’t very good, Threet is just so much better.  However, Threet will likely sit because of a separated shoulder.  McYouTube will be back from a family funeral in Texas and is slated to play, though it’s apparent to me that Brandon Minor is probably their best option at tailback.  Regardless of which of the Carr-era personnel that Rodriguez goes with, he still finds his offense at the bottom of the Big Ten and 105th nationally in offensive production (299ypg).  Sheridan looked not so bad in a victory against Minnesota, but was 8/29 against Nerdwestern last week in the loss.  The Wolvereenies have been unable to sustain drives and unable to score more than 30 points in a game with just one exception.  However, hanging 42 on Purdue isn’t a lot to write home about… though I wish we could’ve done it.  On paper, there doesn’t appear to be a lot to be threatened about by M*ch*g*n’s lack of thoroughbreds, but I keep running through worst-case scenarios in my brain.  The defensive line has to dominate in order to let That Team Up North know who is the 3 touchdown favorite.  Pressure up the interior will be really important.  With Nader Abdallah’s recent brilliance, I guess I should feel pretty good about it.

With mismatches that abound in this match-up, more than a few Buckeye fans are wanting to run up the score against Rodriguez.  Naturally, I would love to run up the score too, but just because of my unadulterated hatred for all things maize and blue.  Indeed, I would be more than fine with the opposing team and fans meeting the same fate as Achan, even down to slaughtering and burning worldly possessions, children and cattle ³.  Afterwards, we’ll bomb Ann Arbor (now!) and bring death to the whole state. More importantly, though, I’d be fine with the Buckeyes being in a position to run up the score, whether Tressel chooses to do so or to kill clock and take home a win.  First things first.

Also, for those of you lucky to be in attendance, don’t be that guy that doesn’t clap or even boos players like Maurice Wells or Todd Boeckman when they get their introduction.  In fact, make sure you let them know that their dedication to the cause isn’t lost on you.  Cheer louder, even.

Ohio State wins if… ceteris paribus.  If this game were played on paper, we’d take home our 3 touchdown victory and be grateful for it.  Offensive and defensive lines have to show up to this game, though.

That Team Up North wi*gag*… sorry.  Nevertheless, they could secure their first victory in Columbus under Tressel and first in 8 years if the Buckeye coaching staff has really learned nothing about this spread thingie that’s swept the college football landscape.  The LSU and USC games have underscored how we can’t safely presume learning from past mistakes and that our coverages on defense can be ripped to shreds.  Of course, That Team Up North doesn’t have the horses that LSU and USC has.  Missed tackles are also a no-no for the Buckeye defense this game, but they were an issue against Illinois.  This is Senior Day, though, and losing to Them on Senior Day is not an option, dammit.  Important for the Wolvereenies is winning each quarter and sewing the seeds of doubt in Ohio State’s mind.  The issue for them shouldn’t be how they probably don’t have the thoroughbreds to win a 4 quarter race, but rather focusing on winning each interval and making the Buckeyes’ second guess themselves.

Oh, and should the Buckeyes be icing the game away in the final seconds, make sure to storm the pitch as such in 1970 and 1994.

1. This is all meant as light-hearted ribbing.  There’s nothing mean-spirited in this observation and I’m not trying to ruffle any feathers or start a blogfight or anything like that.  I respect Brian immensely for what he does.
2. I think I remember reading a few months back after the Rodriguez hire that a few Buckeye assistants flew down to Tampa to meet with USF personnel and discuss how they contained Rodriguez while he was at WVU.  I can’t find that article, though.
3. ahhh, aren’t rivalries grand?

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Beat Michigan – in a different way

This was sent to me from the National Kidney Foundation and I thought it was worthy to pass on:

In 2006, The University of Michigan initiated a community–based, life-saving competition between the Buckeyes and Wolverines to register the most organ and tissue donors before the big game. Proving once again that The Ohio State University has the best fans in the land — the Buckeyes have taken home the trophy for the two years in a row!

You can help Ohio State beat Michigan again this year by simply registering or confirming your decision to be an organ and tissue donor at www.buckeyesforlife.com! Nearly 100,000 Americans are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and one donor has the potential to save eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of 50 others through tissue donation.

You can help Ohio State beat Michigan by:

Registering or confirming* your decision to be an organ and tissue donor by filling out the commitment form at www.buckeyesforlife.com by noon on November 21^st.
*Even if you are already a donor on your license, you can still participateForwarding this email to all of your friends, family, and fellow Buckeye fans to encourage them to register as an organ and tissue donor!

Show your Buckeye Spirit! Become a Buckeye for Life! Do It Now!

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