Michigan Football Hypotheticals
I know we're living in the land of "OT" threads, but I wanted to discuss some Michigan football.
I've had a few random discussions and want to bring these hypothetical situations to the board! The place where first class Michigan knowledge is spewed without regard for human life...the place I call home.
With that said here are 5 hypotheticals, discuss!
1. Assuming Michigan has it's spot LOCKED up in the B1G Championship game...do you risk injury vs. Ohio in the last game of the regular season when they are treating it like a bowl game and you're already set to play the next weekend in Indianapolis. Note: No national championship is on the line, so a loss doesn't hurt you. The winner of the B1G Championship Game is headed to the Rose, the loser likely headed to the Capital One.
2. Devin Gardner plays WR this year and has a solid year, not great/spactacular, but solid. Morris and Bellomy have shown they're no better than Gardner at QB...do you keep Devin at WR where 's made an impact on set for a big 2013? Or do you put him back at QB to compete with the other two guys for the starting nod?
3. It's midway through the year and Joe Bolden pulled dead even with Kenny Demens for the #1 spot at MLB. Do you play the senior with experience? Do you play the freshman to get him experience (knowing he's on par with Demens now, but it'll improve/help in down the road)?
4. Michigan is up BIG vs. Air Force...it's now the 4th quarter. Denard is headed to the bench. Do you play Devin, to get him game reps at QB for this season and potentially next season. Do you get Devin more reps at WR and get Bellomy game experience?
5. Hypothetically speaking, for the program, nationally, would it mean more to beat Alabama and Notre Dame and lose to MSU and OSU. Or beat Sparty and the Buckeyes and lose to the non-conferences foes.
1. beat ohio state.
2. whatever.
3. whatever.
4. whatever.
5. beat ohio. And beat someone else, your choice.
Not that I have a one track mind or anything.
1. Play them. If it wasn't such a big rivalry though I would say sit Denard. The ONLY reason I say play them is because its Ohio. If it was ANYONE else...sit him.
2. Move Devin back to QB unless he proves to be an elite WR. Or unless Bellomy or Morris prove to be significantly better QB's. I think many on this board and many M fans in general make the mistake of annoiting Morris as an elite QB or the next Tom Brady before he ever plays a down. Garrett Gilbert was the #1 QB coming out of HS and Mitch Mustain was in the top 5 and look how they panned out in college. Recruiting rankings are like top 25 rankings and always subject to change. Not that I'm trying to be cynical...just realistic in my expectations.
3. Play Demens. He's a senior and experience trumps all. I can't even believe people would suggest Bolden.
4. Play Devin he's the #2. Unless Bellomy ends up the #2. Play the #2.
5. Bama. If we beat Bama we are back NO question. Bama is the elite of the elite. And thats where we belong. Make no mistake it is the most IMPORTANT game on the schedule if you are looking at our program in the MACRO. Big picture people. I love to beat Ohio as much as any other M fanatic. But Bama is the game this year.
This (^^^), #5 specifically. UMich is, thankfully, a *national* player, as opposed to a regional one like Sparty (who has, yes, beaten Michigan four straight years).
Outside the Midwest, who gives a @#$% if we beat Sparty? (I care ... I really do, but not that much.)
Look at it this way: Forget ND. Would you rather beat the #1 team or (maybe) the #11 and #13 teams? I'll take #1.
1. Beating Ohio is a priority. I don't think you can really win a B1G championship without beating Ohio. note - while technically possible see 2004 and tell me it didn't feel bad losing to them.
2. Gardner plays QB until one of the other's are flat out better than he is.
3. Play the Senior until the underclassman is flat out better than he is.
4. Gardner to get him reps at QB. Then last possession get Kennedy in.
5. Only games that matter are conference games. Its always awesome to beat ND and Alabama would be icing on the cake. But this year beating msu and Ohio is a priority. Michigan needs moar B1G championships.
1. Beat Ohio, there is no way Hoke would ever hold back in this game
5. A win over Bama would be nice, a win over MSU is a must as well as winning in Columbus, which hasnt happened since 2000.