the just released schedules were a flat-out statement that the B10 doesn't believe SOS will matter in playoff selection
Carlos Brown Likely Out Against Iowa
Brown was held out of practice on Wednesday:
Brown, who has been forced to step up this season with Minor limited by injuries, was wearing a red jersey (signifying an injury) and sweatpants at yesterday’s practice. He watched his fellow running backs from the sidelines as they stretched and broke off into position groups.
A reliable source says this is because he was concussed in a full-contact drill and he is very doubtful for this weekend. Minor is also still somewhat limited, so expect a fair dose of Michael Shaw in Iowa.
Meanwhile, it appears that Molk's recovery is going well and should be on the short side of the 4-6 weeks projected earlier:
Michigan will be without its starting center probably for another two weeks. …
"I still think it's way too early to do anything football-wise with pads on," coach Rich Rodriguez said Tuesday during the Big Ten teleconference. "I know he lifted for a little bit and ran around with the trainer some, but it's still a week or two until he's actually playing football."
That would see him return for the Penn State game if all goes well.
Obviously we have depth at RB. So Brown being out is not dire, persay. But I think getting Molk back as soon as possible is critical for the team. He will be needed when we face PSU.
YNWA!
not persay. That clarified, I would love to have Molk back by PSU, even if losing him wouldn't be a game breaker per se.
At the presser they said Minor the best he's been since camp...so he's not really limited this week? is he?
Some people have called for more physical practices, and I dont disagree, this is just something you have to deal with.
Even if he does play, it will be his first game action in a month, and he didn't exactly start the year out great, if I recall correctly (at least by the standards set for him, which are high, since he's considered our best O-lineman).
And yeah, from RR's presser yesterday, sounded like Minor should be full-go this week for the first time this year.
"In my judgment .... tremendous."
Having Carlos available is huge. He has been an absolute game breaker almost all year and missing that sort of offensive explosion is a huge loss. Shaw has looked good at times this year, but is really unproven. We really need to hope that Minor is good for 15 ish carries against Iowa. Shaw really compliments Minor well, but if both Minor and Brown are out, this could be a rough first start for Shaw.
"Those who stay will be Champions"
should be in the starting lineup, if he's not already.
Mike Shaw is still a work in progress, so if Brown is out, one has to hope that Minor will be at 100%. I feel sorry for Brown, who has never gone a full season without losing time due to injury.
Marc Shepherd
New York, NY
Man . . . both Brown and Minor are snakebitten when it comes to injuries.
If he's concussed, he needs to sit. That's not an injury you want to test.
You'd think at some point I'd learn but I mentioned that "our starting RB is out because he suffered from a concussion at practice" to the A&M (Texas) guy next to me and he's been trying to convince me since RR was hired that RR = Franchione and he comments "we had a lot of guys missing for concussions under Fran." Even our 4-0 start didn't get him off the RR = Fran hyperbole - *bang head on desk*
He's been telling me from day 1 that 1) we won't be able to recruit any decent WRs (still won't admit that he was wrong on this one) 2) we won't be able to recruit any tackles (no idea why he thinks that) and 3) we're going to be mired in the 5-7 to 7-5 range forever. Ugh...
Stonum (Ok, a Carr recruit, but RR kept him, right?), Stokes, Miller, Robinson at WR?
Is he aware of Taylor Lewan or Michael Schofield at OT?
Better question, is he aware of his low IQ?
Follow me on Twitter @gfraley05

the guy from A&M. (Found, uh, below, I guess...) Have there been any other concussions of note? A "Carlos Brown" injury makes me very unhappy, of course, but "Carlos Brown injury" has occurred with about the same frequency as, "pizza home delivery." "Concussions" concerns me about as much as Rich Rodriguez's "family values" per the Boren family.
But here's a question: So how about Vincent Smith? I remember that back in August, some observers of Michigan's summer camp were talking about Smith like he was a mortal lock to be the number one Michigan RB by the end of the year. Vincent now travels to Iowa City as the number 3 on the depth chart, right? And a real chance to play behind Shaw and a 98% Minor, right?
But what about D. Robinson at running back. It's what he does best when he's in there anyway? Put Tate and DR in the backfield and watch the smoke come out of the ears of the Iowa defensive line.
but at least it's not a broken bone or half-severed fingertip. In other words (knocking on wood) it's not a season-ending injury.
Crab cakes and football! That is what Maryland DOES!
He was dominant in the spring. I'm assuming that his PT has been limited to issues with pass protection. Still, it'd be nice to see Smith get some carries.
Shaw has big play potential as well...so I'm not sure we're missing that aspect of Brown's game with him being out. I'm not saying Shaw is as good as Brown, but let's look at the positives, eh?
"When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing." -- Bo


Back for Penn State? That would be great. We need him pretty badly, especially for that game.