If you were negative recruiting against Michigan today....what would you say?

I'd probably say "They're Michigan fergodsakes!"  But I have a sneaking suspicion that would end up backfiring.

For an SEC school against any B1G school:

- girls

- weather

- Big Ten sucks

- $$$$$

- more girls

- essssss eeeee seeeee

- $$$$$

Michigan is in the Big Ten and the conferences recent bowl record leaves a lot to be desired. ESPN also has done a great job of making public opinion think that any conference other than the SEC and USC is inferior and not capable of winning anything. Until the Big Ten has a couple great bowl records along with a National Championship I think many coaches can use that to discredit Michigan and the other schools in the Big Ten.

You must be an under-cover Ohio fan.  There's NOTHING negative about Michigan, so let's not waste our time on this here thread.  

The analogy between negative recruiting and negative campaign adds is wrong. Negative campaign adds tend to keep independent voters from voting and bolster the confidence of those that hold the same views as the campaign that puts out the ads.

Michigan won't give you anything under the table.  No hostesses, no golden handshakes, no free drugs, beer, or tats.  And they make you do your own school work, too.  They'll kick you out of school if you get arrested for anything worse than DUI, and they won't even let you do more than one of them.  

If you come here to blah blah U, you won't have to worry about the police, either.  We handle everything "in-house."  And even if you get caught, we have the DA in our back pocket.  You can come here and do whatever you want on your way to the NFL, or you can go there and have to follow rules.

Probably lack of recent success, like how we haven't won the Big Ten since 2004, or how our last National Title was in '97.

Michigan has not won the conferences since 2004, they have only won 1 bcs bowl game in over a decade, and they haven't competed for a national championship in 15 years.

I've always wondered if some coaches warn kids about how tough UM's academics are as a way to steer recruits away.  I'd imagine a degree from Auburn would be somewhat, ah, easier to attain than one from UM.  

I could think of quite a few things I'd say if I was talking to a receiver...

Maybe-- "Why would you want to go to a school that has won 42 conference championships? Why not come here and try to build something?". Or "Do you really want to be blue your whole life?"

Right now it is difficult to put a whole lot of negative spin on playing with Denard or playing for the coaches we have.

One thing is the offensive style of play.  Our outside receivers haven't put up monster numbers in a few years, and I think other schools have been mentioning this to recruits.

If I were negative recruiting, I would use Michigan's performance in the Sugar Bowl. Any recruit interested in Michigan surely watched the game, and let's face it, while Michigan won, they didn't play all that well.  We know injuries played a big role, but recruits probably haven't analyzed it that carefully. With prospective TE's and WR's, I would push the idea that Michigan is a run-first program, doesn't pass that often, and can't pass all that well.  Again, we know the full story, but someone pushing a half truth can get a lot of mileage out of these tactics.

I would say the whole NFL approach you suggested probably plays a role, too.  They might even use Michigan's high academic standards against us, along the lines of, "Do you want to work your ass off in classes, or work on your football skills and get a higher draft rating."

Too many students with plus 100 IQ's. You know they'll kick you out if you flunk your classes? Come here. We got the diploma all filled out.

You would have to hit on several things, including perhaps:

 - the recent lack of high NFL draft picks (which is a developmental issue that would probably ring large in the minds of recruits dead set on going pro at some point). 

- relative lack of recent major titles (overall historic performance and bowl record notwithstanding, it's been 15 years since a national title, and almost ten since we won the B1G)

- the recent perception of the B1G as a middling conference (I imagine that the ones that are set on the pros might want to be tested against the perceived "best")

- climate (this might matter to some people - we are the 4th cloudiest state and fall can be bloody damp and winter can be bloody cold)

- the standards (which are high for obvious reasons, academically and otherwise, but you could probably spin that into "You won't be able to commit fully to you game", which again, might sway a few people)

This is not exhaustive, of course, but it is an intriguing introspection. 

I would say their cheap when it comes to paying for good coaches,and lack of success against Ohio.

"Unlike us they UNDER sign their recruiting classes, fergodssake"

The point is we have to beat Urban and company in November.

They'll be warned in some subtle or not-so-subtle fashion that if they go to Michigan they will have to actually go to school, and won't be getting the cars, tatoos etc.  Stamford's in the same position (though with better weather).

"Son, why would you want to go to the school with the winningest program in college football?  11 National Championships?  3 Heisman winners?  Great traditions that date back many years?"

After second thought, I have no idea how some of the coaches convince these kids not to go to Michigan.  Man I love this school!

GO BLUE!

1) Weather

2) Our degrees are very comparable....large state school with big alumni network.  Unless you're from Michigan, you probably wouldn't know the difference.  Also, Michigan really sets itself apart in its grad programs...the undergrad is maybe top 30, to where if some SEC / Big 10 school is 40-60, I dont think a kid going into undergrad is really going to give a crap about the Michigan academic advantage...especially when most of that advantage will never be realized since Im not sure the last time a big time football recruit pulled a 170 on the LSAT or 30+ on the MCAT.  Also, kids get jobs based on graduating at big time college football programs.  Trust me, the football players going to Alabama, Texas, Florida, etc. that are graduating with a moderately human GPA are getting hooked up with jobs in the same way that Michigan players do.  

3) Brady Hoke is all about the seniors....sooooo if you want to play early, you better beat senior X out by a huge margin.  (This isn't necessarily true, but when you hear him on TV talking about the seniors, then another coach throws a half truth in there, it could stick: SEE Republican primary).

Parking situation, girls are smart, weather, and for Jordan Diamond: See Newton, Cam.

you have to go to class.

"They tell their players to think only of brunettes.  Here, when the going gets tough, you are free to picture redheads/blondes/etc." 

down to it.  That's why Michigan really doesn't want to depend on getting last-minute kids to fill up our recruiting class.  We're always going to do poorly trying to play this game because of the negative recruiting we're up against.  Most of the players who are waiting to the last minute to sign are undecided (and possibly indecisive) and can easiliy be swayed by some slimy recruiter who waves some kind of inducement in front of them or makes pie-in-the-sky promises.  Homey (Michigan) don't play that game!  That's why we're going to lose out in most of these Jordan Diamond-like recruiting battles.  He seems like one of those players where the more he looked around, the more undecided he became - not less. 

Coach prestige:  Brady Hoke hasn't proven he can do anything at Michigan with his own recruits and say he's just benefitting from RR's players.  The same goes at SDSU.  He was only there for 2 years and didn't prove he could build a program.  He also hasn't done anything on a national scale or proven he can sustain success.

Coaching longevity:  Coach Mattison is 62 and will slow down soon.

Location:  self-explanitory

What would I say?

"RichRod was the coach there very recently. In his 3 1/2 recruiting classes he took midgets at every position. You'll have mostly midgets on the field and the scout team won't have any players of normal size. You'd be better off at MSU or Wisconsin."

1. Michigan is so stacked that you'll never get any playing time.

2. Ann Arbor is too liberal for you.

I only want the kids smart enough to not buy into the negative as a part of my team!

If you walk over the Washtenaw overpass carrying new textbooks, there's a chance you'll get caught in a massive wind gust and all your books will fly out of your hands and onto busy Washtenaw below. (I saw this happen once after a person had just gotten a bunch of textbooks at Ulrich's). 

Other than that, smooth sailing. Ann Arbor is awesome. 

If I'm Saban probably the weather stinks, classes are harder, and I've won 3 national titles since they have won one.

Two points to address here.  First of all Mgrowold, I disagree that there are only the 2 sales approaches you stated.  I've been a successful entrepreneur for years and in my experience, the most effective method of "sales" (if you're looking for longterm relationships) is to absolutely acknowledge your competition and to do so positively.  I objectively lay out what I do well and not so well and do the same regarding my competition. (trust be known, you can position things as positives for your competition that actually drive the prospect to you.  See answer to your question below).  You get the clients you should have and more importantly, KEEP THEM, and the ones you shouldn't have don't come to you.  That's a positive too since I don't go to the up-front costs without reaping the longterm benefits.  Most importantly, when your clients are a good fit, it's just more fun.

Ok, a sarcastic answer to your question is I'd tell recruits "if you'd rather play AGAINST the best rather than FOR the best, come to my school.  We play Michigan every year and you'll never get a better chance to measure yourself against the best". 

I'm out!

You like Michigan? What are they paying you?.......Nothing???!!!??? You don't want to play for an ameteur team, do you?

A lot of these comments are from the viewpoint of a school outside our conference, but what would other B1G schools say about us?

The lack of recent success, while true, is almost more of a positive aspect than negative.  There's a reason we brought in a new staff, and they've done a tremendous job thus far.

Nothing comes to mind right away that another B1G coach could negatively and truthfully say about us.  Perhaps they could mention Mattison's age as a concern.  That's a worry of mine, but I doubt it would really sway a recruit away from us.

"Don't know if you noticed, but there's goat blood all over their locker room from the last coach. It's pretty gross. You don't want any part of that."

Their obesity is an indirect turnoff for some recruits. It's like a job interview. All other things being EQUAL, an employer chooses the well-groomed, fit candidate over the 350 pound, sloppy one.

I also think that a lot of blue chip skill position players like to have their egos stroked a little, which I don't think our staff does to the degree of others. I think their shtick works better with lineman (which recent events unfortunately don't corroborate). Also, being overly critical, it is possible that some players (maybe more of skill positions) have more confidence in someone who is more slim and fit. If u were a stud WR and saw some overweight coach vs a fit or simply not morbidly obese one, who would give u more confidence all otter things being equal? Parents' opinions are probably subconsciously affected as well. I know this post will draw some harsh responses, but keep in mind I'm talking about potential negatives that may affect a recruits' decision process when he is torn between two schools.

I would say "hey look at this thread on mgoblog http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/if-you-were-negative-recruiting-against-michigan-todaywhat-would-you-say"

They already have it all. They are the winningest program of all-time. Why not come here and be a part of building something.

"Ann Arbor gets cold in the winter, and you'll freeze your butt off."  That's about it, and it only works for warm-weather schools, not our Big Ten competition.

Nice try Urban. I'm not helping your recruiting.

There isn't a large population of good looking girls at UofM,  and most are lesbians.  80% of the male population are guy's who are 5' 7'' or shorter and they like soccer.  They also have a inferrior complex because they are small and are geeks.  They spend their friday nights playing video games instead of doing keg stands and chasing tail.  A large percentage of the students will think they are better than you because their parents are wealthy,  but the only reason that they got accepted in the first place was because their parents are alums.  Brady Hoke will require you to attend class.  Attending class sucks.

Thar be moose in der state. Moose can be dangerous.

because this year and beyond will have more nfl players than the rich rod days

I would say "DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT FRICKIN SNOWS THERE!!!"

The guy from your high school that went there last year got eaten by polar bears.

If I'm an academically-rigorous school like NW, ND, Stanford, etc., I'd say:

1. Highlight academic rankings.
2. Talk about options after football.
3. Point out athletic successes along with strong classrooms.

If I'm another Big 10 team:

1. Coaching transition.
2. Same conference, so still benefits of competition.
3. Show "them" if they were slow to recruit/felt disrespected.
4. "Arrogant" fanbase would spit you out.

SEC/ACC/Pac-10

1. Proximity to home.
2. Weather.
3. Coeds.
4. National success.
5. NFL success.
6. Why play with the junior leagues where everyone is slow.

Not saying any of these points are true, but those would be my arguments.

you'll never play.

I like the recruits we already have in the 2012 class. Sure it would have been nice to add a few more OL, but if they don't want to play for Michigan, then best of luck to them elsewhere.