Massachusetts Minutemen - #16

Submitted by rayfrom19 on

Lets make sure we keep our focus on the next game - the 16th ranked Massachusetts Minutemen.  In the FCS Top 25, Mass moved up from 18th with their win over Holy Cross (31-7),  Focus, Focus, Focus....

PS - The Horror is #3

rlc

September 13th, 2010 at 1:32 PM ^

Well said. Out of any NCAA football team Michigan might be the most aware of not over looking teams, or taking things for granted. The Horror, Toledo, the second half of 2009 they are aware trust me.

Monocle Smile

September 13th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^

Va Tech sucks. We don't.

I seriously doubt Va Tech lost that game solely due to overconfidence. I just don't think they're a very good team.

For the record, the 2007 App State team was a Grand Canyon-sized gap away from the next team in the rankings as far as talent and team ability is concerned. If Delaware State is on the surface of the earth and App State is the moon, UMass is a GPS satellite...a "hell of a lot closer," but please.

Marvin

September 13th, 2010 at 1:31 PM ^

I guess the hard thing is for the players not to have a letdown. Obviously the coaches know how important it all is.

 

From a personal standpoint, I am completely overlooking UMass right now, and I'm ok with that.

snowcrash

September 13th, 2010 at 1:47 PM ^

The coaches and players will take this game seriously and game plan specifically for UMass, but I think the overall intensity level will probably be down a bit following the UConn game that they desperately needed to win and the grueling ND game. UMass is probably the equivalent of an average MAC team if their ranking is accurate: we shouldn't have too much trouble with them if we bring our B game. 

MH20

September 13th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^

Not a single coach on the Michigan coaching staff is going to overlook UMASS.  They will have this team prepared for UMASS as if they were UCONN, ND, or even OSU.  There is no need to panic.  This team and coaching staff are a hungry and determined bunch, and they will not look past the Minutemen.  Furthermore, as someone else noted, the team that they'd be focusing on whilst overlooking UMASS would be...Bowling Green.  Ummm, yeah...

I can understand the paranoia we've come to see as the only way of life nowadays as a Michigan fan, but it really is much ado about nothing.  I'm looking past both UMASS and BGSU as I zero in on IU.  Why IU, you say?  Because it's both our first conference game and our first conference road game.  Yes, I know, ND was our first road game, but conference games always hold a little more weight.  Plus, I'm going to that game in my first trip to IU Memorial Stadium.  Thought I'm sure I'll be underwhelmed by their venue (I mean, it is IU after all), I am eager to cross it off on my growing list of B10 venues visited.

This ended up way longer than I planned.

BiSB

September 13th, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^

The TEAM must stay focused.  The coaches must stay focused. The athletic department must stay focused.  The compliance staff must staff must stay... hey, where the hell did compliance go? 

We fans get to drool over last weekend for a little while.  Our only assignment for the game is "make noise when supposed to, shut up when supposed to."  Doesn't require much mid-week prep.

profitgoblue

September 13th, 2010 at 2:05 PM ^

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether Michigan should put on the brakes in the second half of a game IF the outcome is well out of reach?  I always used to believe in putting in all the backups and running out the clock with dive running plays but, after the past 2 years, I'm all about running the regular offense albeit with the backups in the game.  Put Forcier in the game and run the spread option as if it was the first quarter.

TheOracle6

September 13th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^

A RR coached team does not overlook anyone.  Michigan will be fine this week and they will be able to play Devin and Tate and allow Denard to rest up.  I'm excited to see some of the excellent true freshmen on this team get some good reps.  Hail Hail!