Orange Bowl Open Thread (probably unavoidably CC)
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:32 PM ^
Part of the reason he's praising Stanford might be that they're up 21 in a BCS bowl game.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:29 PM ^
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:29 PM ^
This is the first time I've seen Stanford play this year, and I'm impressed. They're D is pressuring Taylor almost every play, and still playing good coverage.
I knew Beamer had a good team,but, I have to say, Stanford is one well coached team.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:30 PM ^
If we can't have Mr. Harbaugh, can we haz Stanford's DC?
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:36 PM ^
I'll take Defensive Coordinators for $1000 Alex
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:31 PM ^
If we don't hire Harbaugh can we at least hire his defensive coordinator?
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:43 PM ^
didn't we try that in 2008?
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:32 PM ^
I am really impressed by how the seem to be in the right location almost every time. I am a huge Rich Rod supporter but JH knows how to coach.
I actually disagree with those who think he should go to Michigan first and then the NFL. I want him to come to Michigan badly, but there are far more examples of coaches who have gone to the NFL, flamed out and returned to be successful in college (carroll, saban, petrino to name a few). Seems the less risky move is to go NFL and come back to college if things don't work.
Either way Stanford both offensively and defensively has been impressive. The kids know Harbaugh is gone but look at how they are fighting for their coach. He also MAKES ADJUSTMENTS. How they have played the second half has been impressive. My biggest complaint about our offense has been the lack of adjustments once defenses adjust to us.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:40 PM ^
If he wants to coach at Michigan, passing it up now is very risky. It might never be open for him again.
January 4th, 2011 at 6:30 AM ^
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:32 PM ^
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:32 PM ^
A few folks mentioned Stanford's LB play
Let's go to the film. Or whatever.
They hired several new assistant D coaches, including new DC Vic Fangio
They switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4.
They took two DEs--one a all pac 10 performer at DE and a second a backup DE--and made them the OLBs. They put Marecic on D to play an ILB spot. And their stud defensive recruit in 2009 is this Skov kid, who are spot play a year ago, is clearly blowing up this season
How crazy is that. None of the four LBs started last year really at LB
Something tells me they might know how to use Craig Roh's unique skill set
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:34 PM ^
Hopkins would do well in this scheme.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:35 PM ^
The fact that our defense with two senior linebackers never blitzed the A gap ever.....
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:35 PM ^
Beat down.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:35 PM ^
Anyone saying Stanford's success is due to one or two players is just off-base. This team lost a Heisman finalist at tailback and its run game is even better this year. They're a very complete team.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:36 PM ^
Ladies and gentlemen, your #1 draft pick.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:36 PM ^
Stanford's band incorporates a war drum. I enjoy this thoroughly.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:37 PM ^
and they'll match Mississippi State. Not that that makes me feel any better about the ticket and travel money I spent last weekend...
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:38 PM ^
Harbaugh isn't from the SEC run it up mindset. He's going to take his foot off the gas here, just like we would.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:38 PM ^
Anybody want to see us gash Ohio State like Stanford is doing to VT in the 4th quarter of an upcoming season finale game in Columbus? Take one giant step forward in 3, 2, 1.......
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:39 PM ^
like he did when he was QB? That would be cool and it is why he'll forever have a fond place in my memories!
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^
He'll say or do anything he feels like. They called him Hurricane Harbaugh out in California for a reason. Maybe it was the open challenge to San Diego State to play them in Qualcomm Stadium with the offer to buy out any team on their schedule to create an opening?
He was probably my favorite player growing up. He had that something special and it looks like he knows how to bring that out of his players. The NFL and it's sorry pattern of chewing through coaches like gristle fat can wait. Come back Jim and let's go exact some paybacks on some teams that no longer fear or respect us.
It isn't like taking us to the heights is going to make him less wanted by the NFL.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:51 PM ^
i missed the memo where Harbaugh said he's coming. i can't believe Brian didn't post it on the front page.
January 4th, 2011 at 12:43 AM ^
Wow, he's slacking... FIRE BRIAN!!!!! /s :)
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:39 PM ^
Beamer has to go. I have seen enough. A whole month to prepare and they can't stop the run right up the middle or the pass to the wide open white guy. That is bad coaching and bad recruiting and will never ever change. Virginia Tech will be exactly this good forever unless they get Harbaugh.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:40 PM ^
I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:46 PM ^
PurpleStuff, here's why Beamer's safe: Because he actually has a track record of success at his school. RR has a track record of futility at Michigan.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:52 PM ^
You mean like 4 wins, then 5 wins, then 8 wins with a bowl loss?
I bet Stanford is glad they didn't fire their coach with his track record of futility at Stanford. Then again, Stanford fans are probably a lot fucking smarter than we are.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^
He hired Harbaugh. Hopes ours doesn't screw up our one chance.
January 4th, 2011 at 12:03 AM ^
If the only way you are able to gauge the progress of a team is simply by the number of wins then you must not watch a lot of football...
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:48 PM ^
There comes a time in life when you need to just admit you are wrong.
If Beamer had never beaten a ranked team at Va Tech, wasn't in a BCS bowl, had been beaten this bad 6 times in the same season, and had a losing record at Va Tech, then you may have a semblance of a point with your sarcasm... But none of that is true and you are making a fool of yourself. Cut your losses just like Michigan will do with RR this week.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:52 PM ^
Do you really need to act as if people who have been calling for RR to be fired had no reason to feel that way? Just stop.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:54 PM ^
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:39 PM ^
Money. We haz it.
DB: Please open the wallet.
JH: Please bring your DC and OC with you.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:40 PM ^
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:51 PM ^
maybe but its the PATs they have problems with
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:40 PM ^
Stanford is playing beautiful football tonight. Likely a reflection of their coach.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^
I want some Skov
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:54 PM ^
Or a D where the other team wouldn't contemplate going for it in that situation.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:54 PM ^
Or a D where the other team wouldn't contemplate going for it in that situation.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^
This Skov (sp?) fellow is really impressive! Plays everywhere and really effective!
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:42 PM ^
Wow, the empty seats at the orange bowl
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:42 PM ^
"Hasn't won a bowl game yet". And now has one BCS bowl win, just like...except with a lot more points.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:44 PM ^
I can't help feeling like this is what Michigan fans think we should be seeing from our team. I am living vicariously through Stanford as a Wolverine fan, how bizarre.
I hope Harbaugh takes a day and just relishes the fruits of his labors for a day, what an accomplishment for him at Stanford of all places. Congrats Cardinal, the night is yours!
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:44 PM ^
JH's big brother, JH, is telling him about career choices?
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:45 PM ^
Tough loss for VT but Stanford is amazingly talented on the field, VT did not even belong on the same field as them tonight. When this game was drawn I shuddered because I feared this would happen. Stanford is so explosive.
If you all manage to snare Harbaugh, watch out. Oh man, if he can get his players in, and they know how to play defense, good heavens. Michigan could be...a 1 loss team...!
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:45 PM ^
Stole my thought. Oregon must be really good. Might have a chance vs. The S-E-C.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:49 PM ^
I don't even know why Auburn is the favorite in that one
Oregon to me seems a lot more dangerous because of James and that QB who I can't remember, and that explosive offense