Practice observations from Wolverine Wire
If you aren’t checking this site daily, you should be. Isaiah (who posts here on occasion) does great work and posts really good info.
December 27th, 2018 at 3:18 PM ^
Good stuff! Almost gameday!
December 27th, 2018 at 3:21 PM ^
I love that blue on blue look!
December 27th, 2018 at 3:40 PM ^
Homerun post thanks TK although I wonder what was the commentary on the OSU game practices. My toxic shock BPONE syndrome is amping up daily.
December 27th, 2018 at 11:17 PM ^
Wolverine Wire practice observations, 11/23/2018:
Defense looks amazing. Have a real hunger. Be surprised at more than 17 points from the OSU offense. DL showing great burst and first step that will surely spell trouble for Haskins on Saturday.
December 28th, 2018 at 2:09 PM ^
Wasn’t at practice pre-OSU but ok cool
December 27th, 2018 at 3:42 PM ^
Good to hear Dylan is back practicing all the drills with the QBs
December 27th, 2018 at 4:02 PM ^
Man its really tough to get excited about this game.
December 27th, 2018 at 4:29 PM ^
It is tough to get excited if you were hoping to see the Michigan "Full Squad Team" vs. Florida. If that is your expectation then yes, you are going to be disappointed. Just ain't gonna happen.
But, if you are willing to get excited to see what team shows up, and watching some starters for next year get some run in this game, then it could be really enjoyable. I hope they open the play book and see if some different looks or formations work for our Offense.
Furthermore, If Michigan loses I don't pin this one on Harbaugh. I don't see how you can. Having Karan and Bush out is tough to navigate. I don't think we have another back that can fill Karan's shoes, nor do we have another LB to fill Devin's. And that is just one of 4 starters who are out.
I plan on watching and rooting for Michigan and getting a glimpse of what next year's team might look like. Gonna be fun.
December 27th, 2018 at 4:36 PM ^
So you're saying Michigan can't game plan around Higdon sitting out?
I'm not negging you, I just think it's depressing that we (fans) see this staff as being completely closedminded in altering the offense to better suit it's players.
December 27th, 2018 at 6:17 PM ^
But have they? How would Evans be best employed? The answer - as agreed on this blog thousands of times - is by getting him the ball in space. How often did that happen this year?
I love what we did on offense all year, but I do also think the coaches get tunnel vision and stubbornly refuse to do some obvious things.
December 27th, 2018 at 7:27 PM ^
Don’t count me as one of the “we” referenced
December 28th, 2018 at 8:20 AM ^
I don’t think it’s that we “can’t” gameplan around it, but the fact is we’re missing four starters. Those four starters were starters because they’re better than the guys who will be replacing them.
Its not a stretch to say Michigan isn’t as good of a team without those four starters as they would be with them.
Evans isn’t as good of a running back as Higdon. I don’t think there’s much argument to be made there. Playing without Higdon makes our running game a bit less of a threat.
Now CAN we tailor the gameplan to fit the personnel we DO have? Of course. But it’s, again, safe to say they won’t be as good as our team throughout the season and its possible it will not be enough to win this game.
Simply put, playing without four starters is very tough for anybody to do against a quality opponent.
December 27th, 2018 at 4:37 PM ^
You gotta put some blame on the coaches if we lose There's no certainty on any game day that you'll have all your players available. You have to have a gameplan ready to execute that gives your players the best chance to execute and win.
December 27th, 2018 at 5:40 PM ^
I promise we have enough talent on the field to win. Players gotta play and coaches gotta coach. Opportunity is everywhere.
I’m not sure how you can’t look forward to seeing this game and who shows up but I like I love watching Michigan Football.
December 27th, 2018 at 4:47 PM ^
I suspect Jim is taking responsibility for everything. Jim Harbaugh is the head coach and he is responsible for the recruiting for depth, 2-deep roster, development of the players, practices, strategy, and in-gam playcalling. So yes, the win (or the loss) goes on Harbaugh's record. I doubt he sees it otherwise. I am pretty sure that Florida players can skip the game if they so desire and there may be few that are injured too. It is what Harbaugh loves so get ready to play football and note that nobody has it better than us.
December 27th, 2018 at 11:44 PM ^
I'm having no problem getting amped up.
There are only so many chances we get to see a Michigan Football Game. I savor and enjoy every one of them even in the times we lose. Maybe you know exactly how many more games you will get to see but I sure don't and I don't take any game for granted.
I am absolutely excited about this game.
December 27th, 2018 at 4:07 PM ^
Fades to McCurdy....sigh
December 27th, 2018 at 6:20 PM ^
What? At least get the name right if you're going to complain - Jake McCurry.
BTW, that play worked well enough that McCurry was so wide open that the corner had to commit interference to avoid a huge gain. There are better plays you could question...
December 28th, 2018 at 7:52 AM ^
Uhhhhhh......he was never wide open on that play. Not even close. He basically got zero separation but the ball was in the air and OSU's corner was still jamming him.
December 27th, 2018 at 4:46 PM ^
For me it will be even more gratifying of a win when we win without 4 starters.
Go Blue!
December 27th, 2018 at 4:51 PM ^
I've read glowing accounts of Michigan's bowl practice and prep before every one of the 25 bowls Michigan has lost since 1970. They might be nice to read, but they're largely devoid of any predictive power for the game itself.
"Furthermore, If Michigan loses I don't pin this one on Harbaugh. I don't see how you can."
I guess the buck doesn't stop at Schembechler Hall, right?
December 27th, 2018 at 10:53 PM ^
I thought we were supposed to blame Pep and call for his firing?
December 28th, 2018 at 8:23 AM ^
Rumors circulating that Harbaugh is looking to hire a legit OC this offseason. Which means someone has to go. I’m not naming any names here though.
December 27th, 2018 at 5:57 PM ^
Be prepared for run, run, pass. Be pleasently surprised by anything else.
December 27th, 2018 at 8:18 PM ^
We'll come out throwing, five-wide!
December 27th, 2018 at 10:52 PM ^
If Michigan wins doing that, then I'm fine with it.
December 27th, 2018 at 9:51 PM ^
I'm not a fan of the guys sitting out, but I sure as hell am excited to support the kids that are playing and look forward to seeing Turner, Tariq, Jeter, Paye, Ross & Stueber...I really hope we plan on featuring Tariq...
December 27th, 2018 at 10:43 PM ^
I think Michigan has the talent to beat Florida. May be Harbaugh will take more advantage of his 3 excellent WR and 3 more who are good!
December 28th, 2018 at 10:35 AM ^
Brandon Knapp is the single worst sports writer I've ever read. His articles are chock full of run on sentences, grammatical errors, and baseless opinions. It's a bunch of garbage.
Isaiah Hole is solid though.
December 28th, 2018 at 11:21 AM ^
That second unit OL shows exactly why we needed a big and talented OL group in the 2019 class. I really hope some of them come in ready to play as freshmen because the depth is ugly.