Rutgers starting CB Max Melton suspended
https://twitter.com/ChrisIseman/status/1440308157679505409?s=20
Melton started 6 games for Rutgers last year as true freshman and has started all 3 games this year. He has 2 INTs (including a pick six), a fumble recovery and a blocked kick so far this year. His older brother is RU starting receiver Bo Melton.
This is a notable loss for Rutgers. Their secondary is one of their stronger units and they normally start 3 DBs. Alex ranked their secondary 10th in the "The Enemy, Ranked" series but said that was mostly due to the strength of the secondaries Michigan was going to face instead of any major deficiencies in Rutgers secondary. Melton was listed as a backup by Alex behind UNC transfer CB Patrice Rene, but Rene has been out this year so far with an injury so it'll be interesting to see whether Rene is back this week.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:14 AM ^
Beat me to it.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:23 AM ^
I know it's early, and I shouldn't be saying this, but is it me, or do the stars seem to be aligning for a special season? I know people rip on Harbaugh, but he has really had a bad streak of luck since he got here. The snap against MSU, the bad ball placement against OSU. Speight getting hurt, Josh Mettelus dropping the easiest int a DB could ever hope for, O'Korn just not being able to competently do anything. Not to mention that bad case of fumbleitis a couple years ago, and last year every capable O lineman getting hurt.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:27 AM ^
Lucy needs to settle the fuck down. I am not attempting to kick that damn ball. Not again. Not this year.
...
But it is just sitting there, ready to be kicked...
No! Not doing it.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:47 AM ^
Other than losing Ronnie Bell, this season has literally gone perfectly. Every team we're about to face shows some sort of issue/deficiency that plays right into our hands (Washington loses to FCS, N. Illinois gets gashed in the run game, Rutgers loses their starting CB in a shallow secondary, Wisconsin's QB play being substandard even for them, Ohio State's defense just generally being a mess). The games have been blowouts from the first minute and backups and guys deep down the depth chart are getting valuable playing time in the 2nd halves. Cade looks shaky passing one week? Throws bombs the next week. Running game can't keep churning out 300 yard games? Running game churns out another 300 yards.
If you've been a Michigan fan for 10 years or longer, you know this kinda thing never happens. I'm not getting my hopes up, but we're already seeing so many positive signs align for us. Makes me hella nervous
September 21st, 2021 at 11:23 AM ^
The Ronnie Bell thing could be bigger than it seems now once we're playing a secondary with a pulse, but yeah, other than that it does seem like things have gone about as well as possible.
September 21st, 2021 at 11:25 AM ^
Exactly! Things are going so well... almost too well.
*insert squinty eyes meme*
September 21st, 2021 at 10:47 AM ^
I’m right there with you. I am making a conscious effort to do nothing more than enjoy each game as it comes along. Then, as our game finishes (or even during) I am checking out other games to see how we might get positioned, but nothing more than that. I am very aware of how each team plays in a particular game, but make no judgements on how that might play out against Michigan when it comes to that time.
like you, I’m not kicking that ball. No way. My expectations are not changing regardless of how good we might look in any game (even if it’s all games). I am enjoying our performances and know that we will struggle against more than one opponent. Whether we’re able to pull out a win in those struggles is what will determine our season. I’m happy to find out when it happens.
September 21st, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
Why not say it? What's the harm? We're just fans. It's just a game. Hell, let's enjoy it for now, I say. Who knows. Maybe this will be a very special season. If so, super. If not? Life goes on.
That game on October 2 will tell us a lot more about this team, and where we may be headed, though, for sure.
September 21st, 2021 at 6:52 PM ^
I've thought the same thing. Obviously, all teams suffer bad breaks but it really seems like his teams have had more than their share of bad luck.
September 21st, 2021 at 6:54 PM ^
Remember when they had a young left tackle named Grant Newsome who seemed like he would provide All-Big Ten maybe All Amerian level play for 2 or 3 years.
September 22nd, 2021 at 1:01 AM ^
No.
Ronnie Bell. That's you're evidence.
...unless of course, he's your Eric Mayes and this is '97.
September 22nd, 2021 at 1:05 AM ^
...also, this is the type of shit you say AFTER the season.
We're 3 games in. The stars have barely moved, they're not even close to being aligned.
This is better to talk about in hindsight. "In hindsight, the stars aligned and we got (this) break and (that) break."
It's just tooo early for all of this hype. Not even trying to be negative, it's just math and the fact that we haven't beaten anyone worth a damn.
If this was basketball, let's get some Q1 wins...and then we can start to speculate.
The only thing we can say with near certainty is that this team is better than last year. Even in 3 games, that seems pretty clear. I don't think you can make any other assumption right now.
September 22nd, 2021 at 11:23 AM ^
I...just don't get this sentiment. Why can't we be excited now? What's the harm in that? Why not get outta the BPONE for a while and just enjoy things, especially things as trivial (yeah, I said it) as college sports fandom? This ain't life or death. We're just fans. It's just a game. What's the worst that could happen here? Some mean Ohio State fan will tell you that Michigan sucks?
If the season turns out to be really special, well hey, that's great. And if it doesn't? Life will go on.
I dunno. I kinda felt the way you did when I was in my 20s, but now that I'm in my 40s, I see things a bit differently.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:30 AM ^
Just as the program is on the rise, a couple of guys can't help but paint it in a bad light again.
September 21st, 2021 at 10:31 AM ^
Conspiracy! Everyone is conspiring to keep Michigan fans in the dark about the true nature of Michigan's passing game. Oh My Gawd!!!
September 21st, 2021 at 10:39 AM ^
I thought you had to wait until the easiest part of your big 10 schedule to suspend starters from games.
Oh sorry I guess it’s just OSU that decides to do that. But seriously good on Schiano for having standards. Pretty impressive considering they’re 3-0 and about to play the best team they’ve faced to date.
September 21st, 2021 at 11:42 AM ^
Charged with aggravated assault, if the charges stick, they probably are kicked off the team.
I think every FBS coach would've had to suspend them for the next game at least...
September 21st, 2021 at 11:54 AM ^
Urban would like a word
September 21st, 2021 at 2:14 PM ^
Dantonio would have picked him up from his arraignment hearing and driven him straight to practice...
September 21st, 2021 at 10:49 AM ^
Did that one kid finally unplug his NCAA 14 Ohio State dynasty mode? Feels like 2011 all over again with all the breaks going our way
September 21st, 2021 at 11:10 AM ^
This is where the coaches have to remind the team that animals are the most dangers when they are wounded, and every major opponent they will face coming up, has been wounded. Stay focused.
September 21st, 2021 at 12:26 PM ^
That sucks. It's only going to feel good beating Rutger if all their best players are on the field.
September 21st, 2021 at 12:39 PM ^
Nah it’s cool. Get some more practice throwing the ball, hopefully Wisconsin has a tough and emotional game against ND.
Im good with us continuing to improve while the schedule ramps up.