I think the OP makes a fair point. When Rodriguez pulled Forcier in the Iowa game, he did so based on information that suggested Tate might have a concussion. Michigan lost that game by 2 points. RR wasn't praised for his decision; rather, the media seemed to view his decision as a sign of a non-existent QB controversy.
Fast forward 11 months, and Kelly knowingly re-inserts into the game a QB who has shown multiple concussion symptoms. Kelly was concerned enough to keep Crist out of the game for nearly 2 full quarters, so why haven't his motives been questioned? It's worth asking the question.
These kinds of posts demonstrate just how effective and varied our offense can be. I read stuff like this and realize how much is happening on every play that leads to the desired result -- but that I simply don't see because I'm too focused on Denard.
Rodriguez knows he's "on the hot seat," and I think he's coaching for this season only. It would be nice if, in 2011, we have three QBs with significant snaps, but I doubt very much that's why he has played Gardner. DG is the second best QB we have, which is the only reason Michigan burned his redshirt.
For each game after 9/11, Michigan wore an American flag patch on the upper left part of their jerseys. It was a subtle, but fitting tribute. I don't see why the 9th anniversary of that event requires a special jersey.
I won't trash him, but it would have been great to have had him for one more season. Despite the fact that the 2001 team regressed a bit towards the end of the season, they almost surely would have beaten OSU (and won the Big Ten outright) with Henson under center. Then we would have been spared the TD-fest perpetrated on Michigan by Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl.
Oh, God. I'd blocked that from my memory completely. As I recall, we went up by a TD early, then Dixon spent the next 50 minutes or so destroying our defense. He was dominant that year and would have won the Heisman if he hadn't gotten injured late in the season.
I'm not sure I agree. Brandon's not going to can Rodriguez if Michigan finishes the season 8-4, no matter which teams we lose to. That record would be a vast improvement over last year and a positive sign for next year's stacked team (and favorable schedule).
This offense improved by leaps and bounds from 2008 to 2009 and there's more than ample reason to assume the same will be true from 2009 to 2010. For the first time in the Rodriguez era, we have a starting QB with at least one year of experience in the offense. We have an experienced and healthy offensive line. We have a stable of running backs who understand the system. And we have the size and speed in the outside and slot receiver positions to implement the kinds of bubbles, end arounds, and jail break screens that are a staple of Rodriguez's offense. If we aren't twice the offensive team we were in 2008, I will be sorely disappointed.
My understanding, based on comments from the Rodriguez and Brandon, is that this is something that has been discussed at length, but nothing has been finalized. RR, for what it's worth, seems to really want to schedule this game. He made some comment to the press when the subject was brought up, along the lines of: "Wouldn't that be fun?!"
Based on my experience taking the Illinois bar 6 years ago, I'd advise you to do the following:
1) Identify the subjects you have the most trouble with and spend 65% of the next few days improving your understanding of those subjects. Be honest with yourself, even if they are subjects you absolutely hate (my worst -- and least favorite subject -- was commercial paper).
2) Spend the remaining 35% of your time nailing down the fundamentals of the other subjects. Do practice exam questions, write out full essays, make flashcards. Most importantly, try to replicate a test environment. Write your essays out by hand and time yourself. Don't cut corners.
3) Do something you enjoy the night before the exam. Don't spend the last few hours before bed cramming. It won't help.
4) Make sure you eat something on the morning of the first day of the exam. East something that will sit well, like a banana or toast with peanut butter.
5) During breaks in the exam, avoid talking to your fellow test takers about the exam. A post-mortem will only make you paranoid.
I want so very badly to ramp down my expectations for this season for all the reasons others have offered (and more), but I just can't. I have tremendous faith in Rodriguez, I think the incoming freshmen will really give the team a jolt in the arm, and I believe the defense will be sound. That's a big difference between 2008 Michigan and 2007 Notre Dame: we have a defense; they did not. Not even close. They lost to Navy, people. Navy.
I think what makes a school like Michigan so great is that it has this legion of fans who adore the school and its athletics, but who have no tangible connection to the university itself. They could have picked any other school in the country but they chose Michigan. That there is something about Michigan that draws these fans to the school is a testament to the university. People who went to Michigan had little choice but to be Michigan fans, whereas those who attended school somewhere else (or did not attend college at all) CHOSE Michigan above all others. It's a compliment, as far as I'm concerned.
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I think the OP makes a fair point. When Rodriguez pulled Forcier in the Iowa game, he did so based on information that suggested Tate might have a concussion. Michigan lost that game by 2 points. RR wasn't praised for his decision; rather, the media seemed to view his decision as a sign of a non-existent QB controversy.
Fast forward 11 months, and Kelly knowingly re-inserts into the game a QB who has shown multiple concussion symptoms. Kelly was concerned enough to keep Crist out of the game for nearly 2 full quarters, so why haven't his motives been questioned? It's worth asking the question.
These kinds of posts demonstrate just how effective and varied our offense can be. I read stuff like this and realize how much is happening on every play that leads to the desired result -- but that I simply don't see because I'm too focused on Denard.
Rodriguez knows he's "on the hot seat," and I think he's coaching for this season only. It would be nice if, in 2011, we have three QBs with significant snaps, but I doubt very much that's why he has played Gardner. DG is the second best QB we have, which is the only reason Michigan burned his redshirt.
For each game after 9/11, Michigan wore an American flag patch on the upper left part of their jerseys. It was a subtle, but fitting tribute. I don't see why the 9th anniversary of that event requires a special jersey.
Wow. I'm tumescent after reading that.
I won't trash him, but it would have been great to have had him for one more season. Despite the fact that the 2001 team regressed a bit towards the end of the season, they almost surely would have beaten OSU (and won the Big Ten outright) with Henson under center. Then we would have been spared the TD-fest perpetrated on Michigan by Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl.
Oh, God. I'd blocked that from my memory completely. As I recall, we went up by a TD early, then Dixon spent the next 50 minutes or so destroying our defense. He was dominant that year and would have won the Heisman if he hadn't gotten injured late in the season.
Wait, I'm confused. So the cops knew that internal affairs were setting them up?
I changed the title. Sorry for any confusion.
I'm not sure I agree. Brandon's not going to can Rodriguez if Michigan finishes the season 8-4, no matter which teams we lose to. That record would be a vast improvement over last year and a positive sign for next year's stacked team (and favorable schedule).
I miss Brian's sunny, "Sometimes When You're On" optimism from last year.
This offense improved by leaps and bounds from 2008 to 2009 and there's more than ample reason to assume the same will be true from 2009 to 2010. For the first time in the Rodriguez era, we have a starting QB with at least one year of experience in the offense. We have an experienced and healthy offensive line. We have a stable of running backs who understand the system. And we have the size and speed in the outside and slot receiver positions to implement the kinds of bubbles, end arounds, and jail break screens that are a staple of Rodriguez's offense. If we aren't twice the offensive team we were in 2008, I will be sorely disappointed.
My understanding, based on comments from the Rodriguez and Brandon, is that this is something that has been discussed at length, but nothing has been finalized. RR, for what it's worth, seems to really want to schedule this game. He made some comment to the press when the subject was brought up, along the lines of: "Wouldn't that be fun?!"
I'd love to play if there are still spots available. I'd love to play with Florida, Oregon, or Georgia Tech.
My GT is GooseGosselin.
Based on my experience taking the Illinois bar 6 years ago, I'd advise you to do the following:
1) Identify the subjects you have the most trouble with and spend 65% of the next few days improving your understanding of those subjects. Be honest with yourself, even if they are subjects you absolutely hate (my worst -- and least favorite subject -- was commercial paper).
2) Spend the remaining 35% of your time nailing down the fundamentals of the other subjects. Do practice exam questions, write out full essays, make flashcards. Most importantly, try to replicate a test environment. Write your essays out by hand and time yourself. Don't cut corners.
3) Do something you enjoy the night before the exam. Don't spend the last few hours before bed cramming. It won't help.
4) Make sure you eat something on the morning of the first day of the exam. East something that will sit well, like a banana or toast with peanut butter.
5) During breaks in the exam, avoid talking to your fellow test takers about the exam. A post-mortem will only make you paranoid.
Good luck!
. . . my GT is GooseGosselin. Thanks.
I'd love to play. If it's Big 10 only, I'll take Iowa, Wisconsin and Penn State. If it's all NCAA, I'll take Georgia Tech, Oregon, and Florida.
I'd love to play. I got started in an online dynasty last year that died out after only a few weeks.
My 360 GT is GooseGosselin.