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The bigger story here is…

The bigger story here is going to be OSU's involvement.  If OSU was indeed involved, I can't see how that is something that the NCAA or Big Ten can consider acceptable.  That should be a huge scandal if that is in fact true. 

The real scandal here will…

The real scandal here will be whether OSU was in fact involved in hiring a PI firm to leak this information to water-carrying media.  How would or could the NCAA see that as appropriate conduct?  If OSU did this, then the spotlight is pointed in the wrong direction.

I was seriously just…

I was seriously just thinking about this.  I came up with “signal intercepting”.  

It is important not to say stealing because that implies it was illegal, and it isn’t.  

Obviously we all know the real issue is the in person advance scouting but I do think it’s important because people are running with the narrative that the intercepting was somehow an unfair advantage.  The advantage from scouting on an iPhone in public in a 100,000 person stadium is next to nil, and the intercepting is perfectly legal.

I don't always love Balas…

I don't always love Balas but he is right on here and it is important to have all of the history in one place, though it doesn't include everything.  

Also don't like Jamelle Hill, but she's right on the rivalry mattering more to MSU because of an inferiority complex and MSU wanting so badly to have a rivalry that matters like the OSU one does.  For that reason, so much of MSU's behavior regarding Michigan is childish and attention-seeking.  Clearly the tunnel assaults go beyond that, but there is a line drawn that leads from Dantonio to Saturday.  

This is why Michigan needs to monitor the response by MSU, the Big Ten and law enforcement, to see how serious this is taken.  If insufficient punishment is doled out, Michigan needs to punish MSU by taking away the thing that is most important to them - the game itself.  That will get their attention, I think.  

I don't know how unpopular…

I don't know how unpopular this take is, but if Sparty as a program doesn't sort this out (in addition to the Big Ten and law enforcement), then they should no longer be scheduled.  They have a long pattern of lack of discipline, culminating in this.  The rivalry matters 10X more to them than it does us, they need it more than we do.  Punish them by taking them off the schedule, if they don't take this seriously enough.

https://twitter.com…

https://twitter.com/woodsfootball/status/1586775778284507137?s=46&t=c0WrXcNp3XfyUzlHu7QWbQ

This video is important.  It appears to show which MSU player was the one using the helmet.  I don’t want to name him since I can’t say with 100 percent certainty, and getting it wrong would be very irresponsible, but I’ve seen some speculation that matches with my own analysis.  

Probably more to the point,…

Probably more to the point, in my mind anyway, if Michigan would have won it all would they still be ranked somewhere other than #1 in the final coaches poll?  That wouldn't make sense.

1-4 are the final four.  Why the logic changes further down doesn't seem consistent. 

In for $100.  An opportunity…

In for $100.  An opportunity to contribute directly to the program we know and love, and that gives us abundant joy when we beat OSU.  Here is to many more of those.  

Man.  Sucks for them. …

Man.  Sucks for them.  Sincerely hope they all get well soon and that it hasn’t spread further.  Makes me worry more for the season given the large uptick in cases nationally.  Michigan has done a wonderful job of keeping players healthy.  Hope it continues for their (and our) benefit.  

I'm like 95% sure I saw Uche…

I'm like 95% sure I saw Uche back on the field a series after his injury.  Pretty sure it was just a cramp.

I went back and watched but couldn't find it.  However Austin Meek from the Athletic says he went back in:

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/byAustinMeek/status/1198381952019128321

Harbaugh spoke to it…

Harbaugh spoke to it directly today and just said Thomas is "working through something."  But I had heard prior from multiple sources that one of the DBs had a pretty serious sickness that may cause him to miss some time and that has caused some rather serious weight loss.  I'm reading between the lines but it sounded to me like there was a chance he still plays in week one but that it might take some time for him to get back to 100%.  I haven't seen chatter of it being a season ending thing yet.

Should also put Michigan in…

Should also put Michigan in even better position with George's younger brother, 2021 OLB Yanni Karlaftis, who I believe is also viewed as equally elite.

Times Change

That was the understanding a couple weeks ago but the situation must have become fluid.  Plus, Sam Webb has dropped some hints that something is amiss.

Further Update

I believe it is now up to 13 in a row for Nico to Michigan.  Last Georgia ball was on 1/17.

Steve Wiltfong

Also crystal ballzed Collins to Michigan as of about an hour ago.

Anyone Know

What was the genesis of Teddy's beef against Harbaugh/Michigan?

Who are the three?

Peoples-Jones, Ambry Thomas, and Harris?

Anthony/Kurt Taylor

Sam Webb has given a gut feeling on Jordan Anthony, multiple times.  Also I find it odd that Taylor is not listed in the best guess list at RB even though all indications are that Michigan hasn't stopped recruiting him.  I get that some fans believe he'll be "processed" but it's getting pretty late for that and I don't think there has been any indication of it except for fan speculation.  

In re High School

I'd like to note that his high school actually has produced some DI and NFL talent.  Most notably NFL veteran and current Washington Redskin William Blackmon. 

Source:

http://247sports.com/Player/William-Blackmon-51002

I love the Seth Diagrams

Should Hill at least get a star?  

Should JBB get a teal border?  That position is a trouble spot, at least when you compare it to the remainder of the line (and team).  

Questions, not necessarily suggestions.

Good Idea

Let's underestimate this opponent like we have so many others over recent memory. 

Of course they CAN beat us.  Will they?  Not likely.  What are their chances, 5% maybe?  Actually percentages online that I've been able to find (ESPN) give them a 13% chance of winning.  Let's just hope that this Saturday isn't the one out of ten anomaly that results in us getting upset.

You're crazy if you think that being favorite guarantees a victory.  There were enough upsets last weekend to teach you that lesson.

I normally don't comment but I was so exasperated by the contempt of The Mad Hater's topic that I was prompted to respond.   

 

 

39-16 M

39-16 Michigan

51-6, MI

51-6, MI

The Mad...

The Mad Hater.

True but...

Then we also got Quinn Nordin, so we may have - arguably - gotten the better of them.

This guy

Really loves sharing music with folks. 

Finally...

The feeling of hope returns.

Dymonte

No mention at all of Dymonte Thomas in the preview, although he does appear in the mgodepthchart at nickel.  Has not been hyped since his recruitment and likely since after his blocked punt vs. Central last year.  Should have redshirted last year, maybe he gets a redshirt this year?  I still have hope.

With sincere honesty

No.

This was stupid

No doubt.  But I just want to remind everyone that I'm sure all of us have done dumb things from time to time, especially while in college (although, debatably, maybe not that dumb).  Let us remember what a wise man once said: "those that live in glass cielings shouldn't throw the first eggs."

I think....

It's just a good and common example of anonymous message board posters and this social media side effect of "hey everyone, I have an opinion and here it is. Doesn't matter that I hardly have any facts to base this opinion on. I'm going to pretend I know the whole story."

Signing day

What the hell does not signing on signing day have to do with anything? Signing day is an arbitrary day that fans think prospects should sign since most recruits sign that day. But it is only the first day athletes are allowed to sign an LOI.



Although this situation is different since he actually did sign on signing day (for state).



Either way, if the Michigan coaches want him then who is any fan to say that "he's not right for the team"? I for one would be quite pleased.

This is what bothers me

I may be in the minority here, but I think this is partly what is wrong with recruiting. I mean no offense to the poster I am responding to, but who are you or who are we to say that he needs to do anything. We are mere observers, mere onlookers and fans with the privilege of watching these players make their real life decisions. These kids owe us nothing at this point. There is no rule that says someone has to sign on signing day. It seems like people think just because most kids do means that they all should. He's making a decision that will literally affect him for the remainder of his young life. We have nothing to say in the matter, and, frankly, no right to say it. He needs to do what is best for him and his future. If he needs more time that is his prerogative, not ours.



I, of course, hope he picks Michigan and, unlike some anonymous online posters, I will not rush to any character judgments based on his decision timeline or any of the other limited facts we know about him or any recruit. We never know the whole story. No matter what happens I hope he makes the best decision for him.



Go blue!

Bidet

I prefer the bidet myself.

Look at his username

He's a theme commenter.

Winter is

Winter is cu... never mind.

"in the weight room and . . . "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zATZViKw0A

Here we go

Valiant effort

A good decision for two

Thugs from the south won

I hardly post...

Like most places on the internet, there is an annoying dose of nitpickyness and condescension on this blog among posters and it's the main reason I don't post much.  But I've been reading this blog for years almost religiously and I personally consider it the definitive word on Michigan football, a topic I am very passionate about and have been since I was old enough to understand the game while watching Michigan play on Saturdays with my dad 20+ years ago. 

I don't feel closure until I read Ace's wrap-up and I don't want to jump to any conclusions until I read Brian's analysis and UFRs.  I don't always agree, but I agree a great deal of the time with Brian's perspective.  This blog is, dare I say, revolutionary in sports journalism and I sincerely appreciate what Brian and the rest of the contributors do here, as I am sure so many of us silent supporters do.

The decision...

There is no doubt in my mind that the decision to go for two was correct.  I'm sure Brian or someone else will analyze that in due course.  

The only thing that I think reasonable minds will be able to debate is the play call itself.  To come to a reasonable conclusion, I think someone will have to look at their two point conversion plays for the season and every play they ran from that trips formation in this game and see if they had run that play before (in order to see if this call was predictable).  I could be wrong, but I thought that they had run the wide receiver run from that formation, and the option a couple times.  I'm not sure if they had passed out of it.  So for that reason, it seemed like it may have made sense, assuming they haven't run that pass variation out of that formation.

However, my problem with it was that OSU called timeout and Michigan came out with the exact same formation and ran Dileo (?) in motion to the right after OSU had already seen the formation and the motion by the receiver.  Michigan should have changed the play call instead of going back to the same formation and same playcall.  That's just my two cents, but I absolutely defend the decision to go for two beyond a shadow of a doubt given the way the game was going and considering the strength of the two teams.  Going for it gave us the best chance to win.

Hoke has balls, I like his game theory calls.  It's sad to me that a lot of them haven't worked out because I hope he doesn't change when it comes to him making those hard decisions that give us a mathematically better chance to win than the "conventional wisdom"/play it safe mentality.

My opinion is that Borges still has to go and probably also Funk and Jackson.  As to Borges, you can't have a 20-25% hit rate as far as good game planning and expect to keep the job.  This game just showed that they have been underperforming for the talent level that we have on offense and that's unacceptable. 

Proud of this effort though and this game reeled me back in and reminded me why I love Michigan football and this rivalry.

My thoughts...

I don't care if Borges puts up 75 and wins, I still think he needs to go. You can't have one good game plan every five games and keep your job at Michigan. If anything this game shows that Michigan's offense is capable of scoring points with the personnel they have and they haven't been.



That said, offensively they've played as good as you could hope for. Defensively they've been ok besides the d line at times and some safety play on big plays.



I didn't like them leaving 45 seconds on the clock and one time out on their own 30 and not trying to move the ball into field goal range or at least to Hail Mary territory when you have Funchess. I don't get why they were so conservative there.

If 98 was being worn by the best player...

If 98 was being worn by our best player wouldn't it clearly be worn by Taylor Lewan?

Dr. Harris

So when Damien Harris and Drake Harris play together two years from now will Drake Harris' jersey read Dr. Harris? 

I knew this would happen

Haha, iPhone autochange and I failed to proof before posting. I then saw it after posting and was just thinking "here we go, I guess I won't get a serious answer to my question."

Eligibility

Hoping for a quick physical and mental recovery for him.



Someone made a comment on the board that he wouldn't lose a year of eligibility but doesn't he, a la Jake Ryan's situation?



If he gets a mescal redshirt he can serve as the running back of this recruiting class, returning next year with freshman eligibility. That may actually work out well for him (and us) as a football player.

D. Smith

Wow, absolutely no love for D. Smith at RB.  Redshirt and wait until Fitz is gone?

Not sure if serious...

Either way, why does everyone overlook Deveon Smith?  He was a solid four-star guy and had great film.  He could contribute early.  Maybe he redshirts, but he's an exciting RB too.

Thanks

Thanks for the response.  I figured that is what he was talking about, especially after listening to the Podcast.  I also have to agree with Brian's sentiments.  We know Hoke isn't Lloyd.  I just hope he is more distinguishable than just not punting from your own 40. 

I was really discouraged by his answers in the press conference today.  He really seems to believe that their playcalling was not predictable, even going as far as saying they were the right calls.  Hoke has done much correctly but he would do better to acknowledge, or at least realize, that their third and fourth quarter playcalling will not lead you a victory against Ohio. 

John L. Smith's "the players are playing their butts off and the coaching are screwing it up" was running over and over in my mind the entire second half like a broken record.

Regarding the Hoke Hire

Brian Said:

There are two ways in which those concerns have been true, one tiny, one large. The tiny one is the spread punt. You've seen the coverage, seen what everyone else is doing, heard me complain about it, etc.

Did Brian ever say what the second, large concern was that has been true?  Is it using the huddle? 

If you look....

If you look only from their ears on up, Mattison and Borges look exactly the same. Just a silly observation because I was trying I figure out which video was which on the iPhone.