Bowl game line-up
Warning - this post contains no coaching discussion points and focuses entirely on football. For those of you expecting the usual "fire RR/no keep RR" post I sure that will undoubtedly come up next on the board.
I am very much looking forward to our bowl game as we will be as healthy for that contest as we have been since Connecticut. One of the many causalities of a young team is lack of depth and our ability to overcome injuries has been severely hampered by our lack of able bodies. Take a look at the injury report for the OSU game:
QUESTIONABLE (50% PLAY)
Hemingway, Junior Head
PROBABLE (75% PLAY)
Gallon, Jeremy Shoulder
Martin, Mike Ankle
Roh, Craig Head
Smith, Vince Head
Stonum, Darryl Ankle
Not on this list but certainly not at 100% was Shaw, Lewan and even Robinson. Tate was banged up too but playing through it when called upon. I'm sure there were lots of other unreported "walking wounded" that we never really heard about too. So our team was a shell of what it started out to be and I think the results show that.
The bowl game however gives all the guys 30 days to rest and get well. I am expecting a VERY different team to emerge as we get the players back at full strength and I think the results will show it.
I didn't include the players lost for the season because they will obviously not be back but based on the guys returning to health I am predicting a Michigan win. And I believe this regardless of who we get matched up with because we will have the players back to make that happen for the first time in a very, very long while.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:40 AM ^
The real question is will Lloyd Brady make the trip?
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:32 PM ^
and enroll at Mississippi State?
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:52 PM ^
Mississippi State could not match the amount it took for his dad to allow him to enroll there.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
taking his talents to South Beach.
December 3rd, 2010 at 3:05 PM ^
anyone know lloyd brady's major?
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^
We get healthier, but so does whatever team we play. In football nobody is playing at 100% this late in the season. I like the optimism, I am hopeful for a Michigan win, but I am not predicting it. We have some scary potential matchups. The best possible outcome would be a Gator bowl against Florida from a matchup perspective I believe, which is a Toss Up game at best I think. It would be hilarious if Florida lost to us again though.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:57 AM ^
Obviously you are correct in the other team getting healthier but my contention is that injuries take a much heavier toll on young teams without depth than they do a veteran squad. We would be in a much better position next year, for example, to field a good team with those injuries than we are today. And all of the teams I've seen us projected to play are far older and deeper than us.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:45 AM ^
I though RR said there was a possibility of him coming back for the bowl. *Sigh*
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
I forgot about him. I hope that's true.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 AM ^
Toussaint?! Not on the report?!
There is hope.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:57 AM ^
He played a couple snaps during tOSU game. Mostly at the end during garbage time.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^
He returned kicks, too.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^
Fitz Toussaint is the healthiest RB for a bowl game he's seen since Jamie Morris in 86.
December 3rd, 2010 at 1:09 PM ^
He's so healthy that he blows up and makes other players healthy.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
I feel the team will perform very well no matter who they play in the bowl game. Rich Rod has shown that his teams play well with lot's of preperation, and the fact that it's nearly impossible for opposing teams to prepare for Denard.
Go Blue
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^
I agree, with everyone healthy (kinda) and ready to go, UM could be a nightmare for the opposing team in the bowl game. I am pumped to see who they play. I can't wait to see the Maize and Blue out there one last time this season.
December 3rd, 2010 at 1:22 PM ^
One of my favorite things about the offense is the nightmares it causes for opposing DCs. I remember being scared sh-tless about Michigan playing against spread offenses and its nice to know that opposing teams have to worry about it now too.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
umm Hemingway 50%? huh?
He suffered concussion symptoms.. how in over a month can he not be fully prepared to play? He was never even hit hard, so how could his symptoms be that bad? Does this not make sense to anyone else?
Edit: NM, didn't read the last sentence that said that was for the OSU game please disregard my rant
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^
Anecdote... A couple of years ago, Ryan Church (OF for the Mets at the time) had a concussion. He played within the next day or so, but some symptoms (namely nausea, dizziness) kept coming back. As a result, he was actually put back on the DL for additional time... I want to say a few months. Sucked too because he was having an all star year.
December 3rd, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^
Andreas Lilja for the Red Wings was sidelined for almost a year due to a concussion (I believe from an on-ice fight where he got knocked out).
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/05/wings-lilja-moving-on-aft…
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:37 PM ^
I would love for Michigan to beat florida again cuz i live in a city full of bandwagon gator fans!
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:38 PM ^
...Florida expects to get Percy Harvin back from migraines, and Tim Tebow back from missionary work. So I think the players each team gets healthy in time for the Bowl will be a wash.
December 3rd, 2010 at 2:32 PM ^
If JH were hired before the bowl game, he could coach all of the injured up to full strength.
December 3rd, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^
Cannot envision a more exciting matchup for this team, such as it is. Who is going?
December 3rd, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
will stop there for game on our drive back to DC from Daytona/Orlando.