Taulia Tagovailoa reaggrevated sprained MCL, gametime decision for this week
Potentially great news for both Taulia and Maryland. UMD hosts Northwestern this week and has a bye next week before a 3 week stretch of @ Wisconsin, @ PSU and vs OSU. Hopefully Taulia can get healthy before that’s stretch starts so UMD can pull some upsets against PSU and OSU.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:02 PM ^
Did you mean to post this on the Maryland message board?
October 18th, 2022 at 2:06 PM ^
I think OP may have been posting in response to the discussion on this week's podcast with Jamie where they reviewed the impact of a quality W over Maryland for our SoS/CFP implications. Basically if Taulia was out, Maryland may not win many more games, whereas if he can play, they have a shot at 9 wins and being ranked to end the year making our win over them more valuable
October 18th, 2022 at 2:30 PM ^
Exactly. Maryland's ability to beat Northwestern and Wisconsin could have a non-negligible impact on Michigan's ability to squeeze into the playoff as an 11-1 team.
We need the teams on our schedule to look as good as possible.
Tennessee's win probably hurt Michigan's chances of getting in at 11-1. Oddly, I was watching that game at the Jug and everyone was very much cheering for Tennessee because F Bama but ultimately, it was probably worse for Michigan.
Tennessee all but assured they'll now stay ahead of Michigan if they have the same number of losses. And Bama certainly wasn't eliminated from the race. Very real possibility there are three SEC teams that get in: if Bama beats the winner of UGA/Tenn in the SEC title game such that they all have just one loss to each other, Michigan wouldn't have an argument to be in over any of those teams if they also have a loss.
Obviously, it's even better if those three teams lose other games (along with TCU and UCLA and other teams losing one or hopefully multiple games).
October 18th, 2022 at 3:14 PM ^
I don’t agree with the claim about Tennessee’s win being bad. At worst it’s probably net neutral. For starters, this Bama team ain’t that great. They had close games against decent but not great Texas and A&M teams. Had they beaten Tennessee though, an undefeated regular season would ensure they make the playoff even with a loss in the SECCG. Of all teams they are the MOST likely to get in with one loss. But two losses and they’re out. The best scenario is now for UGA to crush both UT and Bama, in which case a one-loss UT team would have a weak case.
I agree there are some bad scenarios where Bama, UT, and UGA all end up with one loss, but those would still be in play regardless of the outcome of the UT-Bama game. And in spite of SEC bias, with 9 undefeated teams at this stage I find it incredibly unlikely that the committee would go with 3 from the SEC. Perhaps I will eat my words, but in my mind it’s easier to snub a one-loss UT than a one-loss Bama/Georgia in any scenario. And the scenario I described before with Bama having 2 losses is by far the best, since it keeps open the possibility of just 1 SEC team making it.
Ultimately, there are 9 undefeated teams and only 6 weeks left, so really the only way the loser of The Game would have a shot is if it were a legendary performance on both sides, AND only one SEC team got in (which is still possible) But it works both ways as well, and I really don’t like considering the possibility that Michigan could beat OSU and still see OSU make the playoff. So ultimately I’m still happy UT won, because, well you said it, fuck Bama.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:27 PM ^
If you're not aware we want Maryland to be successful for the rest of the year. We need them to be a quality win. Every win for them going forward only helps us.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:03 PM ^
Potentially great news for . . . Taulia
I get your point, but this is a weird way to start a thread announcing an injury to the player named.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:05 PM ^
It's "great" because originally the injury was believed to be season ending.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:04 PM ^
We want PSU to win out and OSU to be undefeated heading into The Game.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:11 PM ^
Bullshit. I want OSU, PSU & MSU to lose each and every game they play from now until eternity. When they play each other I root for the team that has the least chance to do anything meaningful but short of that I want them all to lose and lose often.
If we win out what OSU does will have 0.0 bearing on us making the final four - we'll be in. And if we lose there we're probably screwed anyways because ESPN will push for three SEC teams (Tennessee, Georgia & Alabama) and the committee will be looking at USC or Clemson in addition to OSU for the 4th slot.
So root for all our enemies to lose. Always root for them to lose.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:39 PM ^
Well excuse me. I want an epic season where Michigan hands two top teams their only loss.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:58 PM ^
Nah. The correct answer is eff Ohio State.
If Ohio State plays Thanos, you put on a foam Infinity Gauntlet and cheer for the Titan of Death.
If Ohio State plays Voldemort, you put on a black robe and wave a magic wand for him to win.
If Ohio State plays the orcs of Middle Earth, well that's technically an intrasquad scrimmage but you paint a white hand on your forehead and cheer against the Buckeyes.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:12 PM ^
“Titan of Death”? His nickname is “The Mad Titan.”
October 18th, 2022 at 4:28 PM ^
Deep, yeah that is a goof on my part.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
This is the wrong answer, in every way. For one, the better they are, the harder they are to beat. And two, why would we ever want our hated rivals to even be "top" teams? A win counts the same for us. Is just as satisfying if they're struggling. And long term, it's easier to keep winning if they're struggling because we compete for the same recruits.
No. We don't want our rivals to have the satisfaction of winning any games.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:39 PM ^
I'm a little more flexible with PSU rooting interests when it's in Michigan's best interest, but yes, OSU and MSU can lose all their games forever, please.
October 18th, 2022 at 3:02 PM ^
I hope sparty loses every game, every sport, every day.
I lived in Grand Rapids for 8 years during Michigan's struggles and spartan fans, win or lose, are the most obnoxious bunch of assholes I've ever encountered.
October 18th, 2022 at 3:15 PM ^
Having grown up in Michigan and then having lived here in Ohio for the past 30+ years I can safely say you are 100% correct.
OSU have fans who are quite unpleasant but they also have a LOT of fans (most alumni) who respect the rivalry and Michigan as a school. They know we are better than they are scholastically and they make fun of us whenever we point it out.
MSU has none of that. ALL OF their fans & alumni hate Michigan, dont respect the rivalry and try to claim that state is somehow the academic equal of Michigan which is complete nonsense. Or at least in my 63 years of wandering the planet I've never met one.
October 18th, 2022 at 5:21 PM ^
What I find so ironic about MSU is that when Dantonio came on board, their rallying cry against Michigan was that we mocked them, looked down on them, viewed them as nothing more than a tiny nuisance that you swat out of the way onto bigger and better things. They rallied around and fought against that.
They proceeded to become everything they ever hated about Michigan.
October 18th, 2022 at 4:25 PM ^
I lived in GR for 40 years and never met any these assholes you speak of. You rib them when we beat them, and let them rib you when they beat us. Never really had any issues.
In fact, I watched that ridiculous blocked punt game with my sister, who's a huge Spartan fan, and she was almost apologetic as she screamed like a lunatic.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
You mean..We want Ohio State to lose every single game, every single week for the rest of our lives.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:17 PM ^
I have absolutely no issue with your comment.
Though, to be quite honest, when the Bucks face either MSU or ND, what I root for is ...
The Meteor...
October 18th, 2022 at 3:09 PM ^
When any combination of Ohio State/Michigan State/Penn State/Notre Dame play each other, I root for whatever result is the most hilarious or heartbreaking, for at least 1 of those teams, but preferably both. For instance, Michigan State getting clowned for 2 years in a row is hilarious to me. However, it doesn't do much against Ohio State. So a better outcome would be their own version of a "M00N" game where both look so terrible, it reflects poorly on both teams.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:21 PM ^
Except last year when we needed OSU to beat MSU, and quick as hell it was 49-0.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:37 PM ^
Tunneler - and, the team that "really" made a difference in the B1G last season was... Purdue.
Purdue's win over the Spartans, the week after Michigan lost in EL, followed by the Bucks win over the Spartans - is what made The Game, worth all the marbles.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:17 PM ^
My thought is that if OSU loses a game 1) it could derail their mojo, and 2) it would reveal a probable chink in the armor. To desire to face a full strength undefeated OSU is admirable, but I just want to beat them and if they stumble it wouldn't take any of the joy out of beating them for me.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:56 PM ^
2000, I would have no problem with the Bucks losing twice prior to the The Game. I just don't see who they might / would lose to.
Their schedule: hosting Iowa this weekend, at Penn State, at Northwestern, home vs Indiana, and at Maryland. The "order" I would put potential losses for them is - 1) at Maryland - if their focus is on the regular season finale, and in a distant second place - at Penn State. But, Penn State is a noon kickoff. I don't see Frames coming up with a game plan to defeat them.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:43 PM ^
They're not losing before they play us. It would be great if they did but don't hold your breath.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:58 PM ^
2003 - I agree. I just don't see the Bucks losing twice. Maybe, and I would emphasize "maybe", if there's a look-ahead to the season finale when they play Maryland.
But, even if the Bucks stumble and "lose one" prior to The Game, it won't matter. The winner of The Game would win the B1G East. And, of course, the same would be true for Michigan.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:21 PM ^
PSU winning out does help us as insurance in a 3-way tie scenario. An 11-1 M/OSU/PSU going 1-1 against the other defaults to West division opponent record, which UM would likely win. (I know we aren't supposed to imagine a loss in Columbus but we could use a tiebreaker break for once.). In the off chance PSU beats OSU -- they do match up better generally, given their strength on D is the secondary, and have them at home -- part of me will root for that scenario
OTOH Franklin schadenfreude is the gift that keeps on giving
October 18th, 2022 at 1:30 PM ^
p.s. if Penn St goes 11-1, Franklin's agent will probably negotiate a $500 million buyout and he'll be at PSU forever. Which helps us further
October 18th, 2022 at 3:02 PM ^
This is a good point and I will make these kinds of concessions for PSU ie I will root for them against Minnesota because it helps Michigan.
I will never root for OSU or MSU unless they're playing each other and it matters for us like last year when we needed OSU to beat MSU.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:34 PM ^
And how exactly does that happen?
October 18th, 2022 at 2:37 PM ^
It’s literally impossible for PSU to win out and OSU to be undefeated going into The Game. PSU plays OSU in two weeks.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:49 PM ^
D’oh. Keep the negs coming.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:52 PM ^
Maybe it's like a one-point safety. Not "literally" impossible but extremely, incredibly unlikely.
PSU wins but then has to forfeit the win (take your pick on why) and then osu is *technically* undefeated going into the Michigan game.
October 18th, 2022 at 3:37 PM ^
We want OSU to have 2 losses heading into our game so we clinch a Big Ten title game appearance no matter what and have a clear path to the CFP.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:04 PM ^
I mean, I would think rest him for NW, get the bye week then hopefully healthy for the strech. He's so damn important to that team. Most all QBs usually are, but man, he's outsized based on their margins to win.
October 18th, 2022 at 3:13 PM ^
That was my thought as well. You don't need him to beat Northwestern (at least, you shouldn't). Rest him up, get him healthy and then attack the stretch run and give Ohio State all you got.
I know a lot of people don't care about Maryland anymore, but them and Penn State are the only 2 opponents left who can really show us what Ohio State is, because their schedule has turned out to be hilariously bad, even compared to ours. There's a good chance that we go into The Game both 11-0, but we have no idea if Ohio State can stop the run because they never faced a team with a decent run game all year. And likewise, they might not play a defense that can stop the run, so we won't know if their offense actually changed or not in that regard.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:05 PM ^
Its definitely BYE week.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:05 PM ^
I'm happy for him.
But I got to say, whoever their backup is looks like he has a promising future (considering his showing against us and Indiana).
October 18th, 2022 at 3:11 PM ^
Also, considering they have Northwestern this week and a bye next week, you have to think they'll rest him this week. Have to hope they can beat Northwestern with the backup to give him a few weeks rest.
EDIT, didn't see FreddieMercuryHayes comment above. I concur.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:12 PM ^
Perhaps should have been marked OT, since they're in the rearview mirror now. Nonetheless, should not have been negged!
I've become a pseudo-fan of MD this year so I'm glad he can get back on the field this season. I hope they do well going forward. Like stated earlier, he should rest it up against NW - they can beat NW with the backup QB, provided he gets all week as the starter in practice.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:34 PM ^
Is a neg really a neg if the points don't work?
October 18th, 2022 at 1:51 PM ^
Huh... That's a good point!
Or is it...
October 18th, 2022 at 2:09 PM ^
Schrodinger's negs.
October 18th, 2022 at 2:14 PM ^
ONTOPIC
- Anything Michigan sports related
- Anything related to other Big Ten teams or upcoming opponents
Technically, I think Maryland is a Big Ten team, regardless of how many people here wish otherwise.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:23 PM ^
Sounds prolific.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:24 PM ^
Super Hot take: I think Taulia finds his way back to Alabama next year to lead the Tide. It has worked out decently at Maryland, but I think Saban will be in the portal next off-season looking for a QB and who better than a player that was already in the program and has a bunch of starts under his belt.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:44 PM ^
Rob,
Interesting perspective. However, Bama already has two five * QBs on its current roster. Bryce Young is one of them, and Ty Simpson, is the other. I don't know why Jalen Milroe replaced Bryce Young, instead of Ty Simpson, when Young was nicked up against A&M.
October 18th, 2022 at 1:26 PM ^
hopefully he can go see his older brother and tell him to retire from football. saw the headline that he's getting ready to play the steelers. no. no. no. take the season off, at a minimum.