Michigan Friday: Brandon's Decision Making and 2 Scrimmages

David Brandon has done an excellent job since taking over the AD position at Michigan.  He got the football program through an NCAA Investigations and got the penalty reduced.  He fired the football coach that was under preforming and hired somewhat of a "sleeper" pick as the new head coach.  

He has improved on the Big House work of former AD Bill Martin and is now focusing on Crisler Arena.  If you had to grade him right now it would clearly be a A and maybe even an A+.

This brings me to his latest decision to play App State again in 2014 and his response:  "the opportunity to play again is a good thing. I don't see how it could be a negative".

Since he is having a hard time finding the negatives, let me list them here:

1. Michigan players and fans will have to live through 9 months (Jan-Sept) of App State upset  highlights from the 2007 game before the kickoff of the 2014 season. 


2. It's a no win situation for Michigan.  Like I mentioned yesterday, if the Wolverines win 50-10 they beat up on the little guys and ran up the score to get revenge.   If the game is close, App State has our number.   If Michigan loses the game, its a disaster. 

For all the teams that are looking for a large payday by visiting the Big House it's hard for me to believe that was U of M's only option.   If David wanted to get a revenge game, why didn't he schedule Toledo?

I don't see any upside to playing this game.   None.

Greg Mattison's PC yesterday:

He wants 22 players strong on defense:  For next weekend, "I hope it's 22." Needs to have 22 capable guys, and have seven more days to get 22. Won't ever be a coach who says we lost a game because a guy got injured.  

• Standouts on D are the seniors Martin and Woolfolk 


• Jake Ryan and Marvin Robinson have had some good days but have been a bit banged up in practice.


• Kenny Demens is running with the 1's but need to be more consistent.

On Denard:  "I got on him today. He didn't play every play of yesterday's practice, and I yelled at him during stretch today: 'Boy, you must be as fresh as a daisy today,' and he gave me something back.' I love him."

AL "the hat" Borges PC:

(Does this comment give us some insight into why Michigan might have lost a few players this week? Both freshman's weights were much higher then expected)

"Our practices are not for the faint of heart. We get after them pretty good." It has been a real real grueling training camp. (We want to) see what they're made of when they're tired."

• Would not comment on Chris Barnett.


• Thomas Rawls has been out a couple of weeks with a injury.  Looks like it's Shaw, Hopkins and Smith at this point.  They may redshirt Hayes and/or Rawls.  (I bet not having a RB in the 2012 class might effect this decision)


• Denard will be in the shotgun and under center. 


• WR: Roy and Junior are the starters. Expect to see Grady, Gallon, Jackson and Dileo.

Michigan will play a scrimmage today and Saturday before they ease up a bit for game week. Today and Saturday should cement the two deep, when we learn who on it will probably come out on Monday. 

Here is my prediction for starters:

OL: Lewan, Barnum, Molk, Omameh, Huge
TE: Kroger
WR: Roundtree, Hemingway
QB: Robinson
RB: Shaw
FB: McColgan

Defense:

DL: Roh, Martin, Campbell and Van Bergen
LB: C. Gordon, Demens and Hawthorne
CB: Woolfolk and Floyd or Avery
S: Kovas and Johnson

I'm concerned about the speed at safety.  Look for Woolfolk to move to safety and Avery fill in his CB spot if that becomes a problem.   Or maybe more Marvin Robinson.   I also think Big Will could lose his starting spot to Brink. 

The defense looks like it's built to stop the run (which would be a huge improvement) but could get beat deep in the passing game.