Wolverine Wednesday: Tries to Give Some Bowl Insight

Sunday (between 8:30 and 9:00 pm) the Wolverines will know where they are playing in late December or early January.   Most experts believe it's between the Gator or Insight Bowls.  My choice would be the Gator Bowl for a couple of reasons:

• The Insight Bowl starts at 10:00 PM EST
• In the Insight Michigan most likely would get a 10-2 team from the Big 12.  Most expect Missouri. 
• Most believe Michigan might face Florida in the Gator Bowl
• Michigan has many players from the State of Florida (including Denard)
• The Gator is drive-able (for me)

I actually just want a good match up.  That would be my #1 Bowl priority if I were David Brandon.


Cha Cha Changes...........................

• We all know about TCU moving to the Big East.  Now it seems UMass is in discussion with the MAC.

• Initial reports are that Jon Gruden might be named the University of Miami head coach as early as today.   If that is true, that is a great hire for them. 

• A San Diego State Donor has made a $5 Million dollar pledge to keep Brady Hoke and staff at SDS.  He is one of the leading candidates for the Indiana and Minnesota jobs.  The former Michigan Man should think twice about trading the weather, his league, a great recruiting state, and a raise for the Golden Gophers or the Hooisers. 

• The Michigan Basketball Team had a nice win over Clemson last night on the road in the ACC/Big Challenge.  Well done guys!

• Michigan verbal Dee Hart was named to the Army All American Bowl.  That is a great honor for him.  The timing of David Brandon's decision and the first day of class of January 5th along with the Army All American game on the 8th are some interesting dates for decision criteria. 

• AD David Brandon was on WTKA's "Michigan Insider" this morning.  Basically, continued with the company line.

Michigan Monday: Looks Forward and Back

7-5:  Many of us predicted in August this would be the Wolverines record at the end of the season.  The Wolverines are 7-3 right now and won't be favored in the next two weeks.  IMO, Michigan's best chance at an upset is against Wisconsin this week.  For some reason the Badgers don't play well at the Big House and RR and Steven Threet beat a top10 Wisconsin team two years ago.   So anything can happen.

Bowl Game Baby!:  Right now it looks like the Insight Bowl against a Big 12 team.   Gator is the next possibility. 

Big Ten Last Weekend:  It's clear that Northwestern does have some special mojo against Iowa.  I don't know what it is but they have it.  Dan Persea is pretty darn good and I'm sad to hear about his injury.   I didn't see the Illinois - Minnesota game but what happened there?  Did Illinois have a hang over from last week?  It sure sounded like it, if they lost to the worst team in the Big 10.  Does this put Zook back on the hot seat?  Which is funny because just two weeks ago, RR's seat was "hot" and Zook's was stable.  As they say on the field, REVERSE!

Wisconsin 83 points?  I didn't think that was possible.   Michigan fans were really thinking that loss to Penn State wasn't that bad if they watched the first half of the Ohio State game.  Then we changed our minds in the second half.  Michigan should have had at least one pick in the Penn State game.

Big Weekend for the Big Ten coming up:  OSU at Iowa,  Wisconsin at Michigan, MSU vs Easy Schedule, Illinois vs Northwestern at Wrigley, Penn State vs IU at FedEx Field.  What's the deal with neutral fields this week?  ND plays Army at Yankee Stadium as well.

Big Recruiting Weekend for Big Blue:  This is the last home game for the Wolverines for the year and what I have as Michigan's #1 un-committed target Kris Frost is expected to make his official visit with his family.   I hope it's warm but does a guy named Frost really care?   Jack Tabb a TE from NJ is also expected to visit this weekend.  The Michigan coaches really want a TE in this class.  The Michigan TE's basically were the difference in the game on Saturday.   The next big recruiting weekend is 12/3 visitors include:  Wayne Lyons and Blake Countness both highly ranked DB's.    The Big Chill would be another good weekend. 


RR Press Conference Today:  Will need a big update on injuries.  We need to know the status of Mike Martin, Jonas Mouton and Mike Shaw.   Michigan will need Martin and Mouton against Wisconsin and Ohio State.

Touchdown Panda!

Since the last 3 weeks we have been Sad Panda, I thought I would give you a little Touchdown Panda today!

Random Thoughts:

• I was just kidding about scoring 70 points in yesterdays post
• Can a Defense play better then the week before after giving up 65 points this week?
• I had a strange feeling that Tate Forcier would win a game for Michigan this year. 
• I really hope Denard is ok.  He seemed pretty good jumping around after the sack on the last play. 
• I really think Taylor Lewan is the next Jake Long, but his two penalties and specially the last one almost cost Michigan the game.
• More Mike Shaw please. 
• Weird things that go through your mind after a win like that while watching LSU and Alabama:  What if LSU fired Les Miles and he came to Ann Arbor as Michigan's new DC?  I know it's a crazy thought, but talk about the best of both worlds. 
• I was not happy that Michigan went for the field goal in the 3rd when they were up a touchdown. 
• I thought Ray Vinopal and Courtney Avery played pretty well at times. 

Bowl Game Baby!  Bowl Game!

Enjoy the rest of your night with an adult beverage!