EMU Preview

Time: 12:00
Location: Big House
TV: BTN
Weather: Partly Cloudy high of 66 degrees (is it Fall already?)
Line: Michigan -30


So Michigan's 2011 season has consisted of a weather shorten game and a big comeback against a rival.  So what will week 3 have in store for us?  Hopefully a lot less drama and many more offensive plays. 

Clearly, this is a miss match on paper and talent as EMU comes down Stadium Blvd to get a pay day.  The battle of Washtenaw County helps EMU fund it's athletic department and a chance for former Wolverines to start or continue their coaching careers.

With that said, the Wolverines have struggled in the past with EMU and played some too close for comfort games.   Will there be a let down this weekend?  I doubt it, even though Michigan is 2-0 there still remains a ton of questions that Brady and Staff hopes to start answering on Saturday.   For example:

• Can Michigan find a starting RB?
• Will Justice Hayes or Thomas Rawls get any snaps?
• How will the musical chairs at LB turn out?
• Can Michigan's offensive line dominate like expected?
• Can the Michigan offense be effective with Denard under center?
• Will Devin Gardner get some snaps?
• Can the defensive line get a pass rush with 4 guys?
• Is Blake Countess or Greg Brown ready for regular action?
• Can Michigan make a field goal?

That's a lot of questions to be answered in week 3 with a solid SDSU team coming in next week and the Big Ten season two weeks away. 

The Michigan players should take this game seriously because their playing time in future games may depend on it.   I just hope we can start to identify the clear starters at each position with a couple good options for back up (while not burning any redshirts).

I also wouldn't mind if Craig Roh mixed in a tackle or two.  I'm just hoping he is just not himself from the illness he had late in the summer.

This is not a big recruiting game, so there probably won't be a ton of top rated 2012 guys on campus.  Michigan needs to focus on the game, stay healthy and put this one away early so the back ups can get some time.   Troy Woolfolk please sit this one out.

Sing Hail to the Victors if...............

• Denard is sharp in the passing game and is healthy on the bench in the 3rd qtr.
• Big Will starts to cement his position in the starting lineup
• The offensive line gives some huge holes for the Michigan running backs
• 2 running backs have over 100 yards and neither are named Denard.
• The Michigan defense holds EMU to under 14 points
• No injuries
• Mike Hart runs to the Michigan sideline as EMU takes the field

Say Darn those former Michigan coaches and players if..............

• The game is uncomfortably close
• Michigan can't stop the run on defense
• Mike Hart suits up for the Eagles
• If Michigan has let down after the big win last weekend

Look for EMU to try to run the ball a lot and take some shots down field if the Michigan safeties are out of position or giving big cushions.  Michigan will work on the basics like running the ball and trying to improve Denards's accuracy with some short throws.  Michigan will take plenty of shots deep but they really want to get some yards out of the RB position and not put Denard in harms way.   Let's hope Big Blue jumps out to a big lead and the defensive holds tight. 

Michigan 41 EMU 13


GO BLUE

Michigan Monday: Helps Kelly With Anger Management

David Guralnick/The Detroit News

Kelly Anger Management

10 turnovers in 2 games is enough for any head coach to lose his mind on the sideline.  Brian Kelly has spent a lot of last week explaining his behavior on the sideline of the South Florida game. 

He had a couple of flare ups during the Michigan game but nothing major and do you want to know why?

He had a Grad assistant or team manager tap him on the back or shoulder when he started to lose his cool. If you re-watch the game, check it out.  It is pretty clear on TV a couple of times.  Many times, Kelly turns his back to the TV cameras when talking to players on Saturday Night.

I heard a Kelly interview about a month ago on ESPN radio, he said the #1 key to a successful season was success early.  They are now 0-2 with MSU paying a visit to South Bend this weekend.  Call in the tapper!

BTW: How did ND's last two trips to the State of Michigan turn out?  80 yards in 28 seconds for a loss at the Big House and the fake OT field goal in East Lansing.   Not a very good home coming for the former GVSU and CMU coach. 

2013 in the house!

The excitement of the entire day has moved at least one kid to verbal to Michigan.  The first player to drop a commitment for Michigan is Ohio athlete Dymonte Thomas.  Dymonte plays running back and safety in high school but probably projects to safety at the next level.   Mgoblog did a great write up of  Dymonte, so I won't re-create but he is a nice addition to 5 star QB Shane Morris in the 2013 class.    DT had offers from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Tennessee, UCLA, and West Virginia, he also had interest from Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Cincinnati, and Northwestern.  He is expected to be a 4 star recruit when the rest of the 2013 rankings come out.

The wild card here is that Dymonte is cousins with 2012 RB Brionte Dunn.   This can only work in Michigan's favor of persuading Brionte to Ann Arbor next Fall. 

2012 Recruiting Updates

• The uncommitted 3:  Banner, Payton and O'Brien all had incredible things to say about the ND experience.  There was even a rumor that Danny O had committed on Saturday.  That turned out not to be true and his tentative announcement date is 10/7. Keep an eye on Payton for commitment watch this week. 

• Yuri Wright is planning to visit A2 for the SDSU or Minnesota games.

• The rumor mill is also saying that Michigan just needs to get Amara Darboh's guardians on campus in Ann Arbor for the Iowa WR to commit to the Wolverines.

Wolverine Wednesday: 10 Things I like to see from Michigan before I buy a condo at the Villages

#10: A Wall of Fame, A Circle of Honor something that honors the great former Michigan football players.  I agree that retiring numbers may not be the right thing to do but there are so many great former Wolverines and there should be some lasting memorial somewhere at the Big House.  Name it the Gerald R. Ford Memorial: Circle of Champions.

#9:  Tom Brady gets close to U of M.   When Tom is ready to hang up his cleats, I would like there to be some type of partnership between Tom and U of M.  Is it a Tom Brady Scholarship? Is he the associate AD?  I don't know but having Tom close to the program has to be a good thing. 

#8: The Michigan Baseball team gets more TV exposure.  I have always thought there would be a nice fan base for the Michigan Baseball team if they got some more exposure.

#7:  Mike Hart on the Michigan coaching staff.  He seems the perfect candidate when Fred Jackson retires. 

#6: The Michigan basketball team makes an un-expected run to the Final 4.

#5: The Fab 5 plays an exhibition game against the current Wolverines for charity.  Maybe to re-open the "new" Crisler Arena?

#4: Michigan Football Dominates Midwest Recruiting. I want Michigan to be able to recruit like Texas does. Bring in all the top players in from Michigan, Ohio and neighboring states. Give the kids offers right there and then and give them 48 hours to accept or decline them. Michigan would have 70% of it's class full in a couple of days.



#3: Keith Jackson to do one more Michigan - Ohio State game in the Big House.

#2: Michigan goes on a new winning streak against MSU and OSU.

#1: Big Shocker Here:  Michigan has an un-defeated National Championship season where they beat OSU twice and USC in the BCS National Championship Game in the Rose Bowl      


Honorable mentions:  A night game at the Big House (next year), A huge music festival at the Big House with all the top bands,  Michigan and Michigan State play one or two games at Ford Field to help the downtown economy,  Zack Novak's number retired, Michigan signs the #1 rated high school prospect in either football or basketball or both!, an August pre-season exhibition football game against an opponent not on the schedule (yes I know this is more of an NCAA rule/issue) and Michigan doesn't need to hire a new football coach for the next 15 years!

Game Day Video: Michigan vs Wisconsin 2008

This was a no brainer on what to put up here today.  It's the Michigan 19 point second half comeback against Wisconsin in 2008.  It's Michigan first year under Rich Rod and the 500th game at the Big House. 

Like the game today, you can enjoy it in HD!

Enjoy Michigan's last home game of the year.  (side note: Where did this season go?  It seems like Michigan was just in fall camp a few weeks ago).