I love ESPN Page 2

Page 2 always has such good reading. Some of the stuff there is flat out hilarious.

Their most recent Page 2 Quiz by Patrick Hruby is especially good, given the recent crapfest that's taken the sports world by storm. Here's one of my favorite questions from the quiz:

34. If Cleveland Browns quarterback draftee Brady Quinn charges at least $75 for a signed picture and up to $225 for other signed merchandise at a shopping mall autograph session, then how much does he charge for photos of himself flexing with a botoxed-looking Bret Michaels, dressed like a bottle of mustard, done up like one of the Village People or happily placing his hand over other guys' crotches?

My guess is a meal big enough for Charlie Weis. That has to be worth at least $1000.

Cheaters Galore

The amount of cheating and bad behavior going on in the sports world right now is rather ridiculous. These athletes, whom we idolize, abuse their power and respect, and then end up falling flat on their faces.

Dan Wetzel on on Yahoo.com sports has a great column about all of this crap, and really doesn't spare anyone. I really like how he wraps the whole thing up, referring to the return of college football season:

We really need the return of a pure and honest sporting diversion that never suffers from cheating, referee controversies, reckless profiteering, political corruption, poor leadership, grade fixing, hundred-dollar handshakes, stripper recruiting parties or, of course, gastric bypass malpractice suits.

Yeah, that's right Charlie Weis. Fuck you.

PS: Cycling, after crapping on Lance Armstrong's reputation with unproven claims of doping right after some of its most popular years due to his dominance, is now racked with more doping scandals than ever before. That's karma if I ever saw it.

Fleeing Irish

Everyone's up in arms about the Domers' announcement that they'll take a two-year break from us in next decade. The two different college football sides in me are fighting against each other in trying to analyze this. The rational college football fan agrees that this is probably the only mutually acceptable way for both schools to get the game on the opposite year as their other big game (OSU, USC). I don't think Notre Dame would ever be willing to come to Ann Arbor twice in a row. We'd never do it for them. Plus it gives both schools a chance to play some other teams. Notre Dame has Oklahoma and Wazzou now, and Michigan is looking at Rutgers and Georgia.

On the other hand, the die-hard Michigan fan inside is dying to yell at the Irish for pussying out one of their few tests through the year (something has to make up for Navy and Army). I just find it odd that Notre Dame's AD Kevin White broke the news long before Michigan, to an Alabama newspaper of all things. But as Bo said, we don't need Notre Dame, Notre Dame needs us. They'll be back, and we'll still be handing their asses to 'em.

But we need someone to make up for the hole created by the absence of the Irish. Rutgers and Georgia have already been mentioned. I wouldn't mind us playing an ACC or Big East team, like BC, Pitt, USF, Wake Forest, Clemson, or UConn. I like BC, Pitt and UConn because they're near alumni centers (Boston, Pittsburgh). Wake Forest, Clemson, and USF are in recruiting areas (the Carolinas and Florida). All are mid-level BCS opponents that'd look decent on the schedule, but should be quite winnable. It's up to Bill Martin to make it happen.

Quick Big Ten Preview

My predictions for the upcoming Big Ten season:

Predicted order of finish
1) Michigan - Offense is too good. Schedule is tough, but gets almost everyone at home. Defense is young, but talented. Biggest strength - offensive line. Biggest weakness - secondary.
2) Wisconsin - Return almost all starters, but have lost Outland Winner Joe Thomas. Strong, but not spectacular, on both sides of the ball. Biggest strength - running game. Biggest weakness - QB.
3) Penn State - LB and secondary are excellent, and passing game should be solid. Toughest opponents are all at home. Play of the lines is suspect. Biggest strength - defensive back 7. Biggest weakness - offensive line.
4) Ohio State - Half of the starters left, including all skill players on offense. Defense is talented, led by Nagurski winner James Laurinaitis. Schedule has Bucks facing no one potent until late October. Biggest strength - linebackers. Biggest weakness - passing game.
5) Iowa - Albert Young is a force, and the recievers are explosive. The defensive front seven is experienced. They're finally healthy. Biggest strength - passing game. Biggest weakness - offensive line.
6) Illinois - Zook pulled in yet another fantastic recruiting class. Super atheletic QB Juice Williams could dazzle if he can improve as a passer. Defense could surprise. Biggest strength - linebackers. Biggest weakness - offensive backfield.
7) Purdue - Offense is one of the best in the Big Ten. Defense gave up a lot of yards last year, and not much will change. Have to play Notre Dame, OSU, Michigan, and Iowa consecutively. Biggest strength - passing game. Biggest weakness - defensive front seven.
8) Indiana - Trio of QB Lewis, WR Hardy, and RB Thigpen is electric. Defense must improve its rankings of 111th scoring and 109th total. Team will be playing for former coach Terry Hoeppner, who passed away this June. Schedule avoids Michigan and OSU. Biggest strength - skill players. Biggest weakness - defensive front seven.
9) Northwestern - Offense could surprise this year after finishing 106th in scoring offense last year. Defense returns 8 starters, but must build some depth. Biggest strength - offensive backfield. Biggest weakness - linebackers.
10) Michigan State - New coach Mark Dantonio has team refocusing after John L Smith era. RB Javon Ringer is a stud. Defense was 100th in scoring defense last year, but should benefit from more aggressive schemes. Schedule is one of the toughest in the Big Ten. Biggest strength - running game. Biggest weakness - defensive front seven.
11) Minnesota - RB Amir Pinnix is the next yardage monster at Minnesota. Filling graduated QB Brian Cupito's shoes will be difficult. Linebacking corps is a experienced. Soft non-conference schedule, but killer conference plate. Biggest strength - running game. Biggest weakness - passing game.

Individual Accolades
Biggest game - Tie, Michigan at Wisconsin, OSU at Michigan
Most valuable player - RB Mike Hart, Michigan
Offensive player of the year - QB Chad Henne, Michigan
Defensive player of the year - LB James Laurinaitis, OSU
Best offensive lineman - OT Jake Long, Michigan
Best reciever - WR Mario Manningham, Michigan
Best defensive lineman - Willie VanDeSteeg, Minnesota
Best linebacker - James Laurinaitis, OSU
Best defensive back - Malcolm Jenkins, OSU



Hopefully, over the next few days, I'll start posting some previews/scouting reports on Michigan's opponents, as well as a look back at past recruiting classes and how they've turned out.

Threet's Impact

So after a long period of depression (due to the debacle that was the 0-2 on our record last year), mounds of work from college, video game addictions, and plain old laziness, I found that I have a bunch of thoughts running around in my head about Michigan football. Unfortunately, my old place to give vent to these had been facebook groups. But now, I'll try and post here whenever I think of something, until Michigan gives me some reason to be depressed again.


Today, I give you my analysis of the Steven Threet commitment, and what it means for the QB situation for the next few years...

With Ryan Mallet not redshirting and Threet being forced to do so, it adds a small amount of separation between our scholarship quarterbacks. That being said, the situation is still quite crowded. Poor David Cone will probably never see the field as a starter, and Threet and incoming 2008 recruit, John Weinke, will have to wait until at least their junior and sophomore years of eligibility (given redshirts and Mallet leaving after his junior year) before they can start. If Mallet stays for his senior campaign, it'll be an even longer wait. I'd say it's good money that Weinke (if he can't beat out Threet) or Cone transfers at some point in time. However, this is definitely a good problem to have, especially after going through last year praying nothing happened to Henne.

Now, how does this affect recruiting... Well, it's now a given that we're out of the Terrelle Pryor sweepstakes (though we were always a longshot). I just hope doesn't end up at OSU. However, this has an impact that'll be felt for a few more classes. Previously, we would've picked up a 3/4 star guy in 2008 (Weinke) and then gone for an uber recruit in 2009, who would've staying in Mallet's wings, and then taken over in 2010 or 2011. Now, he's been pushed back to the class of 2010, as Threet, Weinke, and Cone have dibs on 2010.

This sets the stage for the following depth charts, barring transfers and injuries:

2007 - Henne (sr), Mallet (fr), Cone (fr), Threet (redshirt)
2008 - Mallet (so), Cone(so)/Threet(fr), Weinke (redshirt)
2009 - Mallet (jr), Cone(jr)/Threet(so)/Weinke (fr), minorrecruit1 (redshirt)
2010 - Mallet (sr - if he stays), Cone(sr)/Threet(jr)/Weinke (so), minorrecruit1 (fr), uberrecruit (redshirt)
2011 - Threet (sr)/Weinke(jr),uberrecruit (fr), minorrecruit1 (so), minorrecruit2 (redshirt)
2012 - Weinke(jr)/uberrecruit(so), minorrecruit1 (so), minorrecruit2 (fr)

I would guess that whoever comes in third in the Cone/Threet/Weinke backup showdown in probably going to transfer.

Previewing the Big Game

Here's how the two teams stack up...

Michigan Defense against OSU Offense

Michigan Pass Rushers vs. OSU O-Line and Troy Smith
This matchup is the key to the game. Whoever wins this, wins the game. There, I said it. The two main things to consider are:
1) Can OSU's offensive line contain the defensive ends? If so, then Troy Smith will be able to scramble east-west and tear Michigan's secondary apart. Woodley and Biggs need to play excellent contain on the outside and force Smith to be a pocket passer.
2) How much will Michigan need to blitz. If Michigan can manage to get pressure with just it's front four, game over. If OSU forces Michigan to blitz, then Smith can find the open man.

Advantage: OSU, barely

Michigan Front Seven vs. OSU O-Line and Antonio Pittman
Everyone knows that it is almost impossible to run on Michigan's defense. If OSU can manage to run against Michigan, watch out. However, that won't happen. Michigan is too disciplined and too athletic up front to allow more than 75 yards to the OSU running backs. Dave Harris is a stellar linebacker who has amazing instincts. OSU will get its running game (for better or for worse) primarily from Smith.

Advantage: Michigan


Michigan Secondary vs. OSU Receivers
This will be the biggest test for Michigan's secondary all year. This is really the first time since the Notre Dame game that Michigan has faced two good wide receievers at the same time. This is going to turn into a case of pick your poison for Michigan. The Wolverine defense can take away with either Ted Ginn or Anthony Gonzalez with Leon Hall. Who do you want to let free? Morgan Trent is going to need the game of his life if Michigan is to win this battle.

Advantage: OSU


Michigan Offense against OSU Defense

Michigan O-Line and Mike Hart vs. OSU Front Seven
This is the second key to the game. Michigan is 17-1 when Mike Hart rushes for 100 yards or more. Being able to run the ball does two things:
1) It keeps OSU's offense off the field, which is just as good a defense as Lamarr Woodley and co.
2) It wears down OSU's defense, tiring them out, and making them susceptible to the big play through the air.
Hart is finally fully healthy for a Michigan-OSU game, and he will be eager to right his record against the Bucks. Another member of the Michigan offense who is finally healthy for this game is Jake Long. Don't be surprised if Michigan runs more than half of their first few plays over the left side that Long anchors.
OSU LB Laurinaitis and DL Pitcock are fantastic players who have great football smarts, but they simply do not have enough help to shut down Michigan's power running game on their own.
Advantage: Michigan


Michigan O-Line and Chad Henne vs. OSU Pass Rushers
Give Chad Henne time to throw, and he'll do a great job of managing the game. Henne has matured remarkably since his first OSU game. He will be looking to exorcise his demons and finally pull out a win against the Buckeyes. Michigan's O-Line matches up favorably against OSU's front four, due mainly to OSU's lack of stellar defensive ends. Long and Riley can hold the pocket all day for Henne, so OSU will have to blitz if they want pressure. It's a risk-reward situation for both teams. Michigan has the chance to exploit the blitz and blow the game up with a big pass play. OSU has the chance to harass Henne with their talented crew of linebackers on blitzes all day. One thing about Henne is that he is somewhat streaky. When he's comfortable in the pocket, there are few quarterbacks in college football who can pick apart a defense like he can. However, when he's not settled, and is being pressured consistently, he can look really bad.

Advantage: Michigan, by a hair


Michigan Recievers vs. OSU Secondary
The #1 question here is: Is Mario Manningham 100%? If he is, then OSU is going to have their hands full with him stretching the field deep, Breaston running the short 10-yard patterns, and either Ecker or Arrington running routes across the middle against the OSU linebackers. OSU will need to blitz to get pressure on Henne, so Michigan receivers will often be up against single coverage. Henne and his receivers need to read the defense very well so that they can exploit these opportunities.

Advantage: Michigan (if Manningham is 100%), otherwise EVEN


Special Teams
Michigan kick and punt coverage and Zoltan Mesko vs. Ted Ginn
Ginn has a history of burning Michigan on special teams. While Michigan has not allowed much by the way of returns this year, Ginn is lightning in a bottle. Mesko needs to take a page out of old Harry Kipke's book and place his punts with absolute perfection.

Advantage: OSU


Steve Breaston vs. OSU kick and punt coverage and A.J. Trapasso
Until last week Breaston had not broken loose in the return game. Was the Indiana game a return to true form or just a fluke? Michigan will need at least one big play from Breaston. It doesn't need to be a touchdown - a 50-yard kickoff return is just as huge, as it allows Michigan to either score, or control field position. Trapasso is an excellent punter who gets both good distance and placement. He rarely outkicks his coverage.

Advantage: EVEN


Garrett Rivas vs. Aaron Pettrey
Rivas is older, has more experience, has kicked more game winning field goals, and is the all-time leading scorer at Michigan. Case closed.

Advantage: Michigan


Coaching
Lloyd Carr vs. Jim Tressel
Many people will give ol' sweater vest the edge here. I won't. This matchup is about as even as it gets.

Advantage: EVEN

Ron English vs. Jim Bollman
Ron English scares the crap out of me. His defense is like an angry pack of bloodthirsty animals. He should be a candidate for the Frank Broyles Trophy. Bollman's offense is running like a Ferrari right now, but its more the talent on the field, and less of the coaching.

Advantage: English

Mike Debord vs. Jim Heacock
Similarities, similarities... Debord likes to run a conventional run-first offense that uses the ground game to set up the pass. He doesn't use shifting and other offensive gizmos to try to confuse the defense. No, he'll tell you what he plans on doing (run the ball) and he'll dare you to stop him.
In comparison, Heacock runs a conventional bend-don't-break defense that plays tough against the run and thrives on turnovers. He doesn't blitz as much as many other defensive coordinators across the country do.

Advantage: EVEN


Intangibles
Questions to consider...
How much of a factor will the home crowd be?
Will Michigan have the weight of 1-4 over the last 5 in their heads, or will they come out hungry for revenge?
Will OSU be prepared for what is a very different Michigan team from last year, or will their confidence get the best of them?

Advantage: EVEN


Wrap up
This game will not disappoint. Don't be surprised if turns into a last-minute affair. Look for one of the Michigan receivers to catch a deep TD pass, for Hart to tack on a touchdown, and for another short touchdown, either by air or on the ground. On the OSU side, look for Gonzalez to score at least once, with Ginn scoring on either a reverse or a punt return, and a touchdown to one of OSU's tight ends in the red zone. With the score tied at 21 late in the fourth quarter, watch for the Garrett Rivas field goal for the go-ahead Michigan points. It will come down to the matchup of each team's strengths: Michigan defense vs. OSU offense. Defense wins championships.

Prediction: Michigan 24, OSU 21

Too close

That win was too close. And while it was a win, there's still plenty of reason to be disappointed.

A quick analysis:
Michigan gave up the two big pass plays with their second stringers in there. I promise you, that if Leon Hall or Morgan Trent were out on the field instead of Charles Stewart (who got beat on the first big that started the BSU rally), there would've been no rally at all. Once Michigan's first stringers came back in, it was over.

Lloyd Carr has this bad habit of taking his top guys out before his opponent is dead. I'm not sure if you remember the 1999 Illinois game, where Michigan squandered a huge lead, and lost the game. I understand that Coach Carr wants to keep his guys healthy and resting to try and make up for the bye week, and he doesn't want to run up the score on his friend Brady Hoke, but there really was no excuse for allowing BSU to come back like that. And if he leaves his first stringers in there just a little longer, to stretch the score out by another TD or two, he can take them out with about 7 or 8 minutes left, and let the senior backups (it was Senior Day in Ann Arbor) in there without having to worry about any mistakes. The blame for this little hiccup lies squarely on the shoulders of the coaching staff.

But mind you, Michigan will learn from this. The starters are going to get quite a bit of playing time next week against Indiana, because Coach Carr just got the wake-up call he needed. Also, look for Michigan's offense to be much more explosive next week, with Mario back at full speed. Yes, he played today, but he wasn't 100%. He wasn't able to cut anywhere as well as he normally can, and that ability to cut and stop on a dime is what gives him his play ability. Many of his big pass receptions come of off hitch and go's and other quick moves underneath that allow him to beat the cushion of the cornerback. If he can't cut properly, those long passes aren't gonna come.

But about those 352 rushing yards, huh? Mmmm mmmm good ole fashioned Big Ten Football. Bo sure musta loved that.

Curse of #2

Does it exist? Michigan will find out soon enough, but let's take a look at why the #2 teams this season have fallen...

Texas
There's a few reasons for the fall here. First, Texas should not have been ranked that high. Their rank was inflated to created the enticing #1 vs #2 matchup vs. OSU. Seeing that kind of game is so much more fun than watching a #1 vs #3 or #4 matchup because there's just so much more on the line. It's like getting a Christmas present for Labor Day.

The Longhorns are the defending National Champions, but when you lose a player like Vince Young who is so integral to the offense, there's bound to be a drop off. Then there's Ohio State. If you haven't noticed, the Bucks are a damn good team. Coming from a Michigan Man like me, that's some pretty high praise. I doubted their defense this summer, but they've played extremely well. There aren't many teams (read 1 or 2) that can beat them. Texas was beaten by a very good team.

Notre Dame
Notre Dame was also overrated. Everyone jumped on the Brady Quinn-Charlie Weis bandwagon. The fact that ND was even ranked in the top 5 exposed one of the major flaws of the poll system - teams with the media spotlight tend to get a favorable ranking. Brady Quinn was supposed to be the second coming of Joe Montana and Tom Brady. Charlie Weis was supposed to be a genius who could outcoach anyone. What happened? Quinn looked like Ryan Leaf in the NFL. Weis was outcoached by Lloyd Carr and had no answers for what happened.

Why were they overranked? First, the media spotlight and superstar mania. Second, they had a pretty good record last year. However, that record was against a pretty mediocre schedule. The best team they beat was Michigan (barely), which was without Mike Hart for most of the game. They got whalloped by Ohio State in their bowl game, and their secondary looked like swiss cheese. Yes, they won their first two games this year. Who'd they beat? 1) Georgia Tech, which simply didn't know how to use Calvin Johson, and 2) Penn State, which was still struggling to find its identity after graduating Michael Robinson. Michigan exposed Notre Dame's weaknesses and kept Quinn and his recievers off the field with a dominating running game. Michigan's run defense made the Irish offense predictable and impotent.

Auburn/Florida
These two teams are both worthy of a top 5 ranking, Auburn moreso than Florida. They just have the misfortune of playing in the toughest conference in America. It's amazing if an SEC team can make it out undefeated. If I were voting I would have these teams ranked ahead of West Virginia, Lousiville, and USC. They both have punishing and quick defenses. Kenny Irons for Auburn, when he get going, he runs like an animal. Brandon Cox is great at managing a game, and while he might not be able to win a game singlehandedly, he won't make the mistake that loses it. For Florida, Leak and Tebow are a two-headed monster that can just eat up opposing defenses.

Auburn is probably the more talented team, but is not as well-coached. Why do I say this? Talent wins games. Coaching loses it. Superior talent wins out. Coaching is only as good as the players listening. However, the inability to properly utilize talent (i.e. coaching) will lose games. Auburn had the talent to win their game against Florida. I think they would beat Arkansas if the two played again today. They just got caught looking ahead to the big matchup by a very well-coached Razorback team. They found their hunger after losing (you don't appreciate some things until you lose them) and came out spirited against the Gators. Florida could not overcome the energized Tigers.


So how does this bode for the Wolverines? Will they fall into the same mindset as Auburn? Are they overrated like Notre Dame? Are pollsters inflating their ranking to get another #1 vs #2 matchup?

Michigan is not overrated. They deserve to be in the top five. Why? Because they have risen up from #14. They were underdogs early, and beat quality opponents to get to where they are. It is harder to rise to the top than to stay there. Is there ranking inflation? Sure. But it doesn't change the fact that Michigan deserves a high ranking. Will Michigan get caught looking ahead to OSU? That's a question that'll be answered this weekend. Iowa has a very good team looking to come back from an embarrassing loss to Indiana. They would like nothing more than to ruin Michigan's season. It's up to what Coach Carr is telling his players, and if his players have the right attitude.

Welcome

Welcome to the inaugural post of The Maize Out blog. This blog is dedicated to University of Michigan Wolverines Football. I'll offer tidbits and news on games, recruiting, and anything else that comes up...


With Michigan's win in Happy Valley on Saturday, it's 8 straight over the Nittany Lions. Not many teams have owned JoePa in such a fashion. The fact that Michigan was able to do it with Super Mario probably put a lot of fears to rest about this team. The Wolverines showed that while they love the fireworks of the deep ball, they are still grounded in the old Big Ten staples - defense and the running game. It was great to see Michigan's offensive line just wear down the Penn State front seven by the end of the game. It's a telling stat when the running back gets half of his yards in the final third of a close game. Michigan wanted to run the ball to kill the clock, and could do it with ease.

A word about this Michigan defense... This is the first time in a long time that Michigan's been able to ride it's defense through a tough game. The offense was not at full speed on Saturday, but the defense was lights out, as has been the case all season. When was the last time you saw TWO quarterbacks leave a game? I bet Drew Tate is going to have nightmares this week. While everyone talks about Woodley, Hall, and Burgess, who've made many of the big plays, there are a few players who are not flying so high on the radar, but are probably more crucial to Michigan's success. Alan Branch is the center of this defense. His ability to absolutely destroy the interior of offensive lines is what frees Woodley and Biggs to pick up so many sacks and big hits. Dave Harris is one of the top 5 linebackers in the country. He is a sure tackler who moves towards the ball with lightning speed. And then there's Morgan Trent. He's the guy opposite All-American Leon Hall. And he's the guy who gets tested the most. Michigan has given up very few big plays in the air this year. A lot of the credit here has to go to Trent, who has been extremely good.

Has anyone else noticed how solid Michigan's offensive line has been this year? Besides the new zone blocking scheme opening up massive holes for Hart, Grady, and Minor, Chad Henne has had plenty of time to throw the ball. The better protection has at least a small role in Henne's increased confidence throwing the ball. Speaking of Henne, how about that pass to Arrington for the first touchdown on Saturday? Throws don't get any more perfect than that.

Co-captain Jake Long has said he plans to return to Michigan for his 5th year. That is definitely good news.