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The Ohio State University is 43-57-6 all-time versus the Michigan Wolverines, but are 8-1 under coach Jim Tressel.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez may have saved his job sitting at 7-4 before the last game of the year, but unless they can pull off the upset over Ohio State confidence among the Wolverines fan base will remain very low. The Buckeyes, on the other hand, need the win for at least a share of the Big Ten title and a possible BCS bowl bid.

The 107^th meeting between Ohio State and Michigan this year is the first ever game to take place after Thanksgiving, a with this being the most competitive team Michigan has fielded since Rich Rod was hired almost 3 years ago, there is hope that we could have a close, entertaining game.

Ohio State- Michigan Game Info

• Ohio State- Michigan location: Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
• Ohio State- Michigan Kickoff Time: Saturday November 27^th, 12:00pm EST
• Ohio State- Michigan TV: ABC National Telecast
• Ohio State-Michigan Announcers: Sean McDonough, Matt Millen and Quint Kessenich
• Ohio State-Michigan Line: Ohio State -17, Over/under 63 (via Betus.com)

Ohio State- Michigan Game Preview

MICHIGAN (7-4, 3-4 in the Big Ten):

• Last Week: 48-28 loss against Wisconsin
• Coach: Rich Rodriguez (120-81-2 career, 15-19 at Michigan, 3rd year)

The big problem with Michigan this year is obviously their defense. If anyone is realistically on the hot seat, it is their defensive coordinator…unless Rich Rod refuses to replace him after this year or even before their bowl game. They give up almost 34 points a game and their offense has been able to outscore their top offensive opponents only a few times this year. The unpopular 3-3-5 defensive scheme is actually a good match-up against Ohio State’s current offense, but the athletes and experience are not.

Offensively Michigan has been great. However, this weekend they have to face one of the nation’s best defenses on the road so they will have to overachieve to keep pace with the points they will inevitably give up. Michigan is a fast-paced, big play offense, so controlling the clock and keeping the ball away from Ohio State isn’t really an option. But Michigan could possibly outscore the Buckeyes with their explosiveness, some turnovers by Ohio State, and if they have they ball last in a close game.

We haven’t seen a very close game in this series since the Lloyd Carr era, though Michigan does hold an all-time advantage in Columbus with a 27-23-2 record. Could this year finally be different?

#8 OHIO STATE (10-1, 6-1 in the Big Ten):

• Jim Tressel (239-79-2 career, 104-22 at Ohio State, 10th year)
• Last Week: 20-17 win at Iowa

This will be the second year in a row that Ohio State will be wearing custom Nike Combat designed uniforms, further killing the traditional helmet match-up of winged helmets and buckeye-stickered helmets smashing into each other every play.

The point of the uniforms is obviously not to kill tradition, but rather to make some extra merchandising money. Plus, they are a considerably more streamlined fit and made out of a lighter weight material. But I don’t think anyone will knock time off their 40-yard dash times with them.

Memo to Ohio State (and everyone else): go back to the traditional helmets and colors.

As for the game, Ohio State is trying to win five in a row in Columbus for the first time in the series history. That said, the first of potentially two meetings between two of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football starts Saturday: Denard Robinson versus Tyrelle Pryor. How the two defenses defend these two athletic play-makers will go a long way towards determining the winner.

As the season progessed defenses got more savvy at controlling Denard Robinson’s big plays, and he did get pretty dinged up. With respect to Pryor, good defenses seem to only have hope that he turns the ball over enough to nuetralize him. Pryor still seems to be able pull off the clutch plays with both his arm and feet. And again, Michigan is nowhere close to a good defense. Their biggest problem will be Boom Herron from the TB position, who is going for his first career 1,000 yard season and only needs 107 yards to achieve that.

Ohio State- Michigan Game Prediction

Ohio State is 7-0 at home this season and that is also their record against the spread this year. Take Ohio State to cover the points as they seem to thrive at home.

• Ohio State-Michigan Prediction: Ohio State 40 Michigan 21.
• Ohio State-Michigan Spread Pick: Ohio State -17
  
• Ohio State-Michigan Over-Under: Under 63
  

KVB is 9-1 straight up and 4-6 against the spread on Ohio State this year.

The likelihood of that happening, of course, is very slim. While the Wolverines can put up points, their defense offers little to no resistance. Thus, expect Terrelle Pryor (whose recruitment still represents Rich Rod’s first loss to Tressel) to run wild and the Buckeyes to beat Michigan…again.

Wondering how Rodriguez is dealing with the waning days of his maniacal rule in Ann Arbor, I traveled there this week to take lots of photos and record the conversations I heard. The result is the photo story below, which tells the tale of a man being forced to come to grips with the legacy he is leaving at one of college football’s Mount Rushmore programs.

The legacy of a loser.

Note: if for some reason you can’t view the image above, view it here.

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67 for 96 (a 68.9 percent completion rate), 1,008 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception.

98 carries, 905 yards (an average of 9.2 yards per rush), and eight touchdowns for a grand total of…

1,913 yards of total offense and 15 touchdowns through five games.

Even in Rich Rodriguez’s wildest dreams of the perfect spread optioning, dual threat scoring behemoth, he could not have imagined his niche quarterback position to be executed at the level Denard Robinson has taken it to so far this season.

Photo source: AP via MLive.com

Rodriguez has to be continuously thanking someone or something somewhere for the timing of Robinson’s ascendance. If RichRod returns to the University of Michigan’s sidelines next season, it will be because Robinson struck up the band’s version of “Hail to the Victors” so many times that those who control things in Ann Arbor will need to see what another year of development in the system could bring.

For the foreseeable future, it’s all about Denard Robinson. And that’s the way it should be.

Right now, the 2010 Michigan Wolverines are Denard Robinson. He is why they are 5-0 and not 3-2 or 2-3. He is why they are voted in Top 25 polls. He is the major and maybe only indication that Rodriguez could be turning this program around.

Robinson has pulled out victories when the Wolverines’ season has seemed on the brink of falling into the abyss that has marked the Rodriguez era. To make the obvious summarization, he is responsible for everything that has gone right for this team so far.

And I hope, if and when the other shoe drops, he is there for that too.

As an example, my favorite basketball player is Dirk Nowitzki. I have gone through some difficult times as a fan because of this allegiance, but it is what it is. I will always have a soft spot for one-legged, off balance fade away jumpers – it’s my curse. The point is, when I watch the closing minutes of a Dallas Mavericks game, I don’t want to see anybody else deciding the outcome other than Dirk. If he doesn’t come through, so be it. I’ll feel better knowing the game was in the hands of the team’s best player, where it should be.

So when Michigan’s more-break-than-bend defense is lit up for another four hundred passing yards, hopefully they can leave some time on the clock for Denard. Hopefully, if god forbid the Wolverine offense is forced to punt a few times, that won’t automatically result in a 14 or 21-point deficit. Nobody is expecting dominance anymore, but coherence shouldn’t be too much to ask for.

The dream season could end on Saturday against Michigan State, or the week after versus Iowa, or at anytime, because every game Michigan plays will be a circus. Every week, the incredible play of Robinson this season is at risk of being wasted because of factors outside his control (stupid team sports). If Robinson can’t deliver a game-winning drive or enough total offensive yards at some point, so be it. He should be the one deciding how far this team goes. It would be a shame for the Wolverines to fall with the weak link flailing about on the field while Robinson is confined to the sidelines – helmet on, shoelaces untied.

So let’s hope that whatever happens from here on out, Denard Robinson gets the final say. He has brought them this far. He is the reason, despite the moth-eaten blanket of a defense and close-your-eyes, hope-for-the-best special teams, there is still no ceiling for the Michigan Wolverines, that you still cannot write them off.

If Michigan is to lose, hopefully they go down with the foundation, siding, wiring, interior décor, roof and insulation of their team, Denard Robinson, on the field. If they continue to win, the reason will be the same.

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Twitter: twitter.com/griffingotta Email: griffingotta@gmail.com

Michigan football has been mired in mediocrity for a while now, but Robinson and his blazing speed have single-handedly vaulted Michigan back into college football relevance and removed some of the heat from Rich Rodriguez’s seat.

While it’s still early, and while Robinson has yet to face a top-notch defense or beat a good team (sorry Notre Dame fans), the Heisman talk is inevitable. What makes it even more compelling is that, should Robinson ever win the award, be it this year or in the future, a photograph by Sam Wolson from The Michigan Daily may well go down as one of the greatest and most iconic college football photographs of all time.

Here is the photograph, via MichiganDaily.com (click link to see full size image):

Photo by Sam Wolson/Michigan Daily

For many of you, a certain resemblance might jump right out at you. If not, Brooks over at SPORTSbyBROOKS took the liberty of juxtaposing Robinson’s mid-play pose with the most famous statue in all of sports.

See what I mean?

As crazy as it sounds, this image will actually help Denard Robinson’s Heisman campaign should it continue to gain steam. (And for perspective let’s remember that last year at this time Jacory Harris of Miami was a Heisman front-runner, and the ‘Canes had actually beaten ranked teams.) Time and again we’ve seen iconic moments and images stick in the minds of voters and the public. We need look no further than Robinson’s own school to remember a time when a single image helped to cement a Heisman candidacy:

Photo credit: SI.com via connect.in.com

Granted, Howard’s pose was deliberate, ostentatious, came towards the end of the season, and Howard was virtually a lock at that point to win the award; so there are major differences. But we always hear people talk about how Heisman candidates need a “signature moment” or something that sticks in the minds of voters. As the above image of Denard Robinson makes the rounds, it will become just that if his play justifies season-long discussion of his candidacy.

And as for Robinson’s candidacy, I’d like to say that I disagree with myself for initially dismissing it so flippantly in the aftermath of the Notre Dame win. My initial thought was that Robinson’s career body of work doesn’t merit Heisman mention two weeks into a season when he’s only faced Connecticut and Notre Dame. But that really is irrelevant.

The Heisman is supposed to be a single-year trophy given to the most outstanding player in college football. Who cares if Robinson was just a bit player last year? And, right now anyway, who cares about his schedule? Michigan and its embattled program needed these two wins if they had come against Appalachian Community College. Obviously Robinson will have to earn further discussion, and legitimize his candidacy by playing big against Michigan’s better opponents, but if the Heisman is going to be discussed in September (a mistake in general) then Robinson deserves to be in the discussion.

If the discussion continues into November and December, then you can bet Sam Wolson’s incredible photograph will become just as ubiquitous as Desmond’s pose.

But anyone who actually watched the game knows the real story. Notre Dame was the better team, and simply beat themselves.

No,w keep this in mind – at the end of the day, wins and loses are the only thing that matter. No matter what your Pop Warner coach told you, there are no moral victories. So really it doesn’t matter that Notre Dame beat themselves more than Michigan beat them. But it still happened.

Mental Lapses & Blown Assignments

The Irish needed to do just one simple thing on defense to win Saturday, and failed. The game boiled down to playing assignment football, the most important assignment being outside containment. ND had to keep Michigan QB Denard Robinson in the middle of the field and not allow him to turn the corner and get out on the perimeter. But Robinson was able to beat the Irish on the perimeter multiple times, and it hurt them. One such containment lapse resulted in an 87 yard touchdown scamper by the Michael Vick clone.

And when it mattered most, during the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, the secondary suffered a complete mental breakdown. What was supposed to be inside-out coverage by the Irish secondary was anything but, and the result was a 15 yard catch over the middle on third down that ultimately led to the winning Wolverine score. A defense that had held Michigan scoreless for nearly the entire second half gave up a 72-yard drive when it mattered most.

The offense also struggled to find consistency among the mental breakdowns of not only the team, but the coaching staff as well. According to head coach Brian Kelly, the Irish ran a flea flicker with backup quarterback Tommy Rees because the play eliminated any reads. Yet Rees still found a way to make the wrong read, and threw and ugly interception. Between Nate Montana’s interception toss into triple coverage, his final throw of the first half (a dead strike to some fan in the third row) and most of the playcalling in the second and fourth quarters, there were more than enough to giftwarp the game for the Wolverines.

Wolverines Do Just Enough

Fortunately, the Irish can’t take all the credit for Saturday’s result. Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez has found a perfect field general for his spread option attack in Robinson. He looked comfortable in the passing game for the most part, and made some solid reads down the field to attack the soft Irish zone. Robinson kept plays alive with his feet, and above all else, he made the defense pay when they failed to respect his speed.

On defense, the Wolverines were decidedly average, which was just enough to beat the Irish. Errant passes and missed blocking assignments hounded the Irish offense all day long. Four times in the second half, the Irish had the ball and the opportunity to take the lead. All four times, ND went three and out. The Irish also turned the ball over three times, and managed a paltry five yards rushing in the fourth quarter.

Long story short, the Irish gave this one away. They were undoubtedly the better team, but mental errors and lack of execution doomed them. Michigan got a win, but more than anything it was simply an Irish loss.

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* – Denard Robinson/Michigan-ND photo credit: Nuccio DiNuzzo

Follow Mike on Twitter: @Mike_Tennant

Wendell just wanted to share what he is thankful for on his weekly day of repent.

Wendell is thankful for Rich Rodriguez (aka Dick-Rod).

Specifically, Wendell appreciates Dick-Rod replacing an NFL pipeline with ambiguous position players, such those with the dubious label “athlete”, equating to non-NFL caliber talent, but talent capable of winning the insignificant-East.

Considering no college WR, RB, or QB featured in a run happy QB-geared scheme (a great leap for any reasonable WR) has produced NFL results worthy of garnering less than a 3rd round selection, I am not worried about this changing.  (Notice my deftness in avoiding the classification of the Dick-Rod offense as “gimmick”…I prefer “novel ruse”.)
So how does this make me thankful for Dick-Rod?

I am not losing sleep over the Bears potentially drafting ANOTHER over-hyped UM wide receiver,  nor do I have to listen to a myriad of ESPN analysts (read: herd followers) describe another UM wide receiver
as “cant miss”.

BTW, is “can’t miss” the greatest oxymoron?

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Who is Wendell Willkie? Wouldn’t you like to know.

The pseudonym was inspired by the very Wendell Willkie who is an Indiana University legend and democrat turncoat who ran for president against FDR in 1940; however, the man behind the pseuodonym shall otherwise remain nameless.

Jerod simply posts WW’s ramblings here to help unclog his inbox (hence, the spam cleansing) and because there are occasional nuggets of insight that provide good jumping off points for conversation.

So go, converse. WW will undoubtedly be back soon with more email ramblings…

The University of Michigan players, alumni, and fans have been dying for a win over the hated Ohio State Buckeyes. Please give us a win in what is clearly a “trap game” for the Buckeyes this Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 12:00 pm in Ann Arbor.

The Buckeyes have secured a Rose Bowl appearance and the Big 10 Championship. With all of that already in the bag for them before this game….you never know.

For Michigan, a win would give them .500 record, as they are currently 5-6, with only one Big 10 victory. The Wolverines should throw everything they have into this game that they have available in their playbooks!

Not that I am counting, but the Wolverines are currently on a five game losing streak to the Buckeyes, and have not won since their victory on November 22, 2003. The Wolverines were ranked 4th, and the Buckeyes were ranked 6th. Michigan won 35-21, and countless current NFL players were involved in this game.

For Michigan on that day, Chris Perry carried the load with 154 yards on 31 carries and 2 TD’s in addition to 55 receiving yards. Michigan QB John Navarre threw for 278 yards, 2 TD’s and a pick, and Braylon Edwards had 7 grabs, 130 yards ,and 2 TD’s.

The Buckeyes had Craig Krenzel and Scott McMullen at QB, but the stars of the show for the Buckeyes were future NFL wide-outs Michael Jenkins and Santonio Holmes. Jenkins had 132 yards receiving and Holmes had 121 yards and 2 TD’s.

Since 2003, the Wolverines have failed miserably against the Buckeyes, as seen below:

• 2004 – Michigan at Ohio State – Buckeyes Won 37-21
• 2005 – Ohio State at Michigan – Buckeyes Won 25-21
• 2006 – Michigan at Ohio State – Buckeyes Won 42-39
• 2007 – Ohio State at Michigan – Buckeyes Won 14-3
• 2008 – Michigan at Ohio State – Buckeyes Won 42-7

Last year, Rich Rodriguez referred to the Ohio State game as “just a game.” This game is so much more than a game Coach, and here is why…

Follow the link to read the rest of Fraschetti’s letter to Rich Rodriguez.

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* – Rich Rodriguez photo credit: CoachesHotSeat.com

The last two meetings between these teams were sloppy blowout games and neither team ended up having a good season. But this year both squads look to be back on track and the rivalry is being revived.

Last week, Michigan coasted to an easy 31-7 victory over Western Michigan, scoring all of their points in the first half. Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier solidified himself as the starter for the Wolverines while fellow freshman Denard Robinson flashed the speed and big play ability that quarterbacks in Rich Rodriguez’s system are known for having.

Rich Rodriguez’s spread option offense was effective against the Broncos, as Michigan racked up 242 rushing yards from 8 different ball carriers. The problem for the Wolverines is they are currently without a go-to running back. Backup quarterback Denard Robinson was the leading rusher with 74 yards.

In Notre Dame’s season opener, the Irish shut out Nevada 35-0 with Jimmy Clausen throwing for 4 TD’s. Claussen showed poise in the pocket, completing 15 of his 18 attempts.

Charlie Weis and the Fighting Irish look ready to make it back to another bowl game this year, and possibly even compete for a BCS bid. The offense that was in complete disarray two seasons ago is now finally coming together.

Saturday’s matchup between these two bitter rivals is an intriguing one. Both teams have shown vast improvement from last year, but this will obviously be the first real test for each squad with Rodriguez and Weis both seated firmly on the hot seat to bring their teams back to the elite level of college football.

Before we get into an analysis of the matchup, let’s take a quick look at the particulars:

#18 Notre Dame (1-0) at Michigan (1-0)

• Notre Dame-Michigan Date: Saturday, September 12th
• Notre Dame-Michigan Time: 3:30 ET
• Notre Dame-Michigan TV: ABC
• Notre Dame-Michigan Location: The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Notre Dame-Michigan Point Spread: Notre Dame -4.5
• StubHub: Michigan-Notre Dame tickets for as low as $95
• StubHub: Michigan football tickets
• StubHub: Notre Dame football tickets
• StubHub: all College Football tickets

Notre Dame-Michigan Preview and Analysis

Notre Dame comes into the game a slight favorite and rightfully so. Clausen is starting to fill in the void that was left when Brady Quinn left for the NFL draft. (Side note to Notre Dame fans: please don’t treat Claussen like the “golden boy” as you did with Quinn. Thank you.)

To win the game, the Irish must provide strong pass protection for Clausen and allow him to spread the ball around. Michigan, on the other hand, needs to pressure Clausen and limit his ability to locate WRs Golden Tate and Michael Floyd down the field. If Michigan tries to get in a shootout with Notre Dame, the Wolverines won’t be able to keep up with the Irish’s high-octane offense.

If Claussen can put up 300-plus yards passing Michigan won’t have a chance. Tate, a speedy and talented young receiver, could be the X-factor with his big play potential.

Michigan needs to control the pace and the clock by running the football over and over. Forcier looked good passing the ball last week, although he only put the ball in the air 20 times. He completed 13 of those passes for 175 yards and tallied 3 TDs. You might look at those stats and think the Wolverines should throw more.

On the contrary, Forcier’s efficient passing was set up by 50 rushing attempts at 4.8 yards per pop. Michigan would do well to follow attain a similar run:pass ratio. Forcier will have to be smart with the ball again when passing plays are called. An improving Irish defense picked off two passes last week and will be licking their chops going up against a freshman making only his second start.

Notre Dame-Michigan Prediction

This game can go either way and will likely be decided by one or two key plays. Notre Dame comes in ranked #18, but when playing in the Big House all rankings go out the window. [Editor's note: as do Division 1-A and 1-AA classifications...right App State?]

Rich Rodriguez will have the Wolverines amped up to start the game and the Irish will have to take the fans out of the game early. Luckily for Notre Dame fans and the embattled Weis, the Irish have an experienced quarterback to rely on in Jimmy Clausen, who is no stranger to pressure, expectation, and hostile environments.  

In this high profile matchup between two of the all-time giants of college football, Clausen’s experience will most likely be the difference.

My prediction for this game: Notre Dame- 31 Michigan- 24

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* – Notre Dame / Michigan helmets image credit: The Onion

* – Charlie Weis photo credit: AP Photo/Carlos Osorio via WSBT-2

* – Denard Robinson / Tate Forcier photo credit: Said Alsalah/Daily via Michigan Daily

* – Jimmy Clausen in high school photo credit: Pre Pro Sports

Tate Forcier is only the third freshman quarterback to start for Michigan in the school’s history, with the others being Rick Leach and Chad Henne. He looked sharp and passed for three touchdowns in his debut. 

Even better than his three touchdowns, he had no completions to the other team, finishing 13-20 for 179 yards.  He also rushed for 37 yards on 11 carries.

Denard “Shoelace” Robinson was 2-4 for 18 yards through the air, but his running game was more impressive.  Robinson rushed 11 times for 74 yards, with an impressive touchdown run of 43 yards. The video of Robinson’s incredible debut run is below.

Denard “Shoelace” Robinson Runs for TD Against Toledo

The only letdown in this game was Rodriguez’s thought that putting Nick Sheridan into the game was a good idea.  Sheridan continued his stellar quarterbacking abilities that he so finely displayed last year by going 0-2 with a completion to the other team.  I had instant flashbacks to every game he played in last year. It seems that some things will never change.

This win was nice, but basking in the glory of a Week 1 victory is something that Michigan cannot afford to do, as they have a real test at home next week against Notre Dame, who rolled Nevada 35-0.

Kurt Fraschetti

Become a fan and follow me on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ProFootballInsight/87454057557

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* – Denard Robinson / Tate Forcier photo credit: Said Alsalah/Daily via Michigan Daily

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We are just over one week away from NFL kickoff 2009, less that a week from College Football, and coming down the stretch in Major League Baseball. Here are my top 5 stories for this week.

1 – LA Dodgers Make Deals to Solidify Playoff Roster

As the waiver deadline approaches the most active team seems to be the L.A. Dodgers, picking up White Sox slugger Jim Thome and Diamondbacks’ hurler Jon Garland. As of today the Dodgers hold a 5.5 game lead on Colorado, who also made a move trading for White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras.

I’ll tell you this: the Dodgers are putting together a team that will compete with the Yankees in the World Series. There is no doubt in my mind that the Dodgers are the team to beat in the National League, save for maybe (and this is painful for a Cub’s fan to admit) the Cardinals.

2 – A Tale of Two Cities: Minnesota and Philadelphia

Brett Favre and Michael Vick have made their comebacks and the inevitable debates have followed.

In Minnesota, talk of team mutiny was rumored, some sources saying that the locker room was split. These rumors were put to bed quickly, but Viking Nation may see it differently. One Vikings fan was found to have a live goat in her trunk painted purple and gold.

Vick has also been met with equivalent praise and disapproval, with Donovan McNabb going on record saying that Vick’s presence and the style of play-calling involving Vick was “a gimmick” and a distraction from their game plan.

I’ll tell you this: Like it or not, the Vikings became a contender when they signed Favre. However, Vick brings quite the distraction both on and off of the field. It will be interesting to see, but if McNabb is already skeptical about Vick’s role, then that can’t be a good sign for the Eagles.

3 – Trouble in Ann Arbor

In what has been a tumultuous summer of violations in College Football, one last situation has raised its ugly head right before the season’s start.

This week some former and current players accused Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and his staff of exceeding the NCAA’s practice guidelines and complained that the staff was over-working student athletes beyond the maximum weekly and daily hours limitations. Rodriguez responded with an emotional press conference, completely denying the allegations by saying that they were “miscommunications” and “just not true.”

I’ll Tell You This: The Wolverines went 3-9 last year in Rodriguez’s first year at the helm. While it would not surprise me that these players were over-worked, I think the bigger issue is that, to save his job, Rodriguez has to find a way to bring Michigan back to being one of the premier teams in the NCAA.

4 – Injuries in the NFL Preseason

With the NFL preseason coming to an end, injuries have already begun to raise their ugly heads at big-time positions for teams.

Patriots QB Tom Brady injured his shoulder when Redskins $100 million dollar man Albert Haynesworth crushed him in the second quarter of their game last week. The master of masking issues, Bill Belichick, down-played the injury saying that Brady would be ready for the regular season.

Brett Favre has said that he has a cracked rib, but played in the Vikings’ preseason game against Houston without any protection. Could it be that Favre is preparing an excuse for what might become a disappointing season?

Finally, all of Kansas City stopped breathing for about 24 hours when off-season acquisition QB Matt Cassel went down hard with a knee injury. At first the prognosis was 4-6 weeks, seemingly a finishing blow to KC before the season even started; however, now reports are saying that the MCL strain that Cassel suffered was minor and he would return to the lineup possibly sooner rather that later, maybe even for the season opener.

I’ll Tell You This: Nothing can kill a team’s season faster than an unexpected and unnecessary preseason injury. Hopefully all of the above stay healthy so we can watch as many teams battle it out for the playoffs at full strength as possible. A healthy NFL is a more fan-friendly NFL.

5 – The Return of Pacman

Adam “Pacman” Jones has returned to football. But this time it’s not in the NFL. It’s not even with the upstart AFL, which launches next month. 

No, Pacman Jones is headed to the Canadian Football League. He has signed “in principal” a one year deal with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

I’ll tell you this: Who cares?

Apparently no-one in the NFL is ok with giving Jones yet another chance to prove that he can’t control his personal life, and honestly, I can’t blame them. Jones is just one of those players with all the talent in the world but no self-control. And playing professional sports is a luxury. He can’t control his life, he is a thug, and he is not a role model like we want our athletes of today to be.

Good riddance Pacman. Canada, you can have him.

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You can follow BigMB on twitter by going to www.twitter.com/mylesb3269

* – Jose Contreras and Jim Thome photo credit: by Charles Rex Arbogast – AP via South Side Sox

Deerfield Beach Head Coach Art Taylor stated that Robinson picked Michigan over the University of Florida, and other schools as well. Robinson was described by Taylor as a 6-foot, 179-pound quarterback with a 40-yard dash time of 4.3 seconds. Taylor stated that playing in a spread offense was something that Robinson really wanted, adding that the chance to compete for time as a freshman was appealing to Robinson as well.

Taylor was also quoted as saying, “Oh my god, Michigan is going to get an explosive, explosive quarterback.  He is a leader, he pushes his will to win on others. I’ve never seen a kid so competitive.”

Robinson will face competition from Tate Forcier from California, who is currently enrolled in classes at Michigan. Both of these guys should be a huge upgrade at the quarterback position for the Wolverines from last year.

This news should be pleasing to every Wolverine fan who had to endure the mess we called an offense last year. Last year’s offense looked like they were in a constant race to punt the ball as fast as possible. I have never seen a team go 3-and-out with the speed that the Wolverines pulled it off in last year. My heart went out to the Wolverines defense that played its ass off, only to have to go back onto the field 45 seconds after forcing a punt.

I have faith in Rich Rodriguez and his system. This was a talented football team last year that was missing, in my opinion, only one key element: a quarterback. Yes, Steven Threet grew on me over the year, but was way too inconsistent. Nick Sheridan just grew on my patience. His uncanny ability to complete passes to the other team with great regularity that  made me want to gouge my eyeballs out every time I saw #8 take the field. The only time #8 did not offend me was when Michael Phelps wore a #8 jersey and walked onto the field.

At any rate, I am looking forward to the Wolverines returning to the top of the Big 10 in the near future so I can walk the streets of Ohio again with my head up high. God I miss John Cooper in Scarlet and Gray.

Go Blue!

Kurt Fraschetti, fraschetti@midwestsportsfans.com

Robinson signing information courtesy of John Heuser at annarbornews.com.

In 2006, it was the first #1 vs. #2 match up in The Game’s rich tradition. It was the first time the two teams entered the game undefeated since the 1970s Bo vs. Woody days.

Only a day after the passing of Michigan great Bo Schembechler, The Game ended 42-39 with Ohio State being victorious and it was the highest point total in the history of the rivalry. And easily one of the most exciting, regardless of which side you are on.

Now we have a plethora of firsts in this weekend’s Ohio State-Michigan game, even though it is nothing College Game Day would set up shop for, as they did in Columbus in 2006.

One reason is that the 19 point spread in favor of the Buckeyes is the largest spread in the history of The Game. Two, win or lose, at 3-8 it is already Michigan’s worst record in the football program’s history. Three, Ohio State is going for their fifth straight victory over for the team up north which would be a first in Ohio State’s rich history. Four, this is the first time these two teams will both start Freshman quarterbacks: Terrelle Pryor and Steven Threet (though Threet is questionable with a shoulder injury). That fourth historic first might bring out the over used but realistic saying, “Throw the records out for this one.”

I would never miss this game no matter what the situation is and I have often gone into this weekend (always the weekend by or on my birthday) on the other end, salvaging the season by busting Michigan’s Rose Bowl berth with an upset. That is what Michigan has to play for this year and if you don’t know, Jim Tressel-coached teams always seem to have trouble defending against spread offenses. Last week, Illinois’ spread offense diced up the Buckeyes defense with 455 total yards of offense.

If you are laughing at my cautioned tone about the game this weekend I have two words for you: John Cooper. Coop’s 2-10-1 record versus Michigan is branded into my head and I know all too well the better team doesn’t always in this one. Since polls were started in 1936, the lower ranked team has won 21 times, most recently in 2004 when the unranked Buckeyes won 37-21 over #7 Michigan in Troy Smith’s first season.

We know John Cooper is no Jim Tressel, when JC called the rivalry with Michigan “Just like any other game” and called the established 1922 Ohio Stadium, “Buckeye Field.” 2-10-1, it still burns doesn’t it Buckeye fans?

And Michigan’s 57-41-6 advantage will make us feel like the underdog for at least the better part of this century won’t it?

Ohio State I know cannot wait to beat Michigan now when they are down. And say what you want about Rich Rod, Michigan cannot wait to beat Ohio State now when they are flying high.

See you Noon EST on ABC live from Columbus.

Click here to F*ck Michigan

[tags]college football, rivalries, ohio state buckeyes, michigan wolverines, big ten football[/tags]

Yesterday, Michigan had a lead at the half over the #3 Penn State Nittany Lions, in their house! Michigan had momentum and the ball after the half. Then Rich Rodiguez had a brianstorm and placed the one person who when he walks on the field, his whole team collectively knows regardless of the score, the game is now officially over.

Once the Big 10 player of the year entered the game, he did what he does best, score for the other team. He gave up a safety after sitting in the pocket for far too long without throwing the ball away, only to complete a pass to his lineman two feet infront of him while falling into the end zone.

I think that Sheridan has naked pictures of Rich Rodriguez because for the life of me, I do not understand how else this turnover machine could take snaps for the Wolverines.

Here’s Sheridan’s stat line year to date; 29 of 54 for 262 yards, 1 touchdown 5 INTERCEPTIONS AND A SAFETY!

Opposing Sheridan is Steven Threet, far from a football God, but leaps and bounds better than Nick Sharetheball, I mean Sheridan. Threet is 67 for 132 with 708 yards, 6 TOUCHDOWNS and 3 interceptions. I am not a college mathematics professor, but the statistics are in glaring favor of Threet. I would rather see the Miami Dolphins Wildcat formation than the Michigan offense with Sheridan under center. Please, tell me I am wrong, but if you are a Wolverines fan, you feel the same way I do whenever #8 takes the field. When Rich Rodriguez lost Terelle Pryor to Ohio State, he lost more than a recruit, he lost the Wolverines 2008 season.

Kurt Fraschetti

profootballinsight@live.com

[tags]michigan wolverines, rich rodriguez, big ten, nick sheridan[/tags]

But, one thing should be clear: I absolutely think that Rich Rodriguez will win games, and plenty of them, at Michigan. That is why I was not surprised to read this article on ESPN.com regarding Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin voicing full support for Rich Rodriguez despite a 2-4 record and a home loss last weekend to Toledo.

(Note: in an effort to be fair to Rich Rodriguez considering the posts I’ve written the past few days, this article from mgoblog.com gives a good overview of Rich Rodriguez’s history at West Virginia and how it likely portends good things for the on-field success of Michigan in the future.)

Now, obviously Bill Martin will express support because Rich Rodriguez was his hire. And we’re only halfway through the first season of what Bill Martin and the Michigan faithful hope will be a long and glorious Rich Rodriguez era in Ann Arbor. Furthermore, the style that Rich Rodriguez plays will compel him to recruit the kind of speed and up-tempo athletes that the Big Ten has been lacking in recent years. With a couple of years to get his spread offense properly installed, and to acquire the right talent to run it, Michigan will again be a legitimate contender with Ohio State for Big Ten supremacy

All this being said, I still think Michigan has made a deal with the devil; and being an Indiana basketball fan, and enduring the short and destructive Kelvin Sampson era, I think it is necessary for Michigan fans to at least be cautious. I have found nothing online about Rich Rodriguez being involved in specific recruiting violations, as Kelvin Sampson was before IU foolishly hired him. But Rodriguez and Sampson do seem to have the common trait of not minding playing guys who are prone to getting in trouble. Rich Rodriguez has proven that he will recruit and play unsavory characters (Pacman Jones, Chris Henry) in the name of winning. As a lifelong Big Ten fan, that seems to me to be in contrast to what Michigan has stood for over the years.

So I think it is great and absolutely expected that Bill Martin is supporting Rich Rodriguez. It’s only Year One of the Rich Rodriguez Era, so there is no need to panic about the product on the field. Michigan will be good; maybe not by the end of this year, but soon enough. The dilemma for Michigan fans, and perhaps down the road for Bill Martin, is will the wins come at the cost of the integrity and traditional values of Michigan football and the university itself.

Rich Rodriguez is a devil of a coach, a damn good one who has a proven track record of success. For Bill Martin and Michigan, they just have to hope that their deal with this devil does not end up burning them in the end; or that the actual price of success was the soul of a program.

[tags]michigan wolverines, rich rodriguez, college football, big ten, ncaa[/tags]

Well, other than when he was shown in the pre-recorded interview wearing a Penn State shirt (picture, left).

Thanks to Deadspin.com for the tip on this one. I wonder if this was Braylon’s subtle way of trying to ingratiate himself with the Browns fan base, most of which are rabid Jim Tressel butt kissers and Ohio State Buckeye fanatics. Something tells me that even though Braylon Edwards was in the midst of a stellar night, someone at the Browns Backers gathering where I watched the game would have booed if the dirty maize and blue “M” had been emblazoned on Braylon’s shirt.

As it was, when Braylon got caught from behind on the deep pass early in the game, one of the Browns (and ostensibly Ohio State) fans seated near me muttered, “No one catches him if he was a Buckeye.”

(Yes, because as the last two National Championship games and this year’s USC game have proven, Ohio State is renowned for their speed.)

Anyway, the way I see it, now that Rich Rodriguez has come in and begun the process of urinating all over the great tradition of Michigan University football, Braylon might as well make his life easier and just switch allegiances. Sure, the Browns/Buckeyes fans will still have the bad memories of Braylon in the maize and blue #1 jersey, but I think most would welcome him with open arms if he started pasting buckeye logos on his helmet for every big play or sported a gray sweater vest and spectacles in post-game interviews.

I think the Penn State emblem was a subconscious manifestation of the jealous little Buckeye inside of Braylon Edwards screaming to be let out, sick of the annual November rivalry beat down and the arm’s-length love he gets from Browns fans because of his affiliation with the Wolverines. You’re a Cleveland Brown now Braylon. And soon you won’t recognize your alma mater anyway because integrity, academics, and tradition mean nothing in the Rich-centric, damnit-I-will-run-the-spread-with-white-guys-anyway-because-I-have-to-prove-that-I-am-a-genius vision of the world possessed by the Wolverines’ megalomaniacal new head coach/loser.

So this week Braylon, when you get interviewed for the pregame shows talking about the resurgence of the Browns and your incredible performance against the Giants, just let it all out and wear your scarlet and gray. A nation of Buckeye-loving Browns fans is ready to finally embrace you as truly one of their own.

[tags]braylon edwards, nfl, football, ohio state buckeyes, michigan wolverines, rich rodriguez, cleveland browns[/tags]