Preview: Wisconsin

Time: 7:30

Location: Big House

TV: ABC

Weather: 42 degrees

Line: Wisky -4.5

Not sure how this game is being played.  Wisconsin had 30 staff and players test positive less then 2 weeks ago and the Big Ten has a 21 day policy.  Does that mean none of that personnel is available? Nobody can seem to answer that question or wants to.  

Wisconsin played 1 game before its outbreak and Michigan won 1 game before its losing outbreak.   It has not been a good 2 weeks for either team.  So of course ABC runs to make this the primetime game.  

Why Wisconsin?

They looked pretty darn good against Illinois before quarantine.   Wisconsin looked like Wisconsin with a new highly rated QB prospect, Graham Mertz, son of Fred and Ethel Mertz (I'm betting like 5 people get that joke). 

Wisconsin does what they do, they want to run the ball right at you and see if you can stop it.  They will also mix in a few passes to the TE.  They are in the easy side of the Big Ten and have lived off this strategy for many years.  

If Wisconsin is 100% healthy I think they roll over the wounded Wolverines.   The issue is, nobody knows anything and the Wisconsin doctors could be the MVP of this game.  They could also easily shut it down.  

Why not Michigan?

Michigan hasn't started 1-3 in 53 years.   Hoke or RR didn't even fall that low.   I honestly think Harbaugh has no clue what Michigan fans are saying about him.  He might read a newspaper once a week and turns on his computer to send a tweet every 6 months or so.  

Done Brown is a disaster and his defense is now getting shredded by every OC that sees it.  The key is to get the ball out fast, throw slants and screens.  The LB's won't be in position and you can easily get yards.   Bonus this year, Michigan's CB are awful and you can extend drives by throwing it out of bounds and getting a PI call.   Stay away from Dax Hill and your fine.  

I don't hate Michigan's offense and wish the Wolverines didn't have so many injuries on the offensive line.   If Michigan can't run the ball they can't win.  This is not a good football team right now. 

Do I have to predict something?  

Two teams that have had a disastrous two weeks after looking great week 1.  This being 2020 who the hell knows what is going to happen in this game.  Wisconsin seems to be the better team but they also might be throwing a ton of walk-on's and 4th team players in starting roles.  

Michigan's defense can't get off the field and Michigan's offense is still drinking Similac.  Done Brown should be preparing BC's defense against ND, not Michigan's against The Cheesecake Factory.  At least Michigan's special teams are better, way to go Nordin and whoever is punting this week.   Here is a friendly reminder how F'ed up this year is:  Cincinnati is ranked #7, BYU #8, IU #10, Coastal Carolina #15, Marshall 16.   Remember nobody loses eligibility this year, its like it never happened.  When does that spring Big Ten season start?

Wisconsin 28 Michigan 13

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/11/preview-wisconsin.html

Michigan Thursday: 2021 Basketball Class

 Remember when Juwan Howard was hired, one question mark was, could he recruit?  I think that was answered this week as Michigan is cementing the #1 class in the nation with the following recruits:

#8 Nationally Caleb Houstan PF 6'8 205, 5 Star 

#20 Mousa Diabate PF 6'10, 215, 5 Star 

#59 Frankie Collins PG 6'1, 180, 4 Star 

#63 Kobe Bufkin SG 6'4 175, 4 star 

#114 Isaiah Barnes SF 6'6 180, 4 star 

#155 Will Tschetter PF 6'8 224, 3 Star 

Ranking are per 24/7 and highlighted players are expected to have signed.   

Barnes is expected to sign on Friday and no word on Frankie.

Does signing mean the 5 stars can't go to the G-League?  No, it doesn't but both are expected to end up in Ann Arbor.  

It would be great if Michigan can close out this class in the early signing period and start working on 2021.  It would be also great for Michigan and the Big Ten to announce a schedule.  

For those golf fans out there, enjoy the Fall Masters that starts today!  

• Maryland - OSU cancelled due to COVID.   With the SEC losing 3 games this weekend, things seem to be trending in the wrong way.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/11/michigan-thursday-2021-basketball-class.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Is There A Replacement? and Basketball Breaking News!!!

Happy Veterans Day!  To all the great Americans that have served this country including my father and late grandfather!!

My lifelong friend Augusta J and I had a text chat back and forth on who should replace Jimmy.  Yes, he lives in Augusta and has been to many Masters. 

If Michigan continues to embarrass itself on the football field this season, Jimmy will most likely step down or be asked to.   Which leaves the question, who's next?  I will list a few candidates and why I would love or hate the hire.  

Matt Campbell:  I know Matt's name comes up a lot but I have a ton of concerns leaving Iowa State for Michigan.  We have seen 2 coaches from WVU and San Diego State flame out when the Michigan lights got too bright. 

Brent Venables: Clemson DC has turned down a bunch of head coaching offers.  Michigan might be too good of an opportunity to pass this time.  I would support this hire but he would need Gattis to stay or another top flight OC with him.   Always a risk to hire a guy that hasn't been a HC.  We know he can run a defense and recruit.  

PJ Fleck: Is a bit too weird for Ann Arbor, he hasn't won in Minnesota yet.  Last year was a good season, but he just lost to Michigan.   I don't see this as a possibility at all. 

Luke Fickell: Hates Michigan, even though Michigan could triple his salary.  Not happening, nor should it.  

Josh McDaniels: Is the candidate I like the most.  He was a head coach (failed) in the NFL, would have Brady's support, and brother is currently on the staff.   The NFL playoffs won't be an issue this year and he should be able to step right in.   He would need a strong DC and guys around him that could recruit.  

There aren't any Michigan Men candidates in the coaching ranks, so that won't be an option this time.   Unless you hire someone with out any coaching experience like Charles Woodson.   Ty Wheatley is struggling in his role as a HC.  Nobody currently on Bowling Green's staff would be under consideration. 

Josh Gattis could be a candidate and should get an interview.   If Jimmy continues to get embarrassed and steps away I wouldn't mind him finishing off the regular season.   Would need a very strong DC. 

I want to state this for the record, I have ZERO confidence that Warde can hire this position.   I know he has done well in Basketball and Hockey, but there were 2 clear candidates for those roles.   He almost screwed up the basketball hire with his buddy from George Mason or George Washington or wherever he was from.   I 'm sure he has another friend at Delaware or something.  

Bottom line:  There isn't a clear next candidate and I'm a firm believer you don't get rid of you current head coach without a clear direction forward.  Not to mention the athletics department can't afford two head coaches salaries next year with the huge losses in revenue they're taking this year.  

• Breaking News:  Today is the start of the early signing period for Basketball:  Michigan's two 5 star recruits Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate have both signed their LOI's and sent them to Michigan.   Tschetter is also in and Barnes is expected to do his on Friday.   All players are expected to sign and send in their LOI's today, no official announcement is expected until all players have signed.  

• The SEC had to cancel 3 games this weekend, I still don't know how the math works for Wisconsin to be able to play this weekend.   Yes, I do! the dollars on a primetime game.   People love to watch Michigan crash and even more when Harbaugh is crashing with them.   Even the Big Ten offices seem to enjoy it. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/11/wolverine-wednesday-is-there.html

Michigan Tuesday: Basketball School

The number 1 thing you will find on social media about Michigan right now is that U of M is now a basketball school.   Michigan has a former Fab 5 player leading it as its coach, which came out of one of the best run organizations in sports.   This staff is also recruiting its ass off!  Not to mention one of the best college basketball coach in the history of the program is now a professor in Ann Arbor.  

The latest example is 5 star Power Forward Moussa Diabate committed to Michigan in somewhat of a surprise commitment.  “It's not that he picked Michigan that's the huge surprise,” Eric Bossi, 247Sports national basketball director, said Monday. “It's just that it happened a lot faster than anyone expected it would.” Diabate plays at IMG and is from France originally.   He is also a teammate of Jett Howard.  

Brian Snow from 24/7: “He can play all over the court,” Snow said. “You would hope he's got the ability to guard maybe a wing in a switch situation then a power forward and even a center given how big he is. I think that's where a lot of people look and are very excited about what he can do because he's got so much ability on that end of the floor.”

This is Michigan's 2nd 5 star commitment to the 2021 class in less then 2 weeks.  Michigan now has the #1 recruiting class in the nation.   Since that is such a shocking statement, I will repeat it:  Michigan has the #1 Recruiting Class in the Nation.  

5 Stars Caleb Houstan and Moussa will join 4 star guards Frankie Collins and Kobe Bufkin, 4 star wing Isaiah Barnes and 3 star forward Will Tschetter in this complete 2021 class.  

That is great Bob, still a long time until signing day! 

Early signing period starts tomorrow.  It will be interesting to see how many guys sign on the dotted line! Lets hope all of them!

Michigan has yet to release a 2020/21 schedule but the future looks very bright!! 

• Great news keeps rolling in for the football team.  Hutchinson has broken his ankle which will need surgery and looks to be gone for the season.   Can't lose one of your best players on defense and hope to get that unit back on track.  

• Oak Park's Rayshaun Benny DT picked MSU over Michigan as expected on Monday.  He was a lock to Michigan before the Wolverines lost to the Spartans two weeks ago. 

• Michigan at Rutgers is a night game as well.  

 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/11/michigan-tuesday-basketball-school.html

Michigan Monday: Time For Tom To Call His Brother Joe

I liked Lloyd Carr but thought the game had passed him by.  I was excited for Rich Rod until we found out he was an emotional rollercoaster and couldn't recruit.   I wasn't a fan of the Brady Hoke hire because I thought he wasn't ready for this job and he wasn't.   I was all in on the Harbaugh hire and have supported him, until now.  

Jim, Don, and Josh had this team from August to the End of October.  Practicing 20 hours a week, when there were no games insight.   They knew the talent this team had or didn't have.   We also have to be fair, its hard to compete in the Big Ten with the players you have, its near impossible to compete when your fighting injuries, COVID, and your best players opting out of the season.   With that said, the state of Michigan Football is unacceptable and changes need to be made.   

In golf, they used to call this time of year the "silly season".   Players wouldn't practice that much and show up to events to have fun with their friends and try to win a few dollars.   This is what this Big Ten season is feeling like for Michigan.   

I try not to believe that people are dumb or just don't understand things.   The money U of M has invested in salary for Jim Harbaugh, Josh Gattis, and Done Brown is just ridiculous, its hard for me to believe their trained eyes don't see what we see. 

So we have to start making some assumptions:

• Done Brown thought he could turn a bunch of slow CB's into fast ones.   
• Done Brown is so against running a zone, he didn't prepare to run one in the off season
• Done Brown is so set it his ways, its almost comical how easy it is to prepare to play against his defense. 
• Jim is so focused on the offense, he can't see how Done Brown is failing this program. 

I'm actually going to give Coach Gattis a pass here.  I think Joe Milton has a ton of potential and he just has a ton of youth everywhere on offense.  I don't like how he wastes 1st and 2nd down with running plays, but I think the future could be very bright with Michigan's offense.   I think the TE's need to learn how to catch and his offense line play better.   

So now what?

1. Michigan has to extend or fire Harbaugh.   He can't be a lame duck head coach with a year left on his contract.  
   • Who would you get to replace him?  Joe Brady is 31 and will continue to be a red hot candidate in the NFL and in College.  I don't see a ton of other options here. 
2. Michigan's defense coaching staff is a mess.   
   • Done Brown has to go - Been a disaster. 
   • Bob Shoop is not with the program and doing something from home
   • Shaun Nua has been a disappointment in development and recruiting 
   • Mike Zordich has been with Jimmy since he got to Michigan, time to move on
   • Brian Jean-Mary has shown to be a great recruiter, keep and promote him.  
3. I have zero faith in Warde hiring a great head coach.  

 

Jimmy thinks they are close. 

My question is, close to what?

• the edge of the cliff 
• touching fireworks that haven't gone off 
• chumming for sharks with your arm in the ocean 
• the opening of an airplane in flight with a defective parachute 
• the Titanic in icy waters 
• driving an Indy race car blind folded

Tom Brady might want to wait a couple days after that beating he took last night.  I'm sure a call to Joe on Wednesday or Thursday is fine.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/11/michigan-monday-time-for-tom-to-call.html

Insanity Vacation

I thought Michigan over looked MSU last week.  I was wrong, Michigan is just a bad football team.   If they hadn't rolled the Golden Gophers I would crown them with the 2020 Rutgers award. 

This team doesn't deserve your attention, time, or Saturday commitment.  We all have better things to do.  The best thing that can happen is the COVID ravaged Badgers pull the plug on next Saturday's contest and Michigan spends the next two weeks hitting the reset button on this program.

Here is where you start:

-Get Paye, Mayfield, and Hutch out of there, Opt out right away 

-Don Brown is over his skies at Michigan.  He just is.  I know he tried to run a zone today but its just too late for him at Michigan.  Get rid of him now.  

-Harbaugh should consider resigning at the end of the year.  

-This is a free year of eligibility, play all the freshman and sophomores.  Tank for the 1st pick in next years high school draft. 

-Recruit or promote some TE's that can actually catch a football 

-There really isn't a need to try to win another football game this season.   Play the underclassman and get them needed experience.  Try out a new corner or two.  

-----

Cheers:

• Punting game is back! 
• Basketball season starts soon! 

I was happier when there wasn't a season.   

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/11/insanity-vacation.html

Preview: Indiana

Time: 12:00 EST 

Location: Memorial Stadium 

Weather: Hot! 70 - No Rain

TV: FS1 

Line: Mich -3.5

This year is just a head scratcher.  BYU and Cincinnati are both in the top 10, Indiana is #13, and a few states in our country have forgotten how to count.  "I was told there would be no math?"

Michigan was coming off a nice road win against a ranked Golden Gophers team and then laid down to  the instate "Bad News Bears" from East Lansing.  IU had one of its best wins in their history when they beat Penn State week 1 in overtime on a questionable call and then went on the road and beat the upstart Rutgers Scarlet Knights.   To top all of this off, Michigan hasn't lost to IU in 24 years and has 39 wins out of the last 40 games played.   Not to mention that IU's RB coach is Mike Hart and OC is Nick Sheridan.  This game is feeling like a nightmare episode of the Simpsons.  

In regular 2020 news, the PAC 12 is kicking off a game at 9:00 AM Pacific and Fox's Saturday morning football pre-game show (which is awful btw) is all out with COVID quarantine.  I expect their ratings will go up.  

IU

Indiana has two wins but have been struggling on offense.  They put up 211 of total offense against Penn State and rushed for 109 yards against Rutgers.   IU does have an electric duo of QB Michael Penix and RB Stevie Scott in the backfield.  Penix hasn't been running much this year, but I expect he will need to in this game and we will see him put up a ton of yards against Done Brown's man to man defense with their back to the QB. 

Michigan is also banged up at LB and Viper, this will open a ton of holes in the running game for Scott.  Penix has to be loving the tape of the MSU game against Michigan's slow CB's and will take a ton of shots down field if he has the time.  Philyor and Fryfogle are IU's best WR's and one will be covered by Dax the other will have 200 yards in receiving.  

Key Match Up:  Done Brown vs. Insanity 

Michigan 

I don't trust Done Brown to do anything right now.   I don't trust his in game instincts, scheme, player substitutions, adjustments, or his recruiting.   The talent he has had at Michigan on the defensive side of the ball, makes me want to throw up in wasted loses/seasons.   I expect nothing from this unit on Saturday.  Nick Sheridan in his office all week must of been smiling while crying.  

Michigan's offense is closer to the basement then the roof, right now.   I really like the upside for Joe Milton and his rocket arm.   I like he has the ability to pick up first downs with his feet and he has yet to (do something I won't mention due to a jinx).  Coach Gattis has to figure a way to get the ball down field as Michigan will have to out sore IU to win this game.  I hope there are more then 5 plays available which they ran against the Bad News Bears last Saturday.  

Key Match Up:  Michigan's Running Game vs. a Taco Bell Double Stacked Box 

Enough non-sense, will you predict something?

How do you predict momentum?  IU is 2-0 and Michigan just came of a crushing loss.  IU has beaten Michigan once in the last 40 years.  Both teams have looked pretty good and pretty bad in this 2020 COVID season.  Both teams also lost a regular day of practice this week on Election Day.    

Michigan's defense has a ton of issues and no answers.   A good defensive zone is not walking through that door.   Done Brown will be Done Brown and blitz the LB right into a draw or screen for a huge IU gain or TD.  Did you notice, the play Michigan lost the game on?  A Ross blitz where Sparty ran a screen, right at him.   

These games have never been about defense, but who can out score who.   Michigan will have to have a strong running game to win, as they don't have enough plays for Joe to throw it 40 times.  IU knows this, as does everyone in America that watches college football.    IU is going to run Penix and throw bombs against Michigan's CB's.   Done and Done.   It's 2020.

IU 46 Michigan 31

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/11/preview-indiana.html