Notre Dame Preview

Time: 7:30 PM
Location: ND Stadium
TV: NBC
Weather:  80 and 10% of Rain
Line:  ND -1

This series ended in 2014 when ND signed up for the ACC.  It got re-scheduled after Jimmy called Brian and asked if they wanted to re-start it.  Both teams recruit similar players and now this rivalry is renewed after a 4 year break.

Both teams are very similar with tough defenses and concerns on offense.

Tale of the Tape 

ND OL vs. UM DL = Michigan
ND QB vs. UM QB = Michigan
Intangibles = Notre Dame
ND QB vs. UM Defense = Michigan
UM O vs. ND D = Push
Special Teams = Notre Dame
Coaching = Michigan

The best battle on the field might the Michigan defensive line vs. ND offensive line.  I'm a believer that Michigan has the #1 defensive line in the country which will come at you in waves.   Michigan is deep and experienced and will pressure Brandon Winbush all day.  Brandon is not a passer but can get first downs with his feet, so Michigan will have to be careful not to rush too many, giving Winbush open field to run.

The issue is, which team will be able to score enough points against a solid defense.  Which usually means, whoever wins the turnover battle has the best chance to win a low scoring game.

Scream, Warde Manuel couldn't negotiate himself out of a paper bag if...………..

• Michigan's offense looks like 2017
• Michigan's defense gets tired because they are on the field a lot 
• Michigan loses the turnover stat 
• Michigan can't run the ball 
• Wolverines have the night game blues 

Yell, this is a new year! if...……………….

• Shea Patterson is the answer at QB 
• Michigan's offense is moving the ball and scoring TD's
• ND's QB's look like Florida's QB's 
• Michigan's Defense dominates 
• Special Teams are good enough

When I walked out of a cold and rainy Outback Bowl last January, I was as down on this program as I have ever have been.   The Wolverines on that day, were awful and looked every bit like a poor football team playing for nothing.   I felt like someone just sold me a $1000 fake Rolex.  Changes had to be made and Jimmy made them.   This team seems stronger and ready for big time football.   Many questions still remain, which will be answered at 7:30 tomorrow.  

These teams are very similar folks and both will try to run the ball to win.  ND will run at the QB position and Michigan will try to run it with their two talented tailbacks.   When I watched the ND Spring Game, I was impressed by the ND WR's.   They are big and talented but Winbush struggles with his accuracy.   It also won't help that Gary and Winovich will be in his ear on most throws. 

This is an old story, but for Michigan to win Shea has to have a good game.  This is why he came to Ann Arbor and the spotlight is his now.   ND will stack the line to stop the run and Shea will have to hit Nico/DPJ and Michigan TE's to score points.   I also would love to see a few dump offs to the RB's.    Let's spread the field and have some fun.  

I'm concerned about Michigan's special teams, mainly punting.  The Wolverines can't miss field goals, as points will be at a premium.   I believe this will be a low scoring game with both defenses dominating.  If that is the case, I love the Wolverines defense even on the road and at night. 

Michigan 24 ND 17

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/notre-dame-preview.html

Welcome Back College Football!

It's still August and probably pretty hot where you are.  It's still officially summer, but college football kicks off tonight.   Yes, we had a handful of games last Saturday but those were the pre-drinks, tonight is the appetizer, and Saturday is the meal.

Do you want to know something crazy?  I mean its really crazy!  I warned you!

There is an official Big Ten game tonight!  What?  I know its crazy!

Northwestern @ Purdue:  This game is on ESPN and for the Big Ten is a pretty good match-up. Northwestern has the longest win streak in the country with 8 consecutive wins and Purdue is one of those up start programs that you could see building last year.  Purdue is a one point favorite.    Northwestern always plays hard but I like Purdue in this one.  Purdue 24 Northwestern 17

New Mexico State @ Minnesota: Is also on tonight and what's strange is that NMSU has already played a game and lost.  The Golden Gophers will struggle this year but not tonight as a 3 TD favorite.  Row the Boat 31 NMSU  7

Friday Night:

Utah State @ MSU:  Michigan State has this weird tradition of starting the season on Friday night.  I'm not sure why?  MSU is -23.5 favorite in this one.   Don't sleep on Utah State which started the year poorly in 2017 but played better at the end of the season.  They will play the Spartans tough for a half or so.   MSU will win but I like USU and the points!   MSU 28 Utah State 12

W Kentucky @ Wisconsin:  This is another sneaky good football program at Western Kentucky.  I also really like their mascot, which is just a red blob. Wisky is one of the best programs in the country this year and should handle the WKU after a close first quarter.   Wisc is -36.5 (which is way too many points week 1).   Wisconsin 42 WKU 10

Saturday:

OSU @ OSU:  Urban Meyer won't be on the sideline but it won't matter.  That goof that paints his body and wears the buckeyes around his neck could coach this team the next two weeks.   Ohio State is -38.5. Ohio State 45 Oregon State 15

Kent State @ Illinois:  Lovey Smith is -16.5 over a MAC team.  I have no idea on either team.   Illinois 24 Kent State 10

Texas State @ Rutgers: This is the same line as the above game.   Rutgers -16.5.   Rutgers 14 Texas State 10.

Texas @ Maryland:  Maryland surprised Texas last year and now Maryland's program is in flux and DJ is suspended as well.    Texas is almost a two TD favorite and will win  easy.   Texas 28 Maryland 10

Over/Under on Thunderstorm delays this weekend? 3 games is my guess.

Enjoy folks its a great time of the year!

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/welcome-back-college-football.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Losing a Negotiation

Side Note:  Thank you for all the entries to the "Guess the score" contest.   We will take entries right up to 7:30 on Saturday night.   

A good negotiation ends where both parties give a little and neither side feele like they won.   In the business world, these happen a thousand times a day.   I have no idea what Warde Manuel's experience is in negotiation but I suggest he take a class at Michigan's Business School or MBA program.   

Warde has done a nice job as Michigan's AD so far, he is quiet and stays out of the headlines.  Leave those to Jimmy and Coach B and you run the business of Michigan Athletics.  For the most part, he has done that.  

His biggest mistake so far in his job, is this trip to ND this weekend.  From afar it looks like Warde got beat badly by ND's Jack Swarbrick who practiced law for 28 years before becoming ND's athletic director. Warde would be a 4 touchdown underdog to Jack at the negotiation table.

We know how this started.  Jack gave Dave Brandon a letter before the start of the ND - Michigan game ending the series after the Fighting Irish joined the ACC.

Jimmy then calls Brian Kelly and says that "we should renew this rivalry" and Brian agreed.   Then they asked both their AD's to do their jobs.   Jack then takes Warde to the woodshed and now Michigan is heading to South Bend this weekend to play a night game.

One of the things I believe is very important for Michigan Football is playing home games.   I also don't believe in playing a big game for the first game of the year.   Michigan has been "selling" off way too many home games lately and starting the season away from the Big House.   Recent examples include:  Alabama, Utah (this was a home and home contract - so I understand it), Florida, and now ND.

If Warde got the series back with ND, then why was it a loss?

1. Michigan played at South Bend to end the series.  Michigan will be playing two games in a row in South Bend. 
2. Warde had to pay millions of dollars to Arkansas buying out of the "home and home" contract 
3. Michigan was scheduled to start the year at home against Arkansas
4. In 2019 ND travels to the Big House on October 26th
5. Michigan also has to travel to MSU and OSU this season
6. The 2019 schedule now opens with Middle Tennessee State, Army, then a bye in week 3
7. In 2020 Michigan opens at Washington

That is a blowout folks.   I don't see anyway Michigan interests were considered here at all.   Let's hope Michigan turns the tables on them on the field on Saturday night. 

• Jimmy said that Tru Wilson is the #3 RB.  No idea if that is due to Christian Turner's injury  or not, as coach has been very high on Tru for a long time.  

• Some rumors debunked:  Hughes the Utah transfer has decided to stay on the team, Higdon and Gary are not hurt.   People doing the numbers are saying Michigan is still one or two over the 85 scholarship limit, which probably means there is another transfer we haven't heard about yet.  If your wondering, Grant Newsome's scholarship does not count against the 85 limit once he medically retired.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/wolverine-wednesday-losing-negotiation.html

Michigan Tuesday: Jimmy Game Week Presser and A Guess The Score Contest!

Jimmy had his game week press conference yesterday and of course he didn't share too much, but did drop a few lines like, "The hay is really never in the barn".  

• He confirmed that Black has a foot fracture and later that day said that he could make it back this season. 
• Enjoys the ND Rivalry and thinks the teams should play every year. 
• Passed on speaking on Urban Meyer or DJ Durkin 
• Has been impressed with the WR's this camp 

There is also a rumor floating around that another player might be transferring.  We will see what happens. 

Injuries:

Since everyone has been in the sub, the injured list as been pretty quiet.   Here are the folks we expect are most likely out for this weekend with injuries:

-RB Christian Turner 

-P Brad Robbins

-WR Tarik Black

-DE Luigi Vilain

-CB Ben St.Juste 

-TE Mustapha Muhammad

-RB Berkley Edwards

Both Higdon and Gary are banged up but are expected to play this weekend and probably will rest most of the week. 

Notre Dame "Guess The Score" Give-a-way!  

Since we're all excited about football season starting again, we are doing a give-a-way thanks to Triumph Books.   As I'm sure you have probably heard, former Mgoblog writer and now ESPN writer TomVH aka Tom VanHaaren has published a book called "The Road to Ann Arbor".

It's a book about how some famous Wolverines got to Ann Arbor on the recruiting trail.   As you know, we support "our own" around here and Tom came through a Michigan Blog to the big time of the World Wide Leader.   Please support his book and if you would like to try to win a free copy, please enter the guess the score contest for this weekend's game.  

To enter:

• Please email me at thebighouseblog@hotmail.com with your final score prediction for the Michigan - ND game this weekend.   
• The closest to the final score will win.   If there is a tie, the person who submitted the prediction first will win.  
• We will only be giving away one book. 

Let me know if you have any questions! 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/michigan-tuesday-jimmy-game-week.html

A new voice in music, with a boost from some old pros

In 2012, Tim Meeks got a tap on his shoulder and a message that changed his life and his business: Stevie Wonder was coming, and wanted to hear the musical instrument Meeks invented.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/new-voice-music-boost-some-old-pros/

Michigan Monday: It's Game Week and We Have Bad News

ESPN

By now you have heard, the bad news that Tarik Black hurt his foot in the final scrimmage on Saturday night.   It's the opposite foot that he hurt last year and the rumor mill is saying it's broken, which probably puts him out for a minimum of a couple months.

Tarik is regarded as Michigan's best WR and #1 deep threat.   This of course is going to hurt an offense that struggled to score points and gain yards last season.   The good news is that many insiders believe that Nico Collins has had a very strong camp and is ready to make a big impact.   I also wonder if this might helps propel Ambry Thomas to play more WR.

Open Practice:
Seems like there was a good amount of people in attendance, which was nice to see.  I watched the Facebook stream and it was just drills which really didn't show us much.    From a few people that attended, they seemed to be very high on Shea Patterson.

Offensive Line is set for ND

Runyan, Bredeson, Ruiz, Onwenu, JBB who won the RT over Hudson.  JBB having game experience had to help his case for starting in South Bend. 

There were also reports on the "Saturday night freak out" that both Higdon and Gary also had suffered injuries.  Both seem to be minor and both are expected to play on Saturday.  

Transfer issues?

Jeff George, Jr. has decided to leave Michigan's program after just arriving a few months ago.  Jeff joining the Wolverines was a head scratcher at the time, as he had a zero chance of ever seeing the field.  Some even suspected this was to learn from Jimmy so he could coach in a year or two.   I assume Jeff thought he would get a shot at the starters job, which was a poor assumption and a bad decision to come to Ann Arbor.  

Casey Hughes who is the transfer DB from Utah was missing from the open practice on Saturday.  Might be another guy that transferred to a loaded position group.

Tell your parents to keep their money! 

Michigan gave 3 scholarships to deserving walk-on's this weekend.  

-LS Cam Cheeseman 
-WR Nate Schoenle
- OL  Andrew Vastardis

Leaders and Best:

Michigan's new Captains:  Ben Bredson, Karan Higdon, Devin Bush, & Tyree Kinnel.

Two #2's

Shea Patterson of course is wearing #2.   So was WR Oliver Martin.  They obviously couldn't be on the field at the same time with the same number.  Martin is now #80.

• ESPN news:  The Jemele Hill experiment at ESPN is now over and she will leave the network on Saturday.  Her hatred for the Maize and Blue will not be missed for many Michigan fans on the world wide leader.   Also, Jalen's new morning show "Get Up" is struggling.   The show is not getting rating and EPSN is paying the 3 hosts a combined 14M a year.   We know Greenie is getting $6M which means Jalen is probably making around $4M a year.   If ESPN wants to fix the show, put Greenie back with Golic and call the show "Mike and Mike".  ESPN took a 15 year successful show and created two bad shows out of it.   Golic and Wingo is also terrible and an awful lead in to sports radio #1 show the Dan Lebatard Show with Stugotz. 

• Nebraska and Rutgers are also starting true freshman at QB's this season.   On a side note, Rutgers is starting Artur Sitkowski who was benched for Minnesota's walk-on starter Zack Annexstad at IMG last season.   I'm also pretty sure that Arthur got a full ride scholarship at Rutgers and Zach had to walk-on to Minnesota.  For Nebraska, their true freshman QB Adrian Martinez was committed to Tennessee when Scott Frost got the Nebraska job.  If you include Shea, there are 3 IMG QB's starting in the Big Ten next weekend. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/michigan-monday-its-game-week-and-we.html

Michigan Friday: Buzz From The Sub

We are almost a week away from football in South Bend.   With the craziness in Columbus still burning, I thought we would address some rumors from the Submarine.  

BTW: Michigan will hold an open practice on Sunday night from 6-7.  If any BHB readers wants to  attend and send me some notes, I will put it on the Blog on Monday.  

Top Rumors:

• Who is going to play RT?  We are hearing its still an open competition between JBB, Hudson, and true freshman Mayfield.   I think it will come down to JBB or Hudson. 

• Punter is still a problem. 

• Who will be the #3 RB?  Christian Turner who was trending to be the #3 has (un-officially) suffered a camp injury.   Competition still rages on. 

• Gil and Ross are still neck and neck for the open LB job. 

Not a rumor:

• Shea Patterson asked Charles Woodson if he could wear #2. 

• Ok, so I might have been wrong about the Jim McElwain hire.  Here is what Tarik Black thinks:  "(McElwain's hire) brings a big impact," Black said. "Coach Mac, I would say, is one of my all-time favorite coaches already. He brings a positive energy, he's always teaching us the little stuff. Teaching us to pay attention to the details, things like that. We've just continued to get better all throughout camp. He's been a great addition to the coaching staff, I really like that guy."

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/michigan-friday-buzz-from-sub.html

A Football Decision at Ohio State

Urban Meyer's don't grow on tree's.  It's not hard to figure out how Michigan struggled after Lloyd retired or what type of program Alabama had before Saban arrived.    College Football long term success is greatly dependent on recruiting and the man that is leading your program.    It's clear that Ohio State took the path to continue to win football games over their core values as an educational institution.

Urban looked pissed and completely lacked remorse or compassion for Courtney Smith in the press conference yesterday.   There were leaks prior to Wednesday, that Urban was going to fight a suspension and it was clear last night those reports were accurate.   He apologized to Buckeye Nation but not the victim of abuse?  Urban clearly feels he did nothing wrong and should be back with his team today.

Why Urban only got suspended 3 games:

OSU has 38 Million reasons not to fire Urban Meyer.  They knew they would be on the hook for most of his salary and clearly didn't want to do that buy out.   It was also clear they spent 11 hours yesterday finding a way to keep one of the best coaches in college football in his role.

The investigation also provided guidance that Urban didn't do anything at Big Ten Media Day to knowingly deceive the media.  That he takes medication that effects his memory and focus.

In 2015, Gene Smith the AD took the information on Zach Smith to Urban Meyer and it was Gene Smith's responsibility to take it to compliance, which didn't happen.

Why Urban should have been fired:

The book on Urban Meyer for folks that personally know him is that is laser focused on recruiting and winning football games.  He doesn't have time for anything outside of that, which includes his family.  Remember, he left Florida because of health reasons and needing to spend more time with his family.  That makes him a good football coach but not a very good person outside of the Woody Hayes Center.   Urban said during the press conference that he didn't talk to his wife Shelly about one of his employees abusing his wife.  It's on record that Shelly was texting Courtney Smith about the abuse from Zach.    The night Urban fired Zach, Shelly texted him that she was concerned that Zach isn't stable and might do something dangerous.  Urban, didn't respond to his wife text message.

The issue for me is that Urban Meyer hired Zach Smith at Ohio State after he physically abused his pregnant wife while reportedly having an affair with Meyer's assistant while on staff at Florida.

Zach then continues his terrible behavior at Ohio State and Urban is shocked.   Many people around Ohio State's program knew Zach was a bad guy and I'm 100% certain Urban knew it as well.   In 2016, Urban even asked Zach to enter rehab.  Zach stayed 4 days in in a 10 day program.

Ohio State has wording in his contract about reporting any type of sexual assault to Compliance immediately.  If they wanted to make a case for termination for cause, they could have.

The not "lying" at Big Ten Media days is the one opinion during the investigation that doesn't hold any water.   Urban fired Zach Smith not because of the restraining order, but because Brett McMurphy found out what a bad guy Smith was.   Urban then starts the cover up by lying about the events in 2015 and deleting old text messages.   How the investigation concluded that wasn't a cover-up is just wrong and seems very inaccurate.

Here are the reasons why he should have been fired:

1. Urban hired Zach Smith at Ohio State knowing his past abuse
2. He continued to ignore Zach's terrible behavior at Ohio State 
3. Urban and Gene Smith seemly conspired to keep the 2015 information from Compliance 
4. Urban Meyer fires Zach Smith 3 years after the 2015 incident.  After the media finds out. 
5. Urban starts the cover-up at the Big Ten Media Day by lying about the 2015 incident 
6. Urban then deletes text messages that were older then one year before turning over his phone

The investigation report says that Urban Meyer fired Zach because he didn't let Urban know about the trespassing charge and the order of protection.  That since Zach didn't come forward on those incidents violated the core value of honesty, is just laughable.

If there is one sentence in that 23 page document that shows Urban Meyer doesn't get it and is lost.   It's that one.

It's very clear OSU made a football decision yesterday, now lets see what the parents of 2019+ class recruits thinks about sending their son to a guy that doesn't honor the core value of honesty.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/a-football-decision-at-ohio-state.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Transformers

Michigan Tuesday: Plenty of News To Go Around

The Sub popped a leak on Monday and news started to flow out.

• Shea Patterson is your starting QB.  This was always going to be the case once the NCAA granted his waiver.  Harbaugh has done well with one transfer QB and had a miss with another.  It's time for him to hit a home run with Shea.  

• Grant Newsome medically retires.  He tried to comeback and we will never know how close he was.  The good news is, he is walking and the Michigan doctors were able to save his leg.   He will be a great coach or anything else he decides to do. 

• The OSU Board of Regents will meet on Wednesday to discuss a suspension for head coach Urban Meyer.  Reports out of C-Bus is that it will be a suspension and not a firing.  Not sure how you move forward with a leader that is comfortable covering up and lying events.   How did all the second chances work out for a basketball coaching legend at Louisville?

• Michigan DE Deron Irving-Bey has decided to transfer to CMU. DIB was a red shirt freshman and was ranked as a 4 star DE Army All-American out of Flint. Though his offer list was a bit confusing with the likes of MAC Schools and places like Pitt and Syracuse. This seems like a strange decision for a guy just starting his career at Michigan but maybe the writing was on the wall for future playing time or maybe he wanted to be closer to home? Either way good luck to him in Mt. Pleasant!

• Chris Partridge said Michigan doesn't have a punter yet. Which is not good news less then two weeks from a trip to South Bend.    Time to call the Michigan Soccer Team! 

• The Michigan Basketball Team beat the Madrid Generals 82-72 with true freshman Ignas Brazdeikis leading the Wolverines with 17 points, while senior Charles Matthews added 13.   Has a team with the nickname "Generals" ever won a basketball game?   

• The Golden Gophers are starting a walk-on true freshman QB.  Zack Annexstad did play at IMG last year, so he isn't the star of the Co-Ed flag football league or anything. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/michigan-tuesday-plenty-of-news-to-go.html

Breaking News: We Got A Starting QB & Grant Newsome Calls It A Career

Jimmy told an alumni group at Weber's this morning that Shea Patterson will start against Notre Dame.  In other news, water is wet and Rashan Gary is strong.

In sad news, Grant Newsome who almost lost his leg a couple season's ago when he got cut by a Wisconsin player, has called it a career.

Not all stories have a happy ending... pic.twitter.com/x6iTBadEPd

— Grant Newsome (@grant_newsome) August 20, 2018

Grant will be great in whatever he decides to do next. Good luck big man!

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/breaking-news-we-got-starting-qb-grant.html

Michigan Monday: Maryland and Ohio State's Programs Still In Flux

We are now less then two weeks away from the season starting and two football programs in the Big Ten East continues to deal with separate awful situations, that have put their highest profile programs in question.

Maryland's Board of Regents met on Friday and rumors are there might be sweeping changes announced soon.

At Ohio State, the investigation report on Urban Meyer was delivered to the schools President yesterday and will be presented to OSU's Board of Regents this week.  Rumors on this one are all over the board.

No matter what happens to Meyer and Durkin's job status, college football coaches are much more then football coaches these days.  Anyone remember that old football movie with Tom Cruise called "All The Right Moves"?   During the movie, he yells something at his coach like, "Your not god, your a god damn typing teacher!"

People also used to say, "stay in your lane and just coach football" That is not the case anymore, where examples like Penn State, Baylor, and Michigan State have shown leaders take a blind eye to un-mentionable crimes.

Head football coaches at major programs are paid big dollars to win football games but with that big salary comes big responsibilities.  Meaning, these coaches have to be leaders on and off the field like never before. Durkin can't coach football like its a boot camp and take kids to their breaking point and Urban can't protect a trouble making wife abusing assistant coach who is the grandson of his mentor.  These are two examples of guys that just don't understand the world outside football, they stayed in their lanes and now should be fired for it.

No matter what the finding are, both Durkin and Meyer lacked leadership and the ability to make the right decisions.   Winning football games is not worth a young mans life or protecting an abuser because he is related to your mentor.    It will be interesting to see if both Universities has the proper leadership in place to make the right decision moving forward or do they just want to win football games?

• Taco Charlton is having a great pre-season for the Cowboys and was named the player of the game this weekend.  

• Big Mo Hurst got his first pre-season sack for the Raiders.  

• Michigan's Basketball team plays its first game in Spain this morning.  No media coverage, so you  will have to check twitter or other social media for game updates.  Game starts at 11:00AM EST.

• Sounds like Eddie McDoom is heading to USF.  That is a good fit with a good coach. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/michigan-monday-maryland-and-ohio.html

Michigan Friday: The Basketball Team Heads to Spain Today

John Beilein's squad will jump on a bird today and head to Spain.  As we know, Coach B won't be with them as he recovers from heart surgery.   The young Wolverines will spend the next 10 days in Spain as their trip takes them through Madrid and Barcelona.  Michigan will play 3 exhibition games including games against a highly regarded Serbian and Spanish team.

This trip should be educational for the team but should also be a great test on the floor.   With Mo Wagner gone from the team, Michigan is a bit under-rated this season by many college basketball experts.   It will be interesting to see how they play on this trip and if the team can continue to get closer.   It's also a great head coaching test for Saddi Washington as he will lead the team in Coach B's absence.

• There is some buzz from the sub that Christian Turner might be jumping up to the #3 RB role.  I haven't heard a thing about Berkley Edwards, which means he is not expected to play any RB or Jimmy is keeping it in the Sub.   

• Sounds like the OSU Urban Meyer investigation might last a week or two more then originally planned as the OSU Presidents said, "it will be finished, when its finished".  

• TE Coach Sherrone Moore spoke to reporters yesterday about his new job and that he really likes the stable of TE's that he has:  "There's nothing better than valuable experience on the field," Moore said. "It helps that those guys have all had game experience in big-time moments. It definitely helps in that aspect of adjusting to the staff and adjusting to the team.
  "That's been really good."
  "The enthusiasm, the size, the skill set," Moore said. "They all kind of have something a little different they bring to the table. 
  "It's not really every day you have to coach effort, which you shouldn't have to as a coach -- but with these guys it's easy to come to work everyday."

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/michigan-friday-basketball-team-heads.html

Inc. 5000 names Maryland’s fastest growing companies in 2018

A total of 111 Maryland companies have been named among the fastest growing in the nation, according to the annual Inc. 5000 list.

The recent announcement includes 17 businesses in the top 500, as well as 57 newcomers to the 2018 list. And while Maryland ranks 16th in the number of companies named to Inc. 5000, the state ranks 7th as a percentage of all businesses. Click here to read the full list of Maryland companies.

“It makes me incredibly proud to learn that, once again, more than 100 Maryland businesses are listed in this year’s Inc. 5000 compilation,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “From working with businesses one-on-one, to marketing the state across the globe, this ranking proves that we are dedicated to fostering a business-friendly environment in every corner of Maryland.”

Approximately one-fourth of the Maryland companies fall within the government services sector and one-fourth are in IT, software, and computer hardware. The remaining companies make up the energy, health, and manufacturing sectors, among others.

Topping the list for Maryland is Mindoula, a Silver Spring behavioral health management company that provides support through its 24/7 technology. The company has a team of health workers, case managers, support specialists, and psychiatrists on hand to address a wide range of health challenges including anxiety and depression, as well as relational and situational situations.

Top Fastest Growing Companies in Maryland 2018
Rank	Company	Growth	Industry	County
36	Mindoula	7310%	Health	Montgomery
38	Rockhammer Talent Solutions	6953%	Human Resources	Montgomery
43	Homesnap	6336%	Real Estate	Montgomery
81	Vigene Biosciences	3949%	Health	Montgomery
113	Five Doors Network	3426%	Real Estate	Baltimore
218	Agil3 Technology Solutions	2141%	Government Services	Prince George’s
224	Y-Tech	2103%	Government Services	Howard
226	Phoenix Operations Group	2086%	Government Services	Howard
269	Growth Solutions	1817%	Business Products & Services	Baltimore
273	BarnAllen Technologies	1815%	Government Services	Montgomery
343	Alderson Loop	1447%	Business Products & Services	Carroll
349	T-Rex Solutions	1428%	Government Services	Prince George’s
430	Trinity Technology Partners	1161%	IT Management	Prince George’s
456	Delmarva Veteran Builders	1114%	Construction	Wicomico
467	Ripple Effect Communications	1083%	Government Services	Montgomery
468	MidPoint Technology Group	1077%	Telecommunications	Anne Arundel
494	The Bizzell Group	1030%	Government Services	Prince George’s
585	IMPACT ANALYTICS	854%	Business Products & Services	Anne Arundel
729	ReNew Home Designs	685%	Construction	Howard
798	VOR Technology	628%	Government Services	Howard
836	Resolute Technologies	599%	IT System Development	Howard
843	B & D Consulting	597%	IT Management	Washington
938	Precise Software Solutions	528%	IT System Development	Montgomery
943	American Small Business Alliance	524%	Business Products & Services	Howard
944	Index Analytics	523%	Government Services	Baltimore
973	DMedia Associates	508%	Business Products & Services	Montgomery
976	Volo City	507%	Consumer Products & Services	Baltimore City

 

View the Inc. 5000 list in its entirety at www.inc.com/inc5000.

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from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2018/08/inc-5000-names-marylands-fastest-growing-companies-in-2018/

Michigan Thursday: Is Big Jon Runyan Jr. Ready To Grab One of the Tackle Spots?

touch the banner

The Big Ten Network practice report included seeing Jon Runyan take a bunch of 1st team snaps at left tackle.   As we all know, both tackle spots are available this camp and outside the QB position are probably the biggest question marks on the team. 

"I think since moving around last season playing both guard and tackle, and then I was able to focus on mainly tackle (since spring)," Runyan said. "I was able to focus on mainly technique not worried about playing guard and tackle and my technique on the interior and then moving out to tackle. So really ever since spring ball focus on tackle in practice and get myself better, if I can win eight out of 10 times against Rashan (Gary) and Chase (Winovich), I feel like I can do pretty well against anyone on our schedule.”

If Jon has separated himself as one of the tackles, who will fill the other tackle position?  We have heard a ton of positive buzz from James Hudson and Chuck Filiaga has a year experience in the program now.  Both guys are candidates, but JBB has the most experience on the offensive line.   Jaylan Mayfield has also been getting strong reports for a true freshman, but I don't expect he will be rushed on the field so early in his career.   It will be interesting to see which guys run on the field in 16 days.

"I've been repping right and left tackle with the one's and some other guys mixing it in with the one's, too," Runyan said. "So kind of what coach Ed (Warinner) sees what we are doing, evaluating the practice film, mixing it up every now and then, keeping us on our toes. He want the best five out there against Notre Dame. So that's obviously the goal."

• The Maryland Regents are meeting on Friday and its expected to have a decision on DJ Durkin future after its complete.  Most are expecting that he will be fired.  

• OSU's Urban Meyer investigation team is also expected to complete its report on Sunday.  Most feel Urban will be suspended and won't be fired.  It will be interesting to see what the OSU President feels about this situation as it's clear Urban protected "a bad egg" because he was grandson of his mentor Earl Bruce.   Urban is also a habitual liar and I'm not sure how you have a guy like that run your football program.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/michigan-thursday-is-big-jon-runyan-jr.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Pep Was Not A Fan of DJ Durkin

DJ Durkin only coached Jabrill Peppers at Michigan for one year and it seems Pep wasn't a fan.   He was on the Rich Eisen show yesterday and gave Rich his $.02:

“Coach Durkin was a different guy,” Peppers told Eisen. “His tactics were different. It felt extreme at times. I’m just as shocked reading all the stuff that’s going on now, because I thought he was only like that because it was his first time coaching us. He was defensive coordinator, so he was just trying to get us to buy into how he wanted his defense to play.

“And I thought once he became a head coach he would calm down a little bit, become more of a people person, a players’ coach. But I wasn’t really following him once he left because a couple of guys, including myself, didn’t like how everything went down when he left.”

With the current situation at Maryland and Michigan being able to recruit Don Brown,  I think Michigan will take its current situation vs. the coaching situation on defense when Jimmy got to Ann Arbor.

Need some extra motivation to work out today?

Follow @Ben_Bredeson74 on a tour of @UMichFootball's weight room, which is whatever level comes above top-notch. 👌 pic.twitter.com/dWsQ9FCbIP

— Michigan On BTN (@MichiganOnBTN) August 14, 2018

• 17 Days until Football  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/wolverine-wednesday-pep-was-not-fan-of.html

Michigan Tuesday: The Sub Emerges For a Day

Fall Camp

Jimmy likes to keep things behind closed doors and Fall Camp aka the Michigan Submarine has been submerged for a few weeks now.   Yesterday, the Big Ten Network came by for their annual visit and Jimmy pulled the sub up and let a few cameras in practice.   He even talked to the network, which is a rare occurrence.


I watched the BTN TV show and have followed a few notes on Twitter.   Here is my takes on the most important bullet points from the day:

• Each player was required to show its full inventory of shoes and it was complete and 100%.  No suspensions are expected for Shoe-gate.  Well done guys!
• Players looked bigger and stronger from last year
• The offense line looks better in drills but did struggle a bit against one of the best defenses in the country.
• Jimmy would like to name a starter at QB "sooner rather then later"
• Jimmy would not discuss Maryland and DJ Durkin
• Jon Runyan was getting first team snaps at LT
• The defense is crazy good and fast
• Overall run game looks better

Nothing ground breaking and it was nice to see Shea Patterson throw a few balls in practice video. 


The rumor mill is spinning that Elysse Mbem-Bosse who left the program last winter is a former player who sold his shoes.

• Derrick Walton has signed an NBA contract with the Chicago Bulls.  Congrats Derrick!  (its not a 2-way deal with the G-League like he signed with the Heat last year, its regular NBA contract).

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/08/michigan-tuesday-sub-emerges-for-day.html