Preview: Middle Tennesee State

Time: 7:30 EST
Location: Big House
TV: BTN
Stream: BTN To Go or Fox Sports
Weather:  70/10% of rain
Line : Michigan -34.5

Football is finally back and Michigan fans feel like they have been waiting two years since Michigan dropped the OSU game and the Peach Scrimmage.   This off season included the Dak Hill commit and re-commit, two Michigan coaches going to Columbus, Chris Evans academic issues, the Mike Danna transfer, and a number of former Wolverines looking for more playing time through the transfer portal.   Now the focus can be back where it should be and that's playing football in the Big House.

Middle Tennessee State plays in Conference USA with some familiar names like Marshall, Florida Atlantic, Rice, and UAB.   They played in the CUSA Championship game last year after going 7-1 in conference but lost to UAB who they secured a victory over the week prior.

MTSU also played 3 Power 5 games last year and lost them all:  Vandy 35-7, Georgia 49-7, and Kentucky 34-23.   The issue is the Blue Raiders where a much better team last year.   As they have lost at 4 year starter at QB, 3 starters on the offensive line, their best DE, and 3 top CB's.

Tale of the Tape

Michigan Everything over MTSU Everything

The Wolverines have a clear advantage in coaching and talent at every position.  Finally, the Wolverines have a tune up game and not playing Alabama or Florida in Dallas or traveling to ND or Utah.  I'm in favor of playing a MAC, CUSA, or American conference opponent in the Big House to start every season.   Play a big game in week two.

Yell Josh Gattis for President if...…………….

• Michigan's offense looks like a 7 on 7 practice
• WR's are buck naked open 
• Michigan RB's have over 200 yards on the ground 
• Shea plays 2.5 quarters and Dylan Plays 1.5 
• Dline gets pressure 
• No injuries 

Yell, what the hell is happening here? if...…………….

• If Minnesota shows up in Michigan jerseys 
• Michigan struggles with the new offense 
• RB position is still in question
• Don Brown has some weird OSU/Peach Schnapps hangover
• Players have that night game malaise

When Michigan is almost a 35 point favorite its sort of strange to predict a final score.  (But you can and win Braylon's new Book!).   This game is less about the Blue Raiders and more about the Wolverines and how they can bounce back from the disastrous ending to the season last year.   I love that Michigan can play a bunch of freshman and not lose their redshirts and hope we see folks like Dax Hill and Zach Charbonnet play like future superstars.   I'm just excited to see the Wolverines play another football game.   The Blue raiders have a good kicker and I see him making a few long ones to ruin the shutout.  

Michigan 56 MTSU 6

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/preview-middle-tennesee-state.html

Michigan Thursday: Will This Year Be Different?

With the regular game day preview scheduled for Friday, I thought today would be a good time to discuss why things will be different this year.

I'm sure we all can agree that Michigan should have been much better then it really was last year.  Think about a 5 star QB, Higdon and Evans at RB, talented WR's and a experienced offensive line.  Then you add Gary, Bush, Winovich, Hill and Long on defense and you wonder if this Michigan team had any weaknesses.  Still  the Wolverines lost the first game of the year and had another terrible finish to the season.

So now what?  Why does this season have a chance for a Big Ten Championship?

1. #Speed in Space, I know Jimmy, Lloyd, and Bo all believed in power football and that you will wear down your opponent and win the game.   The game has changed and you can't be that predictable on offense.  It's too easy to cover for any defense with talented players.   Maybe since RR, Michigan will run an offense that schemes people open and takes advantage of mismatches.  How many times have we watched Michigan have a two WR route in a passing play?  It's time for a Michigan offense to scheme plays that can get WR's buck naked open.   If Gattis can do this, he will be a head coach somewhere next year and Shea will make a run at the Heisman.
2.  An experienced talented offensive line.  Michigan finally has a good offensive line with a good offensive line coach.  It seems Michigan has struggled on the offensive line for the last 10 years. 
3. Don Brown head scratcher - Every season Don Brown has a head scratching defensive performance where his unit gets blown out.   Don does a great job in 90% of the games, he has to work on the other 10%.   Can he run a zone?  Can he be un-predictable and turn the tables on some of the good offenses Michigan will see this year?  He better. 
4. Year 2 healthy QB - Shea Patterson has an offense that fits him and a year under his belt with Harbaugh which could pay huge dividends.  
5. QB Depth - OSU had a 3 string QB take their team to the NC game a few years ago.  Michigan's back-ups where guys like John O'Korn and that one dude that couldn't play at Miami of Ohio (where he transferred to and then transferred again). 
6. Urban is gone.  There where two great head coaches in college football Nick and Urban.  Dabo is on his way, but I can still remember the Clemson fans wanting to run him out of town and hire RR of all people.   No matter who you put in Columbus, it's going to be a downgrade from Urban.   OSU will be worse and Michigan has a chance to wrestle back this series. 

One of the best things about Jimmy as a head coach is he isn't too stubborn to change and brought in Josh Gattis to fix the offense.  Which really wasn't broken last year.   Michigan scored enough points on offense to beat Ohio State, the Michigan defense just let us down.   Let's hope the Wolverines now have an offense to win a shoot out in those type of games.  

• Oliver Martin, Aubrey Solomon, and Myles Sims all got waivers from the NCAA for immediate eligibility this week.   Michigan will get to see Oliver in about a month.  

• Michigan Basketball Season Tickets are sold out for the first time in 19 years.  That must be the love for Coach Howard as this team doesn't have a ton of talent. 

• Keep sending your game day predictions in! 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-thursday-will-this-year-be.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Hits The Bullets Points

I've been getting a number of emails on the "Guess the Score" contest for Saturday night, please keep them coming!  

• Ronnie Bell believes he has improved as a WR since this Spring and is mentally ready for the season.  I expect a big year from the Sophomore WR.  

• Aubrey Solomon was granted immediate eligibility from the NCAA at Tennessee.  I guess Jimmy just liked Aubrey more then the other guys that got denied.   (sarcasm alert!)  My family and I rode the elevator with Aubrey and his family after his freshman year at the Outback Bowl.  Seemed like a nice family and wished he had a better experience in Ann Arbor.   Seems he struggled on and off the field.  

• Najee Harris and 3 other Alabama players have been suspended for the first half of their game this weekend.   Wow, what a stern penalty. 

• The NY Post has ranked the most powerful people in college football and gave Paul Finebaum a #19 ranking.  Really?  How does a hot take blow hard have any power over the sport?

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/wolverine-wednesday-hits-bullets-points.html

Michigan Tuesday: Jimmy Speaks

Jimmy did his regular in season Monday press conference yesterday and did drop a few nuggets, good and bad.

• Andrew Stueber who had been rumored to have a minor knee injury, has a major one in a torn ACL and will be out the entire season.   Hello Jalen Mayfield and the RT competition ended without a competition.  Ryan Hayes is the back-up at both Tackle positions.   This could be major as its rumored Jon Runyan Jr. has a bit of a back issue.

• Ambry Thomas is getting better and could even play some on Saturday.  I expect we will see him in the Army game at the earliest.  

• They haven't decided who the starting RB is yet, which means they have a number of good options. 

• Jimmy sees maybe 12 freshman playing this year including Dax Hill, Mazi Smith, DJ Turner, Chris Hinton, Zach Charbonnet, Erik All, CJ Johnson, and Giles Jackson.   Many guys will be on special teams. 

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• Taco Charlton had maybe his best pre-season game of his career on Saturday for the Cowboys.  
• Chad Henne broke his ankle and won't be the back-up for Pat Mahomes anytime soon. 

• 2020 5 star basketball guard Jaden Springer will be visiting Michigan and new coach Juwan Howard this weekend. 

• Jordan released another Michigan sneaker yesterday.  It will be a limited quantity at the MDen and Finish Line.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-tuesday-jimmy-speaks.html

Michigan Monday: Game Week and Predict The Score Contest

It's finally here - Game Week.  The Wolverines will suit up and play football on Saturday night.  No, it's not ND or Alabama its Middle Tennessee State which will finally give the Wolverines a nice tune up game prior to Army and a trip to Wisconsin.   We will of course do our regular game preview on Friday.   I'm sure going to enjoy researching MTS this week!

Now on to the important stuff.   Our Game 1 predict the score contest is back!   Let's get to the prize first:

Braylon Edwards with Tom VanHaaren has a new book out called Doing it My Way.  The good people Triumph Books and Independent Publishers Group will send the winner a copy of Braylon's book.   If you want to buy the book which releases on 9/10, here is the Amazon  link.

As I'm sure you know, TomVH works for ESPN and does a great job with recruiting coverage.  Tom paid his dues working his way through Michigan Blogs and we support our own around here!   He also recently authored The Road to Ann Arbor. 

Braylon doesn't need any introduction to Michigan fans.  He went to Rose Bowls, single handedly beat Michigan State, and even had a few disagreements with Coach Carr.    When you talk about Michigan Legacy, the Edwards family has it.   The father Stan Edwards of course was a Michigan and NFL WR, which lead to Braylon staring at U of M, and then of course Berkley recently played for the Wolverines in his graduate transfer year.  As we all know, whether it was in Ann Arbor or the NFL, Braylon did it his way. 

Now for the contest rules:

• Pick the score and email your prediction to thebighouseblog@hotmail.com
• The first email with the closest to the final score will win
• I will take entries up to 7:00 PM on Saturday night 7/31/2019

Let's have some fun with this and one lucky Big House Blog reader will get a free book!  

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• Caris LeVert was once committed to a MAC school and then Coach Beilein found him.  Yesterday was his 25th birthday and Caris signed a $52.5 Million extension to his rookie contract with the Brooklyn Nets where he will star with KD and Kyrie.  Well done Caris! 

• Jim Harbaugh has coached a number of players that have ended up in the NFL.  His highest profile QB Andrew Luck called it a career on Saturday due to multiple injuries over the past 4 years.  

• College Football was back on Saturday night and even though it was a close game, the Florida - Miami game seemed to have more mistakes then points.   Florida did all they could to hand the victory to Miami and the Hurricanes refused to take it.   The Gators looked nothing like the team that beat the Wolverines in the Peach Scrimmage in January.   The Hurricanes have serious offensive line issue and gave up a season worth of sacks in one game.  

• Wisconsin has named Jack Coan the starter for Friday's game in Tampa against USF.  Jack will get to face Don Brown's defense in a few weeks. 

• Speaking of Wisconsin (former) QB's Alex Hornibrook was named the back-up for Florida State. 

• Former Wolverine RB Kareem Walker has not joined Mississippi State yet due to some academic issues. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-monday-game-week-and-predict.html

Celebrating county tours and company milestones in Maryland

We’ve been staying busy here at Maryland Commerce over the past few months. In addition to the MML and MACo summer conferences, we’ve officially visited 15 jurisdictions as part of our county tour initiative, with nine more to go before the end of the year.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/celebrating-county-tours-and-company-milestones-maryland/

Michigan Friday: Another Hit To the Offensive Line

Next Friday we will have a Michigan Football game preview and it seems way too long since we had one.   That Peach Scrimmage does not count.

The rumored news is not great coming out of camp.  The word on the street is that Jon Runyan Jr. has a back issue and hasn't been practicing.   Right now the severity of the injury is unclear.

What happens if Jon isn't ready for Saturday?  The best case is that Jon only needs a couple weeks rest.  We don't know how long he hasn't been practicing, so I'm not ready to call him out for the 30th.  If he is out or the coaches don't want to risk it, I could see Bredeson moving to LT and Filiaga moving to his spot at LG.

If Jon's injury is accurate (it hasn't been confirmed by the program) that is two camps hits (Stueber) to the O-Line.

• Rashan Gary went down with an injury in Canada in a game against the Raiders last night.  His injury is not expected to be serious.  

• As reported yesterday, it has been confirmed that Ambry Thomas is back to practice, the issue is each player has a 5 day initiation period no matter when you start camp.  So he maybe doing some light things in practice but the expectation is, he isn't dressed and competing fully at CB yet. 

• Detroit News article on Braiden McGregor

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-friday-another-hit-to.html

Bloosurf to expand high-speed internet to Eastern Shore

Salisbury-based business Bloosurf is expanding its high-speed internet service throughout the Eastern Shore with help from a $4.2 million award from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/bloosurf-expand-high-speed-internet-eastern-shore/

Michigan Thursday: Bullet vs. Viper

Greg Mattison decided to chase a few bucks and became a Buckeye.  He wanted to be Coordinator and a raise and Ryan Day hired him.  Personally, I wouldn't have hired anyone from the squad that my team just put 63 on, but that's just me.

Greg will be brining a bunch of Don Brown's defense to Columbus and he started with Michigan's Viper role that he is now calling the "Bullet".   It seems that OSU's defense now calls itself the "Silver Bullets" (Coors Lights for everyone!).  There will be a few differences and maybe even some growing pains as they implement a new system.   OSU really doesn't have a ton of personnel for The Bullet position yet.  For example, true freshman Kort Williams is the first player that was recruited for the Bullet position.  So who is going to play there this year?

Mattison is going with Brandon White a former Safety at the position.  “Brendon has the athleticism and the experience at two different positions to be able to fit in, and that’s what it’s allowed us to do,” Mattison said. “He can fit in as a safety in one package and fit in as a bullet in another package, so there’s a lot of different places.”

With little to no depth at the position, the OSU defense is not expected to have the Bullet position on the field full time this season as they search for their version of Peppers and Hudson.   Good luck with that.

• The Big Ten season starts a week from today as South Dakota State visits Minnesota.   MSU also hosts Tulsa and Wisconsin travels to Tampa to play USF on Friday the 30th. 

• Miles Simms and family is also upset at Michigan because their NCAA immediate eligibility waiver was denied.  Georgia Tech has had 3 waivers denied this month by the NCAA and all 3 are Harbaugh's fault!   GA Tech opens at Clemson a week from tonight.   

• Brian Jones, a CBS Sports college football analyst has predicted that Michigan State will make the College Football Playoffs this season.  I would like to ask Brian how the Spartans plan on scoring points?

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-thursday-bullet-vs-viper.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Updates Brian Cole

Remember Brian Cole?  He was an athlete from Saginaw that could pay on either side of the ball.   He was a the top rated player out of Michigan in the 2015 class and the #74th player in the country to 24/7.  Michigan wanted him on offense and he tried his hat at WR.  During his freshman year he caught one pass against Utah and played mostly on special teams.  Later that season, Michigan considered moving him to CB.

After that season, it was quickly downhill for Brian at Michigan and in May 2016, Brian was enrolled at East Mississippi CC.  After some time at East Mississippi, Brian transferred to Mississippi State but not all his credits transferred and he had to sit out his first year on campus.  

Brian is now a 5th year senior at Mississippi State and starter at Safety.  Last year, he had 11 tackles and one pick after starting 4 games while partially tearing his pectoral muscle.  Good luck to Brian during his senior year!

• Sun Bowl is now The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.  Please expand the playoffs. 

• Brandon Peters former Michigan QB who took a graduate transfer to Illinois, was named the starter yesterday.   Illinois clearly got the better of the Jeff George, Jr. trade, who never played at Michigan or made it through camp.  

• This seems strange but Shea Patterson is an alternate captain on offense, Josh Metellus on defense, per UM Athletics.

• Michigan spent nearly $1.4M on recruiting costs last fiscal year.   MSU spent over $766K

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/wolverine-wednesday-updates-brian-cole.html

Meet the Marylanders: Melissa loves the climate, culture and community

Nestled between the rolling mountains of Western Maryland and the busting Baltimore-Washington corridor sits Hagerstown, Maryland. Its location provides residents a close-knit community feeling, with two major cities within arm’s reach. Watch the video below to learn why Melissa Kaiser, Director of Business Development at cybersecurity firm SOCSoter, loves living in Hagerstown.

 

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/meet-marylanders-melissa-loves-climate-culture-and-community/

Michigan Tuesday: Who's The Captain Of This Vessel?

“The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem”
― Captain Jack Sparrow 

Michigan Football as they do every August named Team Captains.  The much deserved honor goes to Ben Bredeson (2 times), Carlo Kemp, and Khaleke Hudson.  Well done mates, now lead this team to a Big Ten Championship!

• Michigan is ranked #7 in the AP, which seems about right.  Penn State is 15 and MSU is 18 which seems a bit high.  Penn State has a ton of recruiting talent but this will be the first year without Barkley and McSorley.   Wisconsin comes in at #19 and Iowa #20.   The team in Columbus is #5.    How about Michigan's schedule this year?  Did I mention ND was #5 and Army #27.  

• Ben Bredeson was also named to the SI.com Pre-Season All American team

• Jimmy made a great hire in offensive line coach Ed Warinner, he gives us over 16 minutes on the offensive line the other day.  

• PFF ranks Shea Patterson as the #1 QB in the Big Ten

• OSU also named 5 star QB transfer Justin Fields the starter.  There were rumors that another transfer (KY) Gunner Hoak was going to win the job.   Look for a quick hook on Fields by Ryan Day. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-tuesday-whos-captain-of-this.html

Affordable internet access coming to 225,000 rural residents in Maryland

Governor Larry Hogan has announced $9.9 million in available funding as part of the first wave of a five-year plan to provide 225,000 Marylanders in rural communities with reliable, affordable internet access.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/affordable-internet-access-coming-225000-rural-residents-maryland/

Michigan Monday: Rumor Mill on Injuries

I know its important to learn the new offense and get in shape, but I believe the #1 thing coming out of summer/fall camp is being as healthy as a team can be.  Michigan took a huge hit in the last scrimmage in Summer Camp 2018 when they lost Black to a broken foot and both Higdon and Gary suffered injuries.  Those injuries hurt Michigan's chances against ND and cost all 3 players production during the year.  

Anytime a football team practices against each other, injuries are going to happen.   Michigan suffered the biggest one in camp last week when potential starter at right tackle Andrew Stueber went down with a knee injury.  The rumored reports are that Andrew is out at least 6 weeks.   

There continues to be buzz around two other players.   DT Mike Dwumfour has been struggling with an injury since last season and that still seems to be the case.   It's common knowledge he is not 100% and doing what he can in camp.   My best guess he will be out or be very limited in the game in two weeks.  

Same goes with star WR DPJ.  The rumor mill is also saying that the talented instate WR is not 100% either.   We know he is practicing so not sure how much that injury is bothering him.  I expect he will play but may also be limited with the depth Michigan has at WR.  

This goes with true freshman Kent who is out with a medical situation and Thomas who continues to recover from Colitis.   Right now the expectation on Ambry Thomas is a return after the bye week.  

When I saw the schedule, I didn't like the week 3 bye but it may give a few guys another month of recovery time to get to 100%.  

Your moment of Zen...………….

@umichfootball

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-monday-rumor-mill-on-injuries.html

Potomac’s CertifiKID celebrates Shark Tank success and sales

From running a family blog to becoming a Shark Tank success story, Jamie Ratner and her company CertifiKID have come a long way over the past eight years. 

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/potomacs-certifikid-celebrates-shark-tank-success-and-sales/

Michigan Friday: Luke Keeps Digging The Hole

Luke Fickell is very popular with Michigan fans.  He is the only head coach at Ohio State that Michigan has defeated in recent memory.   He was the interim head coach at the time but has gotten passed over twice for the full time gig in Columbus.   So he packed up his things and headed South  about an hour and now coaching The University of Cincinnati.

Now he is upset because he believes Jimmy didn't support James Hudson's waiver to get immediate playing time at UC.  Jimmy fired back that wasn't true and Luke still believes it is.

Tom Mars the lawyer for Shea Patterson's transfer and now a member of an NCAA Committee, has come out and said that Michigan had zero influence over the NCAA's decision.

Another example is Drew Singleton who transferred to Rutgers from Michigan.  His waiver was granted by the NCAA in May and will play this year for the Scarlett Knights.   Similar to UC, Rutgers also has a head coach who was an assistant coach at Ohio State.   The difference is, Rutgers is on Michigan's schedule this year.   Meaning, if Jimmy were going to try to block any transfer, this would probably be the one.

Luke needs to worry about his own team and stop blaming Jimmy for the NCAA's strange decisions.  I hope this is over now.

• Michigan has received the most impactful injury of training camp as potential RT starter Andrew Stueber has gone down with a leg injury.   We are not aware of how significant the injury is at this point.   This now pencils in Jalen Mayfied as the starter with Ryan Hayes as the back-up.    Jalen and Andrew were in competition for the starting spot, so at a minimum this hurts the Wolverines depth on O-line.   

• Another MSU trainer has been charged with domestic violence.

• Saturday night well be 2 weeks away from Michigan Football! 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-friday-luke-keeps-digging-hole.html

UAS flight facility coming to Salisbury

An 8,000 square-foot Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) flight facility and dozens of new jobs are coming to Wicomico County.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/uas-flight-facility-coming-salisbury/

Michigan Thursday: Jace Howard Gets An Offer

Coach Juwan Howard didn't have to look very far for his latest scholarship offer.   It was actually just across the kitchen table, as he offered his son Jace.

Jace is a 6'7 SF in the 2020 class, he is unranked and weighs 200 pounds.  He has offers from the likes of Dayton, San Diego State,  St. Louis, and Northern Illinois.   So this isn't just Dad throwing a scholarship towards his son and the expectation is that Jace will play at some point.

Good luck to Jace and we look forward to seeing him in Crisler in a few years.

• With Jace getting offered, it got me thinking about what Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is doing now?  We know he left Michigan and transferred to Stoney Brook and caught 6 balls last season.  He will play his senior year at Morgan State where his dad is the head coach.   

• As I'm sure you heard, Ohio State is trying to trademark the word The.  

• Warde thinks the ND game could be another night game in the Big House.  Thanks to Warde's lack of negotiation skills, Michigan is playing ND in the middle of October.   The week before Michigan travels to Penn State for a White Out which also has a high probability of being a night game.    Which I'm sure Jimmy is going to love that.   Warde did say that the MSU has no chance of being a night game.  

• 2019 3 Star DT from Belleville Jalen Hunt was not able to qualify at Iowa and has joined the MSU Spartans.   Jalen is not on scholarship but can participate in practice and play if needed this season.   Jalen has been practicing with the team since Monday. Most believe he will not play in a game and be a part of the 2020 recruiting class with a full scholarship.   MSU's 2020 class is currently ranked 51st on 24/7 composite with 13 commits. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-thursday-jace-howard-gets-offer.html

Inc. 5000 names Maryland's fastest growing companies in 2019

A total of 130 Maryland businesses have been named among the fastest-growing companies in the country, according to the latest Inc. 5000 rankings.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/inc-5000-names-marylands-fastest-growing-companies-2019/

Wolverine Wednesday: Jimmy Speaks a Lot

We haven't heard much Michigan's head football coach since camp started.   Yes, a few players have spoke and even the coordinators, but not much (as former head coach of the AAF Champion Orlando Apollos Steve Spurrier likes to call the position) from the head ball coach.

Until Tuesday, when Jimmy spoke to the BTN crew, dropped his podcast, and did a press conference.  That is a waterfall of information.   I will do my best to summarize new information for you.   We don't need to re-cap how great of shape the guys are in and that Josh Gattis is doing a wonderful job running the offense.

• The highlight of the press conference is when Jimmy took Cincinnati Head Football Coach Luke Fickell to task over the James Hudson transfer.  Jimmy said, he told the truth about the position switch and had nothing to do with his waiver being approved or denied for immediate playing time.  The NCAA denied it, by the way.   Luke had mentioned to the ESPN's Athletic that Jimmy was "cold" when they spoke and inferred that Michigan didn't support the waiver.   Jimmy called that stance by Fickell "erroneous".

• Jimmy likes the Freshman: Mazi Smith as lost 25 pounds of fat, David Objo has put on 25 pounds of muscle, Giles Jackson, Dax Hill, and CJ Johnson are doing great as punt gunners.  "Zach Charbonnet is coming on like a freight train"

• The coaches review the depth chart and each player at 10:00 PM each night. 

• Practices 6-9 will have more scrimmage time built in.  Just completed practice #5. 

• The rumor of Ambry Thomas having Mono was incorrect, he has Colitis and is now gaining his weight back and getting back his conditioning.  There is no timetable for his return as he heals.  Expect Vincent Gray to replace him in the starting lineup. 

• Jimmy likes the depth on the defensive line?  CMU transfer Mike Danna is also a starter right now on the DL. 

• ESPN GameDay will do the it first location of the season at Disney World, next week for the Gators - Hurricanes match-up. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/wolverine-wednesday-jimmy-speaks-lot.html

Michigan Tuesday: Taters Are Going To Tate

Michigan for a short time had a famous Tate from California before he flamed out.  Ohio State recently had one until he transferred, Tate Martell.   Its a slow news day, so I'm going to give you a quick update on the former OSU QB.

Being Tate Martell:

Tate grew up in San Diego but decided to transfer to Las Vegas Powerhouse Bishop Gorman to become a nationally recruited QB.  That strategy paid off and Tate became a 5 star Dual-Threat QB in the 2017 class.

Let the recruiting process begin! Well sort of, when Tate was 14 he committed to the University of Washington.   Then in 2015 he de-committed from UW and committed to Texas A&M.  Then in 2016 he again de-committed this time from the Aggies and committed to Urban Meyer and Ohio State.   After playing in his senior season at Bishop Gorman, he transferred to Dessert Pines HS so he could join Ohio State early.   Not sure how that would work?   Urban Meyer magic!

Tate at Bishop Gorman also found himself to be a TV star as he was the subject (along with Jake Fromm and Tayvon Bowers) of Netflix's QB1 reality series.   Tate threw up video game numbers his senior year as he was named the Gatorade Player of the Year and passed for 41 TD's and ran for another 21, while posting a 15-0 record.   He was a rock star and knew it.

Tate joined the Buckeyes and found himself buried on the depth chart, mostly behind Dwayne Haskins and JT Barrett.  This offseason Tate's time was finally here, as Haskins entered the NFL Draft and JT was gone the year prior.   Then things started to change in Columbus, Urban steps down and Ryan Day takes over.  Another 5 star QB decides he wants to be in Columbus and Justin Fields  transfers from Georgia.  Justin also secures a waiver from the NCAA for immediate eligibility due to race incident in Athens.

So now what?  Tate like he has done in the past, decided to make another change and enters the transfer portal.   He finds a home at the University of Miami and gets a waiver from the NCAA to play right away due to the coaching change at OSU.   Miami is in bad shape at the QB position and also has a new head coach in Manny Diaz.  Tate again is ready to start, this time for the Hurricanes.   If you remember, Tate Forcier also tried to transfer to Miami but his grades stopped that transaction.

The time in now as Miami has a very early and important game against Florida in Orlando in 11 days.  ESPN asked the NCAA and both teams to move this game up a week so it could be the highlight of the weekend and the start of the college football season on 8/24.

Yesterday, Miami head coach Manny Diaz announced that freshman Jarren Williams would be the starting QB for the Hurricanes in their match-up against the Gators.   Tate doesn't show up for practice on Monday.

What is next for Tate?  Only Tate knows.



from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-tuesday-taters-are-going-to.html

Michigan Monday: Former Wolverines Stand Out in Week 1 of NFL's Pre-season

Devin Bush does what Devin Bush does.  In limited action during the Steelers first pre-season game, Devin had 10 tackles and a near interception.   Pencil Devin's name in for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award!

In the same game, Gentry caught a TD Pass for Pittsburg.  Gentry also made some local news about how he didn't like the idea of changing to TE while at Michigan and strongly considered transferring.  Jimmy sat him down and said if he made this change and worked hard at being a TE he would end up in the NFL.  I would say that plan is working pretty well at this point.   This is also a great example of a player trusting his coach and not transferring.   There also wasn't any rumors about Gentry transferring, so he kept a lot of these feeling to himself or his friends and family kept it private.

Karen Higdon had 8 carries for 37 yards, with a long run of 9 yards.  I also learned Higdon had sports hernia surgery in the off season.   It's un-clear if he sustained that injury playing at Michigan or working out for the draft.  Higdon has a chance to make the Texans as an un-drafted free agent, but the Texas also just traded for RB Duke Johnson.

• Maryland's new head coach Mike Lockley and Josh Gattis seem to be in a battle of words on who drew up the game plans for Alabama last year.   There seems to be a little bit of bad blood between the two as there was a handshake agreement for Josh to join Mike at Maryland before Jimmy called.   

• We are going to get a lot of these type of articles the next two weeks.  Tru Wilson is in better shape and faster due to his off season diet and workout. 

• Killer B's?  Reports are that Black and Bell are having a great fall camp at WR.

• A name we might not be thinking about at DT is Donovan Jeter, reports are he is having a great fall camp as well. 

• I still have nightmares of Brad Hawkins getting burned by ND's WR's last season.  Though reports are he is greatly improved as well.   We should also not forget he came to Michigan as a WR. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-monday-former-wolverines-stand.html

Michigan Friday: Can We Finally Close The Door on The Les Miles Situation?

When Lloyd Carr stepped down as Michigan's head football coach, all hell broke loose.  "Sailboat" Bill Martin decided it was a good time to jump on his boat for a quick vacation and LSU under head coach Les Miles was making a run to the National Championship.  ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit made his most embarrassing miss ever on TV, when he said that Les and Michigan had an agreement to be the Wolverines next head coach.  It was a complete cluster.

We all know the details, Les and Michigan couldn't come to terms.  Was it the National Championship game?  Was it the rumored divide between Les and Lloyd Carr?  But this decision alone has set Michigan Football back 12 years.   That was 2007 and the decision to hire Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke means that our storied program hasn't won a Big Title and beat Ohio State once.   This ride has almost been "curse" like.

Les was the top coach in college football, a National Champion, and a former Wolverine.  It seemed like a perfect fit, but it really wasn't.  Les eventually flamed out at LSU as the pressure to beat Nick Saban was too great and his offense to predictable.  He has struggled to find a head coaching job ever since and even (rumored) to have been turned down by the likes of Western Michigan.

Les now has taken over one of the worst programs in college football in Kansas.  He has a new lease on life and is starting to think back of what could have been.

“I love Michigan,” Miles said. “We just didn’t have the opportunity. It does break my heart. I love the place. There were things I was fortunate to accomplish that I only give credit to Michigan for the experiences I had that allowed me to do some of things I did. I thank the time I was there and how much I enjoyed being around the Michigan players and Coach (Bo) Schembechler.
“It didn’t work out and I’m sad that it didn’t.”

“It did not have to do with the amount of money, it had to do with the decisions that would be made on behalf of Michigan if in fact I would be the head football coach. I just needed some backing and some strength. It was probably too far away. It’s certainly a place I loved. Sometimes it’s just not in the cards.” 

As Michigan has fumbled its way through head coaching searches and hires (prior to Jimmy), I don't know how many times I've heard "Talking heads" mention that, "Les has turned down Michigan twice now!"  That just isn't true.  Though I sometimes think what might have happened if Les did leave LSU for Michigan after the NC game.  Would the past 12 years of hell not happened?  We will never know.

Time to move on and win some damn championships.



from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-friday-can-we-finally-close.html

Maryland enacts cooperative partnership with Estonia

Earlier this week, Governor Larry Hogan and Estonia Ambassador Jonatan Vseviov joined together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments. 

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/maryland-enacts-cooperative-partnership-estonia/

Michigan Thursday: Bazarro World

The day I submit a post on how we haven't heard anything about Fall Camp and that we are clearly in a Submarine, all the coaches talk and information flows out.   If the opposite if going to happen, I going to predict Michigan loses every game on Saturday morning!  :)

Here is a re-cap from the things I've read:

• Defense is ahead of the offense at this point.   This is not a surprise in early August or even early in a season. 

• The entire LB group is very deep 

• Pretty much confirmed Ambry Thomas had Mono (called it a un-specified illness) is gaining weight and working his way back to football shape. 

• Vincent Gray is ready across the field from Hill if Thomas isn't ready when the season begins. 

• Dax Hill is a great athlete and working his way through the bridge program and football.  We may see a larger impact later in the year.  Mettilus, Woods, and Hawkins are doing well at the Safety position.  

• Josh Gattis said that RB is the deepest position on offense.  That answer surprised me, but he might be right.  He said all 5 guys will play.  Which got me thinking which 5 is he talking about?  It's Wilson, Turner, Charbonnet, Haskins, and VanSumeren.   The FB might be gone from the playbook but a big powerful back isn't.  Also how is Ben Mason not going to get a few carries as well?

• I'm not buying the dual QB situation. Lets just hope Michigan has some 2nd half leads that those guys can get plenty of reps. 

• Michigan is going to attack the loss on the D-Line with depth.  Knock on wood but Luigi Villain has made it through the Spring and Fall Practice so far 100% healthy. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-thursday-bazarro-world.html

3 things you’ll take away from the Governor’s Business Summit

 

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On September 20, Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland’s business community will gather for the Maryland Governor’s Business Summit. While most business conferences cover niche industry topics, the Business Summit’s entire focus is on a topic that’s important to businesses of all sizes and in all industries: workforce. 

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/3-things-youll-take-away-governors-business-summit/

Wolverine Wednesday: We Are In A Submarine

When Jimmy got to Michigan for his first Fall Camp, he was quoted as saying this:

"Just to let you know, we're going into a submarine (Friday), and you won't see us for a while," Harbaugh declared Thursday afternoon on the eve of Michigan's first 2015 fall camp practice. "You won't hear from us. You won't see us. We'll be working. "We'll be in a bunker ... until we decide we're not."

He changed his stance on this a couple of times, letting reporters watch practice, having position coaches doing press conferences, etc.   Fall Camp is still early on but there is little to no information leaking from Fall Camp.  The best we got was true freshman Quintel Kent is going to miss this season and career maybe over after some type of medical condition was discovered.   Wait, I forgot we also got the new roster with new weights.   That's it. 

In fact, this was the last picture taken of the team:

I believe Harbaugh has brought the Sub back and didn't tell the media about it.   The players and coaches signed off social media and everyone seems to be focused on football.    The sub is a good thing and I hope they are focused to make a run this year and beat that damn team from Ohio. 

24/7 is starving for content and just re-writing stories from the Big Ten Kickoff Meeting in Chicago a couple weeks ago.  

• Special Shout Out Today to reader Jon O. who sends me helpful reminders on updating the commit list!  Thanks again Jon!  

• 2020 OL Andrew Gentry from Colorado is planning to take his Mormon mission after he graduates. Whichever school he chooses will have to be there in 2022 when he is ready to play football.   

• If Kent is a complete loss and takes a medical, Michigan will have an extra spot in the 2020 class.  Which could open the door to instate 4 star WR Maliq Carr. 

• Checking in on 24/7 recruiting rankings for the 2020 class:  The Spartans have the 53rd ranked and getting out recruited by IU and Tulane.   Nebraska is Ranked #62, USC #58, and UCLA #68. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/wolverine-wednesday-we-are-in-submarine.html

Michigan Tuesday: Adding Good Weight

When was the last time you looked in the mirror and thought, "I really could use a few more pounds?"  Maybe in junior high school?  Maybe never?  I was skinny once, once.  

Putting on weight is something that is important for college football players in some positions.  Players coming from high school don't have the S&C resources that Michigan does.  Included in the strength and conditioning program is nutrition.  Jimmy was very concerned about the S,C, and N of his program a few years ago.    That is no longer a worry, as he hired Ben Herbert from Arkansas and Wisconsin two years ago.  

"He’s been 100-percent respected and loved by every single player on the team," Harbaugh said at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. "That's rare for that to happen. He’s that good, he's made that big of an impact on the team, as has his entire staff. Been phenomenal. It's been a game-changer. The precision, too. If you went into our weight room and just saw the precision in the way the machines are set up. The precision in the way the workout is planned and organized, it really rubs off on our team, that attention to detail is always present in every single workout. Great thing for our team to learn. He's the best I've been around."

Here is a list of players that added some significant "good" weight:

QB Joe Milton: +11
WR Cornelius Johnson +14
WR George Jonson +13
TE Mustapha Muhammed +16
OT Jon Runyan +11
OT Andrew Stuber +11
OT Jalen Mayfield +23
OT Ryan Hayes +28
C Nolan Rumler +31
G Karsen Barnhart +28

DT Ben Mason +16
DT Chris Hinton +38
DE Julius Welschof +25
DE Kitty Paye +17
LB Charles Thomas +11
LB Anthony Solomon +15
CB DJ Tuner +15
S Josh Metellus +14


The few things that jumped out to me are that the true freshman weight in HS seem to be lighter then most people thought.  Mayfield and Muhammed both had some big gains for their positions and needed it.   Rumler also added some needed weight for his backup center role.

On defense the only guy that stood out to me was Josh Metellus who I expect will play close the LOS this fall.  Paye will also benefit from the extra pounds as a rush DE.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-tuesday-adding-good-weight.html

Annapolis-based business aims to revamp the college entrance process

It’s hard to forget the hours of studying and preparation that goes into taking the SAT or ACT standardized tests. After nearly 100 years, the SAT is still considered the benchmark for students entering the next chapter of their education. Today, the Classic Learning Test (CLT) is looking to change the century-old process. 

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/annapolis-based-business-aims-revamp-college-entrance-process/

Michigan Monday: Loses A WR To Injury

Michigan's offense is pretty deep at most positions right now.   Wide receiver is one of those position groups that has a ton of depth and getting guys on the field will be an issue for Michigan's talented WR's.   News broke on Sunday that true freshman Quintel Kent will miss the season with an undisclosed injury.  Kent is a 2019 3 star WR from Ohio, who most likely would be taking a redshirt year anyway.   Missing practice reps probably won't help his progress, as he was known as a great route runner in high school.   Kent posted this news on social media and there isn't any information on the injury/condition and whether its career ending or not.

I'm going to list this as a rumor as it hasn't been confirmed with the player or the team, but it seems Ambry Thomas either has or had Mono.   Ambry is expected to be a starter at CB or at Nickel and if he had Mono would need time to gain some weight and get his strength back.   If this report is accurate, I expect AT could miss a few games while he is working his way back.   This could rush Dax Hill on the field at the Nickel position.

• Tom Brady gets a $8M raise this season.  He deserves double that! 

• Michigan adds a "Jordan" wall in Schembechler Hall.  With all the Michigan PE (Player Edition) shoes.  This should help with recruiting.  

• BTN is expected to do its Camp Tour at Michigan on 8/13

• Congrats to Ty Law on making it official on the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. 

• Jimmy was on Pardon My Take Podcast this morning, he spoke about how experienced this team is, thinks this could be the fastest defense he has had at Michigan, and that while at Stanford he ran the same play 13 times in a row against USC.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-monday-loses-wr-to-injury.html

Michigan Friday: Michigan Wolverines in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Watching the Hall of Fame game last night and former Michigan Wolverine CB Ty Law soon to be inducted, I wondered how many Wolverines are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?   I could only think of one other and that was Dan Dierdorf.  Surely, there had to be more?  There are and please stop calling me Shirley.  The names might surprise you:

George Allen
Dan Dierdorf
Len Ford
Benny Friedman
Bill Hewitt
Elroy Hirsch
Tom Mack
Ralph Wilson Jr.
Ty Law

Soon there will be Charles Woodson and in 10+ years when Tom Brady retires of course.   Many of the guys on the list went to Michigan but also attended other schools.  Some of names didn't play at Michigan.

• Fall Camp starts today as Michigan plays at the end of the month. 

• If you want the new Michigan Nikes, Nike.com has a $30 offer with the code PLAY30 if you spend $150.   You will also need to pick up a t-shirt or something. 

• The MDen will have a sale tomorrow and be selling authentic surplus Michigan Jordan Cleats at 9:00 AM. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-friday-michigan-wolverines-in.html

Michigan Thursday: NFL Tonight

This is a great day because football is back.  The NFL pre-season starts tonight and we will be excited until we watch a few series and realize we don't recognize any of the names.   Let's hope Jake Butt plays, if he is healthy after his 100th ACL injury.  (I actually don't know if he is back yet)

Michigan also starts fall camp tomorrow and many players are jumping off twitter for the season.  This is a fun time for hearing: this player is in his great shape, this one is super fast, and this one has great hands.   If your wondering, here are my top two goals for fall camp:

#1 - Stay Healthy
#2 - Stay Healthy

Yes, Michigan will also need to learn the new #Speed in Space offense and get the new freshman integrated, but staying healthy will be the up most importance.   As that one scrimmage in fall camp 2018, cost Michigan the ND game and others with Higdon, Black, and Gary all getting banged up.  I wonder if we will have the submarine back this year?

• Love out to Sam Webb and his family after the birth of his daughter this afternoon.   Check out twitter for some of the issues the Webb family have recently had.   

• Michigan is ranked #7 in the current coaches poll. 

• Looks like Nik Stauskas will be playing in Spain this season. 

• If you missed it,  Makari Paige did commit to Wolverines who now has 3 four star Safeties in this class! 

Side Note:  Michigan plays a football game this month!!!

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/08/michigan-thursday-nfl-tonight.html

Stripe Inc. plans new company and 200 jobs in Baltimore

Baltimore City's McHenry Row community is gaining a new technical support center and 200 full-time jobs thanks to San Francisco-based business Stripe Inc.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/stripe-inc-plans-new-company-and-200-jobs-baltimore/