Michigan Tuesday: The Next LeBron Heading To East Lansing?

It's rare that the best basketball player in the nation is in Michigan's backyard and nobody in Wolverine circles are talking about him.   Emoni Bates was the Gatorade National Player of the year at Ypsi/Lincoln this past season as a sophomore.  His father is opening a new charter school so he can coach his son and other top prospects by playing high school teams across the US like the Globetrotters.   Hopefully, the virus will be under control so that can happen. 

Emoni is planning on graduating early and announced yesterday, if he goes to college it will be at Michigan State.  He has as much chance of suiting up for the Spartans as I do being named Michigan's starting QB this year.    Emoni will have 3 choices that don't include college:  head to the G-League for $500K,  go overseas for around $1M, or sign a huge shoe contract and train for a year.  He could probably sign that shoe contract and go to the G-league.   I don't know how the new athlete endorsement rights work, but I don't think it includes a $40M shoe contract to play 1 year in college.

As we learned a year ago, chasing these 5 star high profile guys to play at your school is a fools errand.   Good luck Emoni and find someone trustworthy to help you manage your money.

• Jimmy and Juwan are taking a 10% pay cut for the rest of year as Michigan raises tuition by 2% to help with losses from this year.  

• Former Iowa RB Akrum Wadley took a flame thrower to Iowa's Football program yesterday.  If his report is at all accurate, I don't see how Kirk Ferentz gets through this.  If he does, I don't see any African Americans heading to play in Iowa anytime soon. 

• Michigan is in the top 5 for 2021 4 star SG Matthew Cleveland

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-tuesday-next-lebron-heading-to.html

Michigan Monday: Thank Goodness Michigan Didn't Pick Under Armour

When Michigan left adidas a few years ago they had a choice between Under Armour and Nike/Jordan brands.  UA had been over paying for a few schools like ND and UCLA as their products are not seen on the same level as adidas or Nike mostly when it comes to basketball.  The UA Steph Curry line has seen a dramatic decline in the market after its initial strong release.   It was a bit of an upset when Curry resigned with UA recently. 

Under Armour is now struggling in other areas as its stock is down 75% from 5 years ago.  In November, founder Kevin Plank stepped aside as CEO to become Executive Chairman and Brand Officer.   In that same month last year, the Wall Street Journal reported the SEC and Justice Department are investigating UA's accounting practices and moving around sales to make top line revenue look better then it truly was.    Throw in a Pandemic, the future is not bright for this Baltimore based sporting goods manufacture. 

Now reports are that UA is looking to terminate UCLA's 15 year 280 million dollar contract due to a contractual marketing benefit that UA is saying they are not receiving.  UA also has deals with CAL and Utah in the PAC 12.  In the Big Ten, Maryland, Northwestern, and Wisconsin are with Under Armour. 

UCLA has struggled recently with its 2 highest profile sports and UA has clearly not seen the sales they expected.  If you take that into account, with the other UA issues, it was only a matter of time before they tried to pull the plug on this partnership.   I wouldn't be surprised if this was the first of many contracts UA tries to get out of.  Better take notice The Rock, Cam Newton, Jordan Spieth, and other Universities with huge payments coming. 

If I were ND, Wisconsin, NW, and Maryland (Kevin Plank's Alma Mater) I would be concerned with the stability of the company they're in partnership with. 







from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-monday-thank-goodness-michigan.html

Michigan Friday: Welcomes a New WR Commit From California

Michigan hasn't grabbed a player out of Mater Dei in California in some 20+ years and that guy was a non-descript full back.  Hopefully, that changed with the commitment of 4 star WR Cristian Dixon who picked Michigan over the likes of USC, Cal, LSU, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas A&M, and Washington State. 

Dixon has a bit of discrepancy in his rankings between services as ESPN and Rivals have him in their top 175 while 24/7 doesn't even rank him nationally as a 3 star 96th WR in the country.    One of the issues is, Dixon transferred to Mater Dei last season and started the year with an injury and was playing catch-up all season.   Hopefully, he will have a great senior year and see his ranking rise.    

Dixon is not known as a burner, so that might be another reason his rankings as dropped some.  He is posting a 4.6 in the 40 which is considered pretty slow.   On the other side, he could of been nursing an injury during those runs as well.   He is listed at 6'2 187.  

Welcome Cristian! 

Michigan is now up to 19 commits and "the rooms at the Inn are getting full".  Michigan's board still has instate prospects on top: RB Donovan Edwards, OG Rocco Spindler, and DT Rayshaun Benny. 

In Michigan Nike News:  The Maize and Blue Nike Dunks are re-releasing this fall.  

Date: 9/26 
Price: $120 

The above shoes were last released in 2016.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-friday-welcomes-new-wr-commit.html

Michigan Thursday: It was a Good Day for Michigan Basketball

Juwan Howard's program has been on a roller coaster ride like many of us have never seen before.  Post season cancelled as they are walking on the floor, 5 stars coming & going, players transferring in & out, players leaving for the NBA Draft, and others not getting accepted by admissions.    Wednesday was a better day in this off season carnival ride.

Michigan confirmed 2 transfers have been admitted to school.  Chaudee Brown from Wake Forest and Mike Smith from Columbia.  Mike is eligible right away as a graduate transfer and the program is optimistic that Chaudee will receive a waiver as Wake fired their coach very late in the process.

Michigan is waiting to hear about what Livers is planning to do with the NBA.  Most feel he is heading back as some draft boards have him not getting drafted and being a free agent.   If he has a strong combine (if that ever happens) could swing his decision.   We're probably still a month + out from that decision. 

Michigan also welcomed its first verbal commit to the 2021 class in Isaiah Barnes.  He is a 6'6 190 pound SF and plays his HS basketball out of Juwan's hometown of Chicago.   Insiders believe he is a very talented and athletic kid with even a bigger upside.   He averaged 21 points per game and is transferring to one of the better HS programs in the country at Simeon in the Windy City. 

This commit was a bit of surprise but a good one as its clear Juwan and his team of coaches can recruit and will try to build another top 10 recruiting class in 2021.

• Instate 4 star OT Garrett Dellinger committed to LSU yesterday.   It's a bit of a bummer to lose a highly ranked instate prospect, but Garrett's family moved around a lot as a kid so he didn't really have the Maize and Blue running through his veins.   At least he didn't go to Ohio or Penn State. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-thursday-it-was-good-day-for.html

Wolverine Wednesday: One of The Clarkston Duo Is Planning on Announcing Today

Rocco and Garrett make up one of the best offensive lines in the country.  They both play for Clarkston and both highly ranked in the country at their respective positions.   Rocco Spindler is one of the best guards in the country and Garrett Dellinger is one of the best tackles. 

Garrett is planning on announcing today and his final list includes, LSU, Michigan, Ohio Stare, and Penn State.   Most believe this is an LSU - Michigan battle with LSU a strong lean for Garrett right now.   Michigan has made Garrett a priority and has put the full court press on.  

The Wolverines have done a strong job but the betting favorite are the National Champions.  Lets hope Coach Warinner can pull a rabbit out of his hat and keep Garrett wearing the winged helmet.  (Clarkston  wears similar Michigan jersey and helmets).

• The Lions ownership is going to continue to stay in the family with Martha Firestone Ford stepping down at 94 and handing the reigns to her daughter Sheila.    

• FL 4 star DE/LB Dallas Turner is announcing in a week and has Michigan in his final group.  Leader in the clubhouse is Alabama. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/wolverine-wednesday-one-of-clarkston.html

Michigan Tuesday: Pretty Darn Good CB's

I don't have a ton of content today but the below tweet is pretty darn good.  Some fans have wondered if Mike Zordich is doing a good job?  If I were him, the below tweet would be on top of my resume.   Mike has been on staff as long as Jimmy has been in Ann Arbor and that loyalty is showing results. 

Lowest completion % allowed by a B1G DB since 2014:

1. David Long Jr, Michigan ('18) - 29.0%
2. Channing Stribling, Michigan ('16) - 30.2%
3. David Long Jr, Michigan ('17) - 31.0%
4. Jourdan Lewis, Michigan ('16) - 31.7%
5. Vincent Gray, Michigan ('19) - 32.4% pic.twitter.com/mYM3KMTxdo

— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 22, 2020

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-tuesday-pretty-darn-good-cbs.html

Michigan Monday: 4 Star DE Quintin Sommerville Commits Over the Weekend

This news is a bit old as Quintin committed on Saturday, but I wanted to highlight his commit.  He is a 4 star DE out of Arizona and rated the 150th player in the nation by 24/7 composite.   His offer list is a strong one with the likes of: FSU, Vanderbilt, Washington, Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Georgia, Kansas State, LSU, Memphis, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Stanford, UCLA, Utah, and Washington State

Quintin is 6'1 and 230 pounds which is pretty light for a Big Ten DE and will need to add weight and keep his speed up to get early playing time.   He is still is a major get for this class and might be Shaun Nua's biggest recruiting win at Michigan.   Shaun coached with his brother, so there are some family ties there. 

Michigan has a ton of DE's in this class and zero DT's.  Santa please send an athletic 300 pound DT to Ann Arbor!  Which means the likes of Kechaun Bennett, TJ Guy, and or Dominick Guidice are probably headed to a position change.   Michigan is now up to the 7th ranked class looking up at Oregon, USC, UNC, Tenn, Clemson, and that team down South.  

• Michigan OL recruit Thomas Cole committed to UCLA over the weekend.

• WR Xavier Worthy has delayed his commitment date.  It was originally next Saturday.  Hopefully that is good news for Michigan has most expected him to be a Duck if he announced this week. 

• 30 LSU players are quarantied and 28 Clemson players and staff has tested positive.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-monday-4-star-de-quintin.html

Maryland’s Roadmap to Recovery: Staying cautious and reducing the spread during reopening

As more businesses, activities, and retail locations begin to reopen across the state, one thing is for sure—Marylanders are anxious to get back to a routine. Check out this list of state-issued best practices aimed at keeping Maryland businesses and customers updated and aware during the ongoing reopenings.
 

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/marylands-roadmap-recovery-staying-cautious-and-reducing-spread-during-reopening/

Michigan Friday: Does Dan Patrick Have Inside Information?

I'm always a bit leery of inside reports from national radio hosts.  Colin Coward one time said that UConn was heading to the Big Ten.   Now, Dan Patrick has some inside information that the Big Ten and PAC 12 are only going to play conference games this Fall. 

Ok, that makes sense if its true, but how are they going to do that? 

Would Michigan play their schedule as is and start 9/26 against Wisconsin?

Would the 3 non-conference games (@Washington, Ball State, and Virginia Tech) be replaced with Big Ten opponents? 

Will these all be Michigan home games?  I think we all would prefer that! :)

Would Michigan at least have a MAC game prior to conference play?

We are 10 weeks from playing football and we don't even know what the schedule is.   Not good. 

• Michigan had 2 players test positive for COVID.  No names where given.  

• Speaking of UW, they just picked up a grad transfer QB from Sacramento State 

• OSU and Bama signed a home and home contract

• Per Warde, breaking COVID protocols is breaking team rules. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-friday-does-dan-patrick-have.html

Maryland awards $1 million for clean energy projects

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) recently awarded funding to 14 applicants as a result of the new Resilient Maryland program. This program was developed to support the economic growth of clean energy technologies, aimed at protecting essential services and businesses during power disruptions and outages. 

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/maryland-awards-1-million-clean-energy-projects/

Michigan Thursday: Transferring To Ann Arbor Is Never Easy

I joked when Purdue wing Nojel Eastern entered the transfer portal that he should finish his career at Eastern Michigan.  He did pick another Washtenaw County school in U of M but was never announced as official.   Then a pandemic hit which put everything on hold.   

Fast forward to yesterday and Eastern announces he no longer will be transferring to Michigan because he didn't get admitted.   He didn't go into detail, but per Nojel there were some issues with his major and credits.  

This is surprising and it really isn't all at the same time.   You would think a high educational institution like Purdue would have transferrable credits to Michigan.  It's not surprising because we all know its very difficult to transfer in and one of the reason the basketball team and football team have very limited options in the portal.   If you remember, Michigan was looking to take a WR and Safety from Ole Miss when Shea transferred.   Only Shea qualified and the other two guys went to Florida and Houston..   Van Jefferson the WR who went to Florida was drafted by the LA Rams in the 2nd round.

Michigan was looking at two DT's from Stanford this winter that didn't go anywhere.  It would really be hard to believe their credits wouldn't transfer but those 2 guys went from a priority to nothing very quickly.   So who knows what happened there.  

So know what?  Michigan will have an open scholarship and maybe 2 if Livers stays in the draft.  On a side note, Wake Forrest transfer Chaundee Brown hasn't been announced either.    If accepted at Michigan, he still would need a waiver by the NCAA to play next season.  

• Garrett Dellinger instate 4 star OT has Michigan in his top 4 with LSU, OSU, and Penn State.  All the insiders believe he is heading to LSU.  His announcement is next Wednesday the 24th.  Michigan is trying to keep this talented OT home.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-thursday-transferring-to-ann.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Looking Back At 2020 Class

2020 has been a terrible year for many reasons.   So its really good news that Michigan picked up a very strong recruiting class in 2019 before 2020 even started.  With freshman reporting and Michigan slowly re-opening its doors, this class started to get me re-excited about its potential.

All American Potential:

• Braiden McGregor is coming off an injury as a senior and might have to redshirt this year but I have a great feeling this guy is going to make a huge difference.  Winovich 2.0

• AJ Henning and Roman Wilson could be Michigan's next two star WR's.   If these guys have great years, it could push Josh Gattis into a head coaching role sooner rather then later.   I expect both players to see limited time as freshmen. 

All Big Ten Potential

• I'm going to pencil in Zak Zinter into the Ben Bredeson role.  Multi-year starter on the offensive line and mid round NFL draft pick.  

• Morant and Moten are going to rule the defensive backfield for many years.  Both are very good athletes.  I also thought they were the same person for about 2 weeks last summer. 

• DG-W is one of the best CB we have recruited in a few years and might find himself on the field as a freshman. 

There is plenty of speed a LB but not sure which one is going to show out and be an impact player yet.  

I'm sure others in the class will become starters but will have to sit for a few years.  The above guys are the ones I expect will see the most time as freshman.    This class if fast and full of athletes which I love, I hope it starts to close the divide with OSU and other top programs like Alabama and Clemson.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/wolverine-wednesday-looking-back-at.html

Michigan Tuesday: Michigan Football and Basketball COVID Protocols

Yesterday, we knew Michigan Football and Basketball were opening its doors, but we didn't know what protocols where in place. We do now:  Per Warde and the Detroit News:

Our protocols and plans have been developed by medical experts from across UM's campus, who have collaborated with officials at the local, state and national levels. I appreciate the contributions and comprehensive efforts across so many groups and in coordination with the Big Ten Conference and peers across the NCAA."

There will be a 14-day pre-report risk assessment, a six-day resocialization period to campus, and daily risk assessments, including temperature checks at Michigan. As part of the resocialization period, there will be antibody testing and physicals.

Players and staff will have daily screening before entering facilities, and they will be given guidelines, including social distancing, wearing masks, hand hygiene, that must be followed if they are to participate.

Each day, the Michigan athletics campus will be cleaned and sanitized with particular emphasis on high-risk areas like locker rooms, strength and conditioning spaces and athletic training rooms. They will be cleaned by electrostatic sanitation.

Athletes who test positive for COVID-19 have to be quarantined.

Michigan football players started arriving Monday and will undergo coronavirus testing and take physicals this week. Several Michigan football staff members along with players who live locally have already been tested, according to several sources.

The first official voluntary workout is June 22.

Be safe, get better everyday, win a championship.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-tuesday-michigan-football-and.html

Michigan Monday: Big Day For The Program

Not sure we can really under estimate today to Michigan Football this fall.   Today, Michigan Football re-opens its doors and will welcome in freshmen officially to the program. 

We don't know the specifics of COVID testing for the program but I'm sure there are very tight protocols in place to protect all players and staff.    If Michigan has many players test positive it could close the doors to the program for weeks.    Houston Football shut down workouts after 6 players players tested positive and the city is considering another shutdown after their positive rates have spiked up.  Ohio State has asked players and parents to sign a COVID risk waiver as they opened their doors a week ago. 

Michigan is expecting all 23 freshman on campus today and I'm sure there is a process for current players to be tested so they can work out as well. 

• Tom Brady worked out with Deion Sanders son who is a 2021 QB recruit.   

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-monday-big-day-for-program.html

Michigan Friday: New Practice Dates Approved

Here is what got approved by the NCAA yesterday:

Under the proposed model, assuming a school’s first scheduled football contest is on Saturday, Sept. 5, student-athletes may be required to participate in up to eight hours of weight training, conditioning and film review per week (not more than two hours of film review per week) from July 13-23.

Then, from July 24 through Aug. 6, student-athletes may be required to participate in up to 20 hours of countable athletically related activities per week (not more than four hours per day) as follows:

— Up to eight hours per week for weight training and conditioning.

— Up to six hours per week for walk-throughs, which may include the use of a football.

— Up to six hours per week for meetings, which may include film review, team meetings, position meetings, one-on-one meetings, etc.

— During this 14-day period, student-athletes are required to get at least two days off.

• John Harbaugh cut Jake Ryan yesterday.  He had only been with Baltimore for a month.  He is coming off an ACL injury in 2018 with the Jags.

• Jim Harbaugh spoke with 4 star 2021 Tackle Thomas Cole on the phone Thursday.  Thomas is a 6'7 OT. 

• Denard has a new job with the Jags as a quality control coach.  Congrats!   

• Michigan Baseball had 4 total players drafted.   The MLB draft is now 5 rounds instead of 40.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-friday-new-practice-dates.html

Michigan Thursday: Why Washington?

Sometimes I wonder if Michigan's athletic director's prior to accepting the job even followed Michigan Football.   Michigan even has had two recent AD's that were actually on the team including current AD Warde Manuel and former CEO of Toys-R-US David Brandon.    We all know David might go down as one of the worst AD's in the history of the program and we continue to live with his mistakes. 

Let me take you back to August 2014, when Michigan announced a home and home contract with Washington.   This is the quote from then Michigan head coach Brady Hoke:  "There have been some exciting, down-to-the-wire football games between Michigan and Washington, and we anticipate the same type of contests when this series is played at the outset of the next decade"  News Flash: San Diego State does not play UW this year.  By October of 2014 Brandon was fired and at the end of the season Brady Hoke was let go as well.    That was not a good year for Michigan Football as a whole. 

You may be asking, why is scheduling that game a bad decision?  For many reasons, but lets just mention the 2 headliners:

• Scheduling a difficult road game to start the season is just ridiculous.  

• When was the last time Michigan won a pre-big ten non-conference game out west?

Answer: 1996 against Colorado.   Thank you David Brandon for your lack of leadership and clear understanding of nothing Michigan Football.  

With the COVID-19 Pandemic and Seattle being one of the hardest hit areas, this game is highly in doubt.   Rumors are that Michigan is looking to replace that game with a MAC team in the Big House.  That switch-a-roo is not going to be easy, as these games are scheduled many years in advance and come with expensive out clauses.    How the virus effects those contracts is going to be very interesting.   It's pretty rare to replace a game that is 2 1/2 months out on the same date. 

It seems scheduling a school that could drive vs. fly would make the most sense.   Here is a list of  MAC schools opening weekend opponents:

9/3: Maine @ Ball State 

9/4: Colgate@ WMU

9/5:  

BGSU @ OSU

Buffalo@KSU

EMU@UK

Miami @Pitt

Rhode Island @N. Illinois 

SJS@CMU

Toledo@Tulsa 

YSU@Akron

NC Central@Ohio 

KSU@Penn State 

It would be really hard to change a game against a top conference opponents so I would take those off the list right away.  

Here is how I would rate the possibilities - Highest to Lowest

1. San Jose State might not want to travel cross country to an empty stadium in Mt. Pleasant and CMU's head coach is a friend of the program.  I'm guessing CMU has the highest percentage of happening. 
2. Western could work out a deal to re-schedule Colgate or another tooth paste.
3. Traveling to Tulsa might not be in the cards for Toledo 
4. Northern Illinois I would think would prefer the payday at the Big House vs. Rhode Island at home
5. Ohio could also change its contract with NC Central.  

If game day travel is important aspect for an opponent early in the season, that would make Toledo and WMU a higher probability.   WMU is about a 100 miles from Ann Arbor,  Toledo 55 miles, and CMU is roughly 140 miles.  

• Michigan is trending for 2021 4 star CA 6'2 187 WR Christian Dixon 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-thursday-why-washington.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Getting Spring Practice Back

Michigan was about to start Spring Practice when the world changed.   Those 2 weeks are very important to the development of young players, for example like finding a new starting QB as the Wolverines are doing this season. 

Per the AP:  The NCAA's football oversight committee expects to finalize a plan Thursday to allow teams to conduct up to 12 unpadded, slow-speed practices, also know as walk-throughs, during the 14 days before the typical preseason begins in August.

Teams will be permitted up to 20 hours per week of what the NCAA calls countable athletically related activities during those extra two weeks, leading into a normal 29-day preseason practice schedule. The walk-throughs will be part of those 20 hours per week, along with weight training, conditioning, film study and meetings. Players will not be permitted to wear pads or helmets during walk-throughs, which cannot exceed one hour per day.

This change potentially could be a positive for the Wolverines as the non-early enrolled freshman will now be able to participate in those two weeks.  If Spring Practice happened in March they wouldn't have.   Word on the street is all but one freshman is in the Michigan Directory and they are expected to be in A2 to start training on Monday.  If you want to crack the 2 deep for a true freshman, having another two weeks will certainly help.  

Now if Expedia will refund me the thousands of dollars that's in limbo for my cancelled family spring break trip, it will be all good news!!!  Expedia the ball is in your court, do the right thing! 

• MLB draft starts tonight and a couple Wolverines (Jeff Criswell, Jordan Nwogu) are expected to be drafted.   

• MSU has added future games against CMU and FAU.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/wolverine-wednesday-getting-spring.html

25 Maryland companies receive a total of $1.6M in grants for PPE production

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/25-maryland-companies-receive-total-16m-grants-ppe-production/

Michigan Tuesday: CBS Sports Ranks Jimmy #3 In The Big Ten

When there isn't any sports, everyone and their brother do stupid lists to rank everything from teams to flavors of Gatorade (clearly Fruit Punch is the winner here). 

CBS Sports, who probably doesn't know the Big 10 from the Big 12 brought out their yearly coaching ranks and have Jimmy looking up to #1 James Franklin and #2 Ryan Day. 

Let's take a look at those rankings.   I'll be the first to say that Jimmy hasn't won anything at Michigan yet.  Yes, that is a problem and winning championships is the most important thing.  With that said...........

#2 Ryan Day = He has been a head coach for 1 year and inherited an NFL roster from Urban Meyer.  He is clearly a very good recruiter and a will keep the evil empire rolling for many years.     Its hard to gauge him on being a head coach because he doesn't have the history of developing players, but he is off to a very good start. 

#1 James Franklin = is an excellent recruiter and really has turned the program around after the Jerry Sandusky scandal and Bill O'Brien jumping ship.   He also turned the program around in a season, like I have never seen before.   In 2016, James was nearly fired after losing to Pitt and then two weeks later losing to the Wolverines 49-10.  Penn State beats Minnesota in OT the next week and doesn't lose in the regular season the rest of the way.   Including a win over #2 Ohio State and a Big Ten Championship.   With all that good stuff, James is considered by folks in the industry to be the most "over-rated" coach in the county.   His in-game coaching decisions have been highly criticized and many believe a blocked punt saved his job. 

The most important aspect of winning Big Ten Football games is recruiting and developing players.  If your making a list of top recruiters Day and Franklin would be #1 and #2.   There is much more to being a good coach. 

My Big Ten List of Coaches That Really Coach:

1. Pat Fitzgerald, give him just a little talent and he would win a ton of football games
2. Jim Harbaugh, turned around Stanford and Michigan, coached in a Super Bowl.
3. Ryan Day, if he were a Stock he would be a buy, best up and coming coach in the league. 
4. Kirk Ferentz, Past his prime but has the longest history in the Big Ten
5. Paul Chryst, The perfect coach for Wisconsin
6. James Franklin,  very good recruiter
7. Scott Frost, turned UCF around, struggling at Nebraska
8. PJ Fleck, ton of energy, TBD if he really can build a top tier program
9. Greg Schiano, turned Rutgers around once and has NFL experience - bit of a wildcard
10. Lovie Smith, Solid coach, not enough talent at Illinois
11.Jeff Brohm, 2nd most overrated coach in the Big Ten, should have taken the Louisville job
12. Tom Allen, Probably the best IU is going to do.
13. Mel Tucker, Hasn't proved anything yet as a head coach
14. Mike Locksley,  Good Coordinator, questionable head coach


A question to ponder, why didn't Urban Meyer get an NFL job and why is Jimmy's name mentioned every off season for a couple NFL gigs? 


Some may say that Urban's system won't work in the NFL or if the talent is close to even, the best coach wins.   I like coaches that can coach and develop.   I just wish our program would bring in a few more elite prospects a year and things could be different at the end of the season.   If I'm at the wishing well,  a better defensive scheme against the top teams couldn't hurt either. 



from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-tuesday-cbs-sports-ranks-jimmy.html

Michigan Monday: Football This Fall?

Universities need football for many reason, the biggest is the money that it generates.   We can debate the revenue impact of no fans or letting 10,000 fans into the Big House, which will look like a Tuesday night MAC game on ESPN when it's -4 out. 

I believe the biggest issue to football this Fall is the impact of the virus on teams.   We are starting to see some of that with conferences like the SEC and schools like Clemson opening their doors today and Michigan starting next week.  

There are reports that "several" Alabama football players have tested positive.  Insiders are saying at least 5 players, reports from Auburn are 3 players have tested positive.  Arkansas State had up to 7 and the list goes on and on.  

To manage this for 100 players, + staff, and coaches are going to be a nightmare for universities and smaller colleges.   As we know, players this age are going to risk seeing friends, mostly if they are asymptomatic. To me this is the biggest risk to getting back college football in the fall.  Players will have to be tested non-stop and programs will have to do their best from separating them from other students.   This virus could take down an entire program because one player went to a party he shouldn't have.  

• A top 30 basketball player in the 2021 class, Jalen Warley G has put Michigan in his top 10.

• Top 35 OT in the 2021 class Thomas Cole and Michigan in his top 5. 

• The NCAA is starting to hit FBI wire taps: Oklahoma State is the first program, with the loss of a post season.  Anyone want to bet they ask for that to be retroactive to this season?

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-monday-football-this-fall.html

Michigan Friday: Former Wolverine Zips Over To The MAC

I hate not knowing the entire story when kids transfer.   Is there is an issue with the position coach?  Is there an issue with the Coordinator or maybe even Jimmy?  Is it playing time?  What's the deal?

Jaylen Kelly-Powell was a 4 star Safety out of Cass Tech in Detroit.  He enrolled early and got his degree in 3 years.  In that time he only played in 7 games and made a total of 4 tackles for the Wolverines.  

Injuries and position changes didn't seem to help JK-P.  He was at safety, nickel, and then CB.  Michigan clearly needs depth at CB and it seems Jaylen didn't have a path to playing time in the next two years, so he jumped in the portal.  

He announced this week that he was going to play the next two years at Akron.  I know everyone wants to play, but being a backup DB the next 2 years and possibly getting a graduate degree from Michigan vs. playing in Akron has to be a tough decision.   There was also a possibility that Jaylen wouldn't be offered a 5th year in Ann Arbor as well. 

Either way, good luck to him and hopefully he finds a new home in Akron and maybe gets to meet LeBron someday.

• Looks like most of the Big Ten Football programs are starting to open their doors starting on 6/15 on a limited basis.  

• There is some buzz that a Michigan - LSU home and home might be in the works. I hope Warde has someone else negotiating the contract with LSU.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-friday-former-wolverine-zips.html

News roundup: Businesses continue working through COVID-19 in Maryland

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact everyone’s daily lives, many local businesses in Maryland are continuing to come up with new and innovative ways to align with the ever-changing landscape of life during a pandemic. 

Check out what Maryland businesses are doing to stay involved. 

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/news-roundup-businesses-continue-working-through-covid-19-maryland/

Michigan Thursday: Is Michigan Losing Momentum with 4 Star WR?

Xavier Worthy is a California WR that is very high on Michigan's 2021 board.   He is 6'1 and a light 160 pounds but can fly.   He ran the 100 meters in 10.55, which is considered elite speed.

He has a ton of offers from the likes of USC, PSU, Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Auburn, Wash, Oregon, and of course Michigan.   Many believe its a Michigan - Oregon battle for this west coast speedster.

Xavier seems to be set with his decision and has made an announcement date of 6/27.   The issue is for Wolverine fans is that all the crystal balls are trending to Oregon with high confidence.   Michigan still has a couple of weeks to change his mind but its not looking great right now.

• A quiet piece of news happened for an ASU punter.  Michael Turk left ASU early and declared for the NFL Draft (which is very strange for a punter) and signed with an agent.  He preformed poorly at the NFL combine and didn't get drafted or even sign a free agent contract.   So due to the COVID-19 virus and not being able to showcase his skills, he summitted a waiver to be re-instated by the NCAA.  The NCAA granted that waiver and gave him 2 years of eligibility back.   It's important to note that Turk did not receive any money from his agent.  

• Don't watch ESPN tonight as they are replaying the Kordell Stewart Hail Mary game.  Was in the Big House that day and don't want to re-live that feeling.  I will never forget looking around a 110,000 people and seeing nothing but a stunned reaction on each one of their faces. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-thursday-is-michigan-losing.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Welcomes Freshman on 6/15

Michigan freshman football players are being asked to report to Ann Arbor on June 15th.  Michigan signed 23 players in the 2020 class but 8 of them (Braiden McGregor, Blake Corum, Andre Seldon, Makari Paige, Zak Zinter, Nikhai Hill-Green, William Mohan and Aaron Lewis) enrolled in January and had a very unique first semester at U of M to say the least. 

Michigan has yet to release a date for voluntary workouts for the rest of the roster.  All players will be tested and all the social distancing rules will apply to those workouts when they happen.   

I still don't know if there is a ruling for the two weeks of Spring Practice that most teams missed.  Only Coastal Carolina and UConn finished their full spring practices as the national average was 2 practices completed prior to the shut down.   As you know, Michigan never got started and still has all that practice time in the bank, which I'm hoping they can recoup in July.   It would be great if all the new freshman could participate which usually doesn't happen in March of course.

• Jimmy and many other football coaches and players participated in a peaceful march in Ann Arbor yesterday. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/wolverine-wednesday-welcomes-freshman.html

Michigan Tuesday: Leaps and Bounds

Michigan Football picked up a very large commitment last night.   When I mean large, I actually mean 6'8 and 280 pounds large.    That is the size of CT 3 star OT Tristian Bounds who picked Michigan last night.   

I would love to make a joke that this guy has a high ceiling, but he is 6'8 and pretty close to most ceilings.  Tristian does seem like a kid with a huge upside with that frame and offers from major football programs like Texas, UCLA, ND, BC, Nebraska, VT, and many more.   Bounds seems under rated in the rankings, as you don't see the 56th OT in the nation with so many top tier offers. 

He also took a chance and took a visit to Ann Arbor last month and got to see the campus by himself.   It wasn't a guided tour in a golf cart, it was just him and his family seeing the campus and town on their own.   Personally, I love that story and would have preferred to have done it that way if I was a sought after athlete. 

“It was huge for me,” he said. “For me, that was a big check off the box for me because I got to Ann Arbor, and even though no one was there, I could see myself going to school there."

"It was how the campus was laid out and how far is it from the dorms to the football facilities," Bounds said. "It was stuff like that. It was trying to get there and get a feel. I feel like it is hard to make a gut call if you have never been there."

He also has very good remote relationship with Ed Warinner:  

“My relationship with coach Warinner is excellent,” Bounds said. “I really think he’s going to be someone who will be able to develop me and give me every chance to play at the next level. That is my goal.”

Welcome Big Man! 

• Josh Gattis tweeted some very good information on how the Harbaugh's have helped African American QB's and Coaches.   It's worth a read. 

• Coach Harbaugh and Coach Howard have both spoken on the death of George Floyd.

• Xavier Worthy and Omarion Cooper put Michigan on their final list of schools on Monday.  PA Safety Donovan McMillon did not.  

• 4 star Scottsdale, AZ DE Quintin Somerville calls Coach Nua  'the GOAT'. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-tuesday-leaps-and-bounds.html

Michigan Monday: A Few Recruiting Updates

It was a difficult weekend for America and with more important issues issues in the forefront, it was expectedly quiet for Michigan sports.    There is some recruiting news as Michigan's strong commit week came to an end. 

• CA 4 star WR Xavier Worthy is planning on announcing his top 6 schools today.  

• AK 3 star TE Erin Outley has Michigan in his top 10.

• Madden 21's announcement that was planned for today will be re-scheduled. 

• I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't know about Earl Little's history with Michigan, I sure didn't.  In a nut shell, he was a highly ranked CB out of Miami in 1992 that Gary Moeller wouldn't let go home to see his family in Florida after a hurricane hit.  He left anyway and never made it back to Ann Arbor.   His son is now a Michigan target in the 2022 class at CB. 

• Deion Sanders is trying to help former CMU WR Antonio Brown get back to the NFL.  It's unbelievable to consider that both JJ Watt and Antonio Brown were at CMU together in 2007.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/06/michigan-monday-few-recruiting-updates.html