Michigan Tuesday: Jimmy Is Moving on to IU

Jimmy spoke at his regular Monday press conference.  He did confirm that Wilton has some cracks in his vertebrae and is out multiple weeks.  Other then that, he didn't really address much from what happened on Saturday night. 

• Didn't address the right tackle situation
• For most questions, he responded with something like this:  “Yes. Again, we’ll go through it, make corrections, make improvements, and move on.”

One thought on IU this week.  They are playing better defense, yes Barkley had some highlight plays with a kick off return but he was also held to 56 yards rushing on 20 carries.

• Former Wisconsin head coach Gary Anderson has left his position as the Oregon State head coach and waived his right to the rest of his contact which was worth 12m.   That is one hell of a concession!   This program has been a mess for a few years.  Remember that Brady Hoke was a candidate for this job before they hired Anderson.

• MSU alum and ESPN personality, Jemele Hill was suspended by ESPN for two weeks for violating ESPN's social media policy twice.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/10/michigan-tuesday-jimmy-is-moving-on-to.html

Tech Gap returns to Western Maryland for 2017

Guest feature: Autumn Becker works with the Allegany College of Maryland. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

The Western Maryland IT Center of Excellence invites you to visit the picturesque autumn mountains in Allegany County for Tech at the Gap ’17: Leading the Charge on October 24, 2017.

Tech at the Gap is a one-day conference for web developers, system admins, network and security specialists, managers, and others in or around the IT industry. Now an annual conference, the day will build off the momentum of last year’s event, which hosted more than 50 regional technology companies with attendees coming from Baltimore, Morgantown, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia.

Governor Larry Hogan kicked off last year’s event with opening remarks.

“Maryland is absolutely leading the way in Information Technology, and Western Maryland truly is the next frontier,” said Governor Hogan. “Our state, county, and municipal leaders are working tirelessly to develop tangible incentives to encourage more IT businesses to locate in Western Maryland. We are fully committed to creating a culture here, and throughout our state, where these companies can continue to grow and thrive.”

Our morning keynote speakers will motive and inspire attendees to be leaders in the IT industry. Jeff Smith (Oracle) will present on the internal and external challenges Oracle faced to not only successfully transition the company to a new business model, but to become stronger in the marketplace as a result. Jean White (Franklin Covey) will provide insight into proactive leadership and guide attendees to discover the mindset and skills needed to build a foundation for effective leadership and develop practices to positively influence the actions, as well as the results, of a team.

The afternoon will offer a variety of breakout sessions in three separate tracks, including Innovation, Development, and Systems Admin/Networking. Breakout presenters include Luke Cooper, founder of Fixt; Ryan Hamerski, Synergist Computing president; and Joseph Muniz, security researcher with Cisco.

Guests will also have the opportunity to network with other professionals and vendors as they learn about the latest tools and processes in the industry and how to apply them at the workplace. Find the full lineup and sponsor information on the event website.

The conference is being held at the Rocky Gap Casino Resort, which is nestled in the mountains of Western Maryland where you’ll find spectacular scenery and recreational activities at Rocky Gap State Park. The resort is a AAA 4-Diamond Award® and TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence-winning resort featuring a casino, hotel, spa, and conference center.

Tech at the Gap is presented by The Western Maryland IT Center of Excellence. The center, managed by Allegany College of Maryland, is funded in part by the state of Maryland’s EARN Maryland Grant Program administered by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation.

For more information on the conference and to register, visit www.techgap2017.com.

The post Tech Gap returns to Western Maryland for 2017 appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/10/tech-gap-returns-western-maryland-2017/

Michigan Monday: Needs To Move On To Indiana

The Michigan fan base exploded on Saturday night.  Many started to question game plans, play calling, formations, coaching,  2 point conversions, etc.   There was a lot to chew on after that debacle on Saturday night.   Jimmy and his staff have a lot of work to do as the schedule only gets tougher as the season continues towards Thanksgiving.


Let's take a look at IU: 


IU is 2-2 with a couple of lopsided loses to PSU and OSU.   They also had the FIU game cancelled due to Irma.   They are coming off a 27-0 win over Charleston Southern last weekend.


Pass Yards: 260 per (46th)
Rush Yards: 149 per (79th)


Points Scored: 30 per (69th)
Points Against: 26 per (59th)


ESPN Big 10 Power Ranking:  8th


As you know, IU plays fast break basketball on grass.  This will be a 11:00AM kick off locally and if the Wolverines are sleep walking again in the first half, they will find themselves down a couple scores.  


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Like I'm sure many of you have wondered all Sunday.  What the hell is going on with Michigan's offense?   Here are my concerns:

• It's hard to see this on TV but it looks like Michigan WR's are not getting open.  This on the WR's and the play calling.   In a couple of those picks, it seemed they had two WR's in the same place.
• Why can't we teach these 4 star offensive lineman how to block?  Michigan has two offensive line coaches in Drevno and Frey.   What is the deal here?
• Is Pep helping or hurting?  Where is the West Coast offense we were told was coming this year?  The Michigan offense is predictable and not at all effective.  Is the offense/formations too complicated?

Someone pointed this out on Mgoblog but why haven't we seen more of a demonstrative sideline coaching from Harbaugh?   Does he think this young team couldn't handle it?


I also think Michigan miss managed the storm.  The forecasters predicted the storm very accurately and Michigan should have considered going for two after their TD in the second half. 


With all that, the coaches didn't turn the ball over 5 times.   That is on the players and they have to play better as well.   Only one turnover was done by a young player, sophomore Sean McKeon the rest were given up by upper classman.


Lots to work on this week.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/10/michigan-monday-needs-to-move-on-to.html

A Monsoon of Mistakes

You want to know why I hate night games?  Because Jim Harbaugh does.  He prefers to play football at 1:00 on Saturday but the TV networks prefer to highlight Michigan games at night.   Michigan will have to play Penn State at night in two weeks and I wouldn't be surprised if the outcome is the same shit we saw tonight.  Jim has won 1 night game at Michigan and that was against Rutgers.  So that really wasn't a game was it.   They say that your team is a reflection of your coach, he hates night games and so does his team.


The play of the game was the Ty Isaac fumble.  Michigan was about to run the ball down the Spartans throat and Ty coughs it up and gives the Spartans life, when they knew they were out matched in pretty much everyway.   That one drop of the football changed the entire game.   Then Michigan sealed its faith by playing terribly from there on out.  


The mistakes were countless.  

• 5 turnovers are you serious? 
• Defensive penalties to keep MSU TD drives alive
• An offensive holding penalty to wipe out a TD
• Dropped pass on the final drive
• Questionable play calling
•  and so on and so on

I hated the play calling in the red zone on the first drive.   Two fade routes to a TE and slot WR?  It's clear this team misses Jedd Fisch.


What about trying to pass in the worst of the storm?   Shotgun?  What the hell are the Michigan coaches thinking?  Of course, MSU knows you are going to run the ball but you also can't throw it more then 5 yards down the field.   Run 3 times and punt if you have to .  Don't try to throw in a monsoon.   Try to win the field position battle. 


Michigan played the game that MSU was hoping and the Spartans got an assist from the weather.   Michigan continued to shoot itself in the foot and MSU stood there and watched.   The Spartans didn't make many mistakes and Michigan had a boat full.   The MSU offense almost didn't even participate in the second half.


O'Korn didn't play well but I give him a small tip of the hat for trying to do anything in that storm.  I disagreed with Herbie, I wished he would have tucked the ball and run more then trying to find WR's downfield.   I think the Michigan offense is a mess right now, even when the weather isn't winning the game.


This team is now at another cross roads with trips to IU, PSU and Wisconsin ahead.  Not to mention OSU at home.    Michigan lost to a mediocre team tonight at best, which doesn't say much about our team right now.  


I can't get my head around that MSU had an 11 point lead in the first half and protected that lead the rest of the night.  Harbaugh and his elite staff got out coached by Mark Dantonio tonight.   The MSU coaches played the weather perfectly.
     


Someone really needs to find Dantonio's fairy godmother or voodoo doll.  His last two trips to the Big House have been something out of Dr. Seuss. 





from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/10/a-monsoon-of-mistakes.html

MSU Game Day Hype Video

Saw this on Mgoblog and thought it was nicely done.  Since we have a long day before kickoff, I thought I would share this early to get you ready for the big game!








from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/10/msu-game-day-hype-video.html

Michigan State Preview

Gallaryhip.com

Time: 7:30 PM EST
Location: Big House
Weather: 76 but 70% of rain at 10:00
TV: ABC
Line: Michigan -10.5


This will be the first night game in the long history of this storied rivalry.  Both fan bases should be "juiced" up and I expect a loud Big House for the first night game in the Harbaugh era. 


Michigan is 4-0 and Sparty is a surprising 3-1 with a nice win over Iowa last weekend.    With the trouble this program got in over the summer, many thought MSU would be a dumpster fire this season.   They are far from that but won't challenge Bama or Clemson anytime soon. 

Tale of the Tape
Michigan Run Game vs. MSU D = Push
MSU offense vs. Michigan D = Michigan
Talent = Michigan
Coaching = Michigan
Intangibles = Michigan
Special Teams = Michigan


Mark Dantonio has maybe done one of his best coaching jobs to date.  This team is seriously lacking talent but they are finding a way to win.   MSU's only loss is to ND where they turned the ball over too many times to win the game.   On offense, they can't run the ball from the RB position, they dink and dunk you in the passing game, their QB is their leading rusher.    On defense, the Spartans sell out to stop the run as they have walk-on's in the secondary. 


Yell,  let's party and are the bars still open? if......................

• John O'Korn is the solution we have been looking for at QB
• Michigan plays angry because of the "punt"
• The Michigan defense is shutting down Brian Lewerke from running
• Michigan wins the turnover battle
• The offense passes to run, not run to pass
• The offensive line shows improvement from improvement week

Yell, are the bars still open?  I need a drink! if...........

• MSU is winning the time of possession with it's dink and dunk offense
• Michigan keeps MSU in the game with turnovers
• The Michigan offense continues to run into a brick wall in the running game
• JOK is struggling
• MSU catches Michigan with a trick play for a TD

We know this is MSU's Super Bowl and Mark Dantonio will be throwing every thing they have to beat the Wolverines.   Their #1 threat on offense is Brian Lewerke who is the teams leading rusher.  He is the guy you think you have sacked on 3rd and 6th that finds a way to scramble for a 1st down.


If you measure this game with a computer or even look at the guys off the bus, this is a big win for the Wolverines.   Michigan has a new QB starting and the offense line has been struggling.    The Wolverines will need a strong performance from each group as MSU lives off turnovers.   This will also be the best defense the Spartans have seen all year.


We will see miss direction, fake punts, and throw back routes from MSU.  They will open the play book to everything.  Many of the Wolverines will remember "the punt" and will play very angry on Saturday night.   The Michigan Tight Ends and young WR's will have a big day as JOK will be throwing the ball around the yard to try to take advantage of the lack of experience in the MSU secondary.  The Michigan offense will then knock out the Spartans with a running game from Ty Isaac and Chris Evans in the second half (with the holes the passing game provides).  Protect the ball and win this game!
Michigan 31 MSU 13



from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/10/michigan-state-preview.html

Big Ten Week 6 Preview and Recruit Visit List For MSU

Let's quickly look at the Big Ten match-ups this weekend. The best game is in Ann Arbor, so I will choose the second best for the top Big 10 Game of the Week.


Top Game of the Week


Minnesota at Purdue:  Both of these teams took off as Big Ten darlings early in the season.  Purdue came back to earth after Michigan's second half and Minnesota had it's boat sunk last weekend with a loss to Maryland 4th string QB.  Purdue is favored by 4.5 points in this one and I don't expect it to be that close (even though half of the Purdue's defense is out for the first half with all the targeting calls on Michigan).  Purdue 31 Minnesota 21


Wisconsin at Nebraska:  Is Wisky that good? Is Nebraska that bad?  We might find some answers this weekend.  Nebraska really needs a huge win and Wisconsin being ranked #9 would do the trick.  The issue is the Cornhuskers are not very good and a 11 point dog at home.   A home dog is usually a strong position for anyone that likes to bet.    Wisconsin 28 Nebraska 24


Maryland at OSU:  Maryland is close to playing a running back at QB if this one goes down.  OSU is a 30.5 favorite.   I like the points in this one.   OSU 42 Maryland 24


Illinois at Iowa: Both teams have 2 loses and looking for a win.  Iowa is at home and I will go with the wave as -18.5 favorites.    Iowa 32 Illinois 10


Penn State at Northwestern:   The Wildcats always win a game they shouldn't every year.  Not this week! Barkley could beat him by himself.  PSU is -14.5.   Penn State 41 Northwestern 12


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This is the first big recruiting weekend during the season.  Michigan will be bringing in a ton of recruits for the UTL match-up with Sparty:


2018
Bryan Addison  4 star S from CA
Julius Irvin - 4 star S from CA (DR J?)
Shocky Jacques-Louis, 3 star WR from FL
Marquan McCall - 4 star OG from Oak Park
Amon-Ra St. Brown - 4 star WR from CA
Chris Smith - 4 star CB from GA


Commits
Kevin Doyle, QB
Gemon and German Green CB's
Cam McGrone LB
Christian Turner RB


2019
Adam Berghorst, DE from Zeeland
Logan Brown, OT Kentwood
Devontae Dobbs, OT Belleville
Ryland Goede, TE GA
Jaren Mangham, RB Cass Tech
Harry Miller, OT GA
Cam Phillips, WR Ohio
Torriano Richardson, CB Oak Park
Jaquaze Sorrells, DE FL




A few 2020 guys but its much too early to "look" at that class. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/10/big-ten-week-6-preview-and-recruit.html