Michigan Friday: Michigan's COVID Test Results

Sorry all, I don't have a ton of content today. So I will share an image of Michigan's COVID testing results. 

Have a good weekend!

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/07/michigan-friday-michigans-covid-test.html

Michigan Thursday: News and Notes

• MSU has shut down workouts due to a staffer testing positive for COVID.  Teams are just about to start the 20 hours a week practice.  

• Ann Arbor Public Schools are going 100% virtual to start the school year.   

• Duncan Robinson had 18 points in the first Summer Camp scrimmage for the Heat in the Orlando Bubble. 

• St. Louis 2022 DB Isaac Thompson has Michigan in his final Top 10.  Thompson plays CB in HS but Michigan is recruiting him as a Safety.   Bob Shoop is leading his recruitment from a Michigan standpoint. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/07/michigan-thursday-news-and-notes.html

Wolverine Wednesday: When Will We Know The Big 10 Schedule?

We know the AD's and head coaches are working on a fall football schedule.   What we don't know, is what they are thinking. 

When will they start the season?

Will they schedule games every week or every other?

Will they play the divisional games earlier?

How are they going to handle the extra bi-divisional game that has to be played for each team?

Will teams spend the night prior to the game?

Fan or no fans?  Then how many?

There is a ton of logistics to be worked out and we are hearing the AD's and coaches are meeting every Thursday to work out the details.   There is a strong possibility of playing the divisional games first, which would mean a Michigan - OSU game that is not in late November.    To get Michigan Football this fall, I'm sure the traditionalists will give everyone a pass on this strange year.

Texas feels like they could have 50% capacity.   I don't see that many being an option.   Maybe 20K per game in the Big House. 

I know full team workouts are expected to start soon as they are giving each team a couple of weeks prior to training camp due to the loss of Spring Ball.  I don't want to jinx anything but Michigan seems relatively healthy regarding the virus, if the numbers released are accurate. 

• Aaron Lewis has transferred to Rutgers.   Which seems to be a common landing spot for former Wolverines.   

• David Ojabo is no longer stuck in Scotland and back in the US. 

• California has moved HS Football to the Spring, which could mean Michigan's California commits could be done with high school football. 

• Kitty Paye gets the #1 ranking on Bruce Feldman's 2020 Freak List.   That is one of those things that is actually an honor but doesn't sound like one.  

• If things do go bad and the Big Ten moved football to the Spring.  Would a 2021 commit that enrolls in January be eligible to play right away?  JJ to Flash for a TD! 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/07/wolverine-wednesday-when-will-we-know.html

Michigan Tuesday: The Tipping Point at Iowa Football

We all know what a tipping point is, for the New England Patriots it happened when Drew Bledsoe got injured in 2001.  For Michigan Football, it could have been two tipping points.   The App State debacle or the hiring of Rich Rod, both were equally devastating and put the program back for years.

It's happening now for Iowa Football and the latest report of racial biases and inequalities in the football program.   Iowa's Diversity Task Force released a report in 2019 to coach Ferentz outlining the following for African American players:

• "Expected to conform to White culture"
• "Subjected to verbal harassment"
• "Targeted for extra drug testing"
• "Misled about resources available to them during the recruiting process"
• "Subjected to inequitable discipline policies and double standards"
• "Misunderstood by both coaches and White player"
• "Unsupported in their academic pursuits"

Iowa removed their S&C guy but this type of racism comes from the top of the organization.  The NCAA is ready to punish organizations for giving kids money to come to their school but are they gong to let this slide?   I understand Kirk has been at Iowa for many years and has a solid win-loss record, but how is he still leading this program?

As we know from every lopsided OSU - Michigan game that recruiting is the life blood of any college football program.  How in the world is Iowa going to be able to recruit any players to Iowa City?

Iowa is never ranked as one of the top recruiting classes in the country and does a pretty good job of developing 3 star players.  But is even that level of recruiting going to slip?   How many African American parents are going to be sending their kids to Iowa to play for a racist coaching staff?  Yes, they have removed one coach but if your read Social Media, many former players feel there are more coaches on staff and one that is even related to the head coach.  

These leadership changes are tough, but I don't see any successful path forward for Iowa Football without a new coaching staff.   I expect there will be a Mark Dantonio type of retirement in the next 12 months. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/07/michigan-tuesday-tipping-point-at-iowa.html

Additional COVID-19 loans now available for Maryland small businesses

Beginning July 20, a new low-interest loan program is available to small businesses throughout Maryland that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/additional-covid-19-loans-now-available-maryland-small-businesses/

Michigan Monday: Some Weekend News and Notes

• 2021 RB recruit Prophet Brown picked USC.  He had Michigan in his final group.   USC recruiting is starting to turn around.  

• OSU flipped Clemson commit in CB Jordan Hancock.  They still have the #1 class in the nation. 

• Former Michigan recruit and Nebraska WR, JD Spielman is transferring to TCU and is expected to get a waiver to play right away.   JD is the son of the Vikings GM and nephew to famous Detroit Lions LB Chris.  

• Michigan Basketball recruit 5 star SG Matthew Cleveland is expected to announce his decision on Tuesday.  Many expect a FSU decision here. 

• Michigan has had 4 people test positive for COVID

• Trevor Lawrence got engaged on Friday

• Central Michigan tight end Tony Poljan is transferring to Virginia

• Alabama was supposed to open their season against USC in Dallas.   BYU was supposed open against Utah.   Now Alabama may open against BYU.   The Cougars have lost 5 total games due to the Big 10 and PAC 12 conference only decisions including games against MSU and Minnesota.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/07/michigan-monday-some-weekend-news-and.html

Michigan Friday: Welcomes Back Livers

Fox

Isaiah Livers has decided to take his name out of the NBA draft and return for his senior year!!

“What a crazy couple of months. However, I have learned a great deal from this process, and I’m extremely excited to return to Ann Arbor,” Livers said in a statement provided by Michigan.

"My family and I are so appreciative of Coach Howard and all the staff for letting us really explore my dream of playing in the NBA. While it was a limited process due to COVID-19, I want to thank all the NBA teams who took the time to talk to me. The information I gathered is going to be invaluable moving forward. But now, we have unfinished business in Ann Arbor. I cannot wait to do everything I can and help lead this team to great things.”

This is a good move for Livers as he wasn't ranked in the drafted-able range and would have needed a strong combine and team workouts to get drafted.   Since those opportunities are going to be limited due to the virus, this is the smart decision and one that was expected.

Welcome back!

• 4 Star Belleville LB Jamari Buddin has committed to Penn State.  Michigan has been frozen out of that school due to a stupid feud between Jimmy and their head coach.   

• Michigan could lose close to $100M if football is cancelled.  Fun times!

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/07/michigan-friday-welcomes-back-livers.html