Sunday, January 21, 2024

Jim Harbaugh is a (nice) Pig

I'm watching.

We're all watching.

Yesterday it was two NFL games.  I can't even tell you what teams played.  One was Baltimore, and San Francisco, and Houston or Texas.  The second one the announcers kept saying it is exciting and a great game; it that were true you don't have to say it.  In the first game particularly, the two marquee announcers, and I have never heard such self-promotion.  If we all didn't already know that they are paid by the team and the league, we sure do now.

What a spectacle.  As always it included a lot of players who are the best in the league.  Each and all the coordinators are stars too and head coaches in waiting.  The injured or carted-off players are obligatory too.  I have always thought of John Harbaugh as a dictator; the games featured a big dose of him as the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Brother Jim was on-hand also.

The self-flagellating announcers know all.  Jim Harbaugh is going to be in the NFL soon.

It doesn't take much to imagine the conversations around games that are always on somewhere.  

"Jim, why are you still dealing with those kids and rules?"  

Man, the NFL is cushy.  In the NFL the head coach is in total charge.  And for Jim Harbaugh, if he wants another chance as he clearly does, now is the time.

I cannot believe what a waste the NFL is.  But today I'll put it on in the background while I type again.  My deceased father loved the Lions.

The parade--I need to find a picture of the parade.  The undisputed, you-won-them-all championship is amazing.  There are those people who traveled to the game and the fanatics in paint and gear.  Michigan followers also include alumni, employees, and just about everyone raised or living in the state.  For many of us the whole thing was fun to watch but sure to fade away rapidly:  most of the team and probably the coach would chose to leave.

I'm now in my sixties and I cannot change the place where I earned my first college degree.

Now I remember, the loudmouth announcers also knew for a fact that Ambry Thomas scored 10 points for the opposing team.  He left quickly and early from Michigan; Covid was perhaps a good reason.  Anyway, I didn't shake an eyelash.

Graduating and perhaps sticking around and maybe improving some football skills are exceptions (I've never heard anyone say they are doing it for a masters degree).  When you are gone you are gone.

Let the justifying and rationalizing begin.  Americans don't like dynasties and the Harbaughs were getting to be too much.  Everyone is replaceable.  It'll be fun to watch the players who are left mature.  Harbaugh was gone in spirit anyway, as evidenced by a lack of results from the portal and in recruiting.  He will be remembered as the who left the cupboard bare.

If I were Michigan I wouldn't give him the contract he reportedly wants.  I need to find that link--I think it is 11 Warriors that called them "delusional."  Actually, I believe it is a sticky issue in contract law in that you cannot have a contract which grants immunity for an illegal or unallowed action; the contract or clause would be void and you are guilty.  I'd call it a "Mel Tucker clause."

The contract rumors and the delay while he interviews is more proof.  Good riddance.

I guarantee you, Jim Harbaugh, you will be forgotten.  And you cannot come back, even though you are doing it in a very nice way of wanting to go to the NFL.


Monday, January 8, 2024

Point Counterpoint

This was a stab at another, the other, perspective.  Never delete or edit because a blog is a record!  It was my effort at saying it is all going to be over soon anyway.  My actual prediction was pretty close.

As for the game, I think Kalen DeBoer blew it and he is a terrible hire for Alabama.  Coach had his running back and QB injured but he kept them in with his bully-pulpit rhetoric.  Alabama's stars will not tolerate that.  DeBoer made several other bad decisions that could have cost them the game.  His offense performed better than anyone all season against Michigan; he should have taken the ball to start the game.  He misjudged Michigan's defense.  Another mistake was a fourth down attempt.  I think there was one or more mistake too.  Oh, and he lied before the game saying RB Johnson was fine.  He could have been severely injured. 

---


Washington could not ask for a better culmination.  They conquered the Pac-12 on the way out in undefeated style.  We need to beat the biggest and the best to complete it.  And we will do it.

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2024/michigan-washington-college-football-championship-1234761480/

There is no bigger Goliath.

Michigan recruits players who want the limelight.  Scratch that.  They're all NFL.  And they think they're NFL.  They can't get their minds off the NFL.

Washington thinks they're the best in college football.

Here's how they have proved it all season long.

Who ever heard of bonding over getting caught?  

---

It is great while it lasts.  At this moment, 11AM mountain time there are about 10 hours left.  

Revenue sharing with players?  How about less revenue!

It has become worse every year with transfers, NIL, realignment, mock drafts and teen recruiting rankings, social media and videos.  College football is not a job or career.  I get it, most of the players look at it that way but Jim Harbaugh lives that way.  

Who really cares about PFF?.  It is not pro football!

It is natural.  It is human nature.  If Jim Harbaugh doesn't want us we don't want him.  And it does not matter a lick what happens in tonight's game.

Things...  Jesse Minter's father was the head coach at Cincinnati for quite a few years.  He comes from a football family.  I don't know, Sioux Falls and little education to $2 million as an OC...  Eastern Michigan?  I lost a lot of respect for Harbaugh when I learned at a young age his son plays.  It is not enough that son "Jaybaugh" is addicted.  Kaleb DeBoer seems like Ryan Day:  too consumed.

It is like brainwashing.  Or gaslighting.  You are ignoring the rest of the data, i.e., the world.  Harbaugh, the leader is the best spokesperson, football coach, and motivator the University could possibly have.  But he is just a football coach.

I cannot fathom the logic of, "If I win this game it is my last."  It is one game and one season.

The rest of us will still be here.


Friday, January 5, 2024

CFP Championship Michigan vs. Washington Preview

I want Michigan to win.  I think they will, and I'll explain why.

Watching and actually paying attention to the whole Washington-Texas game was tedious but worth it.  This perspective is from someone used to watching the Big Ten.

I never really noticed whether teams huddle or not and Washington did it sometimes.  What was weird was no offensive motion or defensive stunting or moving around at all.  No one ran downfield or to a tackle to help a teammate off the ground.  There was the same kind of self congratulating after a play that everyone does, but it was not for and including the rest of the team.  It wasn't the same kind of energy.  It was different. 

With a few exceptions, Michael Penix had all day to pass; I don't know why Texas wasn't doing anything on defense to stop him and many quarterbacks will prosper in such a situation.  Some or quite a few of the throws were perfect, the kind a defense will dare an opponent to complete.  The receivers?  Ohio State's are better and running backs and tight ends--variation--were nonexistent  Texas dbs seemed to not play the ball and just crash into the receivers.  Washington has very little in the running game (i.e., pass heavy) and Dillon Johnson injured compounds that (more below).  

On defense, Washington allowed Texas to gash them in running and to then complete long, easy passes in the second half.  QB Ewers was stationary and with a couple of exceptions (e.g., the game's last play) Washington did nothing.  The running backs had not just holes, but open space.  Tackling was below that of teams such as Penn State or Iowa.  The dbs?  They didn't stop Texas when they had to pass.

Michigan probably found a left-handed quarterback to practice against.  Michigan should be able to get to Penix and rattle him.  Some of the passes may lead to interceptions or fumbles.  Michigan will go after the ball, the receivers, and especially Penix.  RB Johnson, count him out regardless of what they say and there was no backup when it mattered.

In summary, they'll complete (quite) a few passes but I think Michigan's D will control or stifle Penix and the Washington passing attack; that is the jugular.  They are the Joe Moore Award winners with only 11 sacks and it will not be easy but the pass rush, the whole d-line, the experienced linebackers, and the athletic, ball-hawking dbs will be too much.  They'll find a way.  No one has stopped them so far this longest-possible season.

On offense, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will have field days.  The rest of the o-line and the tight ends and Max Bredeson (who has finally made a name for himself) will conspire to do even better than with Zac Zinter.  We've seen it before:  Why do anything else when you don't have to?  Passing will do just enough and people will question or criticize it.

Texas had some huge players, mostly in the bench area, or maybe it was the too tight, poorly fitting uniforms.  Michigan is way bigger and more physical than Washington and seemingly Texas too.  

Things like this stick in your brain.  What I remember most about the game is Dillon Johnson struggling in extreme pain to walk off the field.  I and millions of others also saw him doing the same the same thing on the sideline.  It was cruel, stupid, and sadistic to put him back in for every meaningless carry at the end.

Then there was the ostentatious, crazy multiple lateral failed pass.  Ditto the one to your franchise quarterback,  Penix seemed to be taking it really easy.  Kalen DeBoer, who I had seen earlier smiling and he seemed like an all-around good guy, looked more like a sleep-deprived Ryan Day on the warpath for someone to yell at.  Coach showed he is prone to bad decisions.

To summarize again, Washington showed an awful lot of swagger that may not be there after the championship game against Michigan.  I think the game will be like the B1G Championship with Iowa--deal with their good defense, in this case Washington's passing attack--and the game may go on but it will be decided right from the start.  Michigan did that all year.

There is a piece below that talks about Michigan's motivation.  I think they're going to show up for the game like the 1985-86 Michigan basketball team in the great book about Bobby Knight, A Season on the Brink by John Feinstein.  In the climax of the book the team led by Roy Tarpley, Richard Rellford, Gary Grant and others took control from the second they ran onto the floor.  They had fire in their eyes.  At that point, for the terror-like season for the Hoosiers (Steve Alford especially) forced to ride on that tiny plane with the devil himself, the Big Ten championship was lost. 

I remember Michael Penix from the B1G.  Poor Tom Allen, the optimist, who was fired.

If I am a little riled up, you can imagine what it feels like for the football team.  

Michigan 38 Washington 17.


Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Rose Bowl -- Michigan 27 Alabama 20

The one thing I had to go back and check was why Michigan's offense was so bad in the third quarter.  The reason is a throw through Semaj Morgan's arms and one off the body to Tyler Morris.  Plus, the tight end were covered.  Probably Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson were having a tough time too (as decoys) or they wouldn't have included the younger receivers as much.  Similarly, Donovan Edwards was not thrown to much.

The whole thing is similar to Ohio State, before, during, and after.  I was oh so tempted to write this beforehand:  there is a good chance Michigan will rattle Jalen Milroe as they have every other quarterback this year.  No he is not (yet/now) the greatest pro-style passer, but he is pretty darn all-around good.  I read Alabama blogs afterward and, just like Ohio State, writers and commenters are ready to run him out of town.

The other things I recall reading are 'I thought J.J. McCarthy was overrated but I don't think that anymore.'  Another is Blake Corum isn't so great.  Finally, there was much to-do about how Nick Saban was outcoached by Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore.

All of them were or still are wrong.  It just goes to show that armchair writers, bloggers, and video talking heads are not better or smarter than the rest of us.  Most are just loud.  It was a close game and both teams had chances.  It is not Saban's best team and Michigan simply made the plays at the end.

I think the MVP is Blake Corum.  The Fox announcers analyzed it at one point--he gets low, he spins and pushes, and sometimes he breaks it for more.  Four-plus yards per carry in this one is excellent, and it included some big runs and receptions.  Texas had 6.2 yards per run against Washington.  Corum does not bode well for the Huskies in the championship.

Michigan wasn't paralyzed on offense.  They had the plays and opportunities in the third quarter.  

Elsewhere in terms of the who's and why's LaDarius Henderson was bad but the rest of the Michigan cast did great across the board.  Like Brian Cook, I cheated and peeked.  Too me, Braiden McGregor makes up for the lower-than-others score with height and terror--when he lines up at the end of the big DTs it just looks imposing.  Like Mason Graham he is is not always squeaky clean.  He has become effective and valuable in this his 5th year.

You can't always usually tell with stats, predictions, or pundits.  They do it as a team, particularly the sacks.  Enjoy now while you can, because they are almost all upperclassmen and next year will be different personnel.  The list is posted elsewhere--who would have believed after all those mistakes?  It is a talented, deep, and well-coached team.  The scheme and the leader (quarterback) works.  It is a world away from when Michigan played Alabama  in prime time under Brady Hoke and whatshisname athletic director.

One more task and post to come.  I need to watch the Huskies on nfl-video.com.  I love the school, the team, and the whole dang city.  In college football and Michigan athletics this is as good as it gets.

 (The writer, yours truly, is from Michigan but has lived in Colorado for quite a while.)


Monday, January 1, 2024

Blogging on New Year's Day

Happy New Year!

Football-wise it started with trying to finish watching Iowa-Michigan in the B1G championship.  Iowa played Michigan very tough; in the first half the only real difference was the Semaj Morgan punt return.  So what happened in the last quarter and a half?  I still cannot answer that.

Michigan/Corum wasn't gaining much on the ground.  The tight ends were contributing, but that is too familiar for Iowa.  Instead, they went to a possession game with Cornelius Johnson and it worked.  McCarthy had more pass attempts than usual.

Iowa surrendered three fumbles, which was a bonus.  The game was won and lost relatively early on:  without mistakes, turnovers, or a fluke play, Iowa was not going to score.

OMG, Cade McNamara sighting!  Of today's early games, Iowa-Tennessee was the one I most wanted to watch.  For Wisconsin-LSU the ESPN banner taking up a quarter of the screen was too much; thank God for Fox.  Wow!  LSU won despite trailing by about two touchdowns most of the game.  And I was just getting ready to write Brian Kelly has to regret leaving Notre Dame.  He did have a Heisman winner.

Iowa is going to lose very badly--worse than against Michigan.  Liberty could not hold up against Oregon.

Just an hour left.  The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl doesn't have that huge distraction of unwanted promotions at the bottom.  What the hell is wrong with Disney, ESPN, and ABC?  

Michigan is the better team.  The offense is multifaceted and the defense is vicious.  They had the better season. Alabama has had championship teams in the past.  

I don't like this word or the phrase:  Michigan is being disrespected.  


Saturday, December 30, 2023

Rose Bowl Michigan-Alabama Prediction

History dictates that I make a prediction.  It is bizarre that Michigan football is still playing and for a national championship when the whole athletic department and system is a downer.  But I have followed the team and feel obliged to put it down if for no other reason than posterity.

At this moment (Saturday afternoon) Penn State is losing to Ole Miss.  Ohio State already lost to Missouri.  At the same time Minnesota, Rutgers, and Maryland, teams Michigan beat handily, won bowl games.  The games do have meaning, or are at least worthwhile, but it shows how meaningless they are in the final rankings.

Does 5-star automatically mean prima donna?  That is what will be decided.  Alabama is stacked; supposedly their whole secondary is entering the NFL.  They have been at or near the top in recruiting for a decade.  But so has Ohio State, and Georgia is not in the playoff this year either.

Jim Harbaugh is an iconoclast, or at least an individualist.  He has to do it his way and that is who this Michigan team is.  The whole Michigan vs. the world mantra is a perfect storm of collective motivation.  Too bad the team's future--coach(es) and roster--hinges on this one game.  

Win or lose, Michigan fans will then be treated to a long offseason (sans basketball) and its version of the opt out.  There is a lot riding on it--sadness or euphoria for at least one more week. 

It is an extremely difficult game to predict.  I have to go with the betting line--Michigan by 1.5 points, which borders on cowardice in terms of logic.  Michigan will win.  It might be because of pressure on Jalen Milroe; it could be because of a few long, unstoppable drives led by Corum and McCarthy.  All season I have been asking myself why Michigan has almost always led and nobody could catch up and the reason is they adapt.  Primarily, they have their way, but they adapt until they get there.  This one is about adapting to win, not destroy.*  A very good team with extra motivation > a very good team.  I cannot predict the score.  It is unlikely Michigan will run up and down the field as they did against Ohio State and Penn State, but you never know.  It is likely under Harbaugh's onfileld direction that Michigan will capitalize on its opportunities and make fewer mistakes than Alabama.  But really, who knows?  Nick Saban is a an even more accomplished coach.  This year, with all its instability, Michigan has more riding on it and that may show-up in a positive way.  

Of course it could be the complete opposite. 

Key players for Michigan:  J.J. McCarthy and Donovan Edwards (both 5-star recruits).  Blake Corum will get his--yards or offensive balance--regardless.  On defense, turnovers (Sainristil and Johnson) will be key for both teams.  The game is unlikely to be decided by one or two points but it will be close by virtue of each team's explosiveness.

P.S.  McCarthy's "clunker" of a game (3 interceptions against Bowling Green) was while Harbaugh was watching on TV.

Update:  Interestingly, Brian on MgoBlog made two strong recommendations in his Rose Bowl preview:  Michigan quarterbacks run 15 times and pressure instead of spying Milroe.  These would be bold, unprecedented adaptations.  


Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Ohio State and Iowa, 2023

Who knows what Jim Harbaugh is up to.  After resurfacing he mostly talked about paying players.  A more distasteful, unlikely, and unwanted topic is hard to imagine.

But the team keeps winning.  Ryan Day looked really stressed, particularly in the beginning of the game.  That has to be the major motivation in winning.  These people are just too obsessed.  

What I remember most is reading 11 Warriors after the game.  I did so beforehand too and it was mostly about SCUM and cheaters.  Afterward it was no confidence and extremely critical.  "Honda" McCord is unfit and Ryan day (56-7) needs to go too.  Of course you cannot trust loudmouths and dominant characters, but very few cast a reasonable vote.  It was really curious behavior among supposed fans.

Some folks on the site did mention Ohio State playing not to lose--timidness to the point of being afraid.  That I agree with.

Overall it was a bit like Penn State in terms of, why did Ohio State lose?  In the second half they comfortably marched down the field running every play.  At other times they did it with passing (i.e., receivers) who Michigan could not stop.  Ohio State won in terms of total yards and first downs.

The loss and the Michigan win, however, was no fluke.  Michigan had the mojo--made the plays--when Ohio State did not and could not.  Those included a few big pass plays, Corum touchdowns, a couple of scrambles, a sack, and two interceptions.  Just like against Penn State, Michigan did it.  

Forget the off the field nonsense--Michigan State, Penn State, Ohio State, and 12-0 is an incredible season and the best thing about it is more games.  Next up is Iowa on a cold, dark winter night.  Michigan-Ohio State will continue, but this is the last hurrah for a team like Iowa.  No longer will they cruise through a cupcake Big Ten schedule.  In the future it will truly be the two best teams in an empirically-chosen, all-inclusive way and such a lopsided game will not happen.  Iowa is going to get killed again.

It can hardly be enjoyable for Hawkeye fans.  Cade and Erick All are lucky to be sitting it out.  The Michigan defense will smother the Iowa offense: Deacon Hill was 11 for 28 and 94 yards against Nebraska and the rushing attack is not going to outrun Michigan defenders.  But Iowa has a good defense!  History, like the 2021 game, has shown Michigan's athletes will break through there too.

Time to put the distractions aside.  For Michigan and its fans the Big Ten Championship is the perfect warmup for the real test.  It is Tuesday 11//28/23.  Four more days and there probably won't be another scandal or suspension.

Enjoy it while you can.  Reading the NFL mock drafts, J.J. McCarthy is a first round pick; the rule is, if first round, you go.  There will still be experience next year, but most of the stars will be gone.



Friday, November 24, 2023

Ohio State and the Five Things

For the studious and devoted reader, I predicted an Ohio State win in a previous column.  Here are five things to make me look bad.

Michigan will win at home if one or some of the five things happen.

J.J. McCarthy is the biggest variable.  If he plays great, Michigan will win.

Next, the offensive line vs. Ohio State is a question mark.  This makes for reasons two and three as to who will win. If McCarthy is well protected as a passer Michigan may win.  If the offensive line opens holes and the running game flourishes, Michigan will win.  Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are going to do their part regardless.

Number four is Michigan is without its head coach.  You cannot argue about any team or person who has not lost, which includes Sherrone Moore.  Can he do it?

Finally, if the Michigan defense contains Marvin Harrison, Jr. my prediction is wrong and Ohio State will lose.  


Sunday, November 19, 2023

Mayland 31-24

Jim Harbaugh is leaving his mark.  He is wearing out his welcome.  Winning in the woeful Big Ten (except Ohio State and Penn State) is not the only thing.

He doesn't explain.  He doesn't even show up for the games.  I know, he is not allowed to.  Whose fault is that?  In an age when the NCAA lacks power and investigations drag on with little or no repercussions, he has been suspended for half the season.

What has he done?  The schedule is a joke.  Recruiting is at a standstill.  Every day it is looking more likely that the season, the whole year, is nothing but foreplay.  Sure it is an easy schedule, but we're looking toward the post-season.  

I think they are going to lose to Ohio State next Saturday and the season will be over.  The luxury of an extra Big Ten game will be gone as will the added game(s) and prestige of being one of the four best.  There will be no more news and expectations.  There will be a bowl and announcements about who will or won't participate and who is going to transfer.  Attention will return to the declining  recruiting class rankings.  Who even knows anymore when the portal becomes active again at it may even be year-round.

There will be rumors or news either way of whether Harbaugh will stay or go, extension or nothing at all.  My guess is the NFL attention was already waning and events this season cannot help.  My attention, and I won't be the only one, will be nonexistent.  It really seems most of the Michigan attention these days is negative; some of it is aggressively negative..  Fans complaining about the suspension(s) only make it worse.

Ah, but he didn't know.  He doesn't know.  What, exactly, does he know?

It is not until a Big Ten or NCAA investigation that anything is revealed. 

Even the coaches on the other side--Josh Gattis--are sleazy ex-Michigan assistants.  Tell us, Mr. Harbaugh, what is the problem?  Why are FBI agents at your co-offensive coordinator's home?  You hired Chris Partridge twice, why does he have such a problem with rules and investigations?  You are Connor Stalions boss and hired him, why, why, why?  It sure seems like a lot of people on your gigantic staff are in trouble or do dumb things...  Sherrone Moore, I am not sure you are being put in a position to succeed nor are you ready to be head coach.  For those who do not know, big-time college coaches, football and basketball, are despots and egotists.  They have huge salaries, budgets, and power.  Now Jim Harbaugh is even making the school's president and athletic director look bad for defending him.



Today, Sunday Nov. 19, Michigan is a 4-point favorite against Ohio State.  That is equal or less than the home field advantage.  I think, Ohio State will be better prepared and focused.  That is because, watch and read above.

After the jump, the Maryland game.

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Spygate and Penn State Part 3

https://mgoblog.com/diaries/legal-analysis-big-ten-rules-don%27t-allow-insta-punishment-michigan

A promise is a promise.  I'm reminded of this:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/13/trump-georgia-case-videos-overturn-2020-election/

Mr. Rym, I'll start with you.  The name escapes me--at one point he volunteered as a source for Michigan's vehemence.  Today Harbaugh the University/legal geniuses surrendered.  There was no explanation; it was complete capitulation.

On the face of it, Mr. Rym is wrong.  Per something on ESPN the gist was "a motion asking for an emergency temporary restraining order along with a breach of contract complaint."  I learned something--a preliminary injuntion is even more absurd in that it, the awful suspension, hasn't even started yet.  Breach of contract--and an emergency?  Michigan wasted a lot of money and it and they look foolish at this point too.

I thought it was weird right from the start.  Who sends a letter before a meeting (Ono)?  The Michigan legislature should have better things to do.  The facts were clear (idiot Stalions) and Michigan didn't deny it.  Even their high-priced rebuttal and court action were terrible.  

The sportsmanship policy has teeth and the commissioner has the power.  It is similar to what used to be said of the MLB commissioner--virtually unlimited power for the good of the game.  I thought it was refreshing to see a quick investigation and punishment.  That will put the fury of the league and ultimate question--did Michigan get where they are because of the signs--to rest.  For Jim Harbaugh it comes with the territory and role and an in-game suspension only is pretty harmless anyway.

The other link sticks in my mind.  It is a failed, inappropriate conspiracy by lawyers.  Sam Bankman-Fried's parents...  More lawyers run amok.  Perhaps I'll write more and finish this another time. 

Update as Mr. Rym is at it again.  Still.  He had an amicus brief ready to go with 1,700 signatures..  But he is going to keep courting the media and fighting.   My guess the plaintiffs realized there was a very good chance the judge would say What?  You're wasting my time with this!  And, Mr. Rym, your amicus brief is probably the worst, dumbest, most contemptuous thing I have seen in (fill in years) on the bench!

There are follow-up posts on Mgoblog and he just won't let go.  It does no good to drag his firm's name into it.  I can only imagine hiring a lawyer in a time of need who will stand before a judge and say, "But judge, they violated Rule 32. of the handbook!"  Maybe the term is rulebook; at least I didn't write codebook.  I'm dubious of even calling it a contract, and exactly who, and how were they, damaged?  

I would expect Michigan athletics could receive better counsel in-house--from someone employed by the school.  Maybe they did, and that is why they went to a costly outside firm.

It is just a really bad time when the lawyers, who are supposed to be responsible counselors above all, make things worse.

Maryland should be fun because as with everyone on the schedule, Michigan is always the opponent's biggest game of the season, and this one's at home.  They fell all the way to 6-4, but that is better than most in the Big Ten.

Then, OMG, the potty-mouthed, very emotional former offensive coordinator will be coaching at home against Ohio State.  It will likely be 11-0 vs. 11-0.


Monday, November 13, 2023

Penn State Aftermath

The question is why did Michigan win or more precisely, why did Penn State lose?

But first the obligatory Jim Harbaugh comments.  I still have one more document to read:  the diary by the Michigander/Santa Monica lawyer.  The argument for a them against us conspiracy, with respect to Spygate only, is a strong one, i.e., theirs too is unsportsmanlike, plus collusion and conspiracy.  That's the downside of being the champion.  And it is a byproduct of Harbaugh and Michigan people rubbing people the wrong way.  The argument is procedural at best.  It is not about us vs. them when you break the rules.

It is not and was not so bad for Michigan with Harbaugh partying seven miles away (and on video) with his entourage.  You got caught.  Hopefully, serve your penalty.  Much more importantly, own up to it.

As for the game, it was an unusual one.  Michigan football carried its audacious attitude into it in a show of bush-league coaching.  Penn State, they are so talented, how did they lose at home to a team undergoing all that?

Blake Corum is healthy and back and that is the main reason Michigan won.  Sprinkle in other running--Donovan Edwards and J.J. McCarthy--and Michigan's running attack was awesome.  Defensively they were good enough to stop two outstanding running backs and harass non-freshman Drew Allar enough to make him look awful.

Allar isn't that terrible, and he may even turn out to be very good.  The Penn State defense was so good against passing Michigan smartly avoided it entirely.  This killed Penn State's speed and secondary too.  Harbaugh of course set it; it was a brilliant execution of strategy.  Like a basketball team, Michigan can play it different ways and adapt given their depth and that is why they are so good.

The first big reason Penn State lost is the failure of Allar.  Penn State didn't put him in a position to win and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was fired soon after the game.  Many of his passes were not close and Allar fumbled too.  Allar is known as a strong-armed passer and not a runner and Penn State has two top backs anyway.

The other reason Penn State lost is James Franklin just can't do it.  His long-term record against top teams and in big games is atrocious.  In this game a trick pass play to Allar and a risky-against-getting-clobbered run by the qb right up the middle for a touchdown worked for the head coach.  Aside from that, what can you say?  His calls and coaching didn't win the game.  Once again a really talented Penn State team lost to Ohio State (by 8) and Michigan (by 9) in similar games.



Saturday, November 11, 2023

Penn State Prelude 2023

 

 

In a statement released Friday afternoon, the league said it has found U-M in violation of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy "for conducting an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years, resulting in an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition."

 

Jim Harbaugh has found (and earned) a cushy existence.  I don't know all the perks of course, but he earns about $10 million a year now and made tens or hundreds more before that.  These suspensions are really goofy--earlier this season he missed one-fourth of the schedule, but only for games.  Now he is seemingly suspended for threee more, which makes for half the season.  The season is only about three months or a fourth of the year anyway.  

Obviously it is longer than that with training, practices, recruiting, and all the other functions.  Harbaugh has an enormous staff and budget for that.  Still, it all hinges on him, his leadership, experience, expertise, network, and all that goes with it.

Will he and they damage that?  As noted, he is already comfortable and situated in his life.  Think about Sam Bankman-Fried and risk.  What are he and they risking?  Perhaps it includes bad blood from the season-beginning suspension and everything before that.   

He and they are taking that risk.  They all feel it is worth the smaller downside.

They know fully they are the "big boys" in any fight.  They are Michigan, the biggest game on everyone's schedule.  They provide the ratings.  More to the point, they know everyone is gunning for them, especially when they are good on the football field.

Even realizing that, they feel a legal fight is something they should or have to do.  It goes all the way up to the president and the board.

Read the first paragraph of this column.  These are serious infractions.

It is 7AM Mountain Daylight time in Colorado.  The Penn State game starts in three hours.  You know, it doesn't matter much for the game.  It is more or less a figurehead, symbolic penalty anyway.  Jesse Minter and Sherrone Moore are capable of running the team and they have done it before.  The actual players in the game have done it before too.

One thing, before I close.  Connor Stallions is an idiot of epic proportions.  Michigan should sue him instead of the Big Ten.

Everyone is expendable.  The game stars in 2 1/2 hours.


Friday, October 20, 2023

Next!

Well, Jim, they are starting to pile up.

This guy Connor Stalions is a self-confessed Michigan football and warfare fanatic.  He has volunteered for different positions and traveled around at his own expense.  He is a "low-level" staffer in reports.  No age is mentioned; I assume he is at least a generation behind me and tech savvy.  They (the NCAA and probably others too) are asking for his computer because he and they are accused of going too far in their competitive analyses.

Harbaugh has said he doesn't know anything about it.  Once again, that is not an answer and it is not relevant either because he is required to know and he is responsible either way.

I can't really call myself a fan of Michigan sports anymore, I'm just a watcher.  They are all so totally void of caring about anyone else but themselves that they are an embarrassment.  I am writing specifically about coach Harbaugh and AD Manuel.  They keep getting themselves into these messes and you'd think by now they would know how to get out of them.  Their continued lies and cover-ups are a disgrace.

Anyone who doesn't care or notice because they are undefeated and #2 is blind.  Sorry, that is disparaging to people who actually have lost their eyesight.  

At least get the message right.  The suspensions--suspensions!--of the head coach and at least one top staffer still have not been addressed.  Current news says they are still being investigated by the NCAA.  The beginning of this year (1/20/23) Michigan fired co-offensive director Matt Weiss for what appear to be similar, electronic spying, offenses.  

The football season is barely eight weeks in--two-thirds over.  I don't even care about the specifics.  Can you do anything without an incident, scandal, or lie?

First you ruined the start of the season.  Now you did it during Michigan State week.  And in between was the Shemy Schembechler affair.

Truth>fan.


Sunday, October 15, 2023

Michigan 52 Indiana 14

 I did extensive research for this column by Googling "Indiana coach."  Mike Woodson is 65.  Recently Indiana basketball has had a few high draft picks and big recruits but the team has been a disappointment. But Woodson has been better than Juwan Howard.

Michigan only has one big-time sport because Howard has been such an embarrassment as well as a disappointment. 

I like Tom Allen.  He is smiling in his picture.  Maranatha Baptist University.  He makes $4.9 million.  Granted, I don't have to work with or play for him, but I like his optimism and communications skills.

First, the game.

Indiana won the first quarter.  That says something, but it didn't matter in terms of the outcome or the rest of the game.

Second, the accolades about J.J. McCarthy and the offense are overblown.  While he is excellent--almost certainly one of Michigan's best or most productive since Henne, Rudock (overall offense), or Denard.  It is also true that when McCarthy improvises it usually works.  Still, he does get sacked, fumbles, and is intercepted in some fairly stupid plays.  To me he is the biggest big-game question mark.  If he is off or rattled, and Blake Corum and the running game is stopped, Michigan will be in trouble.

Aside from the explosive offensive players, Michigan's biggest strength is it's defensive line.  Six to seven strong they offer run stoppers, rushers, strength, speed, and endurance.  Against Indiana's redshirt freshman quarterbacks they were a constant threat.  And they stopped the running game.

Fourth, Indiana is not very good.  In Big Ten power rankings they have been at or near the bottom all year.  I don't know if Jack Tuttle acted like a Cade or not (transfer in the middle of the season) but he and A.J. Barner are valuable additions at Michigan.  I cannot recall any real stars on the team.  In the age of a market economy and transfers Indiana is not getting the players.

Finally, this Michigan football team is remarkable.  They stand out; they look different than any team I can remember.  

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Minnesota Week

I should have been a criminal lawyer, except that I don't like crooks.  

My education used to lean more toward psychology but now it is closer to law.  When I see something rotten I usually start with criminal law.  It is documented and it stems from mens rea or intent.  You can't really be jailed for being dumb or making a legitimate mistake.  You certainly cannot be convicted if a disability caused the incident, or if you acted lawfully or correctly.  The prosecutor has to show you did it with intent.

An allocution, a confession or admission, may be considered the solution to the criminally-illegal act.  In psychology it is the admission, the acknowledgement, and the coming to grips that leads to healing.

Today I was trying to read real news on washingtonpost.com; more like, instead of watching videos I wanted to learn something and preferred to read.  I even logged-in to my old account.  Scrolling down the page for more I learned Pat Fitzgerald is suing for a huge amount.  At least in terms of the football team and program, when they're gone they're gone.

Personally, I always thought Pat Fitzgerald was an average coach and a weird guy, sort of like PJ Fleck.

Quick Google search:  how did Hugh Freeze leave Mississippi State?  He resigned.  As I recall, he admitted, and now he's back in good graces as the head coach at Auburn.  Typically, when you resign you have either agreed to something or you now agree to go away.

Same goes for Mel Tucker.  Please recognize the destruction you have caused.

For Pat Fitzgerald, the memory becomes fuzzy or opinionated.  There was enough.  There was enough there to embarrass a university paying millions of dollars.  The best thing for everyone is to take your lumps and move on.  And it doesn't have to be about criminal or even civil guilt.

I think Minnesota is going to lose big this week.  It'll be pretty and well-attended in cold Minnesota.  It will not be a close game--like Nebraska and Rutgers, get used to your place in the new Big Ten.  The best of the West is coming.