Michigan 95 Saint Louis 72

"They are unlike any other team in college basketball."

They said it, but I was just thinking how to word it myself.  Michigan is weird and unusual.  They are so  good the only time the lose is when they make mistakes--usually because of their own hotdogging--or when an opponent does something really special.

It is a long, long game, and also a fun one to watch; say what I will (below) Avila is fun to watch.  The first half seemed like it took forever and now, with 8 minutes left, Michigan has 79 points and the second half is dragging too. The outcome has never been seriously in doubt, but the Billikens look good.  

OMG there's Tom Izzo!  Determined is an understatement, and his big bodyguards (the players) look downright scary.  If I were just about any team in the country I would not want to play Michigan State in the NCAA tournament, ever.

I remember the A10--I went to GWU and used to sit in the very nice but high school-like gymnasium because students then got in free with an ID.  And men's basketball was the only real, almost big-time sport.  Of course back then Dayton and others were not considered part of the Atlantic coast.

So the game is over but they are still playing.  You see some very close games when unexpected teams celbrate and also complete blowouts in the NCAA tournament.  

In Michigan's case it is a team that is designed then built from the ground up.  Sometimes I wonder why basketball or football coaches get fired only to be replaced by people who appear to be no upgrade.  Maybe it helps to take a fresh look at the whole thing; same goes for Michigan football, and while it was necessary and Kyle Whittingham may do a great job in the short term, that hire looks riskier to me than Dusty May especially given the last two years of Michigan basketball.

It is garbage time; you cannot tell from the boxscore what is going on, you have to watch.  I've seen the name, but who is Oscar Goodman?  Wow, another block!  Is Mara still playing?  Goodman is/was a promising recruit, as is the additional 7-footer in the young man from Germany.  I am answering my own question again:  they are simply not good enough to make the lineup and no one can predict the future beyond the last game.  

Vipbox shut off fast and I missed the talking heads.  No loss.  Time to switch to the next game.  "Oooo We."  Caught it anyway.  That is what I expected to hear.  Clark Kellogg has finally removed his Ohio State-Michigan blinders.  Even Charles Barkley is gaga and (reasonably) articulate.

Florida beats Prairie View A&M (what a name) 114-55 and you have to ask, why are they so merciless?  It happens in the NCAA when teams have players they cannot match.  Sometimes a little coaching helps; against Purdue I think coaching won the game when Michigan could not stop the Braden Smith-Trey Kaufman-Renn two-man game, but by far the main the main is physical action you just cannot stop, like running the rock fifteen straight plays at the end of a football game.  In The Tournament you have to do it; you cannot lose the fire even for a few minutes or the game could be your last.

It took me a while to even watch this year given the off-season layoffs then rehiring.  Since say midseason, Aday Mara has been Michigan's best player.  He does things others cannot match or that makes you say I have never seen that before.  (Googles Aday Mara full court alley-oop.)  Mara's arms:  I don't know how he does it.  They are long, they look flimsy but they are strong and I have seen him rocket passes across the court and grab or catch the ball like vice grips and his arms are rubber bands made of steel.  Still he has an incredibly, almost beautifully soft touch around the basket.  He uses his vision of being above everyone else and is a smart  and effective passer.  He runs hard.  What the heck is a Billiken?  In this one Robbie Avila (a great and fun to watch player also) was having trouble getting up and down the floor.

A while back I looked at NBA mock drafts:  Yaxel Lendeborg was slated in the 8-10 range; Morez Johnson Jr. was around 22ish; and Mara at the end of the first round of 30 picks.  For most of the season Lendeborg was not a star and he can be flamboyant; he has turned it up at the end of the season.  Johnson is great around the basket but I cannot remember the last time he made an outside shot and in a few recent games he has almost disappeared.  To me Mara is the first Michigan NBA pick.  You can just see how gifted he is in terms of size and agility plus he works on the little things. He is not just a tall guy with potential. Whoever or however nasty rumors from L.A. started is a disgrace and in interviews he is humble and likeable.

Back to the game.  In the first half St. Louis was making runs and even taking the lead.  Michigan is missing all these easy shots and turning the ball over.  What is wrong?  The stats showed different.  Michigan was shooting 60% from the floor, around 50% 3's, and turnovers and assists look good; free throws not so hot but that improved, as did the rebounding differential.  Michigan won all-around.

Strange team, Michigan basketball.  Nimari Burnett does not usually miss all his free throws.  I like a guy who's happy. And L.J. Cason doesn't sit in the stands.

The Billiken is a charm doll created by an American art teacher and illustrator.

 --

As always, my top five reasons.

1.  Robbie Avila didn't match the hype.  Of course I cannot judge his season or career and perhaps he was having a bad day.  He was ordinary and not a difference make; one rebound and not great shooting or assists either.  Maybe it was the two fouls early in the game which, incredibly, he played through.  Again, not my place to judge.  To me he looks like he could be in better shape.

Two, the whole Michigan team.  Everyone played skilled, smart, and together with a little bounce.

Mara as mentioned above.  In the few times Michigan has had trouble this season most are linked to smart opponents and Mara foul trouble.  

4.  Lendeborg.  Community college, bedrooms without furniture, and I don't even remember past developmental problems.  He has worked his way up and through and he takes a while to appreciate.  I haven't heard a bad word about him at Michigan.  Going into the game and reading Brian Cook's accolades (among others), I thought the way to negate Avila is to put Lendeborg on him.  There were signs of this.  No question he has all the skills.  It like one of those ridiculous comments after the murder when he or she didn't act the way they should have.  Lendeborg's exuberance can be hard to interpret. It certainly does not hurt the basketball team.

Last.  It is just a comment.  But first, Roddy Gayle, Cheddar, McKenney too.  The whole rotation.  

Yes, and per coach Josh Schertz, there are teams that spend and manage NIL better than others but the number of them is way more than five or ten.  You can probably count whole Big Ten in that group--even lesser teams this year spend like crazy.  You can try, and you must be ethical, but you cannot change the rules, the landscape, or the market.  If you play you play to win.  This too took some of us a while to realize and appreciate.  I forget the numbers; a writer with Yahoo or the NY Times who qualifies as an expert opinion estimated Michigan's payroll; $10, 15, 20 million annually.  That is one donation from a booster or alumnus at any college.  The talent differential was not close.

 

And still going

So we are here, At the end,

Lendeborg, could we ever spell thee?

Oh, but we digress, but we are right on.

 Howard nose to nose.  I have seen everything.  

From Lithuania to Howard.

End.

St.Louis is next.

 

Michigan Basketball, March 2026

The 2025-2026 season will be over in a couple of weeks and three of the four big-time transfers will declare for the NBA draft and probably go in the first round.  Twenty-four year-old Nimari Burnett will or should retire; Tschetter and Gayle are out of eligibility.  L.J. Cason, with McKenney, one of the two links to the future is in terms of the team is out until further notice.  Elliot Cadeau is likely to go the way of Tre Donaldson--stay or not.

27-2 and 17-1 is truly amazing.

As a whole, the team is very good.  Dustin May will probably do something similar next season.

The nine who play play hard.  The Illinois game was a big win.  When I write a column about a game I always ask myself:  Why did they win?  In this one they were in the lead by 5-10 points most of the game; the Illini were chasing and that is exhausting.  Michigan were better shooters, rebounders, passers, and arguably stronger and more athletic.  They are a better team and coached to the maximum roles and results.

But for me, the team is not easy to like.  Is May just another Harbaugh?

The team will be completely new again starting in a month.  There is a #4 recruiting class coming in.

--

Post MSU.  19-1. 

No one provides figures but apparently there are some ten teams with $10 million payrolls.  That is the problem.  Michigan is a good team.  Who cares.

Dusty May is a pimp and the players are whores; maybe not Cheddar who stayed.  Yaxel Lendeborg $3 million?  I'm not rooting for him or them. 

 

Some Portal News

Saturday 1/10/26 Michigan is ranked 56th with 4 commits on 247.  A few recruits are not counted for reason(s).  One who may be counted is the RB coach's son who hasn't/doesn't play at a non-football school; another is a running back who has not played all season.

John Henry Daley is top-10 on ESPN; the real thing.

Nearest LDS temple is in Bloomfield Hills.

There are a lot of players left.  There are also some very serious players, including Penn State, Oklahoma State, LSU, and Indiana and Texas Tech again.   

It seems the coaching staff has little mojo outside of Utah (Idaho included).  Michigan has lost an average number of players--not counting those from the recruiting class who bolted.  Those who do make perfect sense to me:  Why should I put up with this transition crap?  One in particular who is from California and now sports Stanford is a no-brainer.

While wise or knowledgeable people (!) have been saying wait, it'll happen, I tend to think not.  The roster needs a total rebuild and a few stop-gaps is not going to do it.

I have waffled between patience and concluding Michigan is getting everything they deserve.  And the so-called investigation is a giant no show.

I don't see a portal splurge coming.  And if you are going to play the game you need to play to win.

 

Michigan Football, 5 Reactions

1.  Michigan's defense is terrible.  So is the offense.

2.  Kyle Whittingham is not there to, and he is not going to, produce Big Ten championships and CFP success.  He is there for three, four, maybe five years to improve the team.  A bunch of coaches and players from Utah will not be a long-term solution.  But he is right:  you've got to get rid of the discontents.

3.  AD Manuel is not going to relinquish the money, power, and arrogance.  

4.  The rest is just a blur.  Underwood has not improved and no one will challenge him.  Wink Martindale seems to have a lot of problems, or hostility, or selfishness and the same goes for almost everyone else.  I don't know what the deal is with Steve Casula, or Poggi, or Jordan Marshall, etc. also.  I do know they don't have a quarterback, or running back, or tight ends, there's one good receiver, and the secondary--safeties and cornerbacks--is extremely vulnerable.  And the d-line is not good.  

That's all I've got.

Edit.  5.  What a mess Sherrone Moore created.  Manuel hired and supported him. Then he closed his ears and eyes to all the sh*t going on.

--

Maize n Brew Portal Tracker

 /\ This is the best source and the comments there are usually reasonable, unlike another popular Michigan blog.  

Here is a little image from that other site.  Smart or stupid, I spin through the forum and may learn something new.  This guy, turns out, was a source.  But get used to the picture.

Then I thought, why do I feel like I have done this before?  Ah, AI...

 

It is going to be a sea change.  You can Google the names if you want:  Is (fill in name) Mormon?

Not wise, in my opinion, if you want to beat Indiana, Ohio State, or Oregon.

 

The Cheesy Bowl, Texas 41 Michigan 27

With the third interception it is over.  It was exciting for three and a half quarters.

Texas is missing nine starters (Michigan three) with several in the portal instead of NFL prepping.

For a while it was neck and neck, Underwood vs. Manning.  

Harbaugh then Moore.

For those interested, there will be lots of news:  the internal (i.e., partially objective) investigation, coaching staff, portal in and out, the remaining recruiting class, and of course what happens to the executive secretary, and Sherrone's home, marriage and family.  I know I will hear and read about.  I wish I could ignore it.  Personally, the thing that interests me most is the Matt Weiss case.  When is he going to cop a plea?

One thing that happened again in the game is a half-assed passing attack.  McCulley is out of eligibility; if Marsh and Underwood leave, Michigan is sunk in 2026 without a massive infusion of transfers.  Cliche:  Underwood has promise but right now he is a below average quarterback; he is not a complete game manager and passer.  And Michigan is totally dependent on a great workhorse running back that/who may not be available next year.

Defensively, Michigan got gashed for 235 yards rushing and some big passing plays too.  Secondary speed and tackling is lacking.  Rumors that DC Martindale will be back are nonexistent.  It looks like turmoil there too.

The good news is the Sherrone Moore and hopefully the Harbaugh era too are for the most part over. 

-- 

I already covered the nausea associated with Biff and Warde in the previous post.  I won't dwell on it.

It is disappointing that Bryson Kuzdzal is the only running back.

I never understood the Jaishawn Barham hype going all the way back to Maryland.  Rolder and Sullivan are much better linebackers. 

Can one believe the internet "evidence" that Steve Casula is a complete asshole?  So far the star is Kendrick Bell.  !!! 

I switched from Iowa-Vanderbilt for this?  Iowa held on.  Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea is a composed, somber, polite interview.  Googles "clark lea extension." He has done an amazing job.  Diego Pavia is really exciting.

Iowa is good and has been consistent all year.  QB Gronowski is 24.  Kirk Ferentz is 70.  Iowa is in that next tier of good teams after the elite three (Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon).  USC, Washington, and Illinois are in that next tier too.  Sorry, I don't believe Michigan would be in this tier if not for their cake schedule.  I know, 7-2 in the B1G but they are more on the level of Minnesota, Nebraska, and Northwestern.  That is Sherrone Moore's other legacy.

Oh the sun.  A tough opponent.

Michigan is sort of hanging on.  Texas looks better.  Kuzdzal is not very good and he looks like he is going to get injured.  If Jordan Marshall were playing it would be close.  The box score is telling:  Texas 220 yards, Michigan 120. 

Marsh, McCully, and Underwood are Michigan's best (offensive) playmakers.  But Andrew Marsh disappeared against Ohio State.

Zvada miss.  17-17 halftime.  Michigan closed the yardage gap.

 

Hello Kyle Whittingham

At first I thought WTF!  Five minutes later I thought, pretty OK.  Then and now, when I review the whole dirty situation, I say Brilliant!

Then I heard Warde Manuel (still there) and I almost got sick.  I know these things take finesse, but I read (!) he is a goner.

 Living in Colorado I am perhaps closer, but still distant in philosophy, to Utah than most people.  The populations are still relatively small here.  Utah was the fastest-growing state for years.  It is Morman and very different.

BYU is the U and it is supported/owned by the church.  Everyone is Morman (or knows or wants to live with Mormans) and the University of Utah has a much harder time.  It is not a great school, but the "morality," aka, different lifestyle, catches on.  It is everywhere.

KSL.com and Deseret News are different too, and anyone can read the comments about Whittingham to Michigan.  These people know.  Almost everyone says "I hope he kills it."

And he just may do that.  Positive of course.

Who is the most powerful person on U-M's campus?  The head football coach.  Five years at $8 million a pop means they're serious.

Bye bye gangster players, coaches, and image.

It may take a short while to take out the garbage--the Poggi, Manuel, and others.  But the writing is alredy on the here are already rumors of new staff.  Here's an idea:  Why not put Manuel's desk two feet outside the head coaches door?

More after the jump. 

The minute I laid my eyes on you I knew that you were no good.

 

 “I f—ing love you, man,” Moore said on live TV, tears streaming down his face. “I love the s— out of you, man.”

The Athletic has a composed, journalistic, investigative piece on his downfall.  The incident at Penn State lives in memory.  I was embarrassed.  I could tell it was going to be a long grind.  Post game, or almost any interview or comment, was an exercise in delusion.  Put that together with the weight of the job and the pressure had to be getting to him.

And it is not over.  For Moore, we have yet to see how he will survive and what he will do.  Wife Kelli must have known for a long time.  Three young girls.  She is, of course, living off him.  I have Googled "Sherrone Moore divorce" a number of times because that is what I expect to see.

I thought I had seen mortgage information online in property records.  I'm curious about that too.

Overall, he seemed to be living in the glory, and the glory was fragile or temporary.  

Concubinage, Trinidad and Tobago, mother and aunt in New Jersey and father who knows where.  His entire existence was a lie.  And the work coat--it wasn't a shirt--with Sherrone embroidered on was fake.

He has no resume; former tight ends coach at Central Michigan.  Now everyone knows he is a creepy guy, a liar, and all-around immature and inept.  We're going to see where that lands him.  There is more to come.

It is outrageous that Warde Manuel interviewed no one else then supported the disaster for two years.  Add in the six, eight, or ten firings, arrests, sanctions, etc. over the last few years and there can be no question Manuel is not safe.  The most generous outcome for him has to be a gradual retirement and replacement along with specific oversight.  But a clean break would be best.

From The Athletic piece...  The man didn't audition.  He was suspended and right-hand man involved in everything--that was his experience.

Don't forget it.  Don't sweep it under the rug.  I'm not sick of hearing about it.  Harbaugh could have been stellar, but he chose not to.  Sherrone Moore is one of the sleaziest and incompetent individuals in NCAA football history, and that is saying something. 

Lost in all this is what a bad head coach Sherrone Moore is.  Davis Warren?  2024 was a year of no QB (Orji etc. too) or receivers and a joke of a team (yes we all know the lucky, positive ending).  2025 was a cakewalk schedule and blow-outs against the three decent opponents.  The story of 2025 is a lack of talent; bowl sit-outs may include the three players who could be drafted.  A walk-on running back, two receivers and a freshman QB is not going to cut it against Ohio State.  And two journeyman, no recruiting coordinators is not a good look either.  It is a sad team when Biff Poggi is an upgrade.

Now we know.  His mind, what little there is of it, wasn't even in the game, or team, or school, or his own family.  

What a weird guy.  Never saw him without a Michigan hat, groomed beard, and dark blue Michigan gear.

 

 

 

Sherrone Moore Gone

It wasn't because of his wardrobe.  It wasn't even because of the haircut.

"Inappropriate" relationships do not happen quickly or once.  And then he went all Juwan Howard.

You could tell (or at least I could) that there is something slimy about the guy from the beginning.  

As for the team and the culture it is about power, greed, and entitlement.  Harbaugh brought it to a new level.  The (interim) president, regents, or somebody needs to do something to at least reign it in.  There has to be oversight.

These things don't happen to all of us.  They don't happen on their own.  The firing was announced and effective in one day, just after the hiring of a new assistant coach.  There must be cause to spend the night in jail.

It'll all come out, but slimy is at the heart of it.

What I am really interested in, Thursday 12/11 morning, is the criminal case.  These things move quickly--charge or release.  If he used, or caused, or displayed violence or danger in any way...

On the one hand there is a sleazy affair and all the people associated with that.  Moore's family, wealth, and lifestyle are gone or immeasurably disrupted.  As for his Michigan career all that is left is legal fine-tuning and that is tough to deal with.  

Now, I don't know exactly what happened.  $6 million a year was his salary.  After being notified Wednesday of his firing for cause he apparently went on a local rampage to his wife and girlfriend.  Somewhere out of that the word "assault" emerged.  

All along he tried to portray this calm, hard-working image.  The cracks were there.

As we who follow on the field know, beating Northwestern, Purdue, and Nebraska is not going to cut it. Come on, Davis Warren at quarterback and a walk-on running back against Ohio State?  The team and staff was patchwork.

In many ways Moore is reminiscent of Howard.  He is a mediocre, unproven coach who does not have the verbal or communications skills.

--- UPDATE

Mid Thursday latest news.  This from some AI searching.  Not completely confirmed--he went to wife and then mistress apartment.  Said 'I'll kill myself and you.'  Usually rumors prove true.  The name, address, and apartment complex is out there.  This person worked at U-M since 2021, got big raise and promotion recently. 

Gosh.  I don't know if you can call holding a knife to your own throat assault.

Psychotic, maybe, but assault?

That I think is what happened.  But it seems it is all within character.  It has happened before.  The affair, the family, and the tension is nothing new.  

Remember Tom Phillips, NZ and the protective order.  No one is saying anything.

 

 

 

Ohio State 27 Michigan 9

Thankfully, it is over.

It was a house of cards all year again.

 

Then Maryland and Ohio State

Maryland is pretty much the same as they have been for a few years--feisty, a bit of a challenge, but not close.  This time they came within half a foot of a big play several times which would have made it closer, but only a little.  It is rational:  Mike Locksley is the going or market coach.

And that indeed is the most salacious part of the season climax.  The top five, or maybe 7-8, are powerful. The season is a success and a playoff championship is possible.  Their coaches are not leaving, NIL is intact, and the strong season suggests talent and management cannot be improved much.  The goal is to stay the course.

It started with Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State.  Then the whoppers of Franklin and Kelly.  Luke Fickell is declared safe.  Jonathan Smith and Michigan State is just sad.

Anyway, they're declaring.  They are making choices. 

(Curious--what is the comparison between Malik Washington and Bryce Underwood? Pretty similar.)

All season Michigan has not challenged that level.  They have feasted on out of conference and bottom-dwelling teams.  In their only two tests (Oklahoma and USC) they were blown out.  

They are not in the top ten.  They are barely in the top twenty.  Even if they manage to beat Ohio State I cannot see Michigan in the playoff.

 And I expect the winner will be Ohio State.   

But First, Northwestern

Q.  Who is better?

Why are the Fox announcers so biased?  Theories after disinterest yesterday:  NU cornerbacks not good; TE big and clunky; freshman corner; all Michigan position groups average or below.  Why don't I like the way this team plays?  Is NU more "white" than Michigan.  Why does Moore allow the taunting?  Metcalf and Mangum are the worst. Semaj Morgan.

 If I was choosing between Michigan and Northwestern I would go to Northwestern the smaller, private, excellent school with exposure.  That's just me.  And if I was a football player I would do it because it is a better team atmosphere.

Last year Michigan pounded Northwestern 50-6 at home.  This year Northwestern is as good as Michigan.

With Justice Haynes Michigan was strong at running back.  Maybe with Rod Moore they had a good secondary.  Each remaining position group is Big Ten average or below average.  I don't buy virtually all of what I heard when watching:  Michigan does not have budding prospects.   

The game was 50-50; could have gone either way.  David Braun looks like a better coach than Sherrone Moore. 

Michigan football belongs at the bottom of the top 25. 

 Quarterback ratings.  PFF grades. 

Northwestern and Maryland

I skipped games 7, 8, and 9.  Michigan beat a competitive Washington team nicely then went on to hollow wins against Michigan State and Purdue.

Michigan State is not a pretty picture, and I write that not wishing them ill will.  No one should be in a hurry because there isn't anyone else even with the savings from Mel Tucker, but Jonathan Smith looks like he cannot last.  The main problem on the field is that Aiden Chiles is not as big of a prize as people thought.  Look, there is no such thing as building for the future.

Off the field it looks like a way to permanently get rid of the Tucker stench.  The penalties are very stiff over $10K.  Smith and the Spartans had to forfeit the few wins they had.  I guess ineligible players playing is over the line.

And Bryce Underwood is proving to be no price also, at least this season.  And the goddamn room that the QBs inhabit offers nothing now or ever.  

Michigan vs. Northwestern in Chicago has always been a neutral site for Michigan.  Why not just play on a practice field somewhere.  Maryland started out good but they are not anymore.  Ohio State is a machine.  It can't, it just can't happen again:  Sherrone Moore won't be so lucky this year.

Michigan's bubble?  I wouldn't want to be standing on top of it.  It is not like Michigan is clinging to the top four.  They are clinging to the bottom of the top 25.

 

2025 Game #6 USC 31 Michigan 13

When I watched the USC-Illinois game a few weeks ago I said to myself Where are the stars?  USC is one the very few schools that can actually say they had and can return to glory days.  Put it together with the sun, grass, uniforms, and Rose Bowl (or Coliseum) and they've got it all.  Against the Illini Makari Lemon eventually appeared and it/he was a game changer.  They didn't win, but USC showed they have gears few others can match.  

Why not?  USC is also a great private school with almumi and dollars in a huge market.  The population of L.A. County (alone) is 9.8 million.  The median home price is $900,000. 

Right now I am watching a file (replay) on Sunday morning.  It started with Southern Cal driving down the field and Michigan is getting pushed around just about everywhere.  Every extra hit, attempt at intimidation, and the toughness Michigan promotes are going USC's way.  The runners and receivers are dancing.  Several Michigan defenders are trying to cling on missed tackles.  Oh no, if the defense doesn't keep it in check, what will?  Now, or later, Jaishawn Barham and Jyaire Hill among others have looked silly.

USC is big, strong, fast and motivated.  The stars and talent go deeper than just the ball carriers. 

Do you think Michigan will get it back solely on offense?  No way. 

Reviewing this game is an easy one.  It is a replay of Oklahoma--a beat down, a rout.   Michigan is a decent team (we were all fooled by Wisconsin into maybe thinking more), but the top of the Big Ten is something else.  While Michigan is usually one of those with the ability to pull it off, now they are more likely to look over-matched or worse against the very good teams.

This is the meat of year two and Moore was the damn offensive coordinator before that.  Look at the difference in Riley and Venables (Oklahoma) this year, for instance; they are energetic, motivating, and involved in every play (even calling the plays), not to mention experienced in every facet of the game.  Moore looks dour and emotionless in his black smock, isolation and headset. To me, he is phony.  He knows Michigan fans don't give a rat's ass about Purdue and Northwestern.  He is hiding the stress and the truth; this team is not good and the coordinators are piecing it together.  Do something!

You cannot blame it on the time zone, coach class seats or hotel that is only 4-star either.

Michigan made some progress, complementary football progress, until the excellent Justice Haynes went down. 

Sorry to have to repeat it, Lincoln Riley is a phenom coach with a pedigree and experience.  Sherrone Moore is not that person.  Riley blew it up at Oklahoma and then he smartly realized the USC job is something special and a much bigger opportunity.

Moore and his smashed mouth got smashed again.  And who would have thunk it, Indiana did it too.  When you go around bragging that you're tougher and richer than everyone else your opponents are going to take note and put it right back at you.

I don't know where the depth and talent on USC came from, or how much it costs.  Michigan's glory days--a national championship--were far more recent.

Michigan Football Enthusiasm Meter

4/10

They're a middling Big Ten team and Sherrone Moore doesn't have it in him.

 

2025 Game #5

I almost forgot.  

Donaven McCulley is a revelation--great jumping, catching, staying in bounds, running, and height.  Bryce Underwood is not afraid and that is a "complementary" situation.  Andrew Marsh helps.

Per Moore, who was back, "let it rip."

Michigan Football Enthusiasm Meter

 5/10

As much as I hate to admit it, Michigan has become a good team.  Justice Haynes is a national star, the passing game has improved, and Bryce Underwood has been relatively (two fumbles and several near-interceptions) restrained and successful.  The D has solidified with roles, rotations, and Rod Moore.

The schedule still sucks and the few competitive games will be telling.  Michigan is not within the top three of Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. Talk of the playoff or Big Ten Championship is way premature.

Michigan is good enough to beat USC.  Same goes for USC vs. Michigan. If I were to make a prediction, Lincoln Riley's record at Southern Cal is unimpressive.  I saw the USC-Illinois game and I'd say the same about that.  Advantages like home field, bye week, time zones, and long-distance travel are not about the teams or the game; 2024, and Michigan is better this season.

I cannot go over halfway on the Enthusiasm Meter with a coach who only appears for 40% of the season.  Talk about laissez-faire!  Moore does seem to be liked by the team.