Big Ten Preseason Thoughts

A few months back, following Spring practices I posted my pre-fall Big Ten predictions; I still feel rather confident about them but perhaps things will change before I ultimately make up my mind come mid-August. However, the other day I picked up The SportingNews’ College Football ‘08 preview. Disgusting.

I can’t decide if it’s the inaccuracies I have discovered so far or my general lack of agreement.  For a refresher my post-Spring predictions looked like this:

1. Ohio State 12-0 (8-0)
2. Wisconsin 10-2 (7-1)
3. Penn State 10-2 (6-2)
4. Illinois       10-2 (6-2)
5. Mich State   9-3  (5-3)
6. Purdue        7-5  (6-2)
7. Michigan    6-6   (4-4)
8. Iowa           6-6   (4-4)
9. N’Western   5-7  (3-5)
10. Minnesota  3-9   (1-7)
11. Indiana       2-10 (1-7)

Now, please give me a break on how the records play out … that was just a fun experiment without looking at each team’s schedules (i.e. pulling it out of thin air). The SportingNews sees the Big Ten shaping up like this (they call the top 8 teams bowl eligible and place each in a bowl):

1. Ohio State
2. Illinois
3. Wisconsin
4. Michigan
5. Purdue
6. Michigan State
7. Penn State
8. Northwestern
9. Iowa
10. Indiana
11. Minnesota

The clear differences are how we respectively feel about Illinois, Penn State, and Michigan. In all honesty I cannot figure out their Michigan prediction.

First thing I notice is they predict Michigan as a preseason 18th in the nation. Excuse me, did I miss something? No one outside of Vegas is believing that! Nevermind that Michigan is perpetually the most overrated team in the nation; no other Big Ten team is in the Top 15. Michigan fans you can certainly thank preseasons rags like this and others who boast you up based on your tradition of winning. It’s a great tradition - don’t get me wrong - but voting Michigan so high simply because they’re Michigan is simply foolish sometimes. Nevertheless this is their right so I continue on.

The mag seemingly starts to contradict itself at this point; unfortunately Michigan fans it flubs up all over you. For each conference they assign a team that is ascending and descending. Michigan earned the descending crown for the Big Ten with commentary that reads as such:

The Wolverines won’t be down for long, but expect a dip as the program transitions to Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense. Not only is a quarterback need, but Michigan’s offensive line and receiving corps are a work-in-progress as the offense adapts to a new scheme.

Now, consider last season when Ohio State had serious questions surrounding it’s offense and the prevailing thought was the defense would have to carry them. They started out the preseason at number 11 which many called lofty for a team with an unproven QB, who lost their top 2 receivers to the NFL, and their starting running back. Sound familiar.  I believe this number 11 slot was earned strictly on what was returning on the defensive side of the ball which was far more formidable than what Michigan has returning this season.

So excuse me if I seem mildly confused at this point. I flip to the write up on Michigan and all hell breaks loose. I can’t find one positive comment about the offense!At least Beanie Wells was a mostly proven commodity coming back and the Buckeyes had several returning lineman on offense. They can’t find a positive thing to say about Michigan’s offensive side of the ball.

The cause of much of the angst is the apparent absence of a capable quarterback to make Rodriguez’s spread offense hum … A lumbering drop back passer, Mallett wasn’t the fit for this attack. But is apparent number 1 Steven Threet? … While he is more athletic than Mallett, Threet is still cut from the traditional-quarterback mold.

The article goes on:

With Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington both having left early to the NFL, there is no doubt that Greg Mathews is Michigan’s top veteran wide out. But how many passes will be thrown his way in this offense?

Running backs:

Mike Hart’s departure leaves a gaping hole at running back. The answer may be a tailback-by-committee.

The article also points out, which I have neglected to consider, that Michigan coaches were already teaching the zone blocking scheme so that does put the line a little bit ahead of the curve. However, this is a line returning one starter, Steve Schilling, who got decimated against Ohio State last year and needs to show considerable improvement.

Saying nothing positive about an offense leaves me at a complete loss. I don’t care how dominant a defense you have - if you can’t score you can’t win. The 2004 Penn State team only gave up an average of 15.27 points per game and finished 4-7.

Which leads me to this … how can the SportingNews completely fawn over this defense? A defense that last year gave up on average 21.4 points per game, 156.8 yards rushing a game, and an average of nearly 5 yards per play?

A defense on which they say Morgan Trent is the best player?! Morgan Trent?! Someone help me. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t stunned by how inept Morgan Trent appeared.

Their thoughts on Michigan, were they placed them nationally, and within the Big Ten, caused me the most consternation. Additional thoughts are this:

1. I think they’re a wee bit high on the Illini. They seem to think their defense is going to be some wrecking ball and while I believe that Vontae Davis is going to be stellar nobody can replace J Lehman. The Illini gave up 21.8 points per game last year and over 375 yards per game. On offense, Juice has to prove he can be consistent, Mendenhall must be replaced (Dufrene showed flashes of brilliance) and Arrelious Benn will need to have a formidable threat emerge at the other receiver position.
2. I think they’re a bit soft on Penn State. Something just reminds me of 2005 Penn State here; especially if Daryll Clark is as special as he looked in last season’s Alamo Bowl. The loss of Sean Lee does hurt, yes, but this is Linebacker U.
3. I don’t think they give enough credit to Bret Bielema and the Badgers. Quarterback questions may abound in Madison but Allen Evridge does have some experience and its not as if he doesn’t have a mammoth line and tremendous backs to rely on (hello, ala Todd Boeckman?).

Those are my thoughts. Overall, the magazine has been a good read and provided some good insight to the upcoming season. I just wish it would have been more consistent with their thoughts and where they ranked teams.

Posted in Big Ten, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn St, Wisconsin | No Comments »

Arresting Developments

I’m a little frustrated right now. I was sitting here planning to do this whole piece on blasting UM running back Kevin Grady for his obscene DUI arrest last week and then Eugene (seriously who still names their kid Eugene?) Clifford goes off and gets arrested for assault.  Then I have to go and read Stewart Mandel be all logical about the increased attention give to arrests.

I did a blog for the Columbus Dispatch site BuckeyeXtra.com last season after Antonio Henton’s arrest asking people to have patience and to remind everyone that these are just kids; and who can’t remember making mistakes between the ages of 17-23? I tend to still agree with that original assessment. However …..

Clifford is likely gone from the team and I believe this to be true regardless of the outcome of his case. This is arrest number 2 since he signed his LOI and is his fourth disciplinary issue all together. Not a good track record and especially more so considering you were already residing in the coach’s doghouse. Have fun playing 1-AA ball.

What to do with Grady is a little bit more difficult to ascertain. First of all, he’s never been in trouble before. BUT! blowing a .281 isn’t like saying ‘oh, I’ll have one more and leave’ and you just blow over the legal limit. In case you’re unaware .281 is more than 3.5 times the state legal limit.

Grady weighs in at a bit more that 220 pounds so according to this chart (and there is no indication on how long Grady was drinking) the quickest Grady could have achieved this blood alcohol level is within 3 hours at about 6 drinks an hour - or about 18 drinks. Wow! How does one get behind the wheel thinking that is safe? How does anyone let anyone else get behind the wheel after consuming that many drinks. Think about this … he could have been drinking longer meaning he had even more drinks.

Here is the real kicker … some sites suggest that death is possible any point about .25.

There is, however, one last issue with Grady’s arrest running through my head and that is Hot Rod Richy Rodriguez (who by the way decided he has some integrity today - more to come later). Perhaps if that was not the guy who brought to us the names Chris Henry and Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones I could be a little less skeptical about Rodriguez’ history of disciplinary actions.  Oh and I know, I know … Maurice Clarett and the whole those who live in glass houses things … do me a favor and shove save it.

I understand that a coach cannot be completely responsible for his players at all times and that some kids come with baggage but by and large I have been pretty pleased with how Tressel has handled incidents with his teams. You might make some mistakes when picking guys but how you handle them once they’re yours speaks volumes about you.

I personally feel that Rodriguez needs to step up and make an example of young Mr. Grady. First because this is his first disciplinary issue since his arrival. Second, because of the perception that he is a weakling when it comes to disciplinary measures. I saw you hand this kid over to Barwis and a several week suspension is in order.

Posted in Big Ten, Michigan, Ohio State | No Comments »

I saw (stole) the sign

Ace of Base - I saw the sign

Five Man Electrical Band - Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs.

Any more sign songs?

Michigan Football out to have a song thanking two former ball boys for figuring out that a Northwestern coach was stealing signs (which is legal) in a 1997 game. Don’t believe me? Read.

Yikes.

I can’t decide what to laugh at. The fact that it was two ball boys who figured out what was going on or that they had to tell the coaches twice that it was happening? Perhaps it’s the fact that the Northwestern coach figured out whether a run play or pass play was coming based simply on where the center’s hands were placed in his stance? Even more so humorous that the signal into the NW defense was as simple as a finger towards the ground (run) or to the sky (pass)?

Funniest thing is this: somehow Michigan State’s plays, according to this coach, were easier to read. HOW?!? What did they do, hold up a sign that indicated what they were doing?

No wonder Tressel prefers the quarterback run to the sideline to take plays. Sweater vest equates to smart.

Posted in Big Ten, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State | No Comments »

I got the inside scoop!! Michigan’s 2008 Offense

I’m aware that speculation has been running rampant regarding what Michigan’s 2008 offense is going to look like and  have some inside information as to what that just might be. Recently a source of mine had a discussion with an incoming U of M freshmen who was a part of Spring Practice in Ann Arbor. Silly Wolverines … shouldn’t talk to Buckeyes.

Word out of camp is Michigan is primarily going to be throwing the ball as the personnel just are not there to run a traditional zone-read offense. I imagine there will still be elements of the zone read available to keep defense honest; especially if Justin Feagin shows any semblence of football intelligence.

Offensive lineman are expected to not be any larger than 280 lbs. as Rodriguez wants these guys to be mobile and be able to get to the line. The no huddle aspect of the offense will keep defenses on their heels.  I also think this may be in effort to help battle the surge of quick defensive rush ends; in theory a 280 pound lineman should be able to move a bit quicker than the 300 pound type hogmolly. Obviously, technique is still important.

The most interesting part of what we heard though is apparently Rodriguez is telling this team he isn’t worried about wins this year. That 2008 is strictly a rebuilding year, that he anticipates using a lot of freshmen, and use this year to gain experience. How will the Michigan faithful respond to a potential losing season?

Finally, the word from the inside is that Rodriguez never speaks, always yells. The only time he said Rodriguez actually spoke was when he met with his parents. Roddy and Barwis a match made in heaven.

What do you think Michigan fan? Worried? Not worried? Interested?

Of course, maybe this is all a giant slap in the face to those trying to figure out what Michigan will look like come this fall. It could be the exact opposite.

Posted in Big Ten, Michigan | 1 Comment »

Can I make a recommendation?

Here is my recommendation and I hope fans of all schools will use it. Stop using the whole number of arrests by a football program as some sort of knock on your rivals program.  For example to the buffoon Michigan fan who on the freep.com insinuated that as soon as Jim Tressel starts graduating as many players as he has arrested he can be taken seriously. Off the top of my head in just the last season alone 3 schools in the Big Ten have had more players arrested than Ohio State has in the last several. In 2007 Ohio State had one player arrested, Antonio Henton for solicitation.  Those other three schools?

1. Penn State - who had six players arrested regarding THE SAME INCIDENT!!
2. Michigan State- who had three players arrested regarding THE SAME INCIDENT!!
3. Michigan - who had two players arrested for assualt as well as a handful of other arrests.

Seriously, everyone stop with that crack back. It just doesn’t apply anymore.  There are a plethora of schools facing legal issues in and out of the Big Ten. These are kids (supposed amateurs) playing a sport we love to follow. Can we not all harken back to when we were 17-23 years old and recall some of the shenanigans we got ourselves into?

Posted in Life, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn St | 2 Comments »

My final thoughts on the Terrelle Pryor saga

The saga that was the recruitment of Terrelle Pryor has finally come to a close; thankfully. Yes, I fully realize I continued to add fuel to the fire sharing my thoughts but I don’t live in a glass house so stones be a tossin’.

I’m glad young Mr. Pryor chose the Buckeyes. I think I am just as excited about Rich Rod not having him as I am getting to (enjoy) watch him play his collegiate ball. But with all of this said let us put a few things to bed.

* Terrelle Pryor is not guaranteed to lead the Buckeyes to a national title in his first year or any year for that matter. Folks,  he hasn’t played a down of college football. Ever heard of Xavier Lee? Exactly.

* He’s 18 years old and I find it unfair to call him a prima donna, attention seeker, or potential trouble maker. Yes, his extended recruitment may have given the appearances of these issues, however, I have this eerie feeling that this is going to be more the norm; that is increased (and near ridiculous) amounts of exposure on kids who haven’t even attended their Senior Prom. Let’s see what type of man Terrelle becomes before we ostracize him to the land of number 13. Actually I think he has an inmate number now.

* Michigan fan … shuddup. Seriously, shut up. I know, I know … winningest program of all time, I get it. But lately your sore loser pout has grown to astronomical proportions. Terrelle didn’t sign with Ohio State because his scores weren’t good enough to get into Michigan and should he wind up being a classless jerk he would wind up being one under Rodriguez or Tress. Your incestuous incessant yapping and whining is putting you on par with Cubs fans (and by the way, I like the Cubbies). Its as if Steve Bartman swooped in and carried Pryor to Columbus. Christ, get over it.

 With all of that said here are my current pre-Spring football predictions for the outcome of the Big Ten.

1. Ohio State
2. Wisconsin
3. Penn State
4. Illinois
5. Michigan State
6. Michigan
7. Purdue
8. Iowa
9. Northwestern
10. Minnesota
11. Indiana

Oh, and Notre Dame will continue to suck it up and what a blessing it is to watch.

Posted in Big Ten, Michigan, Ohio State, Recruiting | No Comments »

Some things are funny … some things are good fodder.

Yesterday I was flipping channels desperately searching for something to watch. I took a break on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and took in the train wreck that it is for a short while; I do consider myself an amateur social scientist so it can’t hurt, right? What strikes me as funny is the first commercial I see come on is for the ‘Bender Method.’ Now while the commercial was about the next quick fix to your flabby ads it certainly could have doubled as the best way to negate your time at rehab as well. Nearly a day later it still brings a smile to my face. I think in response the makers of the Magic 8-ball ought to buy up some ad space on the reruns.

On to sports things, or thing. Or, I don’t really know.

Still sitting her nearly two months after another blown shot at the BCS Championship and I still can’t get all those SEC big mouths out of my head. They’re still everywhere. Actually, I think the nation is turning into some sort of Big Ten protagonist nation. I even read an article if Terrelle Pryor would wind up choosing Oregon over the Big Ten schools on his list it would be another loss for the Big Ten in a long list of embarrassments.

I realize the Big Ten hasn’t been the cream of the crop as of late but two schools from the conference hold an honor that no other schools that play D-1 ball do.

What two schools have won national championships in baseball, men’s basketball, and football?

Ohio State and Michigan.

Finally, something to hang out hats on.

Posted in Michigan, Ohio State | 1 Comment »

May I ask you a question?

Do you have a breath mint? Perhaps some Binaca? I kid, I kid. Here’s the real question. 

Is it time to be embarassed? Explain.

I’d love to pose this question to a series of - Michigan fans, Michigan State fans, Ohio State fans, and then sports fans in general specifically regarding Rich Rodriguez.

I realize I have been harping on Michigan quite a bit lately and I promise I’ll get away from that …. just as soon as Fraudriguez Rodriguez allows me. And with that I must say, it’s not so much Michigan …. it is Rich.

There had to be doubts surrounding this guy prior to his arrival didn’t there? Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones, Chris Henry, and God only knows what other felons he’s allowed through his program at WVU. His flirtations with Alabama which on the outside appeared to have been done solely to extort more from the West Virginia administration and boosters. Then comes the whole Michigan debacle.

Where do I begin with that last one?

First he’s flown into Toledo to meet with Michigan AD Bill Martin and University President Mary Sue Coleman. Upon his arrival back in Morgantown he states that he’s focused on getting his team prepared for the Fiesta Bowl. Behind the scenes he’s again trying to extort more money from West Virginia to stay.

When West Virginia decides that they cannot (or will not) come through Richie decides he’ll accept the Michigan job and thanks West Virginia for seven years of employment by having a graduate assistant hand in his resignation.

On Tuesday, January 15, we learn that there are missing documents from West Virginia’s football facility and Rodriguez is suspected of making documents disappear. This is way too early in the stages of investigation and may wind up being nothing but still ….. not a good story and certainly not something you ever want your name tied to.

On Wednesday, January 16th, we find out that West Virginia University’s lawsuit against Rodriguez for his $4 million lawsuit has been moved to Federal Court.

Now, Michigan hasn’t been apart of any of this so this is nothing against the University. It is everything against the man they have hired. It comes down to how many question marks a person is allowed to have before they’re an embarassment.

I recall 2003 very well … it was the first time in my lifetime it was embarassing to be a Buckeye. Maurice Clarett, the unmentionable, was a stain on the football program, there were questions surrounding the men’s and women’s basketball programs as well. You never want these issues to effect your university or your team. Yet there it was right in front of me.

Michigan State fans I probably don’t have to say much more than Bobby Williams to make you quiver.

Oklahoma how about Rhett Bomar? SMU should I mention the death penalty? USC … Reggie Bush?

Right now I really feel for Michigan and their fans. I’ve already heard many defending Rodriguez adamantly. Is it blind devotion or do people fully support the man they know very little about? His character was one of a few reasons why I was convinced he was a bad hire for Michigan. I just didn’t think that he’d start to prove me right so fast.

Posted in Michigan | 8 Comments »

An open letter to Terrelle Pryor

Dear Terrelle,

I am sure by now that you have about had it with people’s opinions on where you should attend college. Seeing your name everywhere from SI.com to Parade magazine while exciting must be getting old. Unless your ego is truly relative to the size of Alaska then this all just be another day in the life. Of course I have never been as overwhelmingly desired by anyone or any entity like you are by Division I football coaches so perhaps what I am saying is completely off base and wrong. I doubt it though.

So are you really going to wait until February 6th to announce your choice? Because the drama is killing me. No, not in the ‘I wonder where he is going to go to school’ kind of way. It’s killing me in the ‘I am tired of seeing the speculation anywhere and everywhere’ kind of way. So as the old cliche goes, if you can’t beat them, join them.

What is your expectation for college ball? Have a blast for four seasons putting up ridiculous stats and winning 2 or 3 Heisman Trophies as football’s flashiest player? By next year Tim Tebow will be wearing Terrelle Pryor pajamas. Right? Right?

 Or, do you want to build towards an NFL career? Wait a year getting accustomed, learning a playbook, and be ready to take the world by storm? I’m not saying redshirt, I am saying shared time, change of pace kinda of guy in year one and take over in year two.

Which paragraph sounds more appealing? Because in all honesty its the answer to where you should attend. We all know you’re visiting Penn State and Duke but none of us can believe you’ll go to either. Reportedly Florida is in the mix but Tebow is just a junior next year and something tells me he’s not leaving any time soon. So really, it’s Ohio State and Michigan.

So which paragraph is it? The first one and you should go to Michigan. The second and you should go to Ohio State.

Terrelle you’ve been quoted as saying, that you want to be your own person and that while being compared to others is nice you want to be known as Terrelle. That makes me think you should choose Duke but that’s not realistic and you’ve said as much. If that is truly the case then you need to go to Ohio State. Sure, Roddy isn’t at West Virginia anymore but the comparisons to White and Slaton will be endless if you’re teamed up with McGuffie. Sure, Ohio State had Troy Smith and all but they never implemented zone-read with him and you know Tressel will open up an offense that has you doing more then just running or handing off 60-70 times a game.

If you want to play QB at the NFL level then Ohio State is the place for you to go. Otherwise you could wind up like Eric Crouch or any other strictly option quarterback of recent history. So what’s it going to be?

Posted in Michigan, Ohio State | 2 Comments »

Early Outs

Vernon Gholston is leaving Ohio State one season early to enter the NFL draft. Third-year junior starting cornerback Malcolm Jenkins has stated he will return. It is said that linebackers James Lauranaitis and Marcus Freeman as well as left tackle Alex Boone are still debating their options. Also, early yesterday leading receiver, junior Brian Robiskie, has stated he will also return for his senior season.

So far so good in my opinion. Gholston’s departure doesn’t worry me as much as some are indicating it should. Lawrence Wilson was allegedly the stud of this line before he went down with a broken leg in the first game. Cameron Heyward and Robert Rose will also step up on the end. I wish Vernon the best of luck.

Jenkins return was going to be paramount to the success of this defense next season as there is some depth issues in the secondary. Jenkins has proven to be one of the nation’s best at corner and his return assures the entire secondary will be back together for another season.

As far as the others … Boone can go. I’d like him to come back and anchor a very young offensive line, however, there is tremendous depth and some of the best OL recruits in the country are heading to Ohio State. If Lauranaitis and Freeman return at linebacker then the Buckeyes will have to be the prohibitive favorites to win the Big Ten. Oddly enough, I think Freeman is leaving and Lauranaitis is staying. Gut feeling is all.

In regards to Michigan … are we seeing a lot of turnover due to Roddy’s arrival. Adrian Arrington is leaving for the NFL, you have to believe Manningham is probably right behind him. Mallett is transfering, forced out in hopes of bringing in super recruit Terrelle Pryor is my guess, and some others have hinted at departing for the NFL.

With the losses of seniors Hart, Henne, and Long as well as these departures what is in store for the Wolverines? Right now it doesn’t look so good … but signing day, February 6th, could change their fortunes quickly.

Posted in Michigan, Ohio State | No Comments »