I have originally predicted blowout, that is Florida 37 - Michigan 18, or something very similar. I have put this in writing. Now, a day before the game, I am rethinking this. For some reason, I am feeling more and more optimistic. Michigan 30 - Florida 27 in a nailbiter. Oh well, I hope I am right....always have to root for Michigan!
I'll call 41-35, Michigan.
Anyone else have mixed feelings because we know they could have played like this all season? Like him or not, though, good to see coach go out like this.
I am elated, pissed, happy and sad all at once! WTF, where was this offensive play calling in the ASU and tOSU games?
Where did that defense come from? I'll tell you this - Florida was the BEST offense we have seen all year and I thought the defense played very well.
And I hope all the dumbasses out there who think Mallet can't successfully direct a spread O are rethinking their comments after watching Henne do it rather nicely today. Hart still ran for 100+ yards and Florida could barely stop us.
It was an awesome bowl game, an amazing Michigan performance, and no better ending for a truly great man in Michigan's history.
I just couldn't believe what an impact one player (No. 1 on Florida - Harvin) could have on a game. That kid is freaking amazing. Every play was called for Harvin.
I like the re-hire of Fred Jackson (key recruiter) and I'm bummed we couldn't retain Ron English. Any inside scoop on who we're going to hire for D coordinator. I think it needs to be someome great from a big name school with a proven D impact. Coach Rod clearly knows his O, so we need a strong D complement. I wonder if he can steal someone from another major program and is just waiting for the bowls to be over before making it formal???
And someone remind me when we'll know for sure about Pryor - I read that he's coming to A2 in the next month for a visit.
GO BLUE!
And what about Manningham and Arrington - wouldn't it be sweet if they stayed? What's the scoop on if they're going?
And I just read that Carr knows what Mallett is going to do but Mallett isn't saying yet. Should he stay or go?
GO BLUE!
So I read that Pryor is supposed to commit at the Army All-American game tomorrow (1 EST on NBC). What's interesting here is the Pryor / Mallet battle. Mallet sounds like is is going wherever S. Loeffler goes (UCLA?) but not announcing yet. It seems like it is coming down to who says what their doing first - each want an easy reason to give about their decision.
Mallett - I'm leaving b/c Pryor is a better fit for Coach Rod's O.
Pryor - I'm coming to M b/c I can immediately start and be THE MAN with my style of O.
Well, I hope we land Pryor.
GO BLUE!
Rumors are that MM and AA are coming back!
TP is likely going to tOSU (but Michigan still has a shot).
Michigan needs a "name" to coach their D. I really wish English was staying.
man I watched some of the Army All-American game on Sat and TP is amazing ... with his calmness in the pocket, elusiveness and ability to get 5 yards minimum on any play it is easy to see why he's compared to Vince Young ... and I think TP's arm may be better
whoever gets TP is guaranteed of winning a national championship in the next 3 years ... guaranteed!!!
man, I hope we get him ... if tOSUcks gets him I hate to say it but we can count on 3 more years of losses to the suckeyes
(and the buckeye on his helmet was placed there by a teammate on the East going to tOSUcks as a joke so hopefully that isn't why people are now saying tOSUcks has him locked up)
man I hope we get him!!! Feb 6 is going to be an exciting day
GO BLUE!
I hate that tOSUcks is making the Big Ten look even worse right now, if that's possible, but hopefully that has a positive impact for us in the TP sweepstakes.
Yes, tOsu does suck. Those bastards had a chance to win a MNC for the conference (and themselves) and make the Big10/11 look good, but they laid a complete egg.
Now, I get to listen to the SEC > Big10/11 all year and listen to tOSU > Michigan all year. This sucks!
Good thing Michigan came to play in the bowl game, because at least I can say that Michigan > Florida, or at least quickly humble any Florida fan when they go into the SEC > Big10/11 crapola.
The Big10/11 played the majority of their bowl games in the backyard of their bowl opponents. Kind of sucks.
We need some big name bowls in the Midwest. Hoosier dome and MetroDome for starters to stop all this home field / home crowd advantage stuff. But who from the south is going to travel to Indiana to go watch their team play? They won't, unless it's a playoff.
it is a pure joy to listen to all the crying from suckeye fans today ... now they don't like their coach ... some complained because they couldn't practice in the Superdome and had to practice in another facility ... the weak ass excuses were a flying!
boy did they suck it up last night and I've been smiling ever since
now we just need TP!!!!
GO BLUE!
I'm not too disappointed about MM leaving ... I thought AA was the bigger impact this year and I think he will be a better pro
No surprise about Mallett - he will be a great college QB for sure, hopefully in another division
Though the pressure is on to get TP more than ever or we are really going to be
We also need a true speedster on offense. I am still amazed by Percy Harvin at Florida and LSU had a little speedster as well. The impact this type of player can have at the college level is amazing.
GO BLUE!
... really going to be ... screwed at QB for a year
And I'm worried that because RR said he has plenty of people on staff now who COULD be D Coordinator that it means he can't find a suitable one and is going to get stuck with a mediocre guy. A high flying offense with no D isn't going to fly in the Big 10. Man, Ron English should have been asked to stay! I hope he surprises us with a big name D guy else it looks like we'll have a former So Miss guy as D coord -- NOT GOOD!
GO BLUE!
So, any opinions on our new DC?
His profile says he has a son named Wolfgang, so I guess that's kinda cool.
I am so pleased with the new staff thus far. I hope I am just as pleased a year from now.
The new S&C coach is a crazy good! And I mean crazy! We will lose some kids just because of him, since he is so tough. But we will see dramatic improvement from others.
The D is going to be attacking, and the O is going to be attacking, spread, no huddle! I am jacked!
This is a high risk team, so I expect more 7-6's and 12-1's than before. But it won't be 9-4 every year. I am almost expecting (instead of hoping for) 10-3 or better every year. We'll see.
Thus far, I like what I am seeing and reading about the new staff.
I wouldn't get my hopes too high for 10-3 or better next year. I don't think Lombardi could win many games with what we have coming back. The suckiest part is that the losers to the south return almost everyone. Could be a long year, good thing I like to follow the hockey team!
well with Taylor returning on the D-line we have quite a D-line returning next year -- and also with Warren back as only a Soph could be a nice year to rebuild the offense for when you can get pressure on the QB and can shut down 1/2 the field we know it keeps you in every game ... now we just need a QB ... Pryor anyone? he's visiting A2 this weekend and boy I hope we have all the strings pulled out for him ... birthday cakes, rides in SUVs with Mateen Cleeves, etc. GO BLUE!
I believe Michigan will surprise next year. With a new staff, I fully expect some shockers next year. You will see some "starters" from this years team take a back seat, and you will see others play a bigger role on next years team.
I'll make two predictions of newer contributors: Avery Horn and Doug Dutch.
Both are fast, small, and can thrive in a system like RR's.
To land Pryor they should open a satellite campus in southern Florida and take him there. It's supposed to feel(wind chill, etc...) like a high of -12 on Sunday!
These allegations of RR destroying files at WV, true or not, seem a little poorly timed with respect to landing TP.
If you scan the list of recruits that still need to declare, there are 6+ still with Michigan on their mind. DE Perry and QB Pryor of course top the list, but there are 4 or so others also considering the Maize and Blue. We have 18/19 scholorships with 6/7 to go and while unlikely that we'll get them all, how sweet it is to dream ... Feb 6 is only a week away (Perry's announcing at 3 EST, Pryor at 12 EST) ... stay tuned and GO BLUE!
oh, here's the link to the list ...
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=880&CID=765305
I hope RR has a back-up plan in the event we don't land Pryor. Michigan fans, me included, are caught up in Pryor-frenzy and it would be a huge letdown -- loosing to tOSUcks again and with the ideal offense for him. I don't know what the backup plan should be, but I hope RR does.
Maybe securing the #1 recruit in Michigan (DE Perry) would be one element - someone to chase Pryor down for the next 4 years.
I'm getting nervous ...
Now I'm even more nervous about Pryor. This is from his HS QB Coach:
Terrelle Pryor's QB coach thinks it's the Buckeyes:
Roy Hall, quarterback coach at Jeannette, Pa., believes coach Jim Tressell and the Buckeyes will land the Class of 2008's No. 1-rated signal-caller, the Plain Dealer reports.
Hall said, "A lot of things are telling me Ohio State. That's my gut feeling. In San Antonio [at the US Army Bowl], I was there and everyone he was chose to hang out with were the kids from Ohio State and their parents."
Larry Foote said he's heard in PA that he's headed toward Michigan ... maybe just a good Michigan guy helping steer the ship
It's a bit worrisome that Pryor is now saying he is going to delay his decision to after the 1st day of signing ... probably to see who M and tOSUcks really sign and make his call then
The FREEP has an article on RR's backup plan and this guy's stock has been rising ... but he would be one to commit on signing day and could alter Pryor's decision
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080131/SPORTS06/801310417/&imw=Y
GO BLUE!
I wonder if RR's comments from the start that he was going to sign TWO QBs was an indication that we never had a shot at Pryor ... we'll see soon enough ... what am I going to do until recruiting day??? I guess watch Brady, Toomer, Woods in the SuperBowl!
GO BLUE!
You need at least two mobile QB's in RR's system - with or without Pryor.
Pryor is a special player, but he is still just one player.
Michigan will succeed with or without him though it'd be nice to have him go blue!
now this is interesting ... we've all of a sudden stopped recruiting B.J. Daniels ...
I hope Pryor is not playing games with Michigan and in the end we are screwed ... it would be just like Tressel to work some magic in this space and ensure he keeps the momentum in wins over the maize and blue ...
http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080131/SPORTS0201/801310501/1131/SPORTS0201
Yes, most of the Michigan faithful have given up hope for Pryor. I haven't.
By delaying his decision, he is either messing with Michigan, or, he really is torn between where he wants to go. This is a good kid and I do not think he is messing with Michigan. The reality is that decision day is coming up, and he hasn't fully made up his mind.
From piecing everything together, I believe the following is true:
He was and still is leaning to tOSU.
The tOSU staff and recruits have been all over him - the recruits have been recruiting him very hard to tOSU, which is perfectly legal. They have driven long distances to his house. They have shown up at his basketball games in numbers. Hell, I bet they are giving him rides to school, doing his dry cleaning, and providing all sorts of other services for him. In the end, I think this could work AGAINST them.
But, he has bonded with a few of the tOSU recruits.
However, he has reservations about tOSU's "spread O".
I believe he likes RR.
I think he knows that RR's spread O is a better fit for him. And could possibly use it to hilight his skills and move onward to the NFL.
Early in 2007, he considered going to West Virginia when RR was there, but didn't, because the school was not high enough profile (unlike tOSU, Oregon, LSU, and locally, Pitt and PSU). (Yes, they missed the MNC game by 1 game, but come on, we are talking about national media coverage).
When RR moved to Michigan, he was intrigued since he would have an opportunity with a team stacked with talent (just whipped Florida), running a spread O that better suits him. tOSU's spread O is vastly different than West Virginia's. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that West Virginia's (and now Michigan's) spread O is dynamic and exciting while tOSU's is more even keel and bland. Pryor knows this. (And as a Michigan fan, i can;t believe I just typed that!).
But, his heart is still leaning to tOSU.
He's brain is telling him, go to Michigan, it's the better choice. Yet his heart is also being swayed toward Michigan.
Michigan's recruits have been contacting him as well.
He has moderately bonded with the Michigan recruits, but has best bonded with RR.
Pryor enlisted the services of Charlie Batch to help him sort out the ambiguities of everything (this is GOOD for Michigan, it also implies he really is NOT fully decided to tOSU unlike the claims of the rest of the tOSU faithful).
I put the following percentages on Pryor, 60% tOSU, 30% Michigan, 5% Oregon, 2.5% Pitt, 2.5% PSU. Most claim that Oregon, Pitt, and PSU are completely out. I don't think so.
At the end of the day, I think Pryor will likely go to tOSU. And no matter what anyone says, he is a good person - as a Buckeye, Wolverine, Duck, etc...
Marty, I only caught a bit of this story recently, and since you seem to be more into the boards et al, have you heard about the OSU contact with some local businessman? Apparently the "richest dude in town" where Pryor is from recently had a meeting with officials (don't know if coaches were involved) at OSU. Supposedly Pryor is very close to this guy, and even worked for him in the summer. I only caught a bit of this story on the radio, and just wanted to know if you, or anyone else, had heard this. I'm guessing this is just a typical internet hoax, but...
No, TFK, there is some truth to this. But nothing can be proven. I wouldn't worry about it.
There were also rumors of Pryor driving around a brand new shiny red sports car around town as well. Don't know if that was true.
I pilfered this from another site, but it does sound shady. I don't proclaim to know the rules, maybe Bartt does, but with such a high profile recruit, things are bound to get shady. There is also a picture floating around that shows Pryor in front of the corvette that said local businessman allegedly supplied him with for his prom. Story goes that Tressel had dinner with this guy recently also. Not sure of the truth on this one.
Michael Brewster, he of the Ohio State Buckeye Unofficial Recruiting Team, has assembled a group of his friends called the "Brew Crew." This seems a little douchey, but harmless, right? The latest word from Jeannete, PA, however, is that three members of said OSBURT (Brewster, JB Shugarts, and not-yet-enrolled Jacob Stoneburner) are in attendance at one Terrelle Pryor's basketball game. This, in itself, sounds like a great way for NCAA violations to occur.
Let's learn some rules!
13.02.5 Enrolled Student-Athlete. An enrolled student-athlete is an individual whose enrollment was solicited by a member of the athletics staff or other representative of athletics interests with a view toward the student’s ultimate participation in the intercollegiate athletics program. Any other student becomes a student athlete only when the student reports for an intercollegiate squad that is under the jurisdiction of the athletics department.
13.02.5.1 Permissible Recruitment Activities for Enrolled Student-Athletes.
(a) Off-campus contacts. Off-campus, in-person recruiting contacts that are unavoidable incidental contacts between enrolled student-athletes (or other enrolled students) and a prospective student-athlete are permissible if such contacts do not occur at the direction of a coaching staff member
(d) Unavoidable incidental contact. If unavoidable incidental contact occurs between a student-athlete and a prospective student-athlete (even at the prospective student-athlete’s high school), such contact is permissible, provided the institution had no prior knowledge of the occurrence of the contact.
Certainly there is a very clear violation of the spirit of the law if not the letter. It's hardly "unavoidable" or "incidental" for the players to drive 3 and a half hours from Columbus to Jeannette. Where they got the idea and means to carry it out are questionable, but nothing could ever be proven here.
Then, an insider from OSU Scout affiliate BuckeyeSports.com posted the following:
"They were greeted by high fives and hugs"
When it is pointed out that this would take the players into far less murky waters and straight into the realm of "very clear rules violation," the sentence was removed from the premium board.
The Pryor recruitment gets sketchier and sketchier. The OSU enrolled recruits, were they as confident as Buckeye insiders claim to be, would likely not be pulling out all the last-ditch efforts they could. The further this recruitment drags on, the less I want Pryor. Great player though he may be, there seems to be a lot of smoke in the air for there to be no fire.
if we don't get Pryor it will have been a huge mistake to stop recruiting Daniels ... I can't wait until noon tomorrow
GO BLUE!
Daniels did it to himself. Rumor has it, he literally asked for money!!!!
And McGuffie finally came around and signed his LOI last night. This is a great class.
Bummer that we lost Perry to USC. That hurt.
But we stole Barnum from Florida (lies in my hometown!) and Shaw from PSU. We are still in it for Pryor (his delay was worse tOSU and obviously better for PSU, Michigan, and now Oregon).
We are also still in it for Odoms, another tiny scat back from Florida who is another 4.4 guy.
If Michigan were to pull in Pryor (our chances are about 25%), then this would be an even greater class.
One of our operations guys told me he got an email asking if we were permitting tailgating outside Kyle Field on signing day. That tells you everything you need to know about how crazy the entire recruiting process has become.
I'm staying out of the discussion about particular recruiting deals for professional reasons.
Bartt, will you deny the rumors that you offered yourself to provide "favors" for that 18 year old Russian tennis recruit? I know not to believe every rumor on the net, but this one won't go away.
Yes. I also don't have any Kenyan distance runners in the trunk of my car.
Odoms has signed with Michigan! Wow! Speed Speed Speed!
Now if we could just get TP to come to Michigan.
great about Odoms -- a great 1st year class
we're not going to get TP ... and because of this I hope he chooses Oregon 1st and PSUcks 2nd
I did read in the freep today that we're at the top of next year's dual threat QB's list - a kid out of Texas and currently ranked #4 2009 prospect ... so we go with Threet/Feagin 2 headed system for a year and bring in this kid to challenge next year ... we'll get there with a stud QB (and who knows what we may already have)
GO BLUE!
and here's one other quote of interest from a Texas Longhorn fan:
Just a quick update: no one is reporting that Russell Shepard committed to Texas over the junior day weekend. With Gilbert's Friday commit to Texas, that's not terribly surprising, especially in light of Terrelle Pryor as yet being undecided about where he'll play ball.
The point being this: if you want Shepard as much as I do, root for Pryor to wind up at Michigan. Because if Pryor doesn't wind up in Ann Arbor, you count count on Rich Rodriguez throwing the kitchen sink at landing Shepard. It'll make luring him to Texas that much harder, especially with Gilbert already in the '09 class.
Shepard has gone on record and has said, "Michigan is right on top", assuming the Pryor does not go to Michigan.
And, don't believe what you have read, Michigan is indeed STILL IN IT for Pryor.
why do you still think we're in it for Pryor? a 25% chance to me is really not still in it
and reportedly Pryor himself woke up thinking tOSUcks and reportedly his dad said PSUcks, how do you think Michigan is still in it?
by all means I hope I am wrong on this but I don't see any way we're still really in it ... in fact, if we were to get Pryor I would (insert crazy thing to do here)
GO BLUE!
I would like to note that I watched McGuffie's YouTube mix tape this weekend and the entire thing was awesome ... this kid is FAST, FAST, FAST when he gets any glimpse of light and backed up by a 4.3 time on rivals.com, which appears to be the fastest of anyone in this class ... man, do I look forward to seeing him in action
GO BLUE!
Oh and one more crazy thought ... if I were a recruit in the 2008 class I would rent a bus and go on a road trip, picking up McGuffie, the stud Florida players and a bunch of others from our class this year ... and end up in PA on Pryor's doorsteps saying, we love you and we want you to come to Michigan
how could Pryor refuse?
if only I had the free time, I'd rent the bus and be the driver ... that would be awesome!!!
The reports that have widely circulated are incorrect. Michigan is still "in it", and yes, 25% is still in it.
Schools like LSU and Pitt are now zero and not being considered, while tOSU, Oregon, Michigan, and PSU are are still in it.
Chances are, he winds up at tOSU, but don't give up hope.
well I'm sure we're working every angle, but I'm not going to let myself get too re-excited ... I do like the article in the freep today about every day that it takes him longer to decide gives others outside of tOSUcks some hope ... and the fact that we are sitting at 24 scholarships with one opening is quite nice ... crap, I'm getting energized again
GO BLUE!
what do you make of these comments from TP and the Freep in an article I saw today:
Pryor told Rivals.com that he hasn't added any other schools to his list, but Penn State and Oregon aren't the only places he needs to see.
"I've seen everything at Michigan, but I didn't get to see everything at Ohio State," he said. "I am still in touch with all the Ohio State commitments I've become friends with, but they're being really cool about it, not pressuring me."
I make that we have exactly a ZERO shot at TP. So hopefully we can live with Threet and Feagin in Year 1 and get Shephard next year.
I know, I know, I know ... TP "says" Michigan is still in it ... but we're really not.
Anyone hear if the spring game is on this year? I bet it will be jam packed with fans this year, though few of the recruits are in yet for it.
GO BLUE!
How about Shavodrick Beaver, Kevin Newsome, and Tate Forcier!