Very interesting work, although the cheap shot at Bo’s QB’s was undeserved. For at least the first half of his tenure, his QBs were more runners than passers. Slade. Leach. Franklin. Smith. That was the focus of the Michigan offense, as it was the focus for many other teams. (There were exceptions, of course, including the PAC 10 for the most part.). Those guys were likely not playing QB in the NFL because the pro game was different from the college game. Same with OSU and Kern, Cornelius Green and Rod Gerald.
Who knows why kids make the choices they do? Is it NIL? Playing time? Liking your position coach? Friends on a roster? The city where you will be playing? The uniforms? How the recruiting trip goes? Why do hotshot QB recruits keep signing up for OSU when the competition there is overwhelming, and 3 out of 4 won’t make it? They like the challenge? Money? The image? Trying to understand these decisions from afar is a fool’s errand, we can never know.
Finebaum is an asshole, but this May guy is a bigger asshole. He cries about a PI he claims was not called on Marvin Harrison that he says cost them a championship in his mind. He seems to have forgotten the dubious PI call against Miami that plainly won them a championship at the outset of the playoff era. Typical Buckeye homer, it is always someone else to blame when they lose.
Of course he “expects” to win. He has to say that to justify spending marital assets on his litigation. The chances he wins seem much lower than his rosy prediction.
I don’t get the city connect uniforms. Looked at a bunch of them online, and with a couple exceptions, they all ranged from lame to awful. These I would rate as lame.
Surely one of the more bizarre questions posed to the board recently. I think a strong OL and defense will have more of an impact on the game than whether you do or do not take a course this year.
This says a lot about JD, but even more about Harbaugh. When sleazy promises for illusory playing time and NIL seem commonplace, it is refreshing to see such character in a coach. Not only a winner on the field, but a shining example to the kids who play for him.
The worm always turns. For every “I went for two because I couldn’t go for three,” there is an Upset of the Century. For every Cooper, there’s a Richrod. That realization kept me going through the many dark years before Harbaugh, when the worm finally budged. The worm will turn away from us again, just hopefully not as long as he turned away last time.
Can’t let a discussion of bad parks go without remembering the Kingdome. Worst ever, IMO. More tomb than ballpark. I never understood the love for old Tiger stadium. It looked like a dump when I was first there around 1960. But I suppose everyone loves the park they saw as a kid. I do like the Pirates stadium. Got to Yankee stadium a couple years ago, and was disappointed. It isn’t awful, but did not seem to have any character.
This portal thing is going to take some getting used to. I fear it may do to football what one and done’s have done to basketball, where it is rare to see a bunch of players develop together and become a champion. At least we will always have the ‘23-‘24 Wolverines.
If these guys really knew how to evaluate players, they would be working for an NFL team and making a lot more money. QB in particular seems to be the hardest position accurately to predict success in the league, even for the scouts and player personnel guys who do it full time.
Seems as if you could work around that by requiring on site performance to earn the NIL money—appear at autograph signings at Crisler or wherever, or at various car dealerships, make charity appearances with representatives of the outfit giving you the money. I wonder if you could also make it contingent on the player appearing in his Michigan jersey? Seems you could tie someone to a geographic area without making it contingent that he play at “X” school. (Although I admittedly have not read the regulations that govern NIL.)
Let’s hope so, because with Harbaugh gone we need the Michigan brand to be one that still attracts recruits, at least until Moore becomes a better known commodity.
The last three years have dramatically shown how important the offensive and defensive lines are. OSU and Washington had their QBs and pretty WR, but we beat them at the LOS. Really happy to see that recruiting success continue.
Seems to me the key for a QB is the ability to pass the ball to keep the defense honest. With our RBs, we will run the ball effectively if only opposing defenses have to fear the pass. Accordingly, whichever QB is the better passer is the guy we need.
So many good options. I think OSU 2023 may have been the best because (1) it put to rest the BS “you only beat us because you stole our signs” claims, (2) OSU was so adamant that they were going to shut down Michigan after incredibly (to them) losing two straight, but they couldn’t, and (3) it put us in the playoffs and on the road to the championship. Also, it left us the lasting memory of the Ryan Day penguin dance before the game.
Poor NCAA had its feelings hurt when a lawyer criticized how it was doing its job, so it threatened his client. Nice coercive move. Maybe look in the mirror and improve your performance instead?
This stuff is just fucking silly. Kids driving around in new cars, relatives getting jobs, money passed under (and now over) the table, and the NCAA is concerned about this dumbassed stuff. Useless, obsolete organization, with bureaucrats trying to hang onto their salaries as long as they can before it comes tumbling down. The sooner the better.
They will. The alumni are so obsessed with the football program that nothing will change, except for calls to fire Day. The money will still flow. It is their identity.
Being present for the draft makes no sense. There is only downside unless you know you are one of the first 3-5 guys to go. And even if you are, what do you get from being there?
Not mine, but someone wrote “I’m sure if Norm were here, he’d have a comment something like ‘at least OJ can rest in peace knowing Nicole’s killer is finally dead.’”
Having an elite QB the last couple of years was the difference between having a very good team and a championship team. We don’t beat Alabama without JJ stepping up on the last drive. Every team in the playoff had a good to great QB.
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Very interesting work, although the cheap shot at Bo’s QB’s was undeserved. For at least the first half of his tenure, his QBs were more runners than passers. Slade. Leach. Franklin. Smith. That was the focus of the Michigan offense, as it was the focus for many other teams. (There were exceptions, of course, including the PAC 10 for the most part.). Those guys were likely not playing QB in the NFL because the pro game was different from the college game. Same with OSU and Kern, Cornelius Green and Rod Gerald.
Who knows why kids make the choices they do? Is it NIL? Playing time? Liking your position coach? Friends on a roster? The city where you will be playing? The uniforms? How the recruiting trip goes? Why do hotshot QB recruits keep signing up for OSU when the competition there is overwhelming, and 3 out of 4 won’t make it? They like the challenge? Money? The image? Trying to understand these decisions from afar is a fool’s errand, we can never know.
I believe those were the Cooper Years, more or less. Yes, let’s bring them back!
Finebaum is an asshole, but this May guy is a bigger asshole. He cries about a PI he claims was not called on Marvin Harrison that he says cost them a championship in his mind. He seems to have forgotten the dubious PI call against Miami that plainly won them a championship at the outset of the playoff era. Typical Buckeye homer, it is always someone else to blame when they lose.
Of course he “expects” to win. He has to say that to justify spending marital assets on his litigation. The chances he wins seem much lower than his rosy prediction.
Maybe he learns a lesson and decides to be less of a jerk reporter? Nah, not gonna happen.
I don’t get the city connect uniforms. Looked at a bunch of them online, and with a couple exceptions, they all ranged from lame to awful. These I would rate as lame.
Surely one of the more bizarre questions posed to the board recently. I think a strong OL and defense will have more of an impact on the game than whether you do or do not take a course this year.
Good game by Lavert!
This says a lot about JD, but even more about Harbaugh. When sleazy promises for illusory playing time and NIL seem commonplace, it is refreshing to see such character in a coach. Not only a winner on the field, but a shining example to the kids who play for him.
Watch them sail through that cupcake schedule, make the playoffs, and then get blasted when they have to play a good team.
The worm always turns. For every “I went for two because I couldn’t go for three,” there is an Upset of the Century. For every Cooper, there’s a Richrod. That realization kept me going through the many dark years before Harbaugh, when the worm finally budged. The worm will turn away from us again, just hopefully not as long as he turned away last time.
Words engraved over the OSU entrance to the stadium: “If you can’t beat ‘em, at least outspend ‘em.”
Can’t let a discussion of bad parks go without remembering the Kingdome. Worst ever, IMO. More tomb than ballpark. I never understood the love for old Tiger stadium. It looked like a dump when I was first there around 1960. But I suppose everyone loves the park they saw as a kid. I do like the Pirates stadium. Got to Yankee stadium a couple years ago, and was disappointed. It isn’t awful, but did not seem to have any character.
Or even an OL from Alabama/Iowa.
Dude, just make a decision and stick with it. Maybe talk to your parents or old coach or some mature friend and get some perspective.
Guess we know why Taulia tried to get another year of college ball.
I am surprised no one drafted Trent. He really showed up after Zack’s injury, and looks like a very solid developmental OT.
Stover will always have that iconic photo of Mikey punching the sure TD out of his grip.
This portal thing is going to take some getting used to. I fear it may do to football what one and done’s have done to basketball, where it is rare to see a bunch of players develop together and become a champion. At least we will always have the ‘23-‘24 Wolverines.
If these guys really knew how to evaluate players, they would be working for an NFL team and making a lot more money. QB in particular seems to be the hardest position accurately to predict success in the league, even for the scouts and player personnel guys who do it full time.
Good. I believe he will be the best of the class. The guy is a winner and the ultimate team player. He is young, and will only get better.
Seems as if you could work around that by requiring on site performance to earn the NIL money—appear at autograph signings at Crisler or wherever, or at various car dealerships, make charity appearances with representatives of the outfit giving you the money. I wonder if you could also make it contingent on the player appearing in his Michigan jersey? Seems you could tie someone to a geographic area without making it contingent that he play at “X” school. (Although I admittedly have not read the regulations that govern NIL.)
I’d wager Stanford students would be glad to trade at least 3 or 4 Director’s Cups for one CFP championship.
Well, however Harbaugh may coach, it was apparently the right way for this team, as witness the four rings they just got.
Bye, Jobe.
Let’s hope so, because with Harbaugh gone we need the Michigan brand to be one that still attracts recruits, at least until Moore becomes a better known commodity.
The last three years have dramatically shown how important the offensive and defensive lines are. OSU and Washington had their QBs and pretty WR, but we beat them at the LOS. Really happy to see that recruiting success continue.
Seems to me the key for a QB is the ability to pass the ball to keep the defense honest. With our RBs, we will run the ball effectively if only opposing defenses have to fear the pass. Accordingly, whichever QB is the better passer is the guy we need.
Three years ago? The NCAA sure moves slowly.
Don’t forget: Is the ultimate team player!
So . . . perhaps Princeton emerges as a football power once again?
And now that OJ is gone and cannot finish the job, maybe you can find the Real Killer after you find the one armed man!
Would be nice to see more blue, less gray, on those charts.
So many good options. I think OSU 2023 may have been the best because (1) it put to rest the BS “you only beat us because you stole our signs” claims, (2) OSU was so adamant that they were going to shut down Michigan after incredibly (to them) losing two straight, but they couldn’t, and (3) it put us in the playoffs and on the road to the championship. Also, it left us the lasting memory of the Ryan Day penguin dance before the game.
You nailed it! I detest that organization more every time it moves.
Poor NCAA had its feelings hurt when a lawyer criticized how it was doing its job, so it threatened his client. Nice coercive move. Maybe look in the mirror and improve your performance instead?
This stuff is just fucking silly. Kids driving around in new cars, relatives getting jobs, money passed under (and now over) the table, and the NCAA is concerned about this dumbassed stuff. Useless, obsolete organization, with bureaucrats trying to hang onto their salaries as long as they can before it comes tumbling down. The sooner the better.
I want to know who came up with the scheme.
They will. The alumni are so obsessed with the football program that nothing will change, except for calls to fire Day. The money will still flow. It is their identity.
Not getting their money’s worth so far, hope it keeps up.
Being present for the draft makes no sense. There is only downside unless you know you are one of the first 3-5 guys to go. And even if you are, what do you get from being there?
Who conjured the idea of hiring a PI firm to investigate sign stealing, how did the project evolve, and who paid for it?
Not mine, but someone wrote “I’m sure if Norm were here, he’d have a comment something like ‘at least OJ can rest in peace knowing Nicole’s killer is finally dead.’”
The Oakland A’s of the Big Ten.
Some weird quotes there . . .
Excellent rant! I somehow missed that when it happened, thanks for posting.
With eleven defenders on the field for the last two plays, ND likely beats OSU.
I think it would be sort of nice for the Big Ten to own both football and basketball championships at the same time, so yes, Purdue.
Having an elite QB the last couple of years was the difference between having a very good team and a championship team. We don’t beat Alabama without JJ stepping up on the last drive. Every team in the playoff had a good to great QB.