Hawkeye Gets a Gift

Well, this is one I didn’t expect to win in a frigid 20 something night game in a hostile environment, but much like the Sparty game, it was right there within our reach. And as I stated in the Pre-season preview, beating Iowa doesn’t get you much at the end of the day, but losing to them is unforgivable. And Jesus Tap-Dancing Christ, can we hang on to the G@#%# DAMN Ball?

There are so many places to point fingers, but I think that remains to be the biggest issue with this team under the Rod’s tenure to date. If you don’t take care of the ball, it’s going to be REALLY HARD to win a lot of football games. Five turnovers is not taking care of the ball – it’s handing the game to the other team…If Stanzi was half way decent – Iowa is undefeated? – they would have capitalized on the screwups and hung 48 on us. We got lucky in that respect….

A quick check of the WVU statistics under the Rod era shows that they were turnover prone also, but that they had defenses that could get the ball back for them and the turnover ratio was definitely more balanced. His last year there was especially impressive…Michigan doesn’t have one of those defenses. It has a defense that can shut some people down some of the time and put opponents in 3rd and longs, but then gives up miraculous plays that result in 1st downs.

What was truly confusing and it has now created a glimpse of a QB controversy is whatever The Forcier was doing in the 2nd half. I can only guess that the coaching staff was instructing him to “protect your body and the ball” and he was therefore throwing deep and avoiding the option read keepers that get him banged up all the time. So, in his mind, he was doing what he was being coached to do, except the Rod was seeing cut back openings that The Forcier WASN’T taking advantage of and was using the four letter word “TATE!” to get his attention…I think maybe that was the Rod’s way of not using profanity? Robinson was able to come in and exploit the read for a quick drive and TD in the 4th quarter. However, Robinson isn’t the gamer that Forcier is -we saw that with the perfect pass to the wide open safety- and you now have a QB whose confidence is shaken and another true Frosh that can’t do what the other guy can do…What a mess half way through the season.

So, let’s get to Mid Term Grades:

Coaching: I was going to give this an A right up to the last two games, but now I am forced to reconsider. In a world of “what have you done for me lately” and realizing that the Domer victory was more of the Fatted One screwing up some calls at the end and giving us a chance, this team is actually (statistically) a lot closer to 3-3 or even 2-4 when you throw out some last second Indiana heroics then they are to 4-2. But a win is a win. So, reluctantly, I give the coaching staff a B- and that will probably fall as the losses begin to pile up.

Offense: Again, this is so much better than last year, but when you’re dead last in multiple categories in the Big 10 a year ago, how can you NOT improve? Therefore, even though there’s been significant steps taken in the right direction, they aren’t there yet. C+

Defense: If this were any other Big 10 team, I would have given them a passing grade. But this is Michigan. Still too many big plays, missed assignments and wide open receivers. D- bordering on total failure and an E. Change that, they get the E. A tight end finding the open zone going all the way for a TD at IOWA gives them a failing grade.

Special Teams: Right up to that Zoltan’s missed read, they were carrying an A- or B+. But that fell considerably, not to mention that WE CAN’T FIELD A PUNT! This dropped precipitously in the last two games. C

Intangibles: Managing the press, the media, and everything else you need to be able to do as a Michigan team. B. Come on, you like this team. You know you do. They are better than last year, but not by much.

OVERALL: I want to give them a B, but when you average everything out, it’s a C-. They are passing, but are a hair away from failing miserably.

The Ledge

Michigan Reasons to put one foot on the ledge (no change)
1. PSU, Wisconsin, OSU – Only PSU and OSU home….
2. No Defense…
3. An offense that exists only when The Forcier is With You.

Michigan Reasons to leave one foot Off the Ledge:
1. Deleware State – This week should be a win….where have we heard that before?
2. Illinois, Purdue – They should win one of those - Illini on the road...Spoliers home
3. That get’s you to 6 wins. 7 would be better....obviously...





THE REST OF THE MESS

DOMERS (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!)– Byes are nice….

SPARTY vs. ILLINI: 24 first half points with 0 2nd half points….Hmmmm. It looks like you at least found a running game with Caper.

Sparty One foot On
1. 3-3 at halfway point.
2. Running game looked good, but it was Illinois.
3. Purdue, Western, Northwestern gets you to 6 wins.
4. Minnesota might get you to 7.
5. Reasons to leave one foot on the ledge:
6. PSU, Iowa- home, however.

CORNSUCKERS vs. MIZZOU: Thursday Night Lights! What an explosive 4th quarter by the Cornsuckers. Are things going back to normal in the Big 12? Can Pelini and company dominate once again? Will he hand out the Black Shirts? He hasn’t to date…You have to earn them.

ShortHorns vs. Colorado: We’re the Shorties actually TRAILING going into half time against a team that lost to Bowling Green? Colt McCoy might have been peeking ahead, but lookout for the aforementioned Cornsuckers…If one of these two cracks the door open, Pelini will go rushing in.

GATOLAND vs. LMU: If LMU had produced any kind of offense and gone for it on 4th and goal on the Gatorland 1, it might have been a different outcome…What happened to the riverboat gambler that went for everything under the sun in 2007 and 2008? That coach might have won that game…Tebow was serviceable, but I think Gatorland runs into trouble somewhere along the way. Most likely the SEC Title game.

THE SUCKEYES vs CHEESEHEADS: Really thought the Cheeseheads would have given THE Suckeyes more of a game…So much for thinking this year. But they did manage to rack up 368 yards of total offense to THE Suckeyes 184…How did they only manage 13 points? Do THE Suckeyes find a way back into the top 5 before year end? That makes me ill just thinking about it…

HOKIES vs. BC: Hokies destroy a BC eagles team that looked good against FSU and found a passing game in the process….Me thinks they are quietly earning their way back into the top 3 via a weak ACC and a Gatorland, Texas, or Alabama loss.

FSU vs. WRAMBLIN’ WRECK: I’m a Wrambling Wreck from Georgia Tech and I drink my whiskey clear! Somehow, I thought ole B. Bowden would find a way to win this game. The AD and Prez say he’s safe to the end of the season. Meaning, B. Bowden is GONE at the end of the season….

Cremesicles vs. Puppy Dawgs: Richy Rich better find a defense fast or the aforementioned 3-3 puppy dawgs won’t be playing in a bowl, let alone on New Year’s Day.

RAZORBACKS vs. AUBURN: Another undefeated goes down. Gene Chizik either didn’t see this coming or Auburn just had a bad offensive day…I was surprised that the Auburn D didn’t put up more of a fight here…

SATAN’s Warriors vs. Ole Miss: Can we stop talking about Ole Miss again? Thank you!

Idle Thoughts From Saturday

1. Will Michigan ever win a big Road Game again?
2. Will we have a QB controversy in Ann Arbor?
3. Is the Forcier hurt more than he is letting on?
4. Are we sitting still or are we getting worse?
5. I think the opposition is getting better, but not by much.
6. I’m glad we didn’t get Ferentz…but I can’t say I’m ecstatic with the Rod.
7. Les and LMU looked fired up and ready to play – what happened?
8. Tebow has not impressed to date – the Heisman repeat is in doubt…
9. Bradford comes back from his injury and throws for 398 yds…That’s impressive.
10. Who would I vote for Heisman? I think McCoy is getting better as is Texas overall…but he’s not the most exciting player to watch.
11. Is it about stats, excitement, or a little of both when it comes to the 40 pound award?
12. Alabama might be the best team and I may have to change my earlier prediction to Alabama and Texas (Or Someone Good) in the Big One…
13. Are coaches immune to the press, really? There wives obviously are not…I feel sad for Bobby Bowden…
He did a lot for Florida State and the fans want him OUT-OUT-OUT!
14. Kind of like JoPa in 2003 with a 4-7 record…but look at him now!
15. When should you hang it up? Did Lloyd do it right?
16. We’re answering some early season questions at this point, that much is for sure.
17. I don’t like all the answers, especially when it comes to the Maize and Blue.
18. Can Michigan win two more games? And is that enough?

The Hot Seat

Well, I have never gone to the “extremes” when selecting hot seat mascots and by extremes I mean, well, you know…. but some photos came in from some big fans of the MMQ and I would be remiss if I didn’t put at least one of them in the blog to at least say that I hear you and I am listening..…but I had to edit them “just a little” for content….

I have no idea who they are, but they are definitely hot…



HOT SEAT RANK
1. Zookie – Unbelievable...This team played in the Rose two seasons ago.
2. Richy Rich – needs a defense
3. Rich Rod – you have to beat the “I” schools if you’re Michigan. It’s a God given Right.
4. Bobby Bowden – Technically gone, so the hot seat spot drops and should be the first coach on the “Gone List” when it comes out.

GETTING COOLER

1. Ole Ball Coach
2. Al Groh…Going on annual run that saves his job….
3. Wuzzles…Bye weeks have to be cooler in general.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!

Cincinnati at South Florida: Battle of the (Weak East) top 25…

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: I thought Friday belonged to High School? Another Weak East matchup with Pitt At Rutgers…Pitt is hanging tough….


EDSBS (Every Day Should Be Saturday):

1. Michigan vs. Deleware State: I’m nervous, but not sickeningly so. Michigan should win this one walking away. They need the break.
2. Oklahoma vs. Texas: The one the Big 12 people have been waiting for. I like Texas, but Bradford and Stoops could find a way to screw this up…
3. Rubbers AT DOMERS: Hee-hee…finally get to put the Wuzzles back on the hot seat. I like the Rubbers in this one.
4. Hokies vs. The Wramblin’ Wreck: Big ACC match-up will answer more questions.
5. Iowa at Wisconsin: Who knew this game would mean so much in the Big 10? Undefeated goes into Badgerland to stay perfect…
6. Purple Kitty Kats at Sparty: This is one Sparty usually finds a way to lose…
7. THE Suckeyes at Purdue: Spoilermakers, Spoilermakers, Spoilermakers …are they or aren’t they?
8. The Ole Ball Coach vs. Satan: Can the ole Ball Coach pull a rabbit out of his hat against Satan?
9. Cal vs. UCLA: What everyone thought was going to be a big game is “whatever” now.

UPSET ALERT:

1. This week is tough…But the DOMERS getting 11 at home? Really? I thought it would be a little closer than that since it’s Domers home and they had a bye to get ready…well, if there was ever a time the Wuzzles could pull it off, it’s this time.

2. Oklahoma with a healthy Bradford will do the unthinkable and derail the Short Horns hopes of a title….Just a hunch