Tough Home Opener. I don’t know if those were my exact words, but I said something to that effect when I penned the Pre-Season spectacular. Triple option offense, smart, disciplined defense with a bunch of kids that are collectively smarter than your average football team. Put it all together and you get a game in the Big House that is a whole lot closer than most people would think.
Air Force is a 5 consecutive season bowl team and some of those bowls were “not” of the fleab bag variety. They have a winning record under Calhoun and I KNEW they would give Michigan fits.
And they did. I expected a tight game and that’s exactly what we got. Therefore, I’m not panicking nearly as much as the general public was on Sunday and Monday when it came to reviewing the final stats and outcome of this game. Yeah, we won and we won on DeRob’s running ability that Air Force simply had no defense for. They were disciplined and tried to defend D-Rob the way that everyone else had, but you need the correct speedy personnel and the right scheme in which to defend him. Without that, well, you look like Air Force.
My major concern was that there were times where the defense was still missing tackles and they also looked out of position….that’s unforgivable and needs to get better.
You don’t hand out grades on one game and as Brady Hoke said in the presser, a win is a win. U-Mass is the closest thing to a “cupcake” that we have on the schedule this year and frankly, when it comes to the defense, that sounds really good.
The Rest of the Mess
Sparty – Chippies: Well, again, this was not un-expected by the MMQ or the FMQ. Friday I stated that Sparty would win this walking away and that’s what happened. Sparty coverd sometime late in the first or early in the 2nd and never looked back. This week is “The Game” for Sparty and they more or less want to take the Domers to task.
Domers – Purdue: Danny Hope’s crowd almost spoiled the Domer’s season early and looked incredibly effective against a defense that looked Bama-esque against Navy. Not to mention that Purdue’s defense was in the Domer backfield all day. Gholson get’s yanked for Reese in the last drive and Domer’s win by a field goal….I think they will have their hands full this weekend.
Sec Newcomers vs. SEC ESTABLISHMENT: Neither Mizzou or the Aggies looked very good against their new SEC counterparts. While they hung close for a half, both SEC teams demonstrated that you need to play a full 60 minutes of football in their league if you want to be competitive and in the game at the end.
LMU – Arkansas: And no, that isn’t the MMQ’s nomenclature for Les Miles’ University. That is the Louisiana Monroe University that must get all the SEC Juco recruits that either can’t make the grade in the SEC (meaning, they’re REALLY in need of education) or they are the cast-offs from in state over-recruiting. Whatever the case, Arkansas and John L. Smith opened up several doors for LMU and LMU gladly went through them. Will Arkansas put on the same performance this week? Highly doubtful, but if they do, Alabama will make them look worse than Michigan looked
Beavers vs. Cheeseheads: Not unexpected by the experts and frankly I guessed that the same thing could happen. Something about B1G teams going out to the West Coast presents a problem. Women, weather, and jet lag. I don’t know why the combination of those three present problems, but the B1G can’t play out there….speaking of not being able to play
Cornsuckers vs. Bruins: The Black shirt Defense isn’t anymore and Mora has turned a new page at UCLA. I figured it was only a matter of time at UCLA and perhaps that time has come. That’s a game that the Bruins can build on and the Cornsuckers will scratch their heads on and try to figure out how they lost….
Va-Tech vs. Snooze….They won. Beamer’s boys go 2-0 quietly and look to re-establish their ACC dominance.
Wildcats – Cowboys: Rich Rod finds a way to knock off a top 20 team early in the season….We’ve seen that before (I think) and I’m curious as to whether or not he can keep it up out there in the Pac 12….
Idle Thoughts From Saturday
-I wonder if Kovacs will get the Bennie Oosterban jersey?
-I think he exemplifies the heart and desire of a Michigan Man…
-Okay, Jake Ryan is a good choice also…
-Jake – Ryan. Two first names….
-Happens to be the first names of two of the MMQ’s nephews, also.
-One attended Michigan’s Football camp…
-We look good on offense.
-BTW, I REALLY like this Funches Kid….Just a frosh and that size!
-We might see a lot of him in the future.
-With some of these receivers, I wish we had a drop back and chuck it QB….
-You know, a Quality Passer, not a Thrower (Thanks, Joe Namath)
-Jake Ryan had better be pumped up, he’s going to have a long day as the Triple Option lone wolf on defense.
-Assignment football. Every defender takes a man and keys on that guy…
-That leaves one guy that has to make a decision or be REALLY, REALLY fast to defend the ball carrier and the option.
-During the Game: Calhoun plays with his junk a alot...
-It got embarrassing...they kept putting him on TV with a handful...And he didn't care...
-I guess if you have a full handful, you've got nothing to be concerned about....
-But really....Can you stop touching for a couple of hours on national TV?
-Apparently, Michigan’s Defense practiced all week without a football on demo team’s offense in order to drive the point home.
-Still looked like they didn’t quite get it.
-But it’s an incredibly tough offense to defend when you don’t see it week in and week out.
-Why don’t they use in the NFL?
-Team defense speed negates the advantage, or so we’re told.
-It’s not sexy, but effective.
-Domers are on upset alert…
-So is Michigan.
-LMU looks pretty good.
-Arkansas and John L Smith….Hee-Hee…
-I’m glad I’m not them tonight or this week.
-Actually, that might be the edge that they need against Bama…
-Bama will figure, “Eh, these guys suck.”
-Surprise potential? Maybe….
-Wiscy didn’t look good until the last couple of minutes in the 4th Quarter.
-I thought they got the onside kick, also.
-Bad call from the re-play booth.
-But for a team that averaged 45 points a game last year, they looked miserable…
-Monte Ball was non-existent.
-How many O-line guys did they lose?
-Nebraska looked slow against the Bruins.
-Domers (Kelly) pulls Gholson for Kung-Fu Reese.
-Was it me, or did I hear Kung-Fu fighting come on over the stadium loud speakers?
-What I would have given to have a 5 minutes in the music booth in Domer Stadium when he took the field...to a chorus of boos, by the way.
-Just wishful thinking on the MMQ’s part…
-Don’t look now, but Rich Rod 2-0 and in top 25 after upsetting Okie State.
-But we’ve seen that movie before….
-Of course, the Pac 12 does suit him better with the lack of defensive focus….
-SEC is the SEC.
-When is the NCAA going to look into the over-recruiting/signing issue and decide that there is an unfair advantage when it comes to SEC protocol and over-signing practice?
-Probably never…That’s just the NCAA
-Rather kick a University that’s already reeling and atoning for its own sins in their collective cajones. Even though the current coaches and players had nothing to do with anything….
-Un-intended consequences.
The Hot Seat
Well, I must admit, I think it takes awhile for the MMQ readership to remember that they need to vote or the MMQ mascot or who knows what we will end up with over on the right this year. While I understand the choice between Jenn and Jessica was a no brainer (except for a couple of voters that must prefer blondes), you should still vote. After all, if this presidential election cycle has taught us nothing else besides “Money doesn’t matter to Obama (No Kidding. Michelle, I think most of us knew that already)” and that Romney is ready for the challenge….What platform, exactly, is Romney running on?
Enough, however, about politics and on to this week’s Hot Seat Mascot nominee: Bar Raefalei! Yeah, I didn't have a clue as to who she was either until I was at Lady Jane's om M-59 getting my hair cut and picked up the latest issue of Maxim...And the MMQ was like, "Wow! I'm happy in my pants!" Not that I know what that means....For the younger crowd reading....But damn....The MMQ is like a little breathless putting this Mascot in place....
Unfortunately, while there are new Hot Seats in the NCAA this Monday after several of the upsets, I really see no reason to change the order….But I will add a couple…1. Kelly, Brian: Until someone, anyone unseats him or he beats Michigan, he has to be number 1.
2. Tedford: Only Hot Seat Coach to lose in Week 1!! But I can’t move him above Kelly.
3. Derek Dooley: No way he survives another bowl-less year…Much less another year of sub 0.500 SEC ball…
4. Mack Brown: I know, I know. But you didn’t think they would fire Joe Pa, either. Believe the MMQ when I say that his retirement or canning is nearer than you think…
5. Randy Edsall: Maryland is going to start thinking that with the ACC as screwed up as it is, why aren’t we winning more football games?
6. Kevin Wilson: But can Indiana really expect much more? Really?
7. Mark Richt: Just because he will lose some game he’s not supposed to and the annual “Fire Mark Richt” bandwagon will get a spit polish and a coat of paint…
8. Dabo Sweeney: Either find a defense or find a new job….
9. Frank Spaziani: BC is a proud school that doesn’t get a lot of attention…
10. Tubberville: Yeah, he’ll have a defense, but those people at Texas Tech are used to FIREWORKS!!!!!
11. Brett Beilema – Wiscy. His fans have expectations now. 200 yards of total offense are NOT their expectations.
12. John L Smith – He’s only on a 10 month contract, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they canned him before then…
13. Bo Pelini – Cornsucker fans expect to beat their non-conference opponents.
The FMQ
Well, not terrible this week, but some surprises and misses none the less….I'm happy that we improved the bank roll, but we could have done better. Let’s get right to it.
Ball State (+28) @ Clemson:
Take Ball State and the 28 for $30
WIN! Ball State covers the 28….Barely. Bank: $57
Sparty (-20) @ Central:
Take Sparty and lay the 20 for $30
WIN! Sparty had this covered in the 1st Quarter…Bank $57
USC (-26) @ Syracuse:
Take USC and lay the 26 for $50
Okay, had I LOOKED at the weather report, I would have laid off this game…Lose
Vandy (-3) @ Northwestern:
Take Vandy and lay the 3 for $40
WTF…I guess Vandy was more down than I thought and NWU is better than I thought…Lose
Louisiana Monroe (+31) @ Arkansas: Take Louisiana Monroe and the 31 points for $50
WIN! Should have bet more…I had a good feeling about this one: Bank $95
Air Force (+21) @ Michigan:
Take Air Force and the 21 for $30
WIN! What did I tell you? Bank: $57
PARLAY!
3 Team Parlay pays 6 to 1.
Take Vandy – LMU – USC for $18.50
Not even close…Might use the dog Parlay this week.
Starting Bank: $660
Total Win: $266
Bank: $926
Early Monday Picks:
Va Tech (-12) @ Pitt
Gophers (-3) vs. Western
Michigan (-45) vs. UMass
USC (-10) @ Stanford
Sparty (-4) vs. Domers
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