Bleacher Report - Articles by Adam Bouton

Michigan-Ohio State Preview: The Wolverines Aim at Recapturing Glory

Adam Bouton — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:03:01 -0500

All Ohio State-Michigan games are big.

Even one that pits a conference champ in Ohio State against a downtrodden Michigan program.

If Rich Rodriguez is to save his job at Michigan, a win on Saturday would go a long way in helping the cause.

Ohio State has had Michigan's number for the better part of a decade and it proved to be one of the main reasons Lloyd Carr was pushed out in Ann Arbor. Michigan sought a coach who would change this and Rodriguez still has a chance to do that.

It starts Saturday.

A win in the season finale would give hope for next year and provide a spark in the university that might help save Rodriguez's job, for now.

Instead of looking at five elements this week, let's take at three things Michigan MUST do to pull out a victory over the Buckeyes.

1. Contain Terrell Pryor

This one is obvious.

Michigan's defense has been soft all season and it must pull out its best performance of the season against the Buckeyes. The final home game for seniors, including Stevie Brown and Brandon Graham, always helps, but a lot of effort needs to come from the young secondary.

Pryor can make plays happen with his arm, his legs and most recently, his mind. He's been much better not turning the ball over meaning Michigan must try and get him on his behind before the secondary gets burned for long touchdowns.

Pressuring the quarterback is essential. Stopping the run to force Pryor to throw the ball is essential. And of course, the secondary playing good coverage down field is essential.

A victory at the Big House hinges on Michigan stopping Pryor. Everyone saw what happened when Daryll Clark torched the Wolverines earlier this season.

2. Run first, Pass second, No Turnovers

Turnovers always play a big role, no doubt and Michigan needs to be near perfect in this game.

Nothing is ever sure this year, but Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown are the closest thing right now on offense. The freshmen have coughed up the ball at times, so Michigan needs to give the ball to its seniors and sure-handed running backs.

Should the run game get shut down (and it easily could as the Buckeyes are the best against the run in the Big Ten), Forcier is going to have to throw and that probably doesn't bode well for the Maize and Blue.

Either way, Michigan needs to play mistake free and make sure that Ohio State's defense doesn't help out its offense by getting on the board early.

3. Finish the game

The Wolverines actually haven't been too bad in the first half this season.

They have outscored opponents 226 to 150 in the first half this year. However, Michigan has scored just 41 points in the third quarter in 11 games. They need to find a way to keep the momentum going into the second half of the game on Saturday.

One of the ways to do this is to ensure that the defense doesn't tire out early. Run the ball and keep the defense fresh on the sideline.

It's the final game for many on Michigan and they obviously want to go out with a win.

Finish the game. It's that simple.

Prediction: Michigan hangs tough for most of the game, but Ohio State pulls away for a two-touchdown win. Pryor is solid, if not spectacular in his debut at the Big House and Michigan seniors go out with a sour taste in their mouth. Michigan finishes 2009 with its second straight losing season.

Ohio State 33, Michigan 20

Devin Gardner and Vincent Smith: The Next Great U-M Backfield Duo

Adam Bouton — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:07:09 -0500

One hasn't even set foot on campus yet, while another is making a stir in the Michigan backfield.

They are Devin Gardner and Vincent Smith, Michigan present and future.

Both have oozing potential and should be important players in the coming years for the Maize and Blue.

How soon is the question.

Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier seemed to have the position locked down for years to come after gutsy performances against Notre Dame and Michigan State. However, after a series of losses and some rather questionable performances from Forcier, the future at the position seems to be up in the air.

His durability and small size are a question and he doesn't seem like the glove to fit the hand of Rich Rodriguez's spread offense.

Denard Robinson is the type of athlete that could work at the quarterback position, but that is provided that he learns how to effectively throw the ball down the field.

The man who is throwing passes and running past defenders in the Michigan high school playoffs currently might be the best person for the job.

Gardner, a senior at Inkster High School, has the tools both with his arm and his legs to be the type of guy Rodriguez is looking for behind center.

He may not get a shot right away, but the buzz surrounding him before he even gets to U-M has to be a telling sign that everyone is eager for his arrival.

One player who has already arrived on the Michigan football scene is Smith.

The freshman from Pahokee, Fla. has found some reliable playing time as the season has progressed.

He found some playing time on passing downs during the Wisconsin game and also was able to find the end zone during the first half for the Wolverines. He has good speed and makes quick cuts as a small back.

Smith and Michael Shaw should be the two competing for the starting tailback job next season as both Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor graduate. But in the long run, I won't be surprised at all to see Smith take the role solely.

Just imagine back to when Rodriguez had both Pat White and Steve Slaton in the same backfield.

Gardner and Smith could come close to that.

They probably won't match it, but they are the types that fit those two West Virginia prodigies the best.

Next year could mark a new era in Michigan football. Finally. Gardner and Smith should be a part of that.

The Michigan offense, however you look at it, looks bright with the arrivals of prospects and with the players already suiting up for the Wolverines.

Even with the current season heading south, there is reason to believe in the future.

And it could include a stalwart backfield with Devin Gardner and Vincent Smith.

Greg Robinson and the Michigan Defense Have Better Days Coming

Adam Bouton — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:19:34 -0500

Greg Robinson is one of the best defensive minds in football.

He's won Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and been a part of many good defensive teams, such as the 2004 Texas Longhorns and in the early 2000s under Dick Vermeil and the Kansas City Chiefs.

That being said, he had a monumental job in trying to turn around a Michigan defense that had arguably one of its worst defensive seasons in 2008.

He has talent but needs to try to mold that talent to his system, and that may take a year or two.

Just like Rich Rodriguez's spread offense, which has taken a year to come into its own, Robinson needs a season to ingrain his system into the minds of his players.

Come 2010, the players should be better prepared to respond to his defensive schemes.

Even though Michigan loses top defensive talents and potential Sunday players like Brandon Graham and Stevie Brown, it should be better off next season.

Most of the starters will be back, including cornerback Donovan Warren and linebacker Obi Ezeh. Plus, most of the youngsters starting on defense will be better prepared for the season having already played a year of Robinson's defense.

Players such as Jordan Kovacs, Kevin Leach, Ryan Van Bergen, and Craig Roh will be ready when the first game rolls around next fall.

Robinson will have all year and all next summer using the same players he used in 2009, molding his schemes and game plans around these players. In simpler terms, he will be better ready to prepare them.

One of the biggest areas of concern this year is the secondary.

Boubacar Cissoko went way downhill, and Troy Woolfolk was absolutely torched last week against Purdue. Inexperience and the inability to stop the pass have been big reasons why Michigan has slid down the Big Ten standings this season.

If Warren sticks around another year and doesn't enter the NFL Draft and Michigan can find someone to complement him at the other corner, it would be a HUGE improvement over what has happened this season. Kovacs and the other safeties gaining a year of experience can only help Robinson and the defense as well.

Something also makes me think that some of the talent Michigan is bringing in next year will help make an impact.

That, and true freshman William Campbell will probably break into the defensive line rotation next season.

If Michigan's offense becomes even more dangerous next season and Robinson can help shape up the defense, Michigan has to be in for better days, doesn't it?

Not exactly.

But given Robinson's track record and his ability to turn around defenses, with the talent at Michigan, there is reason to believe they will.

Michigan-Purdue Preview: Wolverines Should Get Big Win at Home

Adam Bouton — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:21:46 -0500

It looked like a misprint.

The statistics jumped off the page and not in a favorable manner: 377 rushing yards, zero turnovers, and two drives of 90 plus yards.

And 31 points in the second half.

After a first half in which the Wolverines went up 13-7, the Fighting Illini of Illinois came out with a vengeance and, with the help of very timely turnovers by Michigan, thumped the Maize and Blue to earn its first conference win of the season.

In earning the first conference win, it also deeply damaged Michigan's 2009 campaign.

However, even after losing four of its last five games, Michigan still has a chance at capturing some glory this season. It won't be easy, but with two home games left, Michigan must win this weekend against perhaps its easiest opponent left.

Purdue, that opponent, has had a real up-and-down season.

They nearly upset Oregon in Eugene and then promptly followed that effort up by losing to Northern Illinois at home. Close losses to Notre Dame and Northwestern crippled Purdue's chances in 2009, but one of their three wins this season came against Ohio State.

Even with the big win over the Buckeyes, the Boilermakers limp into the Big House having fallen victim at the hands of the Badgers just last weekend. Wisconsin took care of business at home, 37-0.

Both teams need a win, and while Purdue's season is over, Michigan still has the postseason in its sights.

Here are five elements of impact in Saturday's game between Purdue and Michigan:

1. Michigan Containing Purdue's Ralph Bolden

Bolden is third in the Big 10 in rushing yards, and Michigan just gave up 377 yards to an Illinois team that had won only one game all season.

Michigan needs to somehow pinpoint Bolden and force Purdue's Joey Elliott to beat them with the pass. The Boilermaker senior quarterback has already thrown 11 picks this season.

If Purdue can control the clock, quiet the crowd, and put together some successful drives behind Bolden, Michigan might have a struggle on their hands.

However, if they can shut him down without having to bring an extra man up in the box, it'll go a long ways for Michigan as they try to get the victory at home.

2. Turnovers

Here we are again.

Michigan's costly turnovers against Illinois and its inability not to force them has been a problem all season.

Purdue and Michigan are the bottom two in the conference when it comes to turnover ratio. They both also lead the conference in turnovers committed (26 and 21, respectively).

Michigan needs to take care of the ball and this is especially true of the senior running backs. The freshmen have coughed up the ball at times and Michigan needs to ensure that the ball stays secured in this game if they are going to win.

If not, Purdue could take down another Big 10 opponent on the road.

3. Defense, Defense, Defense

Both teams can't really brag much about their defenses save for a few stalwarts on each side. They both rank in the bottom half of the league in several categories.

Both the Wolverines and Boilermakers are leaps and bounds from where they'd like to be defensively. That's easy to recognize.

So what will happen Saturday?

It's as simple as this: Whichever team makes some game-changing plays on defense wins.

They have been few and far between for Michigan, but when they're able to get some (like Warren's pick against Iowa), it really has helped out.

4. Red Zone Chances

Michigan had some issues capitalizing inside the red zone last weekend and they need to make sure they finish the drives off with touchdowns, or at least points against Purdue.

Purdue gives up the most touchdowns in the red zone of any Big 10 team. Because of this, Michigan needs to take care of business.

For Purdue, they don't get to the red zone often, so when they do, they need to make sure they capitalize. They are 20-for-24 this season, so if they can get there, look out.

5. Minor and Brown

These two are a handful to handle if they both get going.

Should both play, and if Minor can stay healthy during the game, Purdue could have a tough time stopping the duo.

The run game could also open up the game for the freshmen quarterbacks.

Prediction

Michigan leans on the run and the Wolverines churn out the yards on a suspect Purdue defense. The defense plays much better, but still gives up some big plays to the Purdue offense. The Maize and Blue hold their turnovers in check at home and are able to muster out the win. Their sixth win of the season gets the team closer to postseason play.

Michigan 26, Purdue 20

Why Michigan Coach Rich Rodriguez Needs to Stay...For Now

Adam Bouton — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:20:31 -0500

After another painstaking loss to lowly Illinois on Saturday, the question is again buzzing around Ann Arbor.

Should Rich Rodriguez be the head coach at the University of Michigan?

The answer now is yes.

The answer after three more losses this season?

It could be a much different one.

Michigan has been graced throughout the years with some legendary coaches. Replacing successful coach after successful coach is no easy task.

Lloyd Carr and Bo Schembechler are two of the great college coaches and Rich Rodriguez has a tall order trying to fill the shoes of two "Michigan" men.

Following up a disaster 2008 with another lackluster season in Maize and Blue could spell the beginning of the end of the Rodriguez regime.

Michigan fans aren't used to losing and aren't usually that patient either. One loss is usually bad enough and weekly defeats begin to take a toll.

Add the NCAA allegations, the changed traditions at Michigan, and all the other hoopla and it gives Bill Martin and the athletic department all the more reason to ax the coach as he leaves the university.

That brings up another point.

Martin isn't leaving his post until Sept. 2010 and if Rodriguez is given the pink slip before then, the task of finding his replacement would definitely need to be sped up. This could possibly give him at least one more year.

Which in turn, could give him enough time to turn around the Michigan program and put the team down the right track.

It is easy to point fingers and blame the head coach, however, his job completely changing the Michigan program needs to be taken into account. Two years probably isn't enough time to evaluate what he could do.

Next year, a lot of the youngsters will have a year under their belt and they'll be better prepared for the level of talent that the Big Ten possesses.

The defense will have another year to learn Greg Robinson's complex system and the offense will have even more talent pouring into the spread. The program is still an elite and one that will be thought of highly even when losses are moving the team down in the standings.

Many boosters have declared the Rodriguez hiring the wrong one from the start. Former Wolverines have decided that it'll never work and it's almost like the situation Notre Dame's Charlie Weis is in.

Hold on.

Give the man a chance.

Carr seems to think Rodriguez has what it takes. Martin and the rest of the hiring committee went up and down a distinguished list of candidates before deciding on the rising coach from West Virginia.

He must be the right guy.

Rodriguez needs to stay amidst the turmoil that is currently surrounding the Wolverines.

Besides, whether or not Michigan wins any other game the rest of the season, if Rodriguez can get his team up for the Buckeyes at the end of November, the season will probably be seen by many as a success.

Why Michigan Needs To Stick with the Run Game Down the Stretch

Adam Bouton — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:24:32 -0400

Michigan has long been recognized as a defensive football team that likes get a lead, control the clock, and run the football.

That all changed when Rich Rodriguez arrived on campus in 2008 and quickly "spread" the word about his new offense.

Glimpses of improvement have been seen in Ann Arbor this season, and good performances out of young players give evidence that better seasons are coming.

However, for the rest of 2009, Michigan needs to stick to what works.

That is, try and control the clock and run over defenders.

Senior running backs Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown need to be put at the forefront of each game plan and need to stay there even if the Wolverines start trailing in the remaining Big Ten contests.

Both Brown and Minor looked good at times against Penn State, and once Michigan started trailing on the scoreboard, they were long forgotten. They have been a key to success all season and need to be recognized once again as the leaders of the offense, even if passing uses up less clock.

Freshman Tate Forcier was expected to shoulder another load against PSU, and this time he couldn't come through. He completed only 13-of-30 passes and threw one interception. He was also sacked five times.

So, in turn, Michigan needs to try and lean on its seniors for the rest of 2009.

Minor and Brown need to get the ball and often.

This way, Michigan can control the time of possession game and limit the turnovers that Forcier and freshman Denard Robinson are committing. The two freshmen combined for three turnovers in the defeat to the Nittany Lions.

Controlling the clock would also keep the defense on the sidelines and rested.

Michigan's defense has had issues in 2009, and any help the offense provides could help lift the defensive unit.

The Wolverines are pitted against two of the worst teams in terms of rushing defense in their next two games.

Illinois is dead last in the Big Ten in rushing defense (185.3 yards per game), and Purdue is ninth in the conference in stopping the run (156.2 yards per game).

After that, Ohio State and Wisconsin are two of the better teams against the run; however, if Michigan had any wits about how it is going to win those two games, it should recognize its senior leading rushers.

This goes against much of what Rodriguez has been trying to do this season.

He has routinely tried to catch opposing defenses off-guard by hurrying up the line and using the no-huddle, but perhaps he should let go of this concept for the rest of 2009. Getting to a bowl game is a must for the Maize and Blue after such a horrific season last year.

Michigan's only conference win this season, against Indiana, saw Brown and Minor rush for over 130 yards with two scores. Brown also had a 61-yard touchdown catch in that game, and Michigan rushed 50 times against just 24 pass attempts.

With both Michigan senior backs rushing over 4.7 yards per carry, there is no reason that the Wolverines should not lean on the pair.

It's been a roller-coaster ride for the Wolverines this season, and Michigan needs a huge upswing at the end of the season for 2009 to be considered a success.

Perhaps Michigan needs to return to smash-mouth football once again.

Even if just for the final four games on 2009.

Michigan-Penn State: Five Key Elements in This Heavyweight Showdown

Adam Bouton — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:56:39 -0400

Michigan has owned this rivalry for a long time, but Penn State has improved recently under Joe Paterno and they should be a top 25 team for years to come.

Last season was a struggle for the maize and blue after jumping out to a 17-14 halftime lead in Happy Valley and Rich Rodriguez and his staff will look to get the second Big 10 win of the season this weekend at home.

Here are five key components that could decide the outcome of the game:

1. Michigan Must Finish the Game Strong

Last season, the Wolverines played admirably against a much more talented Penn State squad on the road and held the advantage at the half.

However, the second half was a much different story and the Nittnay Lions pulled away for the 46-17 rout at home. They shut out Michigan in the second half and poured on the points in the blowout.

Michigan can't let that happen again this year and must play the full 60 minutes if they want to beat a very capable PSU team. It will be much easier playing at home in the Big House, but the defense can't take breaks because Evan Royster and Daryll Clark could make them pay for just one mistake.

Many of the defensive starters played only the first half against Delaware State, if that, and that kind of rest for the Wolverines could give them an advantage heading into the weekend.

I'm almost thinking that it will be better for Michigan, too, if they are down at the half. It'll give them more motivation to come out in the second half and take no prisoners.

2. Pressure against Tate Forcier/Daryll Clark

Both quarterbacks can make things happen with their feet.

Clark has a wealth of experience in big games but Forcier has proven this season that he is no slouch under the gun either.

Iowa has shown in two years that Clark has a tendency to crumble under pressure. Although Michigan doesn't have a defense nearly as good as Iowa's, if they can force Clark into some sacks and mistakes, it would be huge for Rodriguez's team. The defense has steadily improved all season with personnel changes and experience. A good game at this juncture in the season would definitely give a boost for the second half of the season.

It'll be interesting to see if Brandon Graham, Craig Roh, Stevie Brown, and others can get in the face of Clark like Iowa has been able to do. If not, it could be another long day for the Michigan secondary.

I expect Greg Robinson to blitz at the start of the game and try and get in the face of Clark.

On Michigan's side, if Forcier can show the ability to escape like he has all season and get the crowd into the game, Michigan could ride his momentum and Forcier to another victory.

3. Michigan's Success Running the Ball

Brandon Minor looked terrific last year against Penn State, rushing for 117 yards and the lone two touchdowns for the maize and blue.

Michigan will surely look to hand the ball off to him again on Saturday, and with a more balanced attack this season, the Wolverines could control the clock and eventually the game. Minor's ability to run downhill will become important as he wears down Penn State's defense.

Not only that, but they have options to hand the ball off, too. Michael Shaw, Denard Robinson, and others could all get looks and the fresh legs could help wear down the Penn State defense.

Penn State has the best run defense in the Big 10, but it could be a different story, especially with David Molk back on the line for Michigan.

If the Wolverines struggle moving the ball with the rushing attack, Forcier and the offense could sputter, like it did against Michigan State.

4. Turnover Ratio

I've said it before, but Michigan must win this battle. Robinson must hang on to the ball and Michigan must not throw game-ending interceptions like it did against Michigan State and Iowa.

More importantly, the defense needs to make a couple big plays and help assist the offense any way that it can. Pressure on Clark will be key.

Neither team is particularly good when it comes to turnovers as they both have turned the ball over more than they have forced turnovers.

As in so many conference games, the team that wins the turnover battle most likely will win this game.

5. Evan Royster/Time of Possession

Penn State's rushing attack is no slouch either as they have the second-best attack in the conference. Royster is a star and will look to continue his success this season.

If they are able to run the ball and methodically control the clock, the Michigan defense could wear down and Penn State could get up by a couple scores.

Playing at home should help the defense, but Royster is a superior talent.

Prediction

Expect a shootout. This is the top two scoring teams in the Big 10 and the Wolverines have played very well at home this year. I think Michigan has the advantage at home and will learn from the defensive mistakes made last season. Royster and Clark can keep Penn State in the game, but the edge goes to Michigan.

Michigan 31, Penn State 27

Michigan-Delaware State: Wolverines Get Glimpse of Future in Blowout Win

Adam Bouton — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:03:58 -0400

Carlos Brown, Brandon Minor, and Tate Forcier have been making headlines all season long for the Wolverines.

However, on Saturday afternoon, it was the younger understudies who provided the punch for the Michigan football team in its slaughter over Delaware State.

It also provided a peek at the future of football in Ann Arbor.

This was especially true at the skill positions, particularly at running back.

Freshman Vincent Smith, redshirt freshman Michael Cox, and sophomore Michael Shaw, all running backs, saw extended playing time, and all three performed well.

Granted, the Maize and Blue were nearly unstoppable on a day where they broke a school-record for most offensive yards in a game. However, it also proved that Michigan is very, very deep at running back.

It bodes well for the future.

Many around the country and at Michigan have touted Smith as the next up-and-coming back, and he showed why Saturday.

The 5'6" back was rated as a top 100 prospect in Florida and a top 40 running back in the nation when he left high school. He rushed for 166 yards against Delaware State on Saturday and showed elusiveness throughout. He scored one of the six Michigan rushing touchdowns.

After Smith, the baton was handed to Cox, who didn't disappoint either.

Cox added 82 yards for the Maize and Blue with most of it coming on a 57-yard run down the sideline midway through the fourth quarter. He went on to plunge over the goal line one more time during the contest.

Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson also continued his development as he saw a lot of playing time in the first half. He was efficient and made plays both through the air and on the ground.

He threw just four passes, but made them count, completing three for 85 yards and two touchdowns.

Not all the coming-out parties were on offense.

Defensively, there was a one big play started by another young talent that led directly to a touchdown.

Redshirt freshman and four-star prospect Brandon Smith blocked a punt attempt, and it was recovered in the end zone by senior defensive end Brandon Graham. Rated as one of the best defensive prospects and third-best player in New Jersey by Rivals.com, Smith is expected to be a force on the defensive side of the ball for years to come.

Linebackers Kevin Leach and J.B. Fitzgerald saw extended time and played well. The linebacking unit is surprisingly deep and only loses Stevie Brown at the end of the year. With Obi Ezeh, Jonas Mouton, Craig Roh, and others all coming back, the defensive front seven will be a strength, even with the loss of Brandon Graham next year.

But that's in 2010.

As for 2009 and this past Saturday, Michigan took a deep breath, added a win to its season total, and gave Michigan fans a glimpse at what the distant future holds for Michigan football.

A Michigan Prediction: Wolverines Gear Up For Penn State With Win

Adam Bouton — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:58:21 -0400

After two close road losses to Michigan State and Iowa, the Michigan Wolverines get a breather this weekend.

That's a huge understatement.

This is more like David against three Goliaths.

The Maize and Blue get its easiest assignment of the season as they welcome the Delaware State Hornets (1-3) to the Big House.

The Hornets have scored just 57 points in its four games this season and will be overwhelmed playing in the Big House this weekend. The largest crowd they've played in front of this season was a little over 20,000 against Delaware.

This weekend isn't about the opponent for Michigan, it is getting the team clicking and gearing up for the second half of the season and stretch run of Big Ten games.

The team needs to make sure a couple of things happen this weekend.

First, it would be terrible if someone went down with an injury this weekend against a much inferior opponent. However, starting freshman quarterback Tate Forcier is the right thing to do to get him ready for Penn State, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the rest of the second half foes.

Injuries need to be avoided at all costs. If up three or four touchdowns early, most of the starters need to be out of there and on the sideline watching as spectators.

Secondly, Michigan should play the first half like they would any other game. Run the plays that you would in any other game and try and perfect them so that the personnel groups will be prepared down the road. Run plays that will be used against Penn State, a game that is just the next weekend.

In essense, Saturday could end up being a glorified practice.

Yes, we've all seen what happens when the Wolverines have overlooked opponents in the past. But, believe me, Appalachian State is much much better than this Delaware State squad.

And Michigan is much better than they were two years ago.

Hopefully Saturday's game will also show everyone and the media in particular, that the riff between Forcier and head coach Rich Rodriguez is anything but and that all is well between the two. It should also showcase that Denard Robinson's great effort last week won't go undermined as he'll run all over the Hornets.

Playing Delaware State also gives them a reason to gear up at home for the big showdown that occurs the week after against Penn State. It could also give some backup players playing time that could be beneficial down the road should injuries or lackluster play call for a switch.

The Hornets should feel fortunate enough to be playing a talent of Michigan's caliber, because it may gain them a few more wins down the stretch.

Prediction: Forcier starts, plays a few series and then takes the rest of the game off. Robinson gets a lot of playing time and runs for a couple touchdowns while also throwing for another. Several backups have their number called to play on offense and defense in the second half. The Wolverines improve to 5-2 and gear up for the Nittany Lions.

Michigan 56, Delaware State 3

Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour Needs To Be Heisman Contender

Adam Bouton — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:41:54 -0400

I'll be the first to admit it: I hated Dan LeFevour.

Graduating from rival Western Michigan University, it is easy to see why. He was the star quarterback at the opposing school and was a thorn in Western Michigan's side every season.

This is not to mention the enormous photo of him outside Ford Field and Comerica Park in Detroit that greeted me on my way to Tigers games.

However, after watching him defeat the Broncos the last three seasons and become one of the best players to ever play in the Mid-American Conference, I have grown a lot of respect for him.

LeFevour stepped in as a freshman and proved he was a star almost immediately.

He was named MAC Freshman of the Year and MVP of the Motor City Bowl as a redshirt freshman as he led CMU to victory. The following season, as a sophomore, he threw for 27 touchdowns and ran for another 19 in a Tim Tebow-like performance. He was just the second player in Division One FBS history to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 3,000 (Vince Young being the first).

To everyone in the MAC, LeFevour is royalty. To the outside world, he is still a relative unknown. However, his play this season begs him to be included in the Heisman Trophy race.

A senior in 2009, LeFevour has already racked up stats and big wins to deserve being included in the race. He was instrumental in the upset win over Michigan State in East Lansing and has led the Chippewas to a 5-1 start.

The Downers Grove, Ill. native is completing passes at a 71.8 clip and has thrown 12 touchdowns against just four interceptions this season. He has also ran for 319 yards and eight scores through six games.

He is starting to generate momentum too in many of the national Heisman projections. On the ESPN.com Heisman watch list, he is ranked 13th as of Oct. 13.

A win against Boston College in their place on Halloween would also go a long way in improving his chances. That and he'll probably have to finish undefeated the rest of the season in conference contests, including picking up wins in the MAC Championship and bowl game.

As he's from the MAC and rarely plays top opponents, he'll have to put up serious stats and get Central Michigan at least into the top 25 before the season concludes.

It won't be easy as LeFevour faces rival Western Michigan for the final time this Saturday in Kalamazoo, Mich.

However, with the proven track record, consistency, and hunger to win, LeFevour should be considered as one of the contenders with the likes of Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, and Jimmy Clausen.

Tate Forcier Is Still a True Freshman, Rich Rodriguez

Adam Bouton — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:29:48 -0400

Every college football coach expects the best out of his players. Michigan head man Rich Rodriguez is no exception.

But what Rodriguez did Saturday night was no excuse.

Rodriguez was seen, on national television nonetheless, yelling and screaming at freshman quarterback Tate Forcier throughout the game after Forcier had arguably his worst outing of the 2009 season.

Forcier threw for just 94 yards on eight-of-19 passing with no touchdowns and one interception. He was stifled by an Iowa defense that is considered as one of the top in the country.

Still, it's just his sixth game under center for Michigan.

The freshman from San Diego, Calif. was eventually benched in favor of fellow freshman quarterback Denard Robinson. Robinson pulled the Wolverines to within two points when he scampered across the goal line late in the game. He also, however, threw an interception with less than a minute to play that ultimately ended the game.

Regardless of the outcome, was Rodriguez justified in yanking Forcier and what does this do for the future between the two?

In short, he wasn't justified.

It may have been a little different had this occurred two years from now, even one year, when Forcier had a little more experience under his belt and expectations are a little higher.

Forcier isn't the type of person who is rattled easily. He has said many times before that he is a person that has never got nervous before big games. This is true even though he's a freshman. However, Rodriguez was very wrong to berate his young star quarterback.

In a game of that magnitude and in front of a national audience, Rodriguez looked like someone desperate for a win and he may have lost control. Everyone looks to the head coach for stability and Rodriguez lost that on Saturday.

Even though the Maize and Blue almost fought their way back to a victory, it doesn't soften the blow for Forcier, Rodriguez and the rest of the team this week.

Hopefully for Forcier's sake, Rodriguez comes out this week and tells him he's sorry. That would go a long way in helping repair whatever riff there is between the two after Saturday's defeat.

Above all else, Forcier is a freshman.

Rodriguez must realize this.

He has been terrific in his first season as signal caller for Michigan, but he is still a young pup that is going to suffer through the growing pains all freshman go through.

What Rodriguez did Saturday was wrong and hopefully what he did doesn't damage anything between the upstart quarterback from Southern California and the head coach.

Creature Vs. Creature: Michigan and Iowa Battle For Position In Big 10

Adam Bouton — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:01:17 -0400

With another Big Ten game looming between Michigan and Iowa slated for Saturday night, I worked with Iowa Featured Columnist Kevin Trahan for a preview of this weekend's game.

Many have questioned Iowa's (5-0, 1-0) ability as a top-15 team after near losses to Northern Iowa and Arkansas State, but a big win over Penn State and a stout defense may stake claim to their ranking.

Michigan (4-1, 1-1), meanwhile, is coming off its first loss of the season, but may be better for it. They looked better on defense against Michigan State, but made some lapses on offense.

In front of a national audience on ESPN, the showdown is slated as one of the more intriguing games in week six.

Here are five questions I asked Kevin and how he answered them:

1. What is the single biggest strength on the Iowa team this season?

Kevin: The biggest strength is by far the defense. The pass defense is what made the headlines earlier this season, but the defensive line has been unstoppable, as teams have no nowhere to run and the quarterbacks have been pressured all day.

(Nic Grigsby, Arizona, was the nation’s second leading rusher coming into a game against the Hawkeyes, but Iowa held him to 75 yards rushing, with all but 17 of those yards coming on one play.)

2. Is it safe to say that this team gets up for the big games (win over Penn State) and sometimes struggles in games against inferior opponents (near losses to Northern Iowa and Arkansas State)?

Kevin: Yes, the Hawkeyes definitely need to learn not to play down to their opponents. But hey, if they can get the win somehow, I’m happy.

3. Tyler Sash might be unknown to some Michigan fans. With five picks already this season, is he the real deal for the Hawkeyes?

Kevin: He always seems to be around the ball. He and Pat Angerer will both look to have huge games, as Angerer has been very solid throughout the season as well.

4. What will most likely be the game plan to contain Tate Forcier on Saturday?

Kevin: The Hawkeyes have put tons of pressure on every quarterback they’ve faced this year. Just ask Daryll Clark, who was pressured or sacked nearly every play. Forcier is a good quarterback, but when under pressure, he makes some dumb “freshman” throws. Those throws haven’t cost him in his other games, but the Hawkeyes are outstanding at forcing turnovers and will try to rattle Forcier by getting a few interceptions.

5. Will Stanzi be looking to pick apart the Michigan secondary or will the Hawkeyes look to wear down the D with the run?

Kevin: Iowa is and always has been a run first team. If the run isn’t working, they’ll have no problem going to the air, but, with All-American candidate Bryan Bulaga back on the offensive line, the whole unit, that has been ranked by ESPN, Phil Steele, College Football News, and other sources as one of the top five offensive lines in the country, is healthy, the running game shouldn’t have a problem.

But, as I said, the Hawkeyes will likely try to raise Stanzi’s confidence level, as Michigan’s secondary isn’t too spectacular.

Here are some of the questions I answered for Kevin:

1. Will Forcier keep his cool under the pressure that Iowa’s defensive line offers?

Adam: Forcier’s poise as a freshman is one of the most unbelievable things about him. There have been several times where he has been on the verge of being sacked and he somehow gets away turning the play into a positive yardage play.

I’m sure he hasn’t faced a defensive line like what Iowa presents and it’ll be interesting to see how he fairs. Michigan’s offense line has a mammoth task ahead this weekend.

2. What defensive player scares you the most for the Hawkeyes?

Adam: I’ll go with the defensive line as a whole. If they shut down the Michigan run, it’s going to be another long game. The Spartans shut down the run last week and Michigan looked ineffective up until five minutes left in the fourth when they scored twice. I’m not sure Michigan will be so lucky to come back again if the run doesn’t prevail again.

3. Even after last week’s loss, do you think the Michigan secondary improved a bit?

Adam: The secondary really had no place but up and it did show glimpses last weekend. Walk-on safety Jordan Kovacs was huge in the game against the Spartans recording 17 tackles and cornerback J.T. Floyd seems much better than Boubacar Cissoko at one of the corner spots.

The secondary as a whole did a nice job against the top-ranked Spartan passing attack, giving up no touchdowns, intercepting Cousins twice and containing the MSU wide outs. There is still a lot of room for improvement, but last week was a huge step.

Key Matchups

There are three main ones in my eyes.

I'll have to start with the Michigan running game against the Iowa defensive line and really, defense as a whole. Iowa is deep this season when it comes to talent on defense, so Michigan needs to establish the run game early.

Maize and Blue fans everywhere all saw how miserable it was through three and a half quarters because Michigan couldn't run the ball.

Another should be Iowa's Ricki Stanzi versus the Michigan secondary. Stanzi has looked good at times this season, but is also prone to throwing some interceptions (seven in five games). Arkansas State came back in the game against the Hawkeyes because Stanzi made threw a couple interceptions.

Should he find some hands of the Michigan players, it would go leaps and bounds in helping the Wolverines win the game.

The final key match-up is Tate Forcier against the defense as a whole. Forcier has yet to face a real Big 10 defense with the talent of Iowa and that will ensue this weekend. He's looked everything but a freshman in all the games this season, but it'll be interesting to see how he fairs against a defense that will blitz him all day.

The decisions he makes with the ball could determine the outcome of the game.

Kevin Trahan's Prediction

Iowa 27, Michigan 13

Adam Bouton's Prediction

Playing in front of a national audience and at home, I expect the Hawkeye defense to again wreck havoc for the opposing team. Tate Forcier will make some plays with his arm and legs, but also will throw into a couple of miscues and the Wolverine rush attack will again struggle for the second straight week.

Iowa could get out to a big lead, but don't count out Forcier and the Michigan offense coming back and making a game out of it.

Iowa 27, Michigan 20

Flashing Leather: The Gold Glove Winners Around The Major Leagues

Adam Bouton — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:54:35 -0400

The 2009 MLB regular season just about wrapped up on Sunday.

There is still one game left to be played between Detroit and Minnesota to determine who takes home the AL Central crown this season.

The Cy Young award, MVP award and other awards will be handed out in the coming weeks giving worthy candidates recognition across the baseball world.

Another award will be handed out to individuals at each position across baseball in both leagues as well.

The Gold Glove award.

The award, handed out to the best fielder at each position in baseball, is underrated but also important. Defense is something that shouldn't be overlooked in a era filled with gaudy hitting numbers and large home run totals.

The Philadelphia Phillies of last season were known for their offense and timely pitching, but defense was also an integral part of their World Series run.

Without further ado, here are my picks for each league to win the Gold Glove in 2009.

American League

Pitcher—Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox

Buehrle finished with the most total chances out of any pitcher in the American League and also had the most assists with 41. He committed just one error in a season where he threw a perfect game. He also finished tied for first in the American League with five double plays.

Catcher—Gerald Laird, Detroit Tigers

The Tiger catcher finished the season with the best fielding percentage of catchers that caught over 100 games (.997) and also had the most assists of any catcher in the AL. He committed just three errors on the season and threw out a league-high 42 base stealers in 101 attempts.

First Base—Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees

Teixeira had a great all-around first season in pinstripes as he overcame a slow start to put up MVP-type numbers. He also played well in the field. Teixeira made only four errors all season finishing at a .997 clip. He made 1,222 put outs (second in the AL) and made the second-most starts at first (150).

Second Base—Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers

A underrated second baseman overall, Polanco made just two errors all season in Detroit. Dustin Pedroia was the only other AL second bagger who came close to his error total (six) of players who played over 140 games at the position. To go along with his .997 fielding percentage, Polanco was in the top three in total chances, put outs, assists and double plays in the AL.

Third Base—Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

Beating out a worthy group of contenders such as Brandon Inge and Chone Figgins, Longoria fielded at a high level of play in 2009. His .970 fielding clip was the highest for anyone playing the amount of games he played and he led the league in double plays and was in the top three in put outs, assists and total chances.

Shortstop—Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

While this will be Elvis Andrus' award for years to come, Jeter nabs in in 2009. Jeter finished with a .986 fielding clip—which is very high for a shortstop. His steady play was apparent all season as he committed just eight errors.

Outfielders—David DeJesus, Kansas City Royals, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jason Bay, Boston Red Sox

In a off year for stalwarts such as Torii Hunter (injury), Ichiro Suzuki and Grady Sizemore (injury), others stepped up in their places. DeJesus and Bay didn't make an error all season while playing at least 144 games. They both also led the American League in assists at 13 and 15, respectively. Ellsbury made several highlight-reel catches throughout the season and committed just two errors all season starting in centerfield 150 games for the Red Sox.

National League

Pitcher—Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals

Wainwright failed to make an error all season and was perfect in 56 chances off the mound. He was sixth in total chances, first in put outs and pitched the most innings in the National League.

Catcher—Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

The younger Molina edges out his brother, Bengie, and Dodgers catcher Russell Martin in this race. He started the most games in the NL at 136 and made just five errors all season. Yadier threw out 22 out of the 54 would be base stealers in 2009.

First Base—Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies

This one was a tight one between Helton and Atlanta's Adam LaRoche, but the nod goes to Helton. He committed just three errors all season and was third in total chances and put outs in the NL. As the leader in the Colorado clubhouse, his play on the field helped lead the team to the postseason.

Second Base—Orlando Hudson, Los Angeles Dodgers

Hudson finished at a .988 fielding clip in 2009 while making 143 starts for the NL West champions. He made only eight errors all season and was second in the NL in put outs. Others considered for the award were San Diego's David Eckstein and Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips.

Third Base—Kevin Kouzmanoff, San Diego Padres

Kouzmanoff established a new record in 2009 for NL third baseman with a .990 fielding percentage. He made three errors in 139 games for the Padres. The next best error total for a NL third baseman playing that many games was Pittsburgh's Andy LaRoche with 14.

Shortstop—Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies

While struggling at the plate for most of the season, Rollins didn't take it to the field with him. The former MVP made just six errors in 2009 and finished at a .990 fielding percentage. He was second in the NL in starts and games by a shortstop.

Outfielders—Shane Victorino, Philadelphia Phillies, Nate McLouth, Atlanta Braves and Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

Gone are the days when Andruw Jones was included in this discussion. A new Atlanta centerfielder, however, is again in the discussion. McLouth made only one error all season and finished with nine assists and four double plays in 2009. Kemp was second in the NL with 14 assists and made only two errors in 393 chances (second most in NL). Victorino also made only one counted mistake all season and threw out eight runners from his position in centerfield. Apologies to Jeff Francoeur and Michael Bourn.

Should Tate Forcier Be in the Heisman Race?

Adam Bouton — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:17:25 -0400

After another near comeback victory for Michigan's Tate Forcier against Michigan State on Saturday, his performance begs one question.

Should the freshman be considered as a runner in the Heisman Trophy race?

After five games, the answer is yes.

Yes, it's only the beginning of October and the college football season isn't even half over, but Forcier has been electric in his first five starts this season.

He led Michigan to a thrilling victory over a then-ranked Notre Dame squad in Ann Arbor and also threw a go-ahead touchdown to Martavious Odoms to lead the Wolverines past Indiana.

Down 20-6 against Michigan State, Forcier again worked his magic.

He threw two touchdown passes in the final 4:47 to knot the game up and send it into overtime. Even though he threw an interception that ultimately doomed the Wolverines, Forcier is now a proven force in the college football world.

He has followed up each performance by producing another great effort.

His statistics aren't exactly Heisman-worthy at the moment, but the numbers when it counts are what matters.

The true freshman from San Diego has been nearly flawless in the fourth quarter.

Overall, he has thrown nine touchdowns and just three interceptions in the first five games of 2009. He has completed nearly 60 percent of his passes (59.7) and has added 154 yards rushing with two touchdowns.

While those numbers don't necessarily match up with players like Tim Tebow (11 total touchdowns) or Colt McCoy (10 total touchdowns), his grit and determination have far surpassed the likes of some of the more well-known stars around the country.

Especially impressive in the game against the Spartans was that it was Forcier's first road game. It looked like it would be a poor first outing for the Maize and Blue quarterback, but he showed poise in leading Michigan down the field twice in tying the game in East Lansing.

Where would Michigan be without Forcier?

They would have easily lost to Michigan State and probably would have just two wins and a 0-2 record in the conference at this point in the year.

Forcier must continue his hot start and keep his high level of play throughout the season. It won't be easy with more road games against Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin in the future. But he looked good under pressure and should be brimming more and more with confidence after every game.

Another fact that I believe will help him is that the Wolverines don't have a week off until after its final scheduled game against Ohio State. He also has to play some of the harder games left (Penn State and Ohio State) at home in front of 110,000 Wolverine fans.

Michigan is in the thick of the Big 10 race and it looks as though it should stay near the top of the conference for most of the season. Forcier must continue to perform well and win some big games for him to be counted in the top group of contenders.

It's really tough to say who will win the Heisman Trophy at this point in the season. There is plenty of great performances that are yet to unfold.

But as of Week Five, Tate Forcier must be considered as one of the leading candidates as college football heads into the second half of its season.

Michigan-Michigan State: Five Keys to Victory for the Wolverines

Adam Bouton — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:50:57 -0400

As the calendar turns to October, the temperature continues to fall, and the leaves turn color from green to yellow, orange, and red, one thing is left unchanged.

The University of Michigan football team continues to impress in the college football world.

The Wolverines (4-0, 1-0) have found an offensive leader in freshman Tate Forcier and have rallied around each other to pull off a couple clutch victories already in 2009.

They hope it continues this weekend.

Here are five keys for the Maize and Blue to come away with the victory in East Lansing on Saturday:

1. The Defensive Backfield

Much has been made of the Michigan secondary so far this season.

Jimmy Clausen was highly effective when picking apart the secondary earlier this year. Indiana went for a few big plays in the most recent game and the many have wondered whether Michigan has the defense to truly compete for a Big 10 title.

Much of that is still remained to be seen, but we may find out on Saturday.

Michigan State has the No. 1 passing offense in the conference and has already scored 13 touchdowns through the air in 2009.

The Spartans have a very good group of wide receivers led by Mark Dell and Blair White. Sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins is still coming into his own, but should he find some open targets early, it could be another long day for the UM secondary.

Michigan has been burned by some good wideouts so far (Golden Tate, Michael Floyd, Tandon Doss to name a few) and they need to take at least one of MSU's good receivers out on Saturday.

If Michigan is going to win the showdown in East Lansing, they need some big plays from the unit. That, and they need to prevent the big play. That, and well, they must, must step up.

2. Pressuring the Quarterback

Part of the reason Michigan's secondary is having trouble defending the pass is because the pressure up front hasn't been great either. For the most part, the opposing quarterbacks have been given time to throw the ball.

Michigan is tied for last in the Big 10 in sacks and they need to wreak havoc on Saturday. Getting in the face of Cousins should be at the forefront of the defensive gameplan. Defensive end Brandon Graham can't be the only threat, so someone else must step up to help pressure.

If the maize and blue can somehow break the line and disrupt the MSU passing attack, it would be a huge moral victory for UM.

3. Controlling the Clock/Success in the Run Game

These two things oftentimes go hand in hand.

Michigan has had a lot of success running the football this year due in large part to Carlos Brown, Brandon Minor, and the scrambling abilities of the freshman quarterbacks. That needs to continue in a hostile environment.

They have also had some issues regarding controlling the clock—somewhat due to the nature of the offense—and they need to sustain some long drives.

Doing this will help keep the UM defense fresh on the sidelines and also take the (mostly) MSU crowd out of the contest. Michigan has played in and won some shootouts this season, but they can't rely on winning all of them.

Keeping the Spartan passing game on the sidelines is just as important as scoring touchdowns.

Michigan easily leads the conference in rushing at a 240.2 yards per game clip and I expect the run game to again play a large role in determining the outcome of the game.

4. Road Environment

The college football season is already in Week Five, but this is Michigan's first game on the road.

Forcier, Denard Robinson, and others will find an unfriendly environment for the first time this season when they walk out onto the field in East Lansing this weekend.

How they respond and how they perform to the jeers from the Spartan fans is crucial this weekend. Forcier has looked spectacular at home, but he needs to be a road warrior as well. MSU has already faced some good quarterbacks (CMU's Dan LeFevour and UND's Jimmy Clausen) in 2009, so they should be ready for Forcier.

Forcier has said often that he doesn't get nervous, but I gather that even he will be a little tight before his first game against MSU.

5. Watch the Turnovers

Michigan had a bad habit last season of turning over the football.

So far this season, the squad has been much better.

But, in the game against Indiana, there were some glimpses that the Wolverines were heading back in the 2008 direction. Robinson had trouble hanging onto the ball at times and the center-quarterback exchange also gave cause for concern.

Coach Rich Rodriguez definitely worked to improve those problems within the past week and they must have conquered them if they are going to go into East Lansing and win the game.

Turnovers are extremely costly on the road and in such a high stakes game like this one.

Prediction

Cousins finds success in the passing game and they go for some big plays against the Wolverines. Forcier looks good, but not great, in his first road game but isn't able to come away with another comeback.

Michigan falls short and loses its first game of the season while MSU evens its conference record with Michigan at 1-1.

Michigan State 34, Michigan 30

Blown Coverage: Michigan's Secondary Must Step Up against Spartans

Adam Bouton — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:49:58 -0400

The scene was painful for Michigan fans last weekend.

Hoosier wideout Tandon Doss went around the edge and escaped the Michigan defenders and secondary en route to the end zone. Indiana running back Darius Willis took the hand off and burned past a hapless Michigan secondary en route to an 85-yard touchdown.

Doss handcuffed a Michigan corner back and easily hauled in a 56-yard pass from quarterback Ben Chappell.

Despite the big plays from Indiana, the Maize and Blue squeaked out the 36-33 victory over the Hoosiers in its first Big 10 game of the season.

They might not be so lucky next time.

The defensive backfield looked lost and over-matched at several spots in the win over Indiana and it's a problem that could plague the team throughout the season.

It is a problem that could again be highlighted as the Wolverines hit the road for the first time this season and go up against the Spartans in East Lansing.

Michigan State has a trio of formidable wide receivers in Mark Dell, Blair White, and B.J. Cunningham. The continued development of sophomore Kirk Cousins could also pose problems for the suddenly maligned Michigan secondary.

If any unit is to step up and make a statement this week, the Wolverine defensive backfield is the one to do it.

While still young, the unit isn't exactly inexperienced and now seems the time for someone to step up and help the offense. While it is nice to see budding superstar Tate Forcier show poise in putting together game-winning drives, it shouldn't necessarily need to come down to that.

The defense, especially the backfield, needs to pull its weight.

The Michigan pass defense is just eighth in the conference in pass yards allowed (243.8 yards per game) and the squad is ninth in total defense.

Learning new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson's defensive scheme probably hasn't been the easiest task for the UM secondary, however progression would be welcomed throughout the season.

Last week's performance against Indiana at home was anything but.

The big plays almost gave the Hoosiers the edge and the fact that it happened consistently was equally disturbing. It isn't just one game, either. Western Michigan was able to capitalize on a deep pass play in the opener and Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen picked apart Michigan for the most part in Ann Arbor as well.

Sophomore corner back Boubacar Cissoko and junior corner back Donovan Warren and safety Troy Woolfolk are seen as the leaders of the secondary. All have talent to boot and now is the time for them to show it.

Providing any kind of spark would go leaps and bounds in providing another dimension to what is already a very much improved Michigan squad.

It'll be a tall order for the Maize and Blue defensive backfield to contain the potent MSU passing attack this weekend in East Lansing.

But should they buckle down, cut down the big plays, and force Cousins into a few mistakes, the memories of past blunders could be easily erased.

Michigan-Indiana Preview: Wolverines to Roll Over Hoosiers and Stay Perfect

Adam Bouton — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:13:04 -0400

As the University of Michigan and University of Indiana football teams head into their Week-Four matchup, both teams have a perfect 3-0 mark.

However, this is somewhat misleading.

The No. 23 Wolverines have a big victory over a dangerous and talented Notre Dame squad and also handed two Mid-American Conference foes big defeats including Western Michigan.

The Hoosiers, on the other hand, snuck out a win over the the same Broncos in Bloomington.

A 23-19 game was clinched by Indiana as WMU's Aaron Winchester fumbled on the Indiana eight-yard line with under two minutes left as his team was charging for the go-ahead touchdown and his team down by just six points.

Indiana was also only able to muster a six-point victory over Eastern Kentucky at home in the season opener.

Now Indiana faces its toughest opponent of the season to date.

Here is my preview for Michigan and Indiana as they open their conference schedules:

Michigan with the ball

It is no secret that the Maize and Blue like to run the ball.

The squad leads the Big Ten in rushing offense racking up more than 270 yards per game. Carlos Brown looked electric in his outing against Eastern Michigan last weekend and the Wolverines have plenty of good options in the run game. The depth at running back should prove valuable as the season progresses.

The Hoosiers have the second-best rush defense in the conference so far in 2009, but have yet to face a rushing attack that comes close to matching Michigan's.

Tate Forcier did little throwing last week and I expect the coaches to try and get him back in the groove this weekend. He needs to continue developing a good rapport with the receivers such as Greg Mathews, Martavius Odoms, Junior Hemingway, and Darryl Stonum.

Indiana has some ability to pressure the quarterback and senior defensive end Jammie Kirlew has 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss through three games this season. Expect a double team for Kirlew to try and keep the pocket intact and keep Forcier protected.

I don't think Michigan will struggle to throw or run in this game, especially at home.

Indiana with the ball

Indiana scored 38 points last weekend on the road, so the offense is starting to click a little better.

Junior Ben Chappell is a very capable quarterback who has completed 68.5 percent of his passes so far this season. He also, however, has thrown one pick for all three games this season. His top targets are a pair of sophomores in Tandon Doss (21 receptions, 270 yards) and Damarlo Belcher (16 grabs, 183 yards, one touchdown).

In the backfield, senior Demetrius McCray has 228 yards so far this season and carries the ball at a 5.4 clip.

I expect Indiana to air it out early to try and quiet the fans and maybe pick on the younger secondary at the Big House. Chappell has already thrown 92 passes this season, so the pass seems like the likely weapon.

Michigan needs to attempt to get more pressure on the quarterback. The squad sits dead last in the conference in sacks so far this season. Brandon Graham can't do it all by himself, as teams will double-team him, so pressure from other areas is a must.

Michigan's defense has been better than last season, but still has a long way to go. One area that is much better is at linebacker, where Kevin Leach and Craig Roh stepped up last week to strengthen a talented group that includes seniors Obi Ezeh and Stevie Brown.

One thing to note is that Indiana leads the conference in penalties with 25 through three games and this could stall several drives if that continues.

Intangibles

Michigan plays its fourth straight game at home and in front of 110,000 fans.

Forcier is now starting his fourth straight game and although I don't believe he'll win every game in his freshman campaign, Indiana is not the team he will lose to. Rich Rodriguez will have his team playing determined football in the first conference game of the 2009 season.

The Maize and Blue can't overlook Indiana and to Michigan State next week and it must take care of business this week first.

Last week against Eastern Michigan in the first half might have been a good example of that. They won't let it happen again, especially in the first conference game.

Prediction: Michigan again unleashes its horde of running backs and jumps on the Hoosier defense early. I don't expect any 90-yard runs, but instead the squad chips away with five- and six-yard gains. The Wolverines get a little more pressure on the quarterback this week and this forces Chappell into some mistakes. Michigan hits the 30-point plateau again and takes home their first conference win of the season.

Michigan 33, Indiana 20

Michigan Defense Must Step Up Heading Into Conference Slate

Adam Bouton — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:03:11 -0400

Heading into the 2009 season, the University of Michigan football team had several areas that needed vast improvement.

Defense was definitely one of them.

Through three games this season, the unit has increased production but it needs to step up even more as the Wolverines (3-0) enter their Big Ten schedule.

Michigan has had the luxury of playing the first three games at home and will have that benefit again on Saturday versus Indiana.

However, after that the Wolverines will have to travel to East Lansing, Champaign, Iowa City, and Madison—perhaps the toughest of all those—later in the season.

Even though it looks like a relatively easy road slate—the Wolverines will play host to Penn State and Ohio State—all of those games could potentially be dangerous for the reborn Michigan squad.

That's why it is up to the defense to keep the Wolverines in those games and give true freshman Tate Forcier and the offense a chance to grind out wins. Weaker opponents have a better chance of playing well, particularly on offense, when at home with the crowd behind them.

The Maize and Blue have several senior leaders on defense that should help prepare their younger teammates for the tough conference slate.

Attention Brandon Graham, Stevie Brown, and Obi Ezeh.

The squad is coming off a solid yet unspectacular performance defensively against Eastern Michigan University. The Eagles put up 179 yards rushing on a day when they were down the entire contest.

That was after Notre Dame put up nearly 500 yards of total offense and tallied 27 first downs in the Big House. Michigan is seventh in the conference currently in rushing defense and ninth overall in total defense. They are also last in the conference in total sacks with just three.

That effort won't cut it in many conference games.

The unit must stop the run and start forcing opposing quarterbacks to cough up the football. Clausen was nearly flawless in his effort and EMU's Andy Schmitt looked formidable at times last weekend as he led the Eagles to a solid first half.

More importantly, the Wolverine defense must create some turnovers so that the offense can get back on the field and the defense can stay relatively fresh throughout the game and the season. They have forced six so far this season—three fumbles, three interceptions—and hopefully for Wolverine fans, that trend continues.

If Michigan gets into the rut of playing high-scoring affairs, it will be harder for the Maize and Blue to get through the conference schedule without a loss.

The Notre Dame contest was an exciting game and Michigan came out on top, but Forcier can't be expected to bail out his team every game—especially as a true freshman.

The defensive mentality needs to be like it used to be: get a three-and-out and hand the reigns back to the offense.

Easier said than done.

Forcier and the offense have done their job in making headlines so far in the 2009 season.

It's time for the defense to match them.

Michigan-Eastern Michigan Preview: Wolverines Roll To Third Straight Win

Adam Bouton — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:34:12 -0400

As the college football schedule progresses, there have always been games seen as "trap" games. It was initially thought that Western Michigan would be one of those games in 2009.

Michigan blew them out 31-7.

WMU's Mid-American Conference sister, Eastern Michigan, also plays at the Big House this season.

Expect a similar, if not bigger advantage for the Maize and Blue.

Eastern Michigan, in its first season under former Michigan assistant Ron English, is a program definitely in the rebuilding phase. The Eagles seem headed in the right direction with a committed coach such as English, but don't expect big results as he mans the unfamiliar side of the field this Saturday.

The Eagles are 0-2 and have already allowed 34 first half points and 485 rushing yards total in just two games.

Here is what I see playing out of the field this Saturday as the two schools from Washtenaw County face off:

Michigan with the ball

I expect the Wolverines to run the ball early to try and control the clock. Brandon Minor looked very good against Notre Dame and as the Eagles give up 5.0 yards per carry, Michigan should try and rough up the EMU defense early with the run.

Tate Forcier should be able to spread the ball around and be able to run with the ball as well. Look for the coaches to get Denard Robinson more looks and snaps as this game could be out of hand early.

Eastern Michigan's defense has just one player with a sack this season and they'll have trouble containing Forcier all day.

Michigan's offense has been unbelievable in the first couple of games and with a weaker opponent like Eastern Michigan, I don't see them letting off the gas, especially with the first conference game against Indiana just around the corner.

The Wolverines have ran for over 200 yards in both games this season and that will continue in the third game. I predict Minor racks up 100 yards in the first half and Forcier continues to garner Freshman of the Year votes.

Eastern Michigan with the ball

The Eagles have a trio of seniors on the offense that should prove to keep them in a few games this season and might help them win a few shootouts.

One won't be against the Maize and Blue, however.

Quarterback Andy Schmitt has logged a lot of playing time for the Eagles and set several EMU records last season, but he should struggle against the Wolverines like WMU quarterback Tim Hiller did on Sept. 5. Schmitt could rack up a lot of yards playing from behind, but also expect a few interceptions as he tries to make something happen.

Schmitt's top target is fellow senior Jacory Stone who already has hauled in 15 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown in 2009.

The last member of the trio of seniors is Dwayne Priest, who has notched 210 yards and two touchdowns in the first two games for the Eagles. He could get loose for a run or two, but don't expect him escaping into the secondary.

Brandon Graham, Stevie Brown, Obi Ezeh and others could have a field day on this offensive line and could make a few

If the Eagles are to stay in the game, they need to get turnovers from the defense and Schmitt needs to play a perfect game and find numerous targets for scores.

Intangibles

Michigan is playing at home for the third straight game, and while Eastern Michigan is also playing in its own back yard, they are certainly not used to a crowd in the estimates of 110,000.

Eastern Michigan has a flair for the dramatic, as they pulled off a 56-52 win against MAC powerhouse Central Michigan in the season's finale last year. It proved to be just their third victory of the season.

Even with that, however, that certainly won't happen to Michigan in its own stadium coming off a big victory over rival Notre Dame. Toledo was a much better team last season than people thought and Eastern Michigan has no shot at being this season's Toledo.

Prediction: Michigan gets a double-digit lead early and puts it on cruise control as Denard Robinson sees a little action in the second half. I don't expect a shutout, as Schmitt can put it up there with the best of them, but 50 points is not out of the question for a suddenly clicking Maize and Blue offense. Rich Rod welcomes in Indiana next week with a 3-0 record and brimming confidence.

Michigan 45, Eastern Michigan 13

Michigan Rewind: Five Elements to Take Away from the Notre Dame Victory

Adam Bouton — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:36:27 -0400

Following another superb Notre Dame and Michigan battle, the Wolverines are suddenly one of the rising teams in the country. They crept their way into the top 25 and have one of the best young quarterbacks in the country.

The Rich Rodriguez allegation talk has subsided for now, and optimism seems to be at its peak as U-M moves into its third game of the season against Eastern Michigan University.

But before we get to that game, let's take a look at five elements that came out of the Notre Dame win.

1. Tate Forcier

This seems to be a no-brainer to me.

Forcier played poised and under control in just his second collegiate start and showed everyone why he speaks the truth when he says he doesn't get nervous. Forcier led Michigan to a come-from-behind victory, and I doubt that it'll be the last this season.

One thing that speaks volumes as well is that he isn't too amped up to tuck the ball and run with it. He was able to move the ball around, finding six different receivers, and made his runs count. It seems like he may have a better handle on being a complete quarterback than his Big Ten counterpart—Terrelle Pryor.

There is no doubt that his stock is rising, and with every win and throw, Forcier seems to gain immense confidence. The Wolverines haven't really ever had a quarterback like Forcier, but fans across Michigan are finally excited at the prospect of having a dual-weapon signal caller.

Notre Dame's defense was much improved entering the game, with top prospects throughout the units, but Forcier led the offense to 38 points.

I mean, the kid even had a 50-yard punt that was downed inside the 20.

2. Brandon Minor and the rushing attack

The senior running back did much to prove his worth in his first playing action this season. Minor led all Michigan rushers with 106 yards on just 16 carries and showed the power the Wolverines need.

He has goal line ability and also has the speed to break a long run. His versatility and veteran presence in the offense give Michigan a valuable weapon.

Forcier once again used his legs to his advantage, obviously apparent on his bolt to the end zone in the early moments of the fourth quarter. He racked up 80 yards, and fellow freshman Denard Robinson also notched 21 yards on four runs.

If Michigan—like they did Saturday—can find that healthy balance of running and passing the ball, this team will be dangerous heading into the Big Ten schedule.

3. Turnovers

Michigan did much better in its second meeting with Notre Dame under Rodriguez. The first contest saw six turnovers from Michigan, which led to the loss.

However, Michigan committed just one turnover against the Fighting Irish in its second meeting, with Forcier's interception being the lone miscue.

This is obviously a huge positive moving forward.

Minor is an experienced runner and probably won't be prone to losing the ball, and Forcier seems to have made good decisions so far. He isn't forcing the ball and making risky throws downfield.

Turnovers were one of the team's biggest problems in 2008, but so far in 2009 they haven't killed the Wolverines, and it's reflected in the 2-0 record.

4. The Michigan defense

If there was one pitfall in a great victory, it was the defense—which allowed 34 points and gave up nearly 500 yards.

Are they reverting to their 2008 form?

I highly doubt that they are as Notre Dame is very formidable and should be one of the better offenses in college football this season. They have a couple of receivers that should be considered two of the best in the nation.

However, there are some areas of concern.

The Michigan defensive line failed to tally a single sack on the day and was unable to shake Jimmy Clausen as the junior quarterback threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns.

The defense allowed almost a 50 percent third down conversion percentage (6-for-14) and allowed Armando Allen Jr. to rack up 139 yards rushing.

Senior defensive end Brandon Graham and senior linebacker Stevie Brown were both able to get two tackles for loss, but the squad needs more pressure on the quarterback to be successful. Notre Dame's line was mammoth compared to the smaller, quicker Michigan defenders, which could be part of the reason, but the defense needs to do a better job if they are going to have a successful season.

5. The dependable receivers

Daryl Stonum took a kickoff past all 11 Notre Dame defenders and 94 yards into the end zone. Stonum also hauled in four catches for 54 yards against the Fighting Irish.

Greg Mathews showed his athleticism and reach in grabbing an impressive 40-yarder early in the first quarter and then helped Forcier out by snatching the game-winning touchdown. The senior's presence outside makes it harder for defenses to key on the run, which in turn opened up holes for Minor and Forcier.

Even though tight end Kevin Koger isn't the No. 1 option, he has caught a touchdown in each of the first two games and has proved a big target for Forcier. It has been a while since Michigan had a reliable tight end, and Koger is proving to be dependable both blocking and catching the football.

Sophomore Martavious Odoms has yet to develop a rapport with Forcier, but his speed and agility can't be ignored for long. He did receive three passes against Notre Dame. Expect more production from him as the season continues.

Someone—like Junior Hemingway in the opener—has stepped up in each game, and I see that continuing even as the games get tougher.

Michigan-Notre Dame Preview: Fighting Irish Edge Wolverines In Ann Arbor

Adam Bouton — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:25:09 -0400

If there was one game that defined the 2008 season for the Michigan Wolverines, it was the game against Notre Dame.

The Michigan team lost four fumbles, threw two interceptions and allowed its bitter rivals to jump out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. It highlighted a season-long struggle for the Wolverines to hang onto the football a equally horrifying picture of the opponent scoring at will.

Surely Michigan won't allow this to happen again?

The team seems more prepared this season—its second under Rich Rodriguez—and is coming off a big triumph over a decent Western Michigan squad.

No. 18 Notre Dame is also entering the game riding a early-season high. The Fighting Irish routed Nevada 35-0 and are looking to embarrass the Wolverines once again, but this time in front of their own fans.

I can't see a scenario where one team blows out the other. Here is how I see things playing out:

Michigan with the ball

Tate Forcier gets the nod once again for Michigan and he should see relief from Denard Robinson as well. The one-two punch for the Wolverines must prove dynamic if they are to be victorious. Both showed flashes of brilliance in their first collegiate game, but Notre Dame brings in a stout defense amped on throwing havoc at the freshmen.

The Fighting Irish secondary is also formidable and they have several highly touted athletes in the backfield. Forcier is going to have to be near perfect with his passes or the mistakes will prove costly in this contest.

The wild card here is the Wolverines rushing attack.

The unit was solid in its 2009 debut, racking up over 200 yards rushing. Robinson spearheaded the attack, but he'll need help against the Irish. Brandon Minor would be a huge lift if he does play and if he doesn't, Carlos Brown and Michael Shaw need to step up big in his absence.

Michigan must also try and get Martavious Odoms and Greg Mathews into the game as well. Junior Hemingway came up huge in the opener, but the Wolverines need all the receivers to perform well in a game as big as this one.

It won't be easy against a good secondary, but the unit must step up.

Notre Dame with the ball

Jimmy Clausen is coming off a four-touchdown performance against Nevada and had a shaky outing last year against Michigan. He will definitely want to continue the good start to the 2009 season and Michigan will be keying in on presenting him with blitzes and different packages to confuse him all afternoon.

Notre Dame has a deep group of receivers led by Golden Tate and Michael Floyd. Armando Allen is also a threat to take it to the house out of the backfield, so Notre Dame has no shortage of weapons for Clausen to throw to.

I expect Clausen to air it out early and often and Michigan needs to try and get him on his back early to throw him off his game.

That will be a big key for Michigan. Brandon Graham, Mike Martin and others need to try and get in his face or knock him down to help out the rest of the defense.

Clausen used to be prone to making a few mistakes every game, but a couple years under center might have cured him of his errant throws.

Notre Dame racked up the points early and often against Nevada—like Michigan did against Western Michigan—and I see Clausen being able to find his receivers and the end zone. This will be especially true if U-M cornerback Boubacar Cissoko's injury acts up again.

Special Teams

Kickers for both teams are relatively new—one being a freshman the other a fifth year senior. Fifth year senior Jason Olesnavage saw his first kicks fly on a football field for Michigan against Western Michigan. Notre Dame's kicker, Nick Tausch, is a true freshman who also kicked his first collegiate points last weekend.

Both may be called upon to hit a game-tying or game-winning field goal this weekend and both coaches may finally see what kind of kicker their team possesses.

Michigan also has a dangerous weapon in punter Zoltan Mesko and dangerous weapons in Odoms, Daryl Stonum and Mathews returning kicks. A big kick return by either team could decide the game, especially if the offenses are clicking Saturday.

Intangibles/Coaching

The Big House is the biggest factor here. The 110,000 strong will be mostly Wolverine fans and that obviously favors Michigan.

Both Rich Rodriguez and Charlie Weis are veteran coaches who know the importance of the game and both should have their squads ready for Saturday.

The weather was iffy last year and it didn't help as Michigan struggled to hang onto the football, but it's expected to be sunny and ideal in Ann Arbor once again. Should the conditions turn south in a hurry, the freshman quarterbacks for Michigan could suffer mightily.

Prediction: I expect a hard-fought and close game throughout. There is talent on both sides of the ball, so this game could be won in the trenches and through the kicking game. Both kickers haven't experienced a big college kick yet, so whichever one doesn't crumble could help lead his team to a win. However, I think Jimmy Clausen provides enough offense for UND to help them edge the Wolverines in Ann Arbor and notch another big win.

Notre Dame 34, Michigan 30

Michigan-Notre Dame: Five Key Matchups Between the Bitter Rivals

Adam Bouton — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:49:53 -0400

As Michigan piled up 31 points before halftime last Saturday against Western Michigan, something was apparent in Ann Arbor.

The swagger was back.

After losing to a Mid-American Conference opponent last year, UM didn't let that happen again in the first game of 2009. Instead, Michigan ran over the Broncos 31-7 in collecting some winning, positive mojo to open the season.

The Wolverines (1-0) will look to use that swagger and mojo against rival Notre Dame (1-0) in their second game of the season.

The Fighting Irish are also coming off a big victory in front of their home crowd. Notre Dame thumped Nevada 35-0 in its home opener.

There is no doubt that this contest will be as big as any between the two college football powerhouses. Both teams are looking to reclaim lost glory from years past, and that's why this year's matchup is important.

So, without further ado, here are five matchups between the two squads that I believe to be important this Saturday.

Notre Dame's quarterback Jimmy Clausen vs. Michigan secondary

Clausen strolls into the Big House coming off just about a perfect outing. The junior threw for 315 yards on 15-of-18 passing and tallied four touchdowns through the air. He found good rhythm with sophomore wideout Michael Floyd, who hauled in three of his touchdown strikes.

Michigan is coming off a fine day as well, as its defense made WMU senior quarterback Tim Hiller look uncomfortable all afternoon. The unit forced Hiller to throw into tight coverage and also throw two interceptions.

Cornerback Boubacar Cissoko was one of the two Michigan players to come away with an interception.

The Wolverines forced Clausen to throw two interceptions in the meeting between the two teams last season in South Bend, but I find it hard to see Clausen repeating that mediocre performance after such a great outing last weekend.

Part of the reason Michigan was able to get turnovers against WMU was because of the pressure from the front seven.

Look for Notre Dame to do a better job of blocking and for Clausen to get the ball away quickly. Michigan's defense seemed to have some swagger against a talented quarterback in Hiller, but Clausen will have better numbers this weekend and should throw for a couple of scores.

Advantage: Notre Dame

Michigan's offensive line vs. Notre Dame's defensive line

Michigan didn't allow a sack last week against Western Michigan and gave freshman Tate Forcier and others all day in the backfield. Don't expect a repeat this week, as Notre Dame had four sacks against Nevada in its opener.

Michigan also was able to open up some gaping holes for Michael Shaw, Carlos Brown, Forcier, and Denard Robinson as the team ran up over 200 yards of rushing offense.

I expect Michigan to use multiple weapons again, as they should get Brandon Minor back, and be able to run the ball effectively again behind their big line.

Should Michigan get the ball rolling early, the offensive line could find cruise control and be able to effectively handle the blitzes and stunts the Fighting Irish defense throws at them.

Notre Dame has a much improved defense, however, which likes to bring blitzes and different packages all the time, so this could be a tough assignment for the offensive line.

Advantage: Push

Michigan's quarterback Tate Forcier vs. Notre Dame's defense

Forcier looked very effective in his first start as a Wolverine.

He had nice touch to his passes and put the ball right on the money on several of his throws. Forcier was facing a young and inexperienced WMU secondary, but even so, he looked polished and poised in his first game in Maize and Blue.

Notre Dame's defense forced three turnovers in keeping Nevada off the scoreboard throughout the game. The Fighting Irish held Nevada to 2-for-11 on third downs and allowed only 154 passing yards. It should be noted that Nevada nearly had more rushing yards than passing yards (154-153).

Forcier probably won't be asked to do everything by himself again, as he could see relief from Robinson.

This will be the real first test for Forcier. He looked solid in his first outing, but Notre Dame is nationally ranked and will do everything it can to make the young quarterback uncomfortable.

My hunch is that head coach Rich Rodriguez plays more conservative with Forcier and runs the ball a little more, allowing his freshman quarterback to get a little more acclimated against a much tougher opponent.

Advantage: Notre Dame

Notre Dame's running back Armando Allen vs. Michigan's front seven

Allen had 78 yards and a touchdown in the blowout against Nevada. He also had three catches for 25 yards. He played in the game against the Wolverines just a year ago but had only four yards on two carries.

Michigan's front seven looked like the solid, experienced unit they are as they limited WMU to just 38 yards on the ground in the season opener.

Allen is useful out of the backfield as a receiver and has speed to burn, so Michigan needs to be careful about who they attack. Should they leave him in single coverage, he could get by defenders and to the end zone.

I expect Michigan to use the experience of Brandon Graham, Mike Martin, Obi Ezeh, Jonas Mouton, and Stevie Brown to its advantage. Allen reminds me a little of WMU's Brandon West, who they just faced, and they seemed to shut him down fairly well.

Advantage: Michigan

Michigan's wide receivers against Notre Dame's secondary

Michigan saw some great production out of its wide receivers in the first game against the Broncos.

Junior Hemingway, especially, saw his stock rise as he hauled in two touchdown passes from Forcier in the first half. His 28-yard and 44-yard grabs for scores showed his ability deep and were a nice surprise for the Wolverines. He had five catches for 102 yards overall in the game.

While Hemingway had a great first game, Martavious Odoms (one catch) and Greg Mathews (two catches) saw few throws. There is no need to worry, however, as both Mathews and Odoms are talented and healthy and will see increased production as Forcier continues to develop in the pocket.

The Fighting Irish secondary had a hand in both interceptions last weekend against Nevada. Senior Kyle McCarthy is a very dependable safety for the Irish and proves a threat on the deep ball.

Cornerback Robert Blanton, who had an interception in the first game, is a rising talent in South Bend and should be covering one of the top Michigan wideouts.

There is talent on both sides this coming weekend. While Notre Dame has depth and talent in the secondary, I think Michigan has the edge here because of the varied and useful talents of the wide receivers.

Advantage: Michigan

Michigan and Notre Dame split with two votes each and one tie when it comes to my five key matchups. This runs with my believing this will be a close contest. I don't expect a lopsided victory by either team.

I'll have a score prediction of the Michigan game later this week.

Bringing the Heat: Detroit Tigers' Pen Continues To Excel

Adam Bouton — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:40:57 -0400

Fernando Rodney's playing career in Detroit has been mired with peaks and valleys.

He was a key role player in the Tigers' run to the World Series in 2006 and has been called upon to be a fill-in closer at several spots, too.

Rodney has also made many fans cringe when he entered the game last season. His dismal season was highlighted by six blown saves, 4.91 ERA, and 0-6 record.

When he was handed the keys to the ninth inning at the start of the season in 2009, many in Detroit weren't sure what to think.

But Rodney hasn't disappointed saving 31 of 32 games so far this season in helping Detroit stay in first place in the AL Central. He and New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera are the only relievers with 10 or more saves that have only blown one save.

That's good company.

He has become just the fourth Tiger ever to record 30 saves in a season and he has almost doubled his career total in saves entering the season.

The 32-year-old Rodney isn't the only player working wonders out of the bullpen, however.

Bobby Seay, Brandon Lyon, Ryan Perry, and Fu-Te Ni are all providing solid relief for the Tigers as the team attempts to win the AL Central for the first time since they moved over from the AL East in 1998.

Seay, second in the American League with 25 holds, has been solid all season long and provides Detroit with one of the best lefty options out of any pen. His increased velocity as of late only makes it more daunting for hitters on the opposing team.

Fellow left-hander Ni came up mid-season from Triple-A Toledo and hasn't disappointed either.

In 22 games this season, Ni has allowed just 22 base runners in 24 innings and opponents bat just .181 against him. His 2.63 ERA is the best for any current reliever on the Tigers roster.

Unlike Ni, Lyon has been up with the club all season.

And he has definitely grown on Tigers fans.

Many couldn't stand the sight of him as he proceeded to give up long balls and runs alike in his first few weeks with Detroit. Since then, however, he has grown into the set-up role and is another key contributor. It was a process, for sure, but Jim Leyland eventually inched Lyon into a bigger and bigger role with every outing.

He is second on the club with 11 holds and has locked down opposing hitters in the seventh and eighth inning to get the ball to Rodney in the ninth.

Lyon (6-4) has chiseled the ERA down to 3.00 and opponents are batting only .210 against him. He also has cut down on the base on balls and has only walked 23 in 63 innings. His ability to get ground balls at big spots has been important this season.

Unlike Lyon, rookie Ryan Perry doesn't try to get ground balls.

He tries to blow it right by hitters.

He usually succeeds. While erratic at times, Perry also has the ability to dial up the radar gun. With 100 MPH fastballs, he isn't the only the member on the team who can reach those speeds, but at the moment, he's one of the only members out of the bullpen.

Perry has shown very good poise in his rookie campaign and also has seemed to grow right before everyone's eyes all within his first season.

While he still has room for improvement as a 21-year-old, Perry looks to be justifying the Tigers first round pick they used on him just a year ago. In 50 innings this season, Perry has a 3.96 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 30 walks.

The Tigers aren't second in the American League in ERA (4.17) solely because of the starting rotation. The bullpen is a big reason why as well.

Even without deadly right-hander Joel Zumaya for most of the season, the Tigers pen is proving to be one of the best in all of baseball.

With just around four weeks left in the baseball season, the bullpen will continue to be vital if the Tigers are to secure its first postseason bid since the World Series season of 2006.

Amidst Allegations, A Win Against Broncos Is a Must for Rich Rodriguez

Adam Bouton — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:45:14 -0400

As allegations and controversy swirl around the Michigan football program and head coach Rich Rodriguez, something seems very certain.

The season opener against Western Michigan University is a monumental game.

For Rodriguez, it could be the biggest game of his life—even bigger than bowl games that he coached in while at West Virginia.

Should his team fold under the pressure and drop the game to the Broncos at the Big House, it could spell the beginning of the end for Rodriguez's coaching career in Ann Arbor. Should he lose, he could find himself out of one of the most historic programs in college football history and ultimately, out of a job.

No, he probably won't lose the position immediately, but it could be a big factor when Bill Martin and the rest of the brass decides whether to bring him back after the 2009 season.

Entering the yearly showdown against Notre Dame 0-1, and then potentially 0-2 if the Wolverines drop the contest against the Fighting Irish, Rodriguez would have a mammoth job to get his team to rally to six or seven wins.

Anything less than that victory plateau for the second straight season could be enough alone to give him the heave ho.

Throw in the allegations, miscues, and transfers and there is enough of a reason why he would be absent next spring on Michigan's campus.

This is why Rodriguez must, absolutely must, defeat the smaller school from just down the road in Kalamazoo on Saturday.

Rodriguez fell at the hands of the University of Toledo last season and should they fall to another Mid-American Conference school, it would be detrimental.

These are teams Michigan is used to beating. Wait, no that's incorrect.

They're used to stomping these teams.

Under Lloyd Carr, the Wolverines routinely ran over the smaller schools such as WMU, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio), and Central Michigan with double-digit victories.

It's tough enough to go through a Big Ten schedule unscathed, so every other game on the schedule is a must win and that is especially true in 2009. Michigan has dates against Delaware State, Eastern Michigan and the Broncos and these are definitely all must wins.

Anything less is a huge disappointment.

The schedule isn't any easier as the Big Ten will be competitive just like every season. Even though the Big House is hosting a lot of games this year, Michigan can't rely on home field advantage to get wins.

The mindset has to be one thing: domination.

Rodriguez and his staff must respect Western Michigan, but they also must look to harness the bullying swagger Michigan teams are known for. It may take some time, but that has to be the attitude.

For Rodriguez, a big start to the 2009 campaign is a must. The public and media could potentially push the allegations out of their minds if Michigan starts the season 4-0 or even 3-1 with a loss to Notre Dame. The team must be on the upswing headed into East Lansing against Michigan State.

The season is always full of ups and downs, but for Rodriguez and his squad the 2009 season has to start with an emphatic victory.

His job depends on it.

Michigan-Western Michigan Preview: Wolverines Upend Broncos at Big House

Adam Bouton — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:06:08 -0400

The month is September, the breeze is brisk, and college football is just around the corner.

The Michigan Wolverines enter the season's first game with a lot on their mind including looking for redemption after the dreadful 3-9 season last year.

The Maize and Blue will usher in the 2009 season by welcoming the Western Michigan Broncos to the Big House.

WMU is no slouch as U-M's first opponent. The team went 9-3 in the Mid-American Conference last season and made a trip to the Texas Bowl.

Although the squad lost just about its entire defense and several key receivers, the Broncos expect to contend in the MAC once again this season.

Just four days away from the first college football Saturday across the country, here is how I see the game between the Broncos and Wolverines playing out:

Michigan with the ball

The Big House will be buzzing and brimming with anticipation as Michigan rushes the field on Sept. 5. I expect the team to come out firing with months of practice and training spilling out onto the field against Western Michigan.

Expect the Wolverines to target the Broncos secondary, which is suddenly thin after graduating four starters from the last four seasons. Even though the three quarterback rotation will be in full effect, Forcier, Sheridan, and Robinson will all get the wide outs involved through short screens and slants.

This should give them confidence throughout the game.

Also look for the Maize and Blue to get the run game rolling early. With a healthy Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown, and Michael Shaw, the team will have plenty of options and the run game could help rid the young quarterbacks of any jitters in the first couple of series.

I also think Martavious Odoms will continue growing up in front of our eyes and he could have a big afternoon. I wouldn't put two touchdowns past the sophomore.

I don't expect Michigan to have any problems running or passing the ball and they could move the ball down the field at will. Western Michigan's defense is a bit of a mystery at the moment, and Michigan should be able to find the end zone often in the first game at home.

Western Michigan with the ball

With its top two wide receivers gone, perhaps the biggest question mark on the offense is at wide receiver for the Broncos.

Beyond junior Juan Nunez, experience is minimum for the receiving unit.

Tim Hiller is back under center, while all-everything running back Brandon West lines up behind him once again. The line in front of these two is an experienced and solid group. They block well on both the run and pass and have the ability to perform well throughout the game.

Michigan has an experienced defense and the squad is looking to quiet critics after they allowed the most points ever by a defensive unit in Ann Arbor last season.

Hiller should find himself under pressure all afternoon with Brandon Graham spearheading the pass rush. With the crowd behind them, Michigan could give Hiller and the rest of the offense fits. I expect Hiller to be gunning the ball all afternoon, especially if the team gets down early.

It was just a year ago that Nebraska crushed WMU in the first game of the season and the Broncos had many more weapons to use in that game.

Michigan knows how great Hiller is just by looking at 2008's stat sheet and they won't underestimate him and the coaching job by WMU head coach Bill Cubit and his staff.

Special Teams

There is one player who gives the Wolverines the edge here.

Zoltan Mesko.

The senior punter is one of the best in the country, and although he probably won't be used too often in the first game, he could provide a punch with his kicks. The ability to pin the Broncos deep in its own territory could prove to be a big advantage.

The Broncos have a strong punter of its own in sophomore Ben Armer, but he's not on the same level as Mesko.

Michigan will also send a brand new kicker out on the field for its first game, but I don't see any game-deciding kicks in this one. The new kicker will be initiated without much fanfare.

Western Michigan needs to try and make a big play happen in the return game if they want to keep this one close. It could happen, especially if cornerback Josh Price and other hard hitters get to the ball carrier.

Coaching

Cubit lives for these types of games and won't back down from Michigan at all. He's also known for throwing trick plays and he's even more inclined to do so with an experienced quarterback at the helm.

Also expect Cubit to use a bunch of different defenders to try and keep his players fresh. This will probably be especially true for the secondary and the defensive line.

I wouldn't be surprised if Cubit had a few tricks up his sleeve, like an unexpected onside kick or a fake punt. Taking the crowd out of the game is important at the Big House for the opposing squad.

Rodriguez made an interesting choice by electing to go with three quarterbacks instead of one or even two. It'll be very interesting to see who plays first and if he goes with the rotation the whole game.

Defensively, the squad seems poised and ready, and I wouldn't expect anything less than Michigan sending blitzes at Hiller all day long.

Both coaches have spent months planning for this game and I expect both to be ready on Saturday.

Prediction: Michigan gets an early lead behind its running game and is too much for the Broncos defense. Forcier and Robinson look good and show flashes of brilliance in their debuts. WMU stays in the game as Tim Hiller and his receivers hook up for a couple of scores, but Michigan is too much for the Broncos in Ann Arbor.

Michigan 34, Western Michigan 20

He Did What?: Alleged NCAA Violations Further Tarnish Rich Rodriguez

Adam Bouton — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:49:27 -0400

The University of Michigan paid an arm and a leg to tear Rich Rodriguez away from West Virginia.

The university has yet to receive anything in return for its radical investment.

Several former and current Michigan players cried foul in a report released Saturday stating Rodriguez routinely violated NCAA rules by exceeding practice and training time limits.

This is another sorry chapter in the Rodriguez regime and further tarnishes his legacy as head man in Ann Arbor.

Already a controversial figure when he arrived on Michigan's campus, Rodriguez may have swung at strike two perhaps setting himself up for early termination and a ticket out of Michigan if something else happens.

The timing also couldn't be worse for Rodriguez.

After one of the worst seasons in Michigan football history in 2008, Rodriguez was already walking on thin ice heading into 2009. A big turnaround was expected and anticipation for the opening of the new season was at its peak with just one week left before the first kickoff.

Training camp had Michigan fans everywhere excited and ready for a fresh beginning.

Now, many aren't sure what to think.

I do.

The NCAA and the university need to investigate. Should any of the anonymous players be speaking the truth, Rodriguez should seriously be considered as possibly an ex-coach at the University of Michigan.

Bo Schembechler must be rolling in his grave.

A university known for dedicated, loyal, and trustworthy players and coaches, Michigan has suddenly transformed into a basket case.

Players are coming and going, coaches are having to focus on alleged violations instead of gameplans and nobody knows where the heck Michigan will finish in the Big Ten standings.

It all started the moment Rich Rodriguez walked onto the Michigan campus.

Lloyd Carr must be in disbelief. This would have never happened under his guidance.

If Rodriguez did exceed limits, than pushing young athletes past the NCAA rules would be a major issue. He obviously hasn't demanded the respect from his players, either, as they are the ones talking. Again, this probably would have never crossed the minds of any of the players when Carr coached.

To go along with that, the fact is also that he's making headlines for the wrong reasons and none of the right ones.

Michigan used to be a staple of what was right in college football.

College football programs across the country admired the Wolverines for its work ethic, loyalty, and success year after year. Now, they probably are mirroring a different school.

Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin made a very thoughtful, careful and considered approach when deciding on Rodriguez as his head coach.

As of right now, I bet even he's wondering if he made the right choice.

Six Bold Michigan Wolverines Predictions for 2009

Adam Bouton — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:37:48 -0400

As the months and weeks count down to the new college football season, many try to predict what will unfold on the gridiron in September and beyond.

Some predict Heisman Trophy candidates, national championship contenders, and of course, who will be the next great college football player to break out.

For the Michigan Wolverines, the 2009 season is a chance at redemption after one of the worst seasons in school history.

That said, I offer six bold predictions for the 2009 season.

1. Brandon Graham wins the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Award

While this may not be as shocking as some of the other predictions I make, he certainly hasn't been picked by many media outlets as the player of the year.

Surrounded by other talent, such as linebackers Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton, Graham will garner even more attention with his ferocious pass rushing skills.

As a junior, he led the Maize and Blue with 10 sacks and 20 tackles for a loss, and I see those numbers increasing in 2009. Even as teams target him with double coverage, they won't stop him most of the time, and I think he breaks through the line often, causing havoc in the backfield.

He will lead a much improved Michigan defense that helps lead the team back up the Big Ten standings.

Graham will join former Wolverine LaMarr Woodley as the only defensive lineman to win the award for the Maize and Blue and just the fourth player overall (Charles Woodson, Larry Foote).

2. The Wolverines will carry an 8-2 record into a showdown in Madison against the Badgers

This is probably the best-case scenario for this squad in 2009. They could easily start out the season with a 4-0 record, even with the second game being against a ranked Notre Dame team. The Michigan State game is a toss-up right now, but I think Michigan has enough offense to get past the Spartans.

The Wolverines' only two losses in the first 10 games come at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who are a dangerous and experienced team, and Penn State at home.

A blowout victory over Delaware State and wins over Illinois and Purdue will have Michigan brimming with confidence heading into the final road game of the season against the Wisconsin Badgers and the loud fans in Madison.

It's really tough to tell what will unfold in those final two games, but Wisconsin always has their best for Michigan, and everyone knows what the final game of the season entails.

If you told Rich Rodriguez right now that his team would be 8-2 heading to Madison, I bet you he'd take that in a heartbeat.

3. Tate Forcier eventually takes over as starter, but Denard Robinson sees a lot of playing action

Forcier pretty much was handed the job when he landed in Ann Arbor.

Yes, three quarterbacks are starting in the opener against Western Michigan. Ultimately, though, should he not play horribly, all indications are that Forcier will lead the offense.

Denard Robinson, or "Shoelaces," should also be called "Shoelaces" because defenders are constantly only nipping at his shoelaces instead of bringing down the young speedster.

He hasn't disappointed on the field this spring, and I think that his speed will be used on the field throughout the season. Whether it's to come in and spell Forcier or perhaps play another position in some kind of trick formation, I think Robinson forces the coaches to come up with creative ways at using him.

It seems as though Michigan has two young and talented quarterbacks with tons of speed to burn, and the coaching staff will be using both on the field this year in Ann Arbor.

4. Defensive tackle William Campbell emerges as one of the top defensive freshmen in the country and wins Big Ten Freshman of the Year

Campbell is one of the top freshman defensive players in the country, and Michigan fans everywhere will get their first taste of him on Sept. 5.

He'll get the opportunity to play right away, and many believe that he'll start the opener against Western Michigan.

Listed at 6'5" and 318 pounds, Campbell should help fill the gaps when the opposition runs the football and also should help Graham and others get through the line and get to the quarterback.

Charles Woodson is perhaps the last true freshman to have a serious impact in his first year in Ann Arbor, and there is no reason not to think Campbell will have the same impact.

5. The Maize and Blue finish the season with a positive turnover ratio

The Wolverines finished dead last in the conference last season with a minus-10 turnover ratio. The team induced just nine interceptions last season and will definitely be looking to cause more turnovers this season.

What is more important, however, is hanging on to the football. The Wolverines coughed up the ball an astounding 30 times (almost three a game) last season and need to do a better job of taking care of the football.

Rodriguez has been preaching it, like every other football coach, throughout spring and summer camps. With veterans Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown, and Greg Mathews cycling with the football, there is reason to believe the team can make some vast improvements in that department.

The key will be if the young quarterbacks are savvy enough with the ball that they don't make mistakes.

If so, this squad should see a staunch improvement and perhaps even a positive turnover ratio in 2009.

6. Michigan finishes the season ranked in the top 25

Even with losses down the stretch, it's not impossible for the Wolverines to finish the season ranked in the top 25. The squad will make a bowl game after missing its first last year in decades, and with a victory in that game, it hangs on to a spot as one of the top 25 teams in the nation.

The Wolverines' strength of schedule will most definitely help here, as Notre Dame is looking to be much improved and Western Michigan plays a strong schedule as well.

With eight or nine wins this season, Michigan could see itself into the top 25 at season's end and find itself set up for years to come.

Peering Into The Future: Michigan Wolverines Make Strides In 2009

Adam Bouton — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:15:01 -0400

2008 marked a new era in Michigan football. Lloyd Carr was absent from the campus of Ann Arbor and a new brand of football, under Rich Rodriguez's guidance, swept through the locker room and playing fields.

To say 2008 was a transition year is a serious understatement.

The Wolverines' 3-9 record marked the worst record by a Maize and Blue team since the 1962 season under Bump Elliot. It was also the first season since 1975 that Michigan failed to qualify for a postseason bowl game. The 243 points scored was the lowest total in 25 years and the team allowed the most points by its opponents in school history.

Thank goodness Rodriguez had a "get out of jail free" card handy. He received the free pass because a complete overhaul of the roster and staff was in order and assumed when he arrived on campus.

He ushered in a new era with a rocky start. However, the 2009 season looks to be much brighter for the Wolverines.

Rodriguez has three potential quarterbacks at his disposal—and of Rodriguez mold—and has a plethora of other weapons to use as the season begins.

If last season wasn't one big lesson, I'm not sure what is and everyone knows the consequences if another season ends with Michigan near the bottom of the standings.

Believe it or not, but Rodriguez will ride his sure-handed and experienced running backs and talented defense in the early games of 2009. This should help give the young quarterbacks confidence to succeed early on.

The schedule isn't any easier than 2008 and perhaps is a little harder with Western Michigan—a team that took out Illinois a year ago—strolling into Ann Arbor for the first game of the season. They'll certainly be licking their chops again this year at the prospect of taking out another Big Ten foe.

Playing six out of the first eight games at home, however, will be beneficial. With 110,000 or more screaming fans, the Maize and Blue definitely won't fear for lack of support. The backing of the home crowd should never be underestimated in Ann Arbor.

The first four games are at home, and if Michigan triumphs over Notre Dame in the second game, the squad could be running into East Lansing confidently with a 4-0 record.

The rest of the schedule—save Delaware State—looks tough, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll fold under the pressure.

Most of the team is a year older, a year wiser and can still feel the battle wounds from last year under their pads.

The offensive line is experienced, as most, if not all five positions are expected to be filled with upperclassmen.

Seniors Brandon Graham, Obi Ezeh, Jonas Mouton and Stevie Brown lead a defense that expects to be leaps and bounds better than the horrific one that took the field in 2008. The secondary should also be much improved with speedsters Boubacar Cissoko and Donovan Warren manning the corner spots.

True freshman William Campbell—rated one of the top defensive players in the country coming in—could also be a force on the defensive line.

The skill positions seem set and poised for a monster year.

Wide receiver is stacked with players who dazzle with speed and ankle-breaking cuts. The tandem of Greg Mathews, Martavious Odoms, Junior Hemingway and Daryl Stonum, among others, should be among the top groups in the Big Ten when healthy.

Kelvin Grady, a former Michigan basketball player, should also see time in the Michigan offense and could be very dangerous if he gets the ball with space.

The running back position has depth with Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown and up-and-coming stars in Michael Shaw and Vince Smith.

Minor is expected to rush for over 1,000 yards and Brown and Shaw are no slouches when they enter the game. The backs should help the young quarterbacks, Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson, get a feel for the offense in the early going.

While the young quarterbacks will most likely go through some growing pains, it's not impossible to think one of the two will be able to handle the offense going forward, especially since they are quarterbacks designed for Rodriguez's offense.

And perhaps the best Michigan player isn't on offense or defense.

Zoltan Mesko, the senior punter, has the chance to become one of the best college punters in history. He offers Michigan a deadly weapon in the field position game and that shouldn't be overlooked.

Looking at the talent and potential the Maize and Blue have for the 2009 season, it isn't hard to see how the squad could potentially be fighting for one of the top spots in the Big Ten. The championship might be unreachable, but a bowl game is certainly not out of the question.

Just when Michigan football looked destined for a few years mired in mediocrity, suddenly the future seems bright and it all starts in 2009.

Michigan-Western Michigan: Dissecting The Key Match-Ups In The Opener

Adam Bouton — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:07:55 -0400

As the cool air nipped at me when I walked out the door this morning—and if it wasn't already apparent—I knew one thing was certain.

College football season is upon us.

Just two weeks from today, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will usher in a new season on ESPN's College Gameday with bold predictions, while collegiate athletes across the nation will anxiously suit up and run onto the field.

It will be no different in Ann Arbor where Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan will face off in the season's opener at the Big House. Just like every season, the first game is always months in the making as spring and summer practices all lead up to the very first moment the ball is kicked in the first game.

Both squads have reason to look forward to that moment.

The Rich Rodriguez regime is in its second season in Ann Arbor and looking for a big rebound after a dismal first season that had many questioning if letting Lloyd Carr go was a monumental mistake.

The excitement is no different in Kalamazoo where head coach Bill Cubit has instilled a winning attitude and the team looks to follow-up a bowl trip in 2008 with another one in 2009.

What will decide the outcome in the first meeting between the two teams since 2002—when Michigan won 35-12—is anyone's guess, but I have a few ideas of what could play a role. I also have a neat perspective of the first game as I covered Western Michigan football for the WMU's student newspaper last season and have pretty much eaten Michigan football for breakfast my entire life.

Let's take a look at five key match-ups:

1. Western Michigan's wide receivers versus Michigan's defensive backs

WMU lost its two top receivers from a year ago—Jamarko Simmons and Schneider Julian—but still has deep threat Juan Nunez. The junior will be asked to step up in a big way in 2009 and should be senior quarterback Tim Hiller's top target. Converted quarterback and sophomore Robert Arnheim also should see plenty of time in the slot as a possession receiver for the Broncos. Junior Jordan White is returning from injury and needs to also step up to provide some depth for the group.

Michigan's defensive backfield is talented with Donovan Warren, Troy Woolfork and Boubacar Cissoko leading the charge. The unit should be ready to help lead the defense in 2009. Speed won't be an issue on this side of the ball.

Prediction: It's no secret that WMU will be throwing the ball. If Michigan shuts down the passing game early and Hiller can't find a groove, it could be a long day for the Broncos. Someone has to step up and help Nunez right away.

Advantage: Michigan

2. Michigan's running backs versus Western Michigan's linebackers

With a deep and talented group, Michigan has the ability to pound the ball and repeatedly. If they can get on a roll, they could wear down WMU's defense quickly. Should they get up a couple of scores, the plethora of backs could put it on cruise control, controlling the clock and the game.

The defense is young for WMU, but linebacker is probably their most experienced position. Senior Austin Pritchard leads the way for the Broncos and is joined by Harrison Porter and Mitch Zajac. The sophomore, Zajac, saw an increased role in the second half of last season and the valuable playing time in meaningful games should be instrumental for this season. The coaching staff showed incredible faith in the young players last season and Zajac perhaps benefited the most.

Prediction: Michigan could steamroll any opponent with Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown and Michael Shaw jetting through the lines, but don't count out the linebackers from WMU who helped limit the Illinois squad to low yardage totals in 2008's victory. That being said, Michigan could get up early playing at home and hand the reigns to the tailbacks.

Advantage: Michigan

3. Western Michigan's Tim Hiller versus Michigan's defense

If Western Michigan is going beat Michigan, one thing is certain.

Tim Hiller will have to play a large role.

Hiller was very important—as was departed wide out Simmons—in the victory over Illinois last season and he will have to be again this season. This is even more true now that he is missing several of his top targets. While his offensive line is still intact and probably one of the best in the Mid-American Conference, he'll have to survive countless blitzes from the Wolverine defense.

Michigan should blitz WMU's best player on offense countless times all day, and, with Hiller coming off a knee injury, they should try and test his durability. Defensive end Brandon Graham could give Hiller fits all afternoon.

Prediction: Hiller is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, but that won't matter if he is on his back all the time. He isn't one of the best for nothing, so expect him to make some plays most wouldn't make. I expect his knee to be fully healed, as well, which should give him a boost. He will keep WMU in the game, no matter what the score is.

Advantage: Western Michigan

4. Western Michigan's Brandon West versus Michigan's linebackers/special teams

Already the Western Michigan all-time leader in all purpose yards—passing Greg Jennings last season, senior Brandon West (in the picture above) has been a solid contributor every season for the Broncos. While a small player, he has started at tailback the past two seasons and has returned kicks since his freshman season and has showcased good durability.

His versatility is vital for the Brown and Gold and he has the ability—along with fellow running back Aaron Winchester—to break the big one on a kick return. West needs to help Hiller and the offense out and give them a solid contribution if WMU is going to pull off another MAC upset in the Big House.

Michigan's linebackers are experienced, led by seniors Jonas Mouton and Obi Ezeh. Both are among the best in the Big Ten and they could stuff the holes opened for West all day. If they are able to contain him, the Wolverines could force Western Michigan to become one-dimensional and force Hiller to throw into tight coverage.

Prediction: West returns one or more kicks to mid-field but doesn't break any long runs as Michigan's linebackers and line helps stuff the run. Michigan helps shut down the running game forcing Western Michigan to pass just about every play—which they did several times last season.

Advantage: Michigan

5. Michigan's wide receivers versus Western Michigan's secondary

Western Michigan's secondary is one of the most inexperienced, perhaps, in the whole nation. All four starters—including NFL draft picks Louis Delmas and E.J. Biggers—are gone from last season leaving a gaping hole where they stood. Just one experienced player returns—Mario Armstrong—but the other spots are filled with players that have little collegiate playing experience.

Michigan's wide receiver corps has some very versatile and athletic players. Greg Mathews, Junior Hemingway and Martavious Odoms are all different in their own right, but talented nonetheless. With Western Michigan's young and inexperience secondary, this could be the knockout punch, in Michigan's favor. If freshman Tate Forcier can effectively get the ball down the field in his first start, look for WMU to be in trouble.

Prediction: Screens and short slant routes give Forcier confidence early and one or more of these plays goes for 40 yards or more. I wouldn't put two touchdowns for Forcier out of the picture at all. It could easily be a "learning day" for the defensive backfield of WMU.

Advantage: Michigan

While there are many other match-ups that could prove to be the deciding factor, I believe that these five are some of the most important. Michigan has four out of the five going in its favor, matching the favorite role they have going into the game against WMU.

Don't count out the Broncos, who are full of suprises, however. They have the innate ability to find young talent and put it to good use.

Just ask the Fighting Illini.

Either way, college football is upon us and in the state of Michigan there is no bigger game in the first weekend than the game taking place in Ann Arbor between the Broncos and Wolverines.

Former Bronco Louis Delmas To Start for Lions in Second Preseason Game

Adam Bouton — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:12:52 -0400

Former Western Michigan Broncos football great Louis Delmas will suit up and start for the Detroit Lions tonight against the Cleveland Browns. It's the Lions second preseason game out of four and the first for Delmas.

The rookie safety has been held out of most of the practices during training camp and preseason because of a nagging left knee injury that he aggravated in just his first practice in full pads.

Lions head coach Jim Schwartz doesn't have any reservations on whether the second round pick is ready to contribute in the defensive backfield.

"There's not much that's too big for him when you step up—whether it's stepping up with the rookies, stepping up with the vets, stepping up in a training camp practice," he said. "I would seriously doubt if it's going to be too big for him in a preseason game."

Schwartz has also said that while Delmas has missed a lot of precious time on the field, he's been a student of the game off of it and that probably contributed to Delmas receiving the starting nod at Cleveland tonight.

As for Delmas, he just can't wait to get onto the field to see if he can contribute for the Lions.

"The speed of the game is the biggest thing for me," Delmas said. "It was an eye-opener coming into [off-season workouts], coming into training camp, the speed of the game in practice. So I'm anxious to see what it's going to be like in the game."

Delmas is expected to start next to free safety Kalvin Pearson in a game that will also feature Matthew Stafford—the No. 1 overall selection in this year's draft—starting for the Lions ahead of veteran Daunte Culpepper.

Game time is set for 8 p.m. and is televised in the Detroit area.