Bleacher Report - Articles by John Zimmerman

Michigan's Carlos Brown Carries Wolverines To Third Win

John Zimmerman — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:44:56 -0400

Coming off a game in-which Tate Forcier played like a fifth-year senior, he made everyone remember he was only a freshman on Saturday afternoon. That didn't hurt the Wolverines, however, as senior Carlos Brown carried Michigan to their third straight win to improve to 3-0.

Forcier totaled 73 yards of offense for the game after accounting for over 300 just one week ago. He had struggles all game long. He had a fumble which Michigan recovered, made a few bad reads, and even got knocked out of the game after taking a shot to the chest.

Carlos Brown was able to make up for the freshman's problems. It took him just one play to top Forcier's total yards for the game. After a punt-pinned Michigan at their own ten yard line, Brown took a handoff out of the now-unusual I-formation and cut through a wide-open gap in the middle of the Eagles' defense and raced 90 yards basically untouched, moving Michigan's lead to 24-10.

After the game, Brown told the press that all the credit has to go to the offensive line. Who can argue with that? They paved the way for Brown's career-high 187 yards and lead Michigan to 380 yards on the ground total. Yesterday's total was the most the Wolverine's had since racking up nearly 400 on Houston in 2003.

Wide receiver Martavious Odoms scored his first rushing touchdown on a nine-yard reverse, increasing the lead to 31-17.

The defense stepped up thier game, holding Eastern to 51 yards rushing in the second half. After scoring 17 points and trailing by only seven at the break, the Michigan defense came out of the gates flying to start the half, and held the Eagles scoreless.

After Tate Forcier was hit and knocked out of the game, the other high-praised quarterback Denard Robinson stepped in and electrified the crowd with his dazzling speed and agility. Robinson scored on runs of 13 and 36, the last of which gave Michigan a 45-17 lead and capped the scoring.

A stellar running game was ruined by bad news, however. Brandon Minor aggravated an ankle injury he suffered during preseason camp, and senior center David Molk hurt his foot. Last week, David Moosman injured his shoulder and didn't play yesterday's game because of it.

Coach Rodriguez stressed after the game how his team needs to get healthy. They play host to Indiana next week in their first conference game, and then travel away from home for the first time for a game against rival Michigan State and then play at Iowa in a Prime-Time Saturday night contest.

Michigan will need those linemen and their big, bruising tailback to be ready to go for those two key Big Ten road games.

After losing their first ever game against a MAC opponent last year, Toledo, the Wolverines went 2-0 this year, with wins over Western and Eastern Michigan. The Wolverines will now begin their conference schedule at home against the Indiana Hoosiers Saturday at noon.

The Wolverines' are 3-0 and looking to pick up their first win in conference play. After jumping into the top 25 last week, Michigan is looking to move up in the rankings with this week's win and a win in the next week, before getting their first big-time road test of the season.

Check out this article and much more on Michigan Football at www.michiganfootballmedia.webs.com

Michigan Football: Two Weeks Gone, An Optimistic Look Ahead

John Zimmerman — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:06:38 -0400

Nine months ago, Michigan fans had their heads in their hands as the Wolverines fell yet again to the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus. Five straight losses against the Bucks, and nine losses on the year. The worst season in Michigan football history.

Nine months after that miserable final loss, the Wolverines are back on track to reclaim their spot atop the Big Ten Conference and working their way back into the national scene.

Two games into 2009 and the Wolverines are only one win from matching and two wins from surpassing their win total from all of last season.

With Eastern Michigan (0-2) and a weaker Big Ten team in Indiana (2-0) next on the schedule, the chances of Michigan winning those games and improving to 4-0 are very high.

Since 2000, only one Michigan team has started the season 4-0. That was the 2006 team, who would win their first 11 games before falling to Ohio State and then USC in the Rose Bowl.

After Indiana, the Wolverines will travel to East Lansing to square off with their in-state rivals Michigan State. The next week they will go to Iowa City for a Saturday night prime-time showdown with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Saying the Wolverines can get through those two daunting Big Ten road games, they will have a great shot to move to 7-0, as they play host to Delaware State.

Don't worry, guys, I don't think we have an Appalachian State-type scare here. No Armanti Edwards or Dexter Jackson-type players in that game. Michigan will be fine.

Penn State comes to Michigan Stadium the next week in what I think is the second biggest game of the year (next to Ohio State, obviously). After Michigan had the Nittany Lions' number for much of recent memory, Penn State blasted Michigan in a 45-17 wipe-out at Beaver Stadium last year.

If the Wolverines do falter somewhere between Eastern Michigan and Delaware State, this will be the perfect opportunity to get that edge they lost back.

Michigan then heads to Illinois to battle another team that blasted the Wolves last year, the Fighting Illini. Illinois doesn't seem as good as they have recently, so this is a great chance for Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines to smack the team that put a beating on them at the Big House last November.

After a home game against a rebuilding Purdue team, Michigan will head to Madison, Wisc., somewhere the Wolverines have had serious struggles. They have not beaten the Badgers in Wisconsin since 2001, so this is a big game for Michigan.

Also, they have to focus on not looking ahead because, that's right, Ohio State is lurking next on the schedule.

"The Game" is definitely the game of the year for Michigan. It's always one of Michigan's biggest games, and this year is no different. Five straight losses to Ohio State has built up anger and insanity for Michigan fans.

If there was ever a time for Michigan to knock-off the Bucks, this is it. While they do have Terrelle Pryor, and have some talent at offensive skill positions, Michigan's offense should be at its highest level by week 12 and it should help them finally slay the men from Columbus.

This may be a VERY, VERY optimistic outlook, saying that 12-0 is in some way or another a possibility. But hey, anything's possible, right?

This time last year, the Michigan faithful were wishing and hoping for improvement. Well, after a long, hard-working and physical off-season, Michigan fans got their wish.

At 2-0, people are smiling. There's an optimistic buzz surrounding campus. Big Ten and national recognition are now possibilities.

The big man on campus is a freshman quarterback. One year after the worst season in school history, people feel as if that season never happened.

No one this time last year was talking undefeated. No one had any positive vibes. There were no freshman heroes or big-time upsets. Twelve months later, here we are.

Man, what a difference a year makes.

Michigan's Fabulous Freshman Forcier Leads Wolverines to Victory

John Zimmerman — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:29:55 -0400

Tate Forcier told the press that he doesn't get nervous.

Well, he stated his case in convincing fasion Saturday night, leading the Wolverines on a game-winning scoring drive with under two minutes to play in a back-and-fourth, heavy-weight bout against 18th-ranked Notre Dame.

Forcier, a true freshman, cause problems for Notre Dame throughout the entire game. Both his arm and his legs broke Notre Dame's backs time and time again. He broke a 31-yard run on a fourth down play to put Michigan up 31-20 in the fourth quarter, and totaled 70 yards on the ground for the game.

Forcier also threw for an astounding 240 yards on 33 attempts, with two touchdowns and one what looked to be costly interception with under five minutes to go.

Even though Forcier was lighting-up the Notre Dame defense all afternoon, Michigan still had problems stopping the Irish Aerial attack. Quarterback Jimmy Clausen racked up 335 yards through the air.

Receivers Golden Tate and Michael Floyd combined for 16 catches of 246 yards and three touchdowns. Notre Dame's receivers pretty much had their way with Michigan's defensive backs all game.

Corner backs Donovan Warren and Boubacar Cissoko managed to knock away two passes on Notre Dame's final drive, however, to give the offense the ball one last time. Cissoko was picked on all day by Clausen, but he was able to come up with one big stop on that last drive to prevent another Irish first down.

What a difference a year makes, huh? It was as good a game anyone could have asked for, but little things that last year would have haunted Michigan, now ended up hurting Notre Dame.

Penalties were the main achilles heel of Notre Dame. They had several big plays, including a long touchdown pass on a screen, called back because of holding or pre-snap penalties. While Michigan did comit six penalties of their own, Notre Dame's nine of 75 yards ended up costing them the game.

The win puts Michigan at 2-0, and gives Coach Rodriguez his first win over a hated-rival and top-25 team as the head coach of the Wolverines. The coach knew it was a big game, and he got all he could ask for and more from his team, but especially from his freshman quarterback.

Michigan scored first on a two-yard run by senior Brandon Minor, who returned from an ankle injury during practice two weeks ago. Minor carried the ball 16 times and accounted for 106 yards and a touchdown on the ground today for Michigan. After a Notre Dame field goal, Darryl Stonum returned the ensuing kick off 94 yards for a touchdown and a 14-3 lead.

As excitment roared throughout the stadium, momentum shifted to the Irish, who scored 17 unanswered points. Jimmy Clausen threw touchdown passes to star wide outs Golden Tate and Michael Floyd, and a 41-yard field goal by Nick Tausch gave the Irish a 20-14 lead.

Fifth-year senior Jason Olesnavage knocked home a 39-yard field goal attempt for Michigan to cut the lead to 20-17 at half.

Michigan came out of the gates in the second half and took it right to the Irish. Forcier lead the Wolverines on a scoring drive which would give them the lead on a short touchdown pass to tight end Kevin Koger to give Michigan a 24-20 lead.

After a chain of completions and runs, Michigan hit a fourth-down bump on the Notre Dame 31, but Forcier rose to the occasion as he did all afternoon, making a defender miss in the backfield and racing 31 yards untouched for a 31-20 lead. The sensational run set Michigan Stadium into a frenzy, but the Irish would soon quiet the 109,000 fans in attendence.

Golden Tate caught his second touchdown of the game on a 21-yard pass from Clausen. The two-point play was intercepted, and the score stood at 31-26 Michigan.

Forcier then made his first, and only, mistake of the game when he threw a pass right to safety Kevin McCarthy. A few plays later, running back Armando Allen, Jr. ran eight-yards for the go-ahead score and also ran in the two-point conversion play to make it 34-31 and stunning the packed Big House.

Allen, Jr., had a huge game on the ground for Notre Dame. The big, physicall Irish offensive line opened up holes for the back on his way to 139 yards on 21 carries. Michigan's front seven had problems throughout the game trying to tackle Allen.

He told reporters that he had worked extra hard this offseason to get his legs in better shape so he can run through more tacklers. It sure paid off Saturday, as he ran all over the Michigan D.

Allen's efforts were not enough, however. With five minutes left, the freshman got another shot. He missed a wide open LaTerryl Savoy on the sideline on third and long, though, and Michigan was forced to punt. The defense came up huge, forcing Notre Dame to punt with under two minutes to play. A short punt and fair catch by Greg Mathews gave Michigan the ball on the 45 yard line.

The freshman went to work, driving Michigan down to the five yard line with several huge passes. Martavious Odoms cause a big third-down pass to keep the drive alive. LaTerryal Savoy caught a pass down to the five yard line to set up the game-winning play.

Forcier dropped back and hit an out-breaking Greg Mathews in the front corner of the end zone for a 38-34 lead with just 11 seconds showing on the clock.

"It will go down as one of the greatest games in the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry. I'm glad I got a chance to play in it", an emotional Greg Mathews said after the game.

Mathews is the oldest of Michigan's receivers, and they needed him to come up big today after having only two cathes last week. He needed to have a good game outside. Five catches for 68 yards and the game winning touchdown. Not a bad day.

After a dominant 31-7 win on opening day, and a back-and-fourth, heart-pounding win today, the Wolverines are 2-0 for the first time since 2006. The outstanding play of Forcier earned him Player of the Game honors, but the win is definitly more important in his mind.

How's that? Well, any other kid would be doing back-flips if he juked-out a linebacker and ran for his first college touchdown in a rivalry game. Forcier, however, got some high-fives and sat by himself on the bench with the headset on. Re-focusing on the game and task at hand. A leader is in the making in Ann Arbor. Watch out, folks.

*Check out this article and more on my own Michigan Football website, at www.michiganfootballmedia.webs.com*

Michigan Football: Notre Dame Preview

John Zimmerman — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:09:21 -0400

Saturday afternoon will match-up two of college football's most storied programs; the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Michigan Wolverines.

This game may not have the same hype build-up that the 2006 game did, when Michigan hammered Notre Dame 47-21 in South Bend, but this game definitely has some major headlines leading to kick off.

I'll highlight some of those headlines throughout this preview, so let's get right down to it.

Notre Dame (1-0) @ Michigan (1-0) 3:30 PM Saturday. Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Offense: With many questions unanswered heading into their season opener last weekend, the Wolverines were able to answer just about all of them in the first half of their 31-7 win over Western Michigan.

Starting a freshman quarterback for only the third time in school history proved to be the right move for coach Rich Rodriquez. Tate Forcier led four scoring drives, throwing three touchdown passes en-route to a 179-yard day through the air.

His audition, as many called it, was passed with flying colors, and coach Rodriquez has given him the keys to the offense. Forcier will have to face a more experienced and better-coached defense this week, so we'll get to see what the freshman is really about.

Carlos Brown got the call at running back for the injured Brandon Minor, who looks to return to the field on Saturday, and rushed for 54 yards. Seven other players contributed to the run game, including speedy-freshman quarterback Menard Robinson, who scored on a 43-yard run after reversing his field and making people miss on his way to the end zone.

Michigan ran up 240 yards rushing last weekend, so the run game this week will be a huge key to setting up the passing game and opening up holes in the secondary for Forcier to find open receivers.

For Notre Dame, they return 10 of 11 starters from the 2008 team including quarterback Jimmy Clausen and wide out Golden Tate. Tate was the team top receiver last year, and he was only a sophomore. He has the potential to be Notre Dame's next great receiver.

Along with Tate, the Irish return eight of their nine top receivers from last year. Michael Floyd will be a player to watch Saturday, as he lit up the Nevada defense last weekend for three touchdowns of 70, 24, and 88 yards.

Clausen will undoubtedly look to light-up a young Michigan secondary and spread the ball around to a talented and experienced group of receivers. The ND wide receivers have a clear-cut advantage over Michigan's secondary, so that is an area that the Irish will look to exploit early and often.

Defense

Brandon Graham, Ryan Van Bergen, and the rest of the Michigan defensive line held the Broncos and 1,000-yard rusher Brandon West to only 79 total yards rushing for the game. They also put tons of pressure on quarterback Tim Hiller, forcing bad throws and not giving him time to set himself to throw.

The linebackers and secondary have a very tough-task ahead of them this weekend. They faced a talented quarterback with inexperienced receivers last week, but now they face a veteran quarterback with explosive wide outs.

Golden Tate and Michael Floyd, two of Notre Dame's top receivers, could have a monstrous day if Michigan's front four can't get pressure on Clausen.

The key to Michigan's success on defense will come from the men up front. The pressure is on them Saturday afternoon, because if they let Clausen sit back and have all day to throw, Michigan's defense could be in for a long, long day.

While everyone keeps talking about Notre Dame's offensive explosion last week, the one thing people are quiet about is the fact that they shut out a high-powered and prolific offense in Nevada.

Defensive Coordinator Jon Tenuta will dial up plenty of blitzes and shit players around to try to confuse young Tate Forcier. Notre Dame's defense is much better then Western Michigan, so the Irish will try to lock down the freshman in what's his first big game of his young career.

Notre Dame's goal will be to shut down the Wolverine's running game and force Tate Forcier to go to the air against a veteran secondary. If they can stop the Michigan ground-game, and the front four can get penetration, the the advantage is clearly in Notre Dame's favor.

The Coaches

Entering last weekends game with some off-the-field issues, it was questioned on how the fans would respond to Rich Rodriguez and his team at Michigan Stadium.

Well, a loud roar echoed across the stadium each time position players exited the tunnel during pregame, and a roar unlike any heard over the last 365 echoed across the state of Michigan when the Wolverines took the field as a team for the first time in 2009.

The roars and ovations got louder and louder as the game went on as Michigan rolled to a 31-7 opening day win, their first opening day win since 2006. Signs such as "In Rod We Trust" showed across the stadium, and it was obvious that fans are players are behind and supporting their coach.

Charlie Weis came to Notre Dame a few years ago with high-expectations. In 2006, he led the Irish to a BCS Bowl game before falling at the hands of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl. Since then, the Irish have lost 15 games, the most losses over a two-year span in school history.

After playing a handful of young and inexperienced players the last two seasons, Notre Dame has some serious talent at key positions and essential leadership and experience at others. This is definitely Notre Dame's best team since the 2006 team that was ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll.

If Michigan Wins

A Michigan win would give Rich Rodriguez his first win over a big-time rival and also top-25 team. The win would also help raise his support-level in Ann Arbor. A victory would also give Michigan a 2-0 record and a case for a top-25 ranking and a chance to match their win total from last season with a win next week over Eastern Michigan.

If Notre Dame Wins

A Notre Dame win would also put them at 2-0, and give them their second consecutive win over Michigan. A win would also put the Irish on a collision-course with USC week six at 5-0, saying that they can get by Michigan State next week, too. More importantly, the Irish would be in great position to make a run at a BCS game with a big win.

The Pick

This is really a toss-up. Both teams have their advantages, but i'm going with Michigan in this one. I realize Notre Dame's defense is tough and shutout Nevada, but Michigan's offence finally has clicked.

They pushed the tempo last week and that will be a MAJOR key to victory by tiring out the Notre Dame front four. The biggest concern in Michigan's secondary vs. Notre Dame's receivers.

If Notre Dame can hit a few big plays, then watch out. If Michigan can pressure Clausen, however, the pressure will fall off the shoulders of the secondary and give Michigan an edge. Michigan has a key weapon in punter Zoltan Mesko, who can help change the field position in the blink of an eye in the special teams battle.

One final advantage for Michigan, they're playing at the Big House, which some say is louder this year then it has ever been. We'll see how that effects the game as well. This should be a good one, and i'm going with the maize and blue to move to 2-0.

Michigan Football: A Bronco Beatdown

John Zimmerman — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:09:53 -0400

Any questions regarding whether Michigan would be able to put their recent off-the-field issues behind them and answer the bell against what seamed to be a testy Western Michigan team were all answered in the first 30 minutes of Saturday's game in Ann Arbor.

Those issues, however, aren't what Coach Rich Rodriguez thought motivated his team. He said the motivation came from what his team had been hearing for the last nine months, and the pressure they've been under after a disastrous season.

The Wolverines' defense came out flying high and silenced the critics early by forcing Bronco quarterback Tim Hiller into a three-and-out on their first possession. It would set the tone for the rest of the half en route to a 31-0 lead and their first opening-day win since beating Vanderbilt in 2006.

Tate Forcier took the field for the first time as a college starter and more then impressed the 109,000-plus fans in attendance, leading Michigan to a seven-play, 52 yard touchdown drive capped by a 28-yard pass from Forcier to Junior Hemingway. The successful—and impressive—drive seemingly gave Tate the keys to run the offense, as he came out and started all but one drive the rest of the half.

Denard Robinson, another standout freshman with excellent speed, showed off his talent on one of Michigan's next possessions. Robinson lined up at quarterback and bobbled the snap, reversed his field, made a few guys miss, and then out-ran the remaining Western Michigan defenders on his way to a 43-yard touchdown run on just the second touch of his college career.

Forcier got Michigan on the board against in the second quarter. Tight end Kevin Koger broke wide open in the end zone after Forcier booted out to his left, and Forcier found him for a 21-0 Michigan lead. Later on in the second, Forcier pretty much capped off his debut with a beautiful 44-yard touchdown pass that fell right into the arms of a striding Junior Hemingway down the sideline. The score stood 31-0, and the miserable memories of last season were finally fading and sailing out of Michigan Stadium.

The defense played a big role in Saturday's win, continually shutting down Western Michigan's stellar quarterback Tim Hiller and stuffing running back Brandon West before he could get going. The set the tone early, holding the Broncos to under 30 yards of total offense for the first quarter. The defense forced six straight three-and-outs on Western's first six possessions before the Broncos finally put together a steady drive at the end of the half that ended with a 44-yard field goal sailing wide to the left.

One big key for Michigan is that they won the turnover battle. The offense kept control of the ball and scored when they got it. An offense that averaged 20 points per game last season came out flying high, scoring 31 points in the first thirty minutes. Watching the game from the naked-eye and looking at the statistics from the score sheet, Michigan's offense looked better today then it did at any point during last season, something any Michigan supporter can smile about.

The defense played lights-out, thanks to new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson's new schemes which held a high-powered Western Michigan offense to seven points.

Western's only score came early in the fourth quarter off a 73-yard pass from Hiller to wide-out Juan Nunez.

With all the positives you can draw from Saturday, there is always something you can correct. Michigan committed quite a few penalties, a handful of them being offensive holding. While that didn't affect much this week, that could be a real shot to the foot against a more talented team later in the fall, so Coach Rodriguez will probably get that settled.

One final positive for the Wolverines, they're 1-0. Amazing to believe, but this is the first time in three years that Michigan is 1-0. Next weekend, Michigan will continue their road to redemption agaisnt a fiesty and hated Notre Dame team that smacked the Wolverines in South Bend last year, 35-17.

After the game, when the Michigan players made their way over to the student section, they were greeted with an echoing "Beat The Irish" chant.

The Irish are currently ranked No. 23 in the nation, and beat Nevada 35-0 at home on Saturday afternoon. Michigan will look to shut down Jimmy Clausen and company, and pull off the upset next Saturday at The Big House.

*Also, check out this article and more at www.michiganfootballmedia.blogspot.com

Michigan Fooball: Western Michigan Preview

John Zimmerman — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:43:06 -0400

With the start of the 2009 college football season already underway and soon to be underway for many other schools tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow evening, I'll be here each Friday night to preview Michigan's upcoming game for that weekend. Check back weekly for a Wolverine's weekly preview.

Western Michigan (0-0) @ Michigan (0-0) 3:30 P.M. Saturday, Michigan Stadium.

Offense

I'll start with Michigan. Last season's 3-9 record was thanks largely in-part to a brand new offensive system and a new coach running the show. The Wolverines finished 109thin the nation in total offense and averaged a sluggish 20 points per-game.

With one full season under their belts and another preseason preparing, a Michigan offense which returns all eleven starters should see tremendous improvement.

Freshman Tate Forcier will get the call tomorrow afternoon, becoming the third freshman in Michigan's football history to start on opening day. Another freshman, Denard Robinson, will also be a key contributor to the offense.

Robinson was in the running for quarterback as well, and may even get some calls from under center at some point in the game, but will play Saturday as a slot receiver.

Brandon Minor returns at running back, and a year bigger, faster, stronger, and healthier will hopefully add up to good things for an offense which averaged 147 yards per-game on the ground. It also helps that they have seven offensive linemen with game experience.

Another year into the system for them as well should open up holes for Minor, Carlos Brown, and freshman Vincent Smith. A solid running attack against a solid WMU front seven which includes all four of their returning defensive starters should help Forcier find throwing lanes against a young, inexperienced secondary.

A young secondary should lead to a highlight-type game for senior wide out Greg Mathews. Mathews, who was a starter on the 2007 team which won the Capital One Bowl against Florida, was Michigan's top receiver last year since Mario Manningham entered the NFL Draft after his 2007 junior season.

Mathews is a big, physical receiver with good speed and better-then-average hands. He made some big catches last season that always seamed to be over-shadowed by a turnover or some form of misfortune. Michigan will need to cut down the turnovers this year for sure if they want to see a serious turn-around.

For Western Michigan, the offense revolves around fifth-year senior quarterback Tim Hiller. Hiller threw for over 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns last season. Joining Hiller in the backfield is senior running back Brandon West. West ran for over 1,000 yards last season and the combination of West and Hiller lead the Broncos to an average of 411 yards per-game.

Even though WMU lost three of their top four wide outs from last season, including leading receiver Jamarko Simmons, the offense shouldn't miss a beat. With a playmaker such as Hiller calling the shots, he will find ways to get different players the ball and find holes in the Michigan defense.

Western Michigan's offensive line is also a huge key for Western Michigan's success. The unit returns four of five starters from last season in which they allowed only fourteen sacks in thirteen games.

In addition to being excellent pass blockers, they obviously have the ability to pound the rock, as they produced another 1,000 yard back in Brandon West last year, the third time WMU produced a 1,000 yard back in four seasons.

Defense

Seven of the eleven starters from Michigan's 2008 defense are gone, so young and inexperienced players will have to fill the voids left by the seniors ahead of them.

Of the four returning starters on defense, the biggest and most crutial one is vocal leader and 2008 M.V.P. Brandon Graham. Graham caused havoc for offensive lines all season and is a pre-season lineman to watch according to coaches across the country. Michigan will rely heavily on his run- stopping ability to shut down Brandon West.

Stevie Brown makes the transition from safety to linebacker, thanks to new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson's hopes that his size, speed, and agility will help Michigan's front seven in the run game and even pass game in ways.

Juniors Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton are returning starters and will look to stuff Brandon West and force Hiller to throw the ball to his inexperienced wide receivers.

If the linebackers and linemen can shut down West, the secondary will be called upon to shut down Western's Tim Hiller and his host of wide outs. One big key for the secondary is that Western Michigan's receivers are just as young.

Donovan Warren is a returning cornerback who has potential to be a shut-down corner in his junior year as the number one corner. Troy Woolfolk will have his number called as he replaces Brandon Harrison at safety, and Boubocar Cissoko, a sophomore who saw playing time last season, will play mirrored from Warren as the other corner.

Like Michigan's defense, Western Michigan lost seven of its eleven starters from last season. The key returner for the Broncos is also a defensive lineman, senior Cody Cielenski.

Despite only starting five games, the 6'2 280 pound force accounted for 36 tackles, ten of which for a loss. Defensive end Justin Braska also returns after seeing game action in all thirteen games. He recorded 52 tackles and lead the team in sacks.

First-team ALL-MAC performer Austin Pritchard returns at linebacker along with sophomore Mitch Zajac, who was selected to the ALL-MAC Freshman Team last season. Pritchard and Zajac will be the two key backers featured in Western's 4-3 set.

The secondary faced major struggles last season, but all four starters are gone. Mario Armstrong, a junior safety, has the most experience, as he started a handful of games towards the end of last season. Miami(Fla.) transfer Doug Wiggins will be counted on to be a force right away as he will jump right into the starting lineup at free safety.

An young Western Michigan defense will go up against a Michigan offense which now has two off-seasons and one full season under their belts. The Broncos will rely on their two stud defensive linemen to make Forcier make decisions throwing the ball instead of being able to just hand off to Minor or any other running threat.

Special Teams

Zoltan Mesko is a silent but deadly weapon for Michigan's special teams. Mesko, Michigan's punter for the last three seasons, has had 63 punts downed inside the opponents' 20 yard line and 43 punts of over 50 yards.

If field position becomes a factor in this game, the edge should deffinately be in Michigan's favor.

Speedy sophomore receiver Martavious Odoms will also be a threat in the kicking game. He was second in the Big Ten in kick return yards last season, and made his name known with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown against Purdue last November.

The Coaches

Rich Rodriguez is in his second year at the helm in Ann Arbor. Despite stumbling to a 3-9 record in year one, there is an opportunistic feeling buzzing across campus. Rich Rodriguez has been known for a sluggish-start, and then coming out of the gates in year two and having tremendous success.

He went 3-8 in year one at West Virginia in 2001, then followed up with a 9-4 record in 2002. Michigan faithful are hoping for that sort of turn around in year two in Ann Arbor.

Before anyone looks that far ahead, i'm sure Coach Rodriguez will have his team focusing on each opponent and not letting outsiders have their input on the team and on history.

Bill Cubit is entering his fifth season at Western Michigan and is looking for his fourth win over a BCS school since 2005. The Broncos took down Virginia is 2006, Iowa in 2007, and then Illinois last year, so Michigan better be ready because Cubit has made his team no easy-pickins.

Cubit has coached several all-conference players and accounted for 29 wins in four years, but he has yet to lead the Broncos to a Conference Championship, a preseason goal they have made evident. A strong offense, lead by Coach Cubit himself, should cause problems for a young Michigan defense.

If Michigan Wins

A win for the Maize and Blue would basically be a sigh of relief. After loosing their last two home-openers, 34-32 to Appalachian State in 2007 and 25-23 to Utah last year, Michigan is looking to get ahead of the schedule and get a plus .500 record for the first time in what feels like forever for the supporters and team members.

Rich Rodriguez's popularity may also take a rise up, since history is in his favor and people may hope the win will be a sign of things to come.

If Western Michigan Wins

A win for Western Michigan would give the Broncos their fourth win in five years over a BCS school and their first ever win over Michigan. Tim Hiller will more-than-likely have a big game in a Broncos' win, which will lead to national recognition for a kid that has NFL-potential.

A win would also give Western Michigan a confidence boost on the road to their first conference title since 1988.

The Pick

Michigan. I am not being biased with my pick, just honest. Michigan has not only talent, size, and tradition on their size, but they also have a feeling of redemption. The seniors want to go out on top, and leave their mark on one of college football's most storied programs.

They want to help engrave their names in Ann Arbor during what they hope will be the "turn-around season" after a dismal and embarrassing 3-9 campaign.

Their opportunity to turn the program around starts Saturday afternoon, and the seniors will lead their teammates through the tunnel at Michigan Stadium in what is the beginning of what they hope is a new beginning.

*Also, check out this article and more at www.michiganfootballmedia.blogspot.com

Will Michigan Football Be Back To Its Winnings Ways This Season?

John Zimmerman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:44:16 -0400

As we get deeper into a hot and humid summer, we also get closer to the beginning of a new college football season.

We are just 67 days from kickoff at the Big House in Ann Arbor on September 5th. Coming off the heels of a 3-9 season, Michigan Football is looking to restore its name among the elite of college football.

While the first game may only be against Western Michigan, a mid-major team from the MAC, I am incredibly excited and anxious to see how the Wolverines perform in their second season under head coach Rich Rodriguez. Michigan's head man has made it clear that this is a new and different team from a year ago.

After the worst season in Michigan's storied history, Rodriguez better have his team ready to go Week One in Ann Arbor. Not even one full season under his belt, and fans were already wanting him gone last season. He stressed the importance of patience, but the supporters of Michigan Football know nothing but winning ways and success.

"3-9 just isn't Michigan," one alumni stated. "This is a winning program. That's what we've done and what we will continue to do, win."

11 National Championships and over 40 Big Ten titles is not something every program can claim. Michigan can.

They've won the big games, they've played the best, and they've beat the best.

They hold a 25-5 record in arguably the strongest conference in football, the South Eastern Conference (SEC), including a 41-35 thriller in the 2008 Capitol One Bowl over Heisman-winner Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators.

Michigan has also produced the only defensive player to win the Heisman, Charles Woodson, who was a cornerback on the 1997 National Championship team.

Ann Arbor has also been the college grounds for NFL players such as Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady, the aforementioned Charles Woodson, Anthony Thomas, Dahani Jones, Desmond Howard, Steve Breaston, and many more.

Rich Rodriguez is aware of the Michigan legacy and it is his job to keep the legacy alive. September 5th is his first opportunity to show to the nation that he has the Wolverines back on the path to success. It's his chance to show the nation this isn't a losing team and that last seasons' disappointment is gone for good.

The 67-day countdown marks the beginning of not only a new season, but the true beginning of a new era.

Michigan Football: The Second Coming—September 5th

John Zimmerman — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:15:16 -0400

I am just as, if not more, anxious than any Michigan fan, player, coach, or alumni.

September 5th marks the start of a new year. It marks the beginning of a new season. Best of all, it's the date we finally can put 2008 and 3-9 behind us for good.

The boys from Kalamazoo will voyage east across the great state of Michigan to take on the Wolverines on opening day at The Big House. The Broncos from Western Michigan University, who were the MAC-Conference runners-up last season, will be a solid opponent for the new and improved Wolverines.

Michigan hasn't won its home opener since 2006 when they beat Vanderbilt. Appalachian State came to the Big House in '07 and stunned the Wolverines on a day every Michigan fan will never forget, no matter how bad they want to. Last season, Utah came to Ann Arbor on opening weekend and took a 25-10 lead into the fourth quarter, before the Wolverines mounted a comeback that fell short.

The University of Michigan is one of the most respected programs in America, which is rich with tradition and is committed to excellence. Losing is not, in any way, within Michigan's blood. The program has claimed 11 National titles, over 40 Big Ten championships, and also produced the only defensive player to ever win the Heisman Memorial Trophy (Charles Woodson in '97).

Despite 2008 being the most disappointing season in 129 years of football, it is last year, and this year is 2009. This is a new season, with new goals and new expectations.

Rich Rodriguez and his staff has the Maize and Blue on the right path—a path that will lead them back to the Promised Land and among the ranks of college football's elite.

The two-year home opening losing streak will be over. The losing will be over. The new era of Michigan Football is on it's way. The Big Ten and national power-house program is on the rise again.

I can't wait for September 5th.

Michigan Football Preview: Defense

John Zimmerman — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:20:15 -0400

Last year's 3-9 season was a disgrace for the nation's winningest all-time program.

Everyone expected the offense to struggle, but the defense was supposed to keep the Maize and Blue in games. And they did manage to do that, even though outside supporters wouldn't realize that.

The Wolverines outscored Wisconsin 27-6 in the second half of their first big ten game to upset the Badgers, and later in the year held a high-powered Minnesota offense in check during a 29-6 win.

The problem was that Michigan was dominated in time of possession last season, forcing the defense to be on the field longer then they could stand.

With the Wolverines entering year two in the Rich Rodriguez era, the offense will definitely be improved. The question mark this year is the defense, which lost seven starters.

Here is a breakdown of what the 2009 Michigan Defense will look like.

Defensive Line

Brandon Graham is arguably the best pass-rusher in the Big Ten, and will hold the line down for his senior season. The question is: Who will be joining Graham to form the front four?

Greg Banks or Ryan Van Bergen will play the other defensive end position with Brandon Graham. Michigan should be able to rotate in some linemen to see which guys cause the most havoc for opposing offenses. Mike Martin, Renaldo Sagesse, and Adam Patterson will most-likely be the top three candidates for the job.

The defensive line lost manmouth nose tackle Terrance Taylor to the NFL Draft, as well as Will Johnson and Tim Jamison. The group will need someone along with Graham to help produce a steady pass rush and shut down the run.

Linebackers

The line-backing unit returns ball-hawk Obi Ezeh, who will play the middle. Joining him will be Jonas Mouton and last year's safety Stevie Brown, who has made the move to outside backer.

J.B. Fitzgerald will also see some good playing time, as he appeared in all 12 games last season, too.

The front seven lost five starters and will need to improve day-by-day this off-season. Ezeh and Graham will need to set the tone for the Michigan defense to keep the younger, inexperienced guys focused on the task at hand.

Secondary

With Stevie Brown moving to linebacker, Troy Woolfolk will make the transition from corner to safety, making Boubacar Ciccoko and Donovan Warren the two starting cornerbacks. As it stands now, it looks as if sophomore Brandon Smith will be joining Woolfolk at the other safety position.

This group is probably the most experienced, with Warren being a two-year starter, and Woolfolk and Ciccoko both seeing action last year primarily in nickle packages.

If they can prevent letting up the home run play, whether it be a long pass or a running-back looking for daylight, the secondary will be able to hold their ground as the last line of defense.

The Unit in Review

Last season, this was the unit that was supposed to help Michigan pull through games with inexperience on the offensive side of the ball. This year, the roles are reversed, as this is now the "young unit".

If Senior captain Brandon Graham can bring his unit together, the Michigan defense can surprise a lot of people this fall.

Mets-Pirates: Mets Blow Eighth-Inning Lead Against Pirates

John Zimmerman — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:52:01 -0400

Wilson Valdez had three RBI in the first three innings.

Fernando Martinez stole his first two bases of his major-league career.

The Mets were flyin' high, leading the Pirates 5-0 in the third inning.

Livan Hernandez pitched five-and-two-thirds innings allowing seven hits while striking out five.

The Mets cruised into the eighth inning with a 5-3 lead. The problem: there was still two innings left.

Pittsburgh didn't need their half of the ninth, as they tore apart the Mets' bullpen in the eighth. Pedro Feliciano and J.J. Putz allowed five runs on six hits and blew a two-run lead and stripped Livan of his fifth win of the year.

Putz allowed four consecutive hits without an out, surrendered three earned runs and four runs total, while also intentionally walking Nyjer Morgan.

Jack Wilson, Nyjer Morgan, Freddy Sanchez, Nate Mcclouth, and Adam Laroche all pushed runs across during the Pirate's eighth-inning rally. Adam Laroche finished the game 3-for-5 and Jack Wilson went 3-for-4 with three singles and an RBI.

A big question mark coming into the game was the status of "eighth-inning-man" J.J. Putz. Putz has struggled lately, and manager Jerry Manuel said before the game that they were going to give Putz his opportunity and bring in Feliciano or Bobby Parnell if needed.

The problem with that was they had used both players earlier in the game.

Parenell came on in the sixth to bail the Mets out of a bases-loaded jam. Feliciano then came in and allowed a run in the eighth before being replaced by Putz.

After a rough half-inning against Florida on Sunday, and a disaster of an inning tonight, it's quite clear that Jerry Manuel will turn Bobby Parnell into their new "eighth-inning-man". Parnell has shown he has the ability to go after hitters and get strikeouts when needed.

Manuel addressed the media post game and told them that they'll give Putz tomorrow off and a chance to "catch his breath". Coaches worked with him pre-game, trying to help him with his mechanics, and tomorrow they'll get another chance to help out the reliever.

The seven-game road trip has already had a rocky start, but with ace-pitcher Johan Santana taking the mound tomorrow, the Mets will be looking to bounce back and hit the ground running for the rest of this series.

*This article is also featured on Metroareasports.blogspot.com along with more on the New York Mets.

Mets Head to Pittsburgh: Seven-Game Road Trip Begins

John Zimmerman — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:17:19 -0400

Fresh off a 5-1 home stand, in which the Mets took two of three from the Marlins and swept the Nationals, New York will travel to Pittsburgh and Washington this week to complete a seven-game road trip.

Right- Livan Hernandez, will take the hill tonight in search of his fifth win of the season. Hernandez is coming off a complete game win a week ago against the Nationals in which he only surrendered one run.

Despite Hernandez's 4-1 record, he has struggled against the Pirates. While only facing them two times over the last three seasons, he is 0-1 by allowing seven runs on seventeen hits in just over ten innings. He'll need to improve his pitching if the Mets hope to continue their hot streak.

This is a huge seven-game trip for the Mets because they've struggled on the road this season. While they post a 17-9 home record, they are a sluggish 11-12 away from Citi Field. One positive, however, is that they are 8-1 against the Pirates and Nats combined this season, even though all nine of those games were at home.

Opportunity has presented itself for the boys from Queens. They have seven winnable games coming up and have a chance to take control of the East. With the Phillies on their own nine-game road trip with games in San Diego and L.A., this is a fantastic opportunity for the Mets to give themselves a small cushion in the division.

Just to peak ahead, the last three games for the Phillies on their road trip are at Citi Field against the Mets.

*Check out this article and more on the Mets at Metrosports.blogspot.com

Mets-Marlins: John Maine's the Man

John Zimmerman — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:24:18 -0400

Four times this season the New York Mets have split the first two games of three-game series. All four times, the Mets have lost the third game.

That changed on Sunday afternoon, as the Mets downed the Florida Marlins 3-2, and took two out of three from their fellow NL East opponent.

John Maine continued his dominance of the Marlins as he pitched a brilliant six innings, allowing only three hits and striking out five to pick up his fifth win of the season. He left the game prior to starting the seventh inning, however, due to a stomach virus.

His counterpart Chris Volstad pitched a solid game as well, but back-to-back doubles in the seventh by Martinez and Santos, both scoring a run, knocked Volstad out of the game. He surrendered six hits in seven innings of work, striking out two.

After a Wilson Valdez walk, Angel Pagon got the Mets going by lacing a two-out double to score Valdez and put New York on the board. John Maine helped his own cause by silencing the Marlins' bats and keeping his team's slim 1-0 lead in check.

The Mets added some insurance to their lead in the seventh. After a 35-foot ground ball put Gary Sheffield on first, Dan Murphy's sac bunt put Sheffield on second, and Fernando Martinez blooped a double over the head of Hanley Ramirez in shallow left field to score Sheffield. Omir Santos then contributed with his third big hit of the series, smashing a double down the left field line.

Things got scary quickly, as the Mets' eight-inning man, J.J. Putz, allowed three consecutive singles following a walk to cut the Met lead to 3-2. Bobby Parnell came in to get two key outs and keep the lead in tack.

K-Rod took the mound for the ninth and allowed a walk but struck out the other three batters he faced to stay perfect on the year with his 14th save in 14 opportunities.

With the win, the Mets complete a six-game homestand 5-1 and keep close to the Phillies in the NL East Race.

Mets-Marlins: Rubber Match at Citi Field

John Zimmerman — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:02:22 -0400

After a dramatic 11th inning walk-off single by a rookie, then a disappointing outing by Tim Redding, NL East foes New York and Florida will play the rubber match of their three-game series at Citi Field today.

For the Marlins, Chris Volstad will take the mound fresh off a victory against the Phillies in which he worked six-and-two-thirds innings in a key win. The sinker ball pitcher has improved his curveball dramatically, which is something the Mets shouldn't be happy to hear.

Volstad's last appearance against the Mets came in September of 2008, when he threw six scoreless innings at the old Shea Stadium.

Volstad's Achilles heel is the long ball. He's allowed six home runs in his last four starts, so let's see if the Mets can connect on some big hits.

John Maine will be taking the hill today for the Mets—and probably the Mets' best bet, too. Maine is 4-1 during his career and 1-0 this season against the Fish. He's surrendered only three hits and allowed two runs during his 11 innings of work against Florida this season.

Maine is coming off one of his best outings this season. He allowed one run on four hits while sitting down four Nationals in a 5-2 victory. If he pitches the way he's capable, and with his former success against Florida, the Mets should be in good position to pick up a big win.

Michigan Football Preview: Offense

John Zimmerman — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:10:56 -0400

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to break down each of Michigan's three units: offense, defense, and the special teams. I'll cover each position and its starters, along with the experience, the talent, and the strengths and weaknesses of each. Today, I'm going to start with the offensive side of the ball. Hope you enjoy!

Quarterback

When a team runs the spread option offense, 99 percent of the time the team uses a mobile quarterback.

Well, Michigan was the one percent that didn't last year.

It wasn't necessarily their fault, however, because they just did not have anyone that could run it. Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan split time at quarterback but neither fared to manage any steady success. Threet played a great game in a 27-25 upset of, at the time, ninth ranked Wisconsin and Sheridan managed the offense in a 29-6 win against Minnesota who, at the time, was 7-1.

But now Threet has transferred out, and Rich Rod heavily recruiting a signal caller to run the show. The Wolverines were able to bring in California prospect Tate Forcier to Ann Arbor.

Forcier showed signs of promise in his first action as a Wolverine during the spring game. The only flaw on his part is he's a freshman. Can he live up to the hype? Can he manage the offense? These are all questions we'll find out as he progresses.

Hopefully Forcier will be able to fill the hole the Wolverines had at the position and will be able to run the offense to its full potential.

Running Back

This is by far the most experienced group on the offense. Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown, and Kevin Grady complete a trio of seniors who will be able to carry the ball this season.

Last year, freshman phenom Sam McGuffie saw a lot of playing time, but he's transferred back to his home state to play for Rice. Minor will see the majority of the carries, but Brown will be able to give Minor a blow when needed and Grady could be a goal line back with his size. Minor is overcoming an injured wrist, and Grady's been in trouble with the law and also had a few injuries.

These three seniors will make this group of running backs top notch in the conference and help Michigan's run game improve from last season as long as they can stay healthy.

Wide Recievers

Last year, there were at least two or three freshman and sophomores thrown right into the fire of game play week one against Utah.

Martavious Odoms, Darryl Stonum and Junior Hemingway were those young guys who had to come in to play right away. The inexperience caused havoc throughout the season (also somewhat thanks to the confusion at quarterback) for the receivers.

Greg Mathews was the only returning starter at the position last season as a junior, and this year as a senior will again lead the group. The one area of concern for the group is holding onto the football. Maybe it was just from being young and nervous, but watching games last year, I saw too many dropped passes and fumbles from this group. That needs to be stopped this year.

Hopefully now that the young players last year have a year under their belts, they should produce more excitement and points in the passing game this fall. A new quarterback that fits the systems helps, too.

Linemen

In my opinion, we'll be able to see this groups' improvement the most when the Wolverines take the field on September 5. With all five starters returning, this is now a veteran group of teammates who will be more comfortable with each other and the offensive blocking assignments which will result in more time for Forcier to look for an open receiver and open more running lanes for the backs to take advantage of.

Anchored by junior Dave Bulk at center, the line includes Mark Ortmann, Stephen Schilling, Dave Moosman, and either Tim McAvoy or John Ferrara.

This group will be the key component in 2009. Despite being undersized, I believe their strength and conditioning will be able to wear teams out late in games, unlike last year.

Excellent pass protection and physical run blocking will help power the offense and score points and erase the struggle of last season.

The unit in review

Michigan's offense should be much improved from last season. With each starter returning, and a new quarterback included, the Wolverines should be scoring points and wearing out their opponents thanks to their conditioning and style of play. 2009 should see Michigan's win total rise thanks in part to this group.