Michigan Wolverines Football News - August 27, 2008 (MAIZE RAGE Edition #3)

As of this writing, only 3 days, 6 hours, 51 minutes, and 9 seconds left until Utah Utes!  GO BLUE!!

Michigan Team Report

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=teamreports-2008-ncaaf-mmk&prov=sportsxchange&type=team_report

Rich Rodriguez will do things 'His Way' at Michigan

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080825/COL08/80825077/1118/RSS

Lloyd Carr protected his players. Rodriguez pushes them.

They’ve never been better conditioned than they are now. They’re leaner, faster and less likely to run out of gas in the fourth quarter as previously.

“I don’t agree that we were soft,” said junior defensive end Brandon Graham, “and I certainly never want it to come across that way. But we’re definitely getting pushed further in conditioning and practices now than we did before.”

Kevin Newsome decommits to Michigan

http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/wb/173923

- Damniit... I had a good feeling about this guy, plus he lives really close to me right now.  Hopefully he'll still go Michigan.

Kevin Newsome De-commits from Michigan Wolverines Football

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/49391-kevin-newsome-de-commits-from-michigan-wolverines-football

Locals: U-M loses QB prospect
Two sites say military academy player from Virginia decides to rescind commitment.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/SPORTS07/808200382

Mountaineer QB becoming a media favorite

http://www.indexjournal.com/articles/2008/08/21/sports/sports03.txt

Big 10 Preview: Michigan Wolverines

http://www.fantasycollegeblitz.com/big-10-preview-michigan-wolverines/

Jackson: Shaw and McGuffie are my best running back class ever

http://www.michigandaily.com/content/jackson-shaw-and-mcguffie-are-my-best-running-back-class-ever

Jackson said Shaw is a slasher, and McGuffie is a jump-cutter, which allows him to run between the tackles well. Their speed, though, is one common trait Jackson is drooling over.

“It's a hell of a deal to have two guys like that because, to me, if you miss them at the line of scrimmage, 90 yards later, you'll find the results,” Jackson said.

Beside the big play, it’s a finer technique Jackson is focusing in on with the freshmen backs, one Hart excelled at — not fumbling.

U-M's Rodriguez surprises players with trick and treat
Rather than a grueling afternoon run, football team heads to the pool for some fun.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/SPORTS0201/808200371/1132/SPORTS0202

25 Michigan keys: #11 Justin Feagin's impact

http://blog.mlive.com/thediag/2008/08/25_michigan_keys_11.html

"All the reports coming out of camp lately have Nick Sheridan pulling ahead of Steve Threet in the race to the number quarterback. Whoever gets the nod will be asked to manage the offense, which will to at least some extent include running."

In 12 months, Trent goes from question mark to anchor at cornerback

http://blog.mlive.com/jim_carty/2008/08/confident_morgan_trent_appears.html

U-M's Shaw, McGuffie expect to play against Utah

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/football/index.ssf/2008/08/ums_backfield_hype_builds_shaw.html

Carr: Don't count out the Wolverines this season

http://blog.mlive.com/hugeblog/2008/08/carr_dont_count_out_the_wolver.html

College football countdown: Nos. 21-25

http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/d1scourse/2008/Aug/17/college-football-countdown-nos-21-25/

25. Michigan. Wait --- Rich Rodriguez is actually going to make headlines for his team rather than for wrangling for dollars with his former employer? No way.

The Wolverines will take a step back this season as Rodriguez implements his own schemes and the long lineage of Bo Schembechler and his former assistants fade away. They'll long be remembered, and all those Big Ten titles of the last 40 years will loom over Rodriguez until he gets one or two of his own.

If Michigan can (a) survive its opener against Utah and (b) toss up five wins in the Big Ten, this probably won't be too much of a headache. But if not, missing a bowl for the first time since 1974 is not impossible.