OK men, here it is: Is Illinois still predicted to beat UM? HipDigIT has had them beating UM, and he emailed me saying he thought Illinois would win 57-6 (missed UM extra point). Now's the time to sound off!
I think Iowa exposed the Illini, and Michigan will put them out of our misery.

I think UM has a terrible time containing Juice William if they blitz tackle like they did against Painter.

With Crable playing his normal position, it makes the D much better.

Too close for me to call. I need to hear more about Hart's ankle.

Even though that injury helped get some much needed confidence for C. Brown.

Michigan but crystal ball isn't clear if its a squeaker or big.

Before last weekend, I thought Illinois would win for sure. But Illinois looked terrible this past weekend against an average Iowa team. I think Illinois is hitting speed bumps while UM is getting better. I'd be shocked if Michigan didn't win this one.

You'd be shocked? Come on, we lost to Appy St remember? I won't be shocked either way, but feel UofM will cuz of the reasons you cited.

Good to finally see a friggin' Michigan game not on the BTN.

Juice & Co. all ga-ga because they beat Cheezitz. Take a roadie to play a really bad Iowa team. Never showed up because one eye was on Michigan coming into the cornfield the next week. Iowa gives 'em a slap cuz they weren't looking and now Illini is PISSED and going home. The only way A2 doesn't get beat is if they can't find the place. They don't leave home very often and all. Have they even played a road game this year? I like Illinois by a smidge. They'll be UP.

Michigan teamattes say Hart will play vs Illinois, Carr says he'll know later in the week.

31/17 M

Hart high ankle sprain. Just like a few years ago. If he has to play a lot this week be just like a couple seasons ago where it will be sporadic.

I am hopeful that UM can open it up, get a lead and rest Hart. But I doubt that and Hart has to try and go for 20 carries.

I like that fast backup RB. We prolly all watched Hart on the sidelines in the blowout saying, I'm not that fast.

Speaking of that backup, if anyone starts 'who is the 2nd best RB in the B10? This kid is good.

I think it's time for Carr to show that he does in fact have a pair of balls dangling between his shaved legs:
Rest Hart and challenge this team to step it UP.

I think it's time for Carr to show that he does in fact have a pair of balls dangling between his shaved legs:
Rest Hart and challenge this team to step it UP.

I think that would be a very good idea. I think Hart has gotten too much of the attention. Let the rest of the team show that they also have some say in UM`s success.

But that happens when you have a player in the run for the Heisman

Maybe USC should have sat down Carson Palmer, too?

You just can't beat a guy who has two imaginary degrees for logic.
The Patriots should rest Brady for the next 8 games.

Michigan 34
Illinois 14


regardless if Hart plays or not...

Damn, Hart not even in uni.

Couldn't possibly have a worse start than that.

you think?

Just need to keep it close, make it winnable when the emotion dies down.

4 plays so far this game. huge return (il), big gut run (il), td pass (il), horrible kick return (UM), now a run for a loss (um). i might be pounding some beers tonight. atleast i can rest comfortable knowing that sparty is too classy to rub this in if it doesnt turn around....

UofM's game plan: Get the crowd into the game right away.

Coach: Oh shit, it's at Illinois.

If Michigan's defense shows up tonight, 28-24.

Well, if it continues like this, it will really push Hart's Heisman candidacy.

Shit, could Henne have thrown a shitier pass? Behind him, too hard, too high. Thats my boy.

Agree WTFMICH. If we play really good, we win, if we don't play good, we lose. Do ya think Vegas will take that bet?

Man those jerseys look great! What says you?

And those helmets...THUPER!

did you guys even play organized ball?

----

it feels like we weathered a bit of a storm there. im not sure we can run the ball at all, so i would expect a high scoring game, wish i bet the over, actually. also wish we could hand off to hart for 15 carries a drive too.

Yes, I have. I was above average and played QB, WR, DB, RB, and special teams. Nothing special really.

http://imgserv.ya.com/galerias2.ya.com/img/8/834f2e2d8131c9bai3.jpg

well guys, off to the bar to watch the game. hopefully this thing gets turned around.

LOVE the hat.

Looks like Mallett's coming in shortly.

should have left before henne went down. i do believe we are now in fact fucked, as much as i like R. M.

back to the running game, with a salt and peppering of big tex, i guess. glad i didnt take the over!

nice toss from big tex. ill take 3.

Smart play by the Illinois kid to kick the ball out of bounds, accidental or not.

Why does Musberger refer to Juice as "The Juice"?


http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/11/21/oj_simpson_narrowweb__300x472,0.jpg
"You takin' my shit motherfucker?!"

I'd like to see more of that.

The Hammer is in.

And Carr giving him(Hammer)some shit.

Friggin Mallet trying to be cute, imo, fumbles the ball. Settle down, Son!

Let's all pray for Chad Henne's return.

Yeah, and for Michigan to be aggressive like they were last time Henne was in.

...and also for Chad to not get hurt again.

Damn.

Prove me wrong Mallett.

Put fucking Henne in NOW.

Henne will be back after that throw.

*sigh*

Hopefully this doesn't bite 'em in the ass in the end here.

Well, they stopped them. That could've been worse than I thought it'd be.

As much as Mallett's turnovers have killed Michigan, these stupid penalties have killed Illinois just as much.

Looks like we have Illinois on our side too. Keep the penalties coming.

This has been a damn good game.

As much as Mallett's turnovers have killed Michigan, these stupid penalties have killed Illinois just as much.

Still need to capitalize on them though.

I got the feeling this one could be going to OT.

HAD HIM! DAMN.

Looks like we have Illinois on our side too.

Cogent

Arington to Manny! Hells yes!

TD Michigan. CRAAAAAAAAZY LLOYD!

Tahoe>WTFMICH

That was a personal foul on the guy rushing Arrington too.

http://www.hecklerspray.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/aerosmith%20steven%20tyler%20cancel%20tour%20opera tion.jpg
"Dream on
Dream on!"

BTW I don't know why they just didn't try that when Mallett was the QB.

Brent: "You know what Lloyd will do with the ball now that the clock is where it is"

That is what concerns me.

Brent is clearly a liar.

BTW first time I haven't yawned while watching Michigan on offense. I wonder if they're going to try the same things next week.

Wow, LC threw it.

I was thinkin 6 plus minutes left, Lloyd will give Illinois the ball 3 more times to give them a chance to beat us.

That was sweet.

Herbstreit should smack the shit out of Musberger.

Herbstreit should smack the shit out of Musberger.

Could we temper our aggression please?

Nah, fuck it, at least slap him.

I know it's his job to talk and all, but for bukdow's sake...

Good point Herby, we did this without our Heisman candidate. Damn we're good.
Just kidding Tre

Herby: Down 14-3 on the road, without Hart, Manny went out for a while and Henne went out, so UofM had to use their Frosh QB and STILL WON!

Winning through adversity against a team that was extremely focused in trying to win.

WHAT A WIN!!!!

No Hart, Henne out nearly half a game. What great courage and heart.

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/broadcasters/rod_allen.jpg
"Wooooooooooo wee!"

That was fun.

What the hell, its only 8:30 off to the bar for a beer.

Hail to the Victors valiant
Hail to the conquering heroes
Hail Hail to Michigan!

Well, due to a fight with my wife, I "had" to go to the bar to watch the game.
Here I am celebrating that last intraception by Michigan!
http://operachic.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/bolleblogheader01.jpg

And here I am clebrating Ohio State beating Sparty!

http://www.europeanweekly.org/images/features/stravinsky4.jpg

Illinois should be ashamed of themselves. Hart, Henne, Manningham all hurt at some point, 3 TOs, and they can't capitalize.

Michigan really dominated the game. Finishing the game 24-3.

Really, Motown. Was that Michigan holding a spread offense, a "moble" quarterback to THREE second half points?

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1833980/2/istockphoto_1833980_tropical_acrobat_on_beach.jpg

I was so happy I even put this on:

http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archives/images/a%20christmas%20story.jpg

Just for da hell of it.

That's pretty good. Here I am celebrating the TD just before halftime:

http://www.nahalatshalom.org/images/sweintraub2.jpg

http://www.drivingvotes.org/images/caravan/blogs/raleigh/flamboyant.jpg

I decided to dress more modest, not to piss off any h8erz.

Here I am with my friend Ru-Chogg, celebrating that muffed punt by Illinois!

http://eppsnet.com/images/asian-guys.jpg

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1239117/2/istockphoto_1239117_scientist_shrug_on_gray_gradie nt.jpg

another showing of Michigan superiority. What else is new?!

Which one are you Zip?

back from the bar, but i drank a little too much celebrating the game, so off to bed

http://yadogg.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/passed_out_drunk_06.jpg

oh, btw, i have it on good authority that sparty's conspicuous absense from the board has nothing to do with it being saturday (known as lossday in east lansing), but our two favorite sparties are actually othewise tied up right now

http://www.freefunnypixs.com/images/media/11/drunk_people_8.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/47/134615731_d9b2e4af6f.jpg

i hope no one has to ask which one is which.

lol

Damn you stupid Ilini Kyle Hudson for losing that fourth quarter punt. But I have to say great job to Chad Henne for coming in after being hurt. Shows tenacity.

Well, if you are one to rip Lloyd a new asshole every time Michigan gives up a first down, you gotta give him credit when they go in and do something a certain someone said wouldn't be done unless the other team forgot where the game was going to be played.

In not just a great win, but a very entertaining game to watch, UM showed a hell of alot of gonads. I'll bet a bunch of people were ready to hurl when Illinois went up 14-3, but they stayed with it and boned up real well.

I still see some defensive problems. One of which is that the rushers simply are not able to recognize and react to a screen pass quickly enough. They tend to overpursue, running themselves out of the play. Also, work could be done on tackling angles and still seeming to leave the middle of the field wide open alot of the time.

But the tackling is much better, and the breakdowns are limited more and more with each game. The staff seems to have found a way to coach to the strengths of the players on D.

Offensively, pretty damn good. Illinois has a very good defense; much speed and strength. The backup running backs filled in quite nicely. If Hart and Henne aren't at or very near full health against Minnesota, it should be a game where they can be rested. With the last three games being in Lansing, in Camp Randall, and against Tressel, the team needs to be at full strength.
I about shit when they pulled the Arrington pass out of their ass. Who would have expected anything like that? Manningham needs to quit worrying about being hit, though, when he ventures away from the sidelines to catch a pass. The right side of the line played well in spurts, with UM even running that way later in the game, but they need to pick it up over the home stretch.

Fundamentals seem to be getting alot stringer, they had no penalties well into the third quarter, and maybe even into the fourth, but did pick up a couple of costly ones. The roughing the passer on Jameson (I think?) was way inexcusable. Dude should be running a few steps this week. Oh, and maybe coach Mallett to actually wait for the center snap to be in his hands.

Lastly, this was a serious GUT CHECK. A big road game against a team with talent and everything to gain, and some injuries (one of UM's running backs was not even dressed for the game. I can't remember his name), including Henne being injured, and playing through it. Nice leadership by Henne, and he showed why many thought he would be one of the better UM QB's in their history.

Now they need to stomp Minnesota and get ready for the meat of the schedule. I feel pretty good about all four of the remaining games. After watching MSU find a way to shut down OSU's offense in the second half by pressuring Boeckman (good call, Hip), I'm thinking they could very well beat OSU. Sorry for the multitudes of Sparties and Badgers out there, but if UM is healthy, I don't think you guys stand much of a chance.

buckdow still cant post yet right now,

http://www.thoughtsfromadude.com/images/ducttape.jpg

but asked me to post this


dont change the subject from the Appy state loss

Sorry for the multitudes of Sparties and Badgers out there, but if UM is healthy, I don't think you guys stand much of a chance.

oh, i wouldnt worry about sparty, i actually have a video tape of a recent practice where they were gameplanning for UM, and i dont think we have much to worry about...

KWPKYbKs8oU

plus i hear theyll be happy if they can just keep it within 7.

"After watching MSU find a way to shut down OSU's offense in the second half by pressuring Boeckman (good call, Hip), I'm thinking they could very well beat OSU. Sorry for the multitudes of Sparties and Badgers out there, but if UM is healthy, I don't think you guys stand much of a chance."

MSU had a lot of puffed up stats built with a house of cards. 2nd or 3rd (?) in sacks, most tackles for losses in the Big 11, etc. which is puzzling since most times they don't tackle squat. I saw little of the Illinois game but they impressed me with their aggressiveness on "D" when they settled down. If MSU tacles like yesterday it will be a long day, Cheezitz sucks, Minny???...h-ha-ha. OSU? Boeckman is an "automaton." He is fucking "Robo-QB." He throws a nice ball a good percentage of the time and the rest he "aims" the fucking thing. If Crable & others can get to Boeckman IMHO THAT IS YOUR SHOT. Look how he "caved" when the DL started to play in the 2nd half. Bonehead strike to Wiley and the strip by Baldwin. He can be had. I happen to think it's your only shot too. Their "D" is whippet fast and they TACKLE people when they get their hands on them. I have not seen A2 as much as I would have in the past due to the B-10 Network Foll-der-ol but what I've seen at this point OSU is faster and deeper. Pressure will be the key in November.

There are too many "ifs" right now to say anything other than "UM has a chance". They have GOT to be at full strength. They've GOT to find a way to get the ball downfiled and try to loosen up that OSU defense. I don't know if I see Hart ripping them for another 148 yards and three TD's this year.

I really feel good about UM being able to get to Boeckman. But then Wells could destroy them like he did MSU.

I gotta see the next three, and they gotta be wins, though, before I can get a feel for anything other than this years Game being a 14-10 snoozer.

There are too many "ifs" right now to say anything other than "UM has a chance". They have GOT to be at full strength. They've GOT to find a way to get the ball downfiled and try to loosen up that OSU defense. I don't know if I see Hart ripping them for another 148 yards and three TD's this year.

I really feel good about UM being able to get to Boeckman. But then Wells could destroy them like he did MSU.

I gotta see the next three, and they gotta be wins, though, before I can get a feel for anything other than this years Game being a 14-10 snoozer.

I don't know if you've seen OSU play much but I've seen Purdooo, Washington (who led them at half because that Jake Locker dude was a run threat which threw them a temporary curve ball), and MSU. These fuckers stay home and are not fooled on anything. They wrap up and that fucking Laurenitis and DL Vern Gholston (from Detroit of all places) are incredibel. They REFUSE to be blocked. If that DOES happen the guy next to them is there NOW. They cover like a cheap suit, hangin' all over you while their pass rush is ready, steady go. MSU with their version of "the wave as tackling device" made Beanie look like a cross between O.J. and Jim Brown. You guys have the surer tacklers. I'm rambling here but they're good. I've seen A2 against Oregon (pee fucking you) and some of Illinois last night. Like you say, lots of FB to be played and anyone who thinks they don't have a chance against Bucknut is foolish. I'm telling you it comes down to Boeckman and that fucking 30 year old can be had.

Ohio State hasn't played anybody yet...

They were supposed to be 8-0...

Boeckman will be exposed in these upcoming weeks, he's really not that great of a QB...think Steve Bellasari all over again

As a lloyd-hater myself, i have to acknowledge that he has done a great job of turning the season around. My biggest complaint about the oregon game was that the team gave up during the game, but they played with great heart at illinois when trailing and missing henne and hart. I have to give credit to ron english as well for developing a pretty strong defense (at least for the big 10). In fact, it would be pretty interesting if michigan got another shot at oregon in a bowl game. I am sure that dixon would still get his yards, but I think it would be an entertaining game. I am curious to see what usc's defense will do against oregon (although oregon has lost a lot of players at wr and rb).


Well, if you are one to rip Lloyd a new asshole every time Michigan gives up a first down, you gotta give him credit when they go in and do something a certain someone said wouldn't be done unless the other team forgot where the game was going to be played.

In not just a great win, but a very entertaining game to watch, UM showed a hell of alot of gonads. I'll bet a bunch of people were ready to hurl when Illinois went up 14-3, but they stayed with it and boned up real well.

I still see some defensive problems. One of which is that the rushers simply are not able to recognize and react to a screen pass quickly enough. They tend to overpursue, running themselves out of the play. Also, work could be done on tackling angles and still seeming to leave the middle of the field wide open alot of the time.

But the tackling is much better, and the breakdowns are limited more and more with each game. The staff seems to have found a way to coach to the strengths of the players on D.

Offensively, pretty damn good. Illinois has a very good defense; much speed and strength. The backup running backs filled in quite nicely. If Hart and Henne aren't at or very near full health against Minnesota, it should be a game where they can be rested. With the last three games being in Lansing, in Camp Randall, and against Tressel, the team needs to be at full strength.
I about shit when they pulled the Arrington pass out of their ass. Who would have expected anything like that? Manningham needs to quit worrying about being hit, though, when he ventures away from the sidelines to catch a pass. The right side of the line played well in spurts, with UM even running that way later in the game, but they need to pick it up over the home stretch.

Fundamentals seem to be getting alot stringer, they had no penalties well into the third quarter, and maybe even into the fourth, but did pick up a couple of costly ones. The roughing the passer on Jameson (I think?) was way inexcusable. Dude should be running a few steps this week. Oh, and maybe coach Mallett to actually wait for the center snap to be in his hands.

Lastly, this was a serious GUT CHECK. A big road game against a team with talent and everything to gain, and some injuries (one of UM's running backs was not even dressed for the game. I can't remember his name), including Henne being injured, and playing through it. Nice leadership by Henne, and he showed why many thought he would be one of the better UM QB's in their history.

Now they need to stomp Minnesota and get ready for the meat of the schedule. I feel pretty good about all four of the remaining games. After watching MSU find a way to shut down OSU's offense in the second half by pressuring Boeckman (good call, Hip), I'm thinking they could very well beat OSU. Sorry for the multitudes of Sparties and Badgers out there, but if UM is healthy, I don't think you guys stand much of a chance.

It would have been interesting to see what Oregon could have done the rest of the way without those key injuries.

The UM/Ill game was entertaining to watch. That crowd at Illinois was pretty pumped, I suppose those national TV night games will do that for you.

Nice win for Michigan, I had this pegged as a loss.

UM is finally playing up to a level that they should be, (Top 15).