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AT
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MICHIGAN
Last year: 9-4
Big Ten: 6-2
Bowl: Capital One Bowl; beat Florida, 41-35.
Coach: Rich Rodriguez (first year at Michigan; 105-62-2 overall, 15 years)

The good stuff: The Wolverines feature a veteran defense, particularly on the line where returning starters Terrance Taylor, Will Johnson, Brandon Graham and Tim Jamison will be hard to handle. Punter Zoltan Mesko and kicker K.C. Lopata are top-notch specialists.

To be determined: Whether an offensive line and backfield decimated by graduation can be successfully filled by inexperienced players.

Camp update: A bunch of freshmen will play based on what they've shown in training camp. Rodriguez said he expects as many as 10 first-year players to see game action early in the season. Some may even start.

Newcomers to watch: A pair of running backs, Sam McGuffie and Michael Shaw. They're fast, shifty and versatile enough to be plugged into a variety of spots in coach Rich Rodriguez's spread offense.

Pivotal players: Quarterbacks Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan, and redshirt junior left tackle Mark Ortmann. Ortmann - who has started twice in his career - will be protecting the blind side of Michigan quarterback tandem.

Make or break game: The season opener against Utah - which went 9-4 last year and returns 16 starters - should be telling. A victory will be meaningful, while a loss could forecast a rocky first year for Rodriguez and the Wolverines.

In the end: No matter how outstanding the team's defense might be, an offensive line consisting of four new starters and a shaky situation at quarterback can't inspire confidence. Michigan will win enough to extend its consecutive bowl streak to 34, but won't be playing on New Year's Day.


Utah Utes football: Utes begin preparation for playing at Big House
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the Utes "got a lot of good work" in Thursday at the practice fields.
The first full day of game preparation for the Aug. 30 season-opener at Michigan went well. The Utes incorporated a lot of live work while facing the scout team in various situations.

Near the end of practice, they did so with crowd noise blaring over speakers near the field — an attempt to replicate what's expected at Michigan Stadium.

"It gives you a taste of it. You can't replicate it exactly, obviously, but it does give you a game-day atmosphere to some extent," Whittingham said. "You do the best you can do. I wish we could get 111,000 people to surround practice, but it isn't going to happen. So that's the next best thing."

Utah's fall practices, it should be noted, are closed to the public and open only to the media.


LET THE NEW ERA BEGIN :BARWIS:

http://blog.mlive.com/wolverinesfootball_impact/2008/08/large_082108rod1.jpg

word on the pay boards is that no decision has been made between Sheridan and Threet - the starting RB will be McGuffie or Shaw - starting WRs will be Matthews, Savoy, and Odoms - Evans, Ezeh, and Panter will be your starting linebackers

I can't believe it's already football season...

So glad that this isn't on the BTN only.

word on the pay boards is that no decision has been made between Sheridan and Threet - the starting RB will be McGuffie or Shaw - starting WRs will be Matthews, Savoy, and Odoms - Evans, Ezeh, and Panter will be your starting linebackers
Wow, no Clemons, Hemingway, or Stonum. Probably says more about depth than anything, since I still expect those three to get significant PT.

Health has really been an issue for Minor and Brown at RB, but I expect they'll work into the mix as well.

I'll be at this game. If UM wins, I'll give full report on game-day experience and sightings. If Utah wins, I'll probably bury my head in the sand for quite some time.

I hope I get the game.

I hope Dish Network shows up at the beginning of my 12-5 time window to hook it up at my new house.

Bigger disappointment for Michigan: Grady or Mallett?

Bigger disappointment for Michigan: Grady or Mallett?


HOW ABOUT APPALACHIAN STATE?

FWIW - I have a very bad feeling about this game.

I hope Dish Network shows up at the beginning of my 12-5 time window to hook it up at my new house.

Are you seeing on the schedge out here? I'm not...yet anyway.

Jeth, I think we can still win this on talent alone.

Are you seeing on the schedge out here? I'm not...yet anyway.
Well, ESPN has them listed as the ABC game. Hmm, they also have USC/Virginia listed at that time too. I have a feeling I'll get shafted out here on that one.

Dish network's programming guide has ESPN2 and ABC listed as "College Football" with no teams listed (it has LSU/App State listed on ESPN).

Yahoo TV says teams TBA for both. As long as they are on one of those I am fine with that.

The only other game in that time slot to worry about is WVU/Villanova

Jeth, I think we can still win this on talent alone.


Utah has above average talent for a "non-BCS team" though...

The defense should be pretty stout...there's no reason the front four can't put some pressure on Brian Johnson...

The defense should be pretty stout...there's no reason the front four can't put some pressure on Brian Johnson...


YOU BEEN

http://www.elrincondelrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/brian_johnson.jpg

THUNDAH-STRUCK

Wow, no Clemons, Hemingway, or Stonum. Probably says more about depth than anything, since I still expect those three to get significant PT.

Health has really been an issue for Minor and Brown at RB, but I expect they'll work into the mix as well.

I'll be at this game. If UM wins, I'll give full report on game-day experience and sightings. If Utah wins, I'll probably bury my head in the sand for quite some time.
See you when you get back. UM goes down, 24-21.

Jeth, I think we can still win this on talent alone.
Well, I am sure you will play your best and leave it all on the field.

I see Michigan winning this one (and all their non-conference games), but I don't expect them to have a great big ten season.

I can deal with a few missed assignments, but as my Sparty friend Bukky says, I want them to leave it all on the field. Start the RR era off with giving 110% on every play.

Off to the overused Sports cliche thread.

It's OGT time! Yeeeeeah!

About the depth chart, apparently there are a lot of "ors" on it and RR said if it says "or" it means "or" and the starter hasn't been determined officially yet. But McGuffie is at the top of the RB's follwed by (or) Shaw with Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown behind them. I love it. Odoms will start for sure in the slot and the coaches are going off about the things he can do with the ball. Expect to see him handle the ball in many different ways and maybe on returns too. 8 true freshman are listed on the 2 deep. Lloyd Carr is rolling over in his grave. Also, RR said he has a "gut feeling" about who will start at QB and apparently Sheridan looked great in the scrimmage (looked accurate, mobile, threw well on the run and managed the offense well) in The Big House the other day and all indications are that he'll be the starter.

Defense should be strong and Obi Ezeh is focused on becoming the next David Harris.

I think the excitement about the new era, the Victors Walk, the scheme, and the newfound loudness in The Big House due to new construction will be enough to help U-M pull out a tight one.

U-M 30
Utah 23

UM 22
Utah 21

UM scores a TD with under a minute to go and RR goes for 2 and the win.

UM 38 odoms becomes a househould name day one!
Mike Shaw runs all over the place
Sheridan is the starter and plays very well

Utah 10 if that the D IS SUPER NASTY

Lots of freshman playing well also look for tate forcier to commit and a longshot who will be on the sidelines for a commit Craig Roh DE

Good luck boys GO BLUE:BARWIS:

TWINS!

Who do you think will get more snaps under center, Threet or Sheridan?

Michigan by 10+

Brian Johnson went 11:10 td:int last year and this is the best secondary he will have seen thusfar. Plus, Utah is rebuilding their interior D, which will allow the Michigan run game to get off IMO.

Who do you think will get more snaps under center, Threet or Sheridan?

Sheridan. 75/25.

Hey gonna be at the big house saturday. Tate forcier is coming to our tailgate anything I should I mention to him other than the obvious?

Commit now
pt available
tradition
winning percentage
big house
talent all around
rr and the staff
anything else

I will also be on the sidelines for this game gonna try and sell roh too but I dont know him personally so not as good of a chance

GO BLUE

Hey gonna be at the big house saturday. Tate forcier is coming to our tailgate anything I should I mention to him other than the obvious?

Commit now
pt available
tradition
winning percentage
big house
talent all around
rr and the staff
anything else

I will also be on the sidelines for this game gonna try and sell roh too but I dont know him personally so not as good of a chance

GO BLUE

The chance to bed Rita.

BARWIS

Michigan by 10+

Brian Johnson went 11:10 td:int last year and this is the best secondary he will have seen thusfar. Plus, Utah is rebuilding their interior D, which will allow the Michigan run game to get off IMO.


I agree, for all the sub-par expectations some have for Michigan this year, most seem to forget that the defense should be pretty stout, easily amongst the top units in the Big Ten, if not better.

Wait till you guys (going to the game) see the intro video... I got to check it out tonight...its fucking bad ass.

Michigan is going to absolutely destroy Utah. Utah scores 10 points tops.

^^I wish I could be that optomistic.

I don't think I'm getting the game. Its not on ABC, ESPN or BTN.

I'M GETTING THE GAME!

I'm sure y'all are so happy.

Goosebumps!

That first series wasn't so goosebumpy

THAT HAS TO BE OUR BALL

YES.

Nice quick hitter by NS

Nice touch on that TD pass right there. Shaw with the 1st TD of his long and most likely storied career at UofM.

I hate watching UM in the spread, feels crappy.

Wow that screen was student body left with a nice bootleg by Sheridan.

It is definately different CNV

That 3rd down call was kind of weird, but we got the fg.

Our dbs and safties need to make those receivers pay a lil more when they catch that ball over the middle.

Need to keep holding them to FGs. Utah has dominated this game thus far.

Utah's the better team. And they have the ball to start the 2nd half with a 15 yard penalty.

If they score a TD, this one is in the books.

Yea, that TD hurt a LOT!

Sheridan threw that pass off his back foot for the pick. Just a bad way to end the half, obviously.

I can take getting out-gained in passing, I can take losing, but I have a problem getting out hit and having next to nothing in the rushing dept.

Ouch

I can take getting out-gained in passing, I can take losing, but I have a problem getting out hit and having next to nothing in the rushing dept.

This isn't unexpected though. Frustrating sure, but not unexpected. The defense was much better in the 3rd quarter, but they're not going to be the Charles Woodson led '97 D.

It's all going to be part of the growing pains.

Great throw!

They can still win this shit, Utah has taken themselves out of the game.

THERE IT IS!!!!! Where is EVERYONE!!!

Looks pretty damn good right now. Thank god our D held them to all those fgs instead of tds

Agree shags, going to take some patience...which is not my strong suit.

Oh helz yea, I'll take that flag.

YEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!


SUCK THAT UTAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crime Dog

Nice lil stretch right there.

I think Threet just earned the starting nod next week. Just don't make his slow ass run.

The D stepped up there after that last TD and missed 2 point att.

shitty

I think Threet just earned the starting nod next week. Just don't make his slow ass run.

Sheridan is a Sr. right? It'd be nice to have the red-shirt, Threet get a full year of experience if he's going to be our starter going forward.

Trent gets the hit of the day so far.

Sheridan is a Sr. right? It'd be nice to have the red-shirt, Threet get a full year of experience if he's going to be our starter going forward.

I think he's only a soph.

^ yes, you are right.

^ yes, you are right.

HELL YEAH!

We CAN'T punt here. Go for it!!!

Shit. That was a long pass when you only needed 5-6.

AHHH so close!!!!

haha.

welcome to the rodriguez era, we can't fire him soon enough. No more smash mouth? Fuck that.

I'm ready for a change. Its seems like we'd always go to the west coast and get thumped by the quicker teams.

I'm ready for a change. Its seems like we'd always go to the west coast and get thumped by the quicker teams.
Because our DC was an idiot. we coulda thump them otherwise

Bring back Carr!!!

BURN!!! MAD WICKED BURN!!!!!!!!!

Not a terrible showing, especially with all the kids on offense.

I expected the D to be better, but at least they got things straightened out in the 2nd half.

Utah's going to win a lot of games this year.

McCain owns Michigan.

That's for you, Tahoe.

To be honest, I didn't find myself having anxiety issues watching this game. I think I've just come to the realization that this year is pretty much a wash, and that any positive things from now til' the end of the year, should just be gravy.

If this team finishes 6-6, 7-5, I'll consider it a solid season.

Might as well take our lumps now, even with last year's team we wouldn't win the Big Ten.

And for the record, I like Threet better than Sheridan. Less McGuffie, more Carlos Brown, and for God's sake, how about using Carson Butler a little bit.

Every time I hear McGuffie I think of Crime Dog.

my take on the game from the sidelines.

1. Threet is ten times the qb sheridan was this game if I see sheridan throw one more ball up in the air like hes playing 500 I may lose it.

2. Carlos Brown needs more qb pt and even some rb pt

3. Brandon minor still has butter on his hands

4. This team will get better throughout the season Utah will play in a big time bowl as well

5. Our D needs to play the whole game

6. The team was very nervous early and it showed

Prediction for the year
Miami oh W 28-10
Notre Dame W 17-14
Wisconsin L 28-17
ILL W 28-24 "could go either way but it is Homecoming"
Toledo W 38-14
PSU L 35-31
MSU W 31-28
Purdue W 24-10
Minny W 45-21
NW W 42-17 "sets up well to give hope for the osu game
OSU W 21-17 "this is a prayer but hey I hate osu that much to go against my brain and with my heart"

They wont be as bad as everyone thinks
best case scenario 9-3
worst case 6-6
my actual belief 8-4 or 7-5

GO BLUE if it was easy everyone would do it!!!!!!!:BARWIS:

This game gave me a lot of hope. I said I was nervous about it going into it. I have a lot of family in Utah (several flew out for this game) so I knew how good they could be.
This game was horribly frustrating to watch for 2 1/2 quarters. But I look at how many players we had that were getting their first experience on this stage and what I saw at the end of the game was encouraging.
This team is going to be fine. I think the players and coaches all learned a lot and got some very valuable experience. Many things will be tweaked, game film analyzed, and certain plays focused on very heavily this week. I would not want to be Miami (OH).

No chance this team only wins 6 games this season.

Michigan gets beat by Utah at the Big House in the first game of the season??? Fire Lloyd!!!!

I didn't get to see the game until a replay on espnu. i don't see um scoring much this season so 17-14 will have to do. unfortunately, the defense will be the key to scoring points by creating field position and turnovers. the linebacking corps is the achilles heel (except ezeh), and really needs to be better in pass coverage. i would play man to man on the outside as much as possible since the corners are really the strength of this team. overall, i think the defense will be very good once the dc is given time to see newer players in game situations.

on offense, both qbs seem pretty terrible and i don't expect too much improvement. however, the wrs appear much stronger than the rbs at least right now. i think it will be a long season. if the team can get to 7-5 with wins over nd and msu, i would be very happy.