2018 Michigan gameday #12: at Ohio State

It all comes down to this:  The Game.  #10 Ohio State hosts #4 Michigan in a matchup of 10-1 teams that have had completely different seasons.  While Michigan has mostly cruised to 10 straight wins (a three-point victory at Northwestern being the closest), unapologetic asshole Urban Meyer's bunch has struggled without a true dual-threat QB, getting curb stomped by Purdue and needing plenty of luck to survive Maryland.

But as been the case very often throughout the series (still 58-49-6 in favor of the Wolverines, despite the last 20 years going the Buckeyes' way) the path to a conference (or division) championship will be decided here in game 12, the best rivalry in all of sports (YMMV).

Despite a feisty Indiana team keeping last week's game largely close, and despite their best effort to prevent Michigan from getting out of the game healthy with a huge dose of cheap shots and dirty play the Wolverines won't soon forget, Jim Harbaugh's group got it done.  Now they have one last stop on the Revenge Tour, a concept that proves this team has the attitude to go all the way.

A great coach, dominant defense, and an offense that's been clicking thanks to a true dual-threat quarterback in Shea Patterson all have Michigan poised to do something they haven't achieved since 2000:  beat the Buckeyes in Columbus.  Meanwhile, OSU's offense has been mostly one-dimensional this year, they've struggled against lesser teams, and Meyer's "health" has been in question.  It's there for the taking, and if things go right it won't even come down to a bad spot or the wrong play on a game-deciding two-point conversion.

Complete the Revenge Tour.  Book a trip to Indy.  Beat Ohio.

LET'S GO BLUE

2018 Michigan gameday #11: vs. Indiana

It's a chilly November Saturday in Ann Arbor, textbook "football weather", and it's also Senior Day.  Players such as RB Karan Higdon and DL Chase Winovich will be playing their final game at the Big House, so it's sure to be an emotional day.  Add to that the almost guaranteed early departure of star DL Rashan Gary and the very possible draft entry of transfer QB Shea Patterson and you've got a number of key guys who'll be basking in the sights and sounds one last time.

They'll join their Michigan (#4) teammates on a 9-1 squad that still hasn't lost since week 1 against Notre Dame.  This week they're facing a 5-5 Indiana team looking for one more win for bowl eligibility, though they'll likely have to wait until their final game against Purdue for that.  They'll have to match up against the Wolverines, who were in complete control at Rutgers last week, other than one big run bust that led to the Knights' only points.

Of course, history is still against the Hoosiers in a series that's seen Michigan win 57 of 66 games, not to mention 22 straight since a loss in '87.  That and they're up against a team with conference and postseason aspirations.

I expect an Indiana team searching for one more win to try to keep things close early with Michigan limiting the playbook and trying to keep players healthy.  Still, the Wolverine offense has been getting it done week after week and should be able to do so one more time against a pretty bad defense while the Michigan D does its usual job of stifling the opposition.  This game should end with a return to double-digit wins for Jim Harbaugh's team and a huge matchup in The Game next Saturday.

LET'S GO BLUE

2018 Michigan gameday #1: at Notre Dame

This angry purple man will be on the sidelines tonight as he leads his #12 Notre Dame squad against the visiting #14 Wolverines.  The on again/off again rivals last played in 2014, at which point the Irish dickishly cancelled the series (which stands at 24-16-1 in favor of Michigan).  On the line, as usual, are bragging rights, playoff implications, and the all-time winning percentage record.

Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson is the new QB, one who will hopefully return the position to some semblance of competency after last year's sub-par play due to injury and ineffectiveness.  Despite losing #1 WR Tarik Black for an unknown period of time this looks like an offense that could be more balanced than it's been in a while, with multiple talented WRs and TEs to go with a the two-headed RB group of Karan Higdon and Chris Evans.  The biggest question mark remains the offensive line, though a coaching change and simplified scheme could alleviate some of last year's issues.

Meanwhile the defense will once again be the strength of this team.  Former #1 overall recruit Rashan Gary returns to a D-Line that will be downright scary with its skill and depth.  The linebackers look quite good with Viper Khaleke Hudson back to build on his excellent 2017.  And David Long and Lavert Hill form one of the best CB duos in the country after a season that surprisingly earned them less notice than you would have thought.  All of this adds up to another top-5 defense that should keep Michigan in games as the offense finds their groove.

With rain in the forecast will we see one of the ugly games caused by poor weather in the series, or an instant classic like 1991 (above) and 2011, the amazing comeback "Under the Lights"?  Tune in to the Notre Dame Broadcasting Company (NBC) at 7:30 EST to find out.  You all know who I'll be rooting for!

LET'S GO BLUE

2017 Michigan gameday #8: vs. Rutgers

via SBNation

Michigan opened the season with four straight wins by double digits, but since then the team lost a close one to Michigan State, needed overtime to beat Indiana, then suffered last Saturday's shellacking by Penn State.  If ever there was a team I was looking forward to playing this afternoon, it would be Rutgers.

That gif up top tells the story of last year's game (well, most of it--Michigan ended the game with 78), one in which the Scarlet Knights struggled to amass a pair of first downs very late in the game (and went 0/17 on third down) and allowed 600 yards to the Wolverines while picking up just 5 passing yards on two completions and 34 rushing yards in 36 tries.

I don't want to sound like I'm advocating beating up on an inferior opponent like this, but Rutgers fans absolutely deserved that hamblasting last year the way they were talking trash about easily handling the Wolverines and keeping their opponent from stealing New Jersey's best recruits (as they already had in the form of Jabrill Peppers and Rashan Gary).  Hate to break it to you, Piscatawayans, but

via MaizeAndGoBlue

we're in ur base, stealin ur d00dz.

It also doesn't help that there never was much reason to let this tire fire of a program join the conference, but then again, that was largely because of a guy who looks like this:

Anyway, I'm feeling fairly confident that Rutgers will be the cure for what ails Michigan--at least as confident as I can be with this team.  If the coaches adjust the offense enough to minimize the broken passing game, I would think we'll finally get to see some quality playing time for the backups.  And not a moment too soon, as the Michigan faithful are more than ready to see what highly recruited redshirt freshman QB Brandon Peters can offer, which many think has to be better than overwhelmed current starter John O'Korn (who, to be fair, is dealing with a suspect offensive line and somewhat unhelpful receivers).

So on this crisp fall Saturday, which is homecoming in Ann Arbor during the University's 200th year of existence, how about a quick bunch of scores in the first half that leads to experience for the younger guys?  No need for a 78-point pasting this year--I think they've learned their lesson last season, plus I don't think we could score that many points if the game was eight quarters long!  Don't let this one get close, find a new groove, and get the positive momentum going.  And while you're at it, put on a nice show for all the alumni returning to Tree Town this weekend!

Let's.

Go.

Blue.

2016 Michigan gameday #1: vs. Hawaii

The longer I've been a fan of both baseball and college football, the more I think the offseason for the latter is harder to get through.  Baseball has its hot stove period to retain fans' interest after the World Series, with all its high-profile free agent signings and trades, some of the blockbuster variety.  Just weeks later the magic words "pitchers and catchers report" are spoken, and then just like that a new season dawns.

College football, meanwhile, gives us the drama of last-minute recruiting with signing day in February, then maybe a spring game.  Then you're essentially out of luck except for the few teases you get during summer/fall practice season.  When the first game of the year finally rolls around, you're ready.

I'm ready.  Boy am I.  After what can only be considered a success of a 10-3 season in 2015 (losses to hated rivals MSU and OSU aside), especially thanks to a resounding bowl blowout, excitement is at a fever pitch here in Ann Arbor.  It's year two of Jim Harbaugh football, and expectations really can't get much higher for a team that starts the year in the top 10 and is a major threat to reach the playoff.

Harbaugh's oversized personality and savant-like ability to coach are big reasons for that, but there's plenty of talent to rely on.  Despite plugging in another new QB, likely Wilton Speight, a guy recruited by the former regime, an all-world trio of targets--WRs Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh, and college's top TE Jake Butt--promises some video game-like numbers.

And then there's the defense, led by a line that's almost as large and scary as Charlie Weis at a buffet (miss you, Coach FrontButt!), including #1 overall recruit/bear wearing a human's skin Rashan Gary.  Plus a secondary starring future first-rounder Jourdan Lewis.

And both of those groups, along with special teams, will be enhanced by jack of all trades wunderkind Jabrill Peppers.

Oh yes, this team will be good.  I can't wait to see just how good, but at least I have very little time left to wait.

Speaking of waiting, the Wolverines await the Rainbow Warriors of Hawaii, a team that admirably competes despite the insane distances they have to travel, not to mention they just opened their season in Australia.  You almost feel bad for them until you remember, "Heeeeyyy, wait a minute, they get to live in Hawaii!"  The less said about their loss to Cal in Sydney last week, the better.

Michigan, meanwhile, opens up 2016 with the first of five straight home contests on their way to hopeful conference and playoff glory.  No need for a blowout here--just shake off the rust, try some things out, and get the kids a bit of experience, all while avoiding injury.

Happy 2016 college football season and

LET'S GO BLUE!

(by user Blue and Joe of MGoBlog)