Author: Andy Andersen

Andy Andersen, Senior Football Writer andyandersen@wowway.com Andy is a Michigan graduate and long time Michigan Football fan, having attended games during the tenures of Fritz Crisler, Bennie Oosterbaan, Bump Elliot, Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez, and Brady Hoke. He attempts to present articles consistent with the concerns and interests of Michigan Fans.
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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2018-Wolverines Corral SMU MUSTANGS 45-20

The Wolverines hosted SMU’s Mustangs of the American Athletic Conference Saturday at Michigan Stadium in the third game of their 139th season.  The fans of the one and one Wolverines were expecting to run away with this one, in a landslide.  The Wolverines won in a dominate victory, but the Mustangs battled.   The Wolverines at one-point pre-game were 35.5 favorites.

The Mustangs have not recently lived up to their storied past which featured the likes of their great running back Doak Walker. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1948, and achieved nation-wide fame, in the same year Benny Oosterbaan’s Wolverines won the National Championship. All I ever saw of him was in the newsreels then shown in movie theaters, but they displayed remarkable performances. Even up here in Michigan, he was a renowned football player.  The Doak Walker Award, was developed in 1989 to annually honor the best running back in college football, and the award is still prized.

The ranks of great SMU running backs also include the great Eric Dickerson of a more recent era.

This season the Mustangs came into M Stadium having lost two in a row.

Saturday the SMU running game was pretty much stymied by the Wolverines, but once in a while the passing game of the Mustangs had some kick. SMU had 110-yards rushing and 209 passing compared to 197 and 237 for the Wolverines.

WOLVERINES OL CONTINUES TO BUILD DEPTH AND EXPERIENCE: The Wolverine’s offensive line has been the subject of much fan indignity over the past decade, some well-earned, and some unfair. This has continued into the current season.

Last week the holes were there for the running backs and the running game prospered, as it did again against the Mustangs. Against the Broncos, they scored three passing TDs to end a long passing TD drought of almost exactly a year.  This Saturday Donovan Peoples-Jones matched that pass catching effort by catching three TDs himself. Granted this was not against a top 10 defense last week, nor this week, but these last two games have offered significant offensive experience thru live game snaps.

Position group depth is always a necessity.  This Saturday against the Mustangs third string RB Tru Wilson got a great shot at playing time because Karan Higdon was dinged, and therefore not available. Someone had to relieve the busy Chris Evans who ran18 times for 85 net yards, with a long of 35. Wilson did a mostly admirable job. His 11 attempts for 53-yards netted a TD. He had a long run of 12-yards.  Tough guy FB Ben Mason bulled for one TD.

Zach Gentry was the best of the TEs, with 4 grabs for 95-yards and a long of 32.  As good as his day was Donovan Peoples-Jones matched Zach’s catch total of 4 with three being TDs. His long was for 41-yards.

WHAT HAPPENED:  The Wolverines got off to a slow start offensively in the first quarter, but prospered enough defensively, to enable a zero-zero score in that quarter.

It is remarkable that after the first quarter, the Wolverines scored on every offensive possession of the second quarter.

Zach Gentry was paramount in the Wolverines opening scoring drive as he grabbed a 24-yard Patterson throw to the SMU twenty-seven.  This 11-play TD drive had several short runs.  It featured the absence of the injured Karan Higdon, and provided opportunity Tru Wilson’s first of 11 carries on the game. Fullback Ben Mason nailed the one yard TD. M-7, SMU-0.

SMU quickly answered with a 75-yard TD drive fueled by a 50-yard pass play.  Suddenly it was 7-up.

The Wolverines answered with a little help from the competition as the Mustangs coach earned an unsportsmanlike penalty of 15-yards to the SMU 35. A beautiful pass to Peoples-Jones for 35-yards made it M-14, SMU 7.

DB Josh Metellus provided a gifted and spectacular run down the eastern sideline with an interception, cutting back toward the center as it seemed he was trapped near the ten, and angling into the North end zone.  It was 21-7 at the half.  Strong run, some uncanny moves, and Josh is forgiven for a costly prior game targeting error. After the extra point was kicked, the clock read 00.00.

TE Zach Gentry was the leading receiver in the half with two catches for 56-yards. Chris Evans was the leading rusher in the half with 45-net yards.  M-21, SMU-7.

In second half’s third quarter, the Wolverines kept their offensive motor running.

SMU provided a substantial gift of an unsportsmanlike penalty to start a drive that featured an 11-yard pass to Gentry. Wilson got a holding penalty of ten yards that negated a nice Patterson run. After some short runs, Gentry nabbed one for 28-yards to the SMU seven, and a nifty pass to Peoples-Jones got the TD. It was DPJ’s second of the day. The drive consisted of 8 plays for 62-yards. It was M- 28, SMU -7

SMU answered with an 87-yard drive for a TD as M was guilty of multiple pass interference penalties, plus a personal foul call that got K. Hudson ejected.  The Mustangs ran it in from the two. M-28, SMU-13. (SMU missed the point after).

DPJ showed up again in the subsequent series, make a TD catch of 41-yards for his third TD catch of the day, matching a record set by JU Chesson. M-35 SMU -13.

The Wolverines closed the third quarter with one more pass interference penalty.

SMU opened the 4th quarter with an impressive 80-yard TD drive and it was M-35, SMU-20.

Chris Evans nailed a 35-yard run to start the next M possession.  Tru Wilson rushed for 12, 3 and 3.  Quinn Nordin hit a 45-yard FG to make it 38, 20.

Patterson hit Peoples-Jones for a 7-yard gain and then scrambled 18-yards to the SMU 44.  Samuels then rushed for 4, and then 18-yards to the SMU 9. Wilson ran it in for the TD.  M-45, SMU-20.

Aiden Hutchinson got a roughing the passer penalty on the next SMU possession, but the defense held, M got the ball back and it was in the books.

AFTER THOUGHT: While the expected giant blow-out did not occur, the Wolverines achieved a dominate victory as Chase Winovich stated afterwards.  It was probably the best kind of game the Wolverines could have as an “exhibition” game, as the Mustangs did not give up, and had a talented passing game, and battled.  The Wolverines tested many different players, and Shea Patterson showed some of his unique quarterback skills.  He has really athletic quickness, unusual pocket presence which leads to intense ability to escape.  The moxy is there, along with the arm.  He is an impressive player, and the best QB that has been at the helm at Michigan in a while. Maybe, in a couple of whiles.

His 18 throws captured 237-yards, and 3 TDs. He was sacked only once, but that is a lot attributable to his escape ability.   He used poor judgment in trying to fit a laser to a covered receiver, but the net balance of Saturday’s effort very much tilts to the good.  Where would this team be without him?

Defensively Chase Winovich did well.

TE Zach Gentry had a remarkable game, but Donovan Peoples Jones had a remarkable three TD catches in this game. It is fun to watch this talented player grow, and I feel his ceiling has not been reached yet.

NEXT WEEK: The Wolverines have lassoed the Broncos, and corralled the Mustangs so now it is time to knock the corn off the cob in roasting the Huskers of Nebraska.  The Big Ten Season has finally started.

Go Blue!

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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2018-M TAMES WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS 49-3

Western Michigan’s Football Broncos galloped into venerable Michigan Stadium Saturday noon in hopes of visiting the Wolverines with their second loss of the young season.

Western also lost their first game of the season as they fell to Syracuse University 55 to 42, but now the Wolverines have added another loss to the Broncos season record, and they did so in dominating fashion.

The Broncos have been a decent MAC football team for a long time, but faltered some last season.  At a general size and talent disadvantage to the Wolverines, but the Broncos gave it everything they had against Syracuse in their opener.  They almost performed a fantastic come back rolling up a total of 560-yards.  The Orange of Syracuse managed an amazing 621 offensive yards.  The Broncos could not match that performance against the Wolverines Saturday, as the Wolverines scored 49 and limited the Broncos to 3.

THERE IS NOT BETTER VENUE IN WHICH TO WATCH COLLEGE FOOTBALL THAN MICHIGAN STADIUM:  The crowds keep coming in spite of the rising costs of games and parking, the availability of TV, and the irritations of inclement weather and traffic. Many enjoy the band, cheer leaders, dancers, the entrance of the players, the roar of the crowd, the spectacle.  Additionally, on Saturday the crowd heard the roar of two A-10C Warthogs as they flew over.  There is no place like M Stadium, and the opening home game of the season. The place was packed with 110,814 fans according to M authorities.  Even the student section looked full.

A FINAL LOOK BACK AT MICHIGAN’S 17-23 LOSS TO THE IRISH: Briefly, the Wolverine’s own mistakes spelled their doom on both offense and defense.  Players have been acknowledging that fact.

Offensively: A leaky offensive line contributed to poor pass protection, and the running game blocking provided a stunningly paltry per carry average sans adjustment for sacks.  Three sacks, a bunch of TFLs, and hurries is unacceptable.  An Irish player said post game, that they knew the rhythm the snap count.  That is not too surprising considering both center and QB were staring for the first time for the Wolverines.

In any case it was hard to recognize anything but basic play calling. Most of it was hum drum. Offensively, a run for two or three yards on first down, make it to third down and here comes the sack, TFL, or hurries. 

Defensively the Wimbush ambush-either by a productive run up the middle, or a throw for a score, provided the margin of victory for the Irish.  At crunch time late in the game came an interception and fumble by a bedeviled QB Shea Patterson.  Shea has acknowledged that he needs to hang onto the ball better, avoid interceptions, and not take a sack in FG territory.  All correctable faults.

So is the good game management deficit that the Wolverines displayed late in the game as they wasted time and opportunity when they should have been an offense on fire correctable.  Any sense of urgency turned into snap delay, as the sands of time hurried on.  Too late, too little, and too bad for winning opening game vibes.

At the start of the season, all worried about the offensive tackles, but after last Saturday’s game you can include the interior OL in the worry, at least a little bit.  Coach Harbaugh has indicated that he will not change OL personnel at this time. But if the Broncos gallop away with our necessary OL improvement, certainly personnel change on the OL might be in the air. 

Defensively: The early Metellus targeting call was pivotal as 3 and 9 became a 1st and 10 for the Irish. Other stupid penalties hurt. The Wolverines fortunes sunk into a deficit they could not overcome. A great second half defensive performance did not negate the effect of the very shaky first half on both sides of the ball.

The defense will quickly rise, even though it is apparent they miss MO Hurst.  They began a resurgence in the second half, limiting the Irish to 69 total yards and 3 points, and they showed that Saturday by continuing their resurgence against the Broncos. They recovered poise and polish, and played a great game against Western Michigan.

SHEA PATTERSON LED THE OFFENSE WITH AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AGAINST WESTERN MICHIGAN. BACK UP DYLAN MCCAFFREY DID WELL ALSO.  BOTH QBs THREW THEIR FIRST TD IN MICHIGAN STADIUM. Starter Patterson was 12 of 17 for 125-yards, three TDs, and no interceptions.  He has a strong and accurate arm, and his vaunted escape ability were on display. Additionally, he has grit, poise, and QB moxie.

Dylan again looked poised and talented in his short stint in the fourth quarter.  He tossed an 18-yard TD to Jacob McCurry

ALL OF THE OFFENSIVE POSITION GROUPS ALSO CONTRIBUTED AS KARAN HIGDON HAD A GREAT GAME: The running game suddenly got productive, which means the holes were there for the running backs.  And the backs took advantage. M rushed for 184-yards in the first half on 16 carries, and carried that total to 308 for the game. 

While the OL looked improved from last week, it still has much work to do. OL Substitutes Spanellis, Fillaga, Mayfield and Hudson, got game action.  They looked more than adequate against the level of competition of the day. 

The OL still has a lot to prove, but there was progress on Saturday.  There was a hiccup or two.  A false start on the second play of the game by the offensive line startled Michigan partisans early, but things smoothed out. The OL is still a work in progress, but the work progressed Saturday.

Karan Higdon led the running game. He had 156-yards on 13 carries for the game. He had two runs of 45-yards or more, one of them being of 67-yards for a TD. It was the second longest of his career. He showed good speed, power and evasiveness Saturday.  He shares honors with Patterson as the best M offensive player in the game.   It lloks like Higdon is well on his way to the 1,000-yard season he missed by six yards last year.                                                                     

RB Chris Evans was also outstanding.  He had a 27-yard TD in the 1st Quarter, and a TD on a 2-yard run in the 2nd quarter. Again, the group amassed 308-yards of 451 net offensive yards.  This included some nice runs by newcomer Tri Wilson.  He had several late game carries that moved the chains, and gained 54 net yards. Quick to the hole, and fast upfield with power.

The WR position group was outstanding, with the pass of the day being a difficult Patterson toss into the corner of the end zone for a 5-yard TD by Donovan Peoples Jones, who made an outstanding reception. Harbaugh lauded the throw and catch afterwards. He indicated the throw was a quick decision by Patterson on the second read.

Nico Collins’ 44-yard catch in the second quarter was a very close second. It was the first time in a year a wide receiver in a Michigan uniform had snagged a TD pass. After the game the soft-spoken Collins was pleased with how the game went down for the team and his own progress as a receiver.  He is a tall and talented target.

The receivers caught 143-yards net yards passing

TIGHT ENDS WERE ALSO POINTS PRODUCTIVE:  TE Sean McKeon caught a 17-yard Patterson pass to open the scoring for the Blue.

It was interesting Saturday to see how the offense advanced from the prior week, but it is also necessary to keep in mind the stepdown in competition from last week.

The Wolverines Did engineer 451-yards of offense.

THE DEFENSE WAS SHARP: Even without the dinged DT Lawrence Marshall, and noted NT Aubrey Soloman, the unit produced a shut out until the tail end of the game, when the Broncos nailed a FG.

This no way diminished the success of the defense on this day.  They gave up a first down on only 4 of 17 Western third down attempts, and 2 of their 5 4th down attempts.  Noah Furbush nabbed an interception.  DT Rashan Gary had his first sack of the year, as did LB Jordan Anthony.  Viper Kaleke Hudson blocked a punt. 

The leading tacklers were Metellus and Gary.  Safety Metellus had 4 solo stops, plus 3 assisted, for a total 6.  DE Gary 4 solo stops, plus 2 assisted for a total of 6.  DB Brandon Watson had an outstanding game. DL Carlo Kemp started his first M game. They held the Broncos to 2.8-yards per offensive play

SPECIAL TEAMS:  M’s punting was spectacular.  Punter Hart hit three for an average of 56.7-yards. Kicker Moody was consistently knocking KOs into the end zone.  The only downer came as Place Kicker Nordin missed a routine FG.

BRIEF SCORING RECAP:  The Wolverines put the game away in a very productive first quarter with a trio of TDs.  TE McKeon scored on a 17-yard Patterson pass.  Then Karan Higdon went on his 67-yard tear for six.  The speed, read, evasiveness, and power were all there.  The Chris Evans hit a home run with a 27-yard streak for six.  At the end of the First; M-21, WM- 0.

Evans added to the scoring deluge early in the second quarter on a two-yard run. Then Nico Collins collared a 44-yard pass in the end zone.  A great throw and catch.

It was 35-zilch at the half.

Donovan Peoples-Jones made a great catch of a 5-yard TD pass already described for the only score of the third quarter, which ended 42-zip.

Dylan McCaffrey hit Jacob McCurry on a 18-yard toss. Again, Dylan displayed poise and ability. 

Next the Broncos hit their consolation FG to make the final 19-3, Michigan.

AFTERTHOUGHT: The was a solid domination from any aspect.  The Wolverines played a great game.

While it will not quell all the adverse commentary that the team and Coach occurred after the Notre Dame game, it should quell much of it.  It does not remedy all the faults exposed in the ND game.  Hopefully, as the season progress this will be a team that can threaten all challengers. 

Usually, win or lose, there is a hangover from a Notre Dame game.  None of that was displayed Saturday.  Obviously, they came home from South Bend and went back to work.

While it is a given that that WMU is not as talented or deep as ND, they have playmakers. Ask Syracuse.

A great home opening day is now in the books.  Its time to take the saddle of the Broncos and throw it on the Mustangs as we welcome SMU to Ann Arbor next Saturday.

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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2018-IRISH OUTPOINT WOLVERINES 17-24

Obviously one game does not make a season of games, but an opening game loss to a high-profile team like Notre Dame can make for a season that appears much tougher, and increases the realism of fan apprehension.

ND punished a napping M defense early with a 75-yard drive for a TD in the first quarter, and then scored another TD on a 43-yard pass around the 7:09 mark of the second quarter.

A defensive mistake by M’s Josh Metellus got him ejected for targeting.  Brad Hawkins replaced him at safety for Brad’s first  significant playing time as a Wolverine.  The Wolverines managed a 28-yard field goal before Ambry Thomas made an extraordinary kick return, toting the leather 99-yards for one of the finest kick-off returns I’ve ever seen. It was10-21 Irish at the half.

The Wolverines opened the third quarter with a 52-yard reception by Nico Collins, and it seemed things were looking up.

Then errant handling of a snap by the M holder, turned an M FG goal attempt into a desperation run to the sideline, and the drive was ruined.  The only score of the third quarter was a 48-yard Irish FG.  The quarter ended with a Brandon Watson interception and 19-yard return.  Again, an attempt to convert a first down on fourth down failed, and the Wolverines went empty handed.

Finally, Karan Higdon ran the ball into the end zone for the first M offensive TD of the season, but a final of 17-24 in favor of the Irish was posted into the books.

SHEA PATTERSON’S DEBUT AS A WOLVERINE WAS ROUGH, BUT THERE IS NOW GAME EVIDENCE THAT THE FUTURE OF THE POSITION IS ASSURED.

While Shea Patterson had an interception and fumble late in the game, he displayed enough poise, pass accuracy, determination, and other characteristics to believe the future at the QB is sound, despite a late interception and fumble.  Extreme pressure by the Irish defensive pass rush created the problem, but he should have thrown it away.  As to  the fumble, he was again under heavy pressure.  I am not making excuses for him, but like Dragnet’s Joe Friday used to say, “Its just the facts”. Even in a losing cause Shea cause, Shea competed well and displayed many of the characteristics of a good QB.

Early in the fourth quarter Shea Patterson was injured and left the game in favor of Dylan McCaffrey.  Dylan handled himself with poise under pressure, and was substituted into the game again a short time later.  Finally, Karan Higdon ran the ball into the end zone for the first M offensive TD of the season, but a final of 17-24 in favor of the Irish was posted to the books.

I wish I could write the same about the offensive line. They did not protect well, allowing 3 sacks, 7 TFLs, as well as 6 hurries.  They did not provide the holes for a successful running game. 58-yards on 33 carries is dismal.  Granted this was against a good defense, and the M offensive line is probably better than last year, but their play needs to become more prolific.  One offensive TD is obviously not enough.

DEFENSE GETS A LESSON: While there was a touch of Michigan defensive domination in the second half, the first half was a disaster. The stats for the first half show 233-yards for the Irish, and two early TDs.

M’s second half defense did improve dramatically.

SPECIAL TEAMS:  Prior to the game I worried about special teams.  They scored points, and made only one significant gaffe.  They allowed no large returns.  Ambry Thomas was player of the game.

AFTERTHOUGHTS: The Wolverines faced Notre Dame sorely needing a “prestige win” in order to set the path for the high order of success that Coach Harbaugh needed to validate his 4th season as the Wolverines Head Coach, and the Wolverines needed as a team to sink the memory of their three dismal losses to end last season.  Since 2006 or thereabouts, away wins against ranked teams have become scarcer.  But there will be other chances for a prestige win, this season, and all other goals remain intact.

It was not to be as the Irish owned the day.  The Wolverines never led, and scored only one offensive TD before late in the fourth quarter.  ND played the much better game, offensively and defensively.

The Wolverines have not acheived a Big Ten Championship in more than a decade, and everything else must build on that foundation.

Let’s step back from the ledge as that goal is still intact.  This M team will be a good team still, with a chance to taste greatness.

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M FOOTBALL SPRING 2018-PASS THE REJUVENATION AND HOLD THE KOOL AID

Another highly experienced Coach has replaced Coach Drevno as master of the OL. Ed Warinner, seems appreciated by a struggling offense line position group. They are understandably tired of fingers being pointed at them.  He says his first job is to classify each player into his best OL position fit and then master that position.  While injuries cause the need for multiple position players, players should get one position down first.

This may mean more instant confidence in knowing and doing their job.  There are already some players that know multiple positions, but it looks like everybody will know their own position well. In a recent interview, Coach Warriner expressed confidence that the OL would be solid this year.  I don’t know of a single Coach that would not express that, but I still found it a bit reassuring.  Man sounds like he knows the job ahead of him, and how to attack it.

THE SHEA PATTERSON MICHIGAN STORY IS STILL TO BE WRITTEN, BUT IT IS IN PROGRESS NOW:   Whether that story will be written in games played this year, or playing deferred to next year, the ‘Ole Miss transfer is practicing with the team this spring. Ole Miss has reported their opinion regarding the immediate eligibility of Shea to the NCAA by disapproving. 

Shea feels he was not treated honestly by the now departed Ole Miss coaching regime of Hugh Freeze, regarding the status of Ole Miss after application of NCAA penalties last year.  Shea’s contention is that he was misinformed by the staff of the extent applicability of the NCAA punishment. Ole Miss denied this.  He has appealed to the NCAA for 2018 eligibility through his attorney.

While it would be unusual for the NCAA to grant this kind of exception to a non-graduate player wanting to transfer and play without sitting out a year, it seems to me it would be an equitable action in this case.

The Wolverines staff is expressing quiet optimism. We can only wait and see.  In any case Shea is going to become a familiar and most welcome presence in Michigan Stadium, over his two years of remaining eligibility

The QB room is going to be filled with competitors, making the Wolverines’ offensive future brighter.  We should be careful not to anoint Shea too soon, although all indications are that he is Number One now.  At Michigan, he has a more complex system to master then at Ole Miss, and there could a leap by the QBs competing.  Besides Shea, Brandon Peters, Dylan McCaffery and Freshman Joe Milton are in the mix.  All will give their best in the battle.

New Michigan Coach Sherrone Moore has a large position group of 15 to fill his TE room.  Lately at Central Michigan in a similar capacity, he was very much appreciated there.  He has never had as large and talented group to mold elsewhere, but coaching talented tight ends is not a new experience for him. He has coached some remarkable tight ends. Now Zack Gentry and Sean McKeon are his to educate and guide.  They were the top receivers on the team this year.  Nick Eubanks will compete, but Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. is dinged.

The running backs will be led by the big three.  Karan Higdon, Chris Evans, and Kareem Walker (if he can get it going), are the top three. Freshman Hassan Hankins, and Christian Turner will have to claw their way into playing time.  It will help them if they can pass block.

THIS DEFENSE NEVER RESTS:  Last year’s defense lost many talented players and was very young. How could Don Brown fill the defensive slots effectively with so many inexperienced players was the question last year. That is not a problem this year.  While Mo Hurst loomed large in Michigan’s 2017 defense, and Mike McCray was a solid player, the horses to replace them appear to be on the roster.

The defense this year should continue as the best of the three phases of Michigan Football. This year they return the entire starting defensive unit with the exception of DT Mo Hurst. and LB Mike McCray, who has exhausted his eligibility. 

It may be understatement to say that the defense has not exhausted their capability to field the personnel needed to be one of the nation’s finest defenses again this season.  They remain a study in Brown as Don remains the molder and mentor of stellar defense.  He will tweak it to his satisfation.

Also, nobody builds a defensive line like Greg Mattison.  Bryan Mone is in shape to be a force this year. Appears to be in better shape this year, and he is honing concentration.  Lawrence Marshall, now a Senior, is a well-developed pass rusher. Aubrey Soloman showed continuing ability to draw attention at the nose. 

DE Rashan Gary, may be primed for his best year. Paired with Chase Winovich at the other defensive end, they ought to present a very effective, maybe great, pass rush.

Good depth, that is healthy, more experienced, and hopefully better conditioned is present.  For example, promising DL Donovan Jeter is back on the field, having recovered from last season’s injury, and some say he is having a great spring.  Phillip Paea is there, and also doing well.  There are others also.

The Line Backer corps ought to be outstanding under the tutelage of new Coach Al Washington. Viper Kaleke Hudson, and Devin Bush, Jr. give him two extraordinary talents with which to work.  There is only Mike McCray to replace in the line backing corps.  Jordan Anthony, Devin Gil, and Josh Ross are among the contenders.I have heard good words about both Ross and Gil this year

Last year the Corner Back positions were assumed to be the defensive weak link.  Instead it was a significant strength.  For example, they ended up 4th in the nation at pass efficiency. The corner backs, David Long and Lavert Hill were great. And if uninjured, should be even better his year.  Lavert Hill has a hard to define nagging injury currently.  That is giving Ambry Thomas, who excelled at Special Teams last year with occasional shots at DB, a chance to show his wares at CB now.  Ben Ste Juste has been remarkable at times but has been injured.  Jaylan Kelly-Powell is doing well.  They will likely all help somewhere in the defensive backfield this season. 

Safety was manned by Josh Metellus and Tyree Kinnel.  They did not earn the 2017 accolades of the corners, but they were not always bad, if  sometimes inconsistent.  With another year under their belts they should improve this season.  Some of the group above may be able to strengthen the position, and a Utah Grad Transfer, Casey Hughes, might help shore up Safety play.

THIS FOURTH YEAR IS A BIG ONE FOR COACH HARBAUGH:  He has been more enthused again, as in the two years prior to last year.  He has changed some of his tactics interfacing the players, changed some coaching personnel, among other things.  I am hopeful that his offensive scheme will be modernized, but that probably depends a lot on which quarterback is available to win the position. 

I believe the Wolverines will trend up this season, and that’s no Kool Ade.  The Wolverines need to get into the Big Ten Championship game, and advance.  It won’t be easy,  but the game never is.  It is the time for success.

Go Blue!

 

 

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THE MICHIGAN STATE MESS

Unfortunately for college football in general, and Michigan State University, in particular, MSU has emulated the famed Humpty Dumpty, by plummeting to earth after tumbling off a wall.  In MSU’s case, the fall was off a solid wall of good reputation. Their fall cracked, and also broke the shell of silence and containment so effectively engineered to maintain MSU’s reputation from damage by derogatory incidents over many years.

This sad state of affairs has not been child’s play to those victimized, but constitutes harsh, undeserved lifetime punishment. It is true that it is hard, if not impossible, to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. MSU may smell the stench of this mess for many years. Tarnished reputations are difficult, if not impossible, to render whole again.

But Michigan State is giving it the old college try, with the firing of the University’s president, and its noted Athletic Director and the head of their Department of Osteopathic Medicine.

Former Governor John Engler is now in charge of the restoring MSU’s reputation.  Some feel he has not, in the past, been a special friend of academia. He has been, and remains a most astute politician and stellar Spartan.   He appears to be an ally of Ingham County’s Prosecuting Attorney who is charged with an investigation of the scandal(s).  Some say Engler has endorsed him for Governor.  Some victims and others have noted this with concern. In any case, it is certain he has the best interests of MSU at heart at all times.

Much of the student body and faculty seem on the right page regarding the situation.

I don’t think that Coach Izzo and Coach D’Antonio will be fired as so many Spartan fans fear, but they may have to put up with enduring questions for the rest of their careers.  That is not an important question at issue here. 

The most important issue is that the anti-victim culture, so long maintained and nurtured in East Lansing, supposedly for the benefit of MSU, be eliminated for the benefit of MSU. The dysfunctional MSU Board of Trustees needs to be addressed.

Can this kind of mess happen at any University?  Of course.  Sexual transgressions are part of humankind, but coverups of such activity intensifies the damage to individuals and institutions, as MSU is learning, and as PSU learned earlier.  Too many under age, helpless and unfortunate victims have also learned.  This stuff can be nipped in the bud if there is maintained in a community a culture of sensitivity to victims, and openness. Silence is not always as golden as advertised.

Sadly, for Michigan State, a comparison to the Penn State’s Sandusky scandal readily comes to the minds of many people.  How can one tell which was worse?  In terms of ruined lives, ruined University reputations, and eventual institution dollar costs, they are both horrific. Cover-ups spell disaster.