Author: Phil Callihan

Editor-in-Chief, UMGoBlue.COM -- AKA BLUE LEADER -- 1993 University of Michigan Graduate -- GO BLUE!
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Podcast– Jim Harbaugh Press Conference – Penn State Week, Shea Patterson has been the best quarterback on the field in every game Michigan has played this year

Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh Monday Press Conference, Harbaugh talks about his team after its 42-25 road win over Illinois and preparations for Penn State.

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Michigan Football Game 6 – Game Grades – Michigan 42 Illinois 25

“Have you ever had to talk to the person you love most?
To tell them it’s going to be all right, when you know that it’s not?”

Two-Face (Harvey Dent)

Phil’s Game Grades

OffenseA/D
DefenseA/D
Special TeamsB
CoachingIncomplete
OverallIncomplete


So Michigan was cruising along up 28-0 at halftime and then roof fell in…only to wake-up in the 4th quarter to make it appear like a more comfortable win then it was…

Offense-  The first half looked like a Michigan clinic on running the football, but the wheels fell off until a 4th quarter surge put the game away. Another bad turnover gave Illinois life…The Wolverines are 126th in nation in lost fumbles (only one team has lost more).

Defense –  The Michigan defense allowed Illinois to score 18 points between 0:55 of the 2nd quarter and 12:50 of the 4th quarter. This was the first start for redshirt freshman QB Matt Robinson.

Special Teams –  The wind played havoc with the kicking game but field goals weren’t needed in this game.

Coaching –  Michigan needed an easy win, they need to get backup players some reps in the 4th quarter. Instead a disappearing act in the 3rd quarter only raised more questions about the focus of this team.

Comments – The first half of the season is over. Next up is a 6 game gauntlet unlike any in recent Michigan football history. Michigan’s 5 wins are versus teams with a combined 12-14 record, the next 6 teams they play are 27-9. Those games include 3 teams who are ranked in the top 10 nationally and an instate rival who would like nothing better than to upset the Wolverines at home (again). Michigan’s offense and defense have been inconsistent from game to game and even quarter to quarter.

Each of the next 6 games will be a measuring stick for Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines. There is nowhere to hide and nowhere to run but straight through the fire…

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Michigan Football Game 5 – Game Grades – Michigan 10 Iowa 3

“Today was a dogfight.”

Michigan Center Cesar Ruiz

Phil’s Game Grades

OffenseD
DefenseA
Special TeamsC
CoachingC
OverallC


So after first few minutes of the second quarter the game both offenses just went to sleep – Iowa was in the sleeper hold of the Michigan defense and the Michigan offense was MIA.

Offense-  A week after shaking off the cobwebs and hanging 52 points on Rutgers, the offense goes back to sleep versus Iowa. Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz was worried about the size mismatch between his defensive backfield and Michigan’s wide receivers. He needn’t worry as Michigan didn’t exploit the advantage…

Defense –  The Michigan defense flat out won this game, it was a great performance after getting spanked by Wisconsin a few weeks ago. Iowa QB Nate Stanley was sacked 8 times and threw 3 interceptions. He was running for his life all game…

Special Teams –  Ugh, missed a make-able field goal and the punting game came up short. Michigan will need a spark from its when the offense or defense stumbles…

Coaching –  The defense showed up huge while the offense took a step back.

Comments – A win over a top 20 team is great but concerns remain…

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