Featured – Page 28 – UMGOBLUE.COM Michigan Wolverine Football & Basketball

October 21, 2024October 21, 2024

Paul Bunyan Trophy — Looking Back – 1959

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins

Many places claim to be the birthplace of Paul Bunyan. As far as the Michigan and Michigan State football programs are concerned, Paul was born in East Lansing.

The football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State began in 1898, but 1953 marked a new chapter in the rivalry. Michigan State joined the Big Ten conference in 1953, and the rivals agreed that the Paul Bunyan Trophy would be awarded to the winner of the game each season. You could even make the argument the trophy changed the rivalry to some degree. The two schools had always been very different. The University of Michigan had long been regarded as an elite research institution, while Michigan State began its existence as Michigan Agricultural College. Michigan dominated the series for decades, building a resentment among Michigan State students, alumni and fans. Michigan State’s entry into the Big Ten suddenly gave the Spartans a solid platform to confront the Wolverines.

The first installment of this year’s series looking back at the Paul Bunyan rivalry takes us back to that ’53 game, which was played in East Lansing. A pair of midseason defeats tarnished Michigan’s record, but the sight of Michigan State on the opposing sideline should have ignited a fire under the Wolverines. It certainly inspired the Spartans, who always gnashed their teeth at the sight of the maize and blue.

Worse yet, Michigan State coach Clarence “Biggie” Munn had the Spartans well prepared for Michigan. Munn had considerable success recruiting players from Texas to play for Michigan State, and that gave the Spartans a significant advantage.

The rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State has always been marked by the ability to run the ball. The team that runs better usually wins, and Michigan State used a pair of rushing touchdowns and a fierce defensive effort to top Michigan, 14-6, giving the Spartans their fourth consecutive victory over Michigan. Munn retired from coaching after the 1953 season to become the athletic director at Michigan State. Michigan fans and alumni didn’t shed any tears over his departure from the sidelines.

Many thanks to YouTube and YouTube poster College Football Historian for the highlight film of this game. As always, we own nothing, and this blog post is provided strictly for the enjoyment of readers.

October 20, 2024October 20, 2024

2024 Game 7 – Illinois 21 Michigan 7 Game Photos

October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

Michigan Wolverine Football Podcast — Game 7 Prediction — Illinois

Support the Podcast, Get Gear

In this episode @pcallihan and @Clint_Derringer break down Michigan’s pivotal matchup against Illinois, focusing on the team’s struggles in road games and the need for clean execution. With Illinois showing strength in close games, Michigan’s offense, led by QB Jack Tuttle, must step up against Illinois’ formidable defense. They emphasize the importance of consistent offensive line play, strong defensive tackling, and dominating all phases of the game to keep Michigan’s playoff hopes alive. This is a must-listen for fans eager to dive into the game’s key storylines and Michigan’s path forward.

Listen, share, and join the conversation.

October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

By the Numbers: Game 7 @ Illinois

LAST WEEK RECAP

The Wolverines couldn’t hold a 4th quarter lead against the Washington Huskies as they headed into the bye week. Eventually the big plays allowed by the defense, and two costly turnovers by the offense, fueled Washington’s 27-17 victory.

NEXT UP: @ Illinois: SP+ 47th, 6.3

PREGAME SP+: Michigan by 4.9, Michigan Win Probability 62%

As Michigan rested last week, the Illini were sweating out a 1-point overtime victory over SP+ 82nd ranked Purdue. I think both the SP+ model and the Vegas odds would have favored the 5-1 Illinois at home if not for that eye-opener against the Boilermakers.

Michigan Offense (63rd) vs. Illinois Defense (43rd)

Surprisingly, the Illinois defense provides an advantageous match up for the Wolverines. The Illini have given up 239 yards rushing in each of their last two games to Purdue and to Penn State This could be exactly what the doctor ordered for a Michigan offensive line that has yet to click as a unit. While the Wolverines have had a couple big rushing performances in 2024, they still are searching for consistency. In Jack Tuttle’s first start for Michigan, their ability to lean on a high success rate in the run game should open throwing lanes to Coleston Loveland and Amorion Walker down the field. Hopefully left tackle #78 Myles Hinton is back in the starting lineup. He is the one Michigan lineman who has been able to move defenders off the line of scrimmage regularly.

Michigan Defense (9th) vs. Illinois Offense (58th)

Early in the season, my assumption was that Michigan’s defensive struggles were mostly due to lack of offensive success putting the D into bad spots. While that was certainly happening, it was not the case in the Washington loss. The Huskies put up a gaudy 47% success rate against the Michigan defense, including 45% success on 3rd down. The Wolverines need their playmakers to step forward in the biggest moments. Hopefully the bye week helped a few key players heal, especially edge rusher #8 Derrick Moore. Illinois quarterback Luke Altmeyer has been fantastic this season. His only poor performance was the one loss for the Illini at Penn State. The Michigan defensive front will be able to win 1-on-1 against this offensive line, but coordinator Wink Martindale will have to do a better job of pairing disguised coverages with his rushes. If Altmeyer is allowed to make simple decisions and get the ball out of his hand quickly, this game could look a lot like the Washington game.

PREDICTION: Most of the focus locally and nationally seems to be on the Michigan offense as they trot out their 3rd starting QB of the season. While that is understandable, this game will be decided by Michigan’s defense. Our preseason predictions were looking for an elite defense to lead the Wolverines while a new offensive lineup figured things out. The offense has a golden opportunity to reestablish a dominant run game, so I am placing the focus squarely on the defense to be elite. For now, I will predict that the Wolverine defensive front will cause just enough havoc to allow Michigan to escape Champaign with a victory.
Michigan 24 Illinois 21 (PRESEASON Michigan 20 Illinois 7)

MICHIGAN RESUME UPDATE 10/13/24, 4-2

SP+ Overall: 21st (↑6), 13.7
SP+ Offense: 63rd (↑5), 28.1
SP+ Defense: 9th (↑3), 14.8
SP+ Special Teams: 11th (↓2), 0.4

AP Poll: 24th (same), 133

Coaches’ Poll: 22nd (↓1), 223

CFP Rank: N/A

October 14, 2024October 14, 2024

Michigan Wolverine Football Podcast — Commentary — The Connor Stalions Saga, One Year Later…

Support the Podcast, Get Gear

Tune into the latest podcast as @pcallihan and @Clint_Derringer dive into the controversy surrounding Connor Stalions, whose role in decoding opponents’ signals sparked a media frenzy and led to Jim Harbaugh’s suspension nearly derailing Michigan 2023 National Championship run. They debate the NCAA’s swift response compared to other scandals, express frustration over media sensationalism, and call for more transparency and accountability from college football officials. With insights on Stalions’ impact on Michigan’s season and the broader implications for the sport, this episode is a must-listen for fans seeking clarity and context in the ongoing drama.

Listen, share, and join the conversation!

Tune in for expert insights and analysis—don’t miss out!