2008 TSUN News

[OCBucksFan]

Why all this comparing DickRod to Tressel? That's apples and oranges.

More like apples to bird crap, but call it what you will.

You're going to have a crappy year of football this year. Your 2009-2010 season will depend on how your players learn the system, develop within that system, and handle the adversity of a trying year. It'll also depend on how you recruit. Hopefully you guys will start getting some commitments from some linemen, or else you're going to have another long season after this one.

I am honestly curious about how the first season will be, I have had people tell me they are going to win the NC this year, and people who have told me that they are just hoping they don't have a losing season, all of those people are graduates or fans from tsun. Let's not forget that Tressels first season he went 7-5 and lost in his bowl game, my point? I don't think any reasonable fan should expect any less, and should be hoping for one thing, that they compete and possibly beat Ohio State.

If he loses to the Bucks his first year, there will be no comparisons, right now tsun fans are living off of the speech he made during the tOSU/tsun basketball game and the fact that they won that night. Right now, that seems to be the glint of hope for many tsun fans.

Personally, I would love to see them get crushed that game with the Bucks having walk ons getting time in the third quarter because the game is so far out of reach, especially with him saying "it's just another game, we treat it like every other game on our schedule." I remember Cooper saying shit like that, I can only hope the result will be the same for Rodriguez.

 

[HailToMichigan]

Ohio State and Pitt/Maryland are in two seperate universes. Try again.

Michigan and West Virginia are also in two separate universes.

True. But what really good defensive recruits does um have a legitimate shot at right now. They're getting scooped quite a bit for defensive recruits. He's simply gonna have to step up his defensive recruiting, especially considering how thin the DL is, if he doesn't want to spend a couple years trying to catch up.

There's a few out there. Here's another question: how much of last year's class was Michigan said to be in on, let alone leaders for, as late as January? Patience. Stuff happens. Just because the entire recruiting class isn't locked in by June doesn't mean there won't be one.

 

[Oh8ch]

Just because the entire recruiting class isn't locked in by June doesn't mean there won't be one.

Agree. And the attraction of PT at a major school always sells itself. So poor recruiting can lead to good recruiting late in the process.

That said, and looking at the Scout offer lists, it would be tough to argue UM recruiting is going according to any sort of plan.

 

[jwinslow]

There's a few out there. Here's another question: how much of last year's class was Michigan said to be in on, let alone leaders for, as late as January? Patience. Stuff happens. Just because the entire recruiting class isn't locked in by June doesn't mean there won't be one.

Which was almost all offense.

RR commits: WR, RB, OG, WR, OT, RB/WR, QB, S, WLB. #75 ranked S, #25 ranked WLB.

Brandon Smith was virtually landed by lloyd until he retired. Then, if not for SCar coach Nix being fired, he would not be a wolverine.

 

[jwinslow]

Freep.com | Michigan Offense not wowing Rich Rodriguez

On Wednesday, following Michigan's third practice of preseason camp, he was more disappointed than impressed.
"I thought it was an average practice overall," he said. "I didn't think we progressed a whole lot. I liked what I saw out of the defense today. They put a few new packages in, and that may have caused some confusion on defense, but our offense didn't take any steps forward."
Rodriguez takes much of this personally because the offense is his baby.
He sits in the offensive meetings, he stands in the backfield during practice and calls the plays with offensive coordinator Calvin Magee. He knows a dynamic offense will be the difference between an average season and something more impressive.
"I know there's inexperience and all that, but I told the guys, 'We've got to have a sense of urgency ... (even with) the little things that go into each play.' "
He did cite positive contributions from the tight ends, who have the most playing experience, and the freshman slot receivers, who apparently are exceeding expectations.

But still: Wednesday wasn't pretty, the players admitted.
"We put our shoulder pads on for the first time, so it was a little more intense. ... It probably was confusing for some of the freshmen, especially on the offensive line," said right tackle Steve Schilling, the only returning offensive starter. "It's kind of hectic. You've got to get used to it -- the game speed is so much different."

 

[BB73]

Twice.

The 1987 season marked the beginning of the Major Harris era in West Virginia. In Harris' sophomore season, 1988, West Virginia went undefeated and played Notre Dame in The National Championship Fiesta Bowl. West Virginia lost the game 34-21, after Major Harris' injury on the third play of the game.


In 1993, Nehlen led West Virginia to another undefeated regular season, but Florida exacted revenge in the Sugar Bowl, winning 41-7.

Jwins, I've gotta say just once. In '93, WVU was undefeated going into the bowls, but #1 FSU was playing an undefeated #2 Nebraska team in the Orange Bowl that year, so WVU really had no chance at being #1, even with an impressive bowl win over then-#8 Florida.

 

[shetuck]

Sporting News team previews: No. 18 M*ch*g*n

SN's team previews: No. 18 Michigan

Posted: August 7, 2008
Tom Dienhart

Lloyd Carr is out. Rich Rodriguez is in. And the world is watching.

It's not just a coaching change in Ann Arbor. It's a cultural change, too. Rodriguez isn't a "Michigan man." He isn't a slave to Michigan traditions. He's even installing a spread-option offense that he used to turn West Virginia into a national power.

Will this seemingly odd marriage work? A success-starved fan base may not have patience to wait long to find out. If Rodriguez does just one thing in his debut, he must beat Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won six of the last seven meetings ? including the past four ? and played in the last two BCS title games. But it won't be easy to ease the pain in Ann Arbor with a program in transition.

cont'd...

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Michigan and West Virginia are also in two separate universes.

Not really...records over the last three seasons:

Michigan: 7-5, 11-2, 9-4 (27-11, 1-2 in bowls)
West Virginia: 11-1, 11-2, 11-2 (33-5, 3-0 in bowls)

 

[schwab]

Michigan and West Virginia are also in two separate universes.

Not really...records over the last three seasons:

Michigan: 7-5, 11-2, 9-4 (27-11, 1-2 in bowls)
West Virginia: 11-1, 11-2, 11-2 (33-5, 3-0 in bowls)

Mili, when taken out of context like I have demonstrated above, HTM's statement rings true, just not the way he intended...

 

[jwinslow]

Jwins, I've gotta say just once. In '93, WVU was undefeated going into the bowls, but #1 FSU was playing an undefeated #2 Nebraska team in the Orange Bowl that year, so WVU really had no chance at being #1, even with an impressive bowl win over then-#8 Florida.

I'll defer to my elders. Looks like their position in the national hunt was a bit overstated.

Either way, they didn't fare too well, but they did reach that plateau.

 

[jwinslow]

Ex-University of Michigan football player Rondell Biggs faces steroid possession charges - MLive.com

A former defensive end for the University of Michigan football team faces a court hearing next week on a felony charge for illegal possession of steroids, according to Michigan State Police.
Rondell Biggs, 24, was stopped by state troopers Jan. 24 on I-94 near State Street for illegally tinted windows on his vehicle. Biggs was arrested for driving on a suspended license, and troopers searched his car prior to impounding it.
Trooper Craig Ziecina said in a press release that he found 10 yellow pills in the center console of the vehicle in a bag that had a label indicating it contained 50 pills. Biggs told Ziecina they were "post-workout pills" and said he was in Michigan assisting with the training and conditioning of the U-M football team.
U-M football spokesperson Dave Ablauf said this morning that Biggs was employed as an hourly worker by U-M's football staff under former head coach Lloyd Carr, but was not retained when coach Rich Rodriguez and conditioning coach Mike Barwis took over the program after U-M's bowl game on Jan. 1.
Ablauf said Biggs was likely working out with other former U-M athletes who are either pro players or have pro aspirations and use the Wolverine training facilities in the offseason.
The pills later tested positive for stanozolol, a Schedule III prescribed synthetic anabolic steroid. It is commonly used by athletes and bodybuilders to lose fat while retaining lean body mass. Ben Johnson was stripped of his gold medal in the 100 meters at the 1988 Summer Olympics when he tested positive for the drug.
...

 

[jwinslow]

MGoBlue

Video (largely interviews).

Pretty tough to remember 3 qbs for 15 seconds, huh reporter? :p

 

[HailToMichigan]

Not really...records over the last three seasons:

Michigan: 7-5, 11-2, 9-4 (27-11, 1-2 in bowls)
West Virginia: 11-1, 11-2, 11-2 (33-5, 3-0 in bowls)

Talk about having it both ways. Is Rodriguez such a good coach that he led West Virginia to a terrific record, outshining even mighty Michigan and mighty Ohio State*? Or is it because the Big Ten competition is worlds better than in the Big East? Pick one. It can't be both.



*also 33-5 but 1-2 in bowls. By this record-only logic, West Virginia is better than Ohio State.

 

[HailToMichigan]

MGoBlue

Video (largely interviews).

Pretty tough to remember 3 qbs for 15 seconds, huh reporter? :p

- Nice try, keeping those notes just off-camera and stealing furtive glances at them pretending nobody noticed, huh?
- Feagin has a weird throwing motion. He dips his shoulder.
- Trend continues of watching Threet be more accurate than Sheridan on the same throws. Not that you can call the starting QB by one play during the second or third practice of fall, but they showed them making the exact same throw here and in the spring game too, and Threet's been more accurate.
- The stripes look weirder and weirder. I like them even less than before, especially from the front.
- I dunno if you guys noticed, but Morgan Trent zipped by a couple times. He's only in like one frame each time though.

 

[shetuck]

-I dunno if you guys noticed, but Morgan Trent zipped by a couple times. He's only in like one frame each time though.

Yeah, one frame before he slipped and fell out of sight!