THE GAME: #1 Ohio State 42, #2 Michigan 39 (11/18/06)

[Best Buckeye]

Hey! i have tickets to the Cinci game.. But i wish they were for the meeeechigan game. A lot of people are thinking that they will be much improved this year, including their star receiver Breaston. Personally he has never shown me that much. I just want the buckeyes to win four straight so that ohio kids who went there would never have beaten us.
Is that mean spirited ? haha

[Best Buckeye]

here is an item from CFN;
Michigan Spring practice starts March 18, Spring Game April 1
The big spring question is ... Which Michigan team will show up? With five losses, another loss to Ohio State, and another bowl loss, 2005 wasn't Michigan's finest hour, but it was a better year than many made it out to be. Remember, some (cough, me, cough) were suggesting midway through the year that the Wolverines weren't going bowling after starting 3-3 and with Penn State, at Iowa, at Northwestern and Ohio State still to play. The team obviously rallied to turn things around, but that's the only positive to take away. Once again, there's enough talent to win the Big Ten title, and now the team has to play like it.
The most important position to watch is ... Assistant coach. When things start to go wrong at a huge program like Tennessee, Miami or Michigan, there are going to be changes among the assistants first to buy more time for the head coach. Michigan lost much-maligned defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann to the NFL and was replaced by secondary coach Ron English. Special teams coordinator Mike DeBord, who used to be the head coach at Central Michigan, is the new offensive coordinator replacing now New Orleans Saint Terry Malone.
Spring attitude... Beat Notre Dame. Step one to stopping the Maize and Blue grumbling would be to win all the non-bowl, non-conference games for the first time since 1999. Vanderbilt, Central Michigan, and in November, Ball State shouldn't be a problem, but the Wolverines have to win at South Bend or they'll once again be out of the national title hunt before the leaves change. Lose to the Irish, and even a Big Ten title would bring a "yeah, but ..." from those who believe a program as big as Michigan should be battling for the BCS title game.

[rocketman]

I love the game previews cause NCAA 2007 doesn't factor in the head coach's personality. Despite having one of the most athletically talented and stacked backfields in the past decade, we supposedly won the Texas game on a one-yard fade pass to Ted Ginn on 4th and 1.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Any computer simulation that has Michigan scoring 31 on us in The Shoe is working with some seriously flawed data...

[osugrad21]

Link

Michigan Seeks Rebound From Poor Season
By LARRY LAGE
The Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich. —
Kevin Grady ran on the Michigan golf course so often during the offseason that he lost 11 pounds.
"We went up and down about four holes, and that's not as easy as it sounds," the running back said Monday at media day. "I feel a lot different endurance-wise. I feel like I can do some things I wasn't able to do last year."
Jake Long dropped 20 pounds, pushing himself away from the dinner table and into more workouts. Long hopes it will help him stay healthy and aid his transition from right to left tackle on the offensive line.
When the Wolverines needed a spark to get out of bed for conditioning in the morning and an incentive to avoid drive-thru windows at night, they just thought about last season.
"You try to forget about it in a way, but it's in the back of your mind for motivation because 7-5 is not good for any Michigan team," Grady said.
In fact, it was Michigan's worst season since going 6-6 in 1984, and the Wolverines finished unranked in the final poll for the first time since that .500 season.
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr _ entering his 12th season in charge of college football's winningest program _ said he spent a lot of time trying to figure out what went wrong last year. The one change he wanted to make was the shape his team was in, and so far, he's happy.
"Our quickness and mobility I thought was an area we could really improve," he said. "We made a concentrated effort in terms of diet and our conditioning program. We worked hard and ran a lot, probably more than we have. We go into this season as a more fit team than we have had in the past."
The Wolverines planned to have their first practice Tuesday before hitting with pads for the first time Saturday. Grueling two-a-day practices will eventually taper down before the season opener Sept. 2 at home against Vanderbilt.
After hosting Central Michigan, the Wolverines play three straight against teams that beat them last season: Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Michigan hosts Michigan State on Oct. 7 and closes the regular season Nov. 18 at Ohio State.
"We're excited about the challenges of this schedule," Carr said.
The Wolverines have eight of 11 starters back on defense, a unit led by linebacker LaMarr Woodley, cornerback Leon Hall and defensive tackle Alan Branch. Quarterback Chad Henne, running back Michael Hart, receiver Steve Breaston and tackle Jake Long are four of the six starters returning on offense.
Receiver Jason Avant, offensive linemen Adam Stenavich and Matt Lentz, and defensive tackle Gabe Watson might be the toughest players to replace.
The Wolverines are ranked No. 15 in the coaches' preseason poll and might have a similar ranking Aug. 19 when The Associated Press releases its poll.
Hart said there's always pressure at Michigan, but he feels it more this summer.
"It's a little bit more this year, after coming off a 7-5 record, to show people we're still a great team and that we can win games," Hart said.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/8/06

NOTEBOOK

New Michigan coordinators don’t divulge any secrets

Tuesday, August 08, 2006


FROM WIRE REPORTS

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Optimism, determination and motivation are flowing from the Michigan football program.
But game plans and new schemes? Not so much.
Michigan knows it has an advantage with the surprise tactics of new offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and new defensive coordinator Ron English.
Both were glad to speak yesterday during media day — but only a little about how things will change.
"I think you have to be more aggressive today," said DeBord, who also was the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator from 1997 to 1999.
"In ’97, our whole thing was we want to control the ball and really continue to get first downs, 3 yards here, 4 yards here, 5 yards here. We were really trying to control it. But now you have to score. You have to put the ball down the field a little bit more than what we did then."
Though quarterback Chad Henne can get the ball to talented receivers Steve Breaston, Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington, DeBord isn’t prepared to give up everything.
"We’re not going to let out what we’re doing different as a unit because of the first opponent," he said, saying there are "dramatic" changes. "After the first opponent, obviously people will notice the change."
After three years as Michigan’s secondary coach, English has a strong idea about coach Lloyd Carr’s defensive philosophy, but he’s accepting input from his assistants in the new plan, as well.
He said the players will be more aggressive, but the biggest change may not be noticeable to fans.
"We want to play hard, we want to play fast, and when you play fast, you’re going to play great defense," he said. "If we get them to do that, we’ll have it licked."
The players are excited about English’s positive attitude.
"Coach E is a fired-up guy and he gets guys going," defensive end LaMarr Woodley said. "Just being in an individual meeting room, he got me ready to go." The first time he saw English, Woodley said, "He was jogging down the street with his backpack and glasses. I knew then that Coach must be energetic."

[BuckeyeNation27]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

Link

Michigan Seeks Rebound From Poor Season
By LARRY LAGE
The Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich. —
Kevin Grady ran on the Michigan golf course so often during the offseason that he lost 11 pounds.
"We went up and down about four holes, and that's not as easy as it sounds," the running back said Monday at media day. "I feel a lot different endurance-wise. I feel like I can do some things I wasn't able to do last year."
Jake Long dropped 20 pounds, pushing himself away from the dinner table and into more workouts. Long hopes it will help him stay healthy and aid his transition from right to left tackle on the offensive line.
When the Wolverines needed a spark to get out of bed for conditioning in the morning and an incentive to avoid drive-thru windows at night, they just thought about last season.
"You try to forget about it in a way, but it's in the back of your mind for motivation because 7-5 is not good for any Michigan team," Grady said.
In fact, it was Michigan's worst season since going 6-6 in 1984, and the Wolverines finished unranked in the final poll for the first time since that .500 season.
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr _ entering his 12th season in charge of college football's winningest program _ said he spent a lot of time trying to figure out what went wrong last year. The one change he wanted to make was the shape his team was in, and so far, he's happy.
"Our quickness and mobility I thought was an area we could really improve," he said. "We made a concentrated effort in terms of diet and our conditioning program. We worked hard and ran a lot, probably more than we have. We go into this season as a more fit team than we have had in the past."
The Wolverines planned to have their first practice Tuesday before hitting with pads for the first time Saturday. Grueling two-a-day practices will eventually taper down before the season opener Sept. 2 at home against Vanderbilt.
After hosting Central Michigan, the Wolverines play three straight against teams that beat them last season: Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Michigan hosts Michigan State on Oct. 7 and closes the regular season Nov. 18 at Ohio State.
"We're excited about the challenges of this schedule," Carr said.
The Wolverines have eight of 11 starters back on defense, a unit led by linebacker LaMarr Woodley, cornerback Leon Hall and defensive tackle Alan Branch. Quarterback Chad Henne, running back Michael Hart, receiver Steve Breaston and tackle Jake Long are four of the six starters returning on offense.
Receiver Jason Avant, offensive linemen Adam Stenavich and Matt Lentz, and defensive tackle Gabe Watson might be the toughest players to replace.
The Wolverines are ranked No. 15 in the coaches' preseason poll and might have a similar ranking Aug. 19 when The Associated Press releases its poll.
Hart said there's always pressure at Michigan, but he feels it more this summer.
"It's a little bit more this year, after coming off a 7-5 record, to show people we're still a great team and that we can win games," Hart said.

running during the offseason? who would have thunk it!

glad to see michigan is on the cutting edge of workouts.

[ginn421]

Does anybody else realize that since the game starts at 3:30 this year, it will be dark at halftime? The 'Shoe will be jacked to watch us play M*ch*g*n under the lights!

[Bucklion]

Originally Posted by ginn421

Does anybody else realize that since the game starts at 3:30 this year, it will be dark at halftime? The 'Shoe will be jacked to watch us play M*ch*g*n under the lights!

I'm pretty sure most of us could figure that out

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by ginn421

Does anybody else realize that since the game starts at 3:30 this year, it will be dark at halftime?

Thank you, Mr. Weatherman...

[ginn421]

yeah, I guess it was pretty obvious. I just don't recall OSU playing Michigan with the lights, since kickoff has traditionally been at 1:00 before this year.

[ytownbuckeye]

Troy owns them

[buckeye247]

Originally Posted by ytownbuckeye

Troy owns them

Troy owns everything that belongs in Michigan.

[osugrad21]

Link

Michigan motivated by last season's 7-5 record
By Larry Lage Of The Associated Press

Kevin Grady ran on the Michigan golf course so often during the offseason that he lost 11 pounds.

''We went up and down about four holes, and that's not as easy as it sounds,'' the running back said recently at media day. ''I feel a lot different endurance-wise. I feel like I can do some things I wasn't able to do last year.''

Jake Long dropped 20 pounds, pushing himself away from the dinner table and into more workouts. Long hopes it will help him stay healthy and aid his transition from right to left tackle on the offensive line.

When the Wolverines needed a spark to get out of bed for conditioning in the morning and an incentive to avoid drive-thru windows at night, they just thought about last season.

''You try to forget about it in a way, but it's in the back of your mind for motivation because 7-5 is not good for any Michigan team,'' Grady said.

In fact, it was Michigan's worst season since going 6-6 in 1984, and the Wolverines finished unranked in the final poll for the first time since that .500 season.

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr — entering his 12th season in charge of college football's winningest program — said he spent a lot of time trying to figure out what went wrong last year. The one change he wanted to make was the shape his team was in, and so far, he's happy.

''Our quickness and mobility I thought was an area we could really improve,'' he said. ''We made a concentrated effort in terms of diet and our conditioning program. We worked hard and ran a lot, probably more than we have. We go into this season as a more fit team than we have had in the past.''

The Wolverines planned to had their first practice last Tuesday before hitting with pads for the first time Saturday. Grueling two-a-day practices will eventually taper down before the season opener Sept. 2 at home against Vanderbilt.

After hosting Central Michigan, the Wolverines play three straight against teams that beat them last season: Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Michigan hosts Michigan State on Oct. 7 and closes the regular season Nov. 18 at Ohio State.

''We're excited about the challenges of this schedule,'' Carr said.

The Wolverines have eight of 11 starters back on defense, a unit led by linebacker LaMarr Woodley, cornerback Leon Hall and defensive tackle Alan Branch. Quarterback Chad Henne, running back Michael Hart, receiver Steve Breaston and tackle Jake Long are four of the six starters returning on offense.

Receiver Jason Avant, offensive linemen Adam Stenavich and Matt Lentz, and defensive tackle Gabe Watson might be the toughest players to replace.

The Wolverines are ranked No. 15 in the coaches' preseason poll and might have a similar ranking Aug. 19 when The Associated Press releases its poll.

Hart said there's always pressure at Michigan, but he feels it more this summer.

''It's a little bit more this year, after coming off a 7-5 record, to show people we're still a great team and that we can win games,'' Hart said.

[BuckeyeNation27]

This really seems like the first year Michigan has been motivated by their [censored]ty season. They always seemed to fall into the Rose Bowl or end up beating us, and that always made up for their 3 loses.

I expect them to be better than people think.