2009 Michigan Wolverines Additional Info

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2009 Michigan Wolverines Additional Information​

Coaching Staff

Head Coach:
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Official School Bio - [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Verdana]Rich Rodriguezhttp://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/mich/sports/m-footbl/mtt/rodriguez_rich00.html[/FONT]

Assistant Coaches: Official School Bios
Calvin Magee - Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Greg Robinson - Defensive Coordinator
Tony Dews - Wide Receivers
Greg Frey - Offensive Line
Tony Gibson - Assistant Head Coach/Secondary
Jay Hopson - Linebackers
Fred Jackson - Running Backs
Rod Smith - Quarterbacks
Bruce Tall - Defensive Line

Official School Bios - Strength and Conditioning Staff
Mike Barwis- Director of Strength and Conditioning
Chris Allen - Director of Skill Development / Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning
Parker Whiteman - Coordinator of Strength and Conditioning
Kentaro Tamura - Coordinator of Strength and Conditioning
Jim Plocki - Football Assistant Strength Coach / Ice Hockey Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning
Jesse Miller - Assistant Strength Coach
Dennis Murray - Assistant Strength Coach
Dan Mozes - Part-Time Assistant Strength Coach
Cassandra Baier - Assistant Strength Coach
​

Recruiting

Starters Returning: 15 (Offense 9, Defense 5, Special Teams 1)

Notable Returners: RB Brandon Minor, WR Greg Matthews, WR Martavious Odoms, WR Darryl Stonum, TE Kevin Koger, OT Mark Ortmann, OG Steven Schilling, OC David Molk, RG David Moosman, DE Brandon Graham, LB Obi Ezeh, LB Jonas Mouton, LB Stevie Brown, CB Donavan Warren, P Zoltan Mesko

Starters Lost: 9 (Offense 2, Defense 6, Special Teams 1)

Notable Losses: DE Tim Jamison, DT Will Johnson, DT Terrance Taylor, CB Morgan Trent, S Brandon Harrison, PK K.C. Lopata

Incoming Recruits:

2010 Verbals

Scout.com - #19 class - 1-5*, 4-4*, 13-3*, 2-2*, 0-N/R - 3.20* average
Rivals.com - #17 class - 0-5*, 4-4*, 15-3*, 0-2*, 1-N/R - 3.11* average

Courtney Avery CB 5-9 164 Lexington, OH - 3*/3*
Drew Dileo WR 5-10 175 Baton Rouge, LA - 3*/3*
Tony Drake RB 5-8 160 Dallas, TX - 3*/3*
Devin Gardner QB 6-4 201 Inkster, MI - 5*/4*
Will Hagerup P 6-4 210 Whitefish Bay, WI - 3*/3*
Stephen Hopkins RB 6-0 210 Flower Mound, TX - 3*/3*
Jeremy Jackson WR 6-3 190 Ann Arbor, MI - 3*/3*
Carvin Johnson S 6-0 185 Metairie, LA - 3*/N-R
Cornelius Jones QB 6-0 185 Spartanburg, SC - 2*/3*
Antonio Kinard DE 6-4 210 Youngstown, OH - 3*/3*
Ricardo Miller WR 6-2 205 Ann Arbor, MI - 4*/3*
Christian Pace OG 6-2 256 Avon Lake, OH - 3*/3*
Jordan Paskorz 6-4 223 Allison Park, PA - 3*/3*
Jerald Robinson WR 6-0 175 Canton, OH - 4*/4*
Marvin Robinson S 6-1 204 Eagle Lake, FL - 4*/4*
Terrance Talbott CB 5-9.5 172 Huiber Heights, OH - 3*/3*
Terry Talbott DT 6-3 265 Huber Heights, OH - 3*/3*
Austin White RB 6-0 190 Livonia, MI - 4*/3*
Kenny Wilkens DE 6-3 230 Washington, PA - 3*/4*
DJ Williamson WR 6-2 175 Warren, OH - 2*/3*

2009 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #14 class - 2-5*, 7-4*, 11-3*, 2-2* - 3.41* average
Rivals.com - #8 class - 1-5*, 12-4*, 7-3*, 2-2* - 3.55* average

Isaiah Bell DB 6-0 209 Youngstown, OH - 3*/3*
Will Campbell DT 6-5 330 Detroit, MI - 5*/5*
Vladimir Emilien S 6-0 190 Plantation, FL - 3*/4*
Tate Forcier QB 6-0 184 San Diego, CA - 4*/4*
Jeremy Gallon ATH 5-8 165 Apopka, FL - 3*/4*
Brendan Gibbons K 6-0 202 West Palm Beach, FL - 3*/2*
Cameron Gordon WR 6-3 210 Inkster, MI - 3*/3*
Thomas Gordon ATH 5-10 199 Detroit, MI - 2*/3*
Brandin Hawthorne LB 6-0 181 Pahokee, FL - 3*/3*
Mike Jones DB 6-2 200 Orlando, FL - 3*/3*
Teric Jones RB 5-8 186 Detroit, MI - 3*/3*
Anthony LaLota DE 6-6 260 Princeton, NJ - 4*/4*
Taylor Lewan OT 6-6.5 270 Scottsdale, AZ - 4*/4*
Denard Robinson QB 6-0 185 Deerfield Beach, FL - 4*/4*
Craig Roh DE 6-5 230 Scottsdale, AZ - 4*/4*
Michael Schofield OL 6-6 272 Orland Park, IL - 4*/4*
Vincent Smith RB 5-6 159 Pahokee, FL - 3*/3*
Je'Ron Stokes WR 6-0.5 178 Philadelphia, PA - 4*/4*
Fitzgerald Toussaint RB 5-10 185 Youngstown, OH - 3*/4*
Justin Turner DB 6-2 180 Massillon, OH - 5*/4*
Quinton Washington OG 6-4 322 St. Stephen, SC - 3*/4*
Adrian Witty S 6-1 185 Deerfield Beach, FL - 2*/2*


2008 Recruting Class

Scout.com - #6 class - 1-5*, 14-4*, 8-3*, 2-2* - 3.56* average
Rivals.com - #10 class - 0-5*, 17-4*, 6-3*, 2-2* - 3.60* average

Ricky Barnum OL 6-2 246 Lakeland, FL - 3*/4*
[strike]Boubacar Cissoko DB 5-8 171 Detroit, MI - 5*/4* [/strike]
Mike Cox RB 6-0 203 Avon, CT - 4*/3*
Kenny Demens LB 6-1 224 Detroit, MI - 3*/4*
[strike]Justin Feagin ATH 6-0 190 Delray Beach, FL - 2*/3* [/strike]
J.B. Fitzgerald LB 6-4 225 Princeton Junction, NJ - 4*/4*
J.T. Floyd ATH 6-0 179 Greenville, SC - 3*/3*
[strike]Taylor Hill LB 6-2 205 Youngstown, OH - 3*/4* [/strike]
Rocko Khoury OL 6-6 280 Traverse City, MI - 3*/3*
Kevin Koger TE 6-4 235 Toledo , OH - 4*/4*
Mike Martin DT 6-2 278 Novi, MI - 4*/4*
[strike]Sam McGuffie RB 6-0 188 Cypress, TX - 4*/4* [/strike]
Elliott Mealer OL 6-6 280 Wauseon, OH - 4*/4*
Brandon Moore TE 6-6 243 Trotwood, OH - 3*/4*
George Morales C 6-1 260 North Las Vegas, NV - 2*/2*
Martavious Odoms WR 5-8 164 Pahokee, FL - 4*/3*
Patrick Omameh DE 6-4 236 Columbus, OH - 3*/2*
[strike]Dann O'Neill OL 6-8 291 Grand Haven, MI - 4*/4* [/strike]
Terrence Robinson RB 5-9 170 Klein, TX - 4*/4*
Roy Roundtree WR 6-0 154 Trotwood, OH - 3*/4*
Michael Shaw RB 6-0 185 Trotwood, OH - 4*/4*
Brandon Smith DB 6-3 210 New Brunswick, NJ - 4*/4*
Darryl Stonum WR 6-2 180 Sugar Land, TX - 4*/4*
[strike]Kurt Wermers OL 6-3 278 Crown Point, IN - 4*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Marcus Witherspoon LB 6-2 215 Absecon, NJ - 4*/4* [/strike]

2007 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #10 class - 2-5*, 12-4*, 4-3*, 2-2* - 3.70* average
Rivals.com - #12 class - 2-5*, 5-4*, 12-3*, 1-2* - 3.40* average

[strike]Zion Babb WR 6-0 177 Alhambra, CA - 4*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Artis Chambers DB 6-2 185 Ft. Wayne, IN - 3*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Toney Clemons WR 6-2 205 New Kensington, PA - 4*/4* [/strike]
Marell Evans LB 6-2 204 Richmond, VA - 3*/2*
Vince Helmuth RB 6-1 235 Saline, MI - 4*/3*
Junior Hemingway WR 6-3 205 Conway, SC - 4*/3*
Brandon Herron LB 6-2 198 Sugar Land, TX - 4*/3*
[strike]Avery Horn RB 5-11 195 Hanford, CA - 3*/3* [/strike]
Mark Huyge OL 6-6 280 Grand Rapids, MI - 2*/3*
[strike]Ryan Mallett QB 6-6 235 Texarkana, TX - 5*/5* [/strike]
David Molk OL 6-2 280 Lemont, IL - 4*/3*
[strike]Austin Panter LB 6-3 240 El Dorado, KS - 4*/4* - JUCO [/strike]
James Rogers ATH 6-1 195 Madison Heights, MI - 4*/3*
Renaldo Sagesse DT 6-4 315 Montreal, Que. - 2*/3*
Ryan Van Bergen DE 6-5 260 Whitehall, MI - 4*/4*
Donovan Warren DB 6-0 175 Long Beach, CA - 5*/5*
Steve Watson TE 6-4 235 Denver, CO - 4*/3*
Martell Webb WR 6-5 225 Pontiac, MI - 4*/4*
Michael Williams DB 5-10 Ventura, CA - 4*/4*
Troy Woolfolk DB 5-11 176 Sugar Land, TX - 3*/3*

2006 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #9 class - 5-5*, 5-4*, 7-3*, 3-2* - 3.60* average
Rivals.com - #13 class - 2-5*, 10-4*, 7-3*, 1-2* - 3.65* average

Greg Banks DE 6-5 260 Denver, CO - 3*/3*
[strike]Justin Boren OL 6-3 319 Pickerington, OH - 5*/4* [/strike]
Carlos Brown RB 6-0 205 Franklin, GA - 4*/4*
Steve Brown DB 6-0 197 Columbus, IN - 4*/4*
David Cone QB 6-6 201 Statesboro, GA - 3*/3*
Perry Dorrestein OL 6-6 283 Plainfield, IL - 3*/3*
Obi Ezeh RB 6-2 219 4.6 Grand Rapids, MI - 3*/3*
John Ferrara DE 6-4 268 Staten Island, NY - 3*/3*
Brandon Graham LB 6-2 250 Detroit, MI - 5*/5*
[strike]Jason Kates DT 6-2 324 Harrisburg , PA - 2*/4* [/strike]
Greg Mathews WR 6-2 189 Orlando, FL - 3*/4*
Brandon Minor RB 6-0 213 Richmond, VA - 4*/4*
[strike]Cobrani Mixon LB 6-2 220 Cincinnati, OH - 4*/4* [/strike]
Jonas Mouton DB 6-2 212 4.5 Venice, CA - 5*/4*
[strike]Quintin Patilla LB 6-2 193 Flint, MI - 3*/3* [/strike]
Adam Patterson DT 6-2 256 Columbia, SC - 4*/4*
Stephen Schilling OL 6-5 290 Bellevue, WA - 5*/5*
[strike]Marques Slocum DT 6-5 320 New Berlin, NY - 5*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Quintin Woods DE 6-6 218 Flint, MI - 2*/3* [/strike]
Bryan Wright K 6-2 205 Salem, OH - 2*/2*

2005 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #2 class - 2-5*, 11-4*, 9-3*, 1-2* - 3.61* average
Rivals.com - #6 class - 1-5*, 11-4*, 10-3*, 1-2* - 3.52* average

[strike]Antonio Bass ATH 6-1 194 Jackson, MI - 4*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Carson Butler DE 6-6 235 Detroit, MI - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Andre Criswell RB 6-1 240 Detroit, MI - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Jason Forcier QB 6-2 205 San Diego, CA - 4*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Eugene Germany DE 6-4 250 Pomona, CA - 3*/4* [/strike]
Kevin Grady RB 5-10 230 4.5 East Grand Rapids, MI - 5*/5*
[strike]Brandon Harrison DB 5-8 190 Dayton, OH - 4*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Brandon Logan LB 6-1 195 Lexington, KY - 4*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Mario Manningham WR 6-0 174 Warren, OH - 4*/4* [/strike]
Tim McAvoy OL 6-6 270 Bloomington, IL - 4*/3*
[strike]James McKinney DT 6-2 277 Louisville, KY - 4*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Chris McLaurin DE 6-4 217 Orchard Lake, MI - 3*/3* [/strike]
Zoltan Mesko K 6-4 230 Twinsburg, OH - 3*/3*
David Moosman OL 6-5 270 Libertyville, IL - 4*/4*
Mark Ortmann OL 6-6 270 Klein, TX - 3*/3*
[strike]Chris Richards ATH 5-10 155 North Hills, CA - 3*/3* [/strike]
LaTerryal Savoy WR 6-2 195 Mamou, LA - 3*/4*
[strike]Justin Schifano OL 6-5 300 Webster, NY - 4*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Johnny Sears DB 6-1 175 Fresno, CA - 3*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Mister Simpson RB 5-10 195 Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Marques Slocum OL 6-4 331 Philadelphia, PA - 5*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Terrance Taylor DT 6-1 285 Muskegon, MI - 4*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Cory Zirbel OL 6-7 301 Murray, KY - 4*/4* [/strike]

[strike]No longer with team [/strike]
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Behind the Numbers

Random Thoughts for the Week

"Woe to you, Oh Earth and Sea, for the Devil sends the beast with wrath, because he knows the time is short...
Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast; for it is a human number. Its Number is Six Hundred and Sixty Six."

That School Up North (TSUN) has scored exactly 666 points in Ohio Stadium. Fitting, don't you think?

...

Wins and losses are split evenly going all the way back to 1927 (39-39-4). TSUN's advantage in the series is now based entirely on games played before anyone under the age of 82 was alive. TSUN fans younger than that can have a nice, tall glass of shut-up. Older fans, which includes most of those who will be in AA on Saturday, can talk all they want.

DSA

Differential Statistical Analysis (DSA) shows each team's prowess as a ratio of their stats vs. the stats of the other teams their opponents played. Head-to-head competition and games vs. lower-division opponents are factored out.

Where:

SO = Scoring Offense

DSO = Differential Scoring Offense
TO = Total Offense
DTO = Differential Total Offense
RO = Rushing Offense
DRO = Differential Rushing Offense
PO = Passing Offense
DPO = Differential Passing Offense
SD = Scoring Defense
DSD = Differential Scoring Defense
TD = Total Defense
DTD = Differential Total Defense
RD = Rushing Defense
DRD = Differential Rushing Defense
PD = Passing Defense
DPD = Differential Passing Defense
PE = Passing Efficiency
DPE = Differential Passing Efficiency

​

The Buckeyes are clearly superior in every category with the sole exceptions of Passing Offense and Differential Passing Offense. In fact, the factoring out of the Delaware State game has given the Buckeyes the advantage in even the ordinary stats collected by the NCAA such as Scoring Offense. The Differential numbers show this game to be a complete mismatch.

To be more exact, the above number can be used to provide a statistical expectation for yards and points for each team:

______________Yards_________Points
TSUN_________247-248_________13-14
OHIO STATE___418-428_________36-37
​

It is still The Game, it is still the greatest rivalry in sports, it is still a series that provides some of the greatest examples that the numbers don't always tell the whole story. But TSUN still has a coach that has always struggled in rivalry games, and Ohio State still has a coach that is 7-1 in The Game. TSUN is still a team that peaked in October, and Ohio State is still a team that is peaking now.

If those facts aren't enough: take a look at turnover margin. TSUN is ranked 102nd in the country and OSU is ranked 7th. Many of the turnovers committed by the Wolverines have come in games when their offensive line was over-matched. Now what do you suppose are the chances that the Wolverine line will be outmanned on Saturday?

Perhaps a miracle will occur on Saturday. Perhaps a dozen miracles will occur. But it's not bloody likely that enough miracles will transpire to keep TSUN from getting butchered.

There are still 3 teams that hold out hope that the Buckeyes will stumble so that they can claim a share of the title. That ship will sail in the 1st quarter on Saturday.
​

The Lighter Side

Big Ten Champs!
​

For the fifth straight season, Ohio State fans enjoy the feeling of a Big Ten Championship. This one feels pretty darn good, doesn't it? I mean it took an OT field goal to obtain it and in that, there seemed to be a great deal of emotion in the immediacy of the event. Lost in that excitement is that Ohio State was a bad kick coverage and a Nathan Williams offsides from winning 31-10. As it happens, I'm not sure I would have it would have been better that way. Congrats to the seniors - you've been on top every year you've been here. Congrats to the Buckeyes as a whole.

But.... you're not finished just yet.

Must Win

On paper, there is only one team going in to the annual season finale in the position of having to play a "must win" game. The Wolverines must win in order to become bowl eligible, while the Buckeyes are Pasadena bound regardless of result. But, this is a must win for the Buckeyes too. It always is. This is Michigan.

As one considers this contest beforehand, one is left with the idea that the only factor which might lean in Michigan's favor is the "must win" status of the contest. While Ohio State fans wonder if RichRod "get's it" after last seasons 42-7 shellacking, we can be reasonably sure that he at least understands that it takes 6 wins to go bowling. As a consequence, Ohio State should expect that if the Wolverines have only one great game in them, it will come this weekend. Now, it's not with much confidence that I would suggest a RichRod run team would be up to the task (see, for example, a "must win" over Pitt in 2007 resulting in Dick Vermeil styled wailing from Michigan's head man), but the Buckeyes must prepare as if the Wolverines are the best team of all time, ever. Period.

It's a simple truth, really. You should always expect your opponents' best, even if they look like they're completely over matched. As Ohio State found out earlier this year, even though you should dominate, you can't overlook a team like Purdue. If you do, you're setting yourself up for trouble. But, that's the good news here. What are the chances that a Jim Tressel team will overlook Michigan? I don't care if Michigan had failed to win a game in 20 years and in that span gave up 100 a contest while scoring less than 3 per. Tressel gets it, and there is no way he will allow Ohio State to simply throw their helmets on the field this Saturday. It doesn't matter what has happened going in. When you're at Ohio State, Michigan is a "must win" every year.

Lulled to sleep

Last season before The Game, the Lighter Side posited that it was RichRod's evil genius to drop 8 of his first 11 games. The theory was that RichRod was trying to take Ohio State's edge by performing so poorly going in, the Buckeyes would simply fall asleep on that fateful November day last season. So it is again this season. Don't be fooled. Think it through. Team "wanged helmet" comes out of the gate and races to a 4-0 mark, knowing for sure it will beat dreadful Deleware State. And what do they do next? They drop their next 6 FBS games in a row. Worse, they look pathetic in doing so - getting outplayed by the likes of Illinois along the way. Why? There can only be one reason why.

Rich Rodriguez hates you, and he wants you to hurt. He realizes, of course, that he doesn't have the horses to beat the Buckeyes, so instead he once again tries to lull us to sleep with incompetence. Don't be fooled. As it was last year, there is simply no reason to buy it. Don't let the fact that Ohio State has won 5 in a row over the Wolverines get in the way. Don't let the fact that Tressel is 7-1 in The Game give you particular comfort. Don't let the preview team's discussion about Michigan's defensive struggles give you false confidence. No. Hate them back. Teach this guy that Ohio State fans won't be fooled, that we won't let this rivalry sink to the level Michigan fans allowed when they went 10-2-1 against John Cooper.

No, we don't assume we will win it. We bring our A game. This isn't just some trip to Penn State. This isn't an out of conference game against #2 Texas, or #3 USC. This isn't some game against Iowa for a Big Ten Title and an assured trip to the BCS for the 8th time in the Tressel era. No. This is THE GAME! This is friggin' important! This Game matters. It always have, and it always will.

Don't be fooled. Don't assume. People might joke about how Ohio State fans have an unreasonable focus on Michigan. How Ohio State fans put too much emphasis on beating Michigan and how silly it is to have such fire and bile for a program which is clearly reeling. Let them joke. Let them ask "what's the big deal in beating a program which lost to a bad Toledo team last year and a bad Illinois team this year?"

WE get it. WE know. This is Michigan week. This is THE GAME. Nothing else matters. They need to pay. Must win? Yep. Ohio State isn't in a must win situation because of bowl eligibility. Ohio State isn't in a must win situation because a trip to the Rose Bowl is on the line. Ohio State is in a must win because this is THE GAME!

Muck Fichigan. Muck 'em until they can be mucked no more... and then muck 'em again.

Oh... One last thing.... When it comes to "Magic (not to be confused with dumb luck)" Ohio State already faced Iowa.

Tater, get ready for a beating.

Exhibit A:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm50v7vGVUY"]YouTube- Sam McGuffie hit vs Ohio State[/ame]

O-H!
​

Traditions & Opponent Perspective

• Michigan Stadium. "The Big House." The Stadium's official capacity is 106,201, though football game attendance often exceeds 110,000 when all is said and done. The reason that the number is 106,201? Fritz Crisler, the legendary Michigan coach, has a seat somewhere, which he would never reveal, and his spirit is supposed to be in attendance at every Michigan home game. The largest crowd in stadium history was 112,118 on November 22, 2003 for a game against Ohio State. This is also an all-time NCAA record for people at a football game.
• Michigan's football helmet is a highly recognizable icon in college sports. The famous "winged" design dates back to 1938 when Coach Herbert O. "Fritz" Crisler begin a new era in Michigan football. Even as helmets have evolved over the years, the winged design has remained the pre-eminent symbol of Michigan football.
• Michigan does not have a live mascot comparable to Ohio's Brutus Buckeye. The Athletic Department has steadfastly maintained that such a symbol is unnecessary and undignified and would not properly reflect the spirit and values of Michigan athletics.
• As early as 1861, the students and alumni began referring to themselves as "Wolverines." How the ferocious animal came be associated with the state and adopted as the university mascot remains a bit of a mystery, but there are several theories. You may explore the different theories by clicking on the link:

• 
  Bentley Historical Library New Website
  [*]In November 1896, the University of Michigan Band held its first rehearsal. The U-M Band gave its first public performance in 1897 at old University Hall for the Law School's annual observance of Washington's birthday. The first appearance on a football field was in the fall of 1898. At the Michigan-Ohio State University football game in 1932, the University of Michigan Band created the first "script Ohio" -- predating a similar formation now made famous by the OSU Band.
  [*]The University of Michigan's fight song is The Victors, and it was written by student Louis Elbel in 1898 following the last-minute football victory over the University of Chicago that clinched a league championship. The song was declared by John Philip Sousa as "the greatest college fight song ever written." The song refers to the university as being the "Champions of the West". At the time, UM was part of the "Western Conference", which would later become the Big Ten Conference. During his Presidency of the United States , UM alumnus Gerald R. Ford was known to sometimes have "The Victors" played at various state and presidential functions in place of the traditional "Hail to the Chief".
  [*]During half-time shows the band creates the Block M on the field.
• Women were admitted in the Marching Band for the first time in 1927.
• During the pre-game show the band plays the opponent school's fight song in addition to their own.
  [*]When the football players enter the stadium on game day they each slap the banner.
  [*]Trophy games:
  
  • Michigan plays Minnesota for the Little Brown Jug. Michigan's record in games played for the Jug, which dates to 1909, is 66-22-2. The Wolverines currently hold the trophy having won the 2008 contest.
  
  
  • Michigan competes against Michigan State for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, which was introduced in 1953. Michigan's record in games played for the trophy is 34-22-2. Prior to losses the past two years, the Wolverines had won the last six meetings.
  
  [*]The cow bell. Usually a couple fans have cow bells and play a little tune on it and at the end everyone yells "Go Blue".
  [*]"Ohio State/Michigan Week" has grown beyond the football game to include the annual blood battle, which benefits the Red Cross, food collection for food banks, and spirit events such as banner contests. OSU and UM have turned the rivalry into an event that helps people across school lines.

The Rivalry

​

• In honor of the 100th meeting between the schools in 2003, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives proposed a resolution to recognize Michigan and Ohio State as the greatest rivalry in sports history.
• The Ohio State/Michigan game has always been important, but it was not always the last game of Ohio State's season. This practice began in 1935 and, except for one year, the tradition has continued.
• The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan can be traced back to a feud between their respective states which began in 1835. The state of Ohio and the Michigan Territory fought a bloodless conflict with one another in a border dispute known as the Toledo War. Some have proposed that the college football rivalry is a modern manifestation of this historical tension.
• The inaugural meeting between Ohio State and Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1897 was a blowout victory for the Wolverines, who posted a shutout 34-0 over the Buckeyes.
• Only three times in history has the matchup pitted the two against each other with perfect records on the last game of the regular season. The 2006 contest in the 'Shoe was the only time that the teams played each other as the top two teams in the polls; TSUN was #2, the Buckeyes held onto #1 after the 42-39 victory. In 1970 OSU (8-0) and Michigan (9-0) met in Columbus, with the Buckeyes winning 20-9. Ohio State went on to lose to Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Then in 1973 OSU (9-0) traveled to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan (10-0), and the game ended in a 10-10 tie. Controversially, Ohio State was selected as the Big Ten's candidate to travel to the Rose Bowl, where they defeated USC. Three other times (1902, 1906, 1933) the two teams met each other with perfect records in early season matchups.
• Since 1935, "The Game" has directly affected the Big Ten Conference championship on 22 different occasions.
• Michigan's longest winning streak in the rivalry is nine games, from 1901-1909. Michigan also went without a loss in the first 15 games (13 wins and 2 ties). Ohio State's longest winning streak is the current five game streak.
• Michigan's largest victory margin was in 1902, when it won 86-0. Ohio State's largest victory margin was in 1935, when it posted a 38-0 shutout. OSU's highest point total in a game was 50, which occurred in 1961 and 1968.
• Michigan has been shut out in 11 games in the rivalry. Ohio State has been shut out 26 times. The second meeting between the schools resulted in a 0-0 tie.
• Between 1933 and 1940, the losing team was shut out every year. The teams split the meetings 4-4, with a combined winning-losing score of 206-0.
• The 1950 contest, colloquially known as the "Snow Bowl," is perhaps the most famous game in the rivalry. Eighth-ranked Ohio State was scheduled to host the game on in Columbus amidst one of the worst blizzards on Ohio record. The Buckeyes, who led the Big Ten, were granted the option to cancel the game against Michigan, which would have, by default, given the Buckeyes the Big Ten title outright and won them a trip to the Rose Bowl. Ohio State refused, and amid howling snow and wind, in what was probably the most literal example of a "field position" game, the teams exchanged 45 punts, often on first down, in hopes that the other team would fumble the ball near or into their own end zone. Despite not obtaining a single first down, Michigan capitalized on two blocked punts, recovering one in the end zone for a touchdown and booting another one out of bounds for a safety. Michigan shocked the freezing Columbus faithful with a 9-3 victory, securing the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth. Heavy criticism of Coach Fesler's play calling led to his resignation and the hiring of Woody Hayes as his successor.
• The 1969 loss to Michigan initiated the legendary "The Ten Year War" between Hayes and Schembechler. Both teams used the game as motivation for entire seasons and after the initial win by Michigan, played dead even at four wins and a tie apiece. Hayes, aided immeasurably by the presence of two-time Heisman recipient Archie Griffin, had the upper hand during the first part of the war, in which Ohio State won the conference championship and went to the Rose Bowl four straight years, while Michigan won the final three. It was also an era in which through television Ohio State football again came to the forefront of national attention. During the "Ten-Year War" Ohio State and Michigan shared the Big Ten title six times. The "War" ended in 1978 when Schembechler won his final game against his mentor, 14-3, giving him a record of 5-4-1 against Hayes.
• The teams have evenly split the last eighty-two meetings (from 1927 to 2008), with 39 wins apiece and four ties.
• "Carmen Ohio" was written on the train ride home to Columbus following the 1902 contest, which saw Ohio State losing to Michigan 86-0. The lyrics and melody have remained largely unchanged since its conception.
• Although both football teams play in games for traveling trophies, there is no trophy for the Michigan-Ohio State game. However, if the Buckeyes win, each team member receives a pair of "Gold Pants," a small golden charm of football pants worn by football players on necklaces.
• The OSU campus seems to be more active for Rivalry Week than the U of M campus. However, the two schools hold a blood drive every year from November 1 until the day of the game on their respective campuses. Both teams take the "Blood Battle" seriously. This annual event is a competition between the two chapters to see who can collect the most blood. It benefits the Red Cross and is hosted by the Alpha Phi Omega fraternities at both schools. There is also a contest to see which campus can sign up the most tissue and organ donors in the Buckeye Wolverine Challenge for Life.
• For the eighth year, the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) of both schools will hold a Rivalry Run for Cancer. Fiji/Pike Rivalry Run Against Cancer for more information and donations.

​

Historical Data

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) Founded in 1817

Football 1st Season: 1887
Stadium: Michigan Stadium "The Big House"
Constructed: 1927
Seating Capacity: 106,201
Playing Surface: Field Turf
Conference: Big Ten Conference since 1896 (Charter Member), 1879 to 1895 and 1907 to 1916 Independent
Colors: Maize & Blue
Mascots: None
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 42 Big Ten Titles: 1898, 1901*, 1902, 1903*, 1904*, 1906*, 1918*, 1922*, 1923*, 1925, 1926*, 1930*, 1931*, 1932, 1933, 1943*, 1947, 1948, 1949*, 1950, 1964, 1969*, 1971, 1972*, 1973*, 1974*, 1976*, 1977*, 1978*, 1980, 1982, 1986*, 1988, 1989, 1990*, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998*, 2000*, 2003*, 2004* (*=Co-Champions)
Consensus All-Americans: 77 (65 different players as of 2008)
College Hall-of-Famers: 34
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 8 (George Allen*, Dan Dierdorf, Len Ford*, Benny Friedman, Bill Hewitt, Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch*, Tom Mack, Ralph Wilson) *Attended more than 1 college
Award Winners: 4 AFCA COY, 1 Eddie Robinson COY, 2 Bobby Dodd COY, 2 George Munger COY, 2 Paul 'Bear' Bryant COY, 2 Walter Camp POY, 1 Biletnikoff, 1 Rimington, 1 Bronko Nagurski, 1 Butkus, 1 Chuck Bednarik, 3 Heisman, 2 Maxwell, 1 Sammy Baugh, 1 Thorpe, 1 Doak Walker, 1 Lombardi, 1 Ted Hendricks
National Championships: 7 Recognized Championships (1901, 1902, 1923, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997)
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-55 years, Coaches-43 years

Records
​

All Time: 877-303-38 (.736)
Bowl Games: 19-20-0 (.487) Most recently a 41-35 win over Florida in the 2008 Capital One Bowl.
All Time vs the BigTen: 503-186-23 (.723)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 57-42-6 (.571) Most recently a 42-7 loss to the Buckeyes in Columbus in 2008.
Coach's Record: Rich Rodriguez, 2nd Season, 8-15-0 (.348), Overall 111-69-2 (.610)

2009 Season: 5-6-0 (.455)
Sep 05 - W vs Western Michigan, 31-7
Sep 12 - W vs Notre Dame, 38-34
Sep 19 - W vs Eastern Michigan, 45-17
Sep 26 - W vs Indiana, 36-33
Oct 03 - L at Michigan State, 20-26
Oct 10 - L at Iowa, 28-30
Oct 17 - W vs Delaware State, 63-6
Oct 24 - L vs Penn State, 10-35
Oct 31 - L at Illinois, 13-38
Nov 07 - L vs Purdue, 36-38
Nov 14 - L at Wisconsin, 24-45
Nov 21 - vs Ohio State, Noon

2008 Schedule: 3-9 (.250)
Aug 30 - L vs Utah, 23-25
Sep 06 - W vs Miami (Ohio), 16-6
Sep 13 - L at Notre Dame, 17-35
Sep 27 - W vs Wisconsin, 27-25
Oct 04 - L vs Illinois, 20-45
Oct 11 - L vs. Toledo, 10-13
Oct 18 - L at Penn State, 17-46
Oct 25 - L vs Michigan State, 21-35
Nov 01 - L at Purdue, 42-48
Nov 08 - W at Minnesota, 29-6
Nov 15 - L vs Northwestern, 14-21
Nov 22 - L at Ohio State, 7-42
​

Links

Official Sites:
​

Official School Site- University of Michigan
​

Student Newspaper - Michigan Daily
Athletics and Recreation - University of Michigan
Alumni Association - UM Alumni
Official Athletics Site - M Go Blue
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Go Blue Wolverine (Scout)
Message Boards - The Wolverine (Rivals)
Message Boards - Michigan Football (MLive.com)
Message Boards - Michigan Wolverines (Sports-Boards)Message Boards - Winged Helmet (Independent)

Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports (Sporting News)
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - Covers
Blog - iBlog For Cookies
Blog - M Go Blog
Blog - MoTown Sports Revival
Blog - Blue Cats and Red Sox
Blog - The Blog That Yost Built
Blog - Westside Rider
Blog - Ronald Bellamy's Underachieving All Stars
Blog - Schembechler Hall
Blog - The Diag (MLive)
Blog - Maize N Brew
Blog - Michigan Sports Center
Blog - Michigan Against the World
Blog - Michigan Football Saturdays
Blog - UM Tailgate
Blog - Michigan Fanhouse (AOL)
Blog - MVictors.com
Blog - The Hoover Street Rag
Blog - Yet Another Michigan Sports Blog
Blog - Ace of Sports
Blog - Quo Vadimus
Blog - StadiumDrives
Blog - Genuinely Sarcastic
Blog - Mike DeSimone's Michigan Football Page
Blog - Michigan Superfan
Blog - Maize and Blog
Blog - WolverinePedia

Local News Sources:
Detroit News - Local News
Detroit Free Press - Local News
MLive - Local News
MLive - Ann Arbor News - Local News
Oakland Press - Local News
Toledo Blade - Local News

B10 Conference Previews and Breakdowns:
2009 BigTen Prospectus (PDF) - BigTen
2009 Michigan Preview - BigTen
2009 BigTen Media Guide - BigTen
2009 Michigan Schedule and Results - MGoBlue
2009 Michigan Roster - MGoBlue
2009 CFN Big Ten Preview - CFN
2009 CFN Preseason All-Big Ten Team - CFN
2009 CFN B10 Schedules & Predictions - CFN
2009 CFN B10 Team Capsules - CFN
2009 CFN B10 Unit Rankings - CFN]
2008 CFN B10 Season WrapUp - CFN
2009 BigTen Football Preview - CollegeSports-Fans
2009 BigTen Football Preview - College Football Poll
2009 BigTen Football Preview - MSNBC[/center]

Travel Information:
Michigan Stadium Project - MGoBlue
Premium Seating - MGoBlue
2009 Construction Impact on Game Day - MGoBlue
Stadium Information and Seating Chart - MGoBlue
Information for Guests with a Disability - MGoBlue
Traffic and Parking Information - MGoBlue
2009 Traffic and Parking Update - MGoBlue
Handicapped Shuttle Service - MGoBlue
Prohibited Items at Michigan Stadium - MGoBlue
Michigan Stadium Recycling Program - MGoBlue

Preseason Rankings and Watch Lists

Unranked in AP and Coaches Preseason Polls

Bednarik - Brandon Graham
Butkus - Obi Ezi
Doak Walker - Brandon Minor
Hendricks - Brandon Graham
Lott Impact - Brandon Graham
Maxwell POY - Brandon Minor
Nagurski - Brandon Graham
Ray Guy - Zoltan Mesko
Rimington - David Molk

​

Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data

Link to 2009 Michigan Wolverines Game Preview​

 

[muffler dragon]

Once again, great work by all. However, this Ryan Williams keeps popping up. :tongue2:

Big Ten Champs!
​

For the fifth straight season, Ohio State fans enjoy the feeling of a Big Ten Championship. This one feels pretty darn good, doesn't it? I mean it took an OT field goal to obtain it and in that, there seemed to be a great deal of emotion in the immediacy of the event. Lost in that excitement is that Ohio State was a bad kick coverage and a Ryan Williams offsides from winning 31-10. As it happens, I'm not sure I would have it would have been better that way. Congrats to the seniors - you've been on top every year you've been here. Congrats to the Buckeyes as a whole.

​

Ryan => Nate (Take 2)
​

 

[Oh8ch]

Ryan < Nate (Take 2)

fify

 

[Redhawk]

Wins and losses are split evenly going all the way back to 1927 (39-39-4). TSUN's advantage in the series is now based entirely on games played before anyone under the age of 82 was alive.

I believe a win next year would take it back through 1919.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

I believe a win next year would take it back through 1919.

QFT

A win in the Horseshoe next year makes the record 44-44-4 going back to 1919.

1919 was the year of Ohio State's 1st win over TSUN (Thank You Chic Harley). A win next year fully erases any difference between the teams since the streak that began the series. While the early years are not irrelevant, they are not exactly something on which to base one's mainze&blue self-esteem... especially when the present is total S&G domination.

 

[Redhawk]

QFT

A win in the Horseshoe next year makes the record 44-44-4 going back to 1919.

1919 was the year of Ohio State's 1st win over TSUN (Thank You Chic Harley). A win next year fully erases any difference between the teams since the streak that began the series. While the early years are not irrelevant, they are not exactly something on which to base one's mainze&blue self-esteem... especially when the present is total S&G domination.

We would need to win the next 2 games to even it up through 1918, the first game between the two schools as co-members of the Big Ten.

 

[ScriptOhio]

2009 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #14 class - 2-5*, 7-4*, 11-3*, 2-2* - 3.41* average
Rivals.com - #8 class - 1-5*, 12-4*, 7-3*, 2-2* - 3.55* average

2008 Recruting Class
Scout.com - #6 class - 1-5*, 14-4*, 8-3*, 2-2* - 3.56* average
Rivals.com - #10 class - 0-5*, 17-4*, 6-3*, 2-2* - 3.60* average

2007 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #10 class - 2-5*, 12-4*, 4-3*, 2-2* - 3.70* average
Rivals.com - #12 class - 2-5*, 5-4*, 12-3*, 1-2* - 3.40* average

2006 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #9 class - 5-5*, 5-4*, 7-3*, 3-2* - 3.60* average
Rivals.com - #13 class - 2-5*, 10-4*, 7-3*, 1-2* - 3.65* average

2005 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #2 class - 2-5*, 11-4*, 9-3*, 1-2* - 3.61* average
Rivals.com - #6 class - 1-5*, 11-4*, 10-3*, 1-2* - 3.52* average


How you know that there are serious problems within the football program: When you put together sucessive recruting classes like that and your team finishes the last wo years 3-9 (2-6 Big Ten) and 5-7 (1-7 Big Ten). Quite frankly the "cupboard should not have been that bare".

However: Like is really good isn't it?

:osu: