Tate Forcier Will Start, and 10 Other Things I'm Fairly Certain of for 2010

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By the clock it's gameday eve, and I've just returned from dollar beer nights at Packard Pub, Ann Arbor's newest watering hole.  Slightly faded, but still fired up for what I am hoping will be a great weekend.  Anyway, I've got some thoughts on the season I thought I'd share with you, in no particular order, and without any grammar checking....

1)  Tate Forcier will start Saturday.

For now, this position is about experience.  There's a place for Denard and Devin in this offense.  Both will certainly play.  As the season goes on, depending on our level of success, Denard may start, but Saturday's first series's belong to Tate....until he transfers that is.

2)  The defense will be better than last year

That isn't necessarily saying that the defense itself is going to be better, but by virtue of the offense being improved i.e. less 3 and outs, less turnovers, etc., the defense, at least on paper and on the scoreboard, will be better.

3)  Michigan will rank in the top 10 in the nation in scoring offense

And they're going to need to.

4)  Michigan will beat Michigan State or Ohio State...or both.

Win or lose, I expect us to be competitive in both of these contests.

5)  Michigan will start the season 6-0.

Big East bullshit, Brian Kelly's initial offering, FCS, BGSU, @ the Hoosiers, Little Brother

All no problem.  See you at homecoming, Hawkeyes.

6)  The leading rusher on the team will be Michael Shaw

Anybody else want to relay the "inside information" that Vinny Smith is still limping to me?  I think my mom called to tell me about it this afternoon.  I mean, everybody still says he's gonna play.  He's probably gonna play.  I just think the newly eligible Shaw is gonna play better.

7)  People are going to sneak booze into those suites.

Rules be damned.  If I just dropped a quarter of a million on three years of football games, your gonna have to have a gun....a big gun...to stop me from rolling in with a couple bottles of Belvedere.

8 )  Rich Rodriguez will receive a contract extension after the Wisconsin game, going into Ohio State week.

As I've stated before, they're no going to have him in limbo...that's bad for recruiting.  They'll tack a year or two on to his current deal, right before OSU...because timing is everything

9)  Michigan will play in the Alamo Bowl

See you in San Antonio.

10)  Brock Mealer will walk to the 50 yard line and touch the GO BLUE banner.

And you will choke back tears.

There's a game tomorrow.

GO BLUE!

Add we will bring the "Big Sticks"

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Mr. Robinson's Michigan Defense 2009
Now that "we" have spoken, and are rallying behind our coach and for our team, it becomes obvious that we must "All be in for Michigan". As much as we might wish and hope, a new tailgate location and our rally cries will not be enough. As we inch closer to the first the first battle here are a few of the fellas that will be backing up the Webmasters spirit with some old fashioned "wood layin". Without further ado, your Game #1 Defensive Primer.

# 55, Senior, Brandon Graham DE

BG returns to anchor the squad from the DE position and will be moved around the field and given opportunities to play upright in one of variety of cleverly named spots in a "hybridish" style. The move by new D.C. Greg Robinson will allow Graham to contribute all over the field as opposed to mainly behind the LOS. Look for Graham to lead the team onto the field and escort the opponents off the field with hard hits while he adds to his 19 career sacks while raising is NFL stock as well. The Detroit Crockett Rocket will build upon his UM legacy by improving on his 2nd team All Big Ten and Bo Schembechler Team MVP performance of 2008. Although he is not the "Spinner" I dream of at 6'2/265, he should have quarterbacks Tim Hiller and Jimmy Clausen's heads' spinning.

# 45, RS Junior, Obi Ezeh LB 

Obi is coming off a quality '08 campaign where he was named All Big Ten HM. For the past two seasons Ezeh has led the team in tackles and will most likely make that streak 3 seasons while anchoring the Wolverines at the MLB position. Obi has been given the distinguished honor of being put on the 2009 Butkus Award watch list and will definitely be a centerpiece to what is shaping up to be one of the best defenses in the Big Ten this season. Look for some increased leadership as opposing running backs will realize that the mouth guard and facemask were necessary in maintaining their facial anatomy when they run into or across the middle against UM and Obi in 2009.

# 3, Senior, Stevie Brown LB

Stevie B. has been one of the most talked about defenders during the offseason as he is making the move from Safety to the Linebacker or second "hybrid" slot under G. Rob. His propensity for huge hits should only increase as he is asked to support the run earlier in the action as well as drop into coverage. With a lack of depth at the LB position and two lock down corners this could prove to be a wise move schematically. I anticipate a big year from #3 in both tackles and interceptions, you should too.

# 68, Sophomore, Mike Martin DT

With the departure of one of UMTailgates favorite players in TT, (until this week that is), we will witness the emergence of MM. Mike Martin already showed moments of brilliance last season as a true freshmen and looks to establish himself as the leagues premiere nose tackle/D-linemen. The Four Star recruit from Detroit Catholic Central seems to be a guy that is going to play at one speed all the time and that is what we will need for success with our thin numbers on the D-Line. So get ready for the Double M chants. (Maybe M squared?)

# 6, Junior, Donovan Warren CB

Donny is a NFL to be cornerback and if you think he 'fell off ' a bit last year, it was undoubtedly due to him being injured. Donovan will re-emerge to eliminate an entire 1/2 of the field and make life alot easier and enjoyable for the aforementioned defenders.  So if its halftime and your saying, where has #6 been?  Thats a good thing!  If some jack-in-the-box QB, ie. Hiller and Clausen to begin with, try to throw at him, we probably will have the ball back.

So there is your quick primer on returning stars the entire depth chart via the Michigan Daily is here

Others to watch for:

#33, Sophomore, Boubacar Cissoko CB:  Should be bang or bust playing opposite a healthy Warren, I vote BANG

#58, RS Sophomore, Brandon Herron LB:  Will he emerge or will true freshmen C. Roh steal time here?  Big ?

#8, RS Junior, Jonas Mouton LB:  Similar situation as Herron, need at least one of two to be real solid

The Sons of Stars:

#29, Junior, Troy Woolfolk S:  Dad was UM All American, can he step in to fill void at safety?

#31, RS Sophomore, Jared Van Slyke S:  Dad was All-Star for Cards and Pirates, son needs to be big hitter w/o bat.

The True Freshmen

#88 Craig Roh OLB:  Pushing for starting spot, projects to be good, real good.

#73 Will Campbell DL:  "Chunky Soup" needs to get refitted to ass whooping shape, will get there eventually!


Well there is our first look at the Defense that will start us towards a championship, whether it is a National Championship, Big Ten Championship, State Championship or County Championship is the big question.  Health and rest by a more productive O will determine this groups legacy!  The talent is there, I expect an OUTSTANDING year from the Wing Tipped Defenders!  Its almost Saturday, Lets Go BLUE!

Weekend Roundup: Pissed Edition

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​A 24-hour roller coaster, that's what I've been on.  You probably had a nice Sunday.  Probably watched the Tigers beat the Rays and enjoyed the cool fall-preview weather.  Me?  I surfed the internet, because, well, that's what I do best.  Scouring the ends of cyberspace, I took in the good and the bad.  I went from worried to indifferent to vindicated to pissed off.  What was said and what wasn't is compounded by interpretation of voluntary or involuntary, and in the end, it all looks like complete bullshit.  Bullshit that conveniently came out 6 days before kickoff.  I'm not naive about the feelings of the college football nation with regards to our program.  I just never felt the hate like I did today  They smell blood folks.  They hated where we were under Bo, Mo, and Lloyd, and they hate where we might be going with Rich Rodriguez.  Michigan bought a coach.  We purchased our very own Urban Meyer for $4 million.  We knew what it was going to cost.  We knew what we were doing.  And that is what has everybody so scared.  We're attempting to make the next step...to continue our dominance.  That is why everybody wants us to fail.

The internets, the internets, the damn internets...

The General Says: Calm Yourself Down

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Using a technique learned via the greatest hoop coach of all time, I did some research of my own. I called some current and former writers at the Detroit Free Press. You will be surprised at what I found out:

Several different writers and editors not wishing to be named, stated that about "85 percent of the male sportswriters and staff are having extramarital affairs with sheep"

Also as far as the quality of material offered by the Free Press I give you another one from RMK:

All of us learn to write in the second grade. Most of us go on to greater things.

Fire up for game week folks !!!

Get Your Calendar Out: Tailgate Themes 2009

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September 5th, Western Michigan, 3:30PM, Boats and Ho's and The Catalina Wine Mixer

  • Are you ready to snap some necks and cash some checks?  Good.  This is the place to do it.  This nautically themed tailgate will christen our new spot.  We recommend donning sailor gear, and it couldn't be more appropriate as Ohio State takes on Navy that day.  Food will be somewhat seafood based, with a lot of appetizers and finger foods...like at a wine mixer...get it?  And wine.  Somebody should bring some wine.  It would also be advantageous to watch the movie Step Brothers before you come.

September 12th, Notre Dame, 3:30PM, 

The Luau
  • The Luau is a theme favorite that sat out a season due to some issues with the Mountaineers  Leis, pineapples, fruity drinks, Hawaiian shirts, and all the pig you can eat.

September 19th, Eastern Michigan, Noon, 

Far-Eastern
  • Our foreign exchange tailgater and official tailgate mascot will feel right at home for this Asian themed tailgate.  Egg rolls, fried rice, stir fry and the like will be on the menu.  And somebody should get some of those Chinese lanterns to hang all over the tents.

September 25th, Indiana, Noon, 

Mardi Gras
  • Wow, a tough month of tailgating ends with a bang as the Mardi Gras theme adorns Michigan's Homecoming.  I'm expecting beads, boobs, and cajun catfish.

October 17th, Delaware State, TBD, 

The Urban
  • Soul food, rap, 40-ounce beers, and the worst game we've ever scheduled.

October 24th, Penn State, TBD, 

Old School
  • Bring your high school yearbook for this impromptu reunion.  Wear clothes from your high school era, and expect banquet hall style fare.

November 7th, Purdue, TBD, 

The Lumberjack
  • I dream of this being an unlikely 3:30pm November kick because it's got all day cooking written all over it.  Likely fried turkeys at this one if time allows.  Otherwise, remember to wear your overalls.

November 21st, Ohio State, TBD, 

Soups, Stews and Chili
  • Nothing like a hot bucket of soup on a cold fall day.  I'd tell you what to wear, but you will probably have a heavy coat on over it, so it won't matter.