Okay Clark, I put this in my plays thread for sept 2..but will copy over..
Michigan Vs Vanderbilt Okay, lets get a lil Meeeechigan talk into the thread. Hell, it should dominate the thread(lol).
What pisses me off about Michigan off and on since Nattie Championship of 1997?
-Off and on poor coaching
-Kickers at times
-Lack of speed
-Conservative
Well, its a new fall(again) in Ann Arbor and its time to see if UM really is a changed team. I believe they are and i think they and Michigan State will suprise and place 2 outta top 3 in the conference(that being 1 and 3).
Here's what I like about Michigan offense a lot this year:
-Chad Henne took a lot of blame last year but to me it was more of a sophomore slump and high expectations than anything. This kid is a damn good QB. He had Braylon in year one to help him along and he learned last year to use other weapons as well
-The running backs are as deep as any in the country. Mike Hart, if healthy, is a beast. Sophomore Kevin Grady is a super talent who matured with some important carries in big games last year. The X-factor is Carlos Brown. He brings that dimension that we need. SPEED. He, unlike the first two, can break huge plays. If Carr uses Hart wisely and mixes in Grady/Brown the Wolves will have a lethal trio IMO. Jerome Jackson isn't too bad himself.
-Stevie Breaston. IF, and this is a big if, he can stay healthy, he will have a dynamite year. I think he has the potential for a mini-Desomd Howard year. Encompassing returns, runs and catches into huge plays. Ask Texas and Nebraska how scary this guy is. He had unreal bowls against both.
-Manningham, Arrington and the TE's provide very good threats as well.
This group is gonna be very good IMO. The x-factor here is Mike Debord is back as OC(he was here 97-99..pretty good run around here). I think the offense opens up a bit more. Its the hope at least. If not, Uncle Llyod may be a goner even though his pre-season press release contradicts that.
Why I like the Michigan Defense this season:
-Eight starters back
-PPG improved from 24 to 20 from '04 to '05
-The defensive backfield should be very good
-A bit more speed, need this to counterattack a certain QB in Columbus.
-New coordinater Ron English has the defensive players attacking more.
The defense had to improve. Speedy QB's are killing them and frankly UM was behind the times as far as recruiting speed. If you don't have a lot of speed, then the system must differ somewhat. English brings that. I think you will see a more old style UM defense this year. That being, one that can win games
My Vanderbilt-UM prediction
First of all, Vandy is gonna struggle this season. Thats obvious. Me and Hunt would like to thank the Dores for the money they made us early last season. This game will be over early and the final score will be the only interest after halftime.
A typical UM game in OOC schedule is a strong start and a non-cover late against shit schools it seems. Last year, Northern Illy got the backdoor late(pags..you member).
I see this UM team flying out of the gate on Sept 2. They will score early and often and field position will lead to some short drives. I expect them to be up by a score of about 31-3 at halftime. Typically, Carr likes to go easy in a second half. Thats why I do not chalk it up with UM against patsie's. Lets say UM 41-16 final(lol)
The play
Michigan 1st Half -13.5 -110
1 unit
