It's science. Raj has a set of dials you could run a nuclear powerplant on: click for big A Sopwith update. Sopwith has privately shared the source of his information with us and has been spot-on so far, so here's the update if you aren't an obsessive message-boarder: 1. "Follow the Money" won't lead anywhere. The money indeed came from Stalions' personal funds. Stop biting your fingernails off. 2. No coaches/staff knew anything other than he appeared to be a Ray Babbitt-level savant at deciphering signals from the normal raw materials. This isn't escalating. 3. Only the Vast Network (TM) had the shared Google drive pw, but the drive link was installed on his work computer. Not clear if anyone in Schembechler could potentially have accessed but WaPo took this and spun it in the most click-maximizing, heartburn-inducing way. As I said in response to the Post article, it simply did not seem possible that Stalions would be physically able to give anyone from the outside access to an internal Michigan drive that other coaches regularly used. That is not how IT works in large organizations. If the above is true—and it should be according to Occam's Razor—it is likely that Stalions successfully quarantined his illicit data from the rest of the organization. Probably by accident. Now we have to hope that Stalions didn't have a post-it note on his desk that read "PASSWORD FOR GOOGLE DRIVE I SET UP FOR VAST NETWORK OF OFF-CAMPUS SPIES: 12345." I got that 60-40 in favor of the good guys. [After THE JUMP: Jim Stapleton speaks, unwisely]
Indiana Links: Preview, The Podcast, FFFF Offense (chart), FFFF Defense (chart). Something's been missing from Michigan gamedays since the free programs ceased being economically viable: scientific gameday predictions that are not at all preordained by the strictures of a column in which one writer takes a positive tack and the other a negative one… something like Punt-Counterpunt. PUNT By Bryan MacKenzie@Bry_Mac There has been a lot of confusion, consternation, amusement, and anger over the last 48 hours. I know many of you want answers. And in that light, I have a confession to make. It was me. I did it. All of it. Since 2013, I have been taking careful, detailed notes about Michigan’s opponents. Scouting them. Analyzing them for strengths. Probing them for weaknesses. And for a decade, I’ve been documenting my findings in this highly secure database. It was my understanding that this information was ONLY available to Michigan’s coaching staff. However, it has come to my attention that apparently, through some sort of technical glitch, that information has been, UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, publicly available this entire time, to the point where people were openly discussing it. So now, with my cover blown, I can now reveal myself to the world. It is I. I am Sparticus. [After THE JUMP: MSU's signs.]
Full Album Links: Michigan Football vs Rutgers 2023 (Patrick Barron) Michigan Football vs Rutgers 2023 (Bryan Fuller) So Jim Harbaugh's back. Have you seen this? Have you heard of this? Would've been cooler if they wrote this on their backs [Bryan Fuller]I mean not just the corporeal form of Jim Harbaugh. He'll tell you he never really left. He was at practice with the team these last four weeks, available for interviews, etc. Maybe he didn't even need to be there. When your friend in the office says they could've coached Michigan to 3-0 to start this season, they were probably right. But the ship's captain is back. "Jim's Back" isn't just a physical manifestation, it's a vibe. A chaotic, hard-working, dorky, vibe that sums up where this program is at. You know what I'm talking about. He may not be as loud as his 2015 self, the one that wanted to suit up or at least meet the opposing coach in open-field combat if both parties agreed to it. 2015 was eight years ago, but let's compare his first two years to now. 2016 vs 2023 [Patrick Barron]Aside from maybe some Touch Of Gray Just For Men, not much has changed. And that fire he felt whenever the universe had wronged him and his team, well 2016 vs 2023 [Patrick Barron]Maybe the fire is still there, it's just controlled now. 2016 Jim had a dedicated cord guy to keep up with him during one of these moments. As a result of certain games, his game day play cards would be specifically clipped to him so that they wouldn't fly off in the direction of a referee or field of play. You could argue that this behavior cost some big moments, I would argue that this behavior was why they were there in the first place. The Jim that has always been proud of his QB any time they made a great play is back. 2015 vs 2023 [Patrick Barron]When we say "Jim's back", it's not just his presence on the sidelines. It's the soul of the program that he dug up and sprung new life to. You see it reflected in the players, good and bad. Resting Mich[igan] face [Patrick Barron]Blake Corum called Jim a difference maker and that his presence means a lot to them. And why should that be hard to believe? You can see it in JJ. You could see it in the players after last year's Ohio State game. You could see it yesterday. Jim's back. About the Photographers If you'd like to support us, one of the simplest things you can do is follow us on social media (links just below) where we post way more photos than here. In the offseason I also do a LOT of wildlife/national park photography. While we're not allowed to sell any of our sports photos per our credential agreement (sorry to anyone who reached out asking about one), I sell prints from my adventures which I sell on FineArtAmerica. You can buy prints (or just look at some pretty pictures) here: Patrick Barron Art Collections Or if you'd like, you can simply support me by buying me a coffee! Social Media Accounts: Patrick Barron: Twitter: @BlueBarronPhoto Instagram: @BlueBarronPhoto Instagram (BUT WITH BEARS): @BlueBarronPhoto_Wild Bryan Fuller Twitter: @FullOfTwitt Instagram: @BryanFullerPhotography [I do an 'art' after THE JUMP]
Team Maize defeated Team Blue down at the Big House today in Michigan Football's 2022 Spring Game by a final score of 22-21, winning on a two-point conversion and an ultimate fourth down defensive stand. The weather was cold and chilly and Michigan was without the likes of stars Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, but a number of young players and new additions made themselves felt in the narrative of the game. What does it ultimately mean? Probably very little! Do I still have takes on it? Of course! Here's a short collection of instant takes, before Seth and Brian comb through the tape this week: [Bryan Fuller] OFFENSE Peyton O'Leary IS Cooper Kupp. By the time O'Leary snatched the game-winning two point pass, he was already becoming the player of the game, but his closing heroics for Team Maize cemented it. O'Leary was catching balls from both JJ McCarthy and Davis Warren, finding ways to get himself open all game long, including when (often) matched up on Amorion Walker, recipient of so much spring praise. O'Leary was the most notable receiver on the field and the most notable player in the game's narrative arc, so he gets our imaginary MVP award for today. Run, Jack, Run!! Maybe the most notable element of transfer QB Jack Tuttle's game that stood out today was the willingness and inclination to run the ball. The newcomer from Indiana by way of Utah got the start for Team Blue and from the very first play of the game, Tuttle was comfortable running with it. That play was designed to give him the chance to keep it, but he was also scrambling while on the run quite often too, and looked plausible at doing it. He had a couple nice throws (one to AJ Barner down the seam) and one ugly decision (a backfoot heave under pressure that was INT'd), but for me it was the mobility that I was intrigued by the most. Benjamin Hall's hello. Hall, a burly RB out of Georgia, was perhaps the most controversial recruit in the 2023 class, an early take by Mike Hart with low recruiting rankings who slipped down his HS depth chart during the course of his senior season. Was Hart stupid to take Hall, or had Michigan found a diamond in the rough? The answer varied depending on who you talked to and it will be years before we know the real answer, but at least for today, Mike Hart has to be pleased with what he saw. Hall looked like possibly the best back on the field today, a game that did include older RBs Tavierre Dunlap and Kalel Mullings, picking up what the OL was giving him and accelerating in the open field for a near-long TD (he punched it in from the goal line two snaps later). There probably won't be too many non-Corum/Edwards snaps this season and it's a crowded depth chart of players vying for what remains, but Hall made a loud opening statement today. Interior OL plowing. I thought the group of Raheem Anderson, Gio El-Hadi, and Karsen Barnhart were excellent opening up rushing room for Kalel Mullings and Hall for Team Blue. It's hard to tell live who they were going up against (that's where a rewatch will be most useful), but they were opening holes with decent frequency. I didn't notice the IOL on Team Maize as much but for the decently experienced maulers on Team Blue, it was a good showing. I liked Anderson in particular on first watch, but again, that's subject to change upon further review. Your regularly scheduled JJ update. I know everyone who didn't see the game mostly wants to hear about JJ McCarthy so I will indulge you, even if it's not terribly interesting. JJ was wearing a white jersey, which seemed to indicate he may play QB for both teams, like Cade McNamara did last year, but he ended up playing only for Team Maize. JJ looked fine, comfortable throwing on the move and mostly like the player we've seen before.. He overthrew a receiver, leading to an interception, but his day ended on a sweet TD pass to Jake Thaw at the end of the first half. Not much else to say. [Bryan Fuller] DEFENSE CB2 candidates flash traits but not completeness. The various candidates for the second outside corner spot all had moments that may indicate a good future player, but it appeared that no one is quite there yet. Ja'Den McBurrows may have been the most impressive, with a great open field tackle on a bubble screen, but we should note he was playing more nickel than outside corner. Walker was playing outside corner and got beaten often by O'Leary in the second half, but Walker found himself in position quite a bit, which is the big first step. Finishing PBUs/not being too handsy were more of the issue, and he did drop a tailor-made interception he had in the bread basket. Myles Pollard had an INT when Davis Warren missed the hole shot as well. Long story short: a lot of players had moments, but no one yet looks like a stud. Luckily, they have many months to continue improving. EDGE defenders have a nice day. As a whole for both teams, the EDGE defenders soundly won their battles against the offensive tackles today. Coastal Carolina transfer Josiah Stewart was probably the most dominant, getting around the corner and causing havoc in a way that was noticeable. Sophomore Derrick Moore also had a strong game, seeming to have made some amount of improvement in the offseason. I also scribbled down Kechaun Bennett for a stop and Kris Jenkins, when playing, had a couple plays that jumped off the screen coming around the edge too. Kenneth Grant, you have my attention. We've got some clips here: God’s Gift To Football pic.twitter.com/cm3ReQrv57 — Bryan Mac (@Bry_Mac) April 1, 2023 And again: For anyone wondering why Kenneth Grants name is all over their timelines #GoBlue #SpringGame pic.twitter.com/vx810Ndvm3 — Did JJ Break The Record? (@JJRecordCount) April 1, 2023 Yes one of those was against Dominik Guidice and yes I don't care. Men that size who can do things like that are fun. One more note about younger DTs: I thought Rayshaun Benny had a strong day too for Team Maize. Various linebackers did various linebacker things. I don't have anything too cohesive for this point but linebackers popped up in my notes here and there so I wanted to shout them out. Nikhai Hill-Green got toasted by Matt Hibner on a long catch and run mesh route that would've been a TD had Hibner not fallen over, but NHG also stuffed Davis Warren on a 4th & Goal keeper. Ernest Hausmann popped up for a great open field tackle, Jimmy Rolder delivered a hit on a scrambling Jack Tuttle that I'd prefer not to see in an exhibition game, and Micah Pollard brought heat up the gut on a blitz on one snap I noted. Keshaun Harris makes the big play. Defensive MVP in this game, or at least the guy who made the highest leverage play if we're pretending this was a game that meant anything, was Keshaun Harris. On 4th down with the game on the line, Harris read the Team Blue pass a mile away, jumped the route, and delivered the game-ending PBU. Congratulations to the walk-on grad student for sealing the (meaningless) glory. [Patrick Barron] BONUS TAKES Get better nameplates for future spring games. The letters on the nameplates of the jerseys today were flying off in the breeze. At one point Josiah Stewart's last name was down to "Stewa" and several other players had letters peeling off. I know it's an exhibition game but don't we have money for jerseys that don't look like they were purchased off a shady Chinese website for one quarter the price of official team apparel? A new meme is born. Donovan Edwards wasn't playing but he may have given us the most memorable moment from today: When you see a ball pic.twitter.com/Arz3120SSP — Bryan Mac (@Bry_Mac) April 1, 2023 Move over Leonardo DiCaprio, we have a new pointing meme in town. Jake Thaw plays hide-and-seek. This year's version of Darrius Clemons pulling out the phone for the group selfie was Thaw catching the TD from McCarthy and trying to hide behind the goalpost. I have to assume Thaw is calling this celebration &
Essentials WHAT #2 Michigan (13-0) vs #3 TCU (12-1) WHERE Fiesta Bowl Glendale, AZ WHEN 4:10 Eastern THE LINE M –7.5 TELEVISION ESPN (McDonough/Blackledge) TICKETS From $204. WEATHER optional Overview I find it useful to watch the opponent you are about to play before talking about them, a trait that not all TCU podcasters share: I have found a… new… take on the Michigan run game. pic.twitter.com/37BG9SsqJo — Bryan Mac blue check mark (@Bry_Mac) December 28, 2022 For what it's worth, I went over TCU's games against KSU, KSU again, Texas, Texas Tech, and Iowa State in UFR-without-a-chart mode. TCU's season has been an insane rollercoaster after a couple walkovers, a reasonably secure win over SMU, and a blowout of Oklahoma (6-6 entering bowl season but 20th in SP+, FWIW) to begin the season. Since: Kansas: TCU is outgained by about 100 yards despite the exit of Kansas starting QB Jalon Daniels and gets a go-ahead TD with a minute left. Okie State: TCU comes back from 14 down in the fourth quarter and wins in double OT. Kansas State: TCU is down 28-10 before ripping off four straight touchdowns; KSU plays most of the second half with third-string QB Jake Rubley. WVU: TCU wins by 10; WVU has a fourth quarter drive to tie or win that can't get off the ground before a sealing TD drive. Texas Tech: TCU enters the fourth quarter down 17-13 before ripping off three TD drives; Tech backup QB Tyler Shough plays about three quarters. Texas: TCU grinds out a 17-10 win in the season's most inexplicable Iowa Out Of Nowhere game. Quinn Ewers and his receivers conspire to blow every single chunk play opportunity. Baylor: TCU wins on a Drew Dileo memorial fire-drill field goal at the buzzer. Iowa State: is thumped. Kansas State 2: TCU loses in overtime after Duggan's heroic drive to tie from down eight. On the one hand, this is not a team that has been beating teams with authority. And if you go by SP+, the narrative that TCU has been playing considerably better competition than Michigan doesn't hold water. The top end of the schedule: M TCU 31.4 (OSU) 23.2 (Texas) 22.7 (PSU) 23.0 (K-State) 16.2 (Illinois) 15.4 (OU) 12.9 (Iowa) 11.9 (Baylor) 11.5 (Maryland) 11.5 (Okie State) 7.7 (Purdue) 8.6 (Tech) Michigan's schedule does drop off faster than TCU's as Iowa State and Kansas are a fair bit better than MSU and Nebraska, but only one of these teams has been threatened by a team in that area of the rankings and it isn't Michigan. Meanwhile the two highlighted lines in the chart above: OSU is vastly better than the best team TCU played and TCU is 1-1 against Kansas State while Michigan hammered PSU 41-17. ESPN has these teams #1 and #3 in strength of record; I imagine the gap here is significant. Meanwhile TCU ranks 14th in ESPN's game control metric. Michigan is second. Michigan has performed considerably better over the course of the season and has earned a 9 point SP+ edge. Also, if evaluating bowl games is still a thing the Big 12 is currently 1-5. On the other hand, if you believe in moxie/destiny/dawg, look out. [After THE JUMP: THEY GOT THAT DISCIPLINED ATHLETE WITH GRIT IN THEM.]
Essentials WHAT #2 Michigan (13-0) vs #3 TCU (12-1) WHERE Fiesta Bowl Glendale, AZ WHEN 4:10 Eastern THE LINE M –7.5 TELEVISION ESPN (McDonough/Blackledge) TICKETS From $204. WEATHER optional Overview I find it useful to watch the opponent you are about to play before talking about them, a trait that not all TCU podcasters share: I have found a… new… take on the Michigan run game. pic.twitter.com/37BG9SsqJo — Bryan Mac blue check mark (@Bry_Mac) December 28, 2022 For what it's worth, I went over TCU's games against KSU, KSU again, Texas, Texas Tech, and Iowa State in UFR-without-a-chart mode. TCU's season has been an insane rollercoaster after a couple walkovers, a reasonably secure win over SMU, and a blowout of Oklahoma (6-6 entering bowl season but 20th in SP+, FWIW) to begin the season. Since: Kansas: TCU is outgained by about 100 yards despite the exit of Kansas starting QB Jalon Daniels and gets a go-ahead TD with a minute left. Okie State: TCU comes back from 14 down in the fourth quarter and wins in double OT. Kansas State: TCU is down 28-10 before ripping off four straight touchdowns; KSU plays most of the second half with third-string QB Jake Rubley. WVU: TCU wins by 10; WVU has a fourth quarter drive to tie or win that can't get off the ground before a sealing TD drive. Texas Tech: TCU enters the fourth quarter down 17-13 before ripping off three TD drives; Tech backup QB Tyler Shough plays about three quarters. Texas: TCU grinds out a 17-10 win in the season's most inexplicable Iowa Out Of Nowhere game. Quinn Ewers and his receivers conspire to blow every single chunk play opportunity. Baylor: TCU wins on a Drew Dileo memorial fire-drill field goal at the buzzer. Iowa State: is thumped. Kansas State 2: TCU loses in overtime after Duggan's heroic drive to tie from down eight. On the one hand, this is not a team that has been beating teams with authority. And if you go by SP+, the narrative that TCU has been playing considerably better competition than Michigan doesn't hold water. The top end of the schedule: M TCU 31.4 (OSU) 23.2 (Texas) 22.7 (PSU) 23.0 (K-State) 16.2 (Illinois) 15.4 (OU) 12.9 (Iowa) 11.9 (Baylor) 11.5 (Maryland) 11.5 (Okie State) 7.7 (Purdue) 8.6 (Tech) Michigan's schedule does drop off faster than TCU's as Iowa State and Kansas are a fair bit better than MSU and Nebraska, but only one of these teams has been threatened by a team in that area of the rankings and it isn't Michigan. Meanwhile the two highlighted lines in the chart above: OSU is vastly better than the best team TCU played and TCU is 1-1 against Kansas State while Michigan hammered PSU 41-17. ESPN has these teams #1 and #3 in strength of record; I imagine the gap here is significant. Meanwhile TCU ranks 14th in ESPN's game control metric. Michigan is second. Michigan has performed considerably better over the course of the season and has earned a 9 point SP+ edge. Also, if evaluating bowl games is still a thing the Big 12 is currently 1-5. On the other hand, if you believe in moxie/destiny/dawg, look out. [After THE JUMP: THEY GOT THAT DISCIPLINED ATHLETE WITH GRIT IN THEM.]
I was going through tweets/videos of the postgame incident this morning because I was determined to figure out how Ja'Den McBurrows ended up in that situation. I think I have it figured out. In this video from TomVH you can see two players head up the tunnel while MSU is headed in, Gemon Green and Ja'Den McBurrows after him: