Michigan football team wins a game with defense, completing the work started by Greg Mattison
The Michigan defense converges on Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase -- a common occurrence during the Wolverines' 31-14 win on Saturday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Greg Mattison stood there, in a tunnel near three warming team buses, addressing the media after a game for the first time this year.
He had to fight back tears to do so.
The Michigan football team's defensive coordinator has preached physicality and toughness, effort and technique since the moment he arrived on campus in January. They are cliches, really. Any football coach knows them well.
But Mattison promised that's all that was required to make an abominable Michigan defense a classic Michigan defense. One that, you know, defends.
So, minutes after the Wolverines polished off a 31-14 win against Illinois —Â a game they would not have won without their defense — Mattison couldn't help but be overcome by emotion.
He is the architect of a defense that, a year after setting program futility marks across the board, can not only be competent.
It can win games for Michigan.
"They’ve put up with a lot," Mattison said. "They’ve had a tough road. Nobody knows what went on inside of these guys, and for them to stick together, and to play like they played tonight, and like they’ve tried in every game, that says a lot about them."
"That was, without a doubt, a Michigan defense, because they played as hard as they could, they did whatever they had to do. Without a doubt, that was a Michigan defense."
Last year's plight is well documented: Michigan allowed 35.2 points (107th nationally) and 450.8 yards per game (110th). It set a program record for points allowed — and it set a program record for points allowed in a game.
They won that game, 67-65, against this Illinois program.
A year later, the Wolverines didn't give up 65 yards until the closing moments of the third quarter in a breathtaking display of physical and strategic dominance.
And, more important than any statistical ranking, they showed they can win games on defense.
"We hadn’t come to that final point where you win a game on defense," Mattison said. "We said, 'This is your last away trip to do it,' and I couldn’t be more proud that they did it."
The Wolverines committed three turnovers. They were uncharacteristically inefficient in the red zone, scoring on just three of six chances. They missed a field goal. They were stood up at the goal line.
All those missed chances spell loss more often than not, particularly on the road. Michigan knows that lesson well, too, with its two losses coming on the road and not because of the defense.
That changed in this game.
"It really solidifies our confidence, our mentality, and what we know this defense can do," senior defensive lineman Mike Martin said. "We knew it all along, but to come out here and win this game, it’s set in stone now."
Just how good were the Wolverines?
They didn't allow a first down until the second quarter, or a second until the third quarter.
They didn't allow a third-down conversion until Illinois' ninth try.
They allowed minus-12 rushing yards in the first half, and 37 yards for the game. Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase rushed for just 14 yards, his worst performance of the year and well off his 55.7 yards per game average.
They sacked Scheelhaase four times.
Heck, they didn't even allow a drive of longer than 24 yards until the end of the third quarter.
And so on.
That all started with the disruption caused by the defensive line. Martin came up with nine tackles — one off his career high — and Ryan Van Bergen sacked Scheelhaase 2.5 times.
"He and Mike were running some games in there, and that was pretty good, I'd say," coach Brady Hoke said.
Illinois did establish some momentum with a third-quarter touchdown, then forced a three-and-out to start the fourth quarter. But J.T. Floyd put an end to that with an interception and the ensuing 43-yard return that led to Martavious Odoms' touchdown catch that iced the game.
Michigan is at eight wins, matching its best record since 2007. It is positioned for a quality bowl bid, and is one win from a very good one. A 10-win season is not out of grasp.
Hoke also has four Big Ten wins, more than Rich Rodriguez achieved in three years. And he did it with defense. He'd have it no other way.
"That's all you heard about when I took the job here," Hoke said of Michigan's recent defensive struggles. "Defensively, for a lot of years, Michigan was known for Michigan's defense. And they want to represent that. ... When you see those maize helmets hitting the ball carrier multiple times, that’s Michigan defense."
Defense won this game, through and through.
Enough to make a grown man cry.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Hebner
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 3:04 a.m.
Great game defense. Offense was ok, but we can not be ok on offense the next two games. Illinois had a pretty good defense, they just wore down because their offense kept them on the field too long. The credit for keeping their defense on the field usually goes to the offense, but in this game our defense created turnovers and three and outs...great game d! Offense needs to sustain drives and not turn the ball over, especially in the red zone. Denard needs to slow down and let the game come to him, and I think he is doing that better now. Denard used to have to do it all, but not anymore. Denard needs to go down like Barry Sanders used to do because there is no need to stand up only to get the ball striped or get injured.
Terrin Bell
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.
I like Greg Mattison. He probably is coaching Michigan because he wants to be here. However, let us not paint him to be a person who subjected himself to poverty to be here. Mattison makes $750, 000 a year. If Michigan wins a Big Ten championship, he gets a $150, 000 bonus. He is the highest paid assistant coach in college football.
MRunner73
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.
If you had a resume like Greg Mattison, you too would command $750K plus a nice bonus
Mick
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 9:07 p.m.
And deservedly so! So what's the problem? U-M has the richest accumulative alumni of any university in the world, I think we're good.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.
Monte Kiffen, DC at USC, is making $2 million. Yes. Not a typo. $2 million. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5196431" rel='nofollow'>http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5196431</a> So much for Greg Mattison being the highest paid assistant in college football. Not even close. GN&GL
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
Nope. I googled two programs--just two. Charlie Weiss, OC at Florida, is making $765K Kirby Smart, DC at Bama, is making $750K. <a href="http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2010/6/24/1534102/alabama-coaching-salaries" rel='nofollow'>http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2010/6/24/1534102/alabama-coaching-salaries</a> <a href="http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-02-25/sports/os-florida-gators-coaches-salary-022520110225_1_bryant-young-kirby-smart-muschamp" rel='nofollow'>http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-02-25/sports/os-florida-gators-coaches-salary-022520110225_1_bryant-young-kirby-smart-muschamp</a> This is the equivalent of putting one's hand in the haystack and coming out with a handful of needles. I'm certain there are more. I cannot find what he made as the Ravens' DC, but it I find it hard to believe his is making more money here than he did there. No question that Mattison is very well compensated, but lets not make more if it than it is. GN&GL
Terry Star21
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
Michigan is defined by great defense - it wins games. In Carr's last game, we pushed Florida and Tebow around so much they never knew what hit them. Then we lived a three year nightmare. Now the sun is beginning to shine everyday, getting brighter and our defense is shinning - we are WINNING. (okay, that's my best attempt at rhyme and poem). MgoBlueForTiM........Defense is rising & shinning - going to be a great future, the'll be no whining.
58-44-6
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.
I think they would be 8-0 if Rich Rodriguez was still Coach...
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 7:19 p.m.
. . . and I think frogs have wings. Both, after all, are just as likely. Go watch the SEC on CBS. That's where your boy is now. GN&GL
DonAZ
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.
Actually, I wish we could play a "what if" and run this season under Rodriguez for his fourth year. Here's what we'd see: o Greg Robinson would still be here running the 3-3-5. Michigan would be about as bad on defense as they were last year. o Robinson would be the leading rusher for the team but with diminished numbers from 2010. Defenses know how to contain Robinson. o Robinson would have been injured several times by this point in the year requiring him to sit out, with Gardner coming in being even less effective since there's no supporting offense elsewhere. o Michigan would have lost to Notre Dame (ND was prepared to defend against Robinson running ... they just weren't prepared for Robinson to get very lucky with his passing) o Probably would have lost to San Diego State in a shootout o Michigan would have lost to Northwestern o Michigan would have lost to Michigan State o MIchigan would have lost to Iowa o Michigan would have lost to Illinois o Michigan would lose to Nebraska and Ohio State I see a Rodriguez year four as 5-7 or 4-8. Seriously. I really do.
MichFanTex
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.
Huh, so Rick would have talked the B1G into not having Michigan play MSU and Iowa? Explain that first, then explain how he was going to transform the defense from giving up 32.1 points per game, through the first 10 games, to 15.5 ppg through the first 10 games this year. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I won't hold my breath waiting for a cogent answer.
Theo212
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 4:12 p.m.
Stanford (dumb offense) loses to Oregon (great offense). That's all you need to know. (You can all go on and on about defense, but in college football it's the dynamic, swashbuckling, riverboat gambling OFFENSES that take home the Crystal). If only Lloyd had known that...
Terry Star21
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
....."it's the dynamic, swashbuckling, riverboat gambling OFFENSES"... Well, I saw that nightmare for three years - didn't work then and for the first time in my lifetime people were laughing @ UM....I'll pass.
MichFanTex
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 6:28 p.m.
All I need to know is this, through 10 games: 2010 Michigan gave up 32.1 ppg 2011 Michigan gave up 15.5 ppg
DonAZ
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 5:22 p.m.
I suspected you'd chime in with this. And you're right ... Oregon showed what a very good spread offense team with a VERY GOOD DEFENSE AS WELL can do. LaMichael James is a terrific running back. Darron Thomas is a very gifted quarterback, capable of being very mobile as well as being a credible passing threat. This is the kind of team Rodriguez *dreamed* of having. He had a fraction of this with his pinnacle White/Slaton/Devine team at WVU. They (WVU) haven't come close since. And of course Rodriguez ignored the defensive side of the ball. And scanning Oregon's roster it looks like Chip Kelley understands the value of size and strength to balance the speed. The O and D lines have some size and bulk. Stanford's 5 turnovers certainly helped Oregon ... but I'll grant some of that was due to Oregon's defense forcing the penalties. So yes ... a spread offense *can* work. But as I wrote last night ... to play that offense at the elite level you have to have some pretty extraordinary talent. And you MUST have a defense to match. And you MUST have sufficient size to compete against larger, stronger teams. Speed itself does not necessarily offset strength and size. Hawaii getting decimated by Georgia a few years back proved that. These are all lessons a *good* coach like Chip Kelley knows and implements. A *bad* coach like Rodriguez was either too foolish or too stubborn to open his eyes and see this. So he brought his Big East skitterbugs to the Big 10 and they got pushed around and pummelled. That's all you need to know.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
Yep. One data point defines a trend. In the world of the MCC. Two data points: A mediocre (Auburn) and a good (LSU) defense shut down that Oregon "high powered" offense. Gee, ya don't think that Oregon's offense is successful because they play in the 2nd-rate PAC 12, do ya? Good Night and Good Luck
truebluefan
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
What other accolades can you place on the D? I knew all along that we had the talent to do great things on defense, it was the *defensive coaching* that was the problem. No, we don't have four first and second round picks on D right now but do you really care after watching yesterday's game? I certainly don't. I'll take the Jake Ryans, Van Bergens and Demens of the world any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Give me heart, desire and pride. How about true freshman Countess? He may be our best player in the secondary! Incredible.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
As of this morning (counting yesterday's game), the Wolverines are 9th in the naton in scoring defense and 17th in the nation in total defense: <a href="http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2011&rpt=IA_teamscordef&site=org&div=IA&dest=O" rel='nofollow'>http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2011&rpt=IA_teamscordef&site=org&div=IA&dest=O</a> <a href="http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2011&rpt=IA_teamtotdef&site=org&div=IA&dest=O" rel='nofollow'>http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2011&rpt=IA_teamtotdef&site=org&div=IA&dest=O</a> Note: if you go to the link above it shows only 9 games, but that DOES count yesterday's game. The WMU game, because it did not go for 3 quarters, does not count in NCAA stats. Last year the U was 110/120 in total defense and was 108/120 in scoring defense. Going in to this season, even the most optimistic of us was saying that were the D to improve to roughly 50th in those categories it would be a vast improvement and not likely to happen. What a change! GREAT JOB wolverine defense. Your hard work is paying off!! And thank-you!! Good Night and Good Luck
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 11:59 p.m.
Thanks, Mick. And I yours! GN&GL&GB
Mick
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 8:51 p.m.
BTW, very nice job Ghost, I love reading what you have to say my man and thanks for coming to my defense in earlier posts. GN & GL & GB (Go Blue!!!)
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 2:36 p.m.
BTW, very nice piece, Kyle! GN&GL
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.
It has been pure joy to watch this defense improve game after game after game. At the Notre Dame game, despite some great moments, they looked to much different from last year's debacle. Yesterday they looked like Michigan defenses of yore--hard-hitting, overwhelming, locked down. I mean, how many times did the QB go down with FOUR Michigan hats on top of him? And after watching the debacle in West Lafayette and the truly mediocre effort by Nebraska against PSU, as well as NE's loss to NW, there is no reason we should not finish the season with two wins in the Big House. GO BLUE and Good Night and Good Luck
missionbrazil
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
37 yards rushing, 4 sacks, caused 3 turnovers, only 14 points ... great job D, and on the road ! We could be 10-0 if not for some mistakes made by our O during the MSU and Iowa games. I hate to say it, but specifically mistakes made by Denard of all people. He has thrown way too many picks, and has made some bad decisions at critical times. He continued that trend yesterday, and fortunately it did not end up costing us the game. I love Denard, but it is interesting that our O scored 2 TD's in the 3 possessions that Devin was the QB. Devin did a great job in a pressure situation on the road. Fitz is the man ! Great game yesterday. I thought we should have made him the feature back much earlier in the season, but now I see that the coaches were using the competition to get someone to step it up, and Fitz has done that. A lot of credit goes to the O line also, because it all starts there.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
@mission: You are correct and my bad!! Sorry--had forgotten about the last TD. What a great day to be a TRUE Wolverine fan, eh? GN&GL
missionbrazil
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.
Ghost, Devin was on the field for 4 drives and not 3 like I said. On his 1st drive, he threw a 20 yard pass to Hemingway and it led to a FG. The 2nd was a 3 and out (we had a chop block penalty) The 3rd and 4th drives were TD's, including his pass to Odoms. I was not trying to say that Devin should replace Denard as QB ... I was just saying that Devin came in and did a good job on the road, and that Denard needs to step it up, and stop making so many turnovers and bad decisions. Go Blue ! (aa.com , I am not sure why this post was blocked the 1st time ... ???)
missionbrazil
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.
tbf, I disagree that Denard getting hurt THIS year is Borges' fault. If anything he has helded Denard get hurt less than LAST year (with your guy's 1 trick pony offense). I do agree that Denard seems to be indecisive and losing confidence, in the passing game. But some of his decisions seem to be from him trying to do too much, and trying to make nearly impossible throws when he shouldn't make the throw at all. I disagree that it is Borges that is causing the offense to stall ... we have scored 32+ pts. per game this year, only down 1.5 pts. per game from last year. If anything, it is Denard's turnovers and bad decisions that is causing the offense some problems. Borges has basically changed what he has wanted to do, in order to fit the players that he has, especially for Denard. You may disagree with this, but our O is doing best when we have had our power running game going with Fitz, some from Denard under center and some from the shotgun. We are having problems when Denard is being pressured, or when he has been in obvious passing situations, or when he tries to do too much.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 3:14 p.m.
TruWCiMFH fan apparently did not note, despite the numerous replay with closeups of the hit, that the injury that put Denard out of the game happened on a roll out, not a drop back into the pocket But one would have to have one's eyes open to have seen that. GN&GL
truebluefan
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
Denard is still our best option at QB. He's not a pocket passer and Borges' insistence on making him one is a) getting him needlessly hurt; b) making Denard indecisive and draining his confidence; and c) stalling our offense. We should've won that game by 24+ points based on how well the D played.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
Mission: Great post EXCEPT Denard scored the first two TDs. Devin was on the field only for the the third, albeit, a wonderful play on his part--stepping up into the pocket like a vet, standing tall, and firing a bullet! GN&GL
Griffin
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
All I can say is what a difference a year can make. What a real coach. A coach with every intention of making this his home....a commitment. Leaving the NFL $$$ for NCAA Football....for Big Blu. That told me something right there. Coach Mattison didn't hesitate when Michigan chose Hoke N Change. Blue had plenty of issues and plenty defectors. even the worse case...defectors to OSU. Big Blue should, Could have been undefeated up to this point. The momentum was in their hands in East Germany; er um, East Lansing....4th in 7inches, mental problems with the offensive calls.... Iowa....leaving out the officiating.....blue didn't play the same game the didn't in Champagne. dagg-gum.....the future looks bright for big blu.....the gotta wear shades.....
Blu n Tpa
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 11:37 a.m.
Some will say "Just wait until Michigan get more players with better talent", but my answer is show me men who play together wiith HEART, conviction of purpose, and love of the game, and I'll show you a Michigan Defense. Go ahead coach, show your pride in your guys. They just showed their pride and love for Michigan and you. You are Michigan, This is Michigan. Go Blue!
1st Down
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 8:08 a.m.
Noted improvement.....but not complete yet Kyle.
Mick
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 6:42 a.m.
The combined record of our opponents this year thus far is 56-43, take out Minnesota's 2-8 record and it would be 54-35, with 2 winning teams ahead. Pretty impressive if you ask me. Every team we've played but 1 has a .500 or better record. Can't wait to see what this staff will accomplish with more time coaching these guys up.
goldenblue
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 8:20 p.m.
Chris it sure has ruffled your feathers.BTW how did that ND game work out for you?Its people like you that show you will always be our lil bro.67-32
Chris
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 4 p.m.
You Michigan fans are funny. You played 2 good teams this year - MSU and Iowa and you lost to both of them. Your Big Ten victories are against Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois and Northwestern. Your comment about combined records of opponents is stupid because you are counting the teams that beat you. Fact is Michigan has beat crappy teams this year. If you guys are satisfied with that great. But lets not pretend that UofM is a good team. Beat Nebraska next week and you will have something to brag about.
Rufus
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 6:19 a.m.
Mattison should win coach of the decade. All of Michigan's success is due to him. Borges has done an atrocious job with the offense- with Hoke's permission. If Mattison doesn't pull of a one year miracle, this team loses half their games.
Terrin Bell
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.
Borges has done a fine job considering he was left with a one person offensive scheme, which requires that person to run every play because he doesn't make good passing decisions. If Denard runs all the time, he will get taken out which would make the rest of Michigan's season not so good. I have news for you. Michigan's offense wasn't that great last year either. It couldn't kick a field goal, an extra point, or a decent punt. It often butchered the ball hand off, and they committed personal penalties. Denard had much of the same problems throwing the ball then as well. There were no running backs either. The truth is Forcier for all his problems was a better well rounded quarterback.
MichFanTex
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 5:16 a.m.
Michigan has allowed 14 or few points six time this season; that happened six times over the previous three seasons.
azwolverine
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 1:27 p.m.
And it's actually happening against Big Ten teams now!
Mick
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 5:09 a.m.
What a great win today, Defense dominated, kicking game and coverage was really good and the Offense was competent enough to score 31 pts against a previously thought after Defense, we could've easily scored close to 50 pts today. I loved that Devin got in the game and showed what it's supposed to look like when you step up into the pocket and allow your WR's to get open and lay a nice pass for a TD. Fitz is getting better all the time. This feels like M Football, you know, expecting to win, what a concept. Any naysayers out there are just trying to rattle the cage or are opposing teams fans and they see what is on the horizon, M being dominate once again and they are fretting big time. One more thing I've been thinking about for a while, The B1G needs U-M to be great for the conference's image to look great nationally more than any other program, U-M gives the conference the cache it's been missing lately. Let's keep this up and take the next 2 for a great 1st season of a great new era, Go Blue for TiM!!!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
I guess some folks just don't want to read what is written. Northwestern is to the Big 10 what Vaderbilt is to the SEC. No one gauges the two conferences by what those schools do. They gauge the respective conferences by what the traditional powers do. In the SEC it is Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Georgia, and Florida. Worth noting that 4 of those 5 teams are having excellent seasons. In the Big Ten is is Michigan, OSU, and PSU, and, to a somewhat lesser degree, Wisconsin (Nebraska does not have a Big 10 identity yet). As I wrote above (for those who apparently cannot take meaning from the written word), OSU and PSU are immersed in scandal. The Big Ten, given its conference identity, needs Michigan to step up. Like it? Don't like it? Doesn't matter. Rest assured that Jim Delaney and many Big Ten ADs are hoping that Michigan wins out, gets a good New Years Day bowl, and wins that game so as to put the scandals at PSU and OSU in the background. Good Night and Good Luck
missionbrazil
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 6:51 p.m.
"Why does it have to be UM, why not Northwestern?" Because, uh, we are MICHIGAN fans on a MICHIGAN site. And because we are on our way back to our MICHIGAN winning tradition ! Don't confuse enthusiasm for our team with arrogance.
EyeHeartA2
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
1. Why does it have to be UM, why not Northwestern? or any of the other schools, so yes, that does imply some sort of special standing for UM for some odd reason. 2. See, I always thought nationally, implied, you know, the nation, as in the country. 3. See 1. No, the BIG does not need UM. You may wish for it. I may wish for it, but that doesn't make it true. If MSU won a national championship, followed by Wisconsin the next year and Iowa the following year, don't you think the B1G would get the respect we wish for? Sorry, but the football world has not revolved around AA since 1997 at least. Half the problem with our mediocrity of late is that we seem to think it does.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 4:13 p.m.
"I am ashamed of the arrogance that statement has. UM doesn't deserve to be on top, they need to earn it, just like the other 11 teams. The B1G and the rest of the country could give a rip if UM wins two games next year." 1) That's not what Mick wrote--not even close. He wrote that the Big 10 needed the UM to look great nationally. Nowhere did he say that the UM "deserves" that. 2) Nowhere does he say anything about what the country cares about. His comment was about the conference. 3) Given recent events, Mick is absolutely correct. The three premier and visible football programs in the Big 10 are those at OSU, PSU, and UM. PSU and OSU are immersed in horrific scandals. UM is beginning to recover from the 3 worst years in its storied history. Truer words have seldom been written in the discussions in A2.com: The Big Ten NEEDS a successful UM team at this moment. And it will DESERVE that success when it EARNS it. Good Night and Good Luck
EyeHeartA2
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 2:47 p.m.
"One more thing I've been thinking about for a while, The B1G needs U-M to be great for the conference's image to look great nationally more than any other program, U-M gives the conference the cache it's been missing lately" As UM Alumni and a season ticket holder for the last 20+ years, I am ashamed of the arrogance that statement has. UM doesn't deserve to be on top, they need to earn it, just like the other 11 teams. The B1G and the rest of the country could give a rip if UM wins two games next year. If Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, MSU or any other team wins the national championship, that all the B1G needs. If, as a conference, we quit soiling ourselves during bowl season, that would be a big help too. Nobody needs Michigan. Sorry.
Thomas Strode
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.
And while we're at it, it's "dominant" and "cachet".
Mick
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 10:52 a.m.
*sought after Defense
DonAZ
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 4:45 a.m.
Defense wins ball games because it takes an enormous amount of pressure off offenses to score on every single possession. Where is Greg Robinson now? I haven't heard hide nor hair of him since January of this year.
D21
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 9:45 a.m.
To be fair, RR forced his scheme upon Greg and more. TiM
LHCarr
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 4:25 a.m.
I kinda like this whole "playing defense" thing. I guess it's pretty important and stuff.
musthaved
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 4:33 a.m.
Who would have thought ? Mattison worked a small miracle with most of the same players from last year. Can't wait to see this team next year and the year after when Brady get's more talent here.