Michigan football team to practice at Ford Field on Wednesday as preparation for 'JerryWorld'
The Michigan football team will hold a practice at Ford Field on Wednesday. Head coach Brady Hoke hopes the workout will prepare the Wolverines for their season opener at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
AnnArbor.com file photo
But it doesn't have "JerryWorld."
Michigan coach Brady Hoke said the Wolverines will practice at Detroit's Ford Field on Wednesday night, a move he hopes will help prepare the team for its upcoming game against Alabama at the massive indoor Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"We're going to go down there and change the environment up a little bit," Hoke said. "I think it's good for us, and (we'll) have some distractions that are built in when (we) do that."
The 70,000-seat indoor venue at Ford Field doesn't quite have all the bells and whistles the 80,000-seat Cowboys Stadium has, but should provide Michigan with a similar atmosphere -- even if no one is in the stands.
Also, in an effort to help get the team ready for the excessive noise it will likely have to battle in Texas, Hoke says he's been piping in music and artificial crowd sounds during recent practices.
"I think AC/DC was on (Tuesday)," he said.
Hoke doesn't anticipate Michigan to go through a full scrimmage at Ford Field, but said he would run the team through various situational drills -- such as two-minute offense -- in an effort to "see if they can stay focused."
The Wolverines shouldn't need too much of a reminder about what it's like to play inside a dome, though, as Michigan closed the 2011 campaign at the Superdome in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.
"I think (Ford Field) is going to help us a tremendous amount," Michigan cornerback Blake Countess said. "(Last year), we got to go to the Superdome, I think, a day or two early so we didn't actually get to have a full practice in.
"Just being in that atmosphere (like Ford Field), being in an indoor facility, it should help us."
It won't be deafening, national television cameras will be absent and the defending national champion won't be there.
But Michigan believes a workout at Ford Field could serve as an extra edge for Alabama.
And when you play the Crimson Tide, you take any edge you can get.
"It's a business trip," Michigan safety Thomas Gordon said. "Being from Detroit, that's a fun venue to be in.
"But it's all business. We've still got to practice and get ready for Alabama."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
rightmind250
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.
The only way this helps prepare UM is if they play the Detroit Lions defense. By the way, where's all the talk from Kalis and Pipkins about how they are going to whoop everybody's butt? Those two knuckleheads are going to get a lesson they will never forget compliments of Saban and Alabama.
xmo
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 11:02 p.m.
Can anything save Michigan from Nick Saban and BAMA?
Matt
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 10:50 p.m.
Everyone here is saying that the game on the first is an indoor game. While that is true in the purest sense most of you seem to be over looking the fact the roof on Cowboys Stadium retracts. I live in Texas and go to school about 2 miles from Cowbows Stadium and will in fact be at this game, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the roof is open because the weather has been beautiful down here lately. I agree practicing at Ford Field will help them get used to the noice aspect better IF AND ONLY IF the roof is shut on Sept 1st at Cowboys Stadium. Personally I'm more concerned about how the wind blowing in the stadium if the roof is open will affect the passing and kicking game. Especially since I have a gut feeling that Brendan Gibbons will be called on early and often to kick field goals
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
Any idea who makes the call on the roof? I would imagine if there's a blimp present the TV folks would like the thing opened for the visual.
Terry Star21
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 6:26 p.m.
Coach Hoke and staff know exactly what their doing. Look at the positive experience the team had at Navy Seals land. This coach always pushes the right buttons and is thinking 24/7 about his players. MgoBlueForTiM.....business trip to Ford Field, followed by a bama beat down at JerryWorld.
redceder1
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
I think selecting AC DC will be the difference maker. Very detail oriented. Pure genius.
tulsatom
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 5:12 p.m.
Practicing at Ford Field may help simulate the indoor aspects of the game but there is no way to simulate the talent and speed Alabama will bring to the game until they are actually on the same field together. However, practicing indoors was a good idea to give the players a change of pace and to help them focus on the task ahead.
MRunner73
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
Sounds like a positive thing to do. I hope it helps.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
i hope when the 4th quarter starts I still want to watch.
Terry Star21
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 6:17 p.m.
Craig, even when Michigan's up a couple touch downs I still enjoy. I'm impatient yes, until the final gun. Stick around, enjoy DRob jumping in the stands !
vi4mi4
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.
..don't step in any lion poop Wolverines.. Go Blue! v
tulsatom
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
It used to stink a whole lot worse in that building than it does now. Last year, things got cleaned up quite a bit (10-6 smells a lot better than 0-16).
northside
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 3:43 p.m.
SabanWorld is the real challenge. Hate to say it but I can't see Michigan's one-dimensional offense doing much against Alabama's D.
#58ontheroster
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 4:01 p.m.
Then maybe you should open your eyes!
treetowncartel
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.
They should have scrimmaged against the Lions, that would be much better preparation for what the are going to see on Septmber 1.
Terry Star21
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
Better not.....let's not embarrass the Lions !
treetowncartel
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 4:39 p.m.
No, not necessarily. I am suggesting that since Alabama has the pre-season number one rated offensive line, the Wolverines would be better trying to pass/run rush against the Lions instead of banging their head to the likes of AC/DC. Although, now that you mention it I might be willing to make that comparison, most of their linemen on both sides of the ball end up in a pretty good spot on the pros.
#58ontheroster
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 4 p.m.
Are you comparing Alabama to a pro team? The last time I heard that was when I played at Michigan, The sports reporters said that the 1969 Ohio State team could only be beat by the NFL leading Minn. Vikings. Well, we beat OSU 24-12. Michigan can beat any college team anytime. Even the defending national champions.
Chad Williams
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 2:52 p.m.
Advantage? I dont see where practicing at ford field gives them any kind of edge. Unless they are gonna use the RR method and practice more than allowed. This game is going to be simple. Be physical, win the battle up front and in turnovers and special teams. Alabama is not going to come out with any hanky panky. They play the type if football Michigan wants to play in the next few years. Saban has brought back this style back to college. Nothing flashy nothing pretty. Your not going to get any more or less advantage by practicing in heaven.
Scott
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
Quite a reach to take a jab at RR over this.
SemperFi
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 5:10 p.m.
Chad, clearly the change of scenery gives the players some experience with reflected noise and playing with a roof over their head. I don't know that it will give them an advantage, but it will give them a simulation of playing in Cowboy Stadium. ...and just to be clear, they would never play WMU (or hardly anyone else) in a pro venue, so yes, this is a special situation.
Chad Williams
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 3:49 p.m.
Change of scenery for what? Ford field is not cowboys stadium. Would they ve doing this uf they played wmu in a pro venue?
Nick Baumgardner
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
I'm not sure how much of an advantage it gives either, Chad. It's a pro venue, but no one will be there. Sometimes a change of scenery in the middle of a really long camp isn't all bad, though.
bigblue
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
I see a big upset coming on Sept. 1st. GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terry Star21
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 6:13 p.m.
Upset is only in the eyes of the media. Michigan is capable of beating anyone, anytime and anywhere. The bama beat down will just be another day at the office for Michigan. Go Blue ! Roll Over Tide, Roll Over....
umgoblue47
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 4 p.m.
bama has a great football team and MICHIGAN will have to play a mistake free game to win, but i agree BIGBLUE, an upset is very possible! low tide GO BLUE!!!
BamaJoe
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.
I agree. I think you and the blue nation will be upset on Sept 1st...at the outcome!!! Roll Tide