Michigan Football

[The Flying Dutchman]

No mention of this on any ND sites. UNC or Wake would not be an upgrade but a home and home with say VTECH or Clemson would be. Not sure if ND ever joins a conference or not but they may be forced too. Having seen MSU 3 times at ND, I would like to see some other teams come in.

[Peake]

It's not the Notre Dame series, though at some point Michigan will attempt to opt out because of the 9 game conference schedule in the near future.

I was hinted that it has to do with the entire conference and it MAY have to do with the date future OSU v UM games are played.

[seofan_via_dublin]

They wanted to change the date of The Game last year.

OSU fans protested in mass, and in response Gee and Smith told Delany "No Chance"!

[Peake]

Here is your first part http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/ ... 52253122/1

Really hope they don't mess with The Game.

[seofan_via_dublin]

I was about to check with you to see if it was the B10/Pac12 agreement.

[The Flying Dutchman]

Peake, I doubt that most die-hard Mich fans would rather play Neb than ND.UM vs ND is agreat rivalry, one that I really enjoy. As far as not being able to fit ND in because of the 9 game conference schedule that is fine but lets not hear any excuses if Central ,Western or Eastern Michigan somehow are. I dont know about you but I do not like all this movement from league to league. Syracuse not being in the Big East is like UM or OSU not being in the Big10.

[Peake]

The Big deal that is behind this all is that this is an agreement that was made because there is a feeling if it goes great you will have your first super conference formed. That's what I was told.

I would miss Michigan v Notre Dame, but only on the surface. With the blue print the SEC has put down, you need those out of conference games to not schedule too many big time opponents. If ND was Michigan's only high profile game outside of the conference I would be forever in support of the game, but UM is opening with Bama next year to turn around 2 weeks later to play ND. I would be in favor of getting rid of the ND game because it really does little for UM anymore, and that's just reality.

[Peake]

Not much going on (dead period), but one item of interest is former 4-star DeAnthony Arnett. Arnett went to Tennessee, but his father became very ill and now he is headed back to Michigan. The thought is that Michigan is his #1 school, and as long as he has the grades to get in will be headed to A2. Good news here is the NCAA is likely to grant him a waiver to play right away rather then sit out due to his transfer based on a sick family member.

There is a lot left to play out here, but if it happens this will be very nice next year as UM will have Stonum, Roundtree, Gallon, Dielo, and Arnett.

[Peake]

Few things.

1. Sugar Bowl is tomorrow, I am excited!

2. Recruiting. Michigan will back load scholarships is what I was told. They have 28 to give away this year, and currently have 24 commits, and I was told that they will probably only take 2-3 more recruits and it looks more like 2.

3. They want Sam Grant, TE, from St. Edwards, I still think he will turn Blue, but we shall see.

4. Joshua Garnett is their #1 priority, but MIchigan is still fighting hard to get him away from Stanford. We shall see.

5. Michigan feels they have a real shot with current PSU commit Armani Reeves. He will visit UM this month and Michigan feels they have a real excellent shot.

6. Yuri Wright is fading in terms of "want" for UM. Kid has lots of talent but UM is concerned with his character issues (very immature kid). They are still high on him, but Reeves is new #1 and Yuri the backup plan imo.

7. UM commits at the all-star games that have been impressive: Biggest is LB Joe Bolden who is an early commit. He was the defensive MVP today and I have been told has been blowing everything up. OL Kyle Kalis moved to OG and has done well, he will play OG at UM. Ondre Pipkins is being compared to Mike Martin but with a higher ceiling.

8. This is how UM feels about final recruits right now.
1. Sam Grant-75%
2. Armani Reeves-51%
3. Yuri Wright-50%
4. Joshua Garnett-49%
don't know at this point-Jordan Diamond, not until he gets on campus. He will visit in two weeks.

One more thing that will be watched. DeAnthony Arnett is trying to contact the NCAA to get his release. He can't afford to go to school on his own. UM has been contacted by his father about UM as his #1 option, but of course until he gets his release they can't talk to him. There is belief that they will save a scholly for him because the NCAA will ultimately release him.

[Peake]

Arnett was granted a release to UM or MSU today.

If his grades are good enough looks like UM just got another WR and a good one at that.

[VegasEagle]

Arnett was granted a release to UM or MSU today.

If his grades are good enough looks like UM just got another WR and a good one at that.

I think he is going to MSU it was between Sparty an the Vols so I think thats where he goes

[Peake]

I would tend to agree with you if it weren't for his Dad calling the UM athletic department telling them he WANTS to go to Michigan. His problem with the old regime was he wanted a pro-style offense, and that is the direction UM is going in. Not to mention Shane Morris, the #1 QB and possibly #1 player in the nation next year is the QB of the future at Michigan. He wants to play with an elite QB, not getting that at MSU next year.

So, if grades are good he is blue, if not you're probably correct and he goes to MSU.

[Peake]

Here is what we learned this year.

1. Coach Hoke and staff did an excellent job. They took a team who imo is probably not very talented top to bottom and turned them into an 11 win team. I am realistic and understand some bounces went our way and the schedule helped, but all in all great year.

2. This team was in every game, and that is really a mark of a well coached team. They played in probably 5-6 games that came down to the final two possessions, and UM won most of those battles.

3. UM had great senior leadership.

4. Talent-IMO not great but not awful. In terms of your traditional UM team, no I don't think they are very talented, but there is enough to be pretty darn good. Molk, Koger, Martin, Van Bergan, Odoms, and Hemmingway should all play next level with Molk, Koger and Martin probably going in the first three rounds. So this is not a great deal of talent, but not a bad starting point.

5. Talent-What is left? Denard is obviously a next level talent, will be a PR, KR, slot type of player. LT Taylor Lewan will be a future NFL draft pick, Fitz Toussaint looks to be a next level player. Maybe Demens, he probably gets picked up free agent. Stonum if he comes back strong. So again not a great deal of talent, but it's getting better. The talent that will not only win Big Ten titles but win big bowls is coming.

6. Kids I am really excited about for the future:
A) Jake Ryan-Kid is only a RFr, he is only going to get better. He will be a perfect rush end by his senior year.
B) FrANK Clark- Clark came in as a LB (around 225), but his frame allowed him to add 20lbs of muscle this year. He is the future at SDE. Expect him to be around 260 next year.
C) Brennen Beyer- He like Clark came in skinny (215) and put on a good 20lbs. He will battle imo with Clark for SDE spot.
D) Chris Bryant- Bryant came in a little heavy (340), and has since dropped nearly 30lbs. He should battle for starting OG spot next year.
E) Justice Hayes- Kid was way too thin this year. Needed to add bulk, and will be a perfect 3rd down back next season along with V. Smith.
F) Blake COuntess- Obvious he is going to be good. He took over around game 4, and had more pass break ups then Charles Woodson as a true freshmen.
G) Marvin Robinson and Josh Furman- If UM is going to have a great secondary, these two need to step it up. Both are physical beats, but they need to be more students of the game.
H) Jeremy Jackson- He will be the tall wideout that UM has been missing (6'4).

7. UM opens with Bama next year, this will be a good indicator of how far UM has come, or if they are still a year away. I look at the roster and think offensively we return 7-8 starters, so we should be pretty good. On defense we return 7 starters, but the hit will be up the middle. Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergan are both gone at DT, so I am a little worried here. I think Will Campbell slides into one starting spot, but the other is up for grabs. In coming DT Ondre Pipkins could take over, but I would rather him not because this will be an indicator of how weak the position is.

8. In the Big Ten next year you have to think UM is the favorite to win the Legends divison. MSU is losing their two best WR and QB. Their all american DT is gone as well. The defense should be good again with Gholston returning, but that game is in Ann Arbor. Nebraska should be pretty solid again, but until they find a better QB they look to be an 8-9 win team again.

9. My way way early pick to win the Legends-Michigan. The leaders-OSU* with Wisconsin representing them in the Championship game.

[seofan_via_dublin]

Arnett to Michigan State, as reported by Allen Trieu of Scout.

[seofan_via_dublin]

Said if he wanted to catch jump balls, he'd play basketball!!!
JK Peake.

[seofan_via_dublin]

On a serious not, he said he made decision after visiting MSU today and talking to Dantonio.

I've got to wonder how much, if any that Mark conveyed the loss of his father and the "family" atmosphere to sell Arnett on MSU.

I know he was previously interested in MSU too.

[Peake]

Yep Dad called UM this morning and said he wants to be blue, Hoke told him around 10:30 that UM didn't have a scholarship to give until after the winter semester. Michigan asked him to do internet classes in order to stay enrolled and then they could give him a scholarship in summer. It was a no go mostly because he was just released by Tennessee to get back to Michigan due to his fathers illness, so he had to make a move fast.

So good for sparty, who easily has the best WR recruiting class in the country this year if they land Madaris too.

[seofan_via_dublin]

I saw Stonum may have violated his probation when we was pulled over recently, what's up there?

[Peake]

Dubs,

Sorry I am late responding but there was nothing going on that I could really report at the time.

Yesterday Coach Hoke met with DC around 2pm and said we will let things play out legally first. So....until I hear something different I have no real information I CAN pass along at this moment.

IMO I feel this will be very hard for him to overcome for DC.

Coach Hoke is BIG on character, and I believe this will lead to DC going bye bye. Good thing for DC is he graduates this summer, so he has a UM degree. Really is a shame IF my opinion is correct, because the kid has next level talent.

This would really hurt WR depth next season as well. UM has good players at WR but he would have been the speed wideout. Now UM will have to develop on of the two incoming freshmen in order to develop enough depth. The one position I am really worried about next year.

Recruiting news:
1. Joe Bolden is a stud and is likely to become a 5-star after his showing at the UA All American Game. The scout loved him and he was named MVP on defense twice in practice. Greg Powers and Bill Greene said he reminds them of a more athletic Paul Polsuszny. He is enrolled and starts class Monday.

2. Terry Richardson showed well at the UA Game as well. I was told he was as consistent as any player there. Bill Greene said he reminds him of Justin Green of PSU.

3. Yuri Wright was dropped by UM. Character issues. Hoke is huge on character, and has lost or dropped some good players due to it. This is unfortunate because he has been a strong MIchigan lean for some time, but he has been very disrespectful to other schools recruiting him on his twitter, has cursed fans, etc. Looks like Notre Dame gets him imo.

4. Armani Reeves, Sam Grant, and Josh Garnett are at the top of the board now, and if Stonum is gone look for UM to go get another WR.

Pretty much it right now.

[Ironmen44]

Sorry Peake, you can ramble all you want. Sammy is going to Boston College. Take it to the bank.