Q: Many Michigan fans are concerned about Alabama practicing for the Citrus Bowl at Dr. Phillips High School which also happens to be Dee Hart's school. What kind of contact can Saban and Alabama have with Dee during the quiet period?
A: None. If any Alabama players or coaches have contact with Dee or Ha'sean Clinton-Dix during this time, those players will be ineligible at Alabama. If they go to a Bowl Game (Gator or Capital One) they will have to buy a ticket and can't be hosted by any University. The NCAA Bylaw is 13.02.4.3 . The news about Alabama upgrading Dr. Phillips football fields, locker rooms, etc are pretty bush league in my opinion. Saban and Alabama seem to play by their own rules; if its finding unique ways to pay a high school or signing a class of 30 kids each year and taking scholarships away from other kids on the team.
Q: What does your gut say about Rich Rod and his future at Michigan?
A: All insider information says that coaches are looking for new jobs and that RR and staff are most likely out. I don't feel that way. If David Brandon has a deal in place with Jim Harbaugh it is the most "inside" job ever. Things like new jobs, contracts at a big time programs are never kept quiet, someone always leaks something. RR and staff are recruiting hard and telling kids that they expect to be back. Michigan just landed a Army All American DB and there seems to be more commits coming in early January. I right now expect Rich Rod and staff to be back. The upside on offense next year is huge and Michigan just needs to get the defense up to say "average".
Q: Speaking of recruiting how do you think this class will end up?
A: I will assume 2 things. #1 RR stays as head coach and #2 Michigan doesn't lose any commits from the current verbals (It's pretty well known that if RR is gone, so is Dee Hart). Michigan has 13 verbals right now: 3 DE's, 2 OL's, 1 RB. 1 Slot WR, 2 LB's, 4 DB's. That should leave 7 spots open in this class. Michigan needs 1 QB, 1 TE, 1 Safety, 1 WR, 2 DT's, 1 RB, and 1 Kicker. (yes, I realize that is 8 spots of need) I think the biggest question marks in this class are at QB, DT and Kicker. I think Michigan looks good for Anthony Zettel, Kris Frost, Thomas Rawls, Raymon Taylor, and Chris Bryant. I think Michigan has a good shot at landing one TE and a high profile DB like Wayne Lyons. I don't think Michigan has big enough pool of recruits right now at defensive tackle, kicker, or QB. It is really going to be difficult to find a QB that wants to sit behind redshirt freshman Devin Gardner and two high profile Juniors. Michigan of course would also take a WR like Devin Lucien and one TE between Jack Tabb and Frank Clark.
Q: Don't give me your highly anticipated Gator Bowl preview yet but give us a couple of nuggets to consider as we set up toys and put together bikes?
A: Here is something I have been thinking about. RR and staff seem to do well when they have more then a couple of weeks to prepare for a game. Michigan's most complete game of the year was their 1st game of the year against UConn. They only gave up 10 points on defense. In RR's first year, Michigan played a pretty sloppy game but only lost to Utah (who ended up going un-defeated that year) by 2 points.
Did you realize this is RR's 4th trip to the Gator Bowl as a head coach? He is actually only 1-3 in Gator Bowl games. The good news is RR has won his last 3 bowl games (if you include the Fiesta Bowl when he left for Michigan). His teams bowl record is 3-3 (which includes the Fiesta Bowl). Let's hope his winning bowl streak continues.
Q: Can the Defense improve since the Ohio State game?
A: Yes, it can and I expect to see improvements in WR coverage by the young DB's and overall tackling. The way bowl practice is set up: you get 15 practices and basically you work on fundamentals while in Ann Arbor and then work on game plan for Mississippi State while in Jacksonville. These two weeks really help the young kids and look for the real benefits to show up next year with guys like Jake Ryan, Richard Ash and Josh Furman.
Q: Ok, do you expect the defense will be better next year and why?
A: Yes, I do expect big improvements in the defense next year. The freshman DB's that played this year will have a full year of experience. Mike Martin will be a pre-season All American candidate. Michigan will get back a 5th year senior DB Troy Woolfolk to stabilize that area.
I'm also hoping for big improvements from young players on the defensive line like Richard Ash (who is over 300 lbs.) and Q Washington (who is now officially a defensive tackle). The linebacker play should be better with an experienced Kenny Demens.
Q: I assume your in some type of Bowl Picking Pool. How do you have the Big Ten doing?
A: Yes, I am. Just for fun of course. Never for money. Winning I have: Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio State. Losing I have: Northwestern, Penn State, and Michigan State. (You will have to wait for the Gator Bowl Preview on my Michigan pick! :)
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