Michigan Thursday: Danny O, Kyle Kalis and That Purdue ACL Elephant

When Kyle Kalis de-committed from Ohio State and a few weeks later picked Michigan.  He got "light up" on twitter and other social media from Buckeye Fans that couldn't believe he picked Ann Arbor over Columbus.   Since that date there have been a ton of rumors that Kyle will eventually end up in OSU's 2012 class.  Mostly if the NCAA doesn't drop the hammer and crush the Buckeyes for the next few years.   I expect the NCAA to drop more then 3 years "Show Clause" on Tressel, maybe cut 5 scholarships from the Buckeyes for the next 2 years and 2 years of probation.
It's hard to know what will happen between now and signing day but I sure how Kyle stays Blue. 

The next recruit we are looking at today is Danny O'Brien a 4 star DT recruit from Flint.  Tennessee was his early leader but Michigan popped their head up in his recruitment this summer.   His best friend happens to be Matt Godin who is also committed to the Wolverines in the 2012 class.  Danny recently cut his list to 6 and plans to cut it even further soon.  

The big question in Danny's recruitment to Ann Arbor is; Will Michigan take another DT in this class?
Sounds like they will:  "Hoke said to me, 'Take your time. I know you're one of those guys that is really making a decision in cutting them down.' He said, 'Take your time and we will take you whenever.' That stood out to me. I was never the guy that had a dream school picked out. That was big for me because I've been down to Tennessee a few times and that's what I liked about them. They said, 'Take your time. It's your decision. You are your own man and you have to make your own decision.' When Coach Hoke finally said that (also), that was big for me with Michigan."
Danny will take his official to U of M for the ND game.  That will be a huge recruiting weekend for the Wolverines.

• Purdue keeps their ACL streak alive, QB Rob Henry is the latest victim. 

Michigan Thursday: Big House Briefs

• Ray Small former OSU Buckeye says: "They have a lot (of dirt) on everybody," Small said, "cause everybody was doing it." Regarding selling rings and getting good deals on cars.  "It was definitely the deals on the cars. I don't see why it's a big deal," said Small, who identified Jack Maxton Chevrolet as the players' main resource.  Tic Toc Coach Tressel, Tic Toc.   The NCAA isn't going to reduce USC's penalties, which is another sign that OSU will not get off easy.  This isn't going away like the Clarett situation did.

• Michigan Offensive Line recruit Jordan Diamond, canceled his trip to Auburn.   Let's hope that is good news for Wolverines!

• Ohio DE Tom Trobel's Ann Arbor visit reaction: I'm starting to narrow schools down now. Michigan's in the top with schools like Ohio State, Stanford, and Notre Dame. Academics are big for me.

• Jalen Rose, pleads guilty to DD in Detroit.

• Purdue Game is Homecoming and set for 12:00 kick.  Expect ESPN to cover it on TV.

• Michigan Basketball signs a home/home with Iowa State. 

Will's Purdue Punt

HT to Mgoblog

In a season where special teams haven't been special.  Here is a highlight to make you smile.

Michigan Football: 3-0 in Indiana

If you were home on your coach watching the game yesterday, consider yourself lucky.  I was in West Lafayette and the 40% rain turned into 100% and the high of 70 degrees turned into cold.  

Michigan was just as un-predictable as the weather.  They opened the game looking like they would put up 45 points and won by just 11.  Michigan has a serious issue with 10 turnovers in 2 games.  That will get you beat when your playing better teams.  The next two weeks, Michigan plays 2 top 10 teams and 10 more turnovers will equal two blowouts for the Wolverines. 

There's not much to say about the game on Saturday.  It was nasty weather and a win is a win.   Michigan this year as swept through the State of Indiana with a 3-0 record (ND, IU, and PU) and now has 7 wins with Wisconsin at home next week.   What's the deal with rain, Rich Rodriguez and the State of Indiana anyway?  Here are the games Michigan has played in the rain in Indiana the last 3 years:  2 games at ND, this year at IU and this year at Purdue.  

The Michigan defense gave up only 16 points which is the fewest since the UConn game (10).   The Michigan D was without maybe it's two best players in Mike Martin and Jonus Mouton but was still able to hold the Boilermakers to 256 total yards.  So the big question is: was it the weather, Michigan's D, or Purdue's offense?  I think the answer lies somewhere with all 3.   The Michigan Defense didn't give up anything easy, got some turnovers and even scored.  7 of Purdue's points came off a Denard pick 6.

It was an ugly win on an ugly day, but after the last two years I will take any win that Michigan can get.  It also gets Michigan's win total to 7 wins which many experts predicted at the beginning of the season. 

Now back to the famous "Cheers and Jeers":

Cheers

• Michigan was clearly the better team and played like it most of the time
• The Michigan fans were louder then the Purdue fans for most of the game
• Michigan won the game
• 7 wins = winning season and better bowl game
• Michigan was even in the turnover margin
• The defense gave up just 16 points and under 300 total yards
• A 72 yard punt.  Well done Hagerup!
• Danny Hope lost

Jeers

• Turnovers is a huge issue
• The only time a Michigan player should kick a ball is during an extra point, punt, or kickoff.   A missed extra point, really?
• All Purdue points came off Michigan turnovers
• The weather
• Mike Shaw's injury.  I was in the second row in the end zone and the players had to walk right by us to get to the locker room.  Mike was being helped by two players and was clearly not looking good.  He seemed "drunk' which would lead me to believe he had a serious concussion.  I hope I'm wrong and Mike is doing well.
• Taylor Lewan penalties.  Come on, bro.  Those are drive killers.

A win is a win and Michigan now has 7 of them.  I'm sure all of us Michigan fans slept well last night.  Now on to a Wisconsin a team that put up 83 points against IU.

Game Day Video: Michigan vs Purdue 2001

Enjoy this 2001 game where Purdue visited the Big House back in 2001.  Both teams were ranked, Michigan at #12 and Purdue at #16. 

Enjoy the memory and the game today!

Michigan Walk Through: Purdue

Michigan vs Purdue Preview

Location:  Ross Aide Stadium
Time: 12:00 EST
TV: Big Ten Network
Line: Purdue + 12.5
Weather: High of 70, 40% chance of rain

Neither one of these teams are lighting up the Big Ten, both come into this match up with a 2-3 conference record.  Both teams have also had big losses at important positions:  Michigan in the defensive backfield and Purdue at the QB position.  Purdue has also had a strange string of ACL injuries that have hit other offensive positions as well, which has given the Boilermakers this new mascot (which I really like and you knew it was coming!)

Michigan is coming off a 3 game losing streak with the basketball score and triple overtime win last Saturday.   Purdue is currently on it's own 3 game losing streak but with Purdue's offense injuries it's really impressive they have won 2 Big Ten games.  They also played Wisconsin close for a half last weekend at home before the game got out of control.   Purdue is 2 wins away from a bowl game with Michigan, MSU, and IU still left on the schedule.   So do you think they want this game?

A bowl game isn't the only reason that Danny Hope and the Boilermakers are looking for a third straight win over the Wolverines.   They are still upset about 2 things the Wolverines did in the past 3 years.  #1 was the signing day change of heart from Purdue to Michigan from star WR Roy Roundtree.  #2 was that Danny Hope meet RR at mid field after their victory in the Big House last year and introduced him to the kid that Danny believed RR got suspended by the Big Ten.

So to say the least, there is zero love lost between these two schools right now.  RR says that incident last year was in the past but you know he just wants to take the Boilermakers to the woodshed.  Danny of course feels the same way.   So this should be a good hard hitting game.

Purdue on offense prefers to run the ball and ranks #39 in the nation in rushing.  They really don't prefer to throw the ball where they rank #114.   That strategy will be welcomed by the Wolverine defense that ranks 105 in points against with a lot of youth in the defensive backfield.

Michigan on the other hand has the #9 ranked rushing offense and the #28 passing offense in the country which matches well against the 79th Purdue "points against" defense.  This is where Michigan has a clear advantage and should put up a lot of points. 

Tale of the Tape:

Michigan Offense vs Purdue Defense =  Maybe 0 Punts

Purdue Offense vs Michigan Defense =  Second Team All Stars

Special Teams = Have you seen Michigan kick field goals?

Intangibles =  RR vs Hope in a steal cage match


If it wasn't for thie long line of coaches with full thick mustaches the Michigan faithful would have very little respect for Purdue.  With that said, Purdue has won 2 straight over Michigan and the last time the Wolverines were in West Lafayette a backup running back Justin Stiller played QB and ran through the Michigan defense like a rat through cheese.  Even Justin is banged up with a foot sprain, so he is questionable for the game as well. 

Purdue has a talented defensive line which will be a good match up with Michigan's talented offensive line.   Purdue is strong in their pass rush and Denard/Tate will have to get rid of the ball quickly during passing plays.  Look for more screens and slats for the Michigan offense, then deep balls.

Sing Hail to the Victors if.........

• Michigan scores every time they touch the ball.
• Denard stays healthy all game and goes for 200 and 300
• Michigan gets stops on defense
• More Mike Shaw and Stephen Hopkins
• Roundtree has a big day catching the ball

Yell, Why do we play so bad on the Big Ten Network if..............

• If this becomes a shoot out
• Danny Hope has an RR magical formula
• Michigan gets caught in mis-direction or trick plays
• The Michigan defense continues to give up lots of points and lots of yards
• Michigan loses the turnover margin

Purdue knows they need this win and they really dislike the Wolverines.    They will try to run the ball, control the clock, and will throw out all the trick plays to get a W.  Purdue will have to score way over 30 points to win this game.  Weather could be the difference if it rains and Michigan gets the turnover bug.

This will be an interesting challenge for the Michigan defense which hasn't played very well on the road since the ND game.  If Michigan plays smart on offense, protects the ball, and get some stops on defense this game shouldn't be close.  Though I'm still not sold on the Wolverines on the road yet.  I'm hoping for a Michigan blow out win but I think it will be closer then that.  I think RR really wants a win against Hope and will have the Wolverines ready to play.  Michigan 100 Purdue 65    Robbie Hummel goes for 25 - who blew out his ACL as well.

I will be at the game, so please think of me when you hear a hunderd train whistles, movie clips, and that guy hitting that big drum. 

GO BLUE!

Michigan Mash Report: Purdue

OUT (0% PLAY)

Floyd, JT  Ankle
Jones, Mike  Leg
Jones, Teric Knee
Odoms,Martavious Foot
Van Slyke, Jared  Clavicle
Williams, Mike  Head
Woolfolk, Troy Ankle


QUESTIONABLE (50% PLAY)
Mouton, Jonas  Chest


PROBABLE (75% PLAY)
Dorrestein, Perry  Knee
Toussaint, Fitzgerald  Shoulder


Looks like Fitz might be ready to play, but will he?  He is has 2 plays under his Michigan career.  The big question mark is Jonas Mouton at times looks great and other times like a freshman.   This could be concerning for the defense that is struggling to get stops. 

Purdue will try to run on the Michigan D, so LB play will be important.