http://www.yardbarker.com/content/team/166 Recent articles about the Michigan Wolverines en-us Media Bias, Check. Continually Overrated, Check. 9 Consecutive Bowl Losses, Check. Undeserving Heisman Winners, Check. This list very well could have had 25 reasons, but I didn't want to mention them in another Top 25 list despite the fact it would be the only one they deserved...Here are the Top 10 reasons everyone Hates Notre Dame.... Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:09:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/302620 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/302620 Very funny video of ASU. I think i've lost alot of respect for them though. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:20:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/302378 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/302378 Please stop by and take part in the Football Friday Chat this Friday, August 8 in the IBB Chat Room. Friday's topics will include Media Day, the start of camp, the Beer Olympics, Impact Freshmen, and whatever else you have in mind. Also there will the Moderator of the great Syracuse Blog: Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician, on hand to field any questions you have about the Orange. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:35:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/302147 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/302147 The Big Ten has sent a representative to the championship game plenty of times in recent years but the end result has never been a good one. They have been under scrutiny for a cupcake schedule and getting a shot at the big game, but this year they boast one of the deepest conference's in the country. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:45:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301833 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301833 Time for another Blogger Q&A. I interviewed Brad from Maize and Blue Nation, the Michigan-centric blog. He took some time out of his day to answer five of the most important questions about the Michigan program this year... Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:53:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301422 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301422 The preseason Coaches poll is out and surprise, surprise -- Georgia is No. 1. Actually its not that big of a surprise. Most expected Georgia to be ranked in the top 2. What I do find somewhat surprising is Ohio State is No. 3. Is there an anti-Buckeyes movement among the coaches? Or is there just a love for USC. I'm sure the community users have an un-biased answer. Not that it really matters because the Buckeyes will play No. 2 USC on Sept. 13. I'm pretty sure the winner will by No. 1 or No. 2 after that game and all this preseason nonsense will mean nothing. The defending national champions check in at No. 6, right behind Oklahoma (No. 4) and Florida (No. 5). That makes three SEC teams in the Top 6. The biggest surprise to me is Clemson at No. 9 -- that's pretty high for a team that has high expectations every year, but always falls short. The Tigers are pretty stacked this year, especially at running back, so I'm sure the coaches see them as the class of the ACC. BYU checks in at No. 17, which is pretty good for them to make a run at that BCS bowl. They won't have far to go to get into that top 12 if they finish the season undefeated. A few teams with losing records last year, got votes in the preseason poll -- Nebraska (5-7) got 17 votes and Notre Dame (3-9) got 5 votes. Arizona (5-7) and Colorado (6-7) each got one vote. Potential BCS Bowl Predictions (based solely on the Preseason Poll, which we know means nothing, but it sure is fun): BCS Title -- Georgia vs. USC Rose: Ohio State vs. Arizona State Orange: Clemson vs. West Virginia Sugar: Florida vs. Missouri Fiesta: Oklahoma vs. BYU Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:53:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301329 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301329 Notre Dame's media day and first practice is this Friday, and while the Sept. 6 season opener is inching up ever so closely; We at IBB have come up with 10 Questions for the 2008 season. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:34:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301319 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301319 1. OSU Easily the Big Ten's most complete team, the Buckeyes have few position competitions and many more answers than questions in preseason practice. They must figure out how to use freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor and identify a third starting linebacker [Ross Homan?] alongside standout tandem James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman. 2. Wisconsin The Badgers' hold on the No. 2 spot is a bit shaky. Lance Smith's dismissal provides one less option out of the backfield, though Wisconsin remains very strong in the run game. The key here is health, particularly along the defensive line and in the secondary. Can Allan Evridge finally separate himself in the quarterback competition? We'll find out soon enough. 3. Penn State Depth is a bit of a concern at defensive tackle after coach Joe Paterno dismissed Phil Taylor and Chris Baker, but junior Jared Odrick and sophomore Ollie Ogbu have ample experience there. Penn State has options at the offensive skill positions and, unlike some teams, could benefit from a two-quarterback system as Daryll Clark and Pat Devlin bring different strengths. 4. Illinois The defense could be one of the league's sleeper units, as ends Will Davis and Derek Walker fortify the front and NFL prospect Vontae Davis anchors the secondary. Running back remains the biggest question, though junior Daniel Dufrene will have every chance to win the job. A reliable running back and another strong receiver could move Illinois up the list. 5. Michigan The freshman offensive skill players impressed coach Rich Rodriguez on Monday and give Michigan more options. There will undoubtedly be growing pains at quarterback, but if the offensive line jells after getting into better shape this spring and summer, the offense could be serviceable by Aug. 30. If a few solid linebackers emerge during the coming weeks, Michigan's defense should be among the league's best. 6. MSU Is this the year Michigan's "little brother" overtakes the Wolverines? Michigan State enters the fall oozing optimism after an encouraging 2007 season. If several receivers emerge and coach Mark Dantonio puts a greater imprint on the defense, Michigan State could back up the preseason hype and cause a stir throughout the Big Ten. 7. Purdue The Boilermakers could have a tough time holding their place, as the schedule doesn't do them many favors. Then again, having a senior quarterback with video-game statistics [Curtis Painter] always helps. Purdue needs its veteran offensive linemen healthy when camp opens Sunday and must find a third linebacker to complement Anthony Heygood and Jason Werner. 8. Northwestern Stocked with offensive skill players, the Wildcats turn their focus to the line in camp. If several capable players emerge by Aug. 30, Northwestern should be potent in the no-huddle spread shaped by new coordinator Mick McCall. Linebacker is the area of concern on defense, though new coordinator Mike Hankwitz must find a way to get more out of a defensive line that has underachieved in recent years. 9. Iowa Quarterback Jake Christensen's job appears safe for now, but the spotlight will be on a group of running backs that welcomes back former Hawkeye Shonn Greene. If Greene regains his 2006 form and the offensive line jells, Iowa could easily move up the list. But there are far too many questions in the backfield and at cornerback after the losses of Charles Godfrey and Adam Shada. 10. Indiana Once again, here's a team that could move up, especially with quarterback Kellen Lewis back in the fold. The questions here are typical for a team coming off a breakthrough after a lengthy layoff. How will pass rusher Greg Middleton respond to increased attention? Can Ray Fisher and baseball standout Andrew Means fill the void left by James Hardy at wide receiver? Is Matt Mayberry the answer at linebacker? We'll find out soon. 11. Minn New defensive coordinator Ted Roof says there are no quick fixes, but an influx of junior-college transfers gives the Gophers a chance to stop people, something they rarely did last season. Minnesota needs a reliable running back to complement talented quarterback Adam Weber, and a group of incumbents on defense should have added motivation to keep their jobs -- and move up the list. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:22:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301312 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301312 While everyone in the Buckeye State is concentrating on OSU football camp, here are some notes from camps around the conference: Illinois- The Illini camp did not open pleasantly as 4 players, including Ohio native Brian Gamble (WR), were missing from camp….on a brighter note for Ron Zook, other freshman looked very good, including Cordale Scott, AJ Jenkins, and Jack Ramsey…Of course Arrelious Benn and Juice Williams stole the show in 7 on 7 showdowns…it looks like Daniel Dufrene (I know, it was a fumble) has a lockdown on the starting RB job, for now at least Indiana- Bill Lynch certainly has to be pleased that QB Kellen Lewis (left, number 15) is back with the team after a suspension that kept him out of spring practice….The QB job is not neccessarily Lewis's though, as Ben Chappell, who ran the new "no-huddle" offense in the Spring will battle Kellen for the #1 job….The search for James Hardy's replacement took a nice bounce for IU as WR Andrew Means decided to spurn the Cincinnati Reds (drafted by Cincinnati in June) to come back to Bloomington, only because Lewis was reinstated though Iowa- Nothing much coming from the Hawkeye front except for the fact that everyone wants to know what has happened to Kirk Ferentz (left), going from the coach who could have had any job in the country, to the coach who is struggling to reach a .500 record…..Ferentz had to answer a lot of questions from the media on day one and we found out Iowa has had their own freshman with academic problems in David Blackwell……There are certainly a lot of holes at running back and losing Albert Young is going to make this team a lot softer at the position…At least Kirk Ferentz has All-Big Ten DL Mitch King back for another year, otherwise this team would really be in shambles. Michigan- Everyone in Ann Arbor has been seemingly optimistic about the upcoming season, despite doubts from around Big Ten country……the offensive line is taking shape and it's looking like the first unit will consist of (from right to left) Schilling, Zirbel, Moosman, McAvoy, and Ortman….Kevin Grady will likely be suspended so look for Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown, and freshmen, Sam McGuffie and Mike Shaw to battle it out….Brown took a bunch of snaps at QB, so look for RR to utilize the speedster in his spread attack when first unit QB Steven Threet (left) is just a tad too slow Michigan State- Coach Mark Dantonio is trying to replace the production of WR Devin Thomas and RB Jehuu Caulcrick, and more importantly the loss of 4 starting offensive linemen….QB Brian Hoyer and RB Javon Ringer (left) are back and should cause enough trouble for Sparty to be a dark horse for the Big Ten title…..Freshman wide out Fred Smith should see plenty of time and at just under 6?3? and around 220 lbs., the Detroit native could slip right into Thomas's slot….as always expect plenty of blitzing from Dantonio's defense this season Minnestoa- The rebuilding project in the Twin Cities continues, but QB Clint Brewster (R-FR, left), son of head coach Tim Brewster, has decided to transfer because Adam Weber and incoming stud MarQueis Gray will be in the way of him getting playing time. Brewster originally committed to Illinois, but switched to Minnesota after his dad left the Denver Broncos to become head coach at the school. His younger brother plays for Texas, but Clint had not decided where he will play the rest of his college football yet…….You can see what the Gopher 2-deep looks like at Gopher Nation……..expect another down year for the Gophers, with a promising future, though Northwestern- Pat Fitzgerald's team will be headlined by QB CJ Bacher and RB Tyrell Sutton, but after that there are a lot of holes to fill on the two-deep…..Fitzgerald says he has never seen a team more enthusiatic about starting the season and The 'Cats should be as they get to play Syracuse in week 1……The team didn't do much on day 1, but did run through some simulated game situations and played some 7 on 7 games Penn State- Joe Pa is still kickin' and despite all of the off-season turmoil, the Nittany Lions kicked off their camp….Monday and Tuesday were helmets only practices and Wednesday and Thursday are helmet and tops practices; Friday is TBD, while Saturday is full pads, and Sunday is a scrimmage……The fullback position is open and freshman Mike Zordich, an Ohio native, will compete for the job, as will redshirt freshman Andrew Dailey, another Ohioan…..Sean Lee is out for the year, but the road to recovery looks bright and he should get back to giving QBs nightmares next year…….QB Daryll Clark(left) is looking solid, but is having a little trouble with the deep routes…..QB Pat Devlin is probably #2 right now but has shown signs that he could lead the team if he beats out Clark. Purdue- QB Curtis Painter (left) and WR Greg Orton are certains in Joe Tiller's last season, but making up for the losses of WR Dorian Bryant and TE Dustin Keller will be tough……Keith Smith, Aaron Valentin, and Desmond Tardy will all compete for the #2 WR slot…….Roy Roundtree and Michael Shaw would certainly be bright spots in camp if "the man in a wizard hat selling snake oil" didn't steal them away from West Lafeyette……everything else is pretty much quite on the Boilermaker front. Wisconsin- The biggest news out of camp is that junior RB Lance Smith (left) will transfer, after off-the-field troubles had him facing a suspension. Coach Brett Bielma and Smith "feel a change of scenery is best for Lance"…….corner back Josh Nettles has been ruled academically ineligible to play this year and will be another blow to the Badger secondary……Star defensive end, Matt Shaughnessy has looked good coming back from a broken leg and is "full go" for practice……PJ Hill looks healthy as well, and should be up there with Beanie Wells, Tyrell Sutton, and JaVon Ringer for top RBs in the conference….TE Travis Beckum should be the best at his position in the nation….again Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:19:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301167 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301167 Here is a summary of notes from the camps of teams in the Big Ten Conference, courtesy of dottingthei.com. You can read about Ohio State's camp at dottingthei.com, as well as other great news and analysis of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Big Ten Conference. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:10:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301165 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301165 If you thought it was bad in State College, just take a trip out to Iowa City. Quickly forgotten by the main stream media, the trouble surrounding Kirk Ferentz & Co. has been nearing critical mass for some time. From drug charges to credit card fraud, the convictions have been constant and troublesome. Fortunately for this down-and-out program, there's growing optimism for 2008. From 2002 to 2004, no Big Ten team won more games than Iowa. This year could see the Hawkeyes produce that way again, but it all depends on getting the offense rolling behind a good offensive line, a veteran quarterback, and a strong front four on defense. While there might not be the fireworks of 2002, or the magic of 2004, this Iowa team is very dangerous from top to bottom, and no team should take them lightly. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:50:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300971 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300971 Today we finish our Preseason All America Team with the big uglies on Defense. There are some definite high caliber players that will be playing on Sundays very shortly. Once again leave a message if you agree or disagree with the team. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:58:24 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300563 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/300563 The national polls came out yesterday and the Mountain West got some play with BYU at 17, then Utah just on the outside at 28 and TCU received some votes. So, the leauge is getting respect on the national scene and these pre season rankings are huge if any team in a non-BCS league wants to get into a big money game. Listening to the national sports shows on ESPN and Fox, one would assume that most of the talk about a team getting into the BCS from a non auto league would be Fresno or BYU, but for some reason Utah was getting a lot of respect. Part of it could be that they are playing Michigan week one and the Wolverines have a whole new system starting with their coach going down to them losing nearly all of their offense, and they are ranked. What cracks me up is listening to callers calling into ESPN Radio and Fox Sports radio who are trying argue, weakly I might add, about how MIchigan is getting no respect for beating Florida in their bowl game last year and wonder how Florida is ranked so much higher. When writing here most everyone knows I over value the Utes a little since I went there, but I try to be reasonable unlike those fans who actually tried to debate that Michigan should be in the top 12 for preseason!! Both shows I listened to were talking about how if Utah wins that it would not be an upset at all, and about how Utah is loaded on offense with Brian Johnson and Brent Casteel and other playmakers who were injured last year. It is pretty good to hear that the Mountain West is getting some nantional love and not just what team will make the BCS but also how other teams will fare in the league. Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:17:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299759 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299759 The Rich Rodriquez saga seems to finally be over but there is one interesting detail about this case. OSU seemed to have a seat at the table in the lawsuit as Jaclyn A. Bryk, a 2004 graduate of the Michael E. Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University, was on the three-person team from the law firm that was hired to represent WVU in the case. It's really not that significant at all but it's nice to see former Buckeye alumni continuing the spite for the Wolverines. Bryk was obviously professional in this released statement: "The fact that I was an OSU alumni, a secondary matter to be sure, made this case even more appealing for me." Bryk specializes in insurance law and commercial/general litigation and helped WVU win the case against Rodriguez and on July 8th he agreed to pay WVU the entire $4 million in liquidated damages provision in his contract. He broke that clause when he resigned in December to coach at Michigan. Yesterday, Michigan wired $2.5 million of its $4 million settlement to WVU and will pay the rest at later dates. Also on an interesting and ironic note, Michigan and Rich Rodriquez were represented by University of Toledo grads and not one single Michigan grad. Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:03:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299741 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299741 The USA Today Coaches Top 25 is out and the top five are no surprise: Georgia is No. 1, followed by USC, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Florida. LSU is No. 6, which is a stretch for team with a major question mark at quarterback but here's where things take a turn for the preposterous ... Michigan is No. 24. The Wolverines, whose offensive line is in shambles, who are hoping Steven Threet (who was recruited for his arm and not his legs) can run an offense made for a mobile quarterback are worthy of a Top 25 ranking? That's exactly what you expect for a program that has had 11 players with eligibility leave since Rich Rodriguez strutted into Ann Arbor, to be ranked higher than, say Pittsburgh, which is among the "also receiving votes category" yet has legitimate hopes for 2008 aside from showing how much they are in dire need of a QB tailored for the offense. RichRod does bring hope to Michigan ... for the future, not for this season. This team is going to struggle and it's going to be made to look even worse since the coaches had the audacity to include them among the best 25 teams in the nation. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:37:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299471 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299471