• Wildcat Goose Egg Champions | Dr. Sap’s Decals

    October 11, 2015 /

    Guest post by Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis I was there at Michigan Stadium when this last happened.   When Michigan last rolled out three straight shutouts, I had the same reaction in 1980 as I did on Saturday – “Wow!  Didn’t see that coming!!”Granted, 35 years ago the Wolverines stymied some pretty good QB’s, with one of them being the all-time leading passer in NCAA history, but as the old hockey saying goes, “They don’t ask how – they just ask how many.”  So true and so impressive.   Even more impressive are this week’s Champions: SPECIAL TEAMS CHAMPION – Typically the Special Teams Champion gets also-ran, ho-hum coverage – not anymore!  I’ve played on enough teams and watched enough football to realize that the truly great teams end up getting contributions from different players each week.  Saturday against Northwestern was a classic example.  In recent weeks I have mentioned how the defense may have set the tone early in the game with an INT, or how the offense may have set the tone by dominating and driving for an early score.  Well, Jehu Chesson sent a message that hasn’t been sent since Tyrone Wheatley returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown against Houston in 1992.  We’ve all seen how masterful Coach Baxter has been with these Special Teams in the first…

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  • Mudbowl is On | October 10, 2015 11AM EDT

    October 7, 2015 /

    Saturday, the 82nd Annual Mud Bowl is on.  The former residents of the giant red house with the kettle hole in front at 1408 Washtenaw are on triple non-secret probation, but the game goes on nonetheless.  Don’t be surprised if you see a former resident and blogger in the mud.  Deets: Hey, I love the pic (HT: MVictors, circa 2009).  Speaking of the Mudbowl – I added this to the list of Michigan Traditions.   Follow MVictors on Twitter

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  • Sights & Sounds: Terrapin Cushions (Michigan 28, Maryland —)

    October 5, 2015 /

    Via the #1000SSS game notes: “The U-M defense forced 12 three-and-outs, holding the Maryland offense to 1-of-18 on third-down opportunities.”  Yikes.  For the second straight week the opponent didn’t even get close to scoring.  I haven’t felt bad for an opponent in a long time but I was seriously concerned about the welfare (well before he was body slammed) of that Terrapin back-up QB.  The dude should have hid his helmet. Bullets: We’re fortunate to have many options at back, but clearly De’Veon Smith was missed.  Here’s to hoping he’s ready for Northwestern. Brandy and Dierdorf went on and on about this on the radio call (I #mutedMillen) but the physical recovery of Drake Johnson after the ACL is remarkable.   I love how that dude runs with the pigskin.   Check out this shot (HT: G. Loose), DJ gets up at least 6’ on his repaired knee: You can’t do it, but seriously, I’d love to see the analysis on whether Michigan should have elected to kickoff to start the second half. Mathlete? I loved the performance of Desmond Morgan – if nothing else for how many times the guy had his hand on the football.  Via the Michigan Daily: From the shelves of Ann Arbor Armchair & Nitpick: I don’t get going for two up 12-0 with eight minutes left…

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  • Testudo Champions | Dr. Sap’s Decals

    October 4, 2015 /

    Guest post by Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis Well, I was one of those guys who predicted a shutout against Maryland – just not like that – yikes!   The defense is starting to look very 1980/1985-ish.  But the offense?  The offense is still a work in progress, or is it?  I don’t know.  I guess we’ll find out where this team is in the next two weeks.  In the meantime, here are the Champions for the Maryland Game: OFFENSIVE CHAMPION – Gotta go with Drake Johnson. With no De’Veon Smith and Ty Isaac not being able to hang on to the ball, The Drake made plays and looked comfortable running the ball – brace and all on his left knee. When the team was sputtering and looking for a spark on “O,” #20 made the most of his opportunity. DEFENSIVE CHAMPION – It’s obvious the D-Line is playing lights out these past few games, but when the game/match was resembling an FA Cup Final and tied nil-nil after 15 minutes, Desmond Morgan was the difference on defense. His INT and strip thwarted Maryland drives when the game was still in doubt. The more I see of #3, the more I think that he is starting to look like a classic Michigan middle linebacker. SPECIAL TEAMS CHAMPION – Speaking of soccer, you…

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  • Sights & Sounds: Michigan 31, BYU 0 (2015)

    September 27, 2015 /

    Whoa.  What happened?  Based on my straw poll of the press box, most media folks had BYU winning this one.   So call BYU a good, at least a decent, team.  That was a mercy kill.  Offhand, that was probably the biggest beatdown of a good team since, what? 38-0 Vol. I over Notre Dame in 2003?   Rudock made good decisions with the pigskin.  Smith missed a couple of holes but it didn’t matter because he’s a beast.  The defense was relentless and finished tackles.   Special teams were sound.  The playcalling was straight money and clearly, the playbook is being cracked open to the later chapters.  Maybe there is magical khaki dust after all. Assuming we handle Maryland on the road, heading back home to face Northwestern will be fun to watch. It feels good man.  To the sights and sounds: DER-EK JEET-AHH.  The Pope could have visited Michigan Stadium today and no one would have noticed – here’s Derek Jeter: Above there’s Derek Jeter killing it in his Michigan hoodie, with suite ticket in pocket (does he really need a ticket?  to anything?) with Sarah Harbaugh on the left.  Any fool who tried to get too close to #2 had to deal with Big Tony, aka The Captain’s Cleaner: Coach Edwards.  I strolled over to the opposing team suite (it’s…

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