Game Week Thread Week 2, 2024: Texas at Michigan

[closetojumping 62,029]

2 minutes ago, MuellerHorn said:

Horns247 Staff Predictions: No. 3 Texas vs. No. 10 Michigan

All five 247 staff members picked Texas, with an mean score of 27.8 - 16.6.

Four of the five have it as a two-score Texas win.

  Reveal hidden contents

There is a lot on the line when the No. 3 Texas Longhorns travel to the Big House in Ann Arbor to face the No. 10 Michigan Wolverines at the Big House. The Horns247 staff has score predictions for one of the biggest non-conference games of the 2024 college football season.

Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian was adamant that no matter what happened last September when traveling to Tuscaloosa to face then-No. 3 Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, it wouldn't define the Longhorns' season.

It's impossible to downplay the magnitude of the 34-24 triumph over the Crimson Tide. It became a springboard to 12 wins, a conference championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff rather than a fleeting, feel-good moment or the premature apex of a promising campaign.

When it visits No. 10 Michigan on Saturday (11 a.m., Fox), No. 3 Texas has a chance to end two of the Wolverines' notable streaks — a 16-game winning streak (the longest active streak in FBS) and 23 consecutive victories in a row at Michigan Stadium. Michigan could deny the Longhorns a second consecutive road win over an opponent ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press Top 25 if the reigning national champions emerge victorious as a 7.5-point home underdog.

The location and opponent for the program's marquee non-conference clash of 2024 are different, but Sarkisian's mindset remains the same.

"This game isn't going to define our season," Sarkisian said on Monday. "If we win the game, that doesn't automatically declare us that we're going to be in this great team. If we don't win the game, that doesn't mean that the season was a failure. There's a lot of football left to be played."

That said, a Texas win over the Wolverines would further prove Sarkisian's current trajectory is headed toward the program's fifth national title. The result of the Michigan game won't get the Longhorns into the 12-team CFP or keep them out, but as Sarkisian said, it'll "serve as a bit of a barometer" of where they stand in the college football pecking order.

"We're going to get challenged in all three phases and then, 'OK, what do we need to work on and where do we need to keep growing and getting ourselves prepared for the Southeastern Conference?'" Sarkisian said. "Ideally, it can serve as a springboard for the rest of the season.

"We'll find out Saturday, I guess, around 3:30, 4 [p.m.] or so."

Regarding how things might play out when two of college football's winningest programs (Michigan is No. 1 all-time in FBS wins with 1,005; Texas is fourth with 949 victories), the Horns247 staff has their thoughts and score predictions for Saturday's showdown.

HORNS247 STAFF PREDICTIONS: No. 3 TEXAS vs. No. 10 MICHIGAN

 

Chip Brown

Quinn Ewers had one of the best games of his career in last season's road win over Alabama. Can he rekindle the road magic and help Texas dispatch the reigning national champions? (Photo: Tim Warner, Getty)

Can Quinn Ewers and this team rekindle the magic they had in Week 2 a year ago when the Longhorns came out aggressively against Alabama and had answers whenever the Crimson Tide punched back?

I say yes.

I mean, games like this are why Ewers came back to Texas for a third year. Steve Sarkisian lives for games like this in terms of the play-calling chess match.

Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene completed 22 of 36 passes against Michigan. Last year, at Alabama, Ewers completed 24 of 38 passes. You can throw on this Michigan defense, and you can count on Sarkisian to throw to set up the run.

I'll take the Texas defense against the shoot, ready, aim approach the Michigan offense had last week.

Yes, I expect to see a different, more intense, more focused Michigan team than we saw last week. But if both teams play their best, Texas wins. And if Michigan turns it over, Texas wins big. I see Texas scoring either a special teams or defensive touchdown.

Prediction: Texas 27, Michigan 13

 

Jeff Howe

Can Davis Warren or Alex Orji beat Texas throwing the football? Based on Michigan's season opener against Fresno State, it seems unlikely.

I'm not expecting Texas to run the ball down Michigan's throat. I'm not expecting the Longhorns to effectively run the ball enough to win the rushing yardage battle.

That said, Texas didn't outgain Alabama on the ground in last season's 34-24 win in Tuscaloosa. The vertical passing game the Longhorns used to topple the Crimson Tide wasn't there in the Colorado State game. It didn't need to be a big part of the offense because Texas went up and down the field (545 total yards and 7.7 yards per play) with Quinn Ewers throwing only one pass that traveled 20 or more yards down the field.

Steve Sarkisian admitted this week that he had the offense work on certain plays in fall camp without telling them they'd be used for the Michigan game. The home-and-home series with Alabama showed how good Sarkisian is building a plan for a top-tier non-conference opponent and I wouldn't expect anything different on Saturday.

Three things will determine success or failure at the end of the day for the offense: playing a clean game (Ewers was responsible for three turnovers in last season's 34-30 loss to Oklahoma, which was the team's only loss during the regular season), patience (especially when trying to run the ball) and staying on schedule (avoiding predictable down and distances when Sarkisian's playbook shrinks and Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale can release the hounds on Ewers).

If I'm Pete Kwiatkowski, I make sure that if Michigan beats me it's with Davis Warren and Alex Orji throwing the football.

It was a one-game sample, but outside of an elite tight end in Colston Loveland, the Wolverines didn't appear to have a game-breaking presence on the perimeter against Fresno State. Michigan lacks experience along the offensive line. Still, if the group gains some confidence early and Kalel Mullings and/or Donovan Edwards get going, it could be a long day for the Texas defense with possessions at a premium for Ewers and Co.

When in doubt, pick the team with the most trusted head coach and quarterback to win a big game. Even if one wanted to give the edge to Sherrone Moore over Sarkisian, Ewers is far and away the best quarterback on either side.

Ewers has lost six games as a starting quarterback for the Longhorns. The five quarterbacks who've won head-to-head meetings with Ewers are Bryce Young, Spencer Sanders, Max Duggan, Dillon Gabriel and Michael Penix Jr. (twice).

Unless Michigan hits the waiver wire in the next 48 hours, or if one of the Wolverine quarterbacks has the game of a career and can out-duel Ewers, I'll go with the proven commodity at the most important position on the field to get the job done.

Prediction: Texas 27, Michigan 16

 

Eric Henry

Jahdae Barron had an interception in the season opener against Colorado State to help the defense pitch a shutout. Things figure to much different on Saturday against Michigan.

Texas' first two games of the season are a perfect opportunity to answer two major questions hovering over the club to start 2024.

In a season-opening annihilation of Colorado State, the much-maligned Longhorn pass defense from a season ago held one of the nation's top passing attacks to 74 yards through the air. That's the lowest passing total in Rams head coach Jay Norvell's seven seasons as a collegiate head coach.

Now, Week 2 sees Texas head to Michigan to take on a Wolverines' team whose identity is rooted in being physical and running the football, led by offensive line coach-turned-head coach Sherrone Moore. Against the Rams, none of the 106 yards allowed to Colorado State running back Justin Marshall were of any real consequence.

However, last season's Longhorn run defense allowed just two 100-yard rushing days (Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel and Wyoming's Harrison Waylee). My expectation is just as the pass defense rose to the occasion in the season-opener, the run defense will answer the call playing in front of a national spotlight.

The Longhorns are too fast on both sides of the ball and Quinn Ewers' Heisman candidacy will take flight with the litany of weapons at his disposal.

Prediction: Texas 27, Michigan 17

 

Hank South

Ethan Burke and the Texas pass rush will look to get after the quarterback of a marquee non-conference opponent for the second season in a row.

For anyone who thinks Texas will steamroll Michigan on Saturday, expectations should be dialed back just a tad. The Wolverines, while lacking firepower on offense, still boast one of the nation's top defenses and will have 107,000 fans behind them trying to rattle Quinn Ewers and company.

The defending national champions will certainly present a major challenge, but not one Texas hasn't seen before.

Last season, this same weekend, Ewers led the Longhorns into Bryant-Denny Stadium and snapped a 21-game home win streak that the Alabama Crimson Tide had going. The Wolverines have a 23-game home win streak that UT would like to shatter. 

Texas has the team to do it, too.

The Longhorns have playmakers galore on offense who will give UM headaches and should be able to create some big plays against the vaunted Michigan defense. Eleven players caught a pass from Ewers last weekend in the deepest Texas team we've seen in some time.

The defense pitched a shutout against Colorado State and should be able to create enough pressure on whichever quarterback is playing. This should be a contest where we truly see the strength of the revamped defensive front minus T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy as Michigan is likely to lean on Donovan Edwards and its rushing attack. 

I think Texas wins comfortably but not in any sort of blowout fashion.

Prediction: Texas 28, Michigan 13

 

Jordan Scruggs

Steve Sarkisian has a chance to notch a signature win in non-conference play for the second consecutive season. It won't be easy since Michigan has won 16 games in a row and 23 straight at the Big House.

Some Texas fans are hoping for a blowout after seeing how Michigan performed against Fresno State. I think that's unrealistic since the Wolverines return a plethora of talented players from a national championship team amid offseason attrition, including 13 picks in the 2024 draft.

Michigan is built to play with a lead. Sherrone Moore's team wants to dominate the time of possession. If the Longhorns can avoid getting behind, I like their chances of controlling the game with their offense.

I believe it'll be the burnt orange setting the tone when it comes to offensive firepower.

Playing in the largest stadium in the country will surely affect the team once the game starts, but it's not like Texas hasn't been in similar situations.

A lot of guys on the roster played in or traveled to Tuscaloosa last season for the Alabama game. There are a few Longhorns who were a part of the Arkansas game in Fayetteville in 2021, so this is a team that's experienced hostile environments.

If things go as predicted, Steve Sarkisian will arrive back home Saturday night with another signature win and a nice springboard before SEC play starts at the end of the month.

Prediction: Texas 30, Michigan 24

 

On Dusty and Danny this morning, Dvoracek took Texas -7 for one of his picks of the week. Kanell took Michigan +7.5 and the first half under of 21.5. 

I don’t know what to make of the total, really. Yeah it could be low scoring, but it could also get out of hand. 31-14 goes over and that’s not an insane score. 

[MuellerHorn 4,076]

4 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

On Dusty and Danny this morning, Dvoracek took Texas -7 for one of his picks of the week. Kanell took Michigan +7.5 and the first half under of 21.5. 

I don’t know what to make of the total, really. Yeah it could be low scoring, but it could also get out of hand. 31-14 goes over and that’s not an insane score. 

Yeah, this is a really hard game to pick.

31-14 Texas wouldn't surprise me.

27-24 Texas wouldn't surprise me.

Hell, while I think Texas should win, 23-20 Michigan is certainly within the realm of possibility.

[troph 24,417]

8 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

On Dusty and Danny this morning, Dvoracek took Texas -7 for one of his picks of the week. Kanell took Michigan +7.5 and the first half under of 21.5. 

I don’t know what to make of the total, really. Yeah it could be low scoring, but it could also get out of hand. 31-14 goes over and that’s not an insane score. 

34-17 if Texas plays as Texas should. too much on offense especially early in the season for Texas. only way it's close (absent freak TOs and special teams TDs) is if QE sputters and Michigan gashes the DL for 5+ per carry early and jumps out 10-0. Shit, even if Mich is successful early, if they only get FGs then Texas comes back and it could still be 34-17. The path to a close game or Mich win is narrow. The paths to Texas curb stomping the soul selling midwestern fucksticks are numerous.  Pretty much the same team that walked into Alabama and Temple of Doom ripped Alabama's heart out their chest. Big House ain't gonna scare nobody. I think Mich probably has some early success but it fizzles in the red zones, Texas might start slow but Texas goes in at half with the lead and then breaks it 3rd quarter and Arch gets the last drive or two. 34-20 is my prediction and it's Texas 17-10 at half.

Edited September 6 by troph

[MuellerHorn 4,076]

247 The Insider: Nuggets galore ahead of Texas hitting the road to take on Michigan

• Sark bandwidth now that LHN is gone
• Personnel discussions, NFL scout roster comparisons to last year
• Update on Michael Terry's reruitmeant
• 2026 WR Jaydon Finley (12th-ranked WR, 83rd overall) (yes, that Finley - we're old) schedules a visit

Spoiler

In this week's edition of "The Insider," we've got nuggets galore ahead of Texas football's showdown at Michigan, football recruiting nuggets and a Texas basketball injury update.

We'll begin this week's edition of "The Insider" with intel on how No. 3 Texas football is preparing for its trip to No. 10 Michigan to face the reigning national champions at the Big House in Ann Arbor on Saturday (11 a.m., Fox).

— Here are three names to keep in mind this weekend: wide receiver/return specialist Silas Bolden, tight end Gunnar Helm and wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr.

— Quarterback Quinn Ewers and safety Michael Taaffe led a team discussion this week to make sure everyone was focused and on the same page.

"The guys are healthy and ready to go," a source said.

— I had an interesting conversation with a source close to the situation, who said the dissolution of the Longhorn Network has improved Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian's game-planning time on Mondays immensely.

On Mondays during the season, Sarkisian used to finish his weekly press conference with the local media and drive over to the LHN studios just north of campus to record a show recapping the previous week's game.

"It would take about 90 minutes out of his Monday — one of the most important game-preparation days of the week," the source said. "It was what it was. But he'd get back from LHN and all of his offensive coaches would be waiting for him to begin meetings."

Now, Sarkisian wraps up his press conference and heads straight to meetings.

"You don't really know how much that 90 minutes means until you have that time to work with, especially as the offensive play-caller."

Monday was always the busiest day for Sarkisian regarding LHN demands because of the taping of the in-season game recap show "Rewind."

"[Taping the show] was his biggest time demand," the source said. "Coaches here have always done a radio show and LHN just happened to turn it into television programming, so that was no extra time."

Kenneth Grant (78) and Mason Graham (55) could be college football's 2024 version of what Texas had in 2023 with Byron Murphy and T'Vondre Sweat. The Michigan interior defensive line tandem has the respect of the Longhorn offensive line.

— Saturday's marquee matchup is Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns' offense against the Wolverines' defense. But the battle within the battle will be the Texas offensive line trying to win the line of scrimmage against the Michigan defensive line.

The Texas offensive linemen have talked about wanting to win the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line in FBS each year. Well, here's a game in which the big fellas up front in burnt orange can make their case (for what it's worth, the Wolverines won the award in 2021 and 2022, respectively).

I talked to a few NFL scouts who said they believe Michigan's defensive line is better than the Alabama defensive line Texas faced in a 34-24 victory in Tuscaloosa a year ago.

"The Michigan defensive line is better on the interior than Alabama's was last year," one NFC scout told Horns247.

Last year, Texas was credited with having the two best interior defensive linemen in the country — 2023 Outland Trophy winner T'Vondre Sweat and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Byron Murphy, who went in the first and second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, respectively. According to Pro Football Focus, Sweat (a PFF season grade of 91.7) and Murphy (91.1) finished the 2023 season as the two highest-graded interior defensive linemen in the country.

Kelvin Banks Jr. (right) and the Texas offensive line might not face a better defensive front this season than the one the Longhorns face in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

This year, Michigan could well have the two best interior defensive linemen in FBS with junior Mason Graham (6-3, 317), a former conference champion wrestler in high school, and junior Kenneth Grant (6-3, 339).

Texas All-American left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. said Grant reminds him of Sweat while Graham reminds him of Murphy.

"They [Graham and Grant] gel together just like those guys [Murphy and Sweat] did," Banks said. "We blocked those guys [Murphy and Sweat] all last year in practice, so we kind of got a feel. Obviously, they're not the same people, so they're going to play differently. But they [Graham and Grant] are similar body types to Murphy and Sweat, and they work well together."

It's not just Graham and Grant on the interior defensive line for Michigan, it's also junior Rayshaun Benny (6-4, 292), who had five tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in a 30-10 victory over Fresno State in the Wolverines' season opener.

At defensive end, Michigan's main man is senior Josaiah Stewart (6-1, 245), who wears No. 0 and opened the season with three tackles for loss and two sacks against Fresno State.

"He's a great player. Real twitchy, really powerful," Texas senior tight end Gunnar Helm said of Stewart. "He has the ability to get under you pretty easily. Strong, really smart. Both edge guys [Stewart and junior Derrick Moore] are really smart. Both interior D-linemen [Graham and Grant] are really good. They've played a lot of football for them, so obviously, it's going to be a tough test. We're going to find out a lot about our offense on Saturday."

Jaydon Blue ran for 57 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry against Colorado State. It'll be much tougher to get the running game going against a big, physical Michigan defense.

Despite Fresno State having four starters returning on the offensive line from a team that went 9-4 last season, Michigan held the Bulldogs' rushing attack to just nine net yards on 22 carries (0.4 yards per attempt).

"Michigan, they put guys in the league," said Texas junior running back Jaydon Blue. "They're the national champs, so we have the utmost respect for them. We know they're going to give us their best shot, so we just have to do a good job of preparing mentally and physically this week so that we go in there and play to the best of our ability."

Texas fifth-year senior center Jake Majors said Michigan's defensive line is full of "high-motor players."

"Graham and Grant, they're both great players," Majors said. "I'm very high on them just because they're high-motor players. They test you in the way you finish blocks and your technique. It's going to be a big emphasis this week for us having the right technique, Mike-ing the right people and also just finishing our blocks. Like I said, they're high-motor players. If you let them slip off, they're going to make plays. You've got to be able to finish on them."

The Texas offensive line, which did a good job in pass protection for last week (Ewers was pressured on only two of his 28 dropbacks according to PFF), will very likely be helping the Longhorns throw the ball to set up the run against Michigan.

Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene completed 22 of 36 passes (61%) for 238 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. One of those interceptions resulted in an 86-yard return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter by Michigan All-American cornerback Will Johnson.

Ewers completed 24 of 38 passes at Alabama last year for 349 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

Update on a five-star recruiting battle

Michael Terry III is headed to Nebraska this weekend for the Huskers' game against Colorado. He's scheduled to visit Texas on Oct. 19 for the Georgia game.

There continues to be little to no news on the recruitment of Alamo Heights five-star athlete Michael Terry III.

The nation's No. 1-ranked athlete according to 247Sports will visit Nebraska this weekend to see the Huskers host the Colorado Buffaloes. The trip has been locked in for Terry since he saw Nebraska at the end of July on an unofficial visit.

Outside of going to Lincoln for this weekend's game, Terry doesn't have any other visits on his schedule other than making the drive from the greater San Antonio area to the Forty Acres for the Georgia game on Oct. 19. However, sources have indicated that Oregon will make a serious push to get Terry to Eugene the week before when the Ducks welcome Ohio State to Autzen Stadium on Oct. 12.

At press time, nothing is set in stone regarding Terry and his family making the trip.

Furthermore, there isn't anything to update as far as a timeline for a decision goes and Terry hasn't set a commitment date.

However, a source I spoke with on Wednesday said they could see a commitment happening in either September or October rather than November or December.

The source I spoke with continues to lean toward the Longhorns' chances over Nebraska and Oregon. They believe if Terry makes it to campus for the Georgia game and Texas wins, the chances of Terry committing before the end of October would increase.

No matter the currently scheduled visits or the absence of a definitive decision timeline, we continue to like the Longhorns' chances of winning out for Terry's services when the dust settles. — JORDAN SCRUGGS

2026 legacy schedules visit to Texas

Kaydon Finley's father is former Texas tight end Jermichael Finley, who redshirted during the program's 2005 national championship season. The younger Finley is a four-star prospect in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Texas will play host to 2026 four-star wide receiver Kaydon Finley for the Georgia game, Horns247 has learned. The Aledo standout is the son of former Longhorn great Jermichael Finley.

The 247Sports Crystal Ball already favors Texas for the Top100 recruit, with one prediction from Horns247's Jordan Scruggs.

"I love it and I love how they throw the ball to Ja'Tavion Sanders a lot and use the tight ends," Finley told Scruggs at the end of his sophomore season, before Texas' CFP appearance. "It's unbelievable how far they've come and they've made it this far but it's great to see them where they're at and I hope they can go all the way."

Finley is ranked the No. 12 wide receiver and the No. 83 overall prospect in the country, per the 247Sports Composite.

Texas has one commitment at the wide receiver position in the class of 2026 in four-star prospect, Chris Stewart. The Longhorns are also trending for four-star San Antonio wideout Jordan Clay. Finely could project more as a tight end like his dad with his frame, so it's to be determined regarding his positional fit. — HANK SOUTH

 

[BurntOrange&White 39,163]

Texas by double digits.....fuck Michigan

[troph 24,417]

1 minute ago, BurntOrange&White said:

Texas by double digits.....fuck Michigan

in their face. agree, Texas wins walking away taking another knee to end the game in another storied stadium of an opponent.

[Valmy77 13,055]

It used to be pretty standard for coaches to do coaches shows but I guess they just don't have time for that kind of thing anymore.

[MuellerHorn 4,076]

2 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

Texas by double digits.....fuck Michigan

Yep, if Texas plays a good (not even great) game, a 10-point (at least) win should occur.

[Katfid54 8,583]

3 minutes ago, MuellerHorn said:

— I had an interesting conversation with a source close to the situation, who said the dissolution of the Longhorn Network has improved Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian's game-planning time on Mondays immensely.

On Mondays during the season, Sarkisian used to finish his weekly press conference with the local media and drive over to the LHN studios just north of campus to record a show recapping the previous week's game.

"It would take about 90 minutes out of his Monday — one of the most important game-preparation days of the week," the source said. "It was what it was. But he'd get back from LHN and all of his offensive coaches would be waiting for him to begin meetings."

Now, Sarkisian wraps up his press conference and heads straight to meetings.

"You don't really know how much that 90 minutes means until you have that time to work with, especially as the offensive play-caller."

Monday was always the busiest day for Sarkisian regarding LHN demands because of the taping of the in-season game recap show "Rewind."

"[Taping the show] was his biggest time demand," the source said. "Coaches here have always done a radio show and LHN just happened to turn it into television programming, so that was no extra time."

I remember there being conversations about this even as far back as Mack's tenure.  First, the time demands of having to record LHN content every week.  But even moreso, breaking down your own game film.  At the very least, it gives your opponent an insight into what/how you're seeing your own team that they wouldn't otherwise get.

I'm glad we don't do that anymore, as enjoyable as it was to watch after the few marquee wins we've had over the past 15 years.

[texifornia 56,170]

Michigan is one of my least favorite teams in college football.

One of those schools where I have run into an astonishing amount of pricks from their alumni base. So many of the worst NYC stereotypes I met when I lived there turned out out to be Michigan grads. Finance douchebags that take American Psycho as a style and ethics seminar and will never stop seething about their rejection letter from Cornell. Loud, whiny 5' women who never ever shut the fuck up. Some of the most boring holier-than-thou "we do things the RIGHT way" college football watchers you've ever met at a bar.

I'm sure their alums that are actually from Michigan are lovely. Never met one.

Fuck 'em up, Texas by 2 scores.

[Katfid54 8,583]

Just now, Valmy77 said:

It used to be pretty standard for coaches to do coaches shows but I guess they just don't have time for that kind of thing anymore.

There's a pretty big difference between doing a short radio show and sitting down with the laser pointer and diagramming your playcalls/scheme on TV.

[troph 24,417]

4 minutes ago, Valmy77 said:

It used to be pretty standard for coaches to do coaches shows but I guess they just don't have time for that kind of thing anymore.

so were those bike sansabelt shorts... all good things must come to an end. just like Michigan's deal with the devil.

[Valmy77 13,055]

5 minutes ago, Katfid54 said:

There's a pretty big difference between doing a short radio show and sitting down with the laser pointer and diagramming your playcalls/scheme on TV.

I mean it was only 90 minutes for Sark and I am talking about coaches shows, full TV shows that went on for a half hour or more back in the 1970s-1990s. I am not taking about radio interviews.

Edited September 6 by Valmy77

[Josef Pwag 1,712]

8 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

Texas by double digits.....fuck Michigan

I agree. 

Everyone is talking about this like a trap game. Everyone is poised to say, "I told you so" and to beat their chests about the Michigan D and the Big House and facing the defending national champs. 

To go into a situation like this where everyone is hoping for, and talking themselves into, Texas taking a stumble, and to come out with a convincing win, would scare the **** out of the entire country. I am convinced Sark and the team are ready for this moment. 

[Valmy77 13,055]

3 minutes ago, troph said:

so were those bike sansabelt shorts... all good things must come to an end. just like Michigan's deal with the devil.

It's fine. I used to find those coaches shows hilarious and corny and enjoyed watching them back in the day. The ones on LHN never really had that charm. I won't miss it.

I just found it interesting what was a pretty normal thing for an old time coach would now be a major burden with all the additional things to manage.

[jw4381 3,046]

1 hour ago, MotownHorn said:

lol not forever. Just had a daily habit I wanted to break. 3-5 drinks a day and more on weekends. Seemed like a bad habit to continue as a middle aged dad.

Hoping to go back to occasional drinking after 6-8 weeks off the booze.

--------------

On topic I think to have any chance Michigan needs to be able to run the ball well and get at least 2 turnovers.

Otherwise I feel good about our chances.

Good on ya. I also stopped drinking like I had been for most of my life after the age of 19 (when it was legal in Texas).

At least 10-15 drinks per week takes a toll. So I stopped drinking alcohol in January after the college playoffs. It definitely makes a difference.

Oh, and 

mudhole gif

Edited September 6 by jw4381

[Longhornlove 4,766]

13 minutes ago, Valmy77 said:

It used to be pretty standard for coaches to do coaches shows but I guess they just don't have time for that kind of thing anymore.

A regional show doesn't benefit a National brand, better off doing what he is doing now, hitting the circuit.

[Burt Macklin 18,979]

1 hour ago, Katfid54 said:

this clip, Collins acts like he's never seen trap before.  He is absolutely lost--standing straight up--when he goes unblocked, and he gets blasted by the puller, setting up the huge gain.  I wonder if this is a "result" of having a DE spin down to a NG?  He just lacks the reps of knowing what to expect by someone who has played DT/NG their whole life, so he doesn't know to attack the puller when he's left unblocked.

Meanwhile, Gbenda and Hill both overrun the trap, missing the pulling guard and giving the RB a huge hole to run through.  The good news is that Michael Taafe takes the RBs head completely off.

Does this give me some concern for gap run schemes this weekend?  Yeah, maybe?  But this got cleaned up really quickly on Saturday.

There were at least 3 plays in the first or second quarter where either Collins or Broughton were standing straight up and getting moved easily. I definitely think it’s a concern, but we all knew the run defense would take a step back.
 

I agree with you that Norton, Lole, Savea will be playing more, and I’d even like to see some packages where Collins or Broughton are pushed to edge. There’s really no reason to respect Michigan’s passing game at all and those guys are good enough pass rushers to make it work against this opponent. Plus, Holmes, Barron, and Mohammed all looked really good at outside CB against CSU. I think all 3 of them are better than any outside CB we had their last year, so we can get away with a lot of cover 1/cover 3 and even some Cover 0 on their WRs to make up for the drop in DT play. 
 

my only real concern on defense is that PK tends to overemphasize keeping everything in front of the defense at the expense of getting killed by consistent 4 yard gains in the run game. His UW defenses struggled the most against Stanford for that reason, but Michigan’s passing game is so poor, it’s hard to see him doing that, and Sark/Nansen should also put a stop to that if we see it through the first quarter. 

Edited September 6 by Burt Macklin

[Valmy77 13,055]

4 minutes ago, Longhornlove said:

A regional show doesn't benefit a National brand, better off doing what he is doing now, hitting the circuit.

Nobody does them anymore I don't think. The LHN show was a bit of a throwback.

Prior to LHN the last UT coach to have a coaches show was John Mackovic in 1992 I think. Cactus Prior was the host and did a better job than Galindo.

Edited September 6 by Valmy77

[Hornius Emeritus 12,345]

SIAP. Y'all are going to love this. Klatt's comments on Vince Young and Sark are really super.
 

 

 

 

[Tex Long 4,307]

2 hours ago, Fletch said:

One of the two has to be ou considering their history. 

You spelled "Venables" incorrectly.

[TexMexBuddha 986]

Fuck maize

[tbone_ 14,016]

Michigan is one of my least favorite teams in college football.
One of those schools where I have run into an astonishing amount of pricks from their alumni base. So many of the worst NYC stereotypes I met when I lived there turned out out to be Michigan grads. Finance douchebags that take American Psycho as a style and ethics seminar and will never stop seething about their rejection letter from Cornell. Loud, whiny 5' women who never ever shut the fuck up. Some of the most boring holier-than-thou "we do things the RIGHT way" college football watchers you've ever met at a bar.
I'm sure their alums that are actually from Michigan are lovely. Never met one.
Fuck 'em up, Texas by 2 scores.

Interesting. My experience has been the opposite.

Sat in the Michigan section of the Rose Bowl, then in the Horseshoe a few months later. People around us in the Rose Bowl were great. People around us in the Horseshoe were not great.

Also, living in AZ I’m around people from all over, especially places where it’s cold af. Know tons of Mich and Ohio people. Ohio people pretty much all douchebags. Mich people seem normal.

So I guess we’ll see if that impression changes after this weekend.

That said, fuck their football team. Texas 24-13

[troph 24,417]

30 minutes ago, Josef Pwag said:

I agree. 

Everyone is talking about this like a trap game. Everyone is poised to say, "I told you so" and to beat their chests about the Michigan D and the Big House and facing the defending national champs. 

To go into a situation like this where everyone is hoping for, and talking themselves into, Texas taking a stumble, and to come out with a convincing win, would scare the **** out of the entire country. I am convinced Sark and the team are ready for this moment. 

yeah I think there are too many ways Texas fuckstomps Michigan. national media is going to have the sads.

8 minutes ago, TexMexBuddha said:

Fuck maize

only blue and gold I root for is Ukraine.

[Fud 9,525]

23 minutes ago, Burt Macklin said:

my only real concern on defense is that PK tends to overemphasize keeping everything in front of the defense at the expense of getting killed by consistent 4 yard gains in the run game. His UW defenses struggled the most against Stanford for that reason, but Michigan’s passing game is so poor, it’s hard to see him doing that, and Sark/Nansen should also put a stop to that if we see it through the first quarter. 

Luckily, Nansen has seen a lot of Stanford in his college career 

[Fletch 5,798]

14 minutes ago, Tex Long said:

You spelled "Venables" incorrectly.

Well, switzer to venables, they’ve been consistent 

[Doc Daneeka 6,769]

40 minutes ago, texifornia said:

Michigan is one of my least favorite teams in college football.

One of those schools where I have run into an astonishing amount of pricks from their alumni base. So many of the worst NYC stereotypes I met when I lived there turned out out to be Michigan grads. Finance douchebags that take American Psycho as a style and ethics seminar and will never stop seething about their rejection letter from Cornell. Loud, whiny 5' women who never ever shut the fuck up. Some of the most boring holier-than-thou "we do things the RIGHT way" college football watchers you've ever met at a bar.

I'm sure their alums that are actually from Michigan are lovely. Never met one.

Fuck 'em up, Texas by 2 scores.

I’m way too superficial to speak to any of that. When I was growing up and getting into football, Woody Hayes seemed like kind of a douche. And in 1969 Ohio State was ranked #1 all season. Until Michigan beat them. Without that loss, Texas doesn’t have a national championship that year. (Yes, I’m old, but in my defense I started liking Texas and college football freakishly early in life.) So, Michigan has always been one of my go-tos for wanting a team to win. 

That said, I’m looking for Texas to administer the kind of beatdown that gets brought up in hushed tones whenever Wolverine fans look back on their worst experiences. 

[Fud 9,525]

54 minutes ago, MuellerHorn said:

Despite Fresno State having four starters returning on the offensive line from a team that went 9-4 last season, Michigan held the Bulldogs' rushing attack to just nine net yards on 22 carries (0.4 yards per attempt).

 

I keep seeing this stat.. nine yards rushing includes a 30 yard subtraction from three sacks. Their true ball carriers had 39 yards on 19 carriers for 2.05 yards per carry, which while terrible for that rushing attack, is abundantly better than 0.4 yards per carry

[BurntEyes 5,737]

Hmmm, Michigan. Second best uniforms in college football and a legit historically great team. I've really got one thing to add to this thread that I'm sure has been mentioned but deserves to be mentioned again if so.. 

After the following happened, I was on a golf course next to my good friends truck about 1 hour later. Things were said I won't repeat by both of us and later the Texas QB. In short, the Texas team played pretty damn well the next "few" games, all of which I attended. 

LFG!!!!! 

 

[Hornius Emeritus 12,345]

Cooper Manning's firm apparently owns the Graduate hotel in Ann Arbor.  They've decked it out for UT fans.  From the MGoBoard:

"Texas is not a team to have a lot of hate on - they beat us in only match up in an epic Rose Bowl in 2005  - but this nonsense led by Arch's dad is an insight into these people - moneyed Ohio - but to any self respecting person who stays at that hotel after this you should be ashamed of yourself - Flag is flying out front, stairs filled with ugly balloons, cowboy hat at front desk - staff to wear texas shirts this weekend - its wrong in every way and they should pay a price for this arrogance as should the hotel for selling out our fans for a bunch of rednecks - this is our house - horns down Mfers"

[Doc Daneeka 6,769]

1 minute ago, Hornius Emeritus said:

Cooper Manning's firm apparently owns the Graduate hotel in Ann Arbor.  They've decked it out for UT fans.  From the MGoBoard:

"Texas is not a team to have a lot of hate on - they beat us in only match up in an epic Rose Bowl in 2005  - but this nonsense led by Arch's dad is an insight into these people - moneyed Ohio - but to any self respecting person who stays at that hotel after this you should be ashamed of yourself - Flag is flying out front, stairs filled with ugly balloons, cowboy hat at front desk - staff to wear texas shirts this weekend - its wrong in every way and they should pay a price for this arrogance as should the hotel for selling out our fans for a bunch of rednecks - this is our house - horns down Mfers"

He sounds like a cunt. 

[Fletch 5,798]

5 minutes ago, Doc Daneeka said:

I’m way too superficial to speak to any of that. When I was growing up and getting into football, Woody Hayes seemed like kind of a douche. And in 1969 Ohio State was ranked #1 all season. Until Michigan beat them. Without that loss, Texas doesn’t have a national championship that year. (Yes, I’m old, but in my defense I started liking Texas and college football freakishly early in life.) So, Michigan has always been one of my go-tos for wanting a team to win. 

That said, I’m looking for Texas to administer the kind of beatdown that gets brought up in hushed tones whenever Wolverine fans look back on their worst experiences. 

That little interview/sit down DKR and Bo Schembechler had before the Michigan Rose Bowl was fucking amazing. 

[Valmy77 13,055]

Moneyed Ohio? You motherfuckers. How dare you.

[Not a cat 5,600]

Just now, Valmy77 said:

Moneyed Ohio? You motherfuckers. How dare you.

So we live in double wides?

[Hornius Emeritus 12,345]

3 minutes ago, Valmy77 said:

Moneyed Ohio? You motherfuckers. How dare you.

Yeah, that was over the line.

[South Austin 51,907]

1 hour ago, troph said:

Big House ain't gonna scare nobody. 

I've heard from others who have attended games at Michigan say that the crowd is relatively quiet.  Add an 11am kickoff, and I think this is going to be far from playing in a place like Tuscaloosa or Columbus.  I could be wrong, but I don't think crowd noise is going to be any kind of factor or advantage for Michigan.

[troph 24,417]

moneyed ohio : moneyed oklahoma

moneyed texas is redundant.

fuckholes.

1 minute ago, South Austin said:

I've heard from others who have attended games at Michigan say that the crowd is relatively quiet.  Add an 11am kickoff, and I think this is going to be far from playing in a place like Tuscaloosa or Columbus.  I could be wrong, but I don't think crowd noise is going to be any kind of factor or advantage for Michigan.

like DKR when the co-op sold every color but burnt orange. circa 1980s through the mid 1990s.

[Hookem2147 20,862]

1 hour ago, Katfid54 said:

I remember there being conversations about this even as far back as Mack's tenure.  First, the time demands of having to record LHN content every week.  But even moreso, breaking down your own game film.  At the very least, it gives your opponent an insight into what/how you're seeing your own team that they wouldn't otherwise get.

I'm glad we don't do that anymore, as enjoyable as it was to watch after the few marquee wins we've had over the past 15 years.

I remember when LHN first started they had Mack doing the rewind show on Monday, a gameplan show in the middle of the week, and, I think, another show on Thursday. I can't remember if it was Mack or Charlie who eventually said I am doing the rewind show only and that is it for the week.

[BurntEyes 5,737]

1 minute ago, South Austin said:

I've heard from others who have attended games at Michigan say that the crowd is relatively quiet.  Add an 11am kickoff, and I think this is going to be far from playing in a place like Tuscaloosa or Columbus.  I could be wrong, but I don't think crowd noise is going to be any kind of factor or advantage for Michigan.

I've been to multiple games at the Big House and was at the Shoe in 2005.

When the game is close, Michigan fans are as rowdy and perhaps moreso as/than Texas in DKR. Neither of them is OSU, neither are cake walks.

[Js1 84,934]

3 minutes ago, South Austin said:

I've heard from others who have attended games at Michigan say that the crowd is relatively quiet.  Add an 11am kickoff, and I think this is going to be far from playing in a place like Tuscaloosa or Columbus.  I could be wrong, but I don't think crowd noise is going to be any kind of factor or advantage for Michigan.

I always assumed they were as much of a wine and cheese crowd as anyone. They really embrace that “Michigan man” holier than thou attitude, so doesn’t surprise me if the crowd is pretty lackluster 

[Hermanator 6,839]

37 minutes ago, TexMexBuddha said:

Fuck maize

Always thought it weird they used a Spanish word (and of course butchered the pronunciation) for their yellow color at Michigan. Why do that?

Edited September 6 by Hermanator

[sith_horn 2,329]

3 minutes ago, South Austin said:

I've heard from others who have attended games at Michigan say that the crowd is relatively quiet.  Add an 11am kickoff, and I think this is going to be far from playing in a place like Tuscaloosa or Columbus.  I could be wrong, but I don't think crowd noise is going to be any kind of factor or advantage for Michigan.

My understanding is, their stadium simply doesn't allow for a super loud atmosphere. But given the nature of this game with so few prior meetings, I'd expect their crowd to get into it assuming Michigan makes a fight of it.

[Nivek 16,736]

He sounds like a cunt. 

Can you imagine how fucking miserable of a life that person has to be upset that a hotel is marketing itself toward incoming guests?

How fucking aggy.

[Nivek 16,736]

I always assumed they were as much of a wine and cheese crowd as anyone. They really embrace that “Michigan man” holier than thou attitude, so doesn’t surprise me if the crowd is pretty lackluster 

Have heard podcasters talking about the excitement of this game rivaling Ohio State. I imagine they will be pretty loud but nothing like they are making it out to be.

[texifornia 56,170]

23 minutes ago, Hornius Emeritus said:

Cooper Manning's firm apparently owns the Graduate hotel in Ann Arbor.  They've decked it out for UT fans.  From the MGoBoard:

"Texas is not a team to have a lot of hate on - they beat us in only match up in an epic Rose Bowl in 2005  - but this nonsense led by Arch's dad is an insight into these people - moneyed Ohio - but to any self respecting person who stays at that hotel after this you should be ashamed of yourself - Flag is flying out front, stairs filled with ugly balloons, cowboy hat at front desk - staff to wear texas shirts this weekend - its wrong in every way and they should pay a price for this arrogance as should the hotel for selling out our fans for a bunch of rednecks - this is our house - horns down Mfers"

My brother who hangs out on Reddit says the Graduate does this for most big away teams. Funny as it is to think Cooper did it especially for Arch's team.

[Doc Daneeka 6,769]

3 minutes ago, Nivek said:

Can you imagine how fucking miserable of a life that person has to be upset that a hotel is marketing itself toward incoming guests?

How fucking aggy.

Incoming guests who are fans of the team a guy’s son plays for, on top of that. I don’t have any idea how much that influenced the decision, rather than straight up marketing, but still. 

[Tex Long 4,307]

21 minutes ago, Not a cat said:

So we live in double wides?

QuadWides. On 2 parcels. Second parcel is a 10-acre pitch'n'putt.

[sith_horn 2,329]

1 hour ago, texifornia said:

Michigan is one of my least favorite teams in college football.

One of those schools where I have run into an astonishing amount of pricks from their alumni base. So many of the worst NYC stereotypes I met when I lived there turned out out to be Michigan grads. Finance douchebags that take American Psycho as a style and ethics seminar and will never stop seething about their rejection letter from Cornell. Loud, whiny 5' women who never ever shut the fuck up. Some of the most boring holier-than-thou "we do things the RIGHT way" college football watchers you've ever met at a bar.

I'm sure their alums that are actually from Michigan are lovely. Never met one.

Fuck 'em up, Texas by 2 scores.

 

Perhaps that's more a function of the type of Michigan grad attracted to that line of work in New York? My experience working with Michigan engineers has been different.

[someguy 1,469]

1 hour ago, texifornia said:

Michigan is one of my least favorite teams in college football.

One of those schools where I have run into an astonishing amount of pricks from their alumni base. So many of the worst NYC stereotypes I met when I lived there turned out out to be Michigan grads. Finance douchebags that take American Psycho as a style and ethics seminar and will never stop seething about their rejection letter from Cornell. Loud, whiny 5' women who never ever shut the fuck up. Some of the most boring holier-than-thou "we do things the RIGHT way" college football watchers you've ever met at a bar.

I'm sure their alums that are actually from Michigan are lovely. Never met one.

Fuck 'em up, Texas by 2 scores.

This x1000.  The NYC/Long Island strain of Michigan grad is particularly loathsome.  

[Jiggy-Z 3,427]

3 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

 

Just think how accurate he would be if those things had on Colorado jerseys.