You see, both Notre Dame’s quarterback Jimmy Clausen and Michigan’s quarterback come from strong California quarterback families. They know one another. They don’t like one another. So, meeting on the field…is personal.

I thought that this game would be interesting, but I never expected the game we actually got. People have been saying that this game will go down in history as one of the best between the two schools, and I have to agree. And really, it all came down to Clausen versus Forcier.

That’s a bit unfair, perhaps. Their were other players who made this game great too – but without the two quarterbacks, it wouldn’t have been so interesting. This was a battle of the minds between the coaches as well. Charlie Weis of Notre Dame has been pressured for the past few years – either shape up or ship out. His team is good, with tons of experience, so there’s no reason that they shouldn’t have been national championship contenders. Now, after a loss to Michigan, that dream has gone out the window. Unless Weis has a god-like rest of the season, he’ll probably be shown the door. The Fighting Irish are fed up.

Michigan’s Rich Rodriguez, on the other hand, is just in his second year at the school. People don’t like him, but maybe he’s an acquired taste. Last year, he said time and time again that the team was rebuilding and getting used to his system…that they wouldn’t be bad forever. I hate to say it, but maybe he was right. The team was strong against the Irish, even with a new quarterback and fairly inexperienced players.

The real test, though, was the second half. Notre Dame dominated during the first half, though Michigan hung in with them. When they went to the locker rooms, however, Michigan fixed their problems, while Notre Dame…patted one another on the back? I don’t know, but whatever Charlie Weis said wasn’t good enough, because Michigan ran all over them, coming back for an amazing win in the final minutes of the game.

Image: Newscom

Point, Forciers.

So now, the real question you have to ask yourself is this: just how good is the Michigan team this year? Could they stand tall against Ohio State? Are they top ten contenders? Could they even potentially be Big Ten champs? Or, have they gotten lucky thus far, taking advantage of mistakes by teams that aren’t really that great?

Post from: EveryJoe

The Clausens and Forciers Settle a Score

Junior Sheridan obviously brings the most experience to the game, since Robinson and Forcier are true freshmen. Last year, he played in 8 of the 12 games, throwing touchdowns against Utah in Week One and Minnesota, a game they surprisingly won closer to the end of their horrendous season. Unfortunately, Sheridan isn’t the most consistent QB, and along with touchdowns, he also had five interceptions during the season, including two against Notre Dame. He does have some ground mobility though, and last year, he ran in one against Northwestern. Overall, though, Sheridan isn’t a “force” – at least he wasn’t last year – so he may not be the best choice, even if the other Michigan quarterbacks haven’t even played in college games yet. Sheridan is also coming off a broken leg, so that injury could still affect his abilities on the field.

Nick Sheridan last year against rival Michigan State. Image: Newscom

Forcier and Robinson were both highly recruited by Coach Rod, who thinks that they’d be good for his new spread offense approach at Michigan, which has caused so many good players to leave the school. Forcier has a slight advantage, perhaps, as he graduated high school early to enroll in the college last spring, in time to play with the team during spring practice. Robinson’s been getting a lot of press, though, so I wouldn’t count him out of the game just yet.

Despite the stiff competition for time on the field, the three say that they remain good friends and enjoy how they push one another to play better. We’ll see if that friendship sticks when someone takes the reigns as starter and the other two get less playing time.

Post from: EveryJoe

Michigan’s Opener to be QB Playoff

Post from: EveryJoe

College Football Will Miss You, Coach Carr

What Michigan did not show was a lot of Hart. Mike Hart, that is. Hart, the BCS’s leading rusher with and average of 152 yards a game, didn’t even dress for the game. He was hurt in last week’s game against  Purdue, and although everyone had hoped he would play, the trainers and coaches obviously didn’t think he was ready yet.

Hart is definitely in the running for the Heisman…or, at least, he was. Has his sit-out this week smashed all chances? Well, maybe. I mean, a week of not playing means a lot in the race. But let’s not forget that he is still the nation’s best rusher, so if he bounces back and plays well for the rest of the season, I think he still has a shot.

Anyway, the game went well even withou Hart. Carlos Brown stood in as the team’s lead rusher, running for 113 yards in 25 carries. Mario Manningham was also on point today, scoring two touchdowns and totaling 109 receiving yards. That’s compared to Illinois’ Rashard Mendenahall’s 85 yards rushing and Adrian Arrington’s only 35 yards receiving.

The game was really lost in the mistakes, however. Although both Michigan’s Chad Henne and Illinois’ Juice Williams each had one interception, but Illinois ended the day with a whopping 10 penalties for 107 yards while Michigan only has 4 penalties for 35 yards.

Post from: EveryJoe

Michigan has Heart…but not Hart

I hate Michigan. I mean…hate. As a die-hard Penn State fan, I feel it is my duty to loath your team with every cell of my being. I’m sure you understand.

And yet, I wanted you to win the Heisman.

Let’s be honest – there aren’t really any top candidates for this year’s award. Last year, your fifth-place showing was impressive, and your entrance to the Purdue game was nothing short of spectacular. You weren’t just Michigan’s lead rusher…you were the nation’s leading rusher. And I’m behind you on that.

Has your ankle injury during the second quarter against Purdue put you out of the running? Sigh. I hope not. You seemed in good spirits from the sideline, and Coach Carr has remarked that you often bounce back quickly. I hope you come out full force next week against Illinois and kick a little ass. Oh, and congrats on the Michigan win this weekend, even if you didn’t play the whole game.
After all, I like to keep things “in the family” so to speak. Now that Ohio State has a chance at the national title, wouldn’t it be great if the Big Ten took home the first place finish AND the Heisman?

So, this is not a letter of annoyance or hate or even sarcasm. This is a genuine note from me to you, Mike Hart. Get well soon.

xoxox,

Allison

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

Post from: EveryJoe

Dear Mike Hart,