Rich Rodriguez making changes in Ann Arbor

Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press has an article about the changes Rich Rodriguez has made in Ann Arbor... "When Rich Rodriguez arrived in Ann Arbor for the first time on Dec. 17, 2007, he knew very little would be staying the same. Those close to him had some idea, his new players had a hint of an idea and fans pretty much had no idea." ...

Mark Snyder

Alabama-Clemson - Will the Tigers roar in Atlanta?

Alabama Crimson Tide (0-0) vs. Clemson Tigers (0-0)
8:00 p.m. (EST) - ABC - Atlanta, Georgia
Michigan favored by 5.5 points
Alabama Quick Notes - Alabama returns 9 on the offensive side of the ball...the Tide's strength is its offensive line which is anchored by OT Andre Smith and C Antoine Caldwell....John Parker Wilson is an ole hand at QB and he has one of the most exciting true freshmen in WR Julio Jones...the Bama defense improved as the year went on, but it will have its hands full against an explosive Clemson offense...

Clemson Quick Notes - this is a huge game for the Tigers...a win here, and Clemson could slide into the BCS title hunt - a loss, and they can forget about a national title...the Tigers possess the nation's best RB tandem in C.J. Spiller and James Davis...they also have a soild QB in senior Cullen Harper (6-4, 220) who threw 27 touchdowns passes and just six interceptions...however, the Tigers have an entire new offensive line...the defense has 8 players returning including the entire secondary...look for true freshman Da'Quan Bowers to make an impact at DE...

Prediction - If this game was played in October, Alabama would give the Tigers a battle...but not this early in the season....Clemson 28-13...

Utah-Michigan - Will Rich Rodriguez begin with a W?

Utah Utes (0-0) at Michigan Wolverines (0-0)
3:30 p.m. (EST) - ABC - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Michigan favored by 4 points
Utah Quick Notes - the Utes, from the Mountain West Conference, make their second trip to Michigan...in 2002 they lost 10-7...even though they are a slight underdog again this year, many skeptics of Michigan football believe Utah can walk out of The Big House with a W...Utah is led by senior QB Brian Johnson...when healthy, Johnson is capable of creating problems...injuries have kept him from living up to his potential...the Utes also have the conference's best RB in Darrell Mack and K Louie Sakoda...Utah's defense is susceptible to the run - something that Michigan may not do a lot of this year...

Michigan Quick Notes - No matter if Nick Sheridan or Steven Threet start at QB, expect to see running back Carlos Brown under center during the course of the game...the Michigan depth chart indicates three starting wideouts - watch for true freshmen Darryl Stonum (#22) and Sam McGuffie (#2) to see action...there are so many question marks on the offense, but people forget, the Michigan defense is still solid...the D-line is anchored by Tim Jamison and Terrance Taylor...Obi Ezeh headlines the linebackers...and veterans Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren are still at CB...

Prediction - This is going to be a close game...it will come down to late in the game, but Michigan wins 30-24...

Dan LeFevour - High octane quarterback

Dan LeFevour, Junior, Central Michigan
Quarterback, #13, 6'3" - 230 lbs.
LeFevour just may be the first quarterback drafting when he decides to enter the NFL Draft...the kid has size, arm, and speed...he became the second player in I-A history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in the same season (Vince Young, Texas, 2005)...LeFevour was the first quarterback to lead his team to a Mid-American Conference (MAC) title as a freshman and a sophomore...

In 2006, he was the MAC Freshman of the Year when he threw for 3,056 yards, 26 TDs and 10 Ints...he followed up his freshman year with a banner 2007 as he was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year...he finished with 3,562 yards, 27 TDs, and 13 Ints...

Chippewa head coach Butch Jones had this to say about LeFevour in the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, "Dan has that 'it' factor," Jones said. "You may not be able to define what 'it' is, but you know when someone has that special leadership quality and Dan is clearly a leader, not just on the field, but in the locker room and in the classroom. He can walk into a room and command instant respect."

Interesting note - CMU is pushing LeFevour for the Heisman Trophy...the CMU Marketing Department spent $50,000 to rent a 30-by-60 foot billboard on the back of Comerica Park's scoreboard near the main entrance to Ford Field, where incoming Detroit Tigers and Lions fans can see his photo...LeFevour is an Academic Honrable Mention as he holds a 3.53 GPA...

Michael Oher - the best offensive lineman in college football

Michael Oher, Ole Miss
Offensive tackle, #74, 6'5" - 318 lbs.
If you are looking for a player to root for this year, I have that person for you - Michael Oher....Oher will probably be the first offensive lineman drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft...he is a consensus First Team All-American...Oher had a difficult, yet interesting life...he is the subject of Michael Lewis's 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game...

Growing up was not a fun time...his father was not involved in his upbringing and was murdered when Oher was a junior in high school...his mother was a crack addict...Oher had to repeat first grade...he attended 11 different schools during his first nine years as a student...he bounced around to various foster homes...he finally found stability when he was 16 and moved in with a white family by the name Tuohy...

Oher never played offensive tackle until his senior year...he turned heads immediately and was recruited by LSU, Tennessee, and Florida to name a few...but he chose Ole Miss because the Tuohys were graduates from there...

Blue Ribbon College Yearbook had this about Oher: "If Mike has a big year this year -- which we expect him to have -- he's going to be one of the top picks in the draft," said Kent Austin, Arkansas Offensive Coordinator. "He's got such a great combination of size and athleticism. He's a big tackle with great length and great feet. He's very quick off the ball and he's got a great center of balance. He's got the tools he needs to handle the great edge rushers in our conference."

FF Toolbox, an NFL draft site, had this written about Oher, "NFL scouts love how Oher is able to control the line of scrimmage. His massive physical frame, coupled with excellent footwork, makes it almost impossible for defensive linemen to get around his pass protection. His quick feet also make him a strong run blocker, as he's able to get to linebackers and neutralize their pursuit of the ball."...

The video below is of Oher at this year's SEC Media Day...

Norm Chow looks to "paint" a new picture at Westwood

Chris Foster of The Los Angeles Times writes about Norm Chow's return to college football... "Chow was on vacation with his family in Europe this summer when, stepping out of the Sistine Chapel, he discovered he was the second-most recognizable person in Vatican City that day." ...

Chris Foster

Suzanne Halliburton of the Austin Statesman writes how Texas head coach Mack Brown is trying to reconstruct the Longhorns... "Through the preseason, coach Mack Brown has worked to reconstruct a team around the key players from the 2007 squad — such as Miller and quarterback Colt McCoy. Moreso than in past years, Brown will have to rely on a number of less experienced Longhorns, many of whom signed immediately after the 2005 national championship." ...

Suzanne Halliburton

United States Are Gold Medal Champions Again!

MISSION
COMPLETE