Western Michigan: A Bullet Point Preview Without Bullets
/Negativity...
Yes, Western Michigan is from the MAC. Yes, Western Michigan has a 30,000 seat stadium. But they are not necessarily a crappy program. WMU ranks 48th all time in winning percentage. And while that is nearly the textbook definition of middle of the pack, let me throw a few teams at you that they rank above...
Texas Tech
Oregon
Missouri
Iowa
Illinois
And ya, they've padded their record in a mid-major, but they also beat Illinois last year in Detroit. And they are undefeated (2-0) against Iowa, knocking them off in 2007 and 2000. They have four all-time wins against the Big Ten, and three of those wins have occurred this decade. That puts them at 3-8 in their last 11 against Big Ten opponents, yet 2-2 against Big Ten competition under their current coach, Bill Cubit. In short, they are not coming here to lay down. They are not here for the half-million dollars we paid them to travel 100 miles. They are here to win. They are here to knock off a Wolverine team that, while wounded, still provides the opportunity for a signature victory for an upstart program.
Further proving that the Broncos are peaking...with aspect to overall history...is that they are a program that has only been to 4 bowl games in their 104 year history, and two of those have come in the last two seasons. That makes WMU's bowl streak longer than ours. Ugh.
The Broncos broke or tied several records last year, including wins, touchdowns, pass completions, and passing yards. I'm thinking they will be testing our young secondary. I'm also thinking that if Michigan's offense has their shit together, the OVER will be a pretty solid bet.
Positivity...
Rich Rodriguez is no stranger to the Broncos, as his Mountaineers hosted WMU back on September 1, 2007. West Virginia, led by 4 Slaton TDs, routed the Broncos 62-24.
Michigan is 4-0 all time against Western, including victories of 35-13 and 38-21 in 2002 and 2001 respectively.
Western Michigan hasn't won an opener against a Division 1-A opponent since 1998.
Random Facts...
Our tailgate leader, the Godfather, attended Western Michigan. Other famous alumni include John Saunders, Tim Allen, Bill Lajoie (Detroit Tiger's GM in 1984) and Stephen Lynch.
Western Michigan is the home to the International Congress on Medieval Studies, with means they play a lot of LAIRE.
Western Michigan will also face Indiana and Michigan State this season.
A cubit is a unit of measurement found in Egyptian history and in the Bible. It is also Western Michigan's Football coach's last name. It is said to equal twelve palms, or about 45 centimeters. You are all now smarter.
Read This...Right Now
/RBUAS has reappeared, and there's never been a better time. On Brandon Minor...
My nose has been bleeding since noon and my wrist is held together with tape and pride but if we collide, you will go down first and rise last. That is the way he played. And there has not been a more vehement, unequivocal defender of Rodriguez on this team.
RBUAS is undoubtably the best writer in the blogosphere. I don't know what he does in real life, but I imagine that he's like a modern day Thoreau, perched up in the empty under-construction suites overlooking Michigan stadium like it's Walden Pond. Like everybody else, I wish I could do what he does. Like everybody else, I wish he'd post more.
Add we will bring the "Big Sticks"
/
Mr. Robinson's Michigan Defense 2009
Now that "we" have spoken, and are rallying behind our coach and for our team, it becomes obvious that we must "All be in for Michigan". As much as we might wish and hope, a new tailgate location and our rally cries will not be enough. As we inch closer to the first the first battle here are a few of the fellas that will be backing up the Webmasters spirit with some old fashioned "wood layin". Without further ado, your Game #1 Defensive Primer.
# 55, Senior, Brandon Graham DE
BG returns to anchor the squad from the DE position and will be moved around the field and given opportunities to play upright in one of variety of cleverly named spots in a "hybridish" style. The move by new D.C. Greg Robinson will allow Graham to contribute all over the field as opposed to mainly behind the LOS. Look for Graham to lead the team onto the field and escort the opponents off the field with hard hits while he adds to his 19 career sacks while raising is NFL stock as well. The Detroit Crockett Rocket will build upon his UM legacy by improving on his 2nd team All Big Ten and Bo Schembechler Team MVP performance of 2008. Although he is not the "Spinner" I dream of at 6'2/265, he should have quarterbacks Tim Hiller and Jimmy Clausen's heads' spinning.
Obi is coming off a quality '08 campaign where he was named All Big Ten HM. For the past two seasons Ezeh has led the team in tackles and will most likely make that streak 3 seasons while anchoring the Wolverines at the MLB position. Obi has been given the distinguished honor of being put on the 2009 Butkus Award watch list and will definitely be a centerpiece to what is shaping up to be one of the best defenses in the Big Ten this season. Look for some increased leadership as opposing running backs will realize that the mouth guard and facemask were necessary in maintaining their facial anatomy when they run into or across the middle against UM and Obi in 2009.
# 3, Senior, Stevie Brown LB
Stevie B. has been one of the most talked about defenders during the offseason as he is making the move from Safety to the Linebacker or second "hybrid" slot under G. Rob. His propensity for huge hits should only increase as he is asked to support the run earlier in the action as well as drop into coverage. With a lack of depth at the LB position and two lock down corners this could prove to be a wise move schematically. I anticipate a big year from #3 in both tackles and interceptions, you should too.
# 68, Sophomore, Mike Martin DT
With the departure of one of UMTailgates favorite players in TT, (until this week that is), we will witness the emergence of MM. Mike Martin already showed moments of brilliance last season as a true freshmen and looks to establish himself as the leagues premiere nose tackle/D-linemen. The Four Star recruit from Detroit Catholic Central seems to be a guy that is going to play at one speed all the time and that is what we will need for success with our thin numbers on the D-Line. So get ready for the Double M chants. (Maybe M squared?)
# 6, Junior, Donovan Warren CB
Donny is a NFL to be cornerback and if you think he 'fell off ' a bit last year, it was undoubtedly due to him being injured. Donovan will re-emerge to eliminate an entire 1/2 of the field and make life alot easier and enjoyable for the aforementioned defenders. So if its halftime and your saying, where has #6 been? Thats a good thing! If some jack-in-the-box QB, ie. Hiller and Clausen to begin with, try to throw at him, we probably will have the ball back.
So there is your quick primer on returning stars the entire depth chart via the Michigan Daily is here
Others to watch for:
#33, Sophomore, Boubacar Cissoko CB: Should be bang or bust playing opposite a healthy Warren, I vote BANG
#58, RS Sophomore, Brandon Herron LB: Will he emerge or will true freshmen C. Roh steal time here? Big ?
#8, RS Junior, Jonas Mouton LB:Â Similar situation as Herron, need at least one of two to be real solid
The Sons of Stars:
#29, Junior, Troy Woolfolk S: Dad was UM All American, can he step in to fill void at safety?
#31, RS Sophomore, Jared Van Slyke S: Dad was All-Star for Cards and Pirates, son needs to be big hitter w/o bat.
The True Freshmen
#88 Craig Roh OLB: Pushing for starting spot, projects to be good, real good.
#73 Will Campbell DL: "Chunky Soup" needs to get refitted to ass whooping shape, will get there eventually!
Well there is our first look at the Defense that will start us towards a championship, whether it is a National Championship, Big Ten Championship, State Championship or County Championship is the big question. Health and rest by a more productive O will determine this groups legacy! The talent is there, I expect an OUTSTANDING year from the Wing Tipped Defenders! Its almost Saturday, Lets Go BLUE!
Reminder: How to Tailgate
/#1: Bring Something. I don't care if it's a steaming bowl of poop, although bonus points go to those who surprise us with unique cuisine, unique drinks, unique outfits, unique decorations, or unique personalities. Bringing something is your pass to enjoy everything we have to offer at the tailgate.
#2: Eat Something.Dual reasons for this. First, we've got too much food, I promise. Just stay out of Godmother's cheesy potatoes. Second, you'll need something of substance in your gullet if you want to follow tip #3
#3: Drink Something. The tailgate is BYOB, though occasionally a specialty drink makes it's way onto the menu for all to enjoy. Bring a giant mug and fill it with a cocktail of your choosing. Bring a cooler of beer and empty it into your belly before kickoff. Take a tug on the bowl of Yucca. When it gets cold, sip a mug of spiked coffee. In short, get drunk, because you're a lot cooler when you're drunk. And let's not forget, the best tailgating stories always seem to include (insert person here) had a lot to drink, and then he/she fell down (into the bushes / on the stadium steps / into that girl's chest). Later (he / she) groped the (daughter / son) of (insert former tailgater here). We found (him / her) passed out (on the grass outside the stadium / in their car / under their car).
#4: Hug the Godfather. Why? Because we said so. Especially if you have no idea who he is. Because the Godfather loves to get himself some "strange." Even better, if you liked it, you can do it again the following week because the Godfather never remembers you the first time.
#5: Respect the Hall. The members of the UMTailgate.com Hall of Fame. Recognize them, respect them, honor them. Don't know who they are? Check the flag. We've got people here that have not missed a home or away game this century...seriously.
#6: Learn to Love. Respect all of the tailgaters, even those from the opposing team that are visiting us and wallowing in our dynasty and tradition. This applies to everyone except...
#7: Learn to Hate: Michigan State and Ohio State. Don't mistakenly wear their T-shirts, their hats, and in most cases, their colors. This applies to tailgating and gamedays only...however, big bonus points if you apply this rule in your daily life, like me.
#8: Go to the Game. And try to make it there before kickoff.
#9: Go to an Away Game. Ya, we tailgate there too. Some long drives are in store for this season, but there's nothing like Saturday Night Football on the road, so quit being a candy ass and put on a white jersey.
#10: Ask Goody To Show You His Tattoos. It's not imperative for your enjoyment, but it makes me laugh.
#11: Follow the Theme. Yes, each tailgate has a theme, and the theme is posted with each game on the season schedule.
