I figure the off season should have enough news that I don't want keep bumping other threads to talk about it. I don't care if it's just me and Zimmer in here. 2008 started off with a bang, taking down a really good Florida team in the Capitol One bowl. Now we welcome in new head coach Rich Rodriguez and his spread offense.

So far the transition looks like ti will be rough.

Michigan expects to lose 3 key players



Losing Manningham and Arrington will hurt, Arrington really needs one more year before going pro anyway but he will probably take a shot. I'm not upset about Mallet, guy is the most immobile QB since Drew Bledsoe.

In related news regarding our new coach: Realitives of Rich Rodriguez facing threats & harrassment

As for our incoming class...

Current Commitments List

Some nice players
Kevin Koger (TE) 6th ranked TE
Christian Wilson (ILB) 6th ranked LB
Sam McGuffie (RB) 10th ranked RB
Darryl Stonum (WR) 6th ranked WR
Boubacar Cissoko (DB) 6th ranked DB

And of course thanks to RR we are in like to possibly land Terrelle Pryor, the #1 overall prospect in the country.

first

edit: ok so i will add something.....if Rodriguez gets this offense of his on track and running soon it will be GG to the rest of the Big 10....well maybe besides Illinois
but yeah....i see a bright future for Michigan assuming things go the way i think they will

I think next year is going to be tough, we are losing some big time players on both sides of the ball. I'd feel better if the two WR's were staying but that doesn't look likely. Next year I think OSU is the clear favorite in the Big-10 again, but the year after I'm hoping we can challenge for it.

Will Mallett be able to run the spread? I really don't know much about him.

Rich Rodriguez says the spread can be adapted to any type of QB, but a 6'7 drop back passer with no mobility seems like a bad fit to me. With the new offense coming in, and the two best wideouts about to go pro, it seems like a good time for him to look for a different program that plays a style he would be more suited too.

yeah that kinda what I was thinking too. I hear ND could use some talent, but I guess Clausen is only a freshman.

ND also has one of the top QB recruits heading that way this year. I've heard rumors he might head to Arkansas.

You know who landed a top QB that I was shocked by, Minnesota. The guy who was splitting time with Pryor in the all star game at QB was a similar type dual threat QB who looked pretty good.

Well he shouldn't have a hard time getting playing time. From what I remember about Minn though is that they absolutely no defense. They need to recruit a few people who can tackle.

Chris Leak was not very mobile @ all and was able to run an adaptation of the spread offense. I think any decent QB can run it if the playcalling is right

Chris Leak was a world class sprinter compared to Mallet.

You realize Zook is still coaching Illinois, right? He had talent for years in Florida and was an 8-3 coach. Guy can't coach his way out of a paper bag(see: losing to Iowa this year).

yeah but he is an awesome recruiter so you just pair him with a really good asst. coach or something.

In fairness to Zook, Spurrier made a comment one time that he left the cupboard pretty bare at UF when he left. So Zook didn't have much to work with and was only there for 3 years. He never really got a shot to coach his players all that much.

I read somewhere today (can't recall where) that Mallett may follow Carr's OC and QB coach to Tennessee.

this thread smellls funny! :x

Spurrier might've said that, but it's not true. Look at the NFL drafts the years during and after Zook's tenure. LOADS of 1st round talent.

Terrelle Pryor's Recruiting Diary: Steelers' Batch will join Pryor on recruiting trips

Until he makes a college decision, the Post-Gazette periodically will run a diary from Pryor, as told to staff writer Mike White.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08011/848406-365.stm

with Rrod calling the plays, the playcalling is never right (ahum Pitt?)

Your saying the O-coordinator who called the plays in WVU's bowl game never called WVU games before that?

Mannigham officially made himself eligible for the NFL draft

Doesn't matter, Manningham was lazy and overrated. We're better without him just starting over with a whole new crew of skill players.

I have no basis for this statement.

I think you guys will land Pryor. He doesnt seem like the type to go to a school where he wont be the starter right away. Michigan is the biggest name where that can happen.

um, pryor would start @ osu. esp. after the egg that boeckman laid in the BCS Nat'l Championship game.

Disagree.

I agree with your disagree

Thats why Charlie Batch was sitting next to Rich Rodriguez at the Michigan basketball game this weekend. I was kinda wondering what was going on there.

They sure weren't watching quality basketball... I can tell you that much.

Who won that game, btw?

Here's a hint.

I forgot, I was busy watching the NFC championship. How did that turn out by the way, I missed the result.

Didn't bother to watch since your team wasn't in it?

BTW, I forgot shoving Michigan basketball in your face is worthless since you like UNC in college hoops. Weird. Michigan for college football..Dallas for NFL football..UNC for college basketball.. Hmmmm...

Oh, and the NFC Championship game wasn't on Saturday.

I follow Michigan basketball and UNC football too, Michigan basketball has gone way downhill since the late 90's. There isn't anything to be that excited about in the basketball program. I think UNC football is going to be decent in two years or so with Butch Davis there but they will likely never be a serious national title contender.

I think what you two queerbags are forgetting, during your super cool argument, is this:




BAM!

Nebraska still has a football team?

The big N stands for "NO BOWL GAME"

I think I read somewhere (or it may have Jadaki saying it) that Pryor wanted to play football AND basketball. Landing at a top program for both was important to him. Michigan basketball doesn't have nearly the upside of OSU basketball.

But mainly I am keeping hopes that he will actually come to Columbus. No way do I want to face that guy the next 3 years.

I dont understand the question, and I wont respond to it.

It wasn't me who said it. I think it was from an article Fryer posted. Your right about OSU basketball though

I've posted articles that said it....and maybe said it myself. Anyway...

If we're talking Pryor in OSU vs. UM only, OSU definitely has the basketball plus over UM. UM has RR and his offense over OSU. Someone said OSU would adabt to an offense for him, which I am sure is true, but RR has mastered it.

While we're talking about him, from yesterday's paper...

Pryor on the verge of 2,000 points
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jeannette's Terrelle Pryor reached some impressive milestones in football. Now he's approaching one in basketball.

Pryor, a senior, needs only 79 points to reach 2,000 for his career. Only 22 other players in the history of the WPIAL have scored 2,000 points.

Pryor scored 20 points in a 63-50 victory against Burrell last night. Jeannette has four games in the next six days, so Pryor has an excellent chance at reaching the milestone by next week. He averages 22 points a game.

In football, Pryor became the first player in Pennsylvania history to rush for 4,000 yards and pass for 4,000. No WPIAL athlete has ever rushed or passed for 4,000 yards in football and scored 2,000 points in basketball.



What do Terrelle Pryor and Gnarls Barkley have in common?
January 22, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
From Mike White:

The word Terrelle Pryor used today to describe his recruiting is "crazy."

College coaches are turning up the heat on the Jeannette High School football star. Media members are calling. Veteran Sports Illustrated writer Jack McCallum was at Jeannette today to talk to Pryor, coaches and townsfolk for an upcoming feature in the magazine.

Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh and another Pitt assistant ("I think it was their running backs coach," Pryor said) came to Jeannette this morning to meet with Pryor. Pitt apparently still hasn't given up on Pryor, even though he has repeatedly said he has no interest in attending Pitt.

"I understand. They're just doing their job," Pryor said.

Pryor said he has no plans to make an official visit to Pitt, but he acknowledged he has left open the possibility of making a quick unofficial visit to the school, just to talk with Coach Dave Wannstedt.

"I don't know if I will or not. I'd basically do it just for my dad," Pryor said. "He likes Pitt. But I'm not going there."

After meeting with the Pitt coaches today, Pryor spent some time with McCallum. Then Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley and quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno showed up at Jeannette to talk with Pryor. Joe Paterno might come to Jeannette next week.

Penn State is one of five schools Pryor is considering, but the Nittany Lions are an extreme long shot. Pryor visited Michigan this past weekend. He already has been to Ohio State. He said he might go to Oregon in the middle of next week and then make a trip to LSU next weekend.

Sorry fryer, the credit should have gone to you.

Still praying he comes to Columbus. I heard Duane Long, a recruiting guru say he thought the chances of Pryor coming to OSU were very high. He said he would be shocked if Pryor landed anywhere esle. Long is a contributor to Bucknuts, an OSU site so I'm sure his opinion is a little skewed. Here's to hope though.

You f'n better be sorry!


LSU in the mix now too. I also laugh when he says his dad wants him to go to Pitt, but there's no chance he's going there.

you are basing an opinion off someone who contributes to something called Bucknuts? I should have a joke ready but I think my first sentence says it all.....


oh and "recruiting guru"? according to who? I have never heard of that guy and I am just enough of a geek to know the big name guys in this sleazy field (luginbill, etc.)

Pryor pares down his list
Michigan, Ohio State appear to be final 2
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It looks like the battle for Jeannette High School quarterback Terrelle Pryor is coming down to a two-horse race between Ohio State and Michigan.

Pryor said yesterday he has crossed LSU off his final list and decided not to visit Oregon this week because he won't have time. Pryor also plays basketball and Jeannette has games tonight, Friday in Philadelphia and Saturday at Jeannette. Pryor plans to announce his college choice Feb. 6.

Pryor has not crossed Oregon and Penn State off his list, but it's highly unlikely Pryor would choose Oregon without ever visiting the place. Chip Kelly, Oregon's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, is scheduled to meet with Pryor today at Jeannette.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno is scheduled to visit Pryor tomorrow. That's significant because Paterno doesn't visit many high school players anymore.

But Penn State isn't as high on Pryor's list as Ohio State and Michigan.

Coaches from both of those rival schools also are expected to come to Jeannette in the next few days.

Thanks for the update Fryer.

And another Pryor update...

Recruiting: Pryor '50-50' on delaying his decision

Thursday, January 31, 2008
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

High school football players can sign a binding letter of intent with a college starting Wednesday. But Jeannette quarterback Terrelle Pryor might not sign with anyone that day.

Pryor had planned to announce his college decision live on ESPN Wednesday. But he said yesterday he might wait at least a few days to make his choice.

"I'd say it's about 50-50 that I'll push things back," Pryor said.

One of the main reasons Pryor might not sign Wednesday is because he is thinking about making an official visit to the University of Oregon some time next week.

Earlier this week, it seemed the race was down to Ohio State and Michigan because Pryor wasn't going to visit Oregon. If Pryor visits Oregon, the Ducks will still have a chance at landing him.

Pryor also said yesterday Penn State is not out of the running. Penn State coach Joe Paterno visited with Pryor at Jeannette yesterday. Paterno's son, Jay, Penn State's quarterbacks coach, and defensive coordinator Tom Bradley also were there. They also visited with Pryor's father at his home.

Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch and Pryor's mother were in on the meeting with the Penn State coaches at Jeannette. Batch is helping Pryor in the recruiting process as a mentor.

"It went OK," Pryor said of the meeting. "I just don't know about the area up there. I don't know if I'd like being in that kind of area."

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez plan to attend Pryor's basketball game Saturday night and meet with him afterward. Jeannette football coach Ray Reitz said Rodriguez is planning to bring seven assistant coaches with him.

The SEC is where its at boys...GET ON OUR LEVEL!

See my signature.

LOL @ the SEC's level.

LOL @ the Big 10 getting SPANKED by the SEC in the National Title games!!

And yes Mich beat UF, you're bound to pull won out every now and then. Look at the overall record in recent years of Big 10 vs SEC.

Big Ten is 14-13 against SEC over the last 27 games.