CSNbbs

All this crap talk about starting 3 QB's makes me wonder. You don't play QB shuttle if you're not extremely confident you're going to dominate an opponent.

My best guess is he's arrogantly confident. He's been in top programs for a long time, he has no regard for second tier programs-even with his loss to Toledo last year.

Our best weapon could be RicRod's king size ego. We need to start out fast and put some points on the board. They could fall apart if that happens and if we get the crowd on RicRod's butt it would be great!

Quote:We need to start out fast and put some points on the board

We NEVER start out fast, even against the D-1AA Comm U gimmees. Nor do I think it's in Hillers nature. I expect a lot of short stuff, and run attack early. In turn the defense has got to keep them from making quick scores. If we win it will be how we perform in the second half. We/Hiller are a second half team. They key is to not be down by 20 at that point.

I agree we typically don't start fast, but we need to do something different in AA. If we do the usual start conservative and wait for the second half Bronco MO the Whinerines will find their stride and it'll be all over by middle of the third Quarter.

That's what happened the last time we were in AA. They had 5 TD's on us by third quarter.

We need to hit them hard out of the gate and keep them on their heals. It's the only chance we have. They have a frosh QB and it'll rattle him if we grab some pics and put some points on the board quicly.

Tim Hiller is like Seabiscuit though...he doesn't make his break until he needs too, then he lets it all hang out.

I think any big time program has to take a MAC program lightly. Publicly they won't admit this, but we all know they do. If UM can't beat WMU, they probably can't beat half of the Big10 either. If UM losses this game, the head coach there is almost certainly done pending a strong finish. Being UM I'm sure they'll give him the whole season, but after the last game it would be a quick exit.

That said, I don't see Western pulling the upset, though I hope to be wrong. The mere threat of NCAA violations (coming out one week before the game) does do the Broncos a huge favor though. Big time favor, this will be the talk of campus at AA for the week and will distract a few of them when it starts to sink in to both players and coaches of how severe the NCAA penalties could be. All allegations though, and I don't know historically what penalties they've leveled against schools who didn't follow the time rules.

RicRod is not loved among the UM faithful. The rule breaking rumors are just the latest thing. He doesn't fit their image-or at least the peception of their image-as being a program "above the fray" and cleaner than most. He's all about winning footbally by ANY means and that doesn't fly well in Ann Arbor.

They'll give him a few seasons of grace if he brings Big 10 trophy's and big bowl game wins to AA, but I don't think he's long for UM under any circumstances. If he keeps on losing this season will be his last.

Remember that scU-M is also a traditionally slow starting team in openers. Look at all the previous MAC teams they've played in home openers (Miami a few years ago, BG) and have had to pull away late to finish.

I'm really tryin' hard not to have really high expectations for this game. Over years past I get really pumped up for the first game of the season and WMU ends up laying an egg. Its time for change though, and UM is SUPER down.

We have the experience - guys who have played in big stadiums on the big stage. This is their time. I hope they seize the moment.

(08-30-2009 10:20 AM)Chipdip Wrote: [ -> ]In turn the defense has got to keep them from making quick scores.

I think that's one of the biggest keys. Nothing more demoralizing than spending seven minutes of game clock going down the field, moving the chains, and getting 3 points out of the deal... and then the opponent getting the ball back and immediately throwing a bomb for 6.

Despite UM's recent woes, I still think we'll have to play a nearly error-free game to win. While UM is not the juggernaut of old, they're not going to show the same performance as they did against Toledo.

Quote:Over years past I get really pumped up for the first game of the season and WMU ends up laying an egg.

That's my biggest concern. We're traditionally slow starters on the season. That can't be an issue this season or we'll start the MAC beat-up and towing an 0-3 record into that game.

The good thing is that scUM is havin' some "practice" issues. They definitely lack team chemistry. RR is going to be trying to find out who outed the violations. Players will be pointing fingers which leads to miscues on the football field.

Go Broncos.

Take the Broncos lightly? It seem they are over practicing for the opener.

Good luck Broncos!

(08-30-2009 12:38 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote: [ -> ]RicRod is not loved among the UM faithful. The rule breaking rumors are just the latest thing. He doesn't fit their image-or at least the peception of their image-as being a program "above the fray" and cleaner than most. He's all about winning footbally by ANY means and that doesn't fly well in Ann Arbor.

They'll give him a few seasons of grace if he brings Big 10 trophy's and big bowl game wins to AA, but I don't think he's long for UM under any circumstances. If he keeps on losing this season will be his last.

Agree 100%. I did like the WVU BBall coach hire. But following it up with the football coach was very short sided. They probably shouldn't have pushed Carr out, but if they really wanted change they could have gone after someone from an academic and tradition rich school that West Virginia. Hiring an OC or DC from Notre Dame or Texas would have been the better route. Winning isn't everything to UM, remember they did push out Moeller over a drunken bar incident and he racked up plenty of wins at UM.

(08-30-2009 01:39 PM)bronco5 Wrote: [ -> ]The good thing is that scUM is havin' some "practice" issues. They definitely lack team chemistry. RR is going to be trying to find out who outed the violations. Players will be pointing fingers which leads to miscues on the football field.

Go Broncos.

I suspect one of the transfers.

They say practice makes perfect.
But too much practice leads to 3-9

I'm not a big fan of the Harbaugh's, father and son. Jack was an absolute disaster as head football coach at WMU. But that being said Jim Harbaugh would have been a FAR better choice for head football coach at UM. And he still might be-after RicRod is shown the door.

(08-30-2009 08:47 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote: [ -> ]I'm not a big fan of the Harbaugh's, father and son. Jack was an absolute disaster as head football coach at WMU. But that being said Jim Harbaugh would have been a FAR better choice for head football coach at UM. And he still might be-after RicRod is shown the door.

Right now, making nice with Jim Harbaugh could be the best-case scenario. Before I forget, real estate AD Bill Martin should be ousted as well.

Just think! One week from today our Broncos will be 1-0!!!

I think he has no choice, actually. He doesn't want to do the 3 QB thing against Notre Dame, right? I mean, if their opener was against Delaware State, that'd be fine, and I'm sure he he'd have a set QB for the WMU game whom he'd only replace if the going got bad. But he's in this situation, and yes... we have "new guys on D", and so do they -- but they're a much better D team. They've got a good running game, and should be able to push our D line around, in case the QBs aren't doing that great.

I think it just shows that he's unsure about the QB spot, and it's better to find out NOW rather than in a big conf game or big non-conf game (Notre Dame). Last year OSU had problems. We'll see what unfolds. We HAVE to step up with strength & focus. If our young guys play like juniors, and UofM's younger guys make mistakes, we'll have a decent shot (40% chance). But the chances of that happening? I'd say about 33%.

In Rich Rod's scheme, they can pile on points bigtime. Carr's scheme wouldn't do so easily. So it call comes down to Rich Rod's team being able to execute, and our D being prepared for the spread.

Quote:In Rich Rod's scheme, they can pile on points bigtime.

Interesting perspective, toddjnsn. Himmmm, 7 posts. Appears just before our game with scUM. Lots of insight into scUM football. You wouldn't think....nah...!!!!!