Northern Illinois 10, Michigan 63 - Post Game Thread

[WM Wolverine]

This is a win over a near the bottom MAC program, let's play teams that actually test us. B1G East looks stronger than usual even if the Buckeyes are rebuilding for a season

[Jeff Buchanan]

Yes, yes, we're all holding our collective breaths for the collapse, "Seen this movie before. It has a shitty ending." is in the back of my brain but I won't have it. ....... that was with a moribund coaching staff, disinterested, checked out players and Jim Harbaugh looking like a zombie on too high a dose of Zoloft or Prozac.

He looks and sound different. The players are energized. Two key units on the team are blowing away the guys they are lined up against. Despite rumors to the contrary, there's a passing game and two standout players in the receivers unit - CJ and Henning. Both threats that DC's have to account for.

Right now, this would be a scary team to game plan for and then play when it's firing on all cylinders - it has all the makings of a complete team. I'm going to enjoy this win through the coming week instead of living in the past and predicting future results on the failings of the last two seasons.

[Hannibal]

I'll say one thing aside from the game being really fun to watch baring the shittiest network production I've ever seen. I can't comment on the both because I muted it 2 minutes in. What's a shame is the BTN studio guys are really good. FOX needs to do something about what's going on with the directors in the vans and the shit announcers in the booth. Terrible, unwatchable. I won't even list the camera and playback work. You saw it.

It coulda been better but last week ESPN missed a kickoff and the subsequent first down play. I’ll take the BTN’s occasional goofs over the sound of Beth Mowins or Disney calling me a racist on shitty lazy coverage any day.

[Mike]

We’ve played shitty competition to date, BUT we’ve curb stomped them which is a mark of a competent team. Hopefully we’re competent.

[Tom W]

I guess this weeks complaint will be about how we should punt more.

[lineygoblue]

The BTN broadcast crews have a hard time disguising their joy at what has been Michigan's demise.

Thing is, it seems like everyone associated with CFB is looking at Michigan to be the one that drags OSU back to the pack. It's going to take more than Michigan to do that. The rest of the conference is going to have to man up, and start beating OSU. A single Michigan win over OSU isn't going to change a thing.

[Hannibal]

I expect Rutgers to beat us next week. They should have beaten us last year.

[Tom W]

No, I really think that Michigan screwing around for the last dozen years or so is why ohio has been able to become the monopole of the conference. It's all on us, and ending the boredom is only going to start when Michigan gets their act together and beats them beyond any doubts from shitty refs.

[Obi-Jon]

We played six quarterbacks today. We will continue our shitty play until we decide who is going to be at the helm.


<Doing my best Hanni imitation>

[lineygoblue]

I expect Rutgers to beat us next week. They should have beaten us last year.

I don't think so.

I expect Rutgers to play much better than what will be expected. I think the line will probably be around 8-10 points, but it will be a good game to take the points.

This will be both Michigan's homecoming and home B1G opener. They have a good record in both, even during the RRod/Hoke years.

Michigan by about a TD.

But, look out the following week. Wisconsin is licking its chops over this one. If Michigan goes in as the favorite, they'll get clobbered.

[Hannibal]

I wouldn’t be shocked if we beat Rutgers. We still have a big recruiting/talent advantage, albeit with the vastly inferior coach.

[Tom W]

We played six quarterbacks today. We will continue our shitty play until we decide who is going to be at the helm.


<Doing my best Hanni imitation>

lol. Sheridan and Threet were Brady and Henson compared to these lugnuts.

Relax already. McNamara has it until they need McCarthy. It won’t be against the Jersey Boys, but maybe against Wisky..

[froot loops]

You fellas didn't need to shorten the game

[lineygoblue]

So far, ::: knocking on wood::: no turnovers this season. When was the last time they started the season with no turnovers in the first three games?

Donovan Edwards finally got his first TD. That guy is going to be special if they'll continue to build blockers around him.

I like how McCarthy sets up in the pocket and delivers a catchable ball. I've only seen him throw one bad ball so far. I'd like to see him add about 10-15 lbs

I think they found their KR/PR guy to replace Bell

I can see the Mike Hart influence on the RB's. They aren't shy about running straight ahead, and they run with a chip on their shoulders. I loved Hart as a RB, but I didn't care for his big mouth. There's no room for trash talk with this team right now.

Loved Aiden Hutchinson's quote after last week's game ... "We haven't done sh!t yet" ... lol ... he's right.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Loved Aiden Hutchinson's quote after last week's game ... "We haven't done sh!t yet" ... lol ... he's right.

Yeah, great revealing quote. Most of us would agree that "team chemistry" (I think we know what this means) deteriorated at some point when it was obvious Harbaugh was "distracted" (and I think we have general agreement here what that means). The locker room, the bench, the club house.....whatever you want to call it, had a very bad vibe. That vibe displayed itself in ways everyone of us disgustedly watched the last two seasons of M football. It was loser football.

The renewed energy you're seeing with your own eyes on the field in post game pressers and interviews demonstrates two things - which ever one is playing the biggest role in this transformation - no one knows. But either team leadership, like Hutch seems to exude - or leadership from the coaching staff including JH is hitting the mark. I really don't care which one is the strongest influence it's just good to see Michigan football like we believe it was then and should be played now.