Michigan Football - 2025 Season.

[lineygoblue]

Good. The difference in the way the backs are running is a big reason for the winning seasons.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Here's the latest on Maxi Smith's gun charge. In short he took a plea deal pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun possession. He could get up to a year in prison and a $1000 fine. His sentencing hearing will be 12/29/22 unless his attorney files a delay which he might. The plea and the sentencing date have no bearing on Smith's status with the team. He'll be allowed to travel to the Fiesta Bowl with the team and barring new developments with his ankle injury, play v. TCU.

The mlive story gives previously unpublished details about the arrest and straightens out the earlier breathless Det News "breaking story" about all the ammunition he had in the car.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/12/michigan-dt-mazi-smith-pleads-guilty-to-misdemeanor-weapons-charge.html

[lineygoblue]

You legal experts in here probably know more what to expect, but from where I sit, I think Mazi will end up with a ton of community service and a fairly lengthy probation period. It sounds like once he completes that with no further problems, his record will be expunged.

Its not as though he clobbered someone with his helmet, or has the nickname "merchant of death"

[WingsFan]

^^^ I think it was the Freep that said he will not have a record

[lineygoblue]

^^^ I think it was the Freep that said he will not have a record

Yeah, I got that from reading the article, but I guess what I meant to say was I doubt he'll do any jail time.

[Jeff Buchanan]

There's a lot of hype in this article but it makes some solid points on "Why Michigan Will Win the National Championship."

The "been there done that"point is made a couple of times. It's one of those subjective other factors that at this level probably is outsized in its contribution to winning the NC...... and yes, it's about match-ups.

The article makes the point that if you can name the best lines by PFF or any other objective criteria, both sides of the ball, UGA and M would be at the top of that list. Line play will have an impact on M's semi-finale game with TCU, a big impact. I don't think teams in the BIGXII that TCU played come close to matching M's OL and DL. This time around UGA's DL takes a step back from last year's that dominated M's OL and M's OL is probably better.

https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/...-championship/

[THE_WIZARD_]

Good luck with that.

[WingsFan]

I like Isaiah, he's a big-time Michigan slappy. Last I looked the line was -7, all neutral observers think its going to be a close one. Some have picked TCU - most Michigan

[Jeff Buchanan]

I like Isaiah, he's a big-time Michigan slappy. Last I looked the line was -7, all neutral observers think its going to be a close one. Some have picked TCU - most Michigan

If M plays to it's potential they'll win by two or three scores. As I posted in the M v. TCY thread, because of Duggan Minter needs to play a higher risk/higher reward defense - IOW, he needs to bring consistent pressure to mitigate TCU's big play offense. That means playing press-man and some version of C1. That's not how he's deployed M's D during the regular season. It's not how he deployed M's D v. osu. It was celarly a bend-don't break D that played well inside the 20. Duggan is a different player than cj stroud. It's hard to say if Duggan will react to M's pass coverage like stroud did (badly). I tend to think Duggan has other options he's willing to use that cj doesn't have. M's had trouble with mobile QBs that, unlike stroud, will run to pick-up a first down and extend a drive when he doesn't like his pass options.

So, pressure and FGS clean up the contain that got M in trouble with M's edge rushers too often getting too far up field on pressure packages. Might want to think about limiting pressure through the A gaps when that package leaves a lot of grass for a QB to run to if he sees that defenders have vacated that area of the field to rush the backfield. I seem to remember PSU's and Indiana's QBs burned M up the middle on both intentional QB keepers/draws and when the passing game broke down.

[WingsFan]

Blake Corum today says he’s “been thinking about” his future, returning to or going to NFL. “It’s up in the air.

[lineygoblue]

His NFL bargaining power isn't real strong right now. He had a great season until the injury, but I've got to believe that without going to the combine, (which I doubt he'll be ready for) his draft stock isn't going to be as high as he might think.

[Cody_Russell]

If Corum enters the NFL draft, I think he’ll be a 3rd or 4th RD pick. Giving him something like a 4 year, $5 million contract.

I imagine M would be willing to offer Corum a nice NIL deal to stay. Possibly similar to Hunter Dickinson’s NIL deal.

Can totally understand the tough decision.

[Hannibal]

That would be great if he stays.

[lineygoblue]

I still think its 50/50. A lot is going to depend on his financial situation.

I think if he believes he can help his family, he'll go. He's that kind of person.

[hack]

If Corum enters the NFL draft, I think he’ll be a 3rd or 4th RD pick. Giving him something like a 4 year, $5 million contract.

I imagine M would be willing to offer Corum a nice NIL deal to stay.

Right way to frame it, IMO. Where's he make more next year? That's how it should be. RBs especially trade future health concerns for money now. No shame in getting it.