UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[iam416]

He was offered way before September.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2424493-matthew-falcon-to-michigan-wolverines-land-4-star-rb-prospect

I have no idea what an "official offer" means in this circumstance, but he was offered by M and he committed. Then he got hurt.

[hack]

People paying very close attention may know that, but not everyone. The narrative if we lose is that Jim's great and all but it's going to take a bit before Michigan can beat elite teams.

On the other hand, if MSU loses, the narrative is that their run is done a year or two ahead of sked, and the D'antonio>USC rumours will intensify whether they are reasonable or not. MSU needs to reel in some serious talent in a hurry if they want to test the idea that both programs can be good at the same time. A vacancy at the coach's alma mater, right when big brother is finding its feet again, is terrible timing for recruiting.

[Hannibal]

They still have beaten us in 5 out of 6. In the big scheme of things, one rivalry loss in that situation isn't bad. It's similar to Cooper's two victories against us. Neither of them were devastating for Michigan, even though we were playing for the Rose Bowl in the second one. It's also similar to the 2008 game for MSU. They had lost six in a row and were underdogs again before the season started. By the time the game rolled around though, they were touchdown favorites. MSU desperately needed that one and they got it. It wasn't a terribly disappointing loss for Michigan because we were overdue for one.

[Rocky Bleier]

"On the other hand, if MSU loses, the narrative is that their run is done a year or two ahead of sked, and the D'antonio>USC rumours will intensify whether they are reasonable or not."

Not even close. If MSU loses the narrative will be that they were suffering from a plethora of injuries, but they're still the best team in the state.

[hack]

Well Izzo might be more likely to whine about injuries than any other coach I've ever seen, and that may be MSU's excuse, but nobody cares about that or 2008. It's a much worse excuse for losing that Michigan's ``rebuilding under Harbaugh isn't an immediate thing''. I think MSU has a ton more to lose here than M, and that's only intensified by the Spurrier retirement.

[Rocky Bleier]

I didn't say anyone would care. It's already being offered as an excuse by a lot of people. I think they win despite the injuries.

[froot loops]

For a rumor to intensify, there actually has to be a rumor.

[hack]

Not these days, sadly enough. Sports media pretty much have free reign to connect the dots and go. Is what it is. I don't even see how that program would be a step up for him, and competing with the bluebloods might be even harder there than it is where he is now. MSU seems like a better job to me. But until that job is filled I bet his name will be connected to it.

[froot loops]

I haven't seen him even on the list of usual suspects. Most of these guys who get talked about have guys behind the scenes feeding the media their names, generally the agents. For whatever reason, Dantonio hasn't had that. We saw it with Nick Saban at MSU, every job opening that came up his name was attached to it and his work at MSU pales in comparison to Dantonio's work. The Blue Wall will probably continue to ask him about it.

The little I've read of it, he doesn't sound like a candidate. While the timing of the resignation/retirement was surprising, the act itself was not. Before the year it sounded like Spurrier's last season, I suspect South Carolina had an existing plan.

Stranger things have happened, but I don't think it is an issue. Certainly not in the MSU doomsday narrative you are trying to push. First a loss will asphyxiate the recruiting, next they'll lose Dantonio. What's next, they'll be forced to rehire John L Smith?

[hack]

Shutter the university, withdraw all scholarship, and apologize for it ever existing in the first place. Dismantle all structures and sell recyclable materials for scrap.

It's the least you can do.

[hack]

Mostly I agree with you. Saban was a climber and Dantonio isn't, and SC probably saw it coming. Not trying to troll -- as I said, I would see the MSU job as a better one for him anyways. But, like you said, the question will be out there. It has been already and he dodged it without the no ifs/buts denial usually required to shut that down.

But I do very much think that there's not room for both programs in the top ten, and not in the top 25 on a year-in/year-out basis either. Do you disagree? I'm not trying to push anything other than what I think is the case -- that a resurgent Michigan is definitely bad news for MSU, and a Michigan win this year intensifies the narrative.

[Mike]

Hey Rocky, you dropped something. Looks like it might be your balls.

[froot loops]

But I do very much think that there's not room for both programs in the top ten, and not in the top 25 on a year-in/year-out basis either. Do you disagree? I'm not trying to push anything other than what I think is the case -- that a resurgent Michigan is definitely bad news for MSU, and a Michigan win this year intensifies the narrative.

I think it's overblown. MSU wander in the wilderness had everything to do with bad coaches and bad administrators.

[WM Wolverine]

Only job Dantonio desires more than where he's at isn't too far to the south. He's a Buckeye.

[The Oracle]

Any scuttle on Kelly? He's came and went and is still considered an Oklahoma lean. One loss against Texas probably won't change that. I wonder if there are any more USC guys that can be poached.

I posted a little bit above. Adam Gorney, Rivals recruiting guy, says we lead and that Oklahoma isn't the player they're made out to be. Probably between M-ND.