<p>I say we should settle the question of Big 10 academic supremacy on the football field! Hehe! </p>
<p>Seriously, after the second game of the season, when Michigan was 0-2 and NU was 2-0, I honestly thought this game could go either way. However, given NU's last 2 losses to Duke and OSU and Michigan's impresive wins vs the Irish and the Nittany Lions, I think Michigan should be able to win this one with relative ease. I still think it could be close given the homefield advantage and the fact that NU plays a spead offense. I also strongly suspect that Carr will probalby rest Hart and keep Henne of the field to give them time to rest/heal, so our Offense will probably remain very basic. My prediction is Michigan in a 23-13 win.</p>
<p>If Duke can win @Northwestern, and last year's MSU team can win @Northwestern, then I'm convinced that anyone can win @Northwestern. Even Michigan ;) .</p>
<p>You can tailgate near the stadium or go to one of the bars along Central Street. The cops are OK but don't walk down the street with a drink. It's not Austin.</p>
<p>luckily it seems as if michigans loss to oregon will look ok, as i'm sure the ducks will beat the golden bears in eugene this weekend, vaulting them into the top 10 probably... michigan has a chance to be ranked in top 25... no real challenges until they travel to e.lansing... however they should be careful not to overlook purdont which has proved to be a dangerous team with a huge # of returning starters</p>
<p>This game was pivotal. I realize that Northwestern isn't very good, but they always play well against Michigan and this was our first road game. I expected a close one, with Michigan coming on top by 10 or so points. Michigan is definitely back on track. Henne is finding his touch, the WRs are catching well, Hart is running with consistancy and the OL is gelling. The Offense still has a long way to go, but we are improving. The Defense continues to improve as well. With the exception of 2 big plays, the Defense was domminant vs NU. In the last 3 games, Michigan has allowed just 1 (one) TD and an average of just 8 points per game. </p>
<p>Eastern Michigan should be an easy win, but after that, there will be no easy games. Purdue, at Illinois, Minnesota, at MSU, at Wisconsin and OSU are all potentially tough. Michigan needs to sort out its troubles (particularly its pathetic Field Goal kicking, mediocre passing and inconsistant tackling) in the next week or we could be in for a painful second half of the season.</p>
<p>he missed 2 field goals, not just another one.
according to ESPN stats, so far he scored 3 out of 9, all below 30 yards. they should take away his scholarship.</p>
<p>and to all chad henne doubters, chad henne > ryan mallett. It's official. it seems that mallett doesnt know that he has to throw the ball long for 3rd downs and kept throwing it behind the first down line.</p>
<p>Bearcats, Mallett is a true freshman, so it is not fair to compare him to Hene, a fourth year starter. Mallett will grow into his position and will prove to be a good QB over time. But at the moment, there is not doubt that Henne is better (by a very significant margin) than Mallett. </p>
<p>Grinnel has cost us the Appalchian State game and will probably cost us another couple of games down the stretch. He is a liability to be sure.</p>
<p>Grinnel did not cost us that game. 1. Had we been ahead by as many points as we should have been, it would not had come down to a field goal. 2. The blocker was at fault.</p>
<p>3bm103, obviously, Appalachian State had no business scoring at will as it did. 32 points was UNACCEPTABLE! Notre Dame, PSU and NU combined managed to score a mere 25 points against Michigan. So obviously, our Defense stunk it up against Appalachian. However, Grinnel missed two field goals, one of which he should have made with excessive ease.</p>
<p>"Bearcats, Mallett is a true freshman, so it is not fair to compare him to Hene, a fourth year starter"
then what would u say about tebow? he's better than henne in almost any aspect. and even when he stepped in last year as a freshman he's comparable to henne. </p>
<p>also, dont we have a backup kicker or somethning? if he cant kick the ball in anyway, give the backup a chance.</p>
<p>Although I am glad Michigan won, that win was almost as depressing as a loss. That was the same NW team that got burned for 28 points in the 1st quarter by Ohio State and lost to...........Duke.</p>
<p>I don't think the defense is 'improving', after the Oregon game we have played some of the most horrendous offenses in the country. I bet if we were to play another team like Oregon next weekend we get rung in for another 39-45 points. The Defense only looks good because we played pro style offenses (except NW), and not even good ones at that.</p>
<p>the kicker's name is Jason GINGELL (gin-jell), and his backups name is Bryan Wright. BW kicked a 57 yarder in high school, which at the time was an ohio state record. sources claim he struggled with his mechanics this fall, but look for him to make a move in practice this week...</p>
<p>We would have lit up Northwestern if Henne had played the first half. I went to the game and when everyone saw Mallett come out after the first drive, we were stunned. After some phone calls we found out that Henne was only going to play the first drives of the 1st and 3rd quarters. As things kinda stuttered, I fully expected that this would be Mallett's last drive every time we lost possession. Chad was ready to play and looked great. However, the defense made some huge plays in the second half to get us the ball with great field possession. The two big plays in the first half were mainly missed tackles, we'll be able to work on that vs. Eastern and should have that under control for the tough stretch of our schedule. We've improved since App State and Oregon and I think we are about to start firing on all cylinders to make a serious run at the Big Ten title.</p>
<p>The missed tackles have been a problem for the last few years...But I do agree with you I think UM can take the BIG 10 since with the exception of Purdue and Illinois none of the other teams use the spread. And we got Ohio State at home, and talent wise I think we have the superior team (although their coach is about 10 times better than ours).</p>
<p>So Michigan goes to Northwestern, a team that lost to Duke at home and that Ohio State manhandled, gets outgained (417-380), relied on a 4th quarter comeback to win in addition to 5 NW turnovers to 0 for Michigan, and you're talking Big Ten title? </p>
<p>Here's a newsflash. Take off the Michigan sunglasses, they just aren't that good this year. They'll be fortunate to gain bowl eligibility with their schedule. Michigan is squeaking by Northwestern on luck, they're not going to win the Big Ten.</p>