How many players will sit out the bowl game?
I hate to say it but most of the bowl games are meaningless now in the players eyes, the only positive is a glimpse into next years team. If the coaches take a similar approach I hope they give Milton and McCaffrey plenty of snaps in the Gator/Outback/Citrus Bowl.
I could see 2 out of 3 of the DPJ, Tarik Black, Nico Collins gang sitting out; and probably Lavert Hill and maybe Carlo Kemp sitting out. Hudson and Mettelus had too poor of performances in their last game for that to be their last impression in college.
I do miss the days where the bowl game meant something, but I guess this is how it goes these days.
December 1st, 2019 at 6:14 AM ^
DPJ didn't leave a great impression either. Tarik Black needs the exposure. Why would Kemp sit out?
December 1st, 2019 at 6:33 AM ^
I totally agree, but it seems like the last few years when a guy has certain size and he thinks he can do well at the combine; he's gone. If one of these guys runs a sub 4.5 with their height and size, suddenly their mediocre college career gets washed away.
I'm not saying it's right; it's just the reality.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:41 AM ^
"Exposure" in a bowl game is almost meaningless. For the most part, it is not a thing. Aside from something like a Clowney showing in a bowl game, playing in one does next to nothing positive for one's future career (and can certainly hurt it). One' s NFL prospects are 98% about how one does in the combines.
December 1st, 2019 at 11:53 AM ^
I think you forgot the sarcasm indicator at the end. While a person who has a spectacular combine can greatly increase their standing, anything short of that has little impact on draft status, except maybe a significantly poor showing.
December 1st, 2019 at 8:15 AM ^
Tarik Black had one catch yesterday
He ran a 3rd and 10 route 2 yards short and showed a lot less fight than we’d have liked in trying to get 2 more yards.
Should be a better chance of him transferring than going pro.
December 1st, 2019 at 8:35 AM ^
That was very noticeable and disappointing.
December 1st, 2019 at 12:54 PM ^
That moment will stick with me when I think of Black. After that play, I came to the final conclusion that he’s just not that good. Legends are made in The Game, so the opposite is also possible.
December 1st, 2019 at 5:20 PM ^
Me too. A guy half his size would have shown more heart on that play.
December 1st, 2019 at 6:40 AM ^
Black leaving would seem like a mistake. Even DPJ and Nico would have a lot to gain by staying. I also thought that Kemp was trying to get eligibility for another year.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:19 AM ^
Historically deep WR draft class. All three would benefit by staying ... unless they have reason to believe next year's QB will struggle to get them the ball.
December 1st, 2019 at 10:35 AM ^
And who is going to get them the ball?
December 1st, 2019 at 11:47 AM ^
I think Dylan McCaffrey will do just fine
December 1st, 2019 at 6:42 AM ^
Not many. This is a different Michigan team. I’d be shocked if anyone sat out. No one is risking draft stock due to injury... and the guys that will be draft-eligible should still have plenty to prove in that regard.
This Bowl game needs to be about the future, and not about salvaging 2019.
2019 was a step in the proper direction, whether some of us want to see it that way or not. 2019 Michigan saw [rivals] Notre Dame & Michigan State get throttled in games where Michigan normally would have been in a dog fight or fighting from behind [w/ Rich Rod & B. Hoke].
It’s not great, but it’s better than 2014.
0-5 sucks, However, Harbaugh lost to Urban, 0-4. He’s now 0-1 against Day. Next year, focus needs to be on going 1-1, not focusing on the 0-5.
December 1st, 2019 at 9:18 AM ^
This is right. As of right now no one is sitting out. And I agree this is a great building block for the future. You can finally see the offense moving in a good direction and better depth. Guys like McGrone and Hill are going to come in and replace JM and Hudson as leaders in there areas. Josh Ross will be back and healthy. Mazi Smith and Chris Hinton look good, especially Hinton and he’ll go into next season as a legit starter. Hutchinson is going to have a huge year. The linebackers and safeties will have a ton of speed. They need to find one corner for the OSU game.
The offense will take another step forward next year. Charbonnet will be finally fully healthy and Haskins will build on this season. Whoever plays QB will be more of a threat as a runner than Patterson ever was willing to be. I think most of the receivers come back. The only guy who I think is 50-50 right now is Nico Collins and I honestly think he comes back. I could definitely see one guy transferring because Mike S and Giles Jackson are going to get a lot more run next year. This offense is built for speed guys and next year you’ll see that a lot more with Mike, Giles, and Bell.
I know a lot of fans say Michigan is always saying next year, but that has never been my thing. I say that to say this, next year Michigan beats OSU at OSU. Michigan will be undefeated going into the Ohio State game. They’ll beat Washington, who is overrated, and it will be seen as a big opening win. Which will build the confidence of the team from the get go.
After that they get Ball State and Arkansas State to get ready for Wisconsin. Taylor will be gone and Jim remembers when other teams (excluding OSU) embarrasses Michigan and he’ll want to make an early season statement. Wisconsin looks to be an 9-4 team next year that takes a step back. After they get through Wisconsin and PSU back to back the schedule looks easily manageable. They’ll go into OSU undefeated with a legit chance to go to the playoffs. Next year will be Michigan’s best team of Harbaugh’s. Write it down. Seriously. Now if Michigan doesn’t end up top 5 next year then you’ve got to start considering what they do next.
December 1st, 2019 at 10:42 AM ^
If Ruiz goes pro, we’re hosed. Even if he stays, the offensive line is going to take time to gel. You don’t just replace a Bredeson&Onwenu that easily.
December 1st, 2019 at 10:54 AM ^
The interior of both lines has always been my concern for 2019-2020. Smith and Hinton should be a huge upgrade at the DT position from this year— easy to do when we played a lot of downs without DT’s.
I hate to be in the “next year” crowd, but in reality, it’s setting up for next year to really be a make or break year with this staff.
December 1st, 2019 at 12:05 PM ^
Spanellis will be just fine taking over at center if Ruiz leaves. If Ruiz stays then Spanellis will fill in to one of the guard spots and be an all big ten guard. Ruiz staying would make the line one of the best in the big ten. Ruiz leaving will make the line need to fill in a few more holes, but Michigan has a load of good guards. Don’t be surprised if Ruiz leaves to see Rumler jump into one of the 2 guard spots and be very good from the get go. Washington’s defensive line is not great and neither Ball State or Arkansas State will pose a threat. Michigan will have plenty of time to get that line rolling. Much better than the schedule this year.
December 1st, 2019 at 6:53 AM ^
It is more likely Tarik Black gets passed on the depth chart than there is any rationale reason he sits out the bowl game. He does not look anywhere close to DPJ or Nico.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:33 AM ^
Hard to tell how far behind he is because of the low attempt sample size with so many receivers to target.
December 1st, 2019 at 9:17 AM ^
If he were as good as people think he is, he would certainly be on the field more and get more targets. He looks a step slower than Nico, DPJ and Bell.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:01 AM ^
it’s an interesting question. Not sure there’s many sure1st round players on this roster. They could all benefit from playing well in a bowl game. And I also think it explains yesterday’s debacle in a big picture sense. How many 1st round picks were on the field for OSU yesterday? A lot
December 1st, 2019 at 10:57 AM ^
Bingo. WR, RB, QB— all skill positions have high-end guys. I’m sure they have good-to-great OL prospects, too.
Then you look at the D-line— Young is good, LB’s looked decent, and the Secondary players were draped all over M’s receivers most of the day...
only time will tell... we’ll see at the draft.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:02 AM ^
I don't know about the number of players sitting out the bowl game, but the number of fans likely to sit it out after our last two debacles, is going to be much higher.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:35 AM ^
Real fans don’t quit on the team or the program after a bad loss. Real fans stuck with the program through the RR and Hoke years, which were much, much worse than what we have now.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:48 AM ^
You think that's bad wait until next regular season with no ND, no MSU and no OSU on the home schedule.
Small sample size i know but i personally know four folks who said "fuck this shit" after the PSU game and didnt renew for next year.
We'll see.
December 1st, 2019 at 9:23 AM ^
You say this every year mGrowOld. You didn’t renew, your friends didn’t renew, your next set of friends didn’t renew. We get it. You’re displeased. I can’t believe you stuck through Carr, who was a worse coach than Jim. He just got lucky he faced a much worse version of OSU. When Carr was at Michigan both Michigan and OSU were regionally very good. Now OSU is a top 4 annual program now who is nationally elite, while Michigan stayed regionally very good. Tressel was OSUs Carr. A very good coach who won one championship. Then OSU brought in an elite coach who took them to the next level and started recruiting nationally and putting OSU up there with the truly elites. Everyone thought Harbaugh would do the same for Michigan, who hasn’t happened. But he’s still the best Michigan coach of the last 20 years.
I say this all to say that if you guys want to continue not renewing, then that’s fine. It’s just a game, and if you can’t enjoy winning seasons, then it is probably best that you do stay home. If you look, you can see progress with the offense which has been a problem. If they get consistent and the defense cleans a few things up they are right there. We only get a few games a year to enjoy. I choose to enjoy them and cheer for Michigan. Yes I want better results, but I’m realistic. I’d like to see how the offense progresses next year and how the defense does when they get some of these young guys plugged in. After next year all bets are off. Michigan needs to be undefeated or at worst have 1 loss going into OSU next year. Let’s see what happens. I guess you and your friends will be seeing what happens from home.
December 2nd, 2019 at 7:32 PM ^
I know the feeling. Ten of our tailgaters (including my family) are hanging it up after this year. Some of us have had tickets for 30+ years. Reasons are basically the ever increasing prices, difficulty with travel schedules due to not announcing kickoff times in advance, and the product on the field not supporting the ticket prices. We hung on for this year’s home schedule but that last game put the nail in the coffin. We all plan to attend several games a year after this, but will use the secondary market instead of being charged $80 for an end zone ticket to Rutger.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:58 AM ^
If they are the same fuck sticks that sold their tickets to Fuckeye fans, then good riddance. It's ridiculous that there were so many inbred pieces of shit in that stadium.
December 1st, 2019 at 8:40 AM ^
It’s almost as if most of the fans predicted the outcome of that game based on the previous 4.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:06 AM ^
I’d be in favor of platooning Milton/McCafferey. Not because Shea is bad, just for next years experience. Every single non playoff bowl game is a joke, use it for practice and get some value.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:06 AM ^
I’d be in favor of platooning Milton/McCafferey. Not because Shea is bad, just for next years experience. Every single non playoff bowl game is a joke, use it for practice and get some value.
December 1st, 2019 at 7:07 AM ^
I’m fucking sick of this kind of attitude. That bowl games are meaningless and beneath us. Drop the entitlement and start putting in work. If it’s the Gator Bowl vs a 6-6 team, put the work in, show up and kick ass. Sick of ending seasons with 2 losses every year because we don’t care about the bowl game. I get it that the OSU loss hurts. But stop talking about the bowl game as being completely meaningless. This program needs to drop the elitist attitude and start acting hungry, and that we have something to prove.
December 1st, 2019 at 8:01 AM ^
This. Michigan is not above bowl games people. Be happy they’re in one and then try to win the damn thing. Michigan is a second rate, underdog program. Every win counts at this point and the optics of a 10 win season are so much greater than the optics of a 4 loss season. Besides it’s only a matter of time before OSU takes over Michigan’s prized all-time wins leader title, so you better take every game seriously if you want to at least prolong the inevitable. Lose the Michigan arrogance though. Who is Michigan to scoff at a bowl game?
December 1st, 2019 at 7:17 AM ^
Honestly...I could care less...We are officially a basketball school with a ok not great football program
December 1st, 2019 at 7:23 AM ^
How much less could you care? A lot less, or just a little less?
December 1st, 2019 at 7:49 AM ^
What-you dont like baseball?
December 1st, 2019 at 7:30 AM ^
There aren’t any high draft picks on this team other than bredeson and nico. I’d like see Shea sit just to let mcaffery and Milton play. kemp won’t get drafted, lavert will get tore up nfl he’s too slow. This is why we got tore up by osu, where’s all the nfl talent
December 1st, 2019 at 7:50 AM ^
DPJ could use a complete game where he doesn't drop an important pass. Tariq needs a season where he is healthy and can show his talent. Neither should think about going in the draft this year.
December 1st, 2019 at 8:02 AM ^
In what world are DPJ, Nico, and Tarik able to sit out the bowl game for the NFL? The preseason world?
Nico Collins is the only one in the top 100 prospect lists at CBS and he is like The #14 WR. Tarik Black is not leaving (unless he transfers). He would not get drafted. DPJ played himself from a 1st rounder to a likely 3rd/4th rounder this year so he needs another year as well.
This WR draft is DEEP. So honestly all three should come back if they have hopes of being a first or second rounder.
December 1st, 2019 at 11:01 AM ^
I'm guessing Black is transferring. Before the game he tweeted "One more big one" which would suggest no more OSU beatdowns for him.
Nico should probably go pro, although our current trajectory suggests he'd put up huge numbers next year.
December 1st, 2019 at 8:24 AM ^
Nobody on this team should sit out. Yesterday’s game showed nobody is ready to leave early. I’m sure Collins and DPJ will leave. I think Black will transfer. Let’s stick together and everybody comes back and have a great next year.
December 1st, 2019 at 8:44 AM ^
December 1st, 2019 at 8:58 AM ^
Why would Black transfer? I just don't understand this notion. Is he upset with the offense? Injuries? How does he benefit from this? Will be be a Grad transfer?
December 1st, 2019 at 9:31 AM ^
Collins and DPJ are both not leaving. DPJ will be back. Collins is 50-50.
December 1st, 2019 at 9:05 AM ^
Michigan should refuse any bowl invitation. The players are so good they shouldn’t risk themselves before the NFL draft. Instead, they should watch Penn State play in the Rose Bowl because many of their players will sit out of such a meaningless bowl to that program. Michigan led by example last year for all of college football.
December 1st, 2019 at 9:48 AM ^
Don Brown should start Kemp at D end in the bowl game. He should also play some players who will be back next year.
If Collins and Bradenson sat out i wouldnt be mad.
December 1st, 2019 at 9:49 AM ^
Agree the receiver corp will sit out - they started in the second half yesterday. SP would have had a much better second half if not for all of the drops of very catchable throws.
December 1st, 2019 at 9:56 AM ^
Metellus thinks he’s an NFL lock and will sit out lol. What an awful career he had
December 1st, 2019 at 11:13 AM ^
And the most memorable play was that OSU potential INT that hit his chest and fell to the ground in Haskins first year.
December 1st, 2019 at 11:15 AM ^
Metetllus leaving will be addition by subtraction. That long td throw he gave up in coverage yesterday was so fucking bad