"It doesn't matter if I can sing it, the band can play it!" -- Al Borges
Al Borges (M Offensive Breakdown) and Devin Gardner (MMQB) were less entertaining than usual (my subjective hot take), but when they are together ~20 minutes in, they are fun to hear. Borges quips that Devin would never have talked to him like he does now as a player, "because he wanted to play." I enjoy them both:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VR-UMztxBw
I'll leave finding MMQB with Devin as "an exercise for the reader," like those Calculus derivations back in Math 125. Hint: Google "Devin Gardner Iowa MMQB". But they had some production problems.
October 5th, 2022 at 5:45 PM ^
"It doesn't matter if they stack nine guys into the box, we can still run it up the middle!"
Thanks, Al.
October 5th, 2022 at 6:09 PM ^
I didn't.
It was probably 27-for-27 or some such nonsense!
October 5th, 2022 at 9:33 PM ^
I only hovered over the link. Saw "27" in the url and noped right away from it.
No thank you, watched it live and have no desire to relive that pain ever again
October 5th, 2022 at 11:22 PM ^
Pretty much me:
October 5th, 2022 at 6:20 PM ^
Regarding play-calling, Borges says, "not that I was great at it, but I study it."
To me it's a bit of the old Woody Allen line: "Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym." Borges is self-deprecating enough to admit he wasn't the best coordinator football has ever seen, but he teaches it well at the Football Offense 101 level class I am taking from him for free.
I learn a lot about what is going through the mind of the players and the coaches by listening to him and Devin, whatever their shortcomings might be. I love the work of the staff on this site, which is probably the best in college football, but Al and Devin also do have a bit of a pedigree that gives their input a modicum of credibility, to say the least.
October 5th, 2022 at 6:39 PM ^
I'd like to add that those who "can do," don't necessarily teach as well as those that teach, i.e., many lecturers or teaching faculty are far better teachers than research faculty teaching the same courses. But the same could be said for football or whatever.
October 5th, 2022 at 8:22 PM ^
Plus you can disagree with one or two things they say each week and still enjoy the content...or at least I can. I might be different that way based on the weekly threads I see about them.
October 5th, 2022 at 8:13 PM ^
That game is the one where my rage broke during the Hoke era.
October 5th, 2022 at 6:08 PM ^
These are informative and I think pretty accessible for a layman (like myself) to learn some football terminology.
Plus, I could watch DG explain the makings of a ham sandwich and be entertained by his enthusiasm.
October 5th, 2022 at 9:35 PM ^
DG is one of the most charismatic and entertaining people I've ever seen. Him and Sam on Monday Morning QB is must-watch content for Michigan. Come for the analysis, stay for the hilarious banter and back-and-forth with Al Borges
October 5th, 2022 at 7:14 PM ^
I never miss Sam Webb's weekly breakdowns with Devin, Al, and Vance. I understand football much better now and I see more in the actual game than I used to. They explain the tactics, strategies and techniques so even a novice like me can understand.
Love those videos.
October 5th, 2022 at 8:01 PM ^
These segments gave me a whole new respect for Al. I was never a fan of Hokes time at UM, but Al really knows his shit and is genuinely a good dude.
October 5th, 2022 at 8:12 PM ^
Devin is phenomenal at this. Love watching him discuss football.
October 5th, 2022 at 8:36 PM ^
I started watching these last week after the Maryland game. There is something for everyone, no matter how “football smart” the fan is. Whether it’s basic lineups, or play recognition, all the way to the deeper nuances of a particular play and why the players did what they did, they are all great.
October 6th, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
You missed out on last year, every Monday morning bets were being laid on how many times Devin would say "Shea, I mean Cade"
October 6th, 2022 at 11:57 AM ^
Devin is worth the price of admission for a host of reasons!