CJ Stokes sticking around for CFP
December 17th, 2023 at 3:04 AM ^
Game 1:
Corum 24 carries 174 yds 3 TD's
Edwards 16 carries 107 yds 1 TD, 4 rec 72 yds 1 TD
McCarthy 5 carries 42 yds
Mullings 5 carries 37 yds 1 TD
Morgan 2 carries 33 yds 1 TD, 2 rec 48 yds
Orji 3 carries 31 yds
Stokes 0 carries 0 yds
December 17th, 2023 at 3:14 AM ^
The fact that this is a likely scenario, but he's still sticking with his team makes it even better.
December 17th, 2023 at 3:46 AM ^
Good for CJ, and best of luck to him.
You think 425 rushing yards against Alabama is a likely scenario? 😳
December 17th, 2023 at 5:03 AM ^
Rush D is quite mid for them (at least thus far this season).
With Zinter, I would have liked our chances at trying the 2021 OSU gameplan versus Alabama. Without him, I ... still hope they emphasize the run above all else--one of those offensive chess matches where, on first viewing as fans/amateurs, it does not appear particularly creative but, on rewatch, the run blocking nuances stand out as bespoke and devastatingly effective.
December 17th, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
We had all of 150 yds on the ground against Maryland, whose rush defense ranks below Alabama’s, but we’re going to put up over 400 on the Tide?
Nice fantasy.
December 17th, 2023 at 10:17 AM ^
Right? And 6 rushing tds apparently, when they've only allowed 14 all year
December 17th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^
I wouldn’t put any stock whatsoever in what happened against Maryland (aka the game before The Game).
Auburn ran for 244 (?!?!?) yards against Bama. With Payton Thorne (!!!!!) at QB.
December 17th, 2023 at 1:34 PM ^
Maryland is good at giving us fits. You could argue we struggled worse with them last year, at home, than this year.
December 17th, 2023 at 11:02 PM ^
Auburn has one of the best rushing attacks in the nation though...
December 17th, 2023 at 11:29 AM ^
Well for one thing, JJ was injured against MD and couldn’t/wouldn’t run. That makes a HUGE difference on the run game. So not much can be read in to the MD results. Not saying they can run all over bama with a healthy JJ but it will certainly shift the scales.
December 17th, 2023 at 8:51 PM ^
You are smarter than this, Don. Ask Ohio State how much credence they put into the Maryland game.
December 17th, 2023 at 11:01 PM ^
They're going to try and stop our run game with six. If they can do that it's going to be a long-ass day.
December 17th, 2023 at 7:54 PM ^
Hahaha! I would love to see that. But I was talking just about the likelihood that Stokes may not get carries in the CFP.
December 17th, 2023 at 5:39 AM ^
So what's the point of this?
The first comment on an OP commending a young man's wish to do his part to help the team looks like one meant to knock the kid.
I don't get it.
December 17th, 2023 at 8:37 AM ^
It's great from both perspectives, really. Stokes staying is cool, the program interested in giving the young man a chance to stay for the opportunity is cool. I can't fathom having anything negative to say about this.
December 17th, 2023 at 10:30 AM ^
Well, you see, Harball is being an asshole.
I hope that clears things up!
December 17th, 2023 at 7:02 AM ^
Stokes has been out since September 9th due to injury and hasn't played since. If he's not able to play it doesn't mean he can't contribute to the team. Smart move for CJ... He can make a difference in his own way. Team 144 is focused on unfinished business. GET IT DONE!
GO BLUE!
December 17th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
Plus, he'll get a ring when they win it all.
December 17th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^
Somebody plays video games too much.
December 17th, 2023 at 9:00 PM ^
I don't give a shit about these stats. Did you even see the Illinois game last year? Lucky we had CJ after losing Blake and Donovan. You realize, or should realize, his fantastic play in the 4th quarter was a key factor in winning the game and thus the Big Ten Championship. God almighty you guys. Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics.
December 17th, 2023 at 11:05 PM ^
I remember CJ getting baptized by Witherspoon in that game and not being the same since.
December 17th, 2023 at 5:13 AM ^
I must follow Michigan football way too much. This is old news, to me
December 17th, 2023 at 7:09 AM ^
You really can't blame him for wanting to transfer. He's got talent and wants to play.
At least he's leaving without sour grapes like a couple of Iowa Hawkeyes we know.
Good luck CJ.
December 17th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
Cade should be taking notes…
December 19th, 2023 at 9:05 AM ^
Don't forget Charbonnet (sp).
December 17th, 2023 at 7:20 AM ^
He might as well take advantage of the extra practice and if he gets in the game all the better.
December 17th, 2023 at 8:36 AM ^
Personally, I wouldn’t give him a single snap in practice. Seems a waste to give a guy who won’t be here next season and isn’t going to be a contributor in the playoff snaps in practice.
Much more beneficial to the team to focus on getting the guys ready that are going to play in the bowl game and guys who will be contributing on this team next season. I’d much rather Ben Hall and Cole Cabana get the practice snaps instead of Stokes.
December 17th, 2023 at 9:24 AM ^
Call Harbaugh and tell him, bro.
December 17th, 2023 at 9:30 AM ^
Ah yes, because one can’t express a sports opinion on a sports blog without calling the coaches and letting them know…
December 17th, 2023 at 9:52 AM ^
An email will suffice
December 17th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
Like you could figure how to get someone’s university email.
Sheesh.
December 17th, 2023 at 11:12 AM ^
More pointing out how ridiculous it is for you to even have an opinion on it. You seem to think you're pretty qualified on who should be practicing and who shouldn't.
It's amusing.
December 17th, 2023 at 12:08 PM ^
But it’s not ridiculous at all. It’s a sports blog, it’s a sports opinion. My goodness, this would be a pretty dull place if we weren’t sharing our opinions with each other.
My opinion is that it’s a waste of valuable practice reps to give them to a guy who won’t be a contributor in the playoff and won’t be here next season. Just as I’m sure you have sports opinions and share them on the internet. Just like you think it’s not ridiculous for you to share that you think it is ridiculous that I shared a sports opinion on a sports blog. Can almost taste the irony.
December 17th, 2023 at 9:35 AM ^
I'm totally cool with him getting scout team snaps, or being in the RB film room for an additional voice on what he sees or to ask questions, as the other RBs may be like "oh yeah. I had the same question Coach Hart."
December 17th, 2023 at 9:39 AM ^
Yeah there’s still value in having him around for sure, I just don’t see any reason for him to be involved in Michigan’s actual gameplan for the playoff at this point and if we’re getting snaps with the 1s and 2s to someone other than Corum/Edwards/Mullings, I’d rather those go to someone who will be around next season. Not sure why that’s such an unpopular opinion
December 17th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
I would say that if Stokes is running well enough to crack the top three in the RB rotation, then he should get snaps (and he will). Who cares about next year -- it's the play-off. It's win-now time.
Naturally, the point feels rather moot. I struggle to see how he would be in the top three, going purely on merit. Count me among the Mullings truthers who would like Kalel to get more carries anyway. But I appreciate Stokes for sticking it out until the end of the season. I hope he finds a good landing spot in the spring. He has potential.
December 17th, 2023 at 10:49 AM ^
But that’s the thing, he’s not going to crack the top 3 of Corum, Edwards, and Mullings so if we’re talking about RB4, I’d rather those snaps go to a younger guy that’s sticking around next season. That’s really all I’m saying.
December 17th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
I'm assuming he would be off the team if Harbaugh didn't want him around. He could help us with the scout team even if he doesn't play.
December 17th, 2023 at 12:04 PM ^
I don’t have a problem with him being around or helping with the scout team, I just think it would be a waste to give him valuable reps in practice when he’s not going to be a contributor in the bowl game and won’t be around next season.
I don’t really count the scout team reps as “reps” because you’re simulating an opposing team, not running the Michigan playbook.
December 17th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^
Film study absolutely. Good for morale that CJ is sticking around.
December 17th, 2023 at 2:52 PM ^
That is not how football works. Football practice is not the offensive players, who are going to play, practicing against the defensive players, who are going to play. Just because they don't see the field during the game does not mean they are any less valuable in preparing the offense and defense.
There are players whose only job is to study opposing players and do their best to replicate what they do on the field in practice. Would you rather have a starter studying how to be someone else and spending the entire time duplicating that or would you rather they practice on what their job is for the game.
December 17th, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^
And if you read the thread, I’ve mentioned numerous times that I’m fine with him sticking with the team, going to film study, and participating on the scout team. There’s value in that. I’m not sitting here holding a grudge against the kid, I’m just concerned with what benefits Michigan here.
I do not find value in giving him reps in practice within the scope of the Michigan offense, going through drills, etc. Those are better served going to guys who will be playing in the playoff or will be on the team next year, neither of which is a category he falls under.
December 17th, 2023 at 7:44 AM ^
He would be crazy to miss it -- but I still respect him for it.
December 17th, 2023 at 7:54 AM ^
A lot of players haven't left for the portal because Michigan is in the playoffs.
December 17th, 2023 at 8:18 AM ^
Good for him. Hopefully he can leave UM with a title.
December 17th, 2023 at 9:11 AM ^
He will already be leaving Michigan with multiple titles. But, I agree with the sentiment that hopefully he can add one more title before he leaves.
December 17th, 2023 at 8:27 AM ^
That’s what you do when you’re part of a team !
December 17th, 2023 at 8:38 AM ^
As much as it says about CJ, think about what it also says about the coaching staff. Once he enters the portal, the staff can (probably does in most cases) pull his scholarship and usually removes from the team roster. That would exclude him from the training table, remove whatever insurance coverage the team enjoys, workouts with trainers, etc.
In this case, Harbaugh and staff have agreed to let him stick around and partake in all this to mainly his benefit. Why? Because he's a good kid that didn't hang his head and whine as the PT kept being reduced. Because he continued to work. Because they see what happens to kids that enter the portal and have to throw away all of their effort and walk away from their teams because of arbitrary 'rules'.
Not all situations can be worked out like this, but the fact that this one was is as much a good light on Harbaugh's actions behind his words as it on on CJ for wanting to knowing he probably won't see the field.
December 17th, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
Yea just look at how chip Kelly handled it, just what you are describing (won't allow portal players to play in bowl game)
December 17th, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
My takeaway was similar. That Stokes is staying speaks volumes about the strength of the team's culture.