Adam Rittenberg: anonymous B1G coaches re Michigan say "don't believe the hype"
Despite returning 16 starters and 3 All Americans off a 10 win team and signing a top 5 recruiting class, Jim Harbaugh's colleagues in the B1G are feeling some type of way (butthurt) about their outlook in 2016 according to Adam Rittenberg. Yes, the same Adam Rittenberg who wrote before last years opener that "anonymous coaches" were telling him that Utah would be blowing Michigan out by halftime and they would be lucky to win 7 games. This years latest sampling from the blogger, which I admit I find hilarious.
One Big Ten coach cited the over-under numbers posted for Michigan in Las Vegas -- Westgate has the Wolverines at 10 wins -- and said, "I'd take the under every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I'd be shocked [if they go over]." Another Power 5 coach, when asked if Michigan will be a national contender in Year 2 under Harbaugh, simply shook his head.
"Ohio State dismantled them," a Big Ten coach said. "It was really men against boys. So what does that mean? I know they feel good about some of the players they have coming back. I'm sure they're going to coach them well. It's Year 2 in the program. They'll be more confident in what they'll ask them to do.
"Jake played out of his mind," a Big Ten coach said. "Who's the quarterback?"
Another Big Ten coach noted that Harbaugh's system helps out the quarterback by putting more of the onus on the line and the run game. A Big Ten offensive coordinator praised Michigan's defense, especially a line led by Chris Wormley. But asked if the Wolverines are playoff-ready, he said no way.
"You're talking about running the table," a Big Ten assistant said. "Not that [Harbaugh] won't probably get there, but I don't think he has the pieces now."
Added a Big Ten coach: "Don't believe the hype."
August 12th, 2016 at 12:49 PM ^
August 12th, 2016 at 1:36 PM ^
Never mind. I'm a pompous ass.
August 12th, 2016 at 1:44 PM ^
since this is a Takeover.
August 12th, 2016 at 1:44 PM ^
Don't worry 'bout the haters. That song is fresh and apropos.
"And these haters tryin to knock me,
But they can't knock me off the hinges."
August 12th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^
"But all you savage cats, know that i was strapped wit gats
When you were cuddlin a cabbage patch."
August 12th, 2016 at 2:13 PM ^
does anyone down-vote a Jay Z quote??!
23 people should be ashamed of themselves.
August 12th, 2016 at 5:31 PM ^
Jay Z overrated af b
August 12th, 2016 at 6:39 PM ^
Underrated. You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means.
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August 16th, 2016 at 12:50 PM ^
I don't think those awards mean what you think they mean...
August 12th, 2016 at 3:57 PM ^
I can't wait for football season to begin...
August 12th, 2016 at 4:40 PM ^
August 12th, 2016 at 4:46 PM ^
Rather than bitch about it...why not just give the fucking context?
You all can carry on about the use of the n-word...I'm not about to go there on a Michigan football/Michigan sports blog.
However, just give the fucking context to the post.
It's from a Jay-Z song called "Takeover" the song came out in the height of the Jay-Z/Nas fued, battle, beef, conflict - whatever you want to call it.
Jay-Z just got done with one of the great battle verses of all time. Especially at the time the song was released. It was a beautiful hail mary to go into halftime with a lead.
At the end of the verse he decides to address all of his other haters. But unlike Nas, who was worth an entire verse...he combined everyone else and basically said "you all are only worth 3 words."
It was a very mic drop moment in hip hop. I articulately dismantle my rival. And to the rest of you...I'm not even going to say your name. I'm not going to speak to you. I'm going to give you the finger and walk away because you're not worth my time.
...get it? Got it?
August 12th, 2016 at 4:48 PM ^
...oh, but then Nas? He put out a song called "Ether" and ended up winning.
August 12th, 2016 at 5:53 PM ^
August 12th, 2016 at 6:41 PM ^
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August 12th, 2016 at 8:41 PM ^
I prefer Nas' verse--all day.
August 13th, 2016 at 1:04 PM ^
Lies. Actually there've been a shit ton of polls suggesting Nas "won." Despite Jay-Z having more fans...
I'm a fan of both, but if you made me pick...Jay-Z all day. While illmatic is the greatest album of all-time and no one can ever tell me different. Jay-Z catalog shits on Nas and Blueprint and Reasonable Doubt are BOTH classic, 5*, amazing albums.
August 13th, 2016 at 1:02 PM ^
I like Jay-Z more than Nas...but if you can't admit that Ether was bigger than Takeover, I don't have time for you.
The MOMENT of takeover was bigger because of Summer Jam. But there wasn't a verse at Summer Jam. He just said "you guys don't want it with Hov, ask Nas, he don't want it with Hov....NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" and the place lost its freaking mind.
That moment was so well timed, so perfect. No one has even come close to that moment since Drake dropped Back 2 Back in this age of Twitter where you can gain momentum and have a "movement' in less than an hour.
But as a song? As a true battle verse? Psssssh....there's a reason why people say "You got Ethered" and no one says "you got Takeovered."
Arguing this is like arguing that MJ didn't get crossed by AI. MJ is undoubtedly better and the GOAT. But Iverson got em --- TWICE.
August 12th, 2016 at 5:13 PM ^
And if you REALLY hate rap/hip hop and want the icing on the cake.
Go check who produced the Jay-Z song Takeover, lol
...that said, the guy can be a fucking genius. Amazing use of a sample, especially in 2001 or whenever the song came out. Positive it was 2001, because the album is famous for being released on 9/11.
August 12th, 2016 at 5:48 PM ^
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August 13th, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^
Did I say he invented sampling?
Just because you don't like the guy doesn't mean you need to knock his GENIUS on The Blueprint.
One of the greatest albums of all time, regardless of genre. Check the stats.
Kanye's work on The Blueprint was legendary. Period.
August 13th, 2016 at 1:12 PM ^
Takeover - classic
Izzo (H.O.V.A.) - classic
Heart of the City (Ain't No Love) - classic
Never Change - cult classic
Shit, outside of Girls, Girls, Girls...Renegade...Song Cry...All I Need? Kanye made that album. Defintiely had more hits than any other 1 producer.
...then this man produced the entire College Dropout. That thing has 21 fucking songs/skits on it. He did them all. And it's a classic album. Take lyrics out, let your favorite rapper rap on that production and it's still a classic.
He's a pompous asshole - but he's done more for music than just about anyone in history. Anyone you put over him is a LEGEND, guaranteed. Miles Davis was also an asshole - guarantee anyone you put over him is a LEGEND.
I never said I liked the guy as a person. But I refuse to disqualify his music because of everything else. His production and influence speaks for itself - particularly in rap/hip hop.
August 13th, 2016 at 1:39 PM ^
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August 12th, 2016 at 6:06 PM ^
Noted for this post. Kudos...
August 13th, 2016 at 3:38 AM ^
August 13th, 2016 at 8:42 AM ^
Glad that's finally over!
August 12th, 2016 at 12:49 PM ^
I'm going to enjoy watching their offenses try to handle our "hyped up" defense
August 12th, 2016 at 1:20 PM ^
August 12th, 2016 at 12:50 PM ^
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August 12th, 2016 at 1:03 PM ^
Also...I'm not quite sure anyone else in the conference besides OSU even has any hype to "not believe."
The rest of the coaches should be more concerned about people fully believing the non-hype surrounding their programs.
August 12th, 2016 at 2:12 PM ^
I doubt anonymous quotes from opposing coaches will be better motivation than the level of excellence ingrained in the program by JH and Co. every day. Disrespekt isn't UM's thing.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:51 PM ^
I fully expected one of those quotes to include "where's the threat?"
August 12th, 2016 at 12:59 PM ^
suspect the 'hype' remark was Doom'bonertoe on behalf of sparty.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^
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August 12th, 2016 at 1:56 PM ^
Reading these quotes reminded me of that too. As much as we tend to look up to coaches, whether it is because we learned through them via sports or simply cheer for a team, quotes like these are a solid reminder that they really don't need a poll. I mean, imagine if you asked several dozen Division I coaches to rate the top 25 movies each week - I am sure this is the only way (and this is for the die-hard MST3K crowd out there) "Manos: The Hands Of Fate" ever breaks the Top 10 in anything.
August 12th, 2016 at 8:43 PM ^
"Visit beautiful Ground Zero."
August 12th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^
August 12th, 2016 at 12:57 PM ^
I cannot figure out why anyone would think we would take a step back on offense. Last year at QB we had a player who learned the system in fall camp and was a mediocre QB at his previous school. This year we have multiple QB's who have been in the system for 2 years. The only question would be the loss of Glasgow. I'll take another year of experience from the other 4 as a wash on that one. We have two outstanding receivers, at least one outstanding tight end, and DeVeon showed what he can do when healthy in the Florida game. I don't get it.
August 12th, 2016 at 1:52 PM ^
I get what you're saying, but QB is kind of an important position to have basically question marks. Speight looked piss poor for 3 series before basically 3 great throws to retake the lead in his only game action. O'Korn was lights out as a freshman, but people overlook the fact he was so bad he got benched his sophomore year.
There are plenty of signs and history to suggest Harbaugh having more time and better raw athletes than last year is going result in a better QB, but it's not a certainty by any stretch.
Same goes for replacing Glasgow. You have valid points, but you're glossing over the fact that Center is the most important position on the line as far as communication and coordination, and that Left Tackle is the most important position as far as protecting the QB, where we'll be starting a virtual unknown (and what we do know isn't great) in Newsome.
I think we absolutely could have a national championship caliber team if those things come up aces, but it's got to all play out before we can say we do.
August 12th, 2016 at 3:22 PM ^
We had the same quarterback questions last year and pre-season comments on Jake Rudock are far different than the remarks we hear now. Also, Chesson/Darboh or even Deveon Smith didnt get the same respect they do now.
I get why people fear the unknown, but Harbaugh has a resume for a reason.
August 12th, 2016 at 9:23 PM ^
August 12th, 2016 at 9:23 PM ^
August 12th, 2016 at 3:38 PM ^
Jake Rudock got benched at Iowa.
August 12th, 2016 at 4:20 PM ^
August 12th, 2016 at 4:41 PM ^
Benched partly because of new OC and new system that wasn't particularly suited to his skill set.
August 13th, 2016 at 6:26 AM ^
And they tried to change his mechanics. Harbaugh told him that wouldn't be necessary.
August 12th, 2016 at 4:53 PM ^
August 12th, 2016 at 2:10 PM ^
The big losses on offense are Glasgow (Which is significant), the 2 fullbacks, and Rudock.
In the first 8 games last year, the team was 6-2 with a close road loss to a good Utah outfit, and a game where a fluke punt fumble and return lost them the game to MSU. During this time Rudock had the following stats;
180 yards/ game
6 TDs
7 INTs
This year the schedule to start is easier, and I have to imagine that the rest of the returning players will make gains, even if marginal to their play before. This doesn't even touch on how good the defense could be. I hope that the opposing BIG 10 coaches feel this way when they are preparing to play Michigan.