Adam Rittenberg: anonymous B1G coaches re Michigan say "don't believe the hype"

Submitted by Maizen on

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."

 

http://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/17272506/michigan-wolverines-houston-cougars-washington-huskies-really-good

MGoBoard

Mr. Yost

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? 

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Mr. Yost

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.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Mr. Yost

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.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Mr. Yost

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.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Mr. Yost

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.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

True Blue in CO

August 12th, 2016 at 12:50 PM ^

Looks like good motivation to post in the locker room. Agree Michigan and Harbaugh need to prove themselves but there is a Football Force coming out of A2 this year and all opponents are in for tough games with Michigan.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 09/02/2010

MGoPoints: 5419

LSAClassOf2000

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. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130636

JBE

August 12th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^

I tend to agree. Just don't think this is a Big 10 or National Championship caliber team. Hope I'm wrong. Solid D, but step back on O, which seems to be what many of the other coaches are hinting at.

Joined: 08/18/2008

MGoPoints: 19316

jinglebaugh

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.

Joined: 05/31/2013

MGoPoints: 2510

reshp1

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.

Joined: 10/31/2011

MGoPoints: 34177

Wee-Bey Brice

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. 

Joined: 05/23/2013

MGoPoints: 7413

Hail-Storm

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. 

 

Joined: 06/07/2010

MGoPoints: 9776