Michigan easing back into practice after time off
Thought this was interesting given the comments in the recent thread from other B1G coaches. They mentioned Michigan players not at their peak during bowl games. I thought it was an interesting comment and a few others did as well.
Looks like they will start the ramp up a little later than in the past and hope players peak at the right time.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/effort-learn-past-michigan-football-011037594.html
December 19th, 2023 at 2:41 PM ^
Considering we’ve lost six straight bowl games / CFP games and have one four, maybe five games since 2000, might as well try something new.
What’s it going to hurt?
December 19th, 2023 at 3:09 PM ^
Brings up an interesting question for next year. Will the CFP winning teams that have to play in mid-December have an advantage over the ones who won their conference championship games, and have a month off?
December 19th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^
The classic rest vs. rust question. Depends on the team and the situation and how they handle having to play more games or take more time off.
Some teams might be more gassed with having to play an extra game, but some will thrive because they have to constantly remain in that "there is no tomorrow, win or go home" playoff mentality, and that will serve to benefit them when they play a team that's had a whole month off and has maybe been coasting the last few games of its season because they knew they were already in.
So there's no one answer here.
December 20th, 2023 at 9:40 AM ^
Harbaugh has to find a better balance imo. Too many bowl games we go in with dead legs or dead feet. Getting the right physical work in for the team to have timing chemistry on the field as well as save the legs is that balance.
It's also a reason I hate the post season awards shows with players traveling..
December 19th, 2023 at 4:31 PM ^
Will also apply if a conference's third team makes the playoffs in addition to the loser of the conference championship game.
December 20th, 2023 at 8:22 AM ^
3rd place team... So PSU would be a lock for the playoffs if it wasnt for Washington and Oregon jumping on board huh?
December 19th, 2023 at 5:08 PM ^
I think you are going to see some interesting upsets in a 12 team playoff for this very reason.
If you are a bye team, it is a LOT of time off to then turn around and face a team that just played.
December 19th, 2023 at 4:29 PM ^
I am more concerned about grass vs turf. Alabama plays at home on grass. Michigan has often has challenges on grass.
December 19th, 2023 at 4:59 PM ^
We're going to see some slipping. I wonder if they change the cleats. Maybe get them out to California early and give them practice time on a similar surface?
December 19th, 2023 at 5:10 PM ^
Grass especially hurts the quick micro-cuts that Corum makes.
December 19th, 2023 at 5:15 PM ^
Doesn't Michigan have both an indoor practice field (turf) and an outdoor one (grass)? I thought they did.
December 19th, 2023 at 7:49 PM ^
Yes, they do. But it's December.
December 19th, 2023 at 5:47 PM ^
Here’s the thing, bowl games are meaningless outside of the playoffs… anyone bragging is a dumbass, players transfer and sit out. Now Michigan is 0-2 in the playoffs, but outside of that I don’t care what the bowl record is. Not to mention bowl games are 90% away games for northern teams, (unless you’re MSU playing in the little pizza bowl in Detroit) .
the narrative of Jim & Michigan suck at bowl games also comes at an expense of themselves, Michigan consistently gets put into a larger more prestigious bowl just because of their name and how well we fans travel. So the team is already at a disadvantage.
December 20th, 2023 at 8:26 AM ^
Yeah, throw the bowl game record out the window now. Those games they played a month later and didn't give 100% after falling short to osu (and potentially winning the Big 10) doesn't mean anything.
December 19th, 2023 at 6:53 PM ^
Saban is another guy who cautions against over preparation and strives to peak at the right time.
If you’re prepared enough to be instinctive and have trained to be physically optimal, come game day, you eliminate 2 controllable obstacles.
I think he has a pretty good post season record and, therefore, a philosophy worth emulating.
December 19th, 2023 at 7:15 PM ^
This is our third Crack at the CFP. I trust Harbaugh to know what changes are needed.
December 19th, 2023 at 8:06 PM ^
The other thing I'll say, and this is probably why it's best they're playing Alabama, is to project respect for the opponent, which they absolutely have not done enough of the last two years. From the Run the Damn Ball shirts against UGA to last year's obvious disdain for TCU, they've been very chesty and it's bitten them (obviously moreso in 21 than last year). All the underdog talk also helps this
December 19th, 2023 at 9:09 PM ^
Frustrated 3 straight cfp appearances and b1g champs and 20th recruiting class. Scratching my head wondering where’s the payoff hopefully we get a win because things are going to be rough for a few years after this core moves on.
December 19th, 2023 at 9:19 PM ^
Box out ! 21 off rebound ? Wtf
December 20th, 2023 at 8:09 AM ^
First Down? Alley-oop for first Playoff Win? Yessir!!!