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The bye week blues have come and gone. It's time to go to work.
It's officially fall and that means that your favorite television shows have returned, Halloween is just around the corner and hockey is back as well.
Oh my God... pic.twitter.com/N3vzyNaBBb
— Man Cave Heaven (@ManCaveHeaven) September 24, 2013
The Michigan men of Team 134 have managed to enter Big Ten play with an undefeated record and a Top 25 ranking. That's the good news. The bad news is that the schedule starts to pick up from here and the toughest opponents on the 2013 schedule still remain. One thing is for sure though, with this team, there is no looking ahead. No talk of Ohio or that tough road game against Northwestern. This week it's all about Minnesota and the battle for The Brown Jug.
Gardner: I can't wait to defend the Jug.
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) October 2, 2013
#BrownJug pic.twitter.com/C1zfECoCil
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) October 2, 2013
The Michigan offensive line has been a work in progress, to say the least. The presence of Taylor Lewan was a huge boost to Team 134 because of the youth that has been on display. The offensive line has been unable to give QB Devin Gardner a consistent amount of time in the pocket and that was evident in the Notre Dame game. Granted, the Irish have a very good defensive line front, but the Michigan offensive line hasn't shown the growth that Wolverine fans had hoped to see.
One month into the season and change is here.
Brady Hoke announced that there will be some changes to the offensive line for homecoming game against Minnesota. Center Jack Miller will not be snapping the ball to Gardner for the first time in 2013. LG Graham Glasgow will shift to center, a position that he has practiced at week after week. With Miller moving to the bench, LG Chris Bryant will step into the vacated spot.
Glasgow has a few inches and some extra weight on Miller and can often more range at the Center position. Bryant looks to be healthy and could lend a big presence to the offensive unit. If Bryant and Lewan can impose their big bodies on opposing defenses, it could relieve some pressure on the rest of the offensive line and make for a better end result.
@sbell021 Thoughts on OL shift for #michigan this week? I've been looking forward to seeing C Bryant in game action.
— Zooby Q (@ZoobyQ) October 2, 2013
@ZoobyQ I like it. Likely not a fix-all, but it's time to shake things up and try something different. Now's the part of the sked to do it.
— Scott Bell (@sbell021) October 2, 2013
Gardner has a lot of issues he is working out at the QB spot but better protection from his OL could lead to better decision making. The changes on the interior of the offensive line are a good sign from the coaching staff. The team may sit at 4-0 but it's been an ugly way to scrape through September. Hoke and his crew have decided to open things up and let some healthy competition create an opening for deserving players.
Looking at this 2013 Wolverine squad, one thing is unquestionably clear: Devin Gardner needs to chill with the turnovers.
NEWSFLASH: Devin Gardner is talented.
REALITY CHECK: Gardner turns the ball over as often as Jim Leyland smokes a cigarette.
To Gardner's credit, he has owned his mistakes. Looks like he had some to reflect during the bye week and is ready to get things back on track.
Gardner: Sometimes I try to do too much -- I'm still a very confident player, but need to take what the defense presents.
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) October 2, 2013
Devin Gardner on the media criticism: "When you play as bad as I played, you kind of earn that." #Michigan
— Chantel Jennings (@ChantelJennings) October 2, 2013
Gardner: have to stay grounded and focused, discussed during bye week
— Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) October 2, 2013
Gardner has seen the errors in his ways from watching film during the bye week. The good news is that Gardner seems to think that his mistakes are a mechanical issue and an easy fix.
Gardner: When I watched the film, know I have to work on my foot work -- easy to fix.
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) October 2, 2013
Gardner is a likeable guy and it's easy to root for him. Let's hope he pulls through these struggles and gets back to his fun-loving, laid-back ways.
Great smile Devin Gardner...
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) September 8, 2013
One thing you might not know about some of the athletes at Michigan is that they love themselves some Miley Cyrus.
Watching Miley The Movement on MTV. People love to hate on her, but very few people in this world her age are more successful than her!
— Nik Stauskas (@NStauskas11) October 3, 2013
I'm so in love with @MileyCyrus I bump her before my games!! #WeCantStop #MichiganDifference #MileyTheMovement #ImTryingToGetChose
— Aj Williams (@ajthejuicy84) October 3, 2013
As long as we are on the subject of Miley Cyrus, make sure you don't try to get too creative with a Gameday sign.
Had my sign confiscated at #CollegeGameDay #LesMiley pic.twitter.com/FlSmGUnecy
— Greg A (@Real_Man_Genius) September 28, 2013
WEEK 6: MINNESOTA @ MICHIGAN
This Saturday, we GO-PHER 5 straight wins. It's time to defend The Jug. #DefiningMoments pic.twitter.com/TNszwAfigt
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) October 3, 2013
WEEK 6 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SPECTACULAR
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012
ESPN's 'College Gameday' will travel to an uncommon destination for week six.
Evanston, Illinois, the home of the Northwestern Wildcats. It's been quite a while since ESPN has traveled to campus and it should be interesting to see what kind of turnout is there for the show.
The best part of Gameday is Lee Corso, we all know this. However, there is a little something you may not have known about Mr. Corso.
Actor Burt Reynolds and ESPN analyst Lee Corso were roommates and football teammates at Florida State.
— Intriguing Fact (@IntriguingFacts) October 2, 2013
The Northwestern faithful are not the the SEC crazy types to camp out days in advance for the show. One thing that we can expect to see is a lot of famous Northwestern alumni members. Look for Michael Wilbon aka Mr. Pardon The Interruption.
Lucky to call @RealMikeWilbon a friend and mentor #northwestern purple pic.twitter.com/pPx3WER9HI
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) August 6, 2013
#25 MARYLAND @ #8 FLORIDA STATE. 12:00 PM EST. TV - ESPN
One of ESPN's stars, Mr. Scott Van Pelt aka SVP, is a proud Maryland alum. Don't look now, but Maryland is a Top 25 team.
The last few years, Maryland has been known to have the most polarizing jerseys in college football. It's a love it or hate it type of thing.
Maryland has new flag-themed uniforms that, for once, will not burn out your corneas. http://t.co/gW3jL04Iqg pic.twitter.com/Umx2edG2cw
— SB Nation (@sbnation) September 20, 2013
Florida State has the home field advantage here but the key could be the early kickoff. Some teams have a tough time getting fired up for the noon games and the Seminoles will have to be careful here. This is a juicy match-up with a lot of intrigue to be had.
Not too shabby of a way to kick off a solid football Saturday.
Maryland breaking out the White-ops unis Saturday vs. Florida State pic.twitter.com/TGMpjrYXpR
— Phil Hecken (@PhilHecken) October 3, 2013
There has been no changes as far as Saturday's game is concerned due to TS Karen. FSU officials are monitoring the situation closely.
— FSU Football (@FSU_Football) October 3, 2013
TCU @ #11 OKLAHOMA. 7:00 PM EST. TV - FOX
Stoops. Bob Stoops.
Love him or hate him, you've got to respect him. Stoops produces winners year after year at Oklahoma and this week, he took some public shots at the SEC and their mentality. Even if you hate Stoops, you've got to appreciate his honest words.
This game should be a win for the Sooners at home against a TCU that will bring it's usual defensive toughness.
Bob Stoops calls out SEC: "Funny how they can't play defense when they have pro-style quarterbacks." " http://t.co/xH8N6MyTKL #SCcenterpiece
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 3, 2013
"@averyvanechanos: @KirkHerbstreit thoughts on TCU Oklahoma this weekend?" Better hope for OU let down. Sooners lookin good
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 2, 2013
Watching #wweraw while grilling fit for a #Sooner! @oklahoma_football Chicken & veggie kabobs! pic.twitter.com/XAFu62xxDo
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) October 1, 2013
#4 OHIO STATE @ #16 NORTHWESTERN. 8:00 PM EST. TV - ABC
If Ohio State is going to lose a game before visiting Ann Arbor at the end of November, this is the game.
The Buckeyes have won 28 of the last 29 meetings vs Northwestern.
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 1, 2013
The Buckeyes handled their first true test in week five, with an impressive win in Columbus against Wisconsin. Those 'O-H-I-O' folks are dreaming of BCS bowl games and Urban Meyer's crew will look to keep on rolling.
And a message for Ohio State from Athens with love... #UGA pic.twitter.com/6IoDGKdCW9
— Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) September 28, 2013
Pat Fitzgerald is the head coach of Northwestern and is respected by all. He's the kind of guy who you root for unless he is playing your team. In some ways, he's kind of like the Derek Jeter of the Midwest, in that you can hate him but you will respect him.
Fitzgerald on being a head coach - The job of the head coach is to be a leader but any success is owed to the team #B1GCoaches
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 24, 2013
Fitzgerald's Wildcats will have one of the biggest games in Evanston's history on Saturday night.
A national stage is the perfect time to go big or go home.
Northwestern's football uniforms😳 #SportsGear pic.twitter.com/7OSLhAvciJ"
— Sports Gear™ (@_SportsGear) September 28, 2013
SO. EXCITED! @NUFBFamily: cfball world will turn to Ryan Field on Oct. 5 w/ the #B1GCats vs OSU airing in primetime pic.twitter.com/1LPvi9KyM1
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) September 24, 2013
One of the great honors of my life to address the #Northwestern football team tonight. Go Cats! @NU_Sports pic.twitter.com/j0MwvQOsmN
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) September 6, 2013
#15 WASHINGTON @ #5 STANFORD. 10:30 PM EST. TV - ESPN
The biggest news in the PAC-12 this week was the firing of Lane Kiffen.
Sign Of The Day from a pizza restaurant in Dallas pic.twitter.com/PIB3BkCzGa (H/T @nothing_said)
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) October 2, 2013
The real news should be how good the PAC-12 is right now. USC may be down but names like UCLA and Arizona State are making some noise. Oregon is still the cream of the crop but Stanford is a legitimate BCS title contender.
The Cardinal have been a consistently good team since the days of Jim Harbaugh and it's continued under David Shaw. This should be a great game and one to definitely stay up late to watch. If Washington can somehow pull off the upset, the Huskies will completely shake up the polls.
Another Stanford football lounge honors Tiger and Bay Area: pic.twitter.com/vN4bpjmK19
— Antonio Gonzalez (@agonzalezAP) October 4, 2013
A coffee table that doubles as a gigantic iPad. No other college football facility has this.#Stanford pic.twitter.com/o2hHdrQq7Z
— David Lombardi (@DavidMLombardi) October 4, 2013
Rushing Yards Leaders: 1 A.Andrews 727 #WKU 2. M.Gordon 698 #WIS 3. D.Fluellen 626 #TOL 4. M.Weisman 615 #IOWA 5. B.Sankey 607 #UW
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) September 30, 2013
Top 5 Total QBR This Season: 1. Petty (BAY) 98.4 2. Mariota (UO) 94.6 3. Bridgewater (UL) 92.6 4. Winston (FSU) 92.0 5. Hogan (STAN) 88.8
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 30, 2013
I love the new UW Husky football team helmets. http://t.co/cImVdY45YX via @diehardsport pic.twitter.com/dOVhgGtGnJ
— Tania Johnson (@scubadoobydoo) September 29, 2013
Teams w/10 or more @rosebowlgame appearances: USC 33 Michigan 20 Ohio State 14 Washington 14 Stanford 13 UCLA 12 #RoseBowl100, 1/1/14 ESPN
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) October 2, 2013
Bacon fries. That is all. pic.twitter.com/AJNqDkjjOd
— Man Cave Heaven (@ManCaveHeaven) September 16, 2013