Maize n Brew - Michigan Football 2016: Week 11 vs.IowaA Michigan Wolverine communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49241/mb-fv.png2016-11-16T12:41:45-06:00http://www.maizenbrew.com/rss/stream/133623632016-11-16T12:41:45-06:002016-11-16T12:41:45-06:00The Last Word: A Good Time To Lose
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<img alt="Maryland v Michigan" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C4n_nKrf8AACctP02p_GERUie7Y=/23x0:5168x3430/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51867133/621302430.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Whew... like my last breakup, that loss was less painful than I expected.</p> <aside id="dr6rZI"><q>Michigan loses to Iowa, Earth continues to turn.</q></aside><p id="Z6VyQB">Sure, this Saturday was the worst offensive performance by a Michigan team since... well, let’s see. They could move the ball pretty well against Wisconsin until the red zone, and even then there were numerous chip shot field goals to be had.</p>
<p id="OwmXJK">Ohio State last year (sorry for bringing it up) was fine offensively; the team had 364 yards and mainly just got pummeled by the lack of a running game (Jabrill had the least ghastly stat line of them all with 7 carries for 29 yards). Even the Utah game, Harbaugh’s crew out-gained the Utes in total yards and scored more points and had more touchdowns than they did against Iowa.</p>
<p id="jAuLFi">And let’s avoid thinking back to the Era To Be Forgot. The point is, it’s been a while since Michigan’s offense was this bad. Call it an <em>aberrant</em> performance, like that time the Mongols threw the biggest block party of all time. And come Wednesday morning, they still managed to be #3 in the CFP rankings. Completely unchanged. Breathe sigh of relief.</p>
<aside id="4ovq9I"><q>Maryland’s having a rough week.</q></aside><p id="ndNMvV">File this in the Not-Exactly-Unexpected Department (damn all that red tape, why do we need that department), but Maryland got their doors blown off by the Buckeyes. After starting the year 4-0, they’re on a 1-5 slide and will need to beat one of Nebraska or Rutgers to be bowl-eligible. Unfortunately for the Terps, quarterback Perry Hills has injured both shoulders the last two weeks and is listed as day-to-day for the Nebraska game.</p>
<p id="hzngkv">My favorite stat from their recent struggles: they gave up 581 yards against the Buckeyes, but that was actually their best defensive performance in that category since Michigan State almost a month ago. Michigan and Indiana both had 650 or more.</p>
<p id="82u4p3">Oh, and while we’re kind of on the subject - who in the heck was Caleb Rowe throwing to here?? Surprisingly, this gentleman has a 6 touchdown-18 interception ratio the last two years.</p>
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<aside id="qzihox"><q>The West hierarchy is clear.</q></aside><p id="BKwhFF">In August, not many people felt like they had a good idea about the Big Ten West. The leaders from 2015 - Iowa and Northwestern - were beneficiaries of a lot of lucky bounces but were also reasonably talented teams. Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Nebraska were in the mix, as well, but all three had second-year coaches who were pretty big X-factors.</p>
<p id="RMvoJX">That picture is finally becoming clearer after Nebraska’s 24-17 win over Minnesota, a game that was similar to Wisconsin’s 23-17 victory over the Huskers in that it anointed a pecking order while also validating the legitimacy of the loser. The Gophers have been flying under the radar all season long, but they’re sitting at third in the division and <s>deserve all the respect coming their way</s> people should definitely stop forgetting the Gophers exist.</p>
<div id="WWPShX"><table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Conf.</i></b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Overall</i></b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><i>Points</i></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><i>Allowed</i></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><i>Off. S&P+</i></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><i>Def. S&P+</i></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Overall S&P+</i></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wisconsin Badgers</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>5-2</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>8-2</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">169</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">86</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">59</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>8</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nebraska Cornhuskers</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>5-2</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>8-2</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">153</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">167</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">50</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">26</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>30</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Minnesota Golden Gophers</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>4-3</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>7-3</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">199</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">157</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">81</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">35</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>52</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Iowa Hawkeyes</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>4-3</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>6-4</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">145</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">158</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">69</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">24</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>39</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northwestern Wildcats</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>4-3</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>5-5</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">201</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">171</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">58</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">27</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>47</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Illinois Fighting Illini</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>2-5</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>3-7</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">130</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">228</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">112</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">76</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>103</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Purdue Boilermakers</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>1-6</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>3-7</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">162</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">308</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">103</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">117</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>120</b></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="5Fkd6X">We’ll see what Minnesota does against fellow middle-of-the-pack Northwestern this week, followed by a ‘three yards and a cloud of snow’ affair with the Badgers. I’ll expect NFL phenom Mitch Leidner (5 TD’s, 7 interceptions, 187.2 passing yards a game) to do well.</p>
<aside id="Na2aDe"><q>So, apparently college teams can use former pro players in practice.</q></aside><p id="Q88q20">Here was Urban Meyer reacting to the news that the NCAA is fine with a college team using former pro players in padded practices - complete with a Joey Galloway joke. </p>
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<p id="qn2OlV">We’ll see what comes of that; it’s worth noting that Alabama was using Trent Richardson (a young, athletic, but quickly unsuccessful pro) to mimic Leonard Fournette - a guy who’s similarly built and is a rare kind of athlete. I’m not sure how much benefit a team would get by sidelining, say, a bunch of their players so that the first-teamers could get reps against pro wipeouts. Not trying to be mean there, just saying. But it would be nice for Michigan to reach out to someone like Denard or Devin Gardner whenever they’re about to play Ohio State.</p>
<aside id="NepibX"><q>P.S.A. On Video Edits</q></aside><p id="XnDtI0">Also, while I’m sharing videos here I want to take a brief moment to critique this slow-motion video set to emotional music by BTN. It’s a nice concept, but first off, the music should be set to something more dramatic and end-of-the-world - Mozart is usually good for that. Next, they should be running the highlights backwards. This was a huge missed opportunity.</p>
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<p id="8FrvKR">I want to see an Iowa running back running backwards out of the end zone at 2 mph. I want to see Jim Harbaugh calm down. I want to see all of Jabrill’s most athletic plays with a 360° angle. I want to see that alleged Jim Harbaugh booger incident with a 360° angle, too. Make it happen, BTN. Go all in with your video edits. Nothing half-ass.</p>
<aside id="zS8mBi"><q>A reminder that Rutgers exists: they lost again, 49-0.</q></aside><p id="GHrx9H">Call it ‘the Rutgers hat trick’: MSU, U-M, and OSU all won by a combined 185-0. I mean... ouch.</p>
<p id="SMtRDo">Let me also point out that Rutgers is second-worst in Division-I in total offense, second-worst in passing efficiency and scoring offense, fifth-worst in rushing defense ... but 23rd best in the country in passing defense. So that’s what you get when you hire a 42-year old terrific defensive backs coach to run your whole program? Seems so.</p>
<aside id="sl1xSH"><q>By the way, is it too early to think about both Michigan and OSU potentially reaching the playoff, and maybe even playing each other for the title?</q></aside><p id="TJfsrl">Yes? In fact, don’t even bring it up at all? Okay.</p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2016/11/16/13650894/here-are-the-three-unwritten-rules-of-lifeNick Bodanyi2016-11-13T16:11:28-06:002016-11-13T16:11:28-06:00The Enigma And Potential Of De’Veon Smith
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Michigan at Iowa" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JONAvtDqEzb9Dtzr2KNOgUckc34=/0x188:2803x2057/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51814889/usa_today_9673760.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="E1vEja">Forty-eight points a game. Michigan had the best pro-style, run-based offense in college football. They leaned on a brutally effective ground game, helped out by a dose of defense and a passing game that was evolving from “turnover-free” to genuinely deadly.</p>
<p id="2Ipwvh">In theory, this meant Michigan could survive getting pinned into a corner of a 5x5 cell, in a brawl with someone whose game was built on toughness, and make it out alive. Obviously that didn’t happen. Iowa outgained Michigan in total yards, 230-201, and they held onto the ball for 54.6% of game time. The Wolverines lost the turnover battle, which in this metaphor equates to losing the number of clean punches straight to the face.</p>
<div id="rZZ2t7"><div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/football/2016/11/13/13615870/michigan-falls-in-ap-poll-after-loss-to-iowa-ohio-state-alabama-clemson-louisville" target="_blank">Michigan Falls In AP Poll</a> <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/football/2016/11/13/13614346/michigan-football-iowa-loss-2016-column-maize-n-brew" target="_blank">Sometimes, You Just Lose To Iowa</a> </div></div>
<p id="BLiRTV">There’s always blame to go around when things go wrong. There’s also a lot of room for cliches: didn’t get it done, toughness when it counts, focus, pride, playing for your brothers. It did seem that Michigan didn’t have enough tenacity in this game, and for all the talk of Michigan being one of the most senior-laden squads currently in the playoff hunt, the lack of energy the team displayed ultimately goes back to the oldest and wisest on the football team. You can’t win on the road, or anywhere, without winning the energy battle. The veterans know this.</p>
<div id="yBFubC"><small><center>A deflating moment early in the Iowa game: Devin Bush's ejection for targeting.</center></small></div>
<div id="9pRuJ6"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XZuBxrw_zaM?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="OZmhPo">It would be absurd to pin all this on one guy, and that’s far from what I’m about to do. But I do want to think about this game through the lens of De’Veon Smith, who finished with 12 carries - most on the team - for 2.3 yards a pop. Given what we think we know about Smith as a runner - plus the phone booth quality of this game and Iowa’s somewhat undersized linebackers - you would think a game like this would be a chance for Smith to shine.</p>
<p id="Ak8gV0">That hardly tells the whole story, however. While Smith technically started, many of the snaps on standard downs went to Chris Evans. More often than not, De’Veon was used - with glaring obviousness, I might add - as a blocker and in the red zone, plus that infamous run in the second quarter from the 98-yard line that resulted in a safety. Meanwhile, Karan Higdon and Ty Isaac didn’t play nearly as often as Smith or Evans.</p>
<p id="dnVJce">Already, there are some problems unfolding with this scenario - and some indications of why Michigan fell flat against Iowa. The Wolverines don’t help their starters if the offense becomes predictable, and pigeonholing De’Veon as the “tough yards” guy is a problem Smith must get out of. But more on that later.</p>
<p id="tU0Kbu">This team also doesn’t help themselves by shrinking the running back rotation, given that Isaac and Higdon are both deadly in their own right. I’ve alluded to this before, but Higdon has been a pretty valuable red zone weapon:</p>
<div id="hmpEch"><table border="0">
<caption>Running In The Red Zone</caption>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>Carries</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>Yards</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>Average</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>Opportunity Rate</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>Touchdowns</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">De'Veon Smith</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">35</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">91</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2.60</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">22.86%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Khalid Hill</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">16</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">22</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1.38</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0.0%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Ty Isaac</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">12</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">37</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">3.08</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">25.0%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Karan Higdon</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">11</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">62</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5.64</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">54.55%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Chris Evans</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">9</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">46</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5.11</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">33.33%</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="qeRhL0">Meanwhile, Ty Isaac has managed 6.0 yards a carry overall with better advanced stats than De’Veon Smith - such as a better opportunity rate (46.4% to 37.2%), fewer negative plays and fumbles, and an impressive 7/7 on converting third downs. In short, both guys are key components to keeping a defense on its heels.</p>
<p id="4rkp81">Still, pulling a few stats from the ether shouldn’t sway what we all know about Smith. Smith is a cornerstone of this offense, a terrific blocker and a leader by example. A tough nut to crack, known for shedding tackles and fighting for extra yards. A guy who was overshadowed by Derrick Green when he first stepped on campus, but has led the Wolverines in rushing for two straight years and is on pace to do it again. A guy who’s easy to overlook sometimes, but who still hasn’t reached his potential - remarkably enough.</p>
<p id="KzRu1B">In fact, the closer and closer you look at De’Veon, the more of an enigma he becomes. But, understanding Smith just a little better might also help us dissect where this team stands after its first loss of the season.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Football: Colorado at Michigan" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5Xfn9npTYPPMr6i7BMKJfodrNoc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7461493/usa_today_9546287.jpg">
<cite>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<p id="GcJjRa">For a guy who has been a three-year starter at one of Michigan’s premier positions, De’Veon Smith has impressively managed to stay well outside the limelight. In fact, if you see him on campus, he doesn’t immediately stand out as the powerful, violent running back that you see on Saturdays. There’s a chance he prefers it that way.</p>
<p id="VOeBJ0">De’Veon was one of the top recruits in the nation coming out of high school - he was a finalist for Ohio’s Mr. Football award, but lost out to North Carolina’s current starting quarterback, Mitch Trubinsky - but once in Ann Arbor Smith was outshined by a merry-go-round of five-star tailbacks and all their boundless potential: first Derrick Green, then Ty Isaac, plus some recruiting flirtations with Mike Weber and Damien Harris. Smith had a reputation for being unathletic for a while, then he had a more deserved reputation for some bad vision during various plays. The whole time, fans felt like Michigan <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2015/1/26/7894557/michigan-boasts-bevy-of-running-backs-but-ohio-state-commit-mike">needed a splash</a> at running back.</p>
<p id="aYVUFs">But Smith kept working at it, and somehow or some way he has stayed on top of the pile - while creating more than a few piles of his own. He was a surprise favorite of Jim Harbaugh when the anointed one came to town. And he’s grown leaps and bounds from the 195-pounder he was in high school.</p>
<p id="q1h4Dg">In short, De’Veon Smith is the personification of what this team needs to remember even as it reaches for fame and glory. He is a walking embodiment of tenacity - and playing on the road, just like playing from behind, is a mindset this team needs to find, quickly. After all, the big games are coming.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Ilinois v Michigan" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/efg2DSBJ1EacqbfnZLafv3MBkWg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7461945/617295370.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="4VX3lX">It is safe to say this team can learn from De’Veon. It is also safe to say this offense works better when the tailbacks are used in a diverse but effective way, so that defenses can’t key in on what kind of play is coming. Also, it will be a shame if Michigan uses Smith in the role they tended to used him in during the Iowa game, because he has another, very different level he can still reach.</p>
<p id="e9477u">Here comes the rub - the part I’ve been mulling over for a few weeks. De’Veon Smith is an interesting back, sometimes hampered by injuries and remarkably diminished once he gets into the fourth quarter: a career 3.1 yards per carry in the fourth, 4.9 otherwise. He’s also one of Michigan’s worst backs on third down - only five third-down carries all year, only six yards, only one third-down conversion.</p>
<p id="8FwY4Q">This might seem to jar with De’Veon’s hard-hitting reputation, but the fact is that teams usually know what to expect from him on tough-yardage situations, and are able to bring enough numbers to make his life treacherous. Sure, he can break some tackles, but it’s better to do so against linebackers and DB’s - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaIbEs95IN0">and the fewer, the better.</a> He can churn for yards throughout the game, but it’s better to support him with other talented tailbacks, so that he has enough gas left in the fourth.</p>
<p id="IYAEVD">And for Smith to really keep growing, I think he needs to make a leap forward in catching the ball. He has surprising speed at times, but lacks the kind of shake and bake that Chris Evans has. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzNfpP9J7j8">He can be deadly going east and west</a>, or anywhere out in space, so as long as he has a chance to run a route and avoid the kind of punishment that defensive linemen give, he can get chunk yardage and still preserve his body at the same time.</p>
<p id="UnulMT">Basically, I think he needs to take one, small step toward being an H-back in the mode of Curtis Samuel. He won’t be as fast, certainly, but being able to play in the flat will mean he has to break one tackle for a big gain, rather than three or four. It means that linebackers can’t crowd the line or blitz the gaps, because De’Veon might slip behind them for a pass. It adds another wrinkle to a pro-style, smashmouth offense.</p>
<div id="ceCT0V"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oy7nRYS_fuY?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="AaEsHY">It would be a step too far, maybe, to say this team will only go as far as De’Veon Smith, the quiet one, can take it. But at the very least, the Wolverines need to be ready and eager to lean on the running game when times get tough. Because things will be getting a little tougher from here on out.</p>
<p id="y3Plwr">Against Iowa, Michigan’s worst quarter was the third, when they ran seven offensive plays for 15 yards. Iowa controlled the ball for 11 minutes and 34 seconds, and Wilton Speight went 1-for-3 plus a sack fumble. The running backs were responsible for 4.6 yards a pop in their three carries, plus that one completion and the fumble recovery protecting Speight. Smith, for his part, never touched the ball.</p>
<p id="Ss3agW">The running backs are what got us here. They are the bread, the butter, and just a little bit of caviar. We can’t forget that going forward.</p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2016/11/13/13614328/michigan-football-deveon-smith-iowa-hawkeyes-recovering-from-a-lossNick Bodanyi2016-11-13T10:01:51-06:002016-11-13T10:01:51-06:00Takeaways from Michigan’s loss at Iowa
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Michigan at Iowa" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gd9lqji9K90eQxgOrgz7fwVpUQ8=/0x0:1828x1219/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51810193/usa_today_9673761.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It somehow — weirdly — does not matter if they take care of business.</p> <p id="RvIA5E">It often feels like the sky is falling in the immediate aftermath of a loss, especially one of the magnitude that Michigan suffered at the hands of Iowa on Saturday night.</p>
<p id="0DibLa">Kinnick at night is a weird place to play and it came back to bite the Wolverines in this game, ending their perfect season. However, it by no means ruined their chance at a magical season.</p>
<p id="oVejFd">Here are the takeaways:</p>
<h3 id="2ABi7l">Lack of focus</h3>
<p id="z2g5fV">Michigan spent a lot of time decorating Iowa’s pink locker room before the game and it is pretty apparent that their attention was not where it needed to be.</p>
<p id="xI1PDe">Jim Harbaugh is a coach that prides himself in preparing his team with a razor-sharp focus and attention to detail, but it was the little things that cost the Wolverines in this game. Drops, silly penalties and more were among the errors that played out on Saturday night.</p>
<p id="gTyEET">The eyeball test showed a team that looked like they would roll right into Iowa and walk out with another easy victory, but that was not the case. The Hawkeyes were ready to play and Michigan was caught with its pants down.</p>
<p id="bUvQA0">The defense did what it had to do to keep them in the game, and damn near won them the game on their own, but the offense could not make a play and do the simplest things. It was by far their worst performance of the year and fans can take solace in the fact that this team cannot play any worse.</p>
<h3 id="1RKSjO">The offensive line was bad</h3>
<p id="YsH6aY">Michigan’s worst kept secret showed up on Saturday night, and that is that their offensive line is arguably one of the weak spots of the team. They were beaten soundly up front all night long and could never get the run game going. Wilton Speight took far too many shots and it took its toll on him as the game went on.</p>
<p id="nfGdvx">The Michigan offensive line is very good when they are locked in, but when they are not it is an ugly sight. These next few weeks they will have to be the hammer and not the nail and hopefully they can learn from this before they hit the field in Columbus in 13 days.</p>
<h3 id="BOQSry">Speight took a step back</h3>
<p id="hz2nVU">The Wolverines’ quarterback has really played well in the last few weeks, but that was all flushed down the toilet on Saturday night. He was 11-for-26 for 103 yards and an interception.</p>
<p id="4zs8GO">He did not have a whole lot of help from his wide receivers and offensive line, but this was a test that Michigan failed across the board on offense, especially after jumping out to a 10-0 lead.</p>
<p id="7ZSlVf">It looked like he suffered an injury at the end of the game, so that will be worth keeping an eye on. We are far too deep into the season for a quarterback controversy, but Speight has to play his best football down the stretch here. He is more than capable, but it just did not happen last night.</p>
<h3 id="DZpgoZ">Peppers: Heisman Schmeisman</h3>
<p id="22fqxZ">The Heisman Trophy race right now is Lamar Jackson and everybody else, and it has been that way throughout the entire season. Everyone behind him is fighting for second place and Jabrill Peppers did not do much to make his case in a spotlight game with the nation watching.</p>
<p id="1NOHOJ">Peppers in the wildcat is something that is clearly becoming very predictable, as evidenced by four rushes for 11 yards. On defense, he never made a game-changing or saving play. In a game where the Wolverines needed a spark from somewhere, he never provided it. He is a phenomenal talent, but the Heisman talk should probably be shelved unless he does something insane against the Buckeyes in two weeks.</p>
<h3 id="xYfNMy">The road ahead</h3>
<p id="IykAPx">That was a rough watch, no doubt about it. However it means very little in the grand scheme of things other than that the team has zero margin for error moving forward.</p>
<p id="8YXYsq">If Michigan beats Indiana and Ohio State, they will be in the Big Ten title game as the East division champion. If OSU wins out, Penn State will win the East with wins over Rutgers and Michigan State (weird, right?)</p>
<p id="LvP5lu">The Wolverines’ road to the playoff is still very clear. Beat Ohio State and likely Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game, and they will be in.</p>
<p id="AYo9MY">In a strange, roundabout way, this could loss could be the best thing that happens to them. There is no sugarcoating how this game went, but it could be something for them to learn from and build on to refocus them. It has been a long time since they had to play a four quarter game.</p>
<p id="hJNo1B">The Ohio State game feels like certain death for a large portion of the Michigan fanbase and I can’t sit here today and tell you not to worry about that game. Look no further to our friends down the road in East Lansing last season for guidance, however.</p>
<p id="WViwJc">MSU was expected to go into Columbus last season and get their heads kicked in, but went down there and beat the Buckeyes soundly on both sides of the football, won the game and went on to win the Big Ten.</p>
<p id="6YE53d">This Michigan team is far more talented and better coached than the Spartans were last season and the Buckeyes are not as strong as they have been having shown vulnerabilities in a loss to Penn State.</p>
<p id="5QLJJi">It is not over, it just got harder. Harbaugh would have it no other way.</p>
<p id="uCbcvw">The season comes down to The Game, as the football gods intended. Let’s see what happens from here.</p>
<p id="ZtcUr8"><em>What were your takeaways from Saturday’s game? Sound off in the comments below!</em></p>
<p id="D63YT5"></p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/football/2016/11/13/13613788/michigan-football-iowa-takeaways-wilton-speight-jabrill-peppers-heismanAnthony Broome2016-11-12T19:48:54-06:002016-11-12T19:48:54-06:00Michigan LB Devin Bush Jr. ejected for targeting
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<img alt="Maryland v Michigan" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iJWqgTxt1v5vLlsUqte5pD0KY7Q=/0x0:3664x2443/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51806103/621303280.0.jpg" />
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<p>True freshman linebacker Devin Bush Jr. will miss the rest of the game against Iowa. </p> <p id="IQcnFP">Michigan linebacker Devin Bush Jr., a true freshman, has been ejected from Saturday’s game against Iowa due to targeting. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Worst fake punt of all time? <a href="https://t.co/DUdG8d6jDL">pic.twitter.com/DUdG8d6jDL</a></p>— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanPetzold/status/797614543698542595">November 13, 2016</a>
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<p id="Fi3fIT">Iowa decided to fake punt with the score knotted, 0-0, in the first quarter. The fake punt failed and Bush drilled punter Ron Coluzzi with helmet-to-helmet contact. </p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2016/11/12/13611606/michigan-wolverines-devin-bush-jr-ejected-for-targeting-iowa-hawkeyes-ron-coluzziEvan Petzold2016-11-12T10:20:01-06:002016-11-12T10:20:01-06:00Saturday Evening GameThread: Michigan vs. Iowa
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<img alt="Maryland v Michigan" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GNN_UVFDRGPQDm0yGNRoQ2qBxkc=/0x190:3705x2660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51795459/621302432.1478905820.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="BPvQGZ">Alright, let’s see if Michigan can extend its record and sharpen its teeth in a road environment.</p>
<p id="YMIlCe">Let’s get it.</p>
<h1 id="SHL2iu">Game Info</h1>
<p id="paragraph9"><strong>Teams:</strong> No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (9-0, 6-0 B1G) at Iowa Hawkeyes (5-4, 3-3 B1G)</p>
<p id="paragraph10"><strong>Date: </strong>November 12th, 2016</p>
<p id="paragraph11"><strong>Location:</strong> Kinnick Stadium (70,585) in Iowa City, Iowa</p>
<p id="paragraph12"><strong>Kickoff:</strong> 8:12 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="paragraph13"><strong>Television:</strong> ABC/WatchESPN</p>
<p id="paragraph14"><strong>Radio:</strong> Michigan/IMG Sports Network (for a list of affiliates, <a href="http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/fbl-broadcast.html"><strong>click here</strong></a>)</p>
<p id="PN7TDq"><strong>Spread:</strong> Michigan -22.5, O/U 51</p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2016/11/12/13604674/michigan-football-iowa-hawkeyes-gamethreadNick Bodanyi2016-11-11T13:49:35-06:002016-11-11T13:49:35-06:00YFD Sticks to Sports
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>I know, I know, I told you not to. Now I'm telling you to.</p> <p>Indulge me for a moment. I've been at MnB for something like six years, and I've had the pleasure of working with every manager the site's ever had. I've taken over the site and posted nothing but Pac and Biggie lyrics for an entire week. I've had essentially unfettered freedom to post whatever I want. And I appreciate that freedom and the trust the managers of this site have placed in me a great deal.</p>
<p>In six years, I've written maybe two or three things I'm really Proud Of. A couple years ago, <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2013/8/30/4674574/friday-drinking-instructions-fathers-football-michigan-kickoff" target="_blank">I wrote about why I loved Michigan football so much and thanked my dad for it</a>. I have regularly attempted to post telling us to not be dicks to each other (and <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2016/1/21/10807784/annual-psa-dont-tweet-at-recruits?_ga=1.158047794.983978500.1461951793" target="_blank">memorably, someone called me out about trampling on his First Amendment rights</a>.) And a few months ago I waded into a hornet's nest and said <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2016/9/23/13034942/your-friday-drinking-instructions-arent-sticking-to-sports-today" target="_blank">no, thank you, I will not stick to sports</a>. That's the only time I've ever locked comments on this site.</p>
<p>One of the recurring memes of 2016 is "this is a bad year." People we cherish keep dying. Bad things are happening in the world. For many, the sky fell this week. For many, their voices were vindicated. But for others, the struggle continues - whether it's something about politics or family or financial situations or one of a million very real reasons to wake up feeling worried.</p>
<p>I've personally struggled in dealing with a lot of these things, as I'm sure many have. Here I am being intentionally oblique, because the point of this post - and no, I haven't gotten to it yet - is not to create a firestorm in the comments. It's not to invade the space so many of you cherish.</p>
<p>For once, I'm going to stick to sports. Consider this post an invitation to share that cherished sporting space with me and all of you that read play by play charts and obsess over a recruit's dad's tweets and have countdown clocks not just to rivalry games but to every Saturday kick.</p>
<p>I don't give a shit about your reasons to be here, and you shouldn't care about mine either. Yes, I wrote about basically the opposite not too long ago. This is a mea culpa for that post. I need football now for selfish reasons, and I'm totally down for you to need football as well. We are fortunate in that we can dip in and out of this wonderful world of football and sports writ large whenever we want.</p>
<p>Sports are a joy that we can share together and a necessary escape for many of us at various points in our lives, for whatever our reasons. The community that is Michigan football provides us a chance to duck out and for three to four hours every Saturday worry about what some kids in winged helmets are doing. And we are blessed with a national following, a constant cycle of news, recruiting updates, and social media - not to mention a coach that's a constant story for all the reasons we as a fanbase love.</p>
<p>My dad and I are going to drive to Iowa City and watch Michigan take on the Hawkeyes at Kinnick this weekend. It's going to be cold and maybe miserable outside and hopefully hostile, and I'm looking forward to every second of it. I'm going to listen to dumb football podcasts on the drive and then my dad and I are going to - very easily, I might add - talk about football and little else for a whole weekend. It'll be great.</p>
<p>So, here are your entirely necessary Friday Drinking Instructions.</p>
<p>For you Wolverines looking for a spot to drink in Iowa City, I highly recommend <a href="http://www.backpocketbrewing.com/ontaptoday/" target="_blank">Backpocket Brewing</a>.</p>
<p>They've got an excellent rotating taplist and for $6 you can get their Murderhorn strong Belgian ale, which, by clocking in at 10%, is guaranteed to wipe away whatever worries you've got.</p>
<p>If you aren't in Iowa City this weekend - and why wouldn't you be - don't worry, Founders has you covered. If you've read this far you're undoubtedly familiar with this blog's love for Founders and big-ass high-ABV beers. The problem with many of them is that they aren't that fun to drink. Fortunately, Founders took Dirty Bastard and somehow made it -more- drinkable by adding more booze, some barrel aged flavor, and vanilla. <a href="https://foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/backwoods-bastard/" target="_blank">Backwoods Bastard</a>. And it's getting easier to find. Go grab a four-pack, and you won't even know it's 11%. Thank me later.</p>
<p>Until next time, Cheers, Michigan Faithful!</p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2016/11/11/13602006/yfd-sticks-to-sportsShash2016-11-11T09:23:37-06:002016-11-11T09:23:37-06:00MnB Roundtable Is Comfortable In Pink
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<img alt="Maryland v Michigan" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bdLnkdWXPVL3h8UjPwYDOQ7Cl_Q=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51786035/621288612.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Kinnick After Dark</p> <p id="EHngpe"><em>Michigan ain't played nobody?</em></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="dARkHy">Ain't played 'Bama</p>
<p id="EUSqIA">Have played somebody</p>
<p id="aerp76">Who else has defeated three top fifteen teams?</p>
<p id="aTmKgX">I thought "nobody" was the current SEC West leader!</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="qASACR"><strong>Alejandro</strong>: Gotta a beat a good team on the road before you can say they have a great résumé.</p>
<p id="ABc2H9"><strong>Peter</strong>: I'm just going to say that I think Wisconsin is a somebody, regardless of their lackluster offense. Bucky could beat just about anybody out there right now.</p>
<p id="OVrAJQ"><strong>Garrett</strong>: Since this statement is absurd, and I'm not motivated to rehash the same tired counter-arguments, let's look at this from a purely technical, grammatical perspective. Right of the bat, Michigan is 9-0, so they've presumably played nine games, winning all of them. "Nobody" implies zero opponents, but we can infer from the aforementioned nine game/nine win conclusion that Michigan has played greater than zero opponents, rendering "nobody" moot, or a meaningless euphemism. Furthermore, the use of the colloquial "ain't" implies a southern accent/argument/origin, which is nothing more than another piece of evidence of the rest of the country's heavy SEC bias which places the entire argument in an irrational, hyperbolic vacuum, regardless of what follows. Twitter/email is in my bio, Paul Finebaum/Tom Dienhart.</p>
<p id="iBGegy"><strong>Trevor</strong>: I guess since nobody knew that PSU and Colorado were decent when UM played them that means those wins aren't impressive?</p>
<p id="34o3ys"><strong>Kyle</strong>: From a CFP standpoint, sure, there is an argument. I believe that argument is wrong given the current rankings of Wisconsin, Penn State, and Colorado, but Michigan has had its fair share of cupcakes. But from an eye test standpoint, does it really matter? Has Michigan's quality of competition stopped anyone from seeing who they are?</p>
<p id="PwpEtn"><strong>Anthony</strong>: Michigan's resume speaks for itself. They've boatraced every team on their schedule except for Wisconsin, which is...HEY...another great team.</p>
<p id="P8eVjU"><strong>Kevin</strong>: We touched on this argument last week, and again right now. Michigan's schedule holds up to scrutiny. And not just from Colorado, either. Penn State has awakened, and Wisconsin has held onto their top-ten ranking. Combine that with how Michigan has completely pantsed every opponent they've faced, and you have a legit challenger to Alabama.</p>
<p id="gt2RXd"><strong>Zach</strong>: I’ll wait for Tom Deinhart’s response. </p>
<p id="2RK7Tl"><em>Michigan hasn't won at Iowa since 2005. Granted, only a few attempts since then, but, does Iowa have the magic in them?</em></p>
<p id="l8BBBd"><strong>AZ</strong>: Weird things happen at Kinnick Stadium, man.</p>
<p id="MbxTaq"><strong>PP</strong>: Seems that way, doesn't it? Iowa is kind of like what Northwestern is for Wisconsin. It isn't just that Michigan hasn't won in Iowa City since '05, but the Wolverines are 5-6 against the Hawkeyes since 2001. I've been saying to some people that I'm actually nervous that Iowa will be the trap game, so I'll be pooping myself for 60 minutes on Saturday.</p>
<p id="qXrNmH"><strong>GH</strong>: They won in 2009, when Michigan went 5-7, in RichRod's second year. Iowa ended the season #7 in the country after crushing Michigan by two full points. They won in 2011, arguably their only upset, over Brady Hoke's overachieving first-year team. They won in 2013, again over Brady Hoke, when Michigan was unranked and reeling, by a full three points. That's really not an upset inspiring resume.</p>
<p id="UCQyKc"><strong>TT</strong>: Yes, they have magic in them. They will have to save it for another time though. The Hawkeyes will not be pulling any bunnies out of any hats in Iowa City against the Wolverines.</p>
<p id="wWLvYI"><strong>KY</strong>: If Michigan stumbles (or falls) it will because of their own shortcomings, not the magic of the Hawkeyes. This Iowa team is far from those who have troubled Michigan in the past, and they are playing nothing like last year's record or August's rankings indicated they would. Michigan just needs to play their game.</p>
<p id="h199rf"><strong>AB</strong>: Michigan will have to play uncharacteristically bad and I do not see it this week. They are locked in.</p>
<p id="Es5a75"><strong>KB</strong>: Kirk Ferentz knows how to beat Michigan. Kirk Ferentz also knows how to lose to Michigan. Which Kirk Ferentz shows up, I have no idea. Kinnick Stadium at night is a frightening place, but Michigan has Jim Harbaugh.</p>
<p id="AMUyNZ"><strong>ZT</strong>: Not this year. This Michigan team is too good. </p>
<p id="rvLJ9f"><em>Wilton Speight said he nearly left Michigan, but then goes and has a monster game against Maryland. Surprised he's become so good? Expected all along?</em></p>
<p id="ywbRwk"><strong>AZ</strong>: Jim Harbaugh is a quarterback whisperer, and Wilton Speight is the latest example of that. I'm convinced he could turn any one of us into a functional college quarterback.</p>
<p id="qWh5nD"><strong>PP</strong>: I'm surprised, but I think that's mostly a product of not being able to remember the last time Michigan had a truly great QB. I'm also old, so the memory fades from time to time. Now, where did I leave my keys?</p>
<p id="OO815j"><strong>GH</strong>: I think the full length of his growth is surprising. I fully trust Harbaugh to develop a player into a competent quarterback over the course of a season, but Speight, at this point, is beginning to build the foundation to become a great college quarterback. His improvements in accuracy, range, poise, and timing are revealing that his ceiling is higher than many people suspected.</p>
<p id="GAOsrf"><strong>TT</strong>: Pleasantly surprised. Crazy how things worked out for him. Followed his gut and stayed in Ann Arbor with the quarterback whisperer. Speight is back next year as well, so thats exciting. We will get to see what Harbaugh can do while having an extended period of time with the same starting QB.</p>
<p id="t58VYg"><strong>KY</strong>: : I am surprised. Like many people, I wanted John O'Korn, but it turns out Harbaugh knows better than I do. I did write a piece earlier this year about how his accuracy issues were overhyped, and he has continued to prove those doubters wrong. I still think he's got some areas to improve, but he has turned me into a believer.</p>
<p id="Cs42aI"><strong>AB</strong>: No quarterback breaking out will ever be a surprise under Jim Harbaugh, but he has been very impressive.</p>
<p id="sdubBx"><strong>ZT</strong>: Once he won the job my expectations raised quite a bit, but even still he seems to be touching that ceiling. Harbaugh is the best QB coach in college football, and I'm excited to see how Wilton can further develop under his tutelage. </p>
<p id="ZVtp1O"><em>Apparently Jim Harbaugh is headed to several NFL teams at the same time, so let's crank up the baseless speculation machine!</em></p>
<p id="11b0DN"><strong>AZ</strong>: Per some sources, he's leaving Michigan to own, coach, and quarterback the Las Vegas expansion team. Sorry, folks.</p>
<p id="s8eEGx"><strong>PP</strong>: As I mentioned to you guys on Slack on Sunday, one of the ESPN radio hosts out of Milwaukee said that the Packers need to sack McCarthy and Thompson, and that getting Harbaugh would be easy because, "He'd take the money in a heartbeat." Yeah, no.</p>
<p id="fALmzJ"><strong>GH</strong>: Word here is that the Green Bay Packers have offered him a five year, $50-million guaranteed contract with whole milk bonuses if he wins the division/conference/Super Bowl/etc.</p>
<p id="BjEgaG"><strong>TT</strong>: Jim Harbaugh to the Jags! The Lions! The Bears! No. No. No. Jimmy Hardball is going to be in Ann Arbor for a long time, at least until he brings home a few Big Ten titles and hopefully a few national titles.</p>
<p id="KaD3Mf"><strong>KY</strong>: Well clearly Harbaugh only came to Michigan for the money, so let's just put a bigger paycheck in front of him. Wait, actually didn't he come here because he couldn't win it all in the NFL? He'll never go back, it's too hard for him.</p>
<p id="QjFAU7"><strong>AB</strong>: Can he co-coach the Lions?</p>
<p id="U8UesS"><strong>KB</strong>: I have an Illuminati-level conspiracy theory. In the not-too-distant future, Jim Harbaugh will leave Michigan to coach the Cleveland Browns because all he cares about is money. In order to prove he is the GOAT, he wins Cleveland's first Super Bowl title by defeating the unbeaten New England Patriots, led by a retiring Tom Brady. </p>
<p id="WlPo37">At midfield, Harbaugh embraces Brady, and whispers into his ear, "It's time." </p>
<p id="UxT2wK">Harbaugh, freshly fired from Cleveland by new owner Jed York, is then hired by Ohio State to take over for Urban Meyer, who has decided to once again spend time with his family. Meanwhile, interim coach/good dude Don Brown brings Brady onto his staff as an assistant. A push is made for the top-ranked QB recruit in the country, but because it's Tom Brady, the kid chooses Michigan. </p>
<p id="hqJ8GD">OSU travels to Ann Arbor for The Game, both teams undefeated. During pregame warm-ups, Harbaugh looks to the press box, and sees Brady, who flashes the signal. A t-shirt cannon is loaded with a hat, pair of glasses, and sharpie pen. It is fired down toward the field and lands at Jim's feet. Harbaugh pulls out a blue block M hat, puts on his glasses, and tucks the sharpie into his shirt. He says nothing, and walks over to the Michigan's sideline, past the stunned faces of the Buckeye players. </p>
<p id="ja8SZx">A kneeling Don Brown awaits, handing Harbaugh his headset. </p>
<p id="nc1BSB">The plan is complete.</p>
<p id="bj10Tq"><strong>ZT</strong>: Oakland is still in play. </p>
<p id="ENYErK"><em>Probably good timing that there's college football this weekend, so what else are you watching while we wait for Michigan to play?</em></p>
<p id="3BLEzT"><strong>AZ</strong>: Rutgers vs Michigan State. Is there really any other answer?</p>
<p id="F25Pie"><strong>PP</strong>: I want to see all the suck between Rutgers and Michigan State. Aside from that, I want to see what happens with the teams in the West. Minnesota plays Nebraska, and Wisconsin takes on Illinois. If the Gophers and Badgers win, they'll be tied for first place, setting up a potentially huge showdown in Madison on 11/26, with a berth in the Big Ten Championship at stake.</p>
<p id="tAR3Pf"><strong>GH</strong>: Saturday's daytime slate is underwhelming, to say the least, so I've lined up choice post-apocalyptic films. Your V for Vendettas, your Mad Maxes, your 2012s, your Bladerunners, etc. It's market research or something I guess.</p>
<p id="kvL3Xu"><strong>TT</strong>: Auburn vs. Georgia will be a good watch. I will watch Maryland play Ohio for 5 minutes until that is a blow out and I lose all hope that Maryland has a chance. Could Pitt play up to Clemson's level and give them a game, maybe. I always like to root for Pitt and their RB James Connor.</p>
<p id="z4mxZW"><strong>KY</strong>: Basically any game with a top-15 team. The beauty of college football is there's always at least one interesting, competitive game going on so finding something fun to watch shouldn't be too hard.</p>
<p id="nNMWUP"><strong>AB</strong>: Give me all the football. Covering the games, I usually miss most non-Michigan contests, so looking forward to whipping around the slate this weekend.</p>
<p id="dcu2F2"><strong>KB</strong>: Not a banner schedule week, but I'll peek in on two. Auburn-Georgia because I want to know if there's a real threat to Alabama within the SEC, and LSU-Arkansas because it'll be the first chance Bret Bielema has to stand atop the mountain of Clock Mismanaging Guys without Les Miles! I just chose two SEC games and don't feel good about it, either.</p>
<p id="pWAEzH"><strong>AZ</strong>: Hi it's Alejandro again I forgot to mention USA vs Mexico AKA "Dos a Cero"</p>
<p id="3jrUMc"><strong>ZT</strong>: Honestly, I'm thinking I should do something productive with my Saturday like go outside or be around other people in a social setting instead of crawling into a hole with college football for 12 hours. I probably won't tho. </p>
<p id="yHB49g"><em>And what're you drinking?</em></p>
<p id="RnIBkj"><strong>AZ</strong>: Anything I can get my hands on.</p>
<p id="QK0ycS"><strong>PP</strong>: Bourbon. Lots and lots of bourbon; everything I have in the house: Four Roses, 1792 (not my fave), Knob Creek, and Elijah Craig. But I feel that it may be necessary to stock up on some additional varieties as well. I'm open to suggestions.</p>
<p id="Q8Fz91"><strong>GH</strong>: I was in Iowa City a few weeks ago, and didn't find anything local that caught my attention. I did, however, purchase an ale brewed in Machester (England) that is aged in Lagavulin Whisky barrels. It's 11.5% and should smooth things over for a couple of hours.</p>
<p id="MLf3kx"><strong>TT</strong>: Busch Heavy baby.</p>
<p id="NGMYm6"><strong>AB</strong>: Birthday weekend. Who's buying?</p>
<p id="x9LgbI"><strong>KB</strong>: I had a chocolate peanut butter stout recently, and I must find it again because it was like drinking a Reese's made of alcohol.</p>
<p id="1lB63y"><strong>ZT</strong>: After this week, something strong.</p>
<p id="QCnNtE"></p>
<p id="RxKnoK"><em>And a hearty birthday wish goes out to our own Anthony Broome! We live to serve you.</em> </p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2016/11/11/13595678/maize-n-brew-roundtable-michigan-football-iowa-ferentz-foreverKevin Bunkley2016-11-11T05:00:01-06:002016-11-11T05:00:01-06:00Michigan vs. Iowa Game Preview
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Maryland at Michigan" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-CJxQd0wKJ1uffQ-cP2XaZdEiOk=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51783087/usa_today_9655298.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Everything you need to know for Saturday’s showdown in Iowa City.</p> <p id="Y2UoE3">Michigan heads to Kinnick for a night game with the Iowa Hawkeyes this week that should be a very stiff test for them despite what the matchup may say on paper.</p>
<p id="j22oBk">That is not to say the Wolverines may lose, but a road game in a rowdy atmosphere always has the ingredients to get wacky and this team just has to go out and take care of business.</p>
<p id="k9byyP">Wilton Speight is playing the best football of his young career right now and taking that into an environment where everyone is against you is another stepping stone to see how he develops heading into the game at Ohio State. They have to get through the task at hand first, however.</p>
<p id="6tRoO3">They say defense travels, and it does not look like they should have much trouble this week. Iowa runs a very basic offense, so expect Michigan to feast this week and make another statement with a national crowd tuning into them.</p>
<p id="bvufh5"><strong>Prediction: Michigan 38, Iowa 14</strong></p>
<p id="KxMc4r">Get your picks in using the Crowd’s Line widget below!</p>
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<h1 id="SHL2iu">Game Info</h1>
<p id="paragraph9"><strong>Teams:</strong> No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (9-0, 6-0 B1G) at Iowa Hawkeyes (5-4, 3-3 B1G)</p>
<p id="paragraph10"><strong>Date: </strong>November 12th, 2016</p>
<p id="paragraph11"><strong>Location:</strong> Kinnick Stadium (70,585) in Iowa City, Iowa</p>
<p id="paragraph12"><strong>Kickoff:</strong> 8:12 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="paragraph13"><strong>Television:</strong> ABC/WatchESPN</p>
<p id="paragraph14"><strong>Radio:</strong> Michigan/IMG Sports Network (for a list of affiliates, <a href="http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/fbl-broadcast.html"><strong>click here</strong></a>)</p>
<p id="QMxDjd"><strong>Spread:</strong> Michigan -22.5, O/U 51</p>
<h1 id="7CwzRA">Fun Facts</h1>
<ul>
<li id="FDqxjr">The game will be televised nationally on ABC with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Samantha Ponder on the call.</li>
<li id="p2kpWT">Michigan is 41-14-4 all-time vs. Iowa.</li>
<li id="eCSS8E">The Wolverines are 16-7-1 in Iowa City in the series.</li>
<li id="JYAtaD">Michigan is playing in their 51st night game. They are 30-20 in those games (1-0 this season).</li>
<li id="7P28JP">Michigan’s 36 rushing touchdowns are the most since the 1986 team. 47 is the school-record, set in 1971.</li>
<li id="Lso7Hd">Amara Darboh is the lone Wolverine from the state of Iowa.</li>
</ul>
<p id="HOxoeZ">Week 11 College Football TV/Streaming Schedule</p>
<div id="kt6QMo">
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="3">Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Matchup</td>
<td>Time (ET)</td>
<td>TV / Streaming</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UL Lafayette at Georgia Southern</td>
<td>7:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPNU / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(17) North Carolina at Duke</td>
<td>7:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPN / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(15) Utah at Arizona State</td>
<td>9:30 p.m.</td>
<td>FS1 / <a href="https://www.foxsportsgo.com/">FS Go</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="3">Friday, Nov. 11, 2016</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Matchup</td>
<td>Time (ET)</td>
<td>TV / Streaming</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Boston College at (18) Florida State</td>
<td>7:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPN2 / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="3">Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Matchup</td>
<td>Time (ET)</td>
<td>TV / Streaming</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mississippi State at (1) Alabama</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPN / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Baylor at (11) Oklahoma</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>ABC/ESPN2 (RM) / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(10) Penn State at Indiana</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>ABC/ESPN2 (RM) / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(16) West Virginia at Texas</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>FS1 / <a href="https://www.foxsportsgo.com/">FS Go</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kentucky at Tennessee</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>SECN / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northwestern at Purdue</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>BTN / <a href="http://www.btn2go.com/schedule?sids=FFB">BTN2Go</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rutgers at Michigan State</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>BTN / <a href="http://www.btn2go.com/schedule?sids=FFB">BTN2Go</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>South Carolina at Florida</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>CBS / <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/sec-live/">CBSSports.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tulsa at Navy</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>CBSSN / <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/watch/cbssportsnetwork/">CBSSports.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cincinnati at UCF</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPNU / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Iowa State at Kansas</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>FSN / <a href="https://www.foxsportsgo.com/">FS Go</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SMU at East Carolina</td>
<td>12 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPNEWS / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NC State at Syracuse</td>
<td>12:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ACCN / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Miami (OH) at Buffalo</td>
<td>1:00 p.m.</td>
<td><a href="http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/sport/football?channel=espn3">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Miami (FL) at Virginia</td>
<td>2:00 p.m.</td>
<td>RSN / <a href="http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/sport/football?channel=espn3">ESPN3</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rice at Charlotte</td>
<td>2:00 p.m.</td>
<td><a href="https://campusinsiders.com/live/11-12-16-rice-charlotte-fb/">Campus Insiders</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Louisiana-Monroe at Georgia State</td>
<td>2:00 p.m.</td>
<td><a href="http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/sport/football?channel=espn3">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Southern Utah at BYU</td>
<td>3:00 p.m.</td>
<td>BYUtv / <a href="http://www.byutv.org/watch/livetv">BYUtv Stream</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>New Mexico State at Arkansas State</td>
<td>3:00 p.m.</td>
<td><a href="http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/sport/football?channel=espn3">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pittsburgh at (2) Clemson</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ABC / <a href="http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/sport/football?channel=espn3">ESPN3</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(5) Ohio State at Maryland</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPN / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Illinois at (7) Wisconsin</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPN2 / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(9) Auburn at Georgia</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>CBS / <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/sec-live/">CBSSports.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Texas Tech at (13) Oklahoma State</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>FS1 / <a href="https://www.foxsportsgo.com/">FS Go</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Georgia Tech at (14) Virginia Tech</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPNU / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanderbilt at Missouri</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>SECN / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Army vs. Notre Dame (from San Antonio)</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>NBC / <a href="http://www.nbcsports.com/live">NBC Sports Live Extra</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tulane at Houston</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>CBSSN / <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/watch/cbssportsnetwork/">CBSSports.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UTSA at Louisiana Tech</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td><a href="http://goutsa.com/news/2016/7/14/kmys-cw-35-to-televise-three-utsa-home-football-games.aspx">KMYS-CW 35</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wyoming at UNLV</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ROOT SPORTS / <a href="https://campusinsiders.com/live/11-12-16-wyoming-unlv-root-sports/">MWC</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Appalachian State at Troy</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td><a href="http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/sport/football?channel=espn3">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>North Texas at Western Kentucky</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td><a href="http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/sport/football?channel=espn3">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Southern Miss at Old Dominion</td>
<td>3:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ASN / <a href="http://conferenceusa.com/watch/default.aspx?Live=470">CUSA.TV ($)</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stanford at Oregon</td>
<td>4:00 p.m.</td>
<td>Pac-12N / <a href="http://pac-12.com/live">Pac-12.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Idaho at Texas State</td>
<td>4:00 p.m.</td>
<td><a href="http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/sport/football?channel=espn3">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UTEP at Florida Atlantic</td>
<td>6:00 p.m.</td>
<td><a href="http://conferenceusa.com/watch/default.aspx?Live=184">CUSA.TV ($)</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(24) LSU at (25) Arkansas</td>
<td>7:00 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPN / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wake Forest at (6) Louisville</td>
<td>7:00 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPN2 / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(22) Boise State at Hawaii</td>
<td>7:00 p.m.</td>
<td>CBSSN / <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/watch/cbssportsnetwork/">CBSSports.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Middle Tennessee at Marshall</td>
<td>7:00 p.m.</td>
<td><a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/sport/football?channel=espn3">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>USF at Memphis</td>
<td>7:00 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPNU / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(20) USC at (4) Washington</td>
<td>7:30 p.m.</td>
<td>FOX / <a href="https://www.foxsportsgo.com/">FS Go</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ole Miss at (8) Texas A&M</td>
<td>7:30 p.m.</td>
<td>SECN / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Minnesota at (19) Nebraska</td>
<td>7:30 p.m.</td>
<td>BTN / <a href="http://www.btn2go.com/schedule?sids=FFB">BTN2Go</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(3) Michigan at Iowa</td>
<td>8:00 p.m.</td>
<td>ABC / <a href="http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/sport/football?channel=espn3">ESPN3</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oregon State at UCLA</td>
<td>9:00 p.m.</td>
<td>Pac-12N / <a href="http://pac-12.com/live">Pac-12.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(12) Colorado at Arizona</td>
<td>10:00 p.m.</td>
<td>FS1 / <a href="https://www.foxsportsgo.com/">FS Go</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Colorado State at Air Force</td>
<td>10:15 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPNU / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>New Mexico at Utah State</td>
<td>10:15 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPN2 / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>California at (23) Washington State</td>
<td>10:30 p.m.</td>
<td>ESPN / <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?sport=football">WatchESPN</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>San Diego State at Nevada</td>
<td>10:30 p.m.</td>
<td>CBSSN / <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/watch/cbssportsnetwork/">CBSSports.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/football/2016/11/11/13596286/michigan-iowa-channel-espn-jim-harbaugh-wilton-speight-kinnick-espn-kirk-ferentz-cj-beathardAnthony Broome