Maize n Brew - Michigan Hires Doug NussmeierA Michigan Wolverine communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49241/mb-fv.png2014-01-16T11:01:26-06:00http://www.maizenbrew.com/rss/stream/50535952014-01-16T11:01:26-06:002014-01-16T11:01:26-06:00What Should Expectations Be for 2014?
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Maize n' Brew Staff discusses how the hire of Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier affects expectations for 2014, if at all.</p> <p>Maybe you heard, but Michigan swapped Al Borges for Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. While fans of our rivals and Alabama are generally dismissing this, the overall consensus is that this was a step in the right direction for the Michigan football program.</p>
<p>As Maize n' Brew we value discussion quite a bit, so in lieu of the Nussmeier hire, and having looked at 2013 (what is lost, what remains, etc.), here is a simple question: What should expectations be for the 2014 season? And does the Nussmeier hire change any previous expectations?</p>
<p><b>Zach Travis:</b> Honestly, I don't know if the Nussmeier hire really changes what my expectations for 2014 are. If anything it just strengthens my belief that Michigan can meet those expectations.</p>
<p>Offensively, Michigan has plenty of weapons at its disposal. Despite the faction of Michigan fans that think Devin Gardner is definitely going back to WR so that Shane Morris can start, I think Gardner has the potential to be right up there with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132058/braxton-miller">Braxton Miller</a> in terms of production in 2014. He was already a top-three Big Ten quarterback in just about every relevant statistical category, and that was with no functional running game and an offensive line that held back blitzes about as well as my grandmother bench presses grand pianos (she's dead, fyi). If there is any Devin that is obviously a receiver it is <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159536/devin-funchess">Devin Funchess</a>, which isn't all bad when you consider that Michigan now has its dual threat tight end in Jake Butt. With <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159557/amara-darboh">Amara Darboh</a> back from injury and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159559/jehu-chesson">Jehu Chesson</a> getting another year of off season development I think Michigan can reasonably deal with the loss of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76865/jeremy-gallon">Jeremy Gallon</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113852/drew-dileo">Drew Dileo</a>.</p>
<p>Running back is a bit of a question, but mostly because it was hard to judge just how much of Michigan's impotence in 2013 was the fault of the backs vs. the line. Ultimately, that is the real question: how much can Michigan's line improve after losing two NFL-level tackles? One thing Michigan will have is plenty of options that at least have a year or two on campus. The other thing that should help is having an offensive coordinator that will focus on doing a few things very well with the line rather than scrapping a blocking scheme every three weeks or spending valuable practice time shuffling players around in tackle-over formations. What I'm saying is if the line can pull it together Michigan should have the same kind of offense it did last year in the best of times, only with a lot more of the consistently-good than the make-me-want-to-poke-my-eyes-out-bad that made us all lose our minds and made big Al lose his job.</p>
<p>Defensively, Michigan brings just about everyone back from a unit that was already one of the better defenses in the Big Ten (the last two games notwithstanding). The defensive line will be bigger, deeper, and more experienced across the board. Every single linebacker returns and some young players like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/206311/ben-gedeon">Ben Gedeon</a> could be poised to make the leap. Even the secondary is filled with experience and intriguing young players (cough, Jabrill Peppers, cough). The only real hole is at safety where <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159537/jarrod-wilson">Jarrod Wilson</a> fell out of favor late and Thomas Gordon is gone, but this isn't 2010; there are a few scholarship players that have been in the program for a couple years to choose from. This defense probably won't be able to make the leap to elite next year (unless a pass rushing terror emerges and the CBs can lock down a little more effectively), but it should still be very good unit and right up there with the best in the conference. And when you consider the fact that next year's offense's <i>raison d'etre</i> won't be putting the defense in bad positions (fingers crossed), a jump in production on that side of the ball is very possible.</p>
<p>What does this mean overall? Michigan has tough road games against Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Ohio State, but the MSU defense loses a few key pieces, as does the OSU offense. A realistic expectation is to go 1-2 there with 2-1 a real possibility. The rest of the Big Ten schedule is manageable with Penn State, Indiana, and Minnesota coming to Ann Arbor and Michigan missing crossover games with Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin. By all measures, year four with a new OC and as much returning talent as Michigan has should mean ten wins and an inside track to the Big Ten Championship Game. Anything less than nine wins and there will be a run at rioting supplies at Ann Arbor Torch and Pitchfork, and for good reason. The expectation this year really has to be Michigan seriously challenging — if not outright winning — a Big Ten championship. I'm as patient and forgiving as anyone, and even I know when it's time to put up or shut up.</p>
<p><b>Peter Putzel:</b> Looking at 2014's schedule, and factoring Nuss into the equation, it's difficult to see fewer than two more wins in '14 than in '13.</p>
<p>I do see two potential losses before the 10/18 Bye Week (ND and PSU), and I believe Minnesota could actually pose a threat (although I've been saying that since 1987, so...)</p>
<p>A season split with MSU and OSU...winning at OSU; we all saw what Borges did. Just imagine what could happen with an OC who has a consistent plan of attack! I think the run game will take a huge step forward. And by huge step, I mean that it will average something greater than "F**k me!", so maybe something more like "Son-of-a-b*tch!"</p>
<p>Still a step up.</p>
<p>So, yeah, I expect at least nine wins in the regular season. I'll even accept a bowl loss if the improvements in the ground game and O-line are loud and clear. Funchess and Chesson will be gods among men because Nussmeier will help DG regain his confidence. A confident DG will be a dangerous thing.</p>
<p><b>Shash:</b> The one expectation I have for 2014 is a return toward consistency, if not offensive efficiency. Gardner has already proven he can cut down on turnovers - that is, when he's not running for his life. If Nussmeier can teach Gardner how to properly throw the ball away instead of spinning into a gigantic sack, he's a wizard. There's no way this is going to be a one-year fix given the departures of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76886/taylor-lewan">Taylor Lewan</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76884/michael-schofield">Michael Schofield</a>, but a change needed to be made.</p>
<p>As a whole, though, I'd expect my hard liquor consumption to go down, my relationships to improve, and my family to invite — if not welcome — me back to once again participate in holidays, weddings, funerals, etc.</p>
<p><b>Bradley Idelkope:</b> My thoughts are on the areas where we can improve and the areas I feel we will stay the same or regress.</p>
<p>I think the running game will improve, but the passing game with stay the same or regress for solely personnel reasons. As much as I hate to harp on the youth argument for what seems like the 6th year in a row, there was simply a lot on the interior line. It's not original, but it's the truth. I'm expecting (praying?) the running game to be vastly improved. Given the recent success at 'Bama you have to count Coach Nuss as a running game kind of OC. If <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/206299/derrick-green">Derrick Green</a> turns into <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78268/eddie-lacy">Eddie Lacy</a>, in regard to breaking arm tackles and punching an extra 2 yards per play after secondary contact, I expect solid numbers. I also expect the light to go on for some of the interior line guys. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159554/kyle-kalis">Kyle Kalis</a>, for one. I want to see that mean streak we've been hearing about since he was a junior in high school. The guys I want to see come out of the other end of the hype machine are Kalis, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/206323/kyle-bosch">Kyle Bosch</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/206327/ben-braden">Ben Braden</a>. If they improve, Michigan improves, simple as that.</p>
<p>As for Devin and the passing game, similar production to this year should be the barometer. The offense is losing Gallon and both senior tackles. Having a go-to WR and reliable Offensive Tackles are pillars of a successful passing game (along with a QB, obviously). Don't expect any of the wideouts to replace Gallon's production and don't expect as many drops from Funchess, but when you need a huge play, who can you really trust? Time will tell. As for "Coach Nuss the QB Guru," I expect that to have more of an effect on Shane Morris than Devin Gardner. One year is just not enough time. Now, coach Nuss was a lefty QB and will have more time to refine Shane's considerable talents. That's where I expect the most improvement. And, as we all know, the backup QB is always the most popular man in Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>As for me, I expect a few more wins where I can sit back and relax in the 4th quarter and maybe even a special teams touchdown.</p>
<p><b>Kevin Bunkley:</b> It would be foolish to expect a one-year miracle in offensive line development, but I will expect better offensive output game-to-game. Dumb people forget that even though the Rodriguez offense was capable of scoring a lot and often, Michigan lost 12 conference games in three seasons. The Borges offense took a nosedive in average points and yardage per game, and that is unacceptable. This guy (Nussmeier) is coming from The Land of Running Backs, so I am hoping he picks a clear number one RB, develops the hell out of him, and gets that man to 1,000 yards through thick and thin. A lot of the other things will depend on if he and Hoke decide to shuffle around some of the position coaches, especially if <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135236/fred-jackson">Fred Jackson</a> retires (mercifully). I will also expect a more coherent scheme from game to game, because Borges's problem was scrapping plays that didn't work once, or he'd bust out wheel routes or screens that clearly worked, but he wouldn't use them the next game or even the next drive.</p>
<p>Nussmeier appears to have quite a pedigree of QB development though, and it excites me to think of Devin Gardner as a more athletic <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9622/jake-locker">Jake Locker</a> or AJ McCarron. Those guys were brilliant at making the proper read (save for McCarron in the Sugar Bowl), and I am hopeful that Gardner now has a proper QB coach for his final year. As Shash said, too often he would either have zero time to look downfield or dance away from one guy and get plowed into by three others. If Nussmeier can get Gardner to a better level of pure decision-making, I think that's a victory. He (Nussmeier) is inheriting a different offense than Borges had this year with no Jeremy Gallon, but I expect the deep ball threat to make a triumphant return if he can get Devin enough time to chuck one to Funchess or Darboh (woo returning wide receivers!). Mix that in with a legit threat at running back, and that's enough to win some games. I think everything depends on the running backs, though. Nussmeier knows -- or will very soon when he looks at tape -- the RB output was pathetic this past year. At one point Michigan led the nation in negative yardage plays. Designing the best scheme for the offensive line we're getting is job numero uno, and everything else should fall in place.</p>
<p><b>Fouad Egbaria:</b> While I think Michigan did just about as well as it could have with this hire, U-M fans would do well to have realistic expectations for next season. People have been saying for a while now that 2015 is The Year, and I don't think that has changed, even with the Nussmeier hire. With that said, lost in the excitement about the offense's new direction is the fact that the defense looked downright bad at the end of the season. Sure, there were some injuries in there, Jake Ryan probably wasn't quite the player he was before (despite showing flashes of brilliance), and there was definitely some end-of-season malaise, if some of the players' comments about the bowl game were any indication.</p>
<p>Plus, truth be told, the defense was only solid before that in a bend-but-don't-break kind of way. They were good enough to win a few of those games that they lost, had they had a consistent offense. Alas, that wasn't the case. However, I think you can expect some improvement there. Unfortunately, a lot of that depends upon how well <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159550/ondre-pipkins">Ondre Pipkins</a> can return from his injury; Michigan needs him to be a big-time player, which is a lot to ask of a big guy recovering from a knee injury.</p>
<p>Michigan has some exciting young guys who will become even bigger contributors going forward — <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/206295/dymonte-thomas">Dymonte Thomas</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159545/chris-wormley">Chris Wormley</a>, Ben Gedeon, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/206285/channing-stribling">Channing Stribling</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/206297/jourdan-lewis">Jourdan Lewis</a>, plus the incoming guys (e.g. Jabrill Peppers) — and not too many significant losses to graduation. The pass rush got slightly better this season, but only because it couldn't really get much worse. That will need to take another step forward in 2014.</p>
<p>As for the offense, all I can say is that I like the hire, and I'm excited to see what Nussmeier can do. However, the 2014 offensive live, which is the young guys with an extra year minus Lewan and Schofield, is a major point of concern. It is unclear to me whether Al Borges or (offensive line coach) Darrell Funk are primarily to blame for the line's struggles, but the returning players will have to grow up fast.</p>
<p>Like everyone else, I'm just looking for basic competence. Cut down on the negative plays (sacks, runs for negative yardage, turnovers) and things will be well on their way to turning up Milhouse. I'm not going to worry too much about wins and losses for now; every season has its share of games that could go either way. Just look at this season. Michigan was very close to wins against Ohio State, Iowa, and Nebraska, but very easily could have lost to Northwestern, UConn, and Akron. In the end, I think you generally end up with the record you deserve, and sadly, Michigan was a 7-6 team this season.</p>
<p>Michigan returns enough parts to improve upon last season's record; that won't happen without its best offseason since Hoke's arrival in Ann Arbor.</p>
<p><b>Anthony Mammel:</b> My expectations for Michigan football in 2014 have changed every week since the 2013 opener against Central Michigan. For quite some time I believed that Devin Gardner was destined to turn pro and leave Michigan with an average defense and a struggling offense in 2014, but that was all derailed when Gardner sputtered behind an offensive line no one would ever buy stock in. He's back, Borges isn't, and I'm still not sure about the defense as a whole.</p>
<p>Specifically on offense, I'm obviously expecting more. My faith in Al Borges was thin; this tends to happen when a coordinator refuses to use simple play designs, like bubble screens, that force the hand of a defense. Nussmeier has shown the ability to adapt at every school where he has coached, leading me to believe that he'll have more in the bag than a jet sweep countered by -- surprise! -- a reverse jet sweep. Michigan is going to run the ball more effectively for a wide range of reasons, including the improvement of Derrick Green and the use of the pass to set up the run. Devin Gardner won't be hit as much, and the receiving core should actually be bolstered by the return of Amara Darboh and the enrollment of Drake Harris, who has a combination of size, athleticism and awesome ball skills that Michigan hasn't seen for quite some time. Add in Devin Funchess, Jehu Chesson and one of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/206289/da-mario-jones">Da'Mario Jones</a> or Freddy Canteen and you're looking at an offense that a competent coordinator can take and turn into one of the better units in the Big Ten. It isn't going to produce like Ohio State's, but it sure as hell isn't about to flop against Iowa.</p>
<p>Michigan should improve on the other side of the ball as well. The front should take a step up with the emergence of Maurice Hurst, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159555/willie-henry">Willie Henry</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/206303/taco-charlton">Taco Charlton</a>, Ondre Pipkins and one or more of the many young maulers Greg Mattison has recruited. A rotation of Taco/Clark, Hurst/Pipkins/Henry/Poggi, and the conglomerate of strongside defensive ends Michigan has assembled should be much stronger than the 2013 unit was, and the back seven should improve with Ben Gedeon playing alongside a healthy Jake Ryan, not to mention adding Jabrill Peppers at one corner spot. A defense that struggled to get to the passer this season won't look the same next season because of Peppers' abilities in coverage and Ryan's pass rush.</p>
<p>Maybe I disliked Al Borges too much and am putting more stock in Nussmeier than I should, and maybe this team is destined to win 7 games and watch as Hoke and company are all replaced. Or maybe, just maybe, the team will finally put the mass of talent it has together to win a respectable amount of games.</p>
<p><b>Hollywood Hokester:</b> Consistency on both offense and defense. I never knew what to anticipate on a game-by-game basis with Borges at the helm, and I expect Nuss to bring a consistency to Michigan's offense that Al could never find. Since I can't imagine it being any worse than last year, the offensive line can only get better, which means a more solid running attack and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113843/devin-gardner">Devin Gardner's</a> jersey staying much cleaner in East Lansing.</p>
<p>As for the defense, I look forward to seeing how Mattison responds to a less-than-stellar final two games. I think he's going to be under the microscope a bit more now that Borges is gone, and he, like Nuss and Hoke and every other coach on the staff, needs to coach a consistent product on the field. I'd love to see the defense become more stout on third down (the Wolverines ranked 65th in the nation in 2013) and hold more than one opponent to under 10 points. A bit lofty considering Michigan plays Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Ohio on the road in 2014? Maybe, but the home schedule doesn't frighten me, and I plan on Michigan taking the easier victories without giving the entire Wolverines fan base a collective heart attack as well as sneaking away with some close victories in the big matchups.</p>
<p><b>SpaceCoyote:</b> Perhaps the biggest take away from the Nussmeier hire will be the simplification of the the run game. In this way, the young OL should be able to work on three basic blocking techniques (covered inside zone, covered outside zone, and uncovered) and merely use man blocking concepts as constraints for things such as Power-O out of shotgun formations and in the red zone and counter trey to keep defenses honest against the zone schemes. This means they can have a base blocking scheme and continue to grow within that scheme rather than switching around mid-season. With Funk being a zone blocking guy, hopefully we see good growth in this regard.</p>
<p>As far as schematics, Nussmeier isn't all that different than Borges in many ways. He likes to stretch the field, he likes triangles, and he can use TEs to attack off play action, etc. Even down to his run/pass ratio, he is quite similar. I personally don't think the difference is going to come from in-game playcalling. The difference will come from how Nussmeier utilizes his practice time and fall camp to improve at his core scheme. Combined with the young players growing up, this should make the offense much more consistent. If that means that an average run game is established, that means big things for the offense. Averaging a half yard more per carry and cutting down the killer TFLs will help make the rest of the offense better. More manageable 2nd and 3rd downs. Quicker passing concepts. All this helps to protect the OL in pass pro situations, which will also appear to improve merely because of a more established rushing attack.</p>
<p>That consistency improvement is only one of the many problems Michigan's offense faced in 2013, but the chain effect of becoming more consistent in the run game goes a long ways to help pretty much all the other issues.</p>
<p><b>Eric Rutter</b>: One of the quickest areas that I believe offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier can improve the Michigan offense will be with his work at the quarterback position. Al Borges worked exclusively with the quarterbacks in seasons past. Seasons that could have been handled much better and left fans with an underwhelming feeling, especially the 2013 campaign. That is largely due to the offensive line's inability to sustain any push in the running game, but that is another story entirely. It is also a situation where I think Nussmeier can improve the current unit.</p>
<p>Going back to his work with at the quarterback position, Nussmeier will likely assume control of Devin Gardner, Shane Morris, Wilton Speight and others. Those signal-callers are in good hands, as Nussmeier has a very complete and thorough understanding of how a QB should operate and has shown success running multiple systems. Nussmeier was a very accomplished QB on Idaho, a Division 1-AA school at the time (but a very good one at that) before he moved onto the coaching ranks. Nussmeier played under John L Smith at Idaho and later orchestrated Smith's offense at Michigan State from 2003-2005. These Spartan teams continually burned Michigan's secondary and this was all done with Drew Stanton at the helm of a spread offense.</p>
<p>Nussmeier later had brief stints in the NFL and at Fresno State as quarterback coach before he experienced great success with the Washington Huskis from 2009-2011. These Washington teams were vastly improved, and much of these strides were evident at the QB position- one that was the product of Nussmeier's hard work. Nussmeier left Washington for Alabama in 2012 and broke several school records as part of an undefeated campaign and a National Championship. What makes this so impressive is that Nussmeier has experienced great success at two teams that have played Michigan (The Spartans from 2003-05 and 2012 Alabama) and have had their way with the Wolverines defensive unit. This bodes very well for the future, especially given that Nussmeier is a highly-regarded coach that has succeeded with two very different styles of offense. Coach Nussmeier ran the spread at MSU and a pro-style scheme at Alabama, while continuing his strong hand in shaping his quarterbacks during formative times.</p>
<p>If Coach Nuss can come in and install a well thought-out scheme that emphasizes the strong points of Team 135, Michigan can have one of the strongest offenses in the Big Ten. Devin Gardner's leadership and athletic ability will be a useful tool at Nussmeier's disposal, although he will likely turn sophomores-to-be Derrick Green and DeVeon Smith into dominant running backs. His ability to run a zone blocking scheme, which should please offensive line coach Darrell Funk, will be pivotal in creating a strong Michigan running game. It will be exciting to watch coach Nussmeier rejuvenate Michigan's program with his strategic prowess effective immediately.</p>
<p><b>Big House Jack:</b> Personally, I was shocked by the Borges firing. As someone who was buying everything the coaching staff was saying, I was under the impression that the problem was not play-calling, it was youth. Specifically, youth on the offensive line. Couple that with the fact that our last two games had bigger defensive meltdowns (Can you even try to cover <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134225/tyler-lockett">Tyler Lockett</a>?!) than offensive meltdowns, I thought there was plenty of blame to go around, and 2014 became a "nut up or shut up" year. I was pointing the finger more at Hoke than at his coordinators, and I frickin' love the guy.</p>
<p>In firing Borges, Brady Hoke and athletic director Dave Brandon are sending a message that it was not in fact youth that was the problem; it was play-calling. Borges is now officially the scapegoat for the 2013 debacle, and if that's what Michigan feels was the reason they went 7-6, I'm not going to argue. I personally never hated Borges. In fact, I think I defended him more than a lot of other people on here. Yet I was just as frustrated with him as everyone else. (A lot of my frustration is also on offensive line coach Darrell Funk.) However, when the staff said that the problem was youth and execution, I believed them. I took a "Okay, now get it right in 2014" stance.</p>
<p>I think that if you're going to hire Doug Nussmeier from frickin' Alabama, you open the door to high expectations. If Borges was indeed the problem, then Nussmeier simply cannot be allowed any slack. Michigan should be moving to an Alabama-esque rushing attack that is more zone-block oriented, a system in which both Nussmeier and Funk are comfortable (and Borges apparently was not). This means that we can reasonably expect the running game to be competent, if not significantly better than average.</p>
<p>Hoke has been a strong proponent of loyalty within the program and the staff, so the move to fire Borges is surprising. Borges always struck me as a smart guy with a good plan, and when the players pulled it off, it was a thing of beauty. Don't get me wrong: I am absolutely thrilled with Doug Nussmeier coming in as our offensive coordinator. I agree that it is an upgrade on many levels, and frankly I'm still in shock that we even got him. However, I am done cutting this staff any slack. In year four, Hoke has to at least make an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game. BARE MINIMUM.</p>
<p>How possible is that? Based on what everyone else has said, it's very possible. If we're going to move forward with the understanding that all the FIRE BORGES people were right, and coaching was an issue, then it's reasonable to scale back the patience now that Michigan has made a coaching change. The problem is that Hoke used up nearly all of his goodwill when Michigan lost games they shouldn't have: Penn State, Nebraska, Iowa -- and you can even throw Ohio State in there, considering how close it was. Michigan faces a tough schedule with all three rivals on the road, but coming off a 7-6 run on a much easier schedule where even the most reasonable fan expected closer to 9-3, Hoke is now going to have to win some games in 2014 that he is not predicted to win.</p>
<p><b>Make sure you vote in the poll and leave your own response of what your expectations are in the comments!</b></p>
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https://www.maizenbrew.com/football/2014/1/16/5303928/maize-n-brew-roundtable-what-should-expectations-be-for-2014Big House Jack2014-01-11T11:00:04-06:002014-01-11T11:00:04-06:00YWD: The Rekiffening (And Final Bowl Standings!)
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<p>Yeah, I lost.</p> <p>Your final standings are out! I did not win, so I don't have much motivation. Hmm. Something else happened here, right? Oh, yeah, Michigan hired Doug Nussmeier. Hrm. Happy happy.</p>
<p>But rules are rules. As expected, the lock pick wins swayed a lot - you got double points if your pick hit. Some of you picked Notre Dame, some of you took Alabama. Expectable. Smart money's always on your pick to win the NC.</p>
<h3>YOUR STANDINGS OF FINAL VICTORY:</h3>
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<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">300</td>
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<p> </p>
<p>So, like, yeah. Ty, we'll figure out how to get you the prize we promised you, which is likely nothing, but we'll figure out something. Probably. A lot has happened. Michigan fired Al Borges and replaced him with Doug Nussmeier within about three hours, which is fantastic for them but bad for snark - I had all sorts of great rumors ready to post. Remember the Miles/plane tracking website bit? Yeah. But at least Alabama made a smart hire to replace him:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2004799/Kiffin_derp1.jpg"><img alt="Kiffin_derp1_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2004799/Kiffin_derp1_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Yeah, there's literally nothing I can say. I don't have any snark for this. Right?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2004805/Sad-Lane-Kiffin.jpg"><img alt="Sad-lane-kiffin_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2004805/Sad-Lane-Kiffin_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>aw man I'm sorry bro why you gotta be sad like that please don't tell your new bo-</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3799001/SABAN-FREAKOUT.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Saban-freakout_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3799001/SABAN-FREAKOUT_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">aw, man, you got me yelled at. This blog is a strong Kiffin supporter - he's destroyed the dreams of Raiders fans, Trojans, Volunteers, and now gets to submarine the Crimson Tide. We at MnB wish him the best.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This week, in honor of Ty, I'm going to pour one out for him. What am I drinking, you ask? Glad you did. It's still winter, it's time to keep warm. Porter time. This week, one of my favorite breweries, <a href="http://www.olddominion.com/brews/" target="_blank">Dominion, gets the nod</a>. They actually do a cherry beer with Michigan cherries, so, +1. They have a really awesome Baltic porter, which isn't two sweet, and nice and dark with hints of liquorice. Do it.</p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/1/11/5297206/ywd-lost-the-bycape-but-rekiffensShash2014-01-11T07:56:21-06:002014-01-11T07:56:21-06:00Coach Nuss Tours UM's Football Facilities<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mgoblue.com/allaccess/?media=426774">Coach Nuss Tours UM's Football&nbsp;Facilities</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>MGoBlue goes behind the scenes as coach Nuss gets introduced to his new home at UM.</p></p></div>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/1/11/5298064/coach-nuss-tours-ums-football-facilitiesZach Travis2014-01-10T15:08:54-06:002014-01-10T15:08:54-06:00Recruits Continue to React to Nussmeier Hire
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/w5jcAGpUZULKUfTWdrRfvKP1upU=/0x415:2501x2082/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26616003/20130110_mje_se2_723.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With the hiring of former Alabama OC Doug Nussmeier, Michigan affirmed a power move that resonated with several recruits across the country. </p> <p><i>Say hello to Eric Rutter, Maize N Brew's latest addition to the football recruiting section. Formerly at The M Block, Eric will now be writing everything from prospect interviews to camp summaries and beyond, all right here. A more formal welcome is forthcoming. -- <b>Anthony</b></i></p>
<p>In one of the quickest coaching searches in recent memory, Michigan nabbed a member from the Alabama Crimson Tide staff, Doug Nussmeier, to fill the void left from the firing of offensive coordinator Al Borges. Michigan's offense left much to be desired in 2013, and a large portion of the blame was directed at Borges. With Nussmeier in charge, Michigan looks to continue installing a pro-style offense that builds on many of the concepts which Borges favored. The physical brand of football that Michigan covets is expected to return to Ann Arbor with the offense in Nussmeier's hands</p>
<p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css"></p>
<p>As with any coaching change, this move is expected to impact the future of Michigan's recruiting in a number of ways. First, coach Borges took a very unique approach in selecting his quarterbacks. The Wolverines have employed a very delicate strategy in extending offers at the quarterback position and Borges was in complete control of this area. Only two quarterback offers have gone out in the 2015 class whereas many schools have offered a half dozen signal-callers by this point. The only two QBs to hold a Michigan offer at this point are five-star Josh Rosen (St. John Bosco/CA) and three-star David Sills (Eastern Christian Academy/MD).</p>
<p>Before Borges was let go, six junior quarterbacks in the class of 2015 stood out as top targets for the Michigan staff. The recruitment of three such prospects was handled by Borges specifically, as the former Michigan OC would typically partake in Thursday night phone calls with this trio of prospects. I reached out to Alex Malzone (Brother Rice/MI), Riley Neal (Yorktown/IN) and Kyle Kearns (Foothill/CA) to see how they took the news of this move.</p>
<p>"I was pretty surprised," said Malzone. "But based on the year they had, some change was expected."</p>
<p>The 6'3", 200 lb. Brother Rice pocket-passer also theorized that this move was made to patch up some of the deficiencies that Michigan experienced an offense in 2013. Malzone is intrigued by this change and his interest in Michigan will see a spike as a result.</p>
<p>"Oh yeah, it definitely will," said Malzone. "With the success he's had at Alabama, definitely."</p>
<p>Over the past six months, Al Borges also took a special liking to a prospect hailing from Yorktown, Indiana. Riley Neal first jumped on Michigan's radar after attending the Wolverines' four-day technique camp in the middle of June. During that camp, Borges spent much of his time watching Neal and the two kept in contact afterwards. Neal visited again during the summer and made the trip back up to Michigan to take in the Notre Dame game on September 7. It was during these visits that Neal furthered his bond with Borges, which makes his departure all the more unexpected.</p>
<p>"I'm just surprised overall," said Neal. "I guess it just depends on who they hire and what offense they bring in. I thought their offense under-performed for sure. Not saying it was Borges' fault, though."</p>
<p>After it was announced that Nussmeier would be the next offensive coordinator at Michigan, Neal expressed his approval of the hire. The balanced offense that Alabama runs particularly caught his eye, as Nussmeier ran a pro-style system for the Crimson Tide as well.</p>
<p>One prospect that I believe will benefit the most from this move is Foothill QB Kyle Kearns. The highly-regarded California passer has also been in contact with Michigan for the entirety of his junior season and had hoped to make it to Ann Arbor for a visit, although he was never able to arrange such a trip. Kearns also had developed a strong relationship with Borges, going as far as saying he was "shocked" by the move.</p>
<p>During our conversation in the aftermath of Borges' firing, Kearns mentioned that he would be monitoring the situation closely and was hoping for a pro-style coach to assume the newly-vacant position on the Michigan staff. Kearns got his wish, and it turned out to be a coach that he already has developed a great rapport with.</p>
<p>"I'm really good friends with coach Nuss," said Kearns. " He's a great guy. He's all pro-style. I look forward to talking to him soon."</p>
<p>As for the other quarterbacks who were receiving a considerable amount of Michigan attention, they were all taken aback by Wednesday night's news. El Dorado QB Zach Gentry, who has been receiving mail from the Wolverines on a daily basis, was quite surprised and felt rather out of the loop.</p>
<p>"I was really surprised," said Gentry. "I hadn't really heard any speculation on whether or not he would return, so it was a bit of a shock to see today. Regardless of the staff, Michigan is still a great program with so many great upsides and tradition."</p>
<p><img width='100%"' src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3846217/159212113.jpg"><br><em>Getty Images</em></p>
<p>After Nussmeier was announced as the new OC at Michigan, Gentry spoke about what this could mean for Michigan in the coming years. He used Nussmeier's experience at Alabama as the template to base his expectations off of and has an idea of what he would like to see.</p>
<p>"I think he is a good fit at Michigan," said Gentry. "I'd like to see him continue to run the ball a good amount. I liked the way he ran things at Alabama because he makes it easy on the quarterback with play action."</p>
<p>While some quarterbacks have experienced a good deal of contact from coach Borges, that is not the case with every Michigan target. A great example of this is Gonzaga QB Nick Johns. As opposed to communication with Borges, the bulk of Johns' contact with the staff has come through defensive back coach Curt Mallory. The two speak almost every day through social media and have built a strong connection that way. As a result, Borges' firing didn't have a huge impact on Johns, who remained positive about the move.</p>
<p>"It didn't mean much," said Johns. "I know that they will fill the spot with a great coach. Just someone who runs a balanced offense with a little bit of everything integrated into the system. They have a great running and throwing quarterback now, so they should hire someone that molds his skill set. I think mine is similar."</p>
<p>Once Nussmeier was deemed as 'the guy', Johns was unsure of how to feel. He hadn't developed any kind of relationship with Nussmeier while he was at Alabama, so Nick is going to reserve judgment until he speaks with the new Michigan OC.</p>
<p>The final member of this six-man group that had been receiving considerable attention from Michigan is Centennial QB Jimmy Fitzgerald. Much like Johns, most of Fitzgerald's contact with Michigan has come through Curt Mallory. This has allowed for him to remain positive about Michigan even with a temporarily turbulent offensive coordinator situation. Fitzgerald spoke on how this would effect his feelings of Michigan- if at all.</p>
<p>"Not so much," said Fitzgerald. "It's still a great school with great academics and athletics. Nussmeier obviously has a great background, so it's a great combination."</p>
<p>Fitzgerald has five offers to his name and would love to add Michigan to that list. Regardless of who Michigan brought in at offensive coordinator, the Wolverines would be in it for Fitzgerald.</p>
<p>While it is clear to see why this move would have a direct effect regarding Michigan's recruitment of the quarterback position, it will also have ripples across the future of the offense as a whole. To give a better representation of the waves that this move made, I reached out to several offensive targets that were all informed on the recent happenings in Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>Hailing from the talent-laden city of Woodbridge, Virginia, four-star offensive tackle Matthew Burrell sees Michigan as a school on the up-swing and this move only further validates that sentiment. The track record of a new coach typically gives an indication on what to expect moving forward. If this is the case in Ann Arbor, then Burrell would be very happy by this move.</p>
<p>"Great pick up for them," said Burrell. "Nussmeier was very productive at Alabama, so I can definitely see him adding to that great Michigan tradition."</p>
<p>After a very positive visit to Michigan for Under the Lights II, Burrell has remained enthralled by the Wolverines. The exciting theatrics of that weekend's visit when combined with the on-field performance was very attractive to Burrell, and the school's academic presentation was also very impressive by his estimation. With nearly every major BCS school vying for his services, competition for Burrell is stiff. However, this move may help bump Michigan into more favorable position. An offer would put Michigan even higher on his list.</p>
<p>"I have always been interested, ever since my last visit," said Burrell. I just haven't received that offer yet."</p>
<p>While Burrell was in contact with the Alabama staff that Nussmeier recently left, he was mainly in touch with their offensive line coach Mario Cristobal and outside linebacker coach Lance Thompson. Still, this change is seen as a power move by the highly-coveted lineman and may help generate further interest down the line.</p>
<p>Since Michigan relied heavily on the use of tight ends in the passing game this year, the Wolverines are looking to continue to bring in physical athletes for future classes. At 6'3" and 232 lbs., junior Reagan Williams has the combination of size and physicality that Michigan covets- emphasis on physicality. Williams would provide a big target for Michigan quarterbacks in the red zone and coach Nussmeier looks to continue to utilize the tight end position moving forward. Even though the hiring of Nussmeier looks to be a good move in Williams' eyes, it is a change that doesn't necessarily alter his level of interest in the Wolverines</p>
<div class="pullquote">"I think it was a great move for them in the right direction" <span>-3-star LB Reagan Williams</span>
</div>
<p>"I think it was a great move for them in the right direction," said Williams. "Coach Nussmeier definitely has an impressive background coming from the likes of Alabama. It's definitely a step in the right direction and a sure chance to revitalize their offense. I would say that my interest level would still remain the same- still at a high level. Reason being is that I didn't have much contact with the previous offensive coordinator, but I'm definitely interested in learning more about coach Naussmeier."</p>
<p>Even though the bulk of the reaction to this move remains positive, the departure of Al Borges is a move that effects many people. Borges had worked very hard to establish bonds with the future members of Michigan's offense, and this staffing decisions means that the Wolverines' current offensive commits will have to rebuild their relationship with a new OC.</p>
<p>Jon Runyan Jr., the second member of Michigan's 2015 class, attended Michigan's technique camp in mid-June and began to forge his relationship with Borges while in Ann Arbor over the summer. As the son of former UM-legend Jon Runyan, the younger Runyan has a high set of expectation to live up to wherever he goes. Jon handled this in stride and performed well enough to earn a Michigan offer on the heels of their camp. While there is plenty of reason to be excited about the new hire, Runyan took time to reflect on the departure of a coach that he had grown close to.</p>
<p>"It was upsetting considering he was the one who was talking to me a lot at the camp and really liked me," said Runyan. "But coach Hoke let him go in the best interest of the program. Coach Nussmeier obviously won a national championship at Alabama and they've had a pretty good program down there for a while. Michigan hasn't been what it was so I think that this will help get them going in the right direction."</p>
<p>Joining Runyan in the camp of people sad to see Borges go is 2016 quarterback prospect Messiah deWeaver. Coming out of Trotwood-Madison (OH), deWeaver comes from a long line of players that have donned the maize and blue in college, including Roy Roundtree, Mike McCray and Reon Dawson. As an early favorite at QB in 2016, deWeaver had built a strong relationship with Borges and was reminisced to see him leave.</p>
<p>"I was sad to see a great coach leave, but it's a business and you have to understand that," said DeWeaver. "We did have a good relationship, but I have a good relationship with other Michigan coaches as well like coach Hoke, Singletary and Smith."</p>
<p>Partly because of his connection to other coaches in the program, deWeaver remains highly interested in the Wolverines. He also sees similarities between the offense Nussmeier ran at Alabama and what he would like to see out of Michigan in the future.</p>
<p>With the change in offensive coordinators coming, this could also mean a change in the players that Michigan will recruit going forward. Nussmeier implemented a zone-blocking scheme in Alabama that put emphasis on moving in space, hand placement and quick, choppy footwork. This may alter the way Michigan recruits offensive lineman for the future, so I reached out to one prospect who may receive more attention going forward.</p>
<p>Drew Richmond is a junior offensive tackle out of Memphis University School that could fit that template. As a consensus four-star talent that grades out as tops in the state of Tennessee, Richmond has an extensive offer list from nearly every major program, including Alabama. Keeping this interest in mind, Richmond is unsure is it will have any effect on his recruitment going forward.</p>
<p>"Honestly, I don't think Michigan is interested in me," said Richmond. "I have an offer from Alabama and I have almost every major offer now. But for whatever reason, I guess I don't fit the Michigan mold."</p>
<p>If Michigan does ramp up Richmond's recruitment, the 6'5", 300 lb. offensive tackle would be listening, adding that "of course" Michigan is a school that is of interest to him.</p>
<p>One player that Michigan fans do not have to worry about wavering from their commitment is De La Salle linebacker Jared Wangler. The Michigan legacy recruit, and brother of current walk-on wide receiver Jack Wangler, is 100% blue after switching his commitment from Penn State over the summer. Wangler was relatively surprised to hear the news of Borges' firing, but he remains confident in the leadership that is currently in place.</p>
<p>"Pretty shocked, but coach Hoke's job is to do what's best for the program," said Wangler. "If this is what he sees fit then I'm not worried." After word broke that Nussmeier would be the guy, Wangler said, "It's a great fit from what I've heard."</p>
<p>Sophomore offensive tackle Erik Swenson is the latest prospect to commit to Michigan, and although he has only been in the fold for a short period of time, he was aware that a change may be imminent. He, much like Wangler, is firm in his commitment to the Wolverines.</p>
<p>"I knew it was coming, but I was kind of surprised that it was this early honestly," said Swenson. "But I think it was a change Michigan needed. Then they got a new coach so fast. I think it was a great move!"</p>
<p>Adding coach Nussmeier to the Michigan staff just weeks before National Signing Day is a gutsy decision, but it is one that may reap more benefits attached than the previous regime. Recently offered 2014 running back Jeff Jones, who is currently committed to Minnesota, did not have a chance to build a relationship with Borges and is likely unaffected by this move. Nussmeier has a history of developing successful running backs and has produced six 1,000-yard rushers in the past six seasons. This fact will surely not be lost on Jones, who is slated to take an official visit to Michigan on January 31.</p>
<p>A move with as many implication as this is likely to make waves for days, and further reaction is expected to pour in over the weekend. Doug Nussmeier is a coach that can provide hope for an at-times hopeless Michigan offense in 2013, and this facet is not lost on recruits in the least.</p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/1/10/5296048/michigan-football-recruiting-reactions-to-doug-nussmeier-hireEricRutter2014-01-10T11:31:25-06:002014-01-10T11:31:25-06:00The Nussmeier Hire: What They're Saying
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<p>From ESPN to SB Nation, there's a lot of opinions and reports on the former Alabama offensive coordinator taking the same position at Michigan.</p> <p>It's more reaction and less news at this point, but Michigan hired Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier to replace beleaguered coordinator Al Borges. This, by most accounts, has been <a target="_blank" href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/1/8/5290332/that-was-quick-reports-have-bamas-doug-nussmeier-taking-michigans-oc">fairly well received by the Michigan faithful</a>.</p>
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<p>"<a href="https://twitter.com/SamWebb77">@SamWebb77</a>: Michigan's Ideal Offensive Coordinator Successor: Alabama OC, Doug Nussmeier - <a href="http://t.co/QA6sgupvsh">http://t.co/QA6sgupvsh</a>" Love Nuss, baller!</p>
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregBiggins/statuses/421115918245044224">January 9, 2014</a>
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<p>"<a href="https://twitter.com/ohiostatescott">@ohiostatescott</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/BCrandall11_9">@BCrandall11_9</a> just saw a big ten twitter post saying its Doug Nussmeier." It is!! Great hire. Fits UM stated style.</p>
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirkHerbstreit/statuses/421119407205519360">January 9, 2014</a>
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<p>Adam Rittenberg on ESPN: <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/93413/nussmeier-must-refine-michigans-identity" target="_blank">Nussmeier Must Refine Michigan's Identity</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Michigan's offense has hopscotched under Brady Hoke, never establishing an identity despite repeated claims about a clear philosophy. We always hear about who the Wolverines want to be, but because of personnel, youth or fickle schematic decisions, we rarely see who they are.</p>
<p>Perhaps the best thing about Michigan's offensive coordinator transition was the lack of indecision. Hours after Michigan announced Al Borges had been fired, reports surfaced that Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier would be his replacement. Hoke knew who he wanted, targeted him and got the deal done.</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>A record-setting signal-caller at Idaho who played in both the NFL and CFL, Nussmeier knows quarterbacks, but his first priority at Michigan will be resurrecting a run game that went dormant the past two seasons. Michigan's young offensive line needs to grow up in a hurry, especially after losing left tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76886/taylor-lewan">Taylor Lewan</a>, a first-round draft pick in April, as well as right tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76884/michael-schofield">Michael Schofield</a>, a three-year starter. Nussmeier isn't exactly inheriting the Alabama offensive line in Ann Arbor. Or Alabama's running backs, for that matter. There's some young talent at Michigan, but it needs to be coached up.</p>
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<p>CBS's <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/bruce-feldman/24402908/michigan-hires-oc-nussmeier-away-from-alabama" target="_blank">Bruce Feldman</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>While some might see this as a lateral move, going from one powerhouse to another, it's not a stretch to see the upside in the move for the Oregon native, especially for what it could do for his stock as a potential head coach. The Wolverines, 7-6 in Hoke's third season, ranked just No. 87 in total offense, No. 67 in scoring and No. 102 in rushing in 2013. However, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113843/devin-gardner">Devin Gardner</a>, who sat out Michigan's 31-14 bowl loss to Kansas State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl with an injury, returns for 2014 along with a lot of young talent including dynamic sophomore TE Devin Funchess. Nussmeier also has some Big Ten roots, having spent three seasons at Michigan State as the Spartans QB coach.</p>
<p>Prior to coaching at Alabama, Nussmeier ran the offense at Washington and established himself as one of the sharpest offensive coordinators in the country. In 2011, even though UW had to replace a first-round pick at quarterback (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9622/jake-locker">Jake Locker</a>), Nussmeier's offense scored 57 touchdowns and 434 points, the second-highest totals in school history (behind only the Huskies' 1991 national championship team). And in his three seasons at UW, his offenses got statistically better each year.</p>
<p>A former NFL QB, Nussmeier also has earned a reputation as one of the country's best developers of quarterbacks. Among his proteges: Bama's AJ McCarron, Washington's Jake Locker and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/86098/keith-price">Keith Price</a> and Michigan State's Drew Stanton and Jeff Smoker. Nussmeier also coached QBs for the St. Louis Rams in 2006-07 and helped Marc Bulger, a former sixth-round pick, make it to a Pro Bowl.</p>
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<p>Bob "Wojo" Wojnowski <a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140110/SPORTS0201/301100034#ixzz2q13PPYE3" target="new">on the hire</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Hoke talks a very good game, a tough game, and now must show he can consistently play it. This was a tough-game move in many ways, hiring Doug Nussmeier from Alabama to replace Al Borges as offensive coordinator. Hoke wants Michigan to play like the big boys, so he went and plucked a respected assistant from big-boy Bama.</p>
<p>This was a good, necessary strike. I wouldn’t call it a panic move, although Hoke has to know the heat is rising. I’d call it a perception move, and the Wolverines haven’t won many of those battles lately. The perception here is, they moved swiftly, boldly and expensively, and aren’t reducing expectations one bit. Michigan might not have shown much fight this season, but it did here.</p>
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<h4>Michigan Blog Reactions</h4>
<p>Brian Cook at MGoBlog offered <a target="new" href="http://mgoblog.com/content/its-looking-doug-nussmeier">this reaction</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Nussmeier's got a pretty good resume both as an OC and a QB coach, what with Smoker/Stanton/Bulger/Price/Locker/McCarron on his resume, and quickly climbed the ladder. He's got a good rep as a recruiter and at 43 is relatively young for a BCS offensive coordinator; his Washington offenses were spread/pro mish-mash amalgams and then he seemed to do just fine with Alabama's pro-style attack. It's possible Michigan was going to ride with Borges for another year before the rarest commodity of all appeared: a proven college offensive coordinator with pro-style genes.</p>
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<p>Subsequently, MGoBlog's <a target="_blank" href="http://mgoblog.com/diaries/doug-nussmeier-advanced-stats-take">The Mathlete</a>:</p>
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<p>This does seem to be the coordinator who can do the things that Borges can’t while still fitting into Hoke’s desire for what his team’s offense looks like. Where Michigan has spent the last three years moving backwards, every single Nussmeier coordinated offense has shown year on year improvement. There aren’t going to be fireworks or a spread offense, most likely, but there should be a lot of first downs and hopefully consistent improvement.</p>
<p>From a watchability standpoint, this won’t be the fun offense many of where hoping for. It is a system that in the presence of elite talent and great defense can do everything you need it to.</p>
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<p>Touch the Banner on who on the team <a target="new" href="http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2014/01/who-should-be-happysad-about-doug.html">will benefit most/least</a>:</p>
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<p>I expect Nussmeier to simplify Michigan's blocking schemes, which should help out the young linemen and the quarterback. The new offensive coordinator also likes to push the ball down the field (as did Al Borges), which suits Gardner well because he has a strong arm and throws a nice deep ball.</p>
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<p>Brad Muckenthaler at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.maizenbluenation.com/2014/01/all-signs-point-to-alabamas-doug.html">Maize n' Blue Nation</a>:</p>
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<p>Well, that happened quickly. With head coaching vacancies remaining open all over college and pro football, Michigan seems to have opened and closed their offensive coordinator search in less than a few hours.</p>
<p>This was a calculated move from the start. No doubt about it.</p>
<p>If it is true, and Michigan did indeed nab Alabama's offensive coordinator, then consider this one of the biggest assistant hires in Michigan football history. There's no question a guy like Nussmeier will command top dollar, and he'll get it.</p>
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<p>Andrew Coppens on <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1917420-michigan-football-how-hiring-doug-nussmeier-will-change-wolverines-offense" target="new">How the Nussmeier Hire Will Change M's Offense</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>With the hire, Michigan and Hoke are putting their chips all-in in an effort to get back to winning 10-plus games and becoming relevant nationally.</p>
<p>The question is, exactly what will change under Nussmeier? He'll still be dealing with the same set of players Borges couldn't mold into some sort of style.</p>
<p>More than anything else, that is what Nussmeier needs to change—Michigan's offense needs to have an identity. If it can find that in one offseason, Michigan could find success quickly under Nussmeier.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/1/10/5291142/michigan-climbs-out-of-the-dark-al-borges-doug-nussmeier-offensive-coordinator-devin-gardner" target="new">Anthony Mammel column</a>:</p>
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<p>It's comical how Nussmeier reflects everything Michigan wants in a coach without screaming outdated! or behind the times! when you see him. Michigan could have chopped Borges and replaced him with an equally maddening coach, but it instead went out and found one of the very few pro-style offensive coordinators with enough vision and respect to keep Michigan's fans and their foes from laughing at the hire.</p>
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<h4>Outside Reactions</h4>
<p>Alabama SB Nation blog Roll Bama Roll <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2014/1/9/5291200/doug-nussmeier-leaves-alabama-for-michigan">isn't that torn-up about it</a>:</p>
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<p>This announcement was met with mixed reviews from the Alabama fan base and twitter alike. The Michigan crowd seems to feel they stole Alabama's guy right from under our noses and Alabama fans feel Saban let Nuss go without much, if any, fight at all.</p>
<p>Honestly, it's hard to not agree with the Alabama position. With Nussmeier's salary of $680,000, if Alabama wanted to keep him on, we wouldn't be talking about his possible replacement today. Alabama is near the top when it comes to assistant salaries and there's no doubt in my mind if Saban felt Doug was worth the money, $850,000 (his reported raise at Michigan) wouldn't be much of a stretch at all.</p>
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<p>Jeff Svobada at BuckeyeSports.com <a href="http://michigan.scout.com/2/1364228.html#.Us6XvUseCfE.twitter" target="_blank">is impressed</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Out is Al Borges, who had been with Hoke for the past five years at both San Diego State and Michigan. In, according to multiple national reporters, is Alabama’s Doug Nussmeier.</p>
<p>That’s right, the Wolverines went out and took away an assistant coach from perhaps the gold standard program in college football, and did it in record time. Even if Nussmeier wasn’t exactly beloved at the moment in Tuscaloosa, the man has a national title ring on his finger from 2012 and helped make <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78259/a-j-mccarron">A.J. McCarron</a> into a household name. He brings pro-style credentials to Michigan and has coached under John L. Smith, Scott Linehan and Steve Sarkisian, respected offensive minds all.</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>Urban Meyer has said the Buckeyes need a "home run" hire to replace Withers, and it might be fair to say the stakes have been raised even higher now that Michigan has hit one out of the park with the hiring of Nussmeier.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Sam Webb: Nussmeier the <a target="_blank" href="http://michigan.scout.com/2/1364204.html#.Us4LK_vj19Q.twitter">"ideal candidate."</a> Larry Lage at Yahoo! Sports called the hire <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-michigan-adding-doug-nussmeier-staff-140513943--spt.html" target="_blank">a "bold move."</a> MLive's Baumgardner on <a href="http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/01/michigan_reportedly_hires_alab.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WolverinesSports+(Michigan+Wolverines+Sports)" target="_blank">Nussmeier's coaching acumen</a>, and offers <a href="http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/01/video_analysis_doug_nussmeier.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WolverinesSports+(Michigan+Wolverines+Sports)" target="_blank">instant analysis via video</a>. Buckeye fans at <a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/1/8/5290266/alabama-michigan-doug-nussmeier-offensive-coordinator" target="_blank">Land Grant Holy Land</a> say they're "not worried." The hire is also dismissed by the folks at <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2014/01/32122/michigan-hires-away-alabama-oc-doug-nussmeier" target="_blank">Eleven Warriors</a>. MGoBlog <a href="http://mgoblog.com:8080/mgoboard/doug-nussmeier-michigans-new-oc" target="_blank">celebration thread</a>. TheWolverine.com pay-and-read <a target="_blank" href="http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=883&CID=1595957">links</a> on Nussmeier.</p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/1/10/5295314/what-people-are-saying-about-doug-nussmeier-being-hired-as-michigansBig House Jack2014-01-10T09:01:28-06:002014-01-10T09:01:28-06:00Getting To Know Doug Nussmeier with Roll Bama Roll
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<p>In our continued effort to better get to know Doug Nussmeier, I talked with Bammer of <a href="http://www.rollbamaroll.com/" target="new">Roll Bama Roll</a>, SBN's great Alabama Crimson Tide site to find out more about Nussmeier's two years running the Bama offense.</p> <p><b>From someone who just watched Nussmeier coordinate his team's offense for two years, do you think this was a good hire for Michigan?</b></p>
<p>I think so. A lot of Bama fans weren't very keen on Nuss (easy abbreviation) this past season but I believe a lot of those complaints were short sighted at times. Yes, Alabama had a wealth of talent and the offense never really formed an identity this year but our offense just put up over 500 yards against Oklahoma. So it's not like our offense never was able to move the ball. Our biggest complaint would probably be utilizing the TE, something Jim McElwain did really well and figuring out how to get all our talented running backs and wide receivers involved in the game. I don't want to go full bammer on you but Alabama's RB and WR depth should have made any offensive coordinator's job easy peasy yet at times certain players disappeared for games at a time.</p>
<p><b>One of Michigan's big problems under Hoke has been developing a traditional run game that can consistently gain yards. Was Nussmeier's success coordinating Bama's run game more based on the weapons at his disposal or anything he did to develop and deploy them? Should Michigan fans worry that our young OL won't be up to the task of replicating what Bama's experienced line was able to do the past couple years?</b></p>
<p>I'm not sure my answer will give you a warm and fuzzy feeling about Nuss developing talent. People will point to AJ McCarron's progression as a quarterback but much of his maturation process falls on Jim McElwain, the 'Bama offensive coordinator from 2008-2011. The offense took a large step back this year when it came to our power rushing game. If you remember last year in the SEC Championship game, Alabama was able to run at will on Georgia and the 'Bama OL in 2013 never had that type of identity. They actually pass protected rather well but struggled to open holes when 'Bama needed them the most. In years past, if Alabama was facing a 3rd and short (1-3 yards) it was automatic. I never felt like that all year.</p>
<p>Of course, we changed offensive line coaches and that, to me, had more effect on the offensive production than anything else. Still, player development falls on the OC and certain groups (RB and OL) took a step back in 2013.</p>
<p><b>Rumor is that Saban wasn't happy and this move was mutually agreed upon by head coach and OC. However, it didn't seem to the layman that Bama's offense changed much. What might be the reason for the rift between the two men?</b></p>
<p>That is indeed the rumor but we'll never know if it is true. I think it speaks volumes that Saban (at least as far as we know) didn't attempt to fight for Nussmeier and keep him around. His salary at 'Bama was $680,000 and his raise to $850,000 is certainly something 'Bama could handle. I could be wrong but it seemed as if Saban was indeed okay with Nuss moving on.</p>
<p>And you are right, our offense didn't change all that much once Nuss joined the staff but that to me is a reflection on Saban's over-all vision for the team and not a poor reflection on their relationship. Saban has a system and the OC works with-in the confines of that system. We are going to be balanced on offense and the offense will not put the defense in a precarious situation by taking risks. I believe Nussmeier was able to do exactly that which is evident by AJ's TD to INT ratio.</p>
<p>Will Hoke give Nussmeier more freedom?</p>
<p><b>What were your thoughts on Nussmeier's ability to develop quarterbacks. AJ McCarron spent two years under Nussmeier, did AJ improve or was he basically a finished package when Nussmeier joined the staff?</b></p>
<p>I believe I somewhat answered this above but AJ's progression as a quarterback dates back to McElwain. Nussmeier certainly had a role to play and is a big reason AJ is going to play in the NFL but there seemed to be something off with AJ all year and we never could figure out what was wrong. I don't want to place any of AJ's shortcomings on Nuss but this year just wasn't what we expected to see from the offense. Take that for what it's worth.</p>
<p><b>Are you ready for the Lane Kiffin era in Tuscaloosa?</b></p>
<p>Ha! I may be one of the few, but growing, members of the Alabama fan base that doesn't hate the idea of Lane joining the staff. I think there are guys who may fit the culture of the program better but his pedigree as an offensive coordinator, especially at USC, speaks for itself. I trust Saban and if he says Kiffin is the guy, then who am I to argue?</p>
<p><b>For Michigan fans looking to learn more about Nussmeier, what do you think his best game at Alabama was, and what do you think his worst game was?</b></p>
<p>Worst has to be 2012 Texas A&M (thanks for the memories). His refusal to RUN THE DANG BALL late in the game, especially on 1st and goal from the six, cost us the game. Nuss has a tendency to get cute in the redzone and that certainly showed on 'Bama's final drive.</p>
<p>His best would be the BCS Championship Game against Notre Dame. He put a fabulous game plan together and the Notre Dame defense never came close to stopping us. A close second would be A&M this year. I think we punted once the entire game and that was on our first drive.</p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/1/10/5294344/getting-to-know-doug-nussmeier-roll-bama-roll-talks-about-nussmeiersZach Travis2014-01-10T08:00:30-06:002014-01-10T08:00:30-06:00Michigan Looks to Climb Out of the Dark
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<p>Michigan's football program took a massive step when it reached out to Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.</p> <p>Behind the times. Outdated. Stuck in the past. Cavemanish. Call the sometimes ignorant University of Michigan what you will, but do it after you wipe that shocked look from your early morning face.</p>
<p>The previous 72 hours have been fun. Wednesday afternoon brought news that Michigan wouldn't retain embattled offensive coordinator Al Borges, letting him go after three up-and-down seasons that saw his offenses sputter and restart like a machine you're barely able to afford in high school.</p>
<p>Michigan can afford a well-oiled machine, but no one expected it to go out and buy one. Then Dave Brandon, armed with enough cash and connections to make a Kardashian blush, went out and found what we all wanted while we sat around wondering what it would feel like to see Al Borges go. We still didn't expect him to go.</p>
<p>Now he's gone. <i>Replaced</i>. Replaced? By whom? By the offensive coordinator of the University of Alabama. The same Alabama that features one of the nation's best rushing attacks. The same Alabama that just produced one of the more efficient quarterbacks in recent college football history. The same Alabama that would have taken Michigan's head to the pavement, again, had the two programs unfortunately crossed paths for the second time in two seasons. Nussmeier pummeled Michigan's defense into oblivion to begin the 2012 season, only to leave Alabama for Michigan in 2014.</p>
<p>It's comical how Nussmeier reflects everything Michigan wants in a coach without screaming<i> outdated!</i> or<i> behind the times! </i>when you see him. Michigan could have chopped Borges and replaced him with an equally maddening coach, but it instead went out and found one of the very few pro-style offensive coordinators with enough vision and respect to keep Michigan's fans and their foes from laughing at the hire.</p>
<p>Nussmeier's track record is legitimate. Stops with the Michigan State Spartans and St. Louis Rams came before he finally got hit shot at coordinating the Fresno State offense, which was then followed by a three-year gig at Washington. After producing multiple draft picks at quarterback, he went on to win a national title with Alabama, setting a multitude of offensive records at one of the most prestigious football programs in the country. The Tide's offense ran the ball with force and complemented it with quality play-action pass plays – fitting the mold of a Michigan offense to a tee.</p>
<p>Nussmeier, Nuss, The Nuss, Doug, or whatever you'd like to address him by, will fit in at the University of Michigan. Despite winning a ring with Alabama, he simply didn't mesh well with Nick Saban's approach; the my way or the highway attitude doesn't sit well with some individuals. Saban and Nussmeier's differences sometimes led to Nussmeier veering away from his own game plan to calm the fiery Saban, yet Nussmeier still managed to produce one of the most prolific offenses under Nick Saban to date. We're excited to see what he can manage with the Michigan offense when he's given total control – something that he may have never had during his time in Tuscaloosa.</p>
<p>Yet Nussmeier is being handed more than the keys to the offense. Brady Hoke is putting his Michigan career – the job he wanted since his days at Ball State and would have "walked to" from San Diego – into the hands of Nussmeier. If the young offensive coordinator fails to turn around an ailing Michigan offense, Hoke will almost certainly lose his job over it. Greg Robinson's aging heart would ache out of sympathy for Nussmeier if he were to stumble across this article.</p>
<p>My young, caffeine-driven heart has been aching over Michigan football for some seven years now, and the rest of the Michigan fan base has felt all of the same pains. We've witnessed one of the darkest stretches in Michigan football history, and we're all looking for one Doug Nussmeier to bring us out of it.</p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/1/10/5291142/michigan-climbs-out-of-the-dark-al-borges-doug-nussmeier-offensive-coordinator-devin-gardnerAnthony Mammel2014-01-10T07:01:18-06:002014-01-10T07:01:18-06:00Friday Roundup Is Impressed By The Nuss
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<figcaption>Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>FRR updates you on the very latest Michigan football recruiting rumblings. What do targets and commits think of Michigan's new hire at offensive coordinator? Who's toting new Michigan offers? That and much more.</p> <h4>Recruits React to Borges Firing, Nussmeier Hiring</h4>
<p>Michigan's offense will look different next year, as Al Borges has been replaced with former Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. The firing of Borges was met with mixed reactions:</p>
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<p>Michigan RB target Vic Enwere says Borges leaving does impact him, makes it more difficult to flip from Cal. Will see who they hire.</p>
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomVH/statuses/421046920002273280">January 8, 2014</a>
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<p>Michigan OL commit Juwann Bushell-Beatty "I know I'm not going anywhere."</p>
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomVH/statuses/421065348331208704">January 8, 2014</a>
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<p>WHOAH! Just found out about Coach Borges.</p>
— Moe Ways (@MoeWays) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoeWays/statuses/421042405274435584">January 8, 2014</a>
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<p>Man..... I can't believe this about Coach Borges.</p>
— Damien Harris (@Damien_D1Harris) <a href="https://twitter.com/Damien_D1Harris/statuses/421042976886775809">January 8, 2014</a>
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<p>Damien Harris' mom said it was sad and a shock to hear about Borges, but right now they are letting it sink and aren't talking about it.</p>
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomVH/statuses/421058099554693121">January 8, 2014</a>
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<p>Al Borges Fired.... Oh</p>
— George Campbell (@GeorgeCampbell0) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeCampbell0/statuses/421045776895459328">January 8, 2014</a>
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<p>The only offensive recruit whose decision could be affected by Borges' release is Damien Harris, who seemed to be fairly close with Borges. Although this could turn into bigger news, I doubt Harris flips now that Nussmeier is on board.</p>
<p>Reactions to the Nussmeier news were <a href="http://michigan.247sports.com/Article/Recruits-React-Nussmeier-Hiring-170315" target="_blank">universally positive($)</a>, with every recruit or verbal commitment saying something positive about the former Alabama coordinator. Maurice Ways is hyped:</p>
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<p>Wow! Is it true that Coach Doug Nussmeier from Alabama is gonna be our new OC? If this is True I'm Hype!!</p>
— Moe Ways (@MoeWays) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoeWays/statuses/421114605679955968">January 9, 2014</a>
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<p>If any offensive players do decide to jump ship, it won't be due to Nussmeier's hiring.</p>
<p>What sort of impact will the new offensive leader have on Michigan's recruiting efforts? In the short term, expect Michigan's QB and RB recruiting to be shaken up in the class of 2015 – the Wolverines could turn around and attempt to woo five-star talent <b>Ricky Town</b> away from Alabama. In the long term, expect him to be a slightly stronger recruiter than Borges was. Much more on this later.</p>
<h4>Flurry of Offers Goes Out</h4>
<p>As if there wasn't enough news regarding Michigan's football and recruiting efforts this week, the staff–Doug Nussmeier included–sent out a flurry of offers in the classes of 2015 and 2016. Juniors <b>Minkah Fitzpatrick </b>and<b> Jalen Dalton</b> received their Michigan offers, as did sophomores <b>Thiyo Lukusa </b>and<b> Kareem Walker</b>.</p>
<p>The offers to Fitzpatrick and Dalton are both significant. Fitzpatrick, a high four-star cornerback who is good friends with five-star Michigan verbal Jabrill Peppers, has been high on Michigan and wanted an offer from them for quite some time. Dalton is another elite four-star prospect at defensive end, effectively ending Michigan's "You're the only one!" pitch to top overall end Jashon Cornell. Michigan will get its chance to impress Fitzpatrick and should eventually climb into his top group; I doubt that happens with Dalton, who looks like a Florida State lean.</p>
<p>Lukusa and Walker aren't as important, mostly because they're both so young and could still go any direction in their recruitment. Lukusa is a future four-star tackle/guard prospect who looks to be trending toward Michigan State, although the offer from Michigan and hiring of Nussmeier are both working in their favor at the moment; expect it to come down to both in-state schools. Walker will be a four-star running back, already holding offers from Penn State, Rutgers, WVU, MIchigan and others as a high school sophomore.</p>
<h4>Jones Sets UM Official Date</h4>
<p>Michigan recently offered running back <b>Jeff Jones</b> during the Under Armour All-American events, and it looks like he'll be on campus soon:</p>
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<p>Michigan RB target and Minnesota commit Jeff Jones says he's visiting Ann Arbor Jan. 31, and the Borges news doesn't hurt their chances</p>
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomVH/statuses/421070138570313728">January 9, 2014</a>
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<p>Note the timing of the visit, which comes one week <i>after</i> Jones' visit to Florida. Vibes around the recruiting community are all positive for Michigan, which is now the favorite for the four-star running back on <a href="http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Jeff-Jones-at-Washburn-31638/Predictions" target="_blank">the Crystal Ball</a>; I'm assuming this Michigan surge is driven by the fact that UM will be the final school that Jones visits. Doug Nussmeier will certainly be in the ear of Jones, too.</p>
<h4>General Notes and Multimedia Items</h4>
<p>Our very own DG Destroys put together a <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/1/9/5292460/video-michigan-commits-prospects-in-the-ua-game" target="_blank">great string of videos of Michigan players</a> in action during the Under armour All-American Game. Jabrill Peppers showed out during the game, but <b>Michael Ferns</b> turned in a hype-worthy performance:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mye_WrZzD4k?rel=0"></iframe></p>
<p>Well done.</p>
<p><b>Lawrence Marshall </b>and<b> Chase Winovich</b> participated in the Offense-Defense Bowl in Orlando. Lawrence outperformed Winovich, showcasing his quickness and overall athletic ability against decent offensive lineman. He has put on a substantial amount of clean football weight, <a href="http://michigan.247sports.com/Article/Lawrence-Marshall-Update-170134" target="_blank">helping him play at a higher level($)</a>:</p>
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<p>"I was even surprised at the gains I've made since the season ended," Marshall said. "I was about 225 when the season was over, but I'm up to 240 right now and I'm feeling great. My hands are moving quicker than ever and even after making the gains I have, I feel just as fast as I was, if not faster than I was before. I had a good week at the bowl and felt good about how I performed. I'm doing well right now."</p>
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<p>Marshall was already an explosive edge rusher with respectable length. Fifteen pounds of muscle later, it sounds like he's prepared to contribute to Michigan's pass rush on day one, especially if his hands are now as violent as he makes them out to be.</p>
<p>Full <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/3017856/highlights/120128379" target="_blank">senior highlights</a> of outside linebacker prospect <b>Osa Masina</b> are now available. Michigan absolutely needs to add a SAM prospect in the class of 2015; Masina is one of the better SAM prospect on the UM board.</p>
<p>Under Armour held a combine for underclassmen, and former Michigan commitment <b>George Campbell</b> showcased his speed against some of the best corner prospects in the game:</p>
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<script src="http://player.espn.com/player.js?playerBrandingId=4ef8000cbaf34c1687a7d9a26fe0e89e&adSetCode=91cDU6NuXTGKz3OdjOxFdAgJVtQcKJnI&pcode=1kNG061cgaoolOncv54OAO1ceO-I&width=576&height=324&externalId=espn:10259774&thruParam_espn-ui[autoPlay]=false&thruParam_espn-ui[playRelatedExternally]=true"></script></p>
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<p>Campbell is legitimately 6'4", yet he comes off of the line faster than most slot receivers I've ever watched. I expect the Doug Nussmeier hire to help Michigan's chances with the former commitment.</p>
<p>Speaking of Nussmeier, the new OC is most likely to change UM's quarterback board for the class of 2015 before he scrambles any other position. I expect QB prospect <b>Kyle Kearns</b>, who <a href="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=10248490&categoryid=8536673" target="_blank">stood out at the most recent Elite 11</a> camp, to remain on that board. He should be a four-star prospect across the board when all is said and done.</p>
<p>Michigan receiver commitment<b> Maurice Ways</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/TomVH/status/420277739115909121" target="_blank">will play in the Michigan-Ohio All-Star game</a> in June. This will not end well for the most northern state of the two.</p>
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/1/10/5294336/michigan-football-recruiting-roundup-news-doug-nussmeier-al-borges-ricky-town-minkah-fitzpatrickAnthony Mammel