Pizza Pizza

Class of 2020 U of M Lineman?

Spencer Hall of Sporting News

Debunking myths about speed in the SEC and Big Ten

Consider the case of the Big Ten Sloth Myth....

Bringing us to the future, a.k.a. the West Virginia/Michigan training program. I mentioned Michigan's superb record against the SEC above; now consider how well Michigan did using training techniques from the 1970s, as it did until this year's complete revamping of the training program.

(Fun story that's been floating around college football circles: Under the former management, Michigan linemen, in order to gain weight, were allegedly told to "eat a whole pizza" at night. I'm amazed they didn't flounder like sick race horses on Saturdays. Also: no squats. The most basic fundamental move in weight lifting simply did not exist in their machine-dominated training program.)

Michigan is now busy reprogramming its players to play in the 21st century, demanding speed at every position (yes, even for pizza-mobbing offensive linemen) and totally rebuilding their talent development system.

Read the whole story

Scratch the itch

Video, Mike Barwis Strength and Conditioning

Utah..has upset written all over it

Matt Hayes of the Sporting News

• I don't know about you, but that Utah game at Ann Arbor in Michigan's season opener has upset written all over it. New system, new quarterback, new uniforms, first time in front of 100,000-plus with the new coach, etc. And Utah is pretty damn good -- No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense last year, and a ton of experience returning. One more thing: the Utes have a streaky, dual-threat quarterback (Brian Johnson) who can get hot.

E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.

Sporting News calls out Michigan

Steve Greenberg of Sporting News
Week of Sept. 24, 2007
5 reasons Michigan will be back on the canvas (and soon).

No Wolverine fans, you will not win the Big 10, let us count the reasons why.

1. Coach Lloyd Carr.
The ability to remain calm in the face of adversity is and admirable attribute, but being flexible enough to make adjustments during a difficult game is much more helpful. Get on top of this team and it will melt away.

2. The 'Michigan Man' syndrome.
Carr likely will be gone after this season or next. Any chance in Hades A.D. Bill Martin would take a run at Rich Rodriguez before promoting someone from within the family?

3. Tackling.
The Wolverines looked like the '85 Chicago Bears against Notre Dame, but it was a mirage. You'll see.

4. Golf Fans.
Those two words best describe the most overrated game-day atmosphere in college football. When the going gets touch at the Big House, the high-hats and stiff-necks start thinking 19th hole.

5. Wisconsin, Penn State, and Ohio State.
They're all-let's see, how to put this?-way better then Michigan.