For disappointing draft class in Michigan Football history, the winner is…

2008.

I don’t know if things can get much worse for this bunch. Although Chad Henne hasn’t really done much to hurt his draft status, he still isn’t the killer prospect everyone thought he would be during his days as a Wolverine. That doesn’t help the matter. But what is really solidifying this class as one of the most underachieving ever is the lack of production from its supposed star players in this year’s draft.

“Mario Manningham, WR Michigan
Six receivers ran 4.4 or better and 11 ran under 4.5. Manningham wasn't one of them. Rail thin at just under six-feet and 181 pounds, his biggest strength was supposed to be his speed, and then he came up with a 4.59 and a 4.62. While fine at the ball drills, he wasn't as polished as many will probably make him out to be. However, he caught the ball well and still showed enough skill to be among the top five receivers taken. While he'll get another shot back on Michigan's campus to show what he can do, he all but blew any chance of being a first round pick. – CFN.com”

Everyone at Penn State knew that Manningham wasn’t that great, compared to the Michigan wide outs that have ripped us in the past. In fact, he’ll be remembered for only one play when it’s all over. “The Catch” against Penn State in 2005. Outside of that, has he ever showed up in the games that mattered? Ohio State? Bowl games? Of course, he’s coming out early, and if he’d stayed another season, things might have been different. But if you want to look at the icing on this draft class’ cake, look no further than Mr. Mike “Talks-To-Much” Hart.

“Mike Hart, RB Michigan
At 5-9 and 206 pounds, he lifted well with 23 reps, but overall appeared scrawnier than expected, especially in his legs. The big problem was his lack of speed and burst in the quickness drills. The 4.65 and 4.75 40s were disastrous, and he showed little overall athleticism compared to the other smallish backs like Ray Rice and Steve Slaton. His problem will be the workload. Not a third down back or a role player, he's a runner who needs 25 carries and can be a workhorse. Now, it's doubtful anyone will ever think of him as a No. 1 back. – CFN.com”

I don’t know what’s sweeter; that Manningham won’t go in the first round, or that Hart may not even go on the first day. After all the loud-mouthing and constant crap flying out of his mouth, he’s still going to be remembered as a great college back. He’s a back that could will his team to victory—against everyone but Ohio State and three of four bowl game opponents—and pound out drives single handedly behind some of the best offensive linemen in college. But what will that get him? As of right now, not much; maybe he’ll get a nice paycheck every year, but no first-round dough, no instant starting job, and no pro-bowls. I’m not going to say that that last one is a lock, as other backs have defied all and made it to the all-star teams. What I will say is that for the last three seasons, Michigan hasn’t produced knockout pro-prospects the way it did for 35 years. In all seriousness though, I hope Hart and Manningham get playing time, so that they can meet the likes of true first-rounder Dan Connor, and Buffalo Bills starter Paul Posluszny. Have fun guys.

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PSU/UM stream of thoughts

START, 1st QUARTER: This is it. Let’s go state.

5:29 left, 1st quarter: What the hell is Morelli doing? He looks like it’s his first football game ever. The offensive line is actually giving him enough time, but he’s holding on to the ball. Negative plays won’t win this game. If Penn State doesn’t get into the game, this one will get out of hand, quicker than it already has.

PSU 0, UM 7

Start, 2nd quarter: There’s that slant/post again. Has the PSU coaching staff learned nothing in the last year? Allowing 3rd down conversions will get any offense geared up, and giving UM the 3rd and 10 conversion won’t help. Scirrotto tried to knock the ball out of Arrington’s arms, but should have just made the tackle. Arrington almost got free. The offense better get it on this quarter.

14:48 left, 2nd quarter: Nice sack and forced fumble. Scrap needs to keep sending the pressure… What?! That call is bullshit. Forward pass? He was down, if anything. The refs are getting their game going early. Oh well. Let’s go Morelli.

9:14 left, 2nd quarter: OK, you got on the board. Morelli looked scared when he shouldn’t have been. Butler was open. The offense did give the defense a rest, and now need a good stop when UM takes the field. That slant was the perfect call, especially when UM took the bait and blitzed. You said it Brad Nessler, “should have been.”

PSU 3, UM 7

5:08 left, 2nd quarter: PSU’s defense is playing well when Hart isn’t in the game. That’s not good enough. Scrap needs to tell his secondary to attack the ball. There have been two balls so far that should have been picked off. Where are the turnovers? UM has forced one and could have had another. PSU needs a short field one of these times. Why does the field look so small when the PSU offense is on the field, and UM makes it look huge? Come on.

2:56 left, 2nd quarter: UM missed a 29-yarder, that’s something PSU usually does.

2:02 left, 2nd quarter: nice guys, no offensive pep. Three-and-out is not what you needed after that missed FG.

1:14 left, 2nd quarter: Timeout PSU. After two straight runs, UM is in 3rd and long. Now, this is a good opportunity for the PSU defense. Get the stop and get the ball. Scrap better blitz.

1:05 left, 2nd quarter: THAT’S WHY YOU BLITZ. Assholes. A 15-yard gain? That’s not acceptable. This is how PSU lost last time.

00:32 left, 2nd quarter: This is stupid. PSU is not playing like they want this game. Dan Connor is huffing and puffing. Maybe if the offense got anything going. Mallet just threw it away under pressure.

00:19 left, 2nd quarter: What’s wrong with PSU today? Oh wait, I know, they’re playing Michigan! They’re lucky Mallet just overthrew that ball in the end zone.
00:10 left, 2nd quarter: INTERCEPTION, PSU. OK, not like it matters. PSU takes a knee, and should be pissed off right now. END, FIRST HALF.

6:09 left, 3rd quarter: I can’t take this. PSU finally gets something going, and Scott fumbles again. They’re reviewing it, but I think it was out. He should be benched the rest of the year. It stands. UM ball. I knew it was too good to be true.

4:00 left, 3rd quarter: 3rd and 5. UM converts. Scrap is allowing the defense to get soft on 3rd down, and it’s not working. PSU is playing like they don’t care anymore.

3:47 left, 3rd quarter: FUMBLE, PSU recovers. Not that PSU will do anything with this. Pass incomplete to Hahn. Kinlaw rush for -2. Pass complete to Quarless for 11 yards. PSU better go for it. They are. This is make or break time.

2:20 left, 3rd quarter: Kinlaw rush for 2. Lucky he wasn’t blown dead where it should have, short. Pass interference on pass to Quarless. Now this is something PSU has to take advantage of.

1:20 left, 3rd quarter: 3rd and goal, PSU. Holding, PSU. UM is debating. Take the foul. PSU got a win-win right there.

00:23 left, 3rd quarter: 3rd and goal, again, 12 yard line. Pass to Bell incomplete. “Why do you throw a pattern to the four yard line?” asked Paul MacGuire. You said it, Paul.

14:00 left, 4th quarter: PSU’s defense is playing so soft, it’s ridiculous. Mallet almost had another 10-yard out route. If UM scores, it could be over for PSU.

13:09 left, 4th quarter: Why the hell doesn’t PSU try to strip the ball more? It’s 8 yards a pop with him. God, I hate Mike Hart. But actually, right now, I hate PSU more. You can’t just tackle him, that’s not good enough. You need to strip the ball, dammit!

11:24 left, 4th quarter: Crossing route to Mathews. First down, UM. There is no pressure on Mallet. And now watch, there will be two runs with Hart, then a short pass for a TD. Well, there’s a Hart run. Another Hart run. Now, will it be?

9:45 left, 4th quarter: Flag? Pass interference, PSU. THAT’S BULLSHIT! Why don’t the refs give it to them? Oh wait, they are. Here comes another Hart run.

8:52 left, 4th quarter: Another Hart run, TOUCHDOWN, UM. He barely got across that line. Doesn’t matter. PSU gave up.

PSU 6, UM 14 : You know, I honestly thought PSU was up for this game. Apparently not so. I was under the impression that this was the year they’d do it, Morelli would settle down, and the ground game wouldn’t matter. Well, Paterno and the staff is playing right into UM’s strategy. Why does PSU play so tight on the road? We’ll never win unless that changes.

8:02 left, 4th quarter: Crossing pattern to Williams complete for a first down. It’s about time PSU went to Williams. And another pass to Williams. Keep going.

6:58 left, 4th quarter: 38-yard long run, Kinlaw. Nice blocking. Kinlaw switched arms, unlike Scott. Royster in for Kinlaw. It’s make or break time for PSU.

6:06 left, 4th quarter: FIELD GOAL, PSU. DAMMIT. I know that if PSU scores a TD, it will mean the lead, but I just hate that they couldn’t get the ball in the end zone. PSU should be running screens, not draws and short patterns. Take some shots deep or use more crossing patters. Get a screen to Williams out of the backfield. DO SOMETHING!

PSU 9, UM 14 Hart ran for 93 yards to the left side.

4:40 left, 4th quarter: 3rd and 11. PSU needs this stop. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made it. They did. Where the hell was the pass rush? UM could run out the clock, with 3:30 left.

2:20 left, 4th quarter: 3rd and 11. This could be the worst game PSU’s played against UM since 2001. UM timeout. If PSU gives up the first down, it’s all over.

1:34 left, 4th quarter: 4th and 11. I don’t know what happened. Because the commercial break took too long, the clock is running down, and UM didn’t get any yards. Timeout.

This is 2005 all over again. No timeouts, full field.

Drive starts at 1:20 left, 4th quarter.

Morelli throws it away.

Morelli throws it away.

Good job.

Incomplete to Quarless. 4th down.

Incomplete.

PSU LOST THIS GAME, UM DIDN’T WIN IT.

PSU 9, UM 14

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Shut up, Hart

Bonnie Bernstein just said that Mike Hart told her he needs 160+ against PSU. Yeah, right. Even when PSU hasn't controlled him, he only got about 110. So, again, shut up Hart. Mallet will finally play against a defense with a pulse, and will find out who's taking over in the Big Ten. Hint, it's NOT MICHIGAN.

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No. 10 Penn State vs. Michigan, Preview

School: University of Michigan (UM), Wolverines
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Lloyd Carr, 12th Year, 114-38-0
Last Game: Def. Notre Dame 38-0
Record Last Five Years (sans 2007): 47-16; 1-4 in bowls; 14-4 non-conference

Key Players, Defense: LB Shawn Crable, DL Brandon Graham, LB John Thompson

Key Players, Offense: RB Mike Hart, QBs Chad Henne/Ryan Mallet, WR Mario Manningham

What to look for: D - ND was held to 10 first downs and a net 79 yards on 55 plays. But that's no reflection of the UM defense so far. They will face this week an actual, living offense. While PSU doesn't run the spread like Oregon or Appalachian State, it is a much, much faster and smarter team than ND. It could be a blessing or a curse that last week UM could basically sit back and let ND lose the game. LB Crable said he was called out for lack of leadership in the first two games. The defense will need him. It will be up to the front seven to hold PSU down as long as possible, so that the offense can get on the board. If UM allows PSU to run the ball, it will be a very long day.

O - This has been one of the most talented groups of skill players in the nation the last three years. Not that they've won anything with it. UM's backfield and WR's could roll over opponents, but for some reason, don't against any team with a pulse. RB Hart last week guaranteed a win. Well, hell, I could guarantee a win if the other team were no better than a pee-wee squad. This week, it will be up to Hart to again carry the load. If QB Henne starts, he could still have some problems with mobility, a bad sign for UM. If the UM O-line can't hold off PSU's pass rush, WRs Manningham and Arrington will not be a factor in this one. UM has to keep its defense off the field.

ST - This has been fun for viewers, and simply horrid for fans. If only UM could make one of those two missed field goals in the opening day loss to ASU, how would have the other games gone? UM will need all the points they can get, and missed field goals and bad punts will kill momentum. Kicking away from PSU's returners and hanging punts as high as possible should allow UM to work with good field position on defense. They can't start with short fields.

C - HC Lloyd Carr has been beaten to a pulp by UM fans. But he's not done yet. The ND win bought him some time, but this week it's do or die. If UM falls, it could realistically be a 6-7 win season. Two of those in three years is unthinkable. He'll be gone if that happens. The UM staff has to get up for this one, and they want to hit PSU where it's hurt most in recent meetings, hanging in until the last minute, then rely on the referees to give you a bogus call, allowing UM to score or stop a score. Yeah, this has been personal for years.

Fun Stat: Until the last two games of 2006 and the first two games of 2007, UM has never given up 30+ points in four straight games.

School: The Pennsylvania State University (PSU), Nittany Lions
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Joe Paterno, 42nd Year, 366-121-3
Last Game: Defeated Buffalo, 45-24
Record Last Five Years (sans 2007): 36-25; 1-1 in bowls; 7-4 non-conference

Key Players, Defense: LB Dan Connor, DE/LB Jerome Hayes, CB Justin King

Key Players, Offense: QB Anthony Morelli, Entire O-line, All RBs

What to look for: D – Stop the run. It’s not a complex game plan. If the PSU front seven can stuff RB Hart at the line, and prevent any yards after contact, PSU should run away with this one. DTs Ogbu and Odrick have been more dominant than expected this season, and if the penetration is there on run plays, it will be there on pass plays. DE/LB Hayes has been a menace to opposing QBs, and whether it’s Henne or Mallet under center, PSU needs to get pressure. If UM happens to get into any sort of rhythm on offense, the PSU secondary has to step up and fill in for any front line shortfalls. A pick by CB King or S Scirrotto could change the game in one play. If PSU doesn’t send the blitz on almost every play, they’re crazy.

O – This is the scary part. PSU hasn’t really faced a good defense all year. And the only struggles have been against teams in the first quarter, something the PSU offense can’t have in Michigan Stadium. Getting on the board first is key, but if UM scores first, the PSU offense has to answer on the next possession. QB Morelli has been playing smarter as the year goes on, and is starting to look like the bowl-version again. Of course, if there’s not ground game, PSU could be in for a long day. I don’t see that happening, as the run blocking has improved and if the RBs can hold on to the ball, PSU should be fine. UM’s front line is not as powerful as in 2006, so there would be no reason for PSU to be handled up front.

ST – If PSU wins the field position battle, they could almost guarantee a win in this game. P Boone has been more like “boom” on punts, and K Kelly has had 17 TBs on 20 KOs. UM’s terror KR Breaston is gone, so there’s no excuse for PSU to fail in kick coverage. PSU has arguably the best return game in the nation, and has to use every opportunity it gives them.

C – OK Paterno, it’s time to let go. Stop playing tight against UM and just do what you do best on both sides of the ball. The coaching staff needs to let Morelli throw the deep ball early, as Oregon used it in deadly fashion against UM. ICOD Bradley has to trust his guys to play in space. Early in this season, the pressure up front has kept opponents down. PSU needs to get UM out of its game plan early.

Fun Stat: Penn State's 135 points in its first three games is the highest total since 1999 (131 points).

GAME PREDICTION:

PSU 30, UM 17

VEGAS:

PSU (-3) UM

ACTUAL SCORE:

PSU 9, UM 14

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More Gas from the Cesspool of the West

Mike Hart just gave birth to 500 new Michigan Wolverine haters across the nation. The quotes speak for themselves. Hart made these comments in a great Mark Schlabach articlepointing out just how disappointing Michigan has been the last four years.

"There would have been no Levi Brown at No. 5," Hart said. "Levi Brown owes Jake some of that signing bonus. Jake's better than Joe Thomas, too, but Thomas got all the hype."

Hart’s mouth, which makes up 80 percent of his 5’9” 190lb frame, made Long look like a moron, too. But the classy lineman showed why he’s a better guy than Big Mouth, Lil’Hart.

"Levi Brown was a great player and deserves everything he got," Long said. "I was happy for him. I'm working so next year that's me."

Come on Hart, even Penn State has beaten OSU, and won two bowl games since you first arrived at the “Cesspool of the West.”

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