APMichigan’s defense forced Alabama to go three and out during the Tide’s first offensive possession. It was a good start for the Wolverines, but not much has gone right since then.
Two strong Alabama scoring drives followed by a Denard Robinson interception has suddenly put the Tide up 21-0 on the Wolverines at the end of the first quarter.
Speaking of Robinson, he needs to check himself to make sure he doesn’t pull any more of those stunts where he goes shoulder-first into an Alabama defender. He’s not built for that and it’s a one-way ticket to sitting out the rest of the game sporting an ice pack. I get he’s frustrated, but it’s too early for him to start losing his cool.
Robinson’s ability to pass the ball was going to be a focal point tonight, and that’s turned out to be a big part of this game early — but not in a good way. Robinson has just three completions for 26 yards. Not that the Wovlerines can run the ball east-to-west against this Tide defense, either.
This is damn near embarrassing for Michigan right now. Never say never when Robinson’s on the field, but sheesh.
Michigan State = Overrated
Michigan = Overrated (last year was a fluke)
Penn State = Sinking fast
Iowa = Over paying for a head coach to barely beat N. Ill
Wisconsin = Overrated and barely won
Ohio State = Rolled
Nebraska = Rolled.
Yet how many people picked Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin to win the Big Ten.
Week 1 yes, but come on, the above teams all looked like crap, Michigan still has 2 and a half quarters to look worse. Alabama just has to hold a 24 point lead.
I agree, except for the “damn near” part. I’m surprised Robinson has only rushed the ball once so far, though I guess Michigan is trying to set up the run by having him throw downfield. That might work if he could actually hit a receiver, and it’s not like he hasn’t had some open.
Still, if I know Saban, he will shut it down coming out in the second half to keep from making it look like he’s running up the score and to not show any more wrinkles than he has to. Then Michigan will catch fire against the Tide’s second and third string and at least make it look respectable before they either run out of time or before Saban puts his starters back in to prevent a total comeback.
I’m very curios to see which one of you in the national sports media who have been consistently WAY over ranking and over hyping Michigan will be the first one to admit how wrong you’ve been. Not just this season but last season too.
It is A TOTAL JOKE that Michigan played in a BCS game last year but of course they did because everyone is on their jocks.
They are in for rough Big Ten season. No question about it.
It absolutely kills me that they’re ranked 8 right now. They should drop down to 18-20 on Monday.
Will you sports writers have the stones to do it though? Time to try to cut your losses and save face.
wow bender I was pretty sure I watched Michigan State beat Boise last night. We must have watched different games.
Idiot.
When you consider the marquee game was OSU beating up on a bad Miami of Ohio team, the Big Ten looks pretty awful from top to bottom this year.
suhdidntstompanyone says: Sep 1, 2012 9:27 PM
wow bender I was pretty sure I watched Michigan State beat Boise last night. We must have watched different games.
Idiot.
Did I say MSU lost?
Good retort…. idiot
MSU BARELY won.
“the above teams all looked like crap” hmmm didn’t say LOST. good reading.
31-0 Alabama…..
just ridiculous.
Why WHY WHY WHY were people picking Michigan, Michigan State, or Wisconsin to win the Big Ten?
Ohio State can’t win it, due to their penalties, but those other 3, man not winning lookin like this.
Michigan State should have rolled Boise. Four turnovers, and just sloppy performance.
Barrett Jones is playing center now.
The Mich QB just threw a touchdown pass but to the wrong team. I notice he didn’t try to tackle the interceptor this time.
The crowd is yelling S-E-C, S-E-C.
Over-rated might be apt, too.
Ironically, suicide watch protocols dictate that tonight, they’ll be TAKING AWAY Robinson’s shoelaces.
the refs should have let Michigan use 12 guys, even Saban seemed cool with it.
31-7. Might make it a game if Michigan had 12 guys on the field.
If Michigan makes a massive comeback, then I will gladly give them credit and respect, but holy crap is that one heck of an uphill.
As likely as people talking smack and actually READING what people said.
Not sure why I’m dignifying your idiocy with a response.
I read very well by the way.
It wasn’t what you said it was what your were ignorantly attempting to imply.
That was Andrew Maxwell’s first game ever as a starter and Bell way very well win the Heisman.
Shut up.
Is Michigan that bad? Is Alabama that good? Probably a combination of Michigan not being ready and Alabama coming to play. Ok, now that the overused cliches are out of the way….Perhaps Alabama should be #1. And this coming from a USC fan.
In the first half of USC/Hawaii, Barkley has been inconsistent, Woods has dropped balls, Redd has his first fumble (and first TD) as a Trojan, the defense hasn’t been all that impressive, special teams have sucked, and the referees don’t seem ready, either. In contrast, Alabama is looking a whole lot better than the number two team in the country……
suhdidntstompanyone says:
So they blew away Boise?
I stated facts. Michigan State greatly let me down with that game. For a team who only lost 1 Big Ten game last year, Nebraska, they sure didn’t look like they did last year. Yes, it was Maxwell’s first game, and it was NOT good. Plenty of QBs start their first game, and don’t do what he did. Against better teams.
If you want to throw out insults, have a freaking clue!
Michigan State played terribly in a national game in which they should have rolled. Boise didn’t have the depth, talent, or Kellen Moore. They gave up 4 turn overs, Maxwell looked like a scared inexperienced QB, and didn’t make a lot of reasons to justify them getting the pre season hype.
Don’t like reality? Live in LA LA Land. But in reality, you call someone an idiot for saying something they didn’t say, and don’t offer a good FACTUAL retort to what was said you just look like a pissed off idiot yourself. Don’t say “dignify that with a response” when you led out with the word idiot, and blatantly ignored what was REALLY said.
Good job. You have a TON of dignity there…
and for the record, Suh didn’t stomp him. That whole thing was ridiculous.
manchestermiracle says: Sep 1, 2012 9:48 PM
I think Alabama is good, but I think this game may be a bit of a tricky game to really know what’s up. Michigan clearly wasn’t ready, they clearly don’t have much help for Robinson, and their D is just not ready for the talent Bama brought.
USC to me is clearly the best team, they brought back so much talent. Time will tell.
All we really know, pre season hype and polls just make things confusing when things go differently than expected.
you just obviously have something against the big ten and that’s ok but you seem to be letting it cloud your judgement.
sorry for calling you an idiot that wasn’t very nice. Michigan State isn’t overrated. They just beat the number 23 team in the nation with a quarterback who had almost zero game experience. they will be very dangerous this season.
sorry again. have a nice night.
But this first weekend showed a lot of teams hyped to be real good are not looking so good right now, and some teams will rise up and surprise people.
Ohio State
USC
Nebraska
Texas
LSU
and a few others are hitting the ground running. Gonna be fun!
Michigan fan here…two things…denard isn’t a qb and has managed to fool a lot of people the last three years…second…remember this team was a perennial powerhouse not too long ago…then came the matt Millen of college football…rich rod…you know that fella denard? yeah…vintage rich rod…fast doesn’t equal accurate passer.
suhdidntstompanyone says: Sep 1, 2012 9:55 PM
1. My team is IN the Big Ten.
2. I’m disappointed. The Big Ten really let me down.
3. The “#23″ team in the nation based on PRE SEASON polls that we ALL know are crap. Besides, Michigan State was rated HIGHER, and barely won.
3. Michigan State played like crap. I stated that. Not sure what is hard to get about that.
4. “They will be very dangerous this year” to WHO?! Themselves?! They started out poorly as well as Michigan has started. Here’s some other info, other rivals or opponents didn’t. Nebraska won solidly. Nebraska does have to go to East Lansing, but Kirt Cousins couldn’t stop a struggling defense, and the Husker offense was weak last year. This year, Taylor Martinez came out throwing all over the place, and the D will improve. Doesn’t look good for a kid with 1 game as experience in which he played terribly. Bell looked good, but he can’t carry the team all year. Michigan State also has to face Braxton Miller and the Buckeyes. Come on. Two games Michigan State will NOT win.
I accept your apology, but your arguments are clearly VERY much based on rose colored glasses for Michigan State. NOTHING you saw last night, (I saw it too) leads anyone to think Michigan State will be what they were last year. You don’t lose a QB like Cousins and get BETTER, not after a BAD game by his replacement.
Reality is tough, but MSU is on a rebound, they are not farther along than they were last year, which if I recall didn’t end up with a title, nor a BCS bowl even.
Lot of game left to play, and michigan has play makers. Been happy with bama’s intensity. Roll Tide!
@suhdidnt… Why you all up MSU’s grill yo? You seem very butt hurt over bender’s harsh truth…. SEC will reign once again!!!
lionbloodwinning says: Sep 1, 2012 10:02 PM
But Rich Rod did a hell of a job at West Virginia. The problem was, you have to play defense in the Big Ten. He just didn’t do it.
Dennard is good, but he’s not a passing threat as much as he is a running threat. If Hoke wants to succeed with him, he has to run him like crazy. D Coordinators are far more scared of his feet than his arm.
Oh and my fiance would love your SN. Big Lions fan. She’s excited about the season. Stafford and Megatron. As a Pack fan, I can’t help but root for them.
*ishigan is GARBAGE…
Facts are facts…
blueglaze says: Sep 1, 2012 10:06 PM
hahaa nice.
The SEC kind of had a shaky weekend too. Georgia had Buffalo in the game for awhile, and Florida struggled. But… like usual, fully expect the SEC to do what they do.
Until someone else knocks em off, the SEC is on top of the mountain. Big Ten clearly won’t be doing that tonight.
Dont lump Michigan’s play in with how MSU will do this season!
Sparty knew Robinson and his team WAY overrated and expected this score!
I think people rely too much on Polls, predictions, and even NCAA 13.
It’s all the same thing. People are Sheeeople. Voters vote based on common, popular thoughts. USC ended the year as a team most thought was a top 5 team. They were, so the popular thought, USC is the best going in this year. They probably are. They brought so much back. But the rest? So tough to say.
A lot of people read articles, where some guy says that team A is gonna do this that this that blah blah, but how many people go back, read pre season predictions, and compare them to what happened? That’s the thing about sports writers and bloggers, they really don’t have to justify themselves after the fact.
NCAA 13 is another thing. The game builds around what people expect, players/teams are given ratings based on what people believe. but again, how many times are those early ratings flat wrong?
We all know things evolve and change throughout the season, but early indications of ACTUAL game film are far better than some guy’s blog or the polls.
Like the weatherman, as long as the writer/blogger does a good job with the presentation, and does a good job of conveniently not reminding you of what they said before, most don’t realize how wrong they get it. No different in sports writing. Hardly ever does someone write a column, be completely proven wrong, and come back and tell you about it. They usually distract you and mislead you away from what they said before.
sparty0n says: Sep 1, 2012 10:19 PM
I based what I said on their performance last night against a Boise State team that didn’t have Kellen Moore anymore.
I am sure they will get better as the season progresses, but people put WAY too much expectations on a team starting off with a inexperienced QB.
bender4700 says:
Sep 1, 2012 10:07 PM
lionbloodwinning says: Sep 1, 2012 10:02 PM
But Rich Rod did a hell of a job at West Virginia. The problem was, you have to play defense in the Big Ten. He just didn’t do it.
Dennard is good, but he’s not a passing threat as much as he is a running threat. If Hoke wants to succeed with him, he has to run him like crazy. D Coordinators are far more scared of his feet than his arm.
Oh and my fiance would love your SN. Big Lions fan. She’s excited about the season. Stafford and Megatron. As a Pack fan, I can’t help but root for them.
————————————————
Ah yes…I will speak football in the moment with you and leave the pro rivalry for another time lol. Rich Rod tried to play Big East football in the big ten which was a BIG mistake…and he set the school back about 8 years. Remember when OSU “Won” the national championship a few years ago? Michigan was jobbed in that game against OSU and I mean JOBBED right out of a trip to the bowl.
Now…as far as Denard…He is Tim Tebow without the SEC training. D Coordinators are not afraid of Denard…because they know he can’t throw. They know that all they have to do is spread out the field and simply not create lanes for him to get up field. The secret is out…and any GOOD defense uses it…which is why Denard fares atrociously against GOOD defenses.
This is all (coincidentally) why I am tired of the hype of certain teams in the big ten…cough MSU cough…because we have been decimated by the idiocy and stubbornness of Rich Rod. Kick us while we are down…but Brady Hoke is a few more number one recruiting classes away from having this team back on top. Thank God this is Denard’s last year…I mean…Devin Gardner is a better QUARTERBACK.
I like Robinson, he’s a heck of an athlete, but like you said, nobody is afraid of his passing game.
Hoke should do a good job there. Good guy. Good coach.
and to the rivalry, Green Bay has plenty, Detroit is trying to get some. I’m good with that. Plus Riola, Vanden Bosch, and SUUUUUUUHHH. Gotta cheer for em! Plus Schwartz is a great coach. Easy to root for.
You are alright Packer man…you are aaaalright lol
haha well thank you.
Plus Im killing it on Madden 13 playing as Stafford!
Football is back! WOOO! Arguments worth having!
@normtide …
Great comment. Never count out a team until the final whistle blows. I’ve been pleased with the Tide’s performance, but the game isn’t over.
Deb, very pleased with the defense so far, and yeldon is a beast. The offense slowed down in the third, and we both know that can really come back to bite you.
lol…you’re welcome…DONT REMIND ME…I don’t have it yet…xbox on the blink…gotta get a new one…TV went out…gotta get a new one lol
I’ve got news for the Michigan haters out there…. You send ANY Big Ten team down south (even sparty and THE Ohio State) play the best team in college football, and you’ll all be walking a mile in our shoes. This was a scheduling error. OSU played Cupcake State today at the Horseshoe and we played Alabama down south.
Robinson is over rated. Michigan fans need to realize last year was a fluke. You might win 8 games this year and that’s with a weak big 10. They suck. That was embarrassing you better get it together before the notre dame game. They will light that soft ass D up just like Alabama.
GO IRISH!!!
With all due respect russ, ND does not have Bama’s defense.
Okay, the final whistle has blown. Now I can
Roll Tide Roll!!
@normtide …
Very pleased with the defense considering how many moved on from last year. They don’t seem to have lost a step. A.J. looked great. Love the o-line and was happy with the backs. But you’re right, they slacked off in the third–which made me nervous. Expect Nick will have something to say to them about that. And that missed FG was a moment of déjà vu I could have lived without … for the rest of my life
But all in all … it was a nice start to the season.
The only people who aren’t surprised about this are Michigan fans
I concur deb. We got plenty to work on tho. But, michigan is good team, so hard to complain. My hats off to them, they never stopped fighting. Hoke has them on the right track. Roll Tide Roll!
Hoke did it ever appear to you that Denard wasn`t getting the job done and just maybe bringing in another QB might help.Some coaches just cant understand that.Big Ten/Big Flop.
I don’t have a dog in this fight. Can’t decide if ‘Bama is really that GOOD, Mich is that BAD, or a little of both. Pre-season rankings seem pretty worthless to me.
And, this may piss you off…but I’m not sure using a video game as part of your arguement is all that effective. Sorry.
There is not a realistic Michigan fan who was surprised tonight. There are maybe 2 teams who can play with Bama. They could probably get second in the second in the NFC West. Michigan will still win 10 plus games. Oh and pryor4heisman can gtfo. Typical trolling opinion based post.
ND’s defense will hold up against a shitty Michigan offense. It will be a close game but no chance for Michigan. They were pretty embarrassing
@jacobwolverine
Maybe you should schedule a cupcake too. Appalachian State or something.
I’m just going to throw this out there…Michigan needs a QB. a real one. Robinson just doesnt seem to be that for UofM. he’s a great runner but a sub-par passer. I didn’t watch the game, just highlights, but 41-14 is garbage. granted Bama is a great program. but so is Michigan. they just need to get their hands on a real quarterback. stick Robinson on a wildcat offense.
Denard Robinson is awful…just awful. It’s a sad commentary on Michigan that they don’t have anyone better. He couldn’t hit the side of a barn with a golfball. His inaccuarcy and poor decisions when dropping back in the pocket are rivaled on by Tim Tebow’s awfulness in the NFL.
First game’s in the books; plenty more to come. The Tide rolled. They gotta roll at least 10 more times. Probably have to roll 11 more times. Damn good chance they’ll have to roll 12 more times.
I LOVE COLLEGE FOO’BAW!
@deathmonkey41
hey I’m not a big Tebow fan but there is no comparison of any form between him and Robinson, Robinson is a joke, and maybe you missed the last 5 Denver games last year…it was Tebow who all but single handedly put the Bronco’s in the playoffs…and given reasonable time will do quite well for the Jets.
@lionblood – Jobbed? No, you got beat! But, I’d expect nothing less from a scUM fan