Shake up is the theme this week.
For the standings, both in who goes where and format has changed. The format is "Rank: Team, Overall Record (Last Week's Record)".
1st: Alexx/Pete, 18-10 (7-2)
2nd (tied): Madison/Chuck, 16-12 (7-2)
2nd (tied): Mitch, 16-12 (4-5)
4th: Mar/Dan, 15-13 (4-5)
5th: Sue/Garry, 14-14 (4-5)
Picking 15 of 19 games correctly the past two weeks, Alexx/Pete have jumped to the top of the heap and sit two games in front of 2nd. Hot on their heels are Madison/Chuck, who have gone 14 for 19 since the opening week. The standings have basically flipped since then, with the 3 teams who started out on top now on bottom. I blame Ohio State and their amoral undead football juggernaut. TCU was up 28 to 13 at one point. Oh well, onto musings on the maize and blue.
I have felt the presence of the SMU game before. Michigan struggles to open the game on offense, allowing the Mustangs time to get comfortable. When Michigan does finally put together a drive, an error leads to a loss of possession on the goal line. Calls seem to endlessly go against Michigan for no apparent reason. Our offense figures out how to score, but SMU puts in a 16(!) play drive that eats up clock like a 4th of July cupcake. SMU is down 7-14, but gets the ball with a few minutes left. With just enough time to score and SMU threatening to do so, someone on Michigan needed to make a play.
#14 Josh Metellus makes an incredible play here. Not only does he read the QB and jump the route, he immediately recognizes the opportunity to score and gather some momentum for the Wolverines. He beautifully weaves his way 71 yeards to the endzone as time expires in the half. If he had been tackled at the 1, Michigan would not get a chance to score. This was the definition of clutch. Josh Metellus, by the way, was thrown out of the Notre Dame game almost immediately for targeting.
I asked for a team that could respond to adversity. Shortly before kickoff, Michigan learned it would not have its leading rusher, and it looked lost. The running game and the rest of the offense was not clicking early. By the end of the day, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Zach Gentry had the best games of their careers. Peoples-Jones had 3 TD on 4 catches, and each was impressive in its own right. Gentry set a career high for receiving yards. Shea Patterson was delivering to these guys and deserves a lot of credit. The passing game looks better than it has in years. It reminds me of Jake Rudock throwing to Jehu Chesson, Amara Darboh, and Jake Butt in Harbaugh's first year. But those guys didn't click until week 8 or so. Patterson, DPJ, and Gentry are doing so in week 3. Harbaugh is known for his powerful run game, but a progressing QB and receiving corps will be an interesting shake up. Good things are coming.
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Another shake up is coming in the form of your pick sheets. Gone now are the days when I send you a new pick sheet every week. Welcome to a new era where you have one sheet that is updated each week to include new picks. The document I invite you to edit will have a new tab on the bottom where you will find your picks for the week. It also includes your past picks so you can glean on them for insight. Or if you're like me, you can just remind yourself that you used to be good at making picks. Let me know if you have any issues with the new sheet. I'll be sending out the (last) set of invitations to edit after this email.
Lots of fun conference games to pick and watch this week. Don't worry, Michigan will return to the picks again soon (and hopefully maintain a good enough record to stay there).
Good luck.
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