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KICKING OFF THE 2009 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
September 26, 2009 FootbM "
BIG TEN SEASON
Conference play is upon the Wolverines, and say
what you will about the league's recent success (or lack
thereof) - when these 11 teams start beating up on
each other, things always get interesting.
Many Michigan fans are ready to say that the Wol-
verines are back to their winning ways, but with Indiana
up to the plate and two road trips to Michigan State
and Iowa on deck, they just need to focus.
A bowl game is easily in reach - something the
maize-and-blue faithful figured out they couldn't take
for granted last season - but with the way Rich
Rodriguez has his team playing, our guess is that he has
his sights set higher than just making the postseason.
Michael Eisenstein a Ruth Lincoln
Courtney Ratkowiak * Andy Reid
HIGHLIGHTS
There's a pretty good chance you won't recognize
Indiana's offensive scheme on Saturday. That's because
the Hoosiers just adopted the pistol, which was invented
in 2004. Learn more about the formation inside.
Greg Robinson is Michigan's third defensive coordinator
4 in as many seasons. But after 34 years of experience
in the NFL and college football, and a disastrous head-
coaching stint at Syracuse, he's looking for a fresh start.
It's best to know the enemy, right? Read about
members of the opposing team in our weekly Q&A
feature. Up this week is Hoosier quarterback Ben
Chappell.
Sept. 5 Western Michigan: Before this win, it had been a while since Michigan
fans had anything to cheer about during opening weekend.
Sept.12 Notre Dame: So charlie Weis doesn't like Big Ten officials. Boo hoo. Formal
complaints must be part of the five-year internship process or something.
Sept.19 Eastern Michigan: The Eagles put up a good fight in the first half, but Michigan once
again proved there's only room for one big-time college football team in Washtenaw county.
Sept. 26 Indiana: Wait, what? Indiana still has a football team? We'll believe it when we see it.
Oct. 3 at Michigan State: Well, hey, Little Brother proved he's at least the third best team
in the state of Michigan this year, losing to Central Michigan two weeks ago. Watch out,
Sparty, we heard Detroit Country Day is fielding a pretty tough squad this year.
Oct.10 at Iowa: Say what you will, Michigan fans - at least iowa pulled out a win in its
close game with an FCS team. Oh, sick burn.
Oct.17 Delaware State: As if Michigan students needed more motivation to
skip this game, the Athletic Department scheduled it during Fall Break.
ROBINSON
From page 5B
recruiting part of it had fallen.
There was frustration in that you
wanted to get good quickly, but you
just can't do that. It's hard to go
"poof" and to have the talent and
then have to develop it. It's hard.
Especially on offensive line - we
had to recruit seven offensive line-
men oneayear. But anyway, B could
go on and on. But the bottom line
is, it's a great experience. I liked
being at Syracuse. Good place,
good people. Treated me well, real-
ly did. Everybody has their critics,
but that's part of the deal. It was
unfortunate I couldn't get it going
fast enough.
It seems that throughout
your career, you have had
young players and a young
staff. How do you go about
bringing a staff together,
especially coming in here
as the one new person?
I did the same thing at Kansas
City. I did the same thing at Texas.
It's identical, really. It's important
that you understand in your own
mind, it isn't just about you. I'm
fortunate that these are three fine
coaches that I've hooked up with
here. So I think it's just important
that you communicate well, that
you're constantly trying to make
sure we're all on the same page,
and make sure I hear them and
hear what they have to say. That's
as much as anybody will ever ask
for, is "can we talk," "can we get it
on the same page," and have some
fun doing it. I really enjoy coaching
and I think there's a place to be able
to laugh and be able to enjoy your-
self at the same time while you're
working your tails off. And these
guys, they fit the part. They're easy
to entertain.
How would you, three weeks
in, assess the defense so
far?
We're a work in progress, is
what I would say. I think that our
players re growng morecomfort
SFOLLOW US @MICHDAILYSPORTS
cess, that's why you like to keep
winning as the process goes.
They're beginning to feel more
and more comfortable in what The University of Michigan class of 2013 would like to thank the
they're doing. They're not think- following donors for helping make our transition to college life
g as much, but we're not thereerAe
yet. We'll continue to improve, Ir e rie
think, as the year goes on.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR GENEROSITY DURING WELCOME WEEK!
How does it compare to
your expectations right AOEGON ARSUI
I felt like we had a chance at 30 S. State Street
the end of spring ball to develop
into a good defense. The key AN AR R SY M PHONY5 RCETA
to us, and it still is, we need to 0 . nStreet
develop depth. Where there's
young players that can go in and
" "BARNES MCH&N LE MENHIGAS ETNBALKTL R
keep it rolling for anumber of * ~ 0 0 5
plays, because on defense we G d F a
need to play, we want to play at
a very high intensity level. And B IAN
to do that, you got to be able S er Aee
to roll some guys. I think that
we're starting to build alittle bit ST C SAK E
of that, but that's still kind of a
work in progress, is developing 58 Liet PoneDv
the young depth so that we can
spell some people and not fall GRA TWAP
off.31 S.tae trt
You wear a "3 & out" shirt M-E
at practice. What's that 35S anSre
about?-
Well, that's critical stuff. MA 3T TVNTRE
Three-and-out in something that, 6*5 - M -
as a defense, is a goal that youa tre
need to have all the time to getA A
the ball back for the offense asMA &FRA'
quick as you possibly can. I like 44 .E soe aka
to believe wherever I've been,
we've been good at that. Not just MC GAN 0 W E' BA SKTAL
me as a coordinator. When we 1g0 o Stt Sre
were at the Jets, we were good
at three-and-outs. When I was at
UCLA, we were good at three-NGGZ
wrakdright Iup nearthen top. tt Sre
of the conference, near the top of ASI H OT-TB A RDN
the NFL in three-and-outs. My 201 S.SaeSre
last year in Kansas City we were
very, very good at three-and- FIC OF STDN ACTVT SAN LEADER P
outs. (And) at Texas, we were 220 Mihgn no
good at it.
I#1S
Oct.24 Penn State: Let's be honest. In his twilight years, Joe Paterno probably doesn't even remember
Iowa's monumental upset of the Nittany Lions last year. He may be reminded of it this weekend.
Oct. 31 at Illinois: After a weak start, the Fighting Illini are almost as irrelevant as Chief Illiniwek,
the school's mascot that was discontinued in 2007.
Nov. 7 Purdue: Think the Wolverines still have that hook-and-lateral on their minds?
Nov.14 at Wisconsin: Nothing beats a fall afternoon in Camp Randall. That is, of course, if
the Wisconsin Health services can nab that pesky H1N1 virus floating around Madison.
Nov. 21 Ohio State: Remember when Matt Barkley led a game-winning drive on
yo'-Buckeyes? There's another freshman QB waiting for you on Nov. 21.
Breakdown: IU's newfound offensive prowess not enough
BY RUTH LINCOLN AND
COURTNEY RATKOWIAK
Daily SportsEditors
Thirty years ago, Michigan
and Indiana were tied on Home-
coming. With six seconds left,
Anthony Carter, a freshman who
would go on to become one of
Michigan's greatest wide receiv-
ers, told quarterback John Wan-
gler to get him the ball. He caught
it. The rest is history.
Michigan is now facing the
same opponent, also on Home-
coming, with a similarly cocky
freshman taking over the offen-
sive unit. Tate Forcier, welcome
to Big Ten season.
MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE
VS. INDIANA DEFENSE
The Wolverines are averag-
ing just 168.3 passing yards
per game, compared to their
opponents' 235. The Wolver-
ines' receiving corps is look-
ing much better going into this
year's Big Ten season, with
Greg Mathews playing well and
Junior Hemingway emerging as
a deep threat when he can stay
healthy.
Last week, Indiana had four
interceptions in its 38-21 win
against Akron. The Hoosiers
are ranked second in the con-
ference with nine sacks this
season. Indiana's defensive line
is feeling confident and is mark-
edly better than it was last year.
But this Saturday's game will
be the Hoosiers' first real test.
Against Forcier and Co. at the
Big House, theywon't pass it.
EDGE: MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE
VS. INDIANA DEFENSE
Michigan is third in the nation
inrushingyardspergame (270.7).
Much of that can be attributed to
running back Carlos Brown, who
lit up the Big House last week-
end with his 187 rushing yards,
including a 90-yard touchdown
run. Brown is averaging 79.3
yards per game. Throw quarter-
back Denard Robinson and his
fast feet in the mix, and Michi-
gan is lethal on the ground.
The Hoosiers only allowed 76
yards to Western Michigan, who
Michigan beat in the first game
of the season. The defense may
look impressive on paper, but
expect it to crumble when faced
with Michigan's deep arsenal of
running backs.
EDGE: MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN RUSHING DEFENSE
VS. INDIANA OFFENSE
After holding Western Michi-
gan to just 38 rushing yards, the
Wolverines have allowed 167.5
rushing yards over their last two
games. Entering Big Ten play, it's
a statistic Michigan coach Rodri-
guez isn't comfortable with.
The Wolverine defensive line
should hold down the pass rush,
but Hoosier tailback Demetrius
McCray could break out. The
fifth-year senior is having the
best season of his career and
leads Indiana with 228 rushing
yards, including a 59-yard out-
burst against Western Michi-
gan.
McCray should be a test for
the Wolverines, butnothingthey
can't handle.
EDGE: MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN PASSING DEFENSE
VS. INDIANA OFFENSE
In less thannine months, Hoo-
sier quarterback Ben Chappell
has gone from a mind-numb-
ingly bad backup to a legitimate
starter.
After completing just 52.3 per-
cent of his 155 passes last season,
the junior has shown marked
improvement. Chappell is tied for
fourth in the Big Ten with a 68.5
completion percentage. A lot of
that is due to Chappell's protec-
tion up front. The Hoosiers' sea-
soned offensive line has allowed
only one sack this season.
But Chappell needs some tar-
gets, and Wolverine cornerbacks
Donovan Warren and Bou-
bacar Cissoko have controlled
the passing game too well this
See BREAKDOWN, Page 6B
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