The Big Ten was reportedly headed toward an Oct. 17 start, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, and several reports had all teams participating. Then Dan Patrick threw some cold water on the optimism with his report this morning that Michigan, Michigan State and Maryland might opt out, its presidents willing to sit even if the conference got the required nine votes from presidents/chancellors to continue.
We’d assume Rutgers would be another, since its president has come out strongly against playing this fall.
Several close to it, however, have discredited the Patrick report. We’ve heard for a while now that President Mark Schlissel would not stand in the way of U-M playing should the vote favor resuming fall football, and that hasn’t changed. There have been reports that Schlissel is the main driving force behind the rally to abstain, and while nobody in the President’s office (nor Schlissel himself) have commented, one close to it said the report was “total horse (crap).”
“This is the Big Ten’s mess,” one said. “You should talk to them.”
But the medical plan has been well received and includes constant testing. Give the Pac-12 credit there ... they've been praised for providing a path that's "better than the NFL testing." There have been significant advances over the last several months, enough that “hope” has turned to “confidence” that Big Ten football will resume soon.
A re-vote is still expected within the next 36 hours. We do expect football this fall, though October 17 is still optimistic, according to some. There are schools pushing for a later start if they must play.
Those close to it on the Michigan football side, including parents, were still in “I’ll believe it when I see it” mode last night. They’ve been burned too many times to get their hopes up. At the same time, they acknowledged, these reports are now coming from credible sources rather than idiots claiming to have sources in athletic departments as well as the White House, so the kids are preparing as though they are going to get back to work.
There were photos the other day of what appeared to be the football team in pads. Those weren’t pads, however; rather, garments worn under the shells that made it look like they are in full uniform. But the team is still working three times a week and is prepared to start as soon as possible.
We’ve even seen some fall depth charts, and while they’re fun to ponder, the kids have yet to hit. There’s no way of knowing who will shine when that happens, but as former running backs coach Fred Jackson used to say, “we don’t know much until we see them hit and get hit.”
That’s one of the reasons we’ve been cautious about reporting on the running backs, for example. One impeccable source said the current depth chart would be fifth-year senior Chris Evans, followed by true freshman Blake Corum and then sophomore Zach Charbonnet. Now, we’ve heard incredible things about Corum, but a depth chart at this point can only say so much. It can be used as a motivational tool, might indicate who has been able to do more (healthier), etc. … so take it for what it’s worth.
The same goes with the quarterbacks. We won’t know much until the bullets start flying, and there’s no “huge gap” between the top two.
But several have used their time wisely in preparation for a potential season. D-end Taylor Upshaw, o-lineman Zak Zinter, defensive tackle Chris Hinton (who will play, no doubt, if he gets his way) … there are lots we’ll hear about in the next several weeks if they get the green light to play.
We still expect that to happen.
We’d assume Rutgers would be another, since its president has come out strongly against playing this fall.
Several close to it, however, have discredited the Patrick report. We’ve heard for a while now that President Mark Schlissel would not stand in the way of U-M playing should the vote favor resuming fall football, and that hasn’t changed. There have been reports that Schlissel is the main driving force behind the rally to abstain, and while nobody in the President’s office (nor Schlissel himself) have commented, one close to it said the report was “total horse (crap).”
“This is the Big Ten’s mess,” one said. “You should talk to them.”
But the medical plan has been well received and includes constant testing. Give the Pac-12 credit there ... they've been praised for providing a path that's "better than the NFL testing." There have been significant advances over the last several months, enough that “hope” has turned to “confidence” that Big Ten football will resume soon.
A re-vote is still expected within the next 36 hours. We do expect football this fall, though October 17 is still optimistic, according to some. There are schools pushing for a later start if they must play.
Those close to it on the Michigan football side, including parents, were still in “I’ll believe it when I see it” mode last night. They’ve been burned too many times to get their hopes up. At the same time, they acknowledged, these reports are now coming from credible sources rather than idiots claiming to have sources in athletic departments as well as the White House, so the kids are preparing as though they are going to get back to work.
There were photos the other day of what appeared to be the football team in pads. Those weren’t pads, however; rather, garments worn under the shells that made it look like they are in full uniform. But the team is still working three times a week and is prepared to start as soon as possible.
We’ve even seen some fall depth charts, and while they’re fun to ponder, the kids have yet to hit. There’s no way of knowing who will shine when that happens, but as former running backs coach Fred Jackson used to say, “we don’t know much until we see them hit and get hit.”
That’s one of the reasons we’ve been cautious about reporting on the running backs, for example. One impeccable source said the current depth chart would be fifth-year senior Chris Evans, followed by true freshman Blake Corum and then sophomore Zach Charbonnet. Now, we’ve heard incredible things about Corum, but a depth chart at this point can only say so much. It can be used as a motivational tool, might indicate who has been able to do more (healthier), etc. … so take it for what it’s worth.
The same goes with the quarterbacks. We won’t know much until the bullets start flying, and there’s no “huge gap” between the top two.
But several have used their time wisely in preparation for a potential season. D-end Taylor Upshaw, o-lineman Zak Zinter, defensive tackle Chris Hinton (who will play, no doubt, if he gets his way) … there are lots we’ll hear about in the next several weeks if they get the green light to play.
We still expect that to happen.
