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Maize n Brew is a Blog devoted to the University of Michigan, its athletes, its sports teams, students and alumni. While primarily a Michigan Football Blog, Maize n Brew also follows Michigan Basketball, Michigan Hockey and all of its other athletic teams, with the devotion of a hungry puppy chasing a chuck wagon. Put simply Maize n Brew is a labor of love by its authors. While we have no inside information, connections or influence on Michigan Athletics, we like to pretend we do. So just about everyday we'll offer up our own unfiltered thoughts, opinions and insights into Michigan athletics. However, if you've got inside scoops, don't hesitate to contact us!

Big Ten Media Days, The Take Away on Michigan Football: Part IV - Coaches and the Media

by Maize n Brew Dave on Jul 31, 2009 12:30 PM CDT in Michigan Football Comment 1 comment

More photos » by JOE RAYMOND - AP

Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald, looks out to the crowd during the CFOF Enshrinement Parade. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)

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It's Friday so things are going to be a little more informal today. On Monday look for my wrap up of my morning following Rich Rodriguez throughout the Big Ten Media Kick Off. But for now, we're going to take a short look at the rest of the Big Ten Coaches and some of the assembled media who attended the Conference.

Best Press Conference Coach

By far, the most entertaining moments of the BTMKO came from Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald's opening statements and subsequent Q & A. Fitz seems to be one of those rare coaches who is supremely comfortable when he's barking out assignments during a game as well as when fending off the media jackals. It's a rare gift. He answers questions completely, susinctly, and politely. No matter how bleeping stupid the question is. But he is, at his heart, a football coach. How else can you explain the fact that every word ending in "all" is pronounced "aaawwwwwwww"? The southside drawl on a northside Coach, at least to me as a Chicagoan, is the ultimate dichotomy, but somehow he makes it work.

How could you not want to play for a coach who's very first sentence of his opening statement concludes with "I voted for Tebow"? Fitz has his finger on the pulse of College Football. He's quick too. When asked if he "splurged on anything" after signing his new contract at Northwestern (that actually should outlast the Sun); Fitz told the ~~dumbass~~ reporter who asked it, that he got a couple of wiffle balls for his sons and played in the back yard. That's it. Sure, the question was a trap question, but Fitz disarmed it in a manner you wouldn't expect from a 33 year-old only in his third year as a head coach.

What's most troubling to me as a Michigan fan is that it's readily apparent he gets the recruiting game. When talking about his Northwestern teams and their relationship to today's squad, Fitz referred to beating the "team in south bend" as an important win. You have no name Notre Dame. Fitz has taken it from you. I think he also realizes that the only way Northwestern can be competitive in the Big Ten is to secure its borders within the Chicago city limits and suburbs. Face it, if you're a southside kid, Notre Dame's influence is everywhere. But Fitz is recruiting these areas heavily. Getting involved. Reminding players you can play close to home, get an education from the Midwest's elite academic institution, and compete for a Big Ten Championship, all while still living in Chicago. I know this makes little sense to someone not from Chicago, but Chicago pride runs deeper than you'd think. Fitz gets that. And if he starts to lock down the 3 - 4 star talent in Chicago, we're all screwed.

He's got the energy, the enthusiasm and the skill to be a tremendous coach. When you walk into a conference with a high respect for a man, and then walk out with it even higher, well, it leaves an impression. I'm on record saying I believe Fitz will stay at Northwestern his entire career. He understands the Northwestern mentality. He understands how that system works. But he also knows how to blend Northwestern and college football into a strong and growing program. If anything, Fitz seems dead set on destroying the conceit that smart kids can't pay football. He's got two trips to the Rose Bowl to show otherwise. Northwestern may not have the storied history of a Michigan, an Ohio State, or some team in South Bend. But it does have a talented, personable coach who is going to make football and recruiting life a nightmare for the rest of the Big Ten.

Congrats Coach Fitz, you are:

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GUY THAT WAS WAY TOO EXCITED! WOO! COFFEE! WIN!

I thought Tim Brewster was going to be the most entertaining coach at the conference. Much like Lane Kiffin in Tennessee, Brewster has that certain je ne c'est quoi that gives him an almost cartoonish stature. He's excited!!! He loves being a Gopher!!! Tremendous!!!!!!!! Win!!1!

But at the BTMKO, he was surprisingly subdued. Sure he used "Tremendous" seven times in his 15 minutes. But other than calling for a 12th team and a conference championship he didn't really say anything that made you wonder if he'd been huffing paint thinner before stepping on the stage. So, no. Brewster wasn't the man I thought he'd be. And for that I am sad.

HOWEVA...

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Previewin': Iowa

by Beauford on Jul 31, 2009 10:09 AM CDT in Michigan Football Comment 5 comments

Maize n' Brew mercilessly drifts through yet another preview; this one long overdue. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Previously: Illinois, Northwestern, Penn State

Explanation and indemnifications found: here

The Hawkeyes finished last season with a bang, beating Steve Spurrier's South Carolina Gamecocks in the Outback Bowl 31-10 (of the SEC, no less!). As damn near the only Big Ten team to have anything approaching a resounding bowl victory, Hawkeye fans come into this season with super-high expectations, especially given the effusive praise the defense has received this off season. Of the teams that SCM, MnB Dave, and I have had "roundtable-like-substance" discussions about, Iowa was among the most divergent in opinion, with SCM checking in as "not too concerned" about the Iowa game, and MnB Dave stating it would be the toughest road test of the season. I landed in the middle. On the administrative side, Kirk Ferentz recently signed a 7-year 21-million dollar contract extension. This figures to keep him in Iowa for a long time; he is already the second longest tenured head coach in the Big Ten.

More Previewin' Dead Ahead.

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UConn to be Michigan Football's 2010 Home Opener

by Beauford on Jul 30, 2009 2:46 PM CDT in Michigan Football Comment 14 comments

According to TheWolverine.com - the Rivals site - Michigan and UConn have agreed on a home-at-home series with Michigan due to play the Huskies in Connecticut in 2013.

This game will be the first for the renovated Michigan Stadium, and represents an improvement, however slight, over the MAC and D-1aa fare that would typically occupy such a slot in the schedule.

Michigan's remaining OOC games that year include Notre Dame, UMass, and Bowling Green.

Categorize this into "good not great" territory for yours truly. I'm glad to see a BCS opponent, but wish it could have been somebody with a little more zang, you know? A little more "Holy pants, we get to play LSU!"

Still an improvement.

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Big Ten Media Days, The Take Away on Michigan Football: Part III - Zoltan Mesko, Punter and Space Emperor

by Maize n Brew Dave on Jul 30, 2009 12:31 PM CDT in Michigan Football Comment 1 comment

First, let me admit this. I was way too excited to meet Zoltan. How does that happen? He's a punter. You're supposed to get nervous talking to the quarterback or the star tailback. I didn't get butterflies talking with Rich Rodriguez, Ortmann or Brown. Zook? Nope. Paterno? No, he's just too damn cool. But, I'm nervous talking to Zoltan.

Ever since Mesko committed to Michigan he's endeared a cult like following among the message board and MGoBlog followers. His name is just made for hyperbole. His real life story is something out of a Hemingway novel. Whether he's booming a punt, kicking Galactus in the junk, or telling the assembled press how to fix Wall Street, Mesko seems to handle the attention and and responsibilities placed on him with a savvy well beyond his 22 years.

Mesko-070909_300_medium

via www.mgoblue.com

In a strange way, talking with Mesko is a lot like talking with Rodriguez. Both have a certain "aw shucks" aspect to their personalities. But, where Rodriguez' demeanor was formed through life in the West Virginia hills, Zoltan's seems to be molded from a life that I don't think even he can quite believe he's lived. Opportunities, education, attention, that a kid from a small, bullet strewn appartment in Romania figured he'd never have. You got the feeling that the big smile that seems permanently affixed to his face is simply the result of Zoltan realizing just how lucky he's been, and being too thankful to express it in any other way.

Sure, in true Hollywood movie fashion Zoltan should've grown up to be an NFL quarterback, but being the highest rated punter going into next year's NFL draft ain't that bad. Sean Landetta was punting in the NFL at 44, so you've gotta figure Mesko will be booming punts well into his 60's. I mean, that's gotta happen. Doesn't it?

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Too Good Not To Post

by Beauford on Jul 30, 2009 8:21 AM CDT in College Football Comment 0 comments

For those of you who maybe don't read EDSBS every day, this comes from that site courtesy of LSUfreek. It's early, and that's the best I can do for an intro. I think the freekery speaks for itself. Go here for context. That is all.

via edsbs.com

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Eleven Brews Big Ten Football Podast Welcomes EDSBS' Orson Swindle and Bucky's 5th Quarter's Adam Hoge Tonight at 7pm CST

by Maize n Brew Dave on Jul 29, 2009 5:16 PM CDT in Michigan Football Comment 0 comments

We're back, baby. And we're bringing it live.

Tonight, July 29, 2009, @ 7pm CST, Eleven Brews get's its Media Day Frenzy on. It's not just the Big Ten, it's SEC, ACC and Big XII. We'll bring you up to date on all things going on in the Big Ten as well as the world of college football. But to do that we're going to need a little help so we're bringing in the Big Guns:

Tonight we welcome:

Spencer Hall (a/k/a: Orson Fucking Swindle) of The Sporting Blog and Every Day Should Be Saturday. Blogger extraordinaire, noted purveyor of comic gold and college footballish related content. We'll get the low down on the SEC and Big XII media days, find out why the hell people keep making a big deal of this SEC v. the Big Ten nonsense, and find out if he's a virgin.
Next, we'll torture Adam Hoge, of SBN's outstanding Wisconsin Blog Bucky's 5th Quarter, about the status of the Badgers' pre-season prep. Is Clay the real deal? Is Beilema on the hot seat? What will make or break Wisconsin's season? And which noodle armed white guy will start under center this season.

Want to listen in a 7:00pm CST tonight? Here's the location, amigos.

If you need it: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/eleven-brews/2009/07/30/Big-Ten-Football-Media-Days-Recap

Copy it. Paste it. Click it. Whatever you have to do to join us for an hour of fun and information, do it. We'll see you tonight.

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Big Ten Media Days, The Take Away on Michigan Football: Part II, Stevie Brown

by Maize n Brew Dave on Jul 29, 2009 12:16 PM CDT in Michigan Football Comment 5 comments

Of all the people I expected to see at the conference the person I knew the least about was Michigan Safety/Linebacker Stevie Brown. Brown has always been somewhat of an enigma to me. You never see quotes from him in the papers. His post game comments are usually buried in the resulting stories. His on field presence doesn't lend itself to easy characterization. Where Donovan Warren carries himself with a swagger, Brown has always had an unassuming, businesslike quality to his movements. Going into his fourth year at Michigan, Brown is learning his third defense and a brand new position. He's gone from Safety to Hybrid linebacker, he's come in for praise and for criticism, but really, we don't know much about Brown.

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Stevie Brown will take your football now, thank you.

Consequently, I spent the majority of my time Tuesday sitting at Stevie's table, asking questions and listening to his answers to other people's questions. Just like with Mark Ortmann, you can't help but come away impressed by Stevie Brown the person and the football player. In person, Brown is a very amiable young man. He smiles easily, answers questions directly, and shows the character and accountability we've always expected from Michigan athletes. One of the best things about talking with Brown was his willingness to answer specific questions about Michigan's different defensive and offensive units. His good humor and insight into the team provided a glimpse of a tight knit group of players that seem to truly beleive they will be in the hunt for a Big Ten Championship this year. Hopefully, after reading this, you'll come away as impressed with Stevie as I was.

On the Position Change to Hybrid Linebacker:

Brown admitted that the switch from Safety to the hybrid position has been a significant change. But several weeks into practice and with time to study and learn the position, he feels he's got an excellent sense of what he needs to do and where he needs to be. The biggest thing, at this point, seems to be Brown getting his gap assignments down pat. In practice, Brown told us that his fellow linebackers Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton will tell him he's doing well, but "wait till that 330 pound lineman comes at you" and we'll see how you're doing then.

On the other hand Brown said there are some significant advantages to the new hybrid position that he likes a lot. In particular, Brown said that by being closer to the line, "I get to blitz a lot more now." It should be noted he was smiling when he said that. Brown also mentioned that by covering the slot receivers, like Roy Roundtree and Terrence Robinson, he's had the ability to hone his one-on-one coverage skills.

On Greg Robinson and his Previous Coaches:

Brown offered a considerable amount of praise for his new Defensive Coordinator, Greg Robinson, describing him as a man he has "great respect" for. One of the other things he said is that Robinson is a great guy and a "great person to learn from." Brown also cited Robinson's experience as a reason for his and the defense's quick acceptance of Robinson into the fold.

When asked, Brown mentioned he was looking forward to facing his old defensive coordinator Ron English when Michigan squares off against Eastern Michigan. English was Brown's primary recruiter and the two still maintain a good relationship weven with English at Eastern. Brown is very confident that English will turn around the Eastern program.

(More Stevie Brown awesomeness after the jump...)

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Scheduling By Elimination

by Beauford on Jul 29, 2009 9:37 AM CDT in Michigan Football Comment 0 comments

Buried in a Freep article fluffily entitled "U-M QB Denard Robinson must play catch-up" is a little nugget of scheduling gold, and an awesome quote. First, the schedule becomes clearer:

The coach expanded a bit on the game to be added for next season's opener, saying it may not be returned by Michigan for a couple of years, one of the criteria of making it work. He also ruled out playing a Pac-10 school, saying U-M doesn't need to do that. That leaves Virginia and Pittsburgh as primary BCS school candidates with an open date early next year.

Well, the internets seem to think that Oklahoma State could still be a possibility, but yeah, no Pac-10 school, which: Woo! Nothing against that fine conference, but it's long been my theory that trips west of Missouri early in the season = DEATH for Big Ten schools. Oregon State was the primary contender from the Pac-10. That leaves the following list of baselessly rumored teams:

Duke, UConn, Pitt, Virginia, Oklahoma State. I want Holyfield.

Also of note, this awesome quote from Zoltan the Inimitable:

"I was actually joking around with Brett Swenson from Michigan State," Mesko said. "We'll let the southern guys with the nice weather win the awards. We'll just kick in the NFL. He actually said that."

I like the bonus confirmation at the end of that quote, as if we wouldn't believe the Space Emperor (of space). He actually said that!

(HT to Jorel on the mgoboard for the original article)

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