For What It's Worth is Trying Out for Kicker

Michigan's placekicking so far in 2010:

You think you can be a kicker? Right this way sir.
Apparently, Rodriguez wasn't joking when he said he would take any UM student who said he could kick seriously. Detroit News UM reporter Angelique Chengelis reports that one such student asked Rodriguez about it, and this may really be happening.

U-M's kickers are 1-for-5 on field-goal attempts through three games. Rodriguez said that before his weekly news conference Monday, a student stopped him in the parking lot to ask about the kicking job.

Rodriguez said the conversation went like this:
"Coach Rod?"
"Yes."
"I heard you may be looking for a kicker. Where do I try out?"
Rodriguez said he directed the student to contact his football staff.
"He may be out here this afternoon if he gets a physical fast enough," Rodriguez said, laughing.

Um...wow.

"We do have the guys who can do it, but we have to continue to put pressure on them," Rodriguez said. "And if there's more guys that show up and we keep them for a tryout and make it competitive like we did in practice last week ... maybe they'll step up."
Gibbons and Broekhuizen were tested in non-contact pressure situations last week in practice, and that will continue this week.
"We'll keep doing it until we get the problem solved," Rodriguez said.

So yeah. It's really that bad.

ESPN Gameday profiles Denard

#20 in your 'Big Ten Icons' scorecard, #1 in your hearts...



Schedule note
Indiana start time is set for 3:30PM Eastern, and will air on ESPNU [schedule]


Injuries:
The nickle position is in a constant state of flux. That could have something to do with our defensive woes. Brandon Herron will not likely be back for BGSU this weekend. M-Rob (Marvin Robinson) is likely to play. Carvin Johnson is questionable.

BGSU's QB, Matt Schilz is out for the UM game [shoulder], according to the BGNews Sports blog. Schilz went down in the 3rd quarter in last week's game against Marshall. In his absence, Aaron Pankratz OR Kellen Pagel will get the start against Michigan on Saturday. Pankratz threw 8 for 11 for 11 yds and 1 TD against Marshall. Pagel has never played a college game. Expect to see Pankratz.


The return of #77 to left tackle?
Freshman lineman Taylor Lewan played some left tackle in the 2nd half last week...and totally rocked it. So much so that he's now listed as an "or" on the left tackle depth chart for week 4 with Mark Huyge.

UM in the polls
Michigan remained ranked this week, slipping 1 spot to #21 in the AP poll, and staying at #22 in the coaches. MVictors has the breakdown of who voted for Michigan and how.

Note that Doug Lesmerises, the guy who had Michigan at #8 a couple weeks ago, dropped Michigan to #20 and a few folks dropped the Wolverines out all together.   Can you blame them?

Honestly? No.


Short and sweet sends it's condolences to East Lansing [via UM media relations]

Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez Statement on Coach Mark Dantonio

The Michigan football program sends our thoughts and prayers to Coach Dantonio and his family. We hope for a full and speedy recovery.

Mascot Fight!



First off, can someone please get tOSU some bigger flags? Secondly, of course the guy inside the bobcat costume has been dealt with accordingly. [via 11W]