Don't Overlook UMass

Since the earth shook on September 1, 2007 when App State pulled one of the biggest upsets in college football history over Michigan, FCS teams have regularly put it to FBS teams.

So far this year 6 FCS (D-1AA) schools have beat FBS schools (D-1A).

Jacksonville State over Ole Miss (49-48, 2OT)

North Dakota State over Kansas (6-3)

South Dakota over Minnesota (41-38)

Gardner-Webb over Akron (38-37)

Liberty over Ball State (27-23)

James Madison over No. 13 Virginia Tech (21-16)

Granted many times when this happens it is because the FBS team isn't very good anyways due to the fact they are in a rebuilding year or just never are very good historically. Just look at the schools listed above who lost. Only Ole Miss and Va. Tech standout as historically good programs. Every once in awhile a team gets the best of a team who is traditional powerhouse.

Last weekend both of these examples happened.

Minnesota recently has not been a good football team. They have shown signs from time to time over the last couple years but haven't been consistent. Currently they are the worst team in the Big 10. This Saturday Minnesota lost to South Dakota 41-38. This isn't a huge shocker because FCS teams have gotten the best of Minnesota a few times in the last couple years.

However Saturday's James Madison v. Virginia Tech game was the big surprise. Now first of all I want the athletic director job at Virginia Tech. Mostly because even I wouldn't be dumb enough to schedule a game 5 days after I play a game. And not just any game, a game against a top 5 school. I wouldn't have played any team after a game like that for at least 7 days if not more. I'm not bailing out Va-Tech here they should have taken care of business either way but it sure doesn't help when you have a schedule like that. I blame coach Beamer as well he agreed to it also. Now the preseason top 10 Hokies are 0-2.

This brings us to Saturday's match up Michigan v. UMass. The whole country has Denard "Shoelace" Robinson fever and Michigan is 2-0 for the 2nd straight year after another big win over ND. So what does UMass have to lose? Nothing. Michigan has everything to lose. Do I think Michigan will win? Yes. Am I a bit worried? A tad.

I still think Rich Rod will have his players ready to take care of business. They are all hungry for wins and a bowl trip. There isn't really any overlooking at this point because they still have a lot to prove.

So why have FCS teams been beating FBS teams?

My theories...

1. Since the exposure of more teams on TV and less scholarships parody has made its way through the D-1A ranks and now into the D-1AA.

2. These games against D-1A schools are circle games. By that I am these D-1AA schools have the game against a BCS school circled on their calendar as soon as its scheduled a year or two before its to take place. They plan and scheme for this game more than the BCS school would. Can you honestly tell me Virginia Tech took more time scheming for James Madison than James Madison did for Virginia Tech.

3. Along with theory 2 is theory 3. Game film. I am sure it is way easier to get good game film on D-1A schools than D-1AA. I am pretty sure ESPN, Big10 Network, or SEC Network is somewhere to be found at every D-1A game. This means you have different angles of the game as well as overall best quality and quantity of video. When is the last time you watch a FCS schools play another FCS school? If you did what station was it? If it wasn't ESPNU then I have no idea where you found it. How easy is it for James Madison to find good game film on Virginia Tech. Hmmm probably super easy since they played in the Chick-fil-A Bowl last Dec. 31 and played in the most hyped game of the season thus far on Labor Day. I wonder how much video was available for James Madison week 1 win over Morehead State? The video they did get I am sure is from one camera at one angle.

4. Not really a theory but a point to make. Good FCS teams have won most of these games.

App State won the FCS championship the year they beat Michigan. App State would have beat most D-1A schools that year.

Many of the teams who have beat D-1A schools this year are ranked in the top 25 FCS poll

James Madison #3

Liberty #15

North Dakota State #23

Jacksonville State #4

South Dakota #25

So 5 of the 6 teams that have won so far are in the FCS top 25 currently and two are top 5 teams. The only team not in the top 25 is Gardner-Webb but they did receive 156 votes to make them #30.

Notre Dame Gets Denarded

So the numbers put up by Denard Robinson resemble those that I put up in video game football. It doesn't seem real at this point. Here is what Denard has done in the last 2 games against two good teams.

Against UConn
19-22 186 yards passing 1 TD
29 attempts for 197 yards 1 TD

Against ND
24-20 244 yards passing 1 TD
28 attempts for 258 2 TD

430 yards passing
455 yards running
5 total TD's

I spent the whole game pacing the living room wearing my jersey. If I wasn't such a huge Michigan fan I would have enjoyed the game a lot most since it was so close. Either way it was a great win for Michigan. Despite a few big plays the defense actually played pretty well. I know that Crist was out for most of the first half but the defense still caused turnovers and did what was needed to give Michigan a chance to win the game.

Like I said about the UConn game I am worried about the 3rd down conversions. Last week we were able to convert but this week the conversion rate was terrible. Also the offense is way too reliant on Denard. Which I understand you rely on your QB to make plays but he is basically doing it all. We need more from the RB's. I would like to see them do more with the carries they do get.

All in all a great win and I look forward to UMass next week. I will have a full review and grade later this week. Go Blue

Michigan v. UConn grade B+

I apologize for the lack of substance in this post but due to the holiday weekend I didn't have a chance to put a lot into this one

The offense especially, Denard "Shoelace" Robinson looked great. The defense did what it needed to the do and the special teams were OK.

Offense - A-

The offense was good but even with Denard's performance I wouldn't call it great. They still had a lot of 3rd down conversions they had to convert and luckily they did. If this becomes a trend I don't think that is a feat they can continue to repeat on a regular basis. Also Denard won't rush for almost 200 yards and only throw 3 incomplete passes each week. I think the wind kept them from being able to throw down field. Also I don't want to see Denard rush the ball 29 times again especially come Big Ten season. That being said I can't cry too much they still put up 30 points against an apparent decent team.

Defense - B -

We all know there are tons of question marks in the secondary. However the front seven seem solid and played pretty well for the most part. The fumble caused in the red zone was awesome and good to see the defense not giving up. The tackling looked a lot better and the assignments seemed better also. UConn had a couple missed opportunities that could have changed some things but the defense still played good enough to give Michigan the win regardless. All I ask is that they play good enough each week to allow Michigan a chance to win.

Special teams - B-

The missed field goal I don't count because of the wind factor. Plus it was his first attempt ever and it was 40yards + so I will let it slide. The punting was pretty good as well as the punt coverage. The punt returning was OK except for the fumble that was luckily recovered. Those mistakes I'm sure will be highlighted in film this week to ensure it doesn't happen again, however it has happened a couple times the past few seasons. The short kickoffs I wasn't a fan of but once again I think the wind had a hand in that.

Overall I am happy with the performance. Like most if not all Michigan fans I was worried how it was going to pan out before the start of the game Saturday. I think we can all be pleased with the result. I feel pretty good heading into Brian Kelly's South Bend Saturday.

Real Quick on Tate

We need Tate. Gardner is not really to handle a Big Ten season and I really don't want another freshman starting at QB yet again. Tate will be needed at some point this season and I hope and believe he will get it together and get the 2nd position on the depth chart. I can't blame him for being upset but the way he showed it was immature. But I think Rich Rod knows how to handle Tate and it will resolve itself.