All Things SkunkBear

[ulukinatme]

I told TP that Hackenburg was way overrated his freshman year and he wasn't having it. Another piece of proof to my football genius.

Right up there with the criticisms of Longo and the greatness of Bod Squad members Redfield and Bryant.

 

[phork]

Agree with this 100%.

49ers OL Alex Boone said as much in that HBO Real Sports piece on Harbaugh.

Harbaugh's intensity and brash nature grates on guys making millions a year in the NFL after awhile. In college guys aren't paid millions, they can't go to an owner or GM to air out problems with the coach. In college the coaches are the judge, jury, and executioner. Plus like you said new batch of players every year, total group of new guys every 3-4 years.

In college the coaches might be the coach but see Edsall, Randy. Team quit on him, held meetings behind his back and I am sure went to the AD.

 

[gkIrish]

I still think they lose to MSU and Ohio St.

 

[Ndaccountant]

He went 7-4...and then 11-1 and 11-1 to round out his tenure there. Seems like he got his program in place and crushed it.



If Harbaugh's time at Stanford can't be considered a success then I don't know what could be. Stanford was a 1-11 dumpster fire when he arrived and when he left four years later they achieved their highest ranking in seventy years. He built that program's foundation so well that mediocre coach David Shaw was able to win multiple Pac-12 titles in his absence.

2006: 1-11

2007: 4-8
2008: 5-7
2009: 8-5
2010: 12-1

How the hell is that not success?

Did you not read the part I was questioning? The OP said early success. Walt Harris in the two years prior won 6 games, Jimmy won 9. His first year taking over San Diego produced a win total that was less than the year before.

I will not argue he was successful in the long-term, but early success is really up for debate.

 

[connor_in]

Basically, the scum game will come down to Sparty O vs scum D.

Sparty supposedly getting back a couple of O players this week. If true and healthy enough to give Cook time, he does a good job of spreading the ball to different receivers. If MSU can get to 24, they will probably win. scUM's O vs Sparty D I think breaks down to Sparty's line as their DBs and S are not exactly the old No Fly Zone. Meatchicken can grind out the run but Ruddock is suspect (even against who they have played, Ruddock still has more INTs than TDs). I think Sparty's D line keeps Walvies in check enough for MSU to win a relatively low scoring game.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

If they beat MSU, OSU and win the BIG Championship they are in the playoffs.. The scary thing is I wouldn't be surprised if that happened.

MSU is not impressive and OSU is begging for someone to beat them.

 

[ulukinatme]

tOSU is playing a lot like FSU did last year after they won the championship. They were beating people, but it felt like they were sleep-walking through teams until late in the game. They don't look as hungry.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Ohio State. For sure. At least I think. Cardale is a streaky player but when he's hot, he's on fire. They have a lot of weapons on offense as well. Zeke Elliot, Braxton Miller, Jalin Marshall, Michael Thomas...try to find me one team in the country with 4 weapons that explosive. I don't think you can do it.

MSU might be out 3 starting OL and their top back-up OT Dennis Finley had a nasty leg injury and is out for the year. That's 4 of their top 6 players on the offensive line potentially out. That's tough for any team to deal with. Michigan's defensive front right now is the strength of their entire team, they are playing at a very high level and they have a lot of depth. Cook is a great QB, might be the best in the country, but if he's playing without those guys and good protection he's going to have a long day, as any QB would.

As far as @PSU goes, that OL is going to have a tough time with the Michigan front and Hackenburg is SOOOO overrated. It will be the toughest road test for them since Utah though, and playing on the road is never a sure thing in the B1G.

Watching OSU this year, all their odd QB rotations, explosive plays it seems like at will, part of me feels Meyer is just toying with everyone for the time being.

I still think they lose to MSU and Ohio St.

Yup

If they beat MSU, OSU and win the BIG Championship they are in the playoffs.. The scary thing is I wouldn't be surprised if that happened.

MSU is not impressive and OSU is begging for someone to beat them.

I watched the entire last MSU game, and some of the last few. Rutgers had 2 weeks to prep and their blitz's got home against a patched up MSU line. But they never looked like they were 'all in' vs Rutgers. Dantonio's definitely got some things he didn't want on tape for this game. But UofM is playing so tough on D right now and may be able to get pressure rushing just 4. That'll make for a long day for Cook.

 

[phork]

I am basing my predictions on some transitive property stuff. I think all the teams UM have played so far have been frauds (remains to be seen about Utah I have no faith in PAC12 teams). While MSU hasn't played world beaters, MSU is certainly heads and shoulders above the likes of BYU, UNLV and OregonSt. You also haven't seen the typical MSU shut down D with blitzes flying in at all angles either. Couple that with the fact that Dantonio would rather lose every game on the schedule and beat Michigan than go 11-1 and lose to them.

OhioSt, I believe, is flat out bored. Some of it is a struggle, but when you have Elliott in the backfield you tend to worry less.

 

[dublinirish]

And I believe MSU is supposed to be getting back one of there many injured olineman this week. Which should allow most of them to shuffle back to their original positions.
I'm not leaning one way or another on this one, but I watched the entire MSU vs Rutgers. Rutgers had 2 weeks to prep. Their blitz packages looked good and we're getting home against the depleted MSU oline. But MSU looked very vanilla. They weren't trying to put much out on that tape.

Conklin is gonna "give it a go" against UM cos its a rivalry game but that could mean he has one snap in him and then gets hurt again. Jack Allen (usual starting center) replaced Finley (Conklin's backup) in the Purdue game after Finley blew out his knee. I don't think MSU moves the ball at all well on the ground and they are gonna need Cook to bail them out in the air which if I was a MSU fans I'd be worried about.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Conklin is gonna "give it a go" against UM cos its a rivalry game but that could mean he has one snap in him and then gets hurt again. Jack Allen (usual starting center) replaced Finley (Conklin's backup) in the Purdue game after Finley blew out his knee. I don't think MSU moves the ball at all well on the ground and they are gonna need Cook to bail them out in the air which if I was a MSU fans I'd be worried about.

Ya, the air game for them hasn't looked great this year.

 

[connor_in]

Ya, the air game for them hasn't looked great this year.

Here's the weird part...when they need to, they have come through, on offense and defense. When they really, really need a stop, the D comes up big. When they really, really need a score, it may take until 4th down, but Cook will rifle the ball into a small hole and hit a receiver, or that kid Burbridge makes an acrobatic catch that even Fuller would be impressed by. Its kind of uncanny really. They may lose this week, but even with all the injuries, Dantonio has got them believing that they WILL win games no matter what.

 

[irishfan]

Anyone have any UM/MSU prediction or know which team we should be rooting for for our Playoff chances? I guess either way we need the loser of this game to knock off OSU later in the season. Realistically, both these teams should win out the rest of the year apart from their OSU games. An 11-1 OSU, 11-1 MSU, 10-2 Michigan may keep the B1G out of the playoffs....would also be chaos for them all to go 7-1 in the conference.

I think Michigan wins a very tight one (and Harbaugh becomes the story of the year leading up to the OSU game). I just think the combo of being at home and the tougher schedule will give them that extra gear. The only above .500 team MSU has played all season is Air Force.

 

[koonja]

When this happens, I usually root for the road team. You never know what recruits will end up at those games, and I don't want them to turn into an epic party for the home team for that reason. Also I just really hate Michigan and MSU has not yet started to bother me.

 

[TomHaverford]

Here's the weird part...when they need to, they have come through, on offense and defense. When they really, really need a stop, the D comes up big. When they really, really need a score, it may take until 4th down, but Cook will rifle the ball into a small hole and hit a receiver, or that kid Burbridge makes an acrobatic catch that even Fuller would be impressed by. Its kind of uncanny really. They may lose this week, but even with all the injuries, Dantonio has got them believing that they WILL win games no matter what.

they've been playing with fire all year against some really shitty teams too. They've played nobody.

Dantonio has a weird boner over Michigan though. Guy is beyond obsessed. He'll have those guys ready.

They are decimated with injuries though. They could potentially be without their starting RB, TE, and 3 starting OL's. Their top back-up OL is also out for the year. Even their back-up RB, who is better than their starter IMO- frosh LJ Scott- has been very banged up.

Tough for any team to deal with that many injuries.

Their defensive line is crazy good, their LB's can stuff the run but struggle in coverage and they are down their 2 best starters in the secondary for the year, and their secondary has been horrible all year. Lucky for them though they get face off against Jake Rudock, a guy who is completely incapable of taking advantage of a bad secondary.

If MSU was fully healthy, I'd pick them to win easily. As it stands, flip a coin.

 

[phork]

Anyone have any UM/MSU prediction or know which team we should be rooting for for our Playoff chances? I guess either way we need the loser of this game to knock off OSU later in the season. Realistically, both these teams should win out the rest of the year apart from their OSU games. An 11-1 OSU, 11-1 MSU, 10-2 Michigan may keep the B1G out of the playoffs....would also be chaos for them all to go 7-1 in the conference.

I think Michigan wins a very tight one (and Harbaugh becomes the story of the year leading up to the OSU game). I just think the combo of being at home and the tougher schedule will give them that extra gear. The only above .500 team MSU has played all season is Air Force.

I don't care who wins this game, although Michigan fans will be insufferable if they do. But I would rather UM beat Sparty and lose to OSU while Sparty smartens up and loses here and beats OSU. 3 way buttfuck and ND moves up.

 

[ACamp1900]

MSU all day long... I'm not concerned with ND's playoff hopes at this stage...

 

[Luckylucci]

MSU all day long... I'm not concerned with ND's playoff hopes at this stage...

Same here, I have a lot more respect for Dantonio than I do Harbaugh.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Simple for me.....Judge Judy is airing a special Saturday morning that will distract Jim to the fullest extent imaginable. That will be enough to tip the scales into Sparty's favor. Green beats blew 21-20.

 

[ulukinatme]

I think this will remain a big year for Harbaugh. Teams have struggled to catch onto what he's doing and counter it. You see this when new coaches come in sometimes, they start out hot as teams haven't found a way to beat them yet. As the tape is compiled, maybe by the end of the year coaches will find ways to gameplan around him, but I think with the fire they're playing with right now and the scheme they have a good chance of getting by MSU and will be in a close one with tOSU they way both teams have been playing. I'm hoping next year will be a different story as they'll have to go back to the well at QB and hope one of the guys they brought in will work. Teams will be more familiar with what they're doing offensively and defensively.

 

[NDdomer2]

Simple for me.....Judge Judy is airing a special Saturday morning that will distract Jim to the fullest extent imaginable. That will be enough to tip the scales into Sparty's favor. Green beats blew 21-20.

wtf is the backstory on this?

 

[Luckylucci]

wtf is the backstory on this?

I believe Harbaugh is a huge Judge Judy fan. He's so batshit crazy that he probably likes watching other batshit crazy individuals.

 

[wizards8507]

I believe Harbaugh is a huge Judge Judy fan. He's so batshit crazy that he probably likes watching other batshit crazy individuals.

I don't disagree. But I'd take him in a heartbeat.

 

[ulukinatme]

I don't disagree. But I'd take him in a heartbeat.

 

[Luckylucci]

I don't disagree. But I'd take him in a heartbeat.

Can't say I would. There are a lot of good college football coaches out there that aren't complete Dbags.

 

[Ndaccountant]

20 times Jim Harbaugh proved he is batshit crazy....

1. He ate cereal with Gatorade
2. Upon meeting his future wife, Sarah, he called her nine times in an attempt to take her out before she replied.
3. In March 2015, Harbaugh congratulated Judge Judy Sheindlin on her contract extension, saying he was a “devout fan.” That was corroborated by subsequently re-surfaced video of him and his dad, Jack, in the audience for a taping of “Judge Judy.” He also thinks she should be on the Supreme Court.

4. Before his first spring practice as Michigan coach, Harbaugh likened it to “coming out of a mother’s womb.” Has Harbaugh ever seen “The Miracle of Life”? While every human should have a basic understanding of how birthing works, he could’ve used a less-gross analogy.
5. Harbaugh brought an unconventional coaching tactic with him to Ann Arbor, making players and units who win drills run extra, not those who lose. His reasoning? Those who win drills get the opportunity to make themselves better players. His team has embraced the tactic according to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press, so clearly no one is winning drills at Michigan this spring.
6. Jim Scwartz
7. En route to a huge upset over Pete Carroll and USC in 2009, Harbaugh and Stanford went for a 2-point conversion after a Toby Gerhart score put the Cardinal up 48-21 with 6:47 left in the game. When the two coaches met at midfield following the 55-21 romp, Carroll asked, “What’s your deal?” Naturally, Harbaugh’s response was, “What’s YOUR deal?”
8. A Michigan Daily profile told the story of when Harbaugh, in his first year at Stanford, once wiped his hand on his right tackle’s bloody arm, then wiped the blood on his face like war paint. According to the story, “Harbaugh told his players that he wanted to play in the game alongside them. He wanted this so badly that he informed his players that he wanted their blood on him if they bled during that week’s game.”
9. Harbaugh is the most ruthless laser tag player since Barney Stinson, and even Harbaugh may have him beat. Harbaugh went laser tagging for his bachelor party in 2008 (before his second marriage) and according to an MLive column from December 2014, took no prisoners, regardless of age.
Harbaugh won. Because he always wins. But upon further examination of where each person’s shots came from, it became clear why he won in such a landslide.
“All his shots came against this 10-year-old kid,” laughs Eric Bakhtiari, who played for Harbaugh in college and in the NFL with the 49ers. “He just sat there, hunting this 10-year-old kid so he could win.”
This is at once ridiculous behavior for a human adult and very believable because it’s Jim Harbaugh.
10. When Harbaugh expresses solidarity with his players, he goes extra hard. During his days as FCS San Diego’s head coach, Harbaugh would run hills with his players until he vomited. Then he’d run through it. Nobody pulls off the boot ‘n rally quite like Harbaugh.
11. Also early in his coaching career, Harbaugh wanted to prove to his players that he could do 100 push-ups in a row. Ageless wonder that he is, he plateaued around 30 only to build reps in the ensuing weeks, eventually surpassing 100 and hitting 110. He cannot be stopped.
12. Harbaugh once took a trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and partook in a push-up contest with Siku the walrus. There wasn’t a clear winner or loser, which was probably a real disappointment for Harbaugh, who would probably not stand losing to a walrus.

13. While in the Hoosier State for the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, Harbaugh’s brother in law — IU head basketball coach Tom Crean — invited him to take in a game from his team’s bench. Just spectating was going to be tough for Harbaugh, though, who spent the game as an acting student manager. This was a month after reaching the NFC Championship Game in his first season as an NFL head coach.
14. The Bears intended for Harbaugh to carry a clipboard as a rookie in 1987, but Harbaugh insisted he play — on special teams. Yes, Chicago’s first-round QB wanted to play on special teams. He told ESPN’s Seth Wickersham an embarrassing story about getting blown up in coverage.
15. Wickersham wrote that Harbaugh “almost pathologically cloaks himself in catch phrases and quotes.” When it comes to who Harbaugh likes to invoke, the lineup is as impressive as it is eclectic: Abraham Lincoln, Ernest Hemingway, Johnny Cash, Shakespeare, God, Nelson Mandela, Judge Judy, Bo Schembechler and Calvin Coolidge. After losing to the Seahawks in the 2014 NFC Championship Game, he busted out some Hemingway, saying: “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” Whatever you say, coach.
16. His cameo on “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” is a sight to be seen, marked by an after school special-esque speech about how being famous does not make you a hero. Coaching was just always in his blood, even in the blood of the fictionalized version of himself
17. Harbaugh appeared in a 1994 episode of “The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.” as Mason “Cowboy” Dixon, alongside fellow football stars Terry Bradshaw, Carl Banks and Ken Norton Jr.

18. However disgusted the coach of your favorite team gets at bad calls (except for maybe South Carolina fans), he doesn’t come close Harbaugh. Whether it was his pleading for a holding call in the Super Bowl or this meltdown from the preceding NFC Championship Game, Harbaugh’s tantrums are second to none.
19. Harbaugh replicated a recruit’s prom proposal in attempt to entice the recruit to Michigan. Vigilant and keen, creepy, or both?
20. The grandaddy of all Harbaugh idiosyncrasies: those khakis. Harbaugh puts his pants on in the morning just like the rest of us, one leg at a time. Except despite making millions of dollars, Harbaugh insists on wearing $8 pleated khakis from Walmart for each game. And when his pants are on, they perpetuate his classic, unflinching look.

20 Times Jim Harbaugh Proved He’s Completely, Bat-Sh*t Crazy - Lost Lettermen

 

[connor_in]

Muck Fichigan

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Worst of all, he's related to Screech:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fuKrcjskQiU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[connor_in]

Fake Harbaugh spends day in East Lansing

 

[PANDFAN]

Kemp is being recruited by Ben Bradeson. Also McCaffery is visiting UM for second time and it appears they lead for his services