Michigan's side of the story

Michigan coaches and players are talking about their game with Delaware State, but aren’t saying much.

I had a chance to check out Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez’s weekly press conference on the web Monday to hear what he and a couple of his players had to say about Saturday’s contest with Delaware State. Not surprisingly, there was not much discussion of DSU specifically.  The media out there clearly doesn’t anticipate much of a game – and the Wolverines seem to feel the less they say, the better.

Personally, I was amused that a when a reporter suggested scheduling more competitive I-AA/FCS  teams in the future – he specifically mentioned the Blue Hens’ conference, the CAA, and Rodriguez agreed, before adding ‘be careful what you wish for” – obviously referencing Michigan’s loss to App St a couple of years ago, and the CAA’s recent success against I-A/FBS teams.

I also enjoyed the fact that Wolverine defensive back Troy Woolfolk spent more time answering questions about his dog than Delaware State. Ouch.

Here’s some highlights:

Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez:

(When asked about being worried about his team getting up for DSU)

“You worry about it a little bit because its not the same atmosphere as you have for a prime time Saturday game as we had last week (Michigan’s 30-28 loss at Iowa).   You have to talk to them quite a bit. If your a I-A team, you’re expected to beat a I-AA team.  Everyone knows that.  That’s not a big secret.  But as we all know. this year,  last year, in the last several years, it doesn’t always happen that way.  They’ve got players that can play. and watching their team speed, I’ve been impressed.  This is their Super Bowl.  We’l  get their best shot.  Our guys have to understand that.”

(When asked what Michigan gets out of playing a game like this)

We get a home game.  It is not easy to schedule as maybe as everybody would think, in particular when you have to have a certain number of home games and we were in such a short time period to get it schedule.  In the future,  its not as much an issue because you can plan out the next 5-6 years.  But even then, its become more and more competitive to schedule that 12th game and, particularly, get one at home because most people are playing a I-AA team and some are playing two.

(on what he knows about Delaware State)

We’ve been watching the the film since yesterday (Monday).  We’ve got all their games, and have been breaking them down.  They look very similar to us offensively, shotgun, spread, read zone,  Defensively, even front.  Don’t prssure a whole lot, but probably will against us.

Wolverine defensive back Troy Woolfolk

(on if App. State has been brought up this week – Michigan lost at home to App. State in 207 when the Wolverines were ranked #5 in the nation)

Yes, it does.  I knew I was gonna get that question.  I don’t believe in playing toward your competition.  You just have to play at your best, regardless of who the competition is, because you never know what could happen.

Wolverine Offensive lineman David Moosman

(on playing a team that is 1-3 against Division I-AA competition vs. Big 10 teams)

It doesn’t really matter.  It doesn’t matter if were going up against Iowa, Penn State, Delaware State, Ohio State.  We’re going to play the best game we can.  We want to execute .  We want to play hard, regardless of who they put out there.  You guys (the media) could come out there and we’d probably play the same.

Not a whole lot of bulletin board material there – and I expect it will stay that way through the week.