Sam McGuffie News

Only caught a few minutes of Thursday's practice, so I only have a few observations to share: - I snuck into the locker room to use the rest room, and there were "BEAT SMU" signs plastered EVERYWHERE.

Civil discourse: There were no openly unflattering and vulgar references to TU head coach Todd Graham by the Rice M.O.B. this time.

His confidence can't be shaken, which is why David Bailiff can usually be found with a smile on his face - even when there doesn't seem to be much to smile about.

"I've played for three coaches, I've seen three different systems, three different personalities of programs.

Well, you knew Tom Izzo was outstanding in his field ... so he's been honored with a six-acre corn maze in his image.

When Fred Jackson's assessment of Brandon Minor's running style was relayed back to Minor, the University of Michigan running back didn't take offense to the sharp words of his position coach.

PAST: Steven Threet started the majority of last season with Nick Sheridan as his backup, even though Sheridan started the opener against Utah and was the starter against Ohio State when Threet was hurt.

They were once foes. Now they're comrades and friends. As they battled it out on the fields of Ken Pridgeon Stadium and the Berry Center, they only knew each other from what they could gather across the line of scrimmage.

Brandon Minor just grinned when asked what a healthy Brandon Minor is capable of.

Last year, the Wolverines opened the season with a loss to a much more formidable Utah team, which went on to beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

Last year, the Wolverines opened the season with a loss to a much more formidable Utah team, which went on to beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

After the hiring of former-West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez, the past few years have been shaky for the Michigan program.

Last year, Michigan Offense was flat out brutal to watch. They couldn't throw the football couldn't run the football and they kept turning the ball over putting the defense in bad spots... Michigan Preview: The Offense ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 27: Brandon Minor #4 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball during the game against the Wisconsin ...

Maybe a 3-9 season isn't the best backdrop for a football team to forge a personality.

Rich Rodriguez likes to say he only talks about players who play for Michigan. While he wouldn't speak specifically about those who have left the program since last season -- Sam McGuffie, Steven Threet, Toney Clemons, Dann O'Neill, Kurt Wermers and Justin Feagin, among them -- he talked about the idea of attrition.

With the sudden dismissal of sophomore slot receiver Justin Feagin for a team rule violation, I started thinking about the players that have actually left RichRod's Michigan squad since he replaced Lloyd Carr a season ago.

Former Grand Haven High School football standout and four-star University of Michigan recruit Dann O'Neill has announced he will transfer to Western Michigan University .

Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson looked at his depth chart earlier this summer and saw a lot of opportunities.

Michael Shaw rarely remembers being run down. In high school at Trotwood-Madison it barely happened as he boasted gaudy numbers as a tailback.

Citing differences with head coach Rich Rodriguez's staff, University of Michigan redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Kert Wermers has decided to transfer to Ball State, according to a report on nwi.com. Originally recruited by former coach Lloyd Carr's staff, Wermer did not see game action in 2008, his only season with the Wolverines, and will ...