R&B Sling the Blue (Sept. 18, Massachusetts)

ROGER GARFIELD: Since last Saturday I’ve been giddy every time I think about Michigan football. How have you felt about the Wolverines over the past seven days?

BRANDON FALK: I feel as though it’s better to learn form a win than a loss. I’m encouraged by the offense. The defense still makes me nervous. Any big-time recruit who plays free safety should probably know that he can play from Day 1 when he gets on campus next year. But hey, 2-0? We can’t complain.

RG: I have a few mini-complaints that mostly concern play calling and basic strategy, but those can sit on the shelf for a month or so. We indeed are 2-0, and it’s a beautiful thing. The ‘Nard Dog, Denard Robinson, is the talk of college football. We’re playing with a swagger that has been absent for quite some time. And we beat the Domers. Always a delightful feeling.

BF: Those are the kinds of games we lost the last two years. We found a way to lose them. It’s nice that we’re finding a way to win them.

RG: Looking at the schedule, it’s set up favorably now to where we could be anywhere from four to seven games into the fall with no blemishes. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Today we’ve got the Minutemen. I’d like to see a big first half from Denard, then a big second half of him drinking water and walking up and down the sideline perusing the crowd for hot girls. Also, a good defensive day would be excellent.

BF: Seriously, how about Cam Gordon, man? Take a good line on the ball. Jeez. He was singlehandedly responsible for two touchdowns against Notre Dame.

RG: Some venom. Yeah, you’re right, he was pretty, pretty bad. I liked Thomas Gordon, though -- No. 15. He was everywhere.

BF: He’s playing incredibly well. You know he’s not a starter -- he’s only playing because Carvin Johnson is hurt. He’s playing like Jordan Kovacs.

RG: Man, I like Kovacs, but he is SLOW. It’s like he’s running through quicksand with 20-pound weights on his ankles and a Jersey Shore grenade on his shoulders. But the dude makes plays. He has a nose for the ball.

BF: I read an article about Kovacs that was interesting. The coaches were saying how he’s not a long-term fix for us. “We gotta get somebody in that position with speed. We gotta find someone more athletic. We gotta get someone who can play there.” And you never do, because he never gets beaten out for the spot.

RG: And he’s a walk-on. Great story. I think his work ethic is rubbing off on the rest of the defensive unit. Let’s hope they return the favor and bless him with an extra 0.1 on his 40 time or something.

BF: You know what’s bothering me? Our running backs have got to get more production.

RG: Ehh, you can’t lose sleep over that. Our rushing stats are not exactly lacking. Denard simply monopolizes the ball.

BF: I’d still like to see those guys get more carries and Denard get less. Let’s get Stevie Hopkins 10-15 trips today.

RG: Denard needs less wear and tear. Today will be a good chance for him to sit back after he throws up his 300 yards rushing on 13 carries. Then, your boy Stevie should get a few carries. You know, I thought there was a chance it would be close with these Minutemen this afternoon, but then I saw the comments that player made about the Big House being “the little house on the prairie.” If I’m that guy’s coach, I leave him in Amherst. Don’t rile a sleeping giant.

BF: Your best hope at coming into Ann Arbor is that Michigan is going to overlook you. The last thing you want to do is drum up a little motivation.

RG: Well, let’s cue the michigan band and have them drum up the Victors about 42, 43 times today, shall we? Michigan 70, UMass 15.

BF: I say 50-14, Michigan.

RG: I wouldn’t mind seeing Devin Gardner for the entire second half. And I wonder if Tate Forcier will play, because if he is the clear No. 3 on this team, perhaps Rich Rod will save his eligibility by not playing him -- and encourage him to transfer. For Tate’s own good.

BF: Nodody who supports Michigan football should want Tate Forcier to transfer. We need him. As much as people are high on Denard, Denard is one hit away from being out of the game. Then you’ve got Devin, but what if Devin doesn’t perform? We need Tate. He’s a good football player. Lest we remind each other of the day of Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet. We don’t want to go back there.

RG: Well put. Although Threet is now starring for the Sun Devils of Arizona State. Don’t ask me how. Good for him.

BF: Go Blue.

RG: Go Blue. We shall dissect the program and the college football landscape more in a few days. For now, let’s enjoy a rout.

Roger Garfield and Brandon Falk are loyal Michigan football fans who believe this team can soon develop into a national title contender again. In the meantime, they will sit back and enjoy the ride, commenting hopefully and accurately as it progresses, with Mr. Robinson manning the controls. They can be reached at rlouisgar@gmail.com and hbrandonfalk@gmail.com.