Coaches Corner: Regarding the loss of fifteen bowl practices

There is much debate going in the “Michigan Family” concerning the significance of losing the fifteen NCAA allowed practices that teams get to prepare for bowl games since this is the first time in thirty-three years that Michigan will not be going to a bowl game.

The major argument we are getting is that it does not hurt the program and will actually help because it will allow the staff more time to recruit.
We agree that the extra recruiting time could help especially this year with how recruiting is going, but think about what Michigan loses to gain that extra recruiting time.

Michigan loses the television exposure and additional revenue that goes with even appearance in a lesser bowl game and the media, fans, coaches and players feeling positive and almost getting a reward of being able to make a bowl game. In addition, to get that extra recruiting time Michigan had to have their worst record in school history. We just never see a positive in losing.

Ask Coach Rod what he would want and we bet he would love the extra fifteen practices. That is another practice session like in the springtime where they get fifteen practices.

Being even 6-6 and having a bowl appearance far outweighs the extra recruiting time you get. Most kids want to play for a winner and giving those Michigan recruits against the extra fodder that having losing record creates is bigger negative than the positive the extra time gives.

Now let us look at what Michigan loses by not having those fifteen extra practices. I do not know how many times we read and heard that previous regime was lacking in player development. Well guess where that takes place, on the practice field.

Those fifteen practices give staff and players opportunity to start working on replacements for seniors that need to be replaced. Michigan loses five starters on defense and between practices and bowl game; you can start to give these young guys vital reps.

Remember, many of the young players spend most of their time on demo squads replicating opponent’s offenses and defenses. These practices can give them the chance to work on the Michigan offenses and defenses. Plus, Michigan is working on a completely new scheme, every rep and opportunity to work on these new techniques, reads, and packages is worth their weight in gold. The only way you can create the timing that is necessary to make Michigan new offense work only comes from more work, not sitting and watching others on TV.

Michigan’s offensive line has been the most improved area this year. With zone blocking, time together and cohesion are critical. Every snap and rep gives the linemen time to become familiar with each other and continue to get their timing down. Not to mention getting John Ferrara as much practice time as possible can only help his development.

Michigan brought in six freshmen linemen last recruiting class who sure could be helped by additional reps and same goes for Michigan’s young linebackers and other defenders.

You also get the opportunity to get some of your injured players back and some work to help make up for some of the time they lost.

From coaching standpoint, you get an opportunity to try some new schemes and packages that might be used next season.

To close let us just say in our opinion the benefits of playing in bowl game and the fifteen extra practices that go with the appearance greatly outweigh the advantages and that go with not being bowl eligible.

Is the loss of the extra practice insurmountable, of course not? It is just preferable in our opinion. Not even, close.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine