Toledo Blade: Article by Joe Vardon

UM starting to believe it can win Big Ten title

By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

ANN ARBOR - The following is a statement that a year or two ago would've drawn blank stares, yawns, and what-else-is-new shrugs, but now may come as a bit of a surprise.

Michigan thinks it can win the Big Ten.

"We definitely have a chance," Wolverines guard/center David Moosman said yesterday.

Really?

Even with one win through three games? New coach? New quarterback? New everything, just about?

"We feel like we have the potential to beat everybody on our schedule," Moosman continued. "I don't see why we can't."

Which brings us to this week's opponent - No. 9 Wisconsin.

To read the rest of the article please visit: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080923/SPORTS17/809230405

Michigan Daily: Article by Ian Robinson

Rodriguez says Blue knows what to work on

By Ian Robinson
Daily Sports Editor On September 22nd, 2008

Six turnovers against Notre Dame last week gave the Michigan football team plenty to work on during the bye week.

One area that particularly worried Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez was kickoff returns. The Wolverines muffed two in the first four minutes — the first leading to bad field position for Michigan, and the second, recovered by Notre Dame, leading to a touchdown for the Irish.

“I just hope we catch the ball,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve tried out just about everybody back there.”

At yesterday’s press conference, Rodriguez named nine different players who have taken kickoffs in practice. He listed four players on the depth chart — freshman Boubacar Cissoko, senior Brandon Harrison, freshman Michael Shaw and senior Morgan Trent. In addition, he said freshman Sam McGuffie, freshman Martavious Odoms, redshirt freshman Avery Horn and sophomore James Rogers took reps in practice.

To read the rest of the article please visit: http://www.michigandaily.com/content/2008-09-23/football-notebook

Detroit News: Article by Angelique Chengelis

Wolverines welcome chance to start over

Michigan's Big Ten schedule opens Saturday with unbeaten Wisconsin visiting the Big House.

Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

ANN ARBOR -- They've played three games.

But now, they're beginning from scratch.

It's a clean slate.

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Sure, Michigan is 1-2, but Big Ten play opens Saturday with a home date against Wisconsin. The Badgers are 3-0 and ranked No. 9, but like the Wolverines and every other conference team, they are 0-0.

"Like Coach said, there's three seasons -- preseason, Big Ten, bowl game, so the (first) part of the season is over," linebacker John Thompson said Monday. "No one has won a game in the Big Ten, so it's 0-0. Time to win."

Both teams were idle last week, and Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez has detected a shift in his team's overall mood.

"I hope there's a little extra bounce in our step and (we're) getting excited for it," Rodriguez said. "Nobody has played a Big Ten game yet, and as frustrated as we've been with some of the early games, you kind of start fresh with Big Ten conference play."

His players get the picture.

The Big Ten is where Michigan could make noise.

To read the rest of the article please visit: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080923/SPORTS0201/809230342/1131

Toledo Blade: Article by Joe Vardon

Rodriguez: OT Ortmann should be healthy for Wisconsin

By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

ANN ARBOR – Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said starting left tackle Mark Ortmann should be healthy enough to play when the Wolverines open the Big Ten portion of their 2008 schedule at home against No.9 Wisconsin Saturday.

Ortmann suffered a dislocated right elbow Sept. 6 against Miami (Ohio) and did not play against Notre Dame. Rodriguez said he hasn’t practiced in full pads since the injury, but will do so tomorrow and will probably play against the Badgers barring any setbacks.

To read the rest of the article please visit: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080922/SPORTS17/809220224

Detroit News: Article by Angelique Chengelis

U-M tackle Ortmann expected back for Wisconsin

Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan left tackle Mark Ortmann is expected back when Big Ten season begins Saturday against Wisconsin at Michigan Stadium.

Ortmann separated his elbow in the Miami of Ohio game and was held out against Notre Dame. Ortmann has benefited from U-M's bye last weekend.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday that he believes Ortmann will play Saturday (3:30 p.m. kickoff). Perry Dorrestein, who filled in at left tackle against Notre Dame, "nicked" his knee in practice last week, Rodriguez said, but his progress has been "encouraging" and he should play.

Guard Mark Huyge also is expected back, all of which bodes well for a Michigan offensive line that has struggled with injuries, not to mention inexperience.

To read the rest of the article please visit: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080922/SPORTS0201/809220390/1131/SPORTS0201

Michigan Volleyball: Beth Karpiak

Coach Rod Press Conference