Dein erstes Forum » If there was some good spectators there and a couple

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- If anyone makes jokes about Michigan aiming to win its first Big Ten title since 2004 and national championship since 1997, thats exactly the reaction Jim Harbaugh wants.If people arent making fun of you for what your dreams are and what your goals are, then you havent set those goals and dreams high enough, Harbaugh said.Michigan went 10-3 last season, doubling its wins from the previous year in coach Brady Hokes final season. The Wolverines surpassed modest expectations, but were humbled by losing to Ohio State for the 11th time in 12 years and heartbroken by a seventh setback in eight games to Michigan State.Here are some things to watch as Harbaugh begins his second season in Ann Arbor:THREE-WAY PLAYERSJabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis, both of whom are primarily used on defense, are expected to take some snaps on offense. And they will likely return some punts and kicks, too.While Peppers was used on offense to run, catch and throw the ball, Lewis has only been used as a kickoff returner outside of his role as a cornerback. Lewis is thankful his lobbying efforts with Harbaugh appear to have paid off.Ive been in his ear about playing on offense since he got here, Lewis said. Ive always wanted to do it here to help the team win, and Im glad it looks like Im going to get a chance to do it.NEW DCThe Wolverines relative success last season led to Maryland hiring their defensive coordinator, D.J. Durkin, to lead its program. Harbaugh hired Boston College defensive coordinator Don Brown, who helped the Eagles rank among the nations best defenses even though they won just three games last season.KEY GAMESThe Wolverines have a daunting road schedule that includes the Buckeyes, Spartans and Iowa. They do get to host five teams to open the season and play a total of eight games at the Big House. Michigan might be 7-0 on Oct. 29 when it faces Michigan State in East Lansing, where the Wolverines havent won since 2007. Michigan will close the regular season Nov. 26 at Ohio State, where the Wolverines are winless since 2000.SEASON OPENERMichigan opens the season Sept. 3 against Hawaii with Michael Jordan scheduled to be on hand as an honorary captain because the Wolverines are the first football team to wear Jordan Brand apparel.After everyone gets done looking at Jordan and Harbaugh, they will shift to the player who ends up taking snaps for the maize and blue. Harbaugh appears to have up to four choices for quarterback, but appears to choosing between John OKorn and Wilton Speight. OKorn threw 34 touchdowns and started 16 games at Houston before transferring to Michigan and sitting out last year. The 6-foot-6 Speight threw a game-winning touchdown pass late in a game last year at Minnesota in relief of injured starter Jake Rudock.Harbaugh, who played quarterback at Michigan and in the NFL, has a track record of developing signal callers in college and with the San Francisco 49ers.Hes the best quarterbacks coach around, OKorn said. Its an opportunity of a lifetime.PREDICTIONMichigan will win 11 games, surpassing last seasons total. Loses on the road to rivals Ohio State and Michigan State, though, hold Harbaugh back from having a special season in his second year.---Online: AP College football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-Top25---Follow Larry Lage at www.twitter.com/larrylage and follow his work at www.bigstory.ap.org/content/larry-lage Cheap Avalanche Jerseys . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Colorado Avalanche Shirts . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Wholesale Avalanche Jerseys . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Stitched Avalanche Jerseys . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it.VANCOUVER -- Martin Rennie had things easy the past couple of weeks. But after having the luxury of keeping his lineup intact for two games, the Vancouver Whitecaps coach has no shortage of tough decisions to make heading into an important Major League Soccer game Saturday in Portland against the Timbers. Suspensions, a potential injury-induced absence and the need to kick-start a club that has lost its past two games will force the Vancouver coach to act. The fifth-place Caps (9-7-5) are seeking their first-ever MLS win over the Timbers (8-3-2), who are tied for second, as both clubs try to keep pace in a tight Western Conference. The starting goalkeeper choice ranks at, or near, the top of Rennies decisions list as the coach contemplates whether to give newcomer David Ousted his first start of the season or keep going with Brad Knighton. The second-year goaltender has lost his past two games after helping the Whitecaps go unbeaten in their previous six. But Rennie does not regard his goalkeeper pick as a difficult decision. "Its a lot better than our centre backs are doing, for example, where we dont have any choices (after several injuries)," said Rennie. "Its nice to have choices. "Not only that, but (former No. 1 and now No. 3) Joe Cannon is a great goalkeeper and (No. 4) Simon (Thomas) is a good goalkeeper, too. Its a good position for us." Ousted, a 28-year-old former Danish Superliga star, signed in June and did not become eligible until an international transfer window opened July 9. If the Greve, Denmark native gets the call, he will be the third goalkeeper to go between the posts for the Whitecaps this season after Knighton, 28, wrestled the starting job away from Cannon, 38. "I think that (Knighton) has been doing well and (Ousted) is looking really sharp now," Rennie said. Ousted spent the past three seasons with Randers FC in the Danish Superliga, earning 35 clean sheets in 103 appearances. He is eager to play after honing his craft in practice and watching games from the bench. Although he is willing to be patient and wait for his chance, the goalkeeper has found it very difficult to watch. "I hate being on the bench," Ousted said. "I always have. I think every footballer wants to play, and Im the same.dddddddddddd. I want to play every time." Portlands Weld-Jen Field is known for being a hostile environment. The Whitecaps have never beaten the Timbers there or anywhere else since the two clubs entered MLS in 2011. But the Caps earned a home tie against Portland in May. "If there was some good spectators there and a couple of boos in there, thats something I thrive on," Ousted said. "I love that. It just makes me play even better. So Im not nervous getting in there. Im just waiting for my chance to prove myself." Coach Rennie also has a potentially tough call to make up front as striker Kenny Miller battles a groin injury suffered in a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia last weekend, when the Whitecaps played down a man for all but eight minutes. Depending on Millers availability, Kekuta Manneh, 18, the clubs top draft choice (fourth overall) this year, is a candidate for his second start of the season. "It would be great to start the game," Manneh said. "Its a big game for the club, and everybodys looking forward to it, and its a really important game for us. So, if it is a matter of playing one minute or 90 minutes, I will try to add as much as I can and try to be a big part of the team." The Gambian speedster has excelled while coming off the bench, producing two goals and an assist in just 274 minutes of playing time in 12 appearances. Midfield also appears to be a concern as Jun Marques Davidson and Gershon Koffie serve one-game suspensions. Davidsons suspension stems from the red card he received for head-butting a Philadelphia player in the back last weekend. Fortunately, he avoided further punishment from the leagues disciplinary committee. Koffies ban is due to yellow-card accumulation. Despite the need for changes, Rennie still likes his clubs chances against a Portland squad that lost two of its four games in July but has suffered just a league-low three losses. "If we execute well, weve shown that weve got a good chance against any team," said Rennie. NOTES: Centre back Brad Rusin is slated to play after recovering from a hip injury that forced him out of the game against Philadelphia. ' ' '