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Michigan Wolverines

Michigan Wolverines

Michigan Wolverines

5-6 (1-6), 10th Big Ten

Michigan Team Report

Yahoo! Sports Nov 18, 1:06 am EST

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INSIDE SLANT

There can hardly be a team in America with more on the line in its final game of the season than the Michigan Wolverines. While others are playing for league titles and jockeying for position in the BCS bowl circus, the Wolverines are in pure survival mode.

Michigan faces rival Ohio State in the traditional season finale this week, only this time the Buckeyes have their Rose Bowl tickets in hand, and a piece of the Big Ten title guaranteed. The Wolverines need a win over heavily-favored Ohio State to simply salvage their dignity.

An upset victory would mean Michigan becomes bowl eligible just a year after suffering through a 3-8 record that represented the low water mark for the storied program. If the Wolverines can stun the Buckeyes, it would mark the first win over Ohio State for any player on the Michigan team.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez desperately needs a victory here to wipe away some of the stain left by losses his team has suffered in its past four games this season, and six of its last seven. After a 4-0 start had Ann Arbor abuzz, the swoon that has followed has Rodriguez taking fire from all directions.

The Wolverines and the Buckeyes have met for the Big Ten title numerous times, and settled the Rose Bowl bid in this game as well, but this season is very different. Ohio State has its prizes already secured, but Michigan has so much to play for, since a win here puts a positive close on a season of many disappointments.

NOTES, QUOTES

• The Wolverines have 13 players from Ohio on their roster, including seven who have started games for this season.

• Michigan has drawn 760,542 fans to Michigan Stadium for its seven home games to date, and lead the nation with an average attendance of 108,649 fans per game.

• The Wolverines will have 18 seniors playing their final home game in Michigan Stadium when Ohio State visits

• Michigan’s seniors have put together a four-year record of 28-21, and have gone 16-15 in the Big Ten Conference during that period.

Series History:   Michigan leads 57-42-6 (last meeting, 2008, 42-7 Ohio State)

Scouting The Offense:   The Wolverines are leading the Big Ten in scoring offense with 31.3 points per game and are the No. 2 team in the conference in rushing with almost 200 yards per game. They have entrusted the reins to their attack to freshman Tate Forcier, and when he has been inconsistent, Michigan has struggled.

Scouting The Defense:   There is plenty of blame to go around for all of the difficulties Michigan has had this season, but this unit has been the source of the most serious problems. The Wolverines have allowed nearly 30 points per game, and have been dreadful in the second half of games. Business as usual against the Buckeyes will set the stage for a rout.

Quote To Note:   “Just because I did not coach here before, I did not play here, and I’m not from the state of Michigan, doesn’t mean I don’t understand the rivalry. Trust me, I understand the importance of the rivalry.”—Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez on facing Ohio State

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 21—The Wolverines (5-6, 1-6) are in desperation mode, needing a win to get bowl eligible, and give the Michigan senior class its first victory over the Buckeyes.

Keys To The Game:   Michigan will not beat Ohio State without big plays. The Buckeyes’ defense is too good to let the Wolverines drive for multiple scores, so Michigan will need a punt return, kick return or interception to provide a short field. Only with such a twist in its favor will Michigan be able to even the playing field against Ohio State.

Players To Watch:  

P Zoltan Mesko—The senior from Ohio leads the Big Ten in punting, and against Iowa four of his five kicks went for more than 50 yards.

WR/KR Darryl Stonum—The sophomore from Texas holds the Michigan season records for kick returns with 36 and yards with 938.

QB Tate Forcier—The true freshman from California has started every game this season, and needs just 176 passing yards to give him 2,000 on the season.

DE Brandon Graham—The senior from Detroit leads the team with 21 tackles for loss, and is second in the Big Ten with 8.5 sacks.

Roster Report:  

• QB Nick Sheridan started four games and played in eight last season, but the junior has appeared in just two games in 2009 and completed seven of 11 passes.

• LB Stevie Brown played at safety his first three seasons at Michigan, but switched to a hybrid-type position this year. He leads the team with 73 tackles.

• RB Brandon Graham is listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury as the Wolverines prepare for Ohio State.

• QB Tate Forcier missed a mandatory study-table session last week, but said the incident was the result of a miscommunication between him and coach Rich Rodriguez.

• DT Greg Banks missed the Wisconsin game with a foot injury and his status for the Ohio State game is not yet determined.

• WR Martavious Odoms did not play against Wisconsin as he nursed a knee injury. He is back at practice this week.

• C David Molk was lost for the season with a knee injury.

• CB Boubacar Cissoko was dismissed from the team earlier this season.

Updated Nov 18, 1:06 am EST
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249 Comments

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  1. Jeff Lucas
    249. Posted by Jeff Lucas Sat Nov 21 2:29am EST

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    Amen Larry!
  2. <i>mcctchn_brn</i>
    248. Posted by mcctchn_brn Fri Nov 20 5:52pm EST

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    um needs stanford head coach jim he is an allumi get his ass in there say good bye rich rod and good rid
  3. Larry
    247. Posted by Larry Fri Nov 20 4:11pm EST

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    Go Blue!!! That's all anyone should say. I'm a Michigan man, and that's what a true Michigan man should be saying on the day before The Game. I'm sick of the whining, I'm sick of the what-if's, sick of the fair-weathered football fans, and I'm F**KING SICK OF MICHIGAN LOSING TO OHIO STATE! I bet you guys are the same @#$%s packing the Big House on Saturdays, sitting on your duffs, clapping like it's a tennis match when the Wolverines do well, and leaving early when the chips are down. Wake up. Make some F@#KING NOISE tomorrow. LET'S GO BLUE!!!

    I'm not the world's biggest Rich Rod fan either, but he is Michigan's coach, he will be Michigan's coach next year, so we may as well stop the crying. This is what happens when you have mostly freshman and sophomores on your roster. This is what happens when you take big, slow players(who were recruited by Coach Carr) and try to make them run a new, faster system. If RR had anything to do with the defense, then I may feel differently. But we have had 4 DC's in 4 years, so maybe we should give this one a chance? I'm still going to be patient. I'll admit, it is getting harder and harder to be patient with every loss, but let's be straight...Michigan football fans have been spoiled for a very long time! No other team in the country can boast as much. I remember when Ohio St., USC, and Florida weren't the elite. I remember their "down years". We haven't had many of those here in Michigan. It won't be long until we're on top of the Big Ten once again. It won't be long until we're on top of the college football world again...which is more than Notre Dame, Miami, Florida State, or Nebraska (who have been reloading, rebuilding, retooling, etc. for years) I still feel lucky to have seen some great football here for a long time. There's plenty more to come. LET'S GO BLUE!!!

    It's great...to be...a Mi-chi-gan Wolv-e-rine, It's great...to be...a Mi-chi-gan Wolv-e-rine, It's great...to be...a Mi-chi-gan Wolv-e-rine!!! It's great...to be...a Mi-chi-gan Wolv-e-rine!!! Beat the Bucks! Go Blue!
  4. RodO
    246. Posted by RodO Fri Nov 20 3:57pm EST

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    Yellow
  5. Philip M
    245. Posted by Philip M Fri Nov 20 1:28pm EST

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    BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH, some of the fertilizer printed on this blog is trully pure! michigan has a fine coach who is smart enough to make adjustments. michigan is a few points and a couple big plays away from being 8-3 going into a home game against OSU. Last weekend my IOWA HAWKEYES without there crazy-finds a way to win QB Stanzi, using a true freshman almost beat the Bucks in Columbus. HELLOOOOOOOO blue, wake up, get fired up and pull an upset in Ann Arbor. Grow some bigger "OO's" and get the job done tomorrow. A win against the bucks will get you a Bowl invite and some RESPECT. You have a hot-shot freshman QB who has played all season. Iowa's QB is a freshman sat all season and damn near won in Columbus. An ugly win is a thing of beauty. I would think every one in Michigan would be raising some hell all week and gunning for the Bucks. Sometimes you just have to want it more then the other guy. DO YOU WANT IT BLUE????????????????? I have always hated michigan football. But i find myself rooting for them this week. When the chips are down and you find yourself up against the wall you man up and show your real colors. Well michigan what will it be BLUE or yellow???????
  6. Steve
    244. Posted by Steve Thu Nov 19 11:09am EST

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    What's the difference between ohio state and Cheerios? Cheerios BELONG IN A BOWL
  7. darrell
    243. Posted by darrell Thu Nov 19 10:48am EST

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    OK 241, your tired of hearing, well the rest of us are tired of seeing our team overmatched on saturdays... if we don't beat big ten teams, then we can't play in any bowl games... look Bo, took a program that was at the bottom, he restored the heart and pride and brought in kids that played 100% all the time.. Within a few years Michigan had to turn players away, now it's 180 the other way around. RR is looking for his guys, smaller, faster to compete with guick teams, nice idea however where not in the SEC. Remember this is big ten football, just ask coach Zook how easy it is to win here, with the small fast idea..haha
    I feel sad to break it to ya, but a good coach adjusts his style or system to the players he has, a great coach utilizes those talents to beat stronger teams. I hear ya, he doesn't have his players yet, I understand however what he also doesn't have is the ability to adjust his system to the Big 10.
    At what point due you say this doesn't work, I have to adjust.. or can't he do that, look we have a 17 point lead in a game and we go 3 and out punt, 3 n out punt, fumble, 3 and out punt, interseption. and the clock moves only 8 min's. Thank god the other team ran the ball otherwise it wouldn't have moved at all...
    Face it, he's a weak coach that had a couple of gifted players in a weak conference so they won a few games... That doesn't make him a great or even a good coach..
    Let's compair this to Standfords caoch, a team that was weak when he arrived, that has developed a strong confidence under sound football play. Can you say the same thing about this Michigan team now, YOU CAN'T... If this ship isn't corrected right away it will hurt Michigan not just last year, this year ,but for the next 3-5 years to come... MSU, WSC, OSU, n PSU will gobble up all the strong players for years, and we'll become the new and improved illi football team north, otherwise named the U of M...
    Think I'm wrong ask Zook how easy it is to win in the Big ten, with those strong fast little guys...
    Coach RR listen, you have a system that's fun to watch, however this system put's the ball all over the place with too many possibilities of mistakes, slips trips and falls.. That will never work up north, the big ten is smash mouth football, that little RB that weight's 195 will get killed, or as you see worn out. Also if you don't practice against smashmouth football you D-line will never be strong enough to stop it when it see's it... Why is this so difficult to understand, really r u just stupid or what?? Bye the way how many National Championships has a RR team's won?? I mean his system is sooo great, right, so how many??? yep that's what I thought.... I hear you, the fat lady is singing, n it's not Hail to the Victors, plz fix this mess NOW...
  8. Chris P
    242. Posted by Chris P Wed Nov 18 11:25pm EST

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    Hey Adam H... Guess who's NOT Bo, Oh yeah, that's right , RichRod.

    For you to even try and compare RichRod to Bo is laughable!

    Shame on you!

    Ohio State 35 Michigone 17
  9. Adam H
    241. Posted by Adam H Wed Nov 18 7:28pm EST

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    I am so sick and tired of hearing about what is wrong with RichRod and how he needs to be fired ASAP!! Here is a guy who came into Michigan with almost nothing to work with on both sides of the ball. He lost his QB because he was a big, slow QB with a big arm. Don't get me wrong, he has showed to be a good QB at Arkansas, but it was obvious that he wasn't going to fit in with the system. As far as any other transfers, if they don't want to be a part of something new a Michigan, SCREW EM'!!! There is a plaque in the locker room that says "Those who stay will be Champions". Anyone knows who put that up??? Oh yeah, that's right. It was Bo when he came to Michigan in 69 and almost half the team left because he expected more from them than the previous coach did. Don't forget that as great as Bo was, he wasn't a "Michigan Man". He was... wait for it.... from Ohio. And let's not forget before he was a coach at Miami OH. he was an assistant at OHIO STATE!! Give RichRod a break and at least a chance to turn around his program. Just remember when he gets things in order and we go to the Rose Bowl, we won't get DESTROYED by USC like OSU. It doesn't matter who the Big Ten sends to the Rose Bowl cause as long as they keep up the same old game plan then they will get smoked by the better teams out of the Pac 10 or the SEC or even the Big 12. Hell TCU and Boise State aren't even gimmies anymore. Hold your head up Wolverines, the basketball team is in the top 25 and strangely enough, the coach is from West Virginia, and is starting his 3rd year. Oh and by the way, I really do bleed Maize and Blue, even got some ink on my whole left arm to prove it!
  10. <i>teddybear5870</i>
    240. Posted by teddybear5870 Wed Nov 18 6:46pm EST

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    RR is very lucky Bo is not still alive because I believe Bo would give RR a lesson in what Michigan Football is all about and who knows might even kick RR ass
  11. <i>teddybear5870</i>
    239. Posted by teddybear5870 Wed Nov 18 6:30pm EST

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    I often wonder why Michigan would stick with a Loser like RR and i was right what I said at the start of the season is another wait till next year but I was happy to hear if RR does not turn the teams around next year will be his last here
  12. Joshua
    238. Posted by Joshua Wed Nov 18 1:36pm EST

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    So far, RR hasn't been a good fit here in Michigan. I love U-of-M and am hoping to see the team turn around. If RR doesn't deliver a good bowl game next year, then he should be fired. Obviously the main problem that he needs to fix is the defense and its coordinator. If UM had a capable defensive coordinator then they might have won a lot more games than what they have. I'm giving RR the benefit of the doubt here and saying to give him one more year. If there is no turnaround then he needs to be axed. GO BLUE!
  13. carl
    237. Posted by carl Wed Nov 18 12:53pm EST

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    ok well 3 days till our last beatdown of the year ...

    there is no way we will beat the lil acorns UNLESS ..............................

    we play amazing DEFENSE AND ACTUALLY TACKLE AND GET SACKS ..........

    WE DONT DESERVE A BOWL BID ..........................
    '
    but like forest gump says @#$% happens so we`ll just have to see what team shows up in the bighouse in 3 days .................... GO BLUE GOOD LUCK #55 GRAHAM .....
  14. John C
    236. Posted by John C Wed Nov 18 12:21pm EST

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    We love it . What comes around goes around. Please take our baseball too. Mounties then, mounties now, mounties forever.
  15. darrell
    235. Posted by darrell Wed Nov 18 9:13am EST

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    Look 233;;; 4 someone that "bleeds maize and blue" your history is poor... let's fase a couple of fact's, BRR (before Rich Rod) Mich went to 37 straight bowl games,,, 37... Let that sink into your head, Alabama didn't do that, nebraska nor that great USC. Michigan, 37 in a row... Let's just talk about the last 10 years, haha 10 years BRR, that's ten bowl games, is it in you mind yet... more fact's during those past 10 bowl games we played the SEC 5 times winning 4 and loosing 1. Man that SEC speed really killed our big slow team, mind you they "the SEC" play's into December, while the Big 10 is over the week prior to Thanksgiving.
    in 2001 n 2004 we lost to Texas, in 04 by 1 point. In 05 we lost to Nebraska by 4 points.. The point is we where in the games, we had a chance to win, compete, our teams where strong and tuff. When we lost it was often due to being outcoached, not outplayed.
    Since RR we can't beat anyone in the big ten, we are 1-6 in confrence play... Carr was let go because he couldn't beat Ohio St. RR should be thrown out because he can't field a team that competes in conference play... Michigan was, is, and should always be a place of consistency. I don't care if we loose a fluke game to anybody that bs happens, I care we can't beat Penn St. Mich St. Illi. Wisc. Ohio St. Northwestern, Iowa, Purdue,or even Indiana, I feel like throwing-up just typing this.. We ARE MICHIGAN if RR can't understand that, then throw this bum out..... Re-build my A@@ we re-load, look at our history of great RB's, QB's, WR's, Linemen both sides of the ball, LB's, let's stop the excuse train right now, bring in a Michigan Man or we shall never be the Wolverines again.. Bo, please excuse the mess we have made of your great program, God Bless the Maize and Blue..
  16. CHUCK
    234. Posted by CHUCK Wed Nov 18 8:05am EST

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    Lets face it, if U of M upsets OSU, it would be like putting a huge bilge pump in the Titanic before it started to sink!!! Unfortunately it sank, 38-10.
  17. laughing
    233. Posted by laughing Tue Nov 17 1:34pm EST

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    Look people - I bleed Maize and Blue. But We need this change. If you didn't think it was gonna hurt some for a little while (couple years), what the hell were you thinking? Big Ten - please - you know how tired I am of watching vaunted big ten teams get DESTROYED in bowl games vs faster, better passing teams that can defend the run? The big ten is a tough competitive league WITHIN ITSELF. The teams rival each other very closely, but overall - don't stack up to the PAC-10, SEC and Big 12 teams that they end up meeting and usually get embarrassed by - particularly Michigan - who for years (Lloyd Carr), went into bowl games preparing like they were going to take on another big ten opponent and then seemed surprised that they were up against a team with bigger, faster receivers and more accurate passers who would pick them apart. Winning seasons and Big Ten title don't mean S*&$ unless you win on the big bowl stage.

    Admittedly - Michigan's defense this year - with the exception of Brandon Graham - is the worst I have ever seen. They are out of position, don't make tackles, get burned and allow downhill running into the secondary and deep passes on 3rd and long situations all the time. For a true freshman -Tate Forcier has, for the most part, given Michigan a chance to win. The defense has lost it pretty much every time. A small fast defense can be effective - if they are fundamentally sound (which this defense largely is not) and in position (which they rarely are). These are problems with the teachers and the schemers. Get a new defensive coordinator and coaches. Fast.

    Given time to implement the spread and get the right players in action - Michigan will become a dominant force in the Big Ten, a generally perennial champion, and might actually represent the Big Ten as something other than an overrated doormat for the bowl games in January. Meanwhile - suck it up - have some patience, and enjoy the fall of Charlie Weiss and Notre Dame.
  18. Demetrius
    232. Posted by Demetrius Mon Nov 16 8:33pm EST

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    Whats up Wolverine fans! I'm a Die Hard SEC guy and Tennessee fan, and if anyone knows what you guys are feeling it's a Vol! Both of our programs are one of the winningest on CF, but we are having some down time! But as of now even i'm Pissed at whats been going on lately with the Wolverines! Coach Rodrigez wasn't the best choice! I was hoping he would help user the mighty Wolverines back into the National hunt and competing in the big 10 and Nationally!

    I'm old school I remember the days of the SEC battling the Big 10 for CF supremecy. I'll admit I usually go for Ohio St in the Big Game out of hatred for the wolverines, But I respect the Wolverines and the old Big 10. I kinda liked being the underdoggs taking on the mighty Big 10. But it's like now when the main dogs aren't really competing it makes the bowls a bit less fun!

    Maybe the Wolverines should push very hard for Les Miles or another big name coach; Maybe the coack at Pittsburge, he's been doing alot with very little. I'm an SEC guy and will always rival the Big 10 but it sucks when a Traditonal powerhouse becomes a laughing stock! Can't wait til you guys are competing for Roses again, and battling Ohio St evenly guys Keep your heads up Wolverines fans because it can get better! Goodluck! Go Vols!
  19. Jesse
    231. Posted by Jesse Mon Nov 16 7:32pm EST

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    There is always next season.
  20. wade
    230. Posted by wade Mon Nov 16 6:37pm EST

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    he should stay his full contract in order to see if he can make it work. why bring a guy in who runs a totally different system and not give him the time he needs to make it work?

    also, what available and willing coaches are out there who could replace richard? urban meyer and jim harbough might not be interested in coaching at michigan.
  21. carl
    229. Posted by carl Mon Nov 16 6:06pm EST

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    maybe we can sneak gabe watson and alan branch in on saturday ?

    its worth a shot ?
  22. RodO
    228. Posted by RodO Mon Nov 16 1:59pm EST

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    How does it feel to be in last place in the Big Ten?
  23. darrell
    227. Posted by darrell Mon Nov 16 9:49am EST

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    #206, what the hell have you been smoking??? Look at what he was given??? Let's see Carr's last year at Mich was so bad we lost 4 games, and we beat Florida with TeeBow in the Gator bowl... This nim-rob I mean Rich rod, lost a good QB in Mallett, I remember linemen that left Mich to go to Ohio St. Why because RR doesn't hold to our old traditions. Fire this bum, now.... Show the rest of College football that this standard is not exceptable at The U of M..
    I'm tired of all the excuses, don't want to hear anything anymore, just win baby, that's the bottom line. If as a coach your to stupid to know how to prepair for a game, then go back to highschool football. This is the big ten, not the ACC or SEC or anywhere else, it's the big ten.
    Mich, please hire a local man, someone that understands what it is to play BIG TEN FOOTBALL. I see a good coach that just might take the job, on the cheap too. If you need the number to the Standford AD I'll get it to ya.. What would BO do?? "A Michigan man well be our coach not someone who is running down to AZ, this is MICHIGAN", and as I recall our basketball team won the NCAA that year.... Least we forget
  24. Gene
    226. Posted by Gene Mon Nov 16 9:14am EST

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    When you enter the state of WV there is a large sign welcoming all of you to the state. Under it, there is a sign that reads "If Your Name is Rich Rodriguez You Ain't Welcome here." I think they mean it!
  25. Hindmost
    225. Posted by Hindmost Sun Nov 15 9:08pm EST

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    I'm not a Michigan fan, but I do feel bad for the team and the folks who are fans...... Long ago I went to WVU and not so long ago my daughter went to Colorado. Like most West Virginia folks I held Rich Fraud in the highest esteem as a coach. However, after the debacle of the Pitt game and him slithering out with his files and a BS story leaving the team to face Oklahoma minus a coach and the school having to sue him to get back the money he did not earn......well I have him on my permanent @#$%e list. So....in a nutshell......I partly wish Michigan would keep him for a long, long time so I could smile at his face on the sidelines twisting in anger as he loses and loses and loses. But, I cut you guys some slack.... do give him his walking papers soon. Just don't keep saying, 'send him back to WV'...... he ain't welcome and that is the year's understatement!
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