Yes, it's only been 12 days since Lloyd announced his retirement from the Maize 'n Blue. In that time, in case you haven't been following, head coaches heads have been rolling all over the land...Some obvious, others, well, let's just say that I don't know what some schools, fans and alumni are thinking when it comes to their programs and the expectations of said programs. And what they expect one man to do to right the ship given the set of circumstances they currently find themselves in...
Reflecting on this, I believe that Rutgers Coach Schiano, Boise State Coach Peterson, and Southern Florida Coach Leavitt, Kansas' Mangino, and others have screwed things up royally for many coaches at the big names schools, and I will explain why. Previously, these small, no name schools were known for one thing and one thing only: Be the fodder for the big Name, Big Budget National Title Contenders - Nothing More. We don't want Cinderellas in College Football, it ruins the delicate balance of nature (of the beast). All the Big Names want the small guys to stay small - and beatable - so they can get their victory and move on to a 10 win season...But the little guys haven't been paying attention. The Knight Report that came out a few years ago, for those of you that remember, and foreshadowed this kind of landscape with unrealistic expectations for all schools in Division 1A. And here we are. Small market, small alumni schools with a shot at winning the whole ball of wax, West Virginia and Missouri, and one of the teams isn't even FAVORED in their Title game...What's more, one of the schools that could slip into the title game (Georgia) won't even play in their CONFERENCE TITLE GAME...and that's what has everybody at smaller schools steaming...Look at these little guys and why can't we be them? Where is the next unknown BIG TIME coach that can take us to the promised land?
Schools like Southern Mississippi canning their head coach with 14 out of 17 winning seasons - for having a 7-5 record...Schools like Arkansas canning a head coach after beating the #1 team and said coach was immediately scooped up by Ole Miss, who canned their guy when Nutt became available - regardless of what went on at the strip club 2 years ago. Ole Miss has told the world that they can live with that if you get us to 9 wins and a New Year's day Bowl. Georgia Tech firing Chan Gailey for being competitive in the ACC with 2nd rate talent out of the State of Georgia...because he didn't meet with the school's expectations of mingling with the Boosters the right way - and didn't beat Georgia...These schools figure that if small market schools can do it, why can't they? Even though these schools compete in conferences that are powerful and have perennially tough teams at the top...
I guess what surprises me the most is not that these schools are doing this, but have they looked around at what could be waiting for them by trading the known for the unknown? Have they seen what can happend to once great programs like Nebraska? Notre Dame? (Jeez, I hate these guys) Do they somehow think that their schools and programs have more tradition, allure, and attraction to recruit better coaches and talent to go there and take them to, well, where exactly? Is it really reasonable in the BCS Day and Age to expect Georgia Tech to compete annually for a National Title? Okay, they won one under Bobby Ross way back God-knows-when, but is that reasonable to expect that goal on an annual basis from that school? I don't expect that as a Michigan Alum - and remember, I am a slappy fan...I figure, realistically, that if you can get a sniff at a National Title once every 5 years or so, you're doing pretty good among the elite schools that are out there competing for the same goal every year...
So, this post wasn't so much an update on the Michigan situation - and I will do that, but as a lead in to the comments on what I think about Les Miles and what my expections are from the next head coach at Michigan, whoever that may be.
Yes, Bill Martin has finally gone public and asked for permission to speak to Les. My guess is that Michigan has a contract ready, regardless of what Lloyd Carr thinks or feels about Les Miles. Lloyd isn't the guy whose ass is on the line for the next 5-10 years with this decision (See Tom Goss Hires Tommy Amaker...Was he the Best Thing for Michigan? He was a Duke Guy and not a Michigan Man...I know - you can't compare Michigan Basketball to Michigan Football, but you had better learn from the last AD who got canned in front of you) And it's hard to ignore 36-4 in the SEC over the last 3 years with some of the best talent in that league...Yeah, I know, Satan recruited them...But Miles developed them. So, think what you want. Do I think Miles is the next coach? Well, given the fact that Lloyd's pick was Ferentz - I think that's going to come out if you watch mgoblog and the story that's unfolding there, told Michigan, "Nope, I am happy at Iowa." And thank your Maize and Blue Lucky Stars he IS HAPPY at Iowa...Because I would have not been happy with the Ferentz hire.....
So, I think Les is your next coach. Is that a good or a bad thing? Well, let's look at the good (with MMQ comments thrown in):
The GOOD!
1. He is a Michigan Man (MMQ Comment: I have thought about this a lot the last couple of weeks and after all is said and done - So what? Can he win here is all that really matters...I think he can and it helps that he played in the Game and understands what it takes to beat OSU...So, it matters a little, but not as much as people think..I'M a Michigan Man - Me - The MMQ...Does it matter? Really?)
2. He "Gets" the Michigan OSU Game...(Recently speaking, this is getting to be kind of a big deal - so this is a plus - a Big Plus....)
3. He Can Recruit - Bill McCartney credits Miles with the 5 year turnaround that he oversaw at Colorado... (This hasn't gotten a lot of press - but it's the first I have heard someone give Miles behind the scenes credit for early work...)
4. I don't care whose players they are or how he has won the games, he is 36-4 in the SEC... You can't ignore numbers like that (All Right - this one time and ONE TIME ONLY - I will admit - God, I hate doing this - That the SEC might be a better conference than the rest - MAYBE. Caryl Brown, I know you will throw this back in my face for the rest of my life)
5. He's brash and outspoken (This can work both ways. Schembechler was outspoken, but was a legend, so he could get away with it. IF Miles doesn't win, His Big Talk will get old with the Alumni really fast..)
6. He surrounds himself with good coordinators (For now. Will the Michigan Loyalty take over when he gets here or will he continue to look for the best coaches who find the new wrinkles in the game?)
7. He will probably coach here until he hangs up the whistle (This, if he maintains the integrity of the program and the winning tradition, is a good thing - trust me....)
8. He beat Stoops twice while he was at OSU, Urban Legend twice while at LSU, and these guys are supposed to be big game coaches...(He can win big games against guys who are supposed to be the best X's and O's coaches out there - read Tressel)
9. He is two OT games away from the National title game this year....(I know - So What? Can he do it here? is the question that needs to be answered...)
10. He Loves Michigan....(So What? We ALL LOVE MICHIGAN! Right????)
The Not so Good
1. Game Decisions. Say what you want, I don't see how you can call for an end zone pass with 12 tics on the clock when a field goal wins the game agains Auburn. BAD CALL. (This is at the top of my worry bead list. You can get away with calls like this when they work and you have talent, but when they don't, oh man...You will be hung in effigy by the 2nd guessers and, ahem, Monday Morning Quarterbacks!)
2. Tunnel Vision. I think, after watching LSU a lot this year, that they seem to stick with what works - even when it's not working... While that's not a bad thing, I am still a firm believer in adjustment and taking what the other guy is giving...Which is probably why I am not a head coach...But I think LSU could have beat both Kentucky and Arkansas if they hadn't been quite so stubborn...)
3. LSU fan boards seem to be 50-50 on whether or not they want the guy to hang around, saying he is not that good of a coach...(So What? Every Coach who isn't winning the National Title this year in the SEC is on someone's sh!t list Blog...See Urban Legend, Satan, Tommy Tutone, Sly Croom, Richy Rich, The Ole Ball Coach, Etc.)
4. He's 54. If he follows the Lloyd route, he's here for 10 years, and might be gone...But I think he may coach for a few more years than Lloyd...
5. Can he out-think and out-scheme the Vest? (This remains to be seen. I am actually starting to get a little intimidated by The Sweater Vested Troll.... The Luckeyes seem to have the Big Ten figured out and the recruiting train is at full speed...How does the new guy derail the juggernaut? Is Tressel Woody re-incarnated? Is OSU the Midwest Powerhouse? Is it 1968 all over again in 2007? History does repeat itself, you know....and we all know what happened in 1969... Read: Bring on 2008!)
The Really Bad
1. We just don't know....(I know, I hear all of you out there saying, "WTF MMQ! Come On! We have been living with Lloyd "boring" Carr for 13 seasons - at a .750% win rate...Loosen up and move forward...Yeah, well, Lloyd did give us 1997 and 2006, even if 2006 didn't end that great...And I saw what happened to the other "Great" programs that tried "moving forward" One is literally in the sh!tter and had to revive the last living legend to come back to right the ship - if the "Titanic" known as Nebraska Football can be saved from sinking and the other is literally wallowing and sinking in the greed that they let consume them (Domers)with no turnaround in sight (Weis will get the ax before next Turkey Day).....I don't think this will happen to Michigan (it didn't happen to LSU with two head coaching changes), but how can you really KNOW? - Bottom line is you can't - there is always risk....
2. Is there a better guy that we aren't "seeing"? See number 1. What if Les Miles gets here and he's the boob that everyone in the SEC is saying he is and he has just been lucky down there? What do we do then, Sports Fans? What do we do when we are Nebraska or the Domers and we are looking for the "next" guy and he's already coaching another school that he doesn't want to leave? Is there a better choice out there right now that we aren't looking at as closely as we should be based on the fact that Les has too much clout and can't be ignored?
Anyway, What you are really reading this for - My Expectations of the Next Coach:
1. Don't lose the Michigan tradition. I want to be able to watch the Wolverines on New Year's day.
2. 1st year OSU Bye...Unless you want to establish your legend and beat the Suckeyes like Bo did his 1st year....Then, by all means, kick their asses in Columbus...and I mean beat the ever living sh!t out of those inbred, mealy mouthed, truck driving, sister-kissing, one-syllable vocabulary, monkey-loving, nut-sucking, braying-hyena morons...Yes, I am a little preturbed that we haven't beat them in awhile...Can you tell?
3. Let's mix up the offense a little bit and attack the spread a little more aggressively....There has to be a scheme that works against that offense and a mobile QB...and if we can come up with a better play then tailback off left tackle on first down, then by all means, let's use it and use it regularly...
4. In Mallet's junior year, if he is that good, with the defense that got a lot better this year maturing...I think a whiff of a National Title in in your 2nd year as head coach isn't unreasonable...That's the slappy in me coming out...Of course, this means you beat OSU, too....
5. Beat MSU, The Domers, and everybody else.... (Or at least beat all the DII schools on the schedule...Sheesh... and re-establish the rivalry with OSU - meaning we beat those little c_cks_cker_! Remember: you can't spell that word without OSU!)
First Season: 9-3 or 8-4....Anything less and you better have a good explanation...
2nd Season: See above...I think we should be looking at a shot at the BCS National Title Game given where other programs are currently and will be in two year's time...and you better figure on beating OSU - did I mention that?
3rd season...Same as 2nd season....
After that, we will need to see how good a recruiter the new coach is and what he can do with his own talent....and beat OSU....
Tough Job with High Expectations? You bet. But Florida had high expectations, OSU had high expectations, as did LSU, as did Alabama (snicker) as will LSU again if Les leaves....
Bring on the new coach and let the new Era Begin!
MMQ
The MMQ
Friday, November 30, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Championship Monday - The B(C)S - What a Week!
What Happened over the Weekend?
LMU - LOST to the Piggies.....Great game that finished in OT on Friday, in case you missed it....What's really funny is that the Razor Backs Coach, Houston Nutt, after beating the #1 team, is probably going to get canned...Go figure the SEC.
BORDER WAR - Mizzou beats Kansas. And they looked good doing it. If they can slip past the Laters, they rightly deserve a shot in the national title game...More on that in a minute..
Hokies defeat Virginia - Set up the ACC showdown with a rematch against Boston College and one time Heismann front runner Matt Ryan. Can they pull off the rematch?
IRON BOWL - Auburn Kitties over Crimson Satan. Figure the love for Satan, if not gone completely, is going fast...You can't lose to Lousiana-Monroe and your arch rival after nearly beating LSU and still get love...I don't think Mike Shula ever lost to a SWC team in his tenure...
GATORLAND - Defeated "weak" in state rival FSU to keep their 9-3 record in tact...
CREMESICLES - needed 4 OT's in one of the best games over the weekend to beat Kentucky and win their way into the title game against LMU....
cornsuckers...Man, what happened to Nebraska football? They let Colorado hang 41 points on them in the 1st half and over 60 total points for the game? No wonder Callahan got canned...
DOMERS (Jeez I hate these guys)- Won their "Bowl Game" against the Cardinal after some really weak play calling by Jim Harbaugh...But 3-9 is still a nice record...I will be the first to predict that The Weasel is not .500 next year and will get the Ax by Turkey Day...Notre Dame faithfull just won't be able to take anymore.
The B(C)S Mess (and how it stands today):
The reason the (C) is in parentheses is that if you take it out, as Lou Holtz says, you have the perfect Initials BS Standings
1. Mizzou (Big 12)
2. West Virginia (Big East)
3. Ohio State (Big Ten)
4. Georgia (SEC)
5. Kansas (Big 12)
6. Virginia Tech (ACC)
7. LSU (SEC)
8. USC (Pac 10)
9. Oklahoma (Big 12)
10. Florida (SEC)
11. Boston College (ACC)
12. Hawaii (WAC)
Now, to clarify for all the SEC people out there...It looks like right now the "dominant" conference is the Big 12 with 3 teams in the top 12. That Florida nod at 3 losses is a gift, by the way. Be glad you have a QB that has 20 rushing and 26 passing TD's this season and everyone wants to see him play on New Year's Day. However, that shouldn't change the fact that the Big 12 is probably the conference that gets screwed this year - along with the SEC. But that's a good thing - I will explain in a minute...Oregon finished themselves off with the help of UCLA beating them 16-0...I feel bad for that team. They are great with Dixson and they are nothing without him...
So, what happens now, MR. MMQ? WVU, for all intents and purposes, is an automatic. They are playing about as well as they have played all year and only have to get past a weak Pittsburgh team in the Backyard Brawl on Saturday. So, figure they are in. And, I hate to say it, but I think it's going to be tough for Mizzou to be up again in a week to play the Okie Dokie Laters...and I think the Laters will be looking for respect in San Antonio...I like Bob Stoops in a one game showdown... I don't know what the spread is, but Mizzou will probably be favored and they will find themselves in very unfamiliar territory playing for the title. That means, if the Laters pull of the not so big upset - they already beat this team once - that the OSU (s)Luckeyes will find themselves in the title game against WVU. Which means that everyone in the Big 10 moves up a notch in the Bowls and Michigan becomes a lock for a New Year's day game...and if it had not been for that loss to (ARRGGGGHHH!) App State, maybe even the Rose Bowl...
Yep - I can always get it back to how it all affects the Michigan Wolverines, sports fans....
And Fans, this is WHAT WE WANT THIS YEAR. I figure if there is any time that you have 3 Big 12 teams in the top 10, three SEC teams in the top 10 and neither one of them makes the Title Game, and two of the "weakest" conferences slide teams into the National Title Game and the also get an at large bid (Illinois) for all the dough.... well, you can bet that there will be plenty of screaming from 24 teams (maybe 34 if you throw the Pac 10 in there) in the NCAA that will want either an 8 or a 12 team playoff...And deservedly so. I can't look at one team in the top 12 (with the exception of Hawaii) that didn't play their butts off this year and they should somehow get a shot to win it all if they can put 3 or 4 games together at the end of the season to make a run to the Championship...But we don't have a play off, so it will be two conferecnes that don't have multiple teams in the top 12, much less the top 25, that will get to play for all the marbles...does that make sense in this crazy college football world? This year...Anything makes sense...
Coaching Carousel
I would say hot seat, but the seat is always hot when your coach...
Callahan - (Cornsuckers)GONE
Franchione - (Texas A&M) Gone
Orgeron - (Ole Miss) Gone
Carr - Retired
Hot Rumors (or fact):
Bo Pelini - Interviewed Sunday by Osborn
Mike Sherman, Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator- Texas A&M
Kirk Ferentz - Daily Iowan is reporting that Kirk is going to Michigan to rejoin Mary Sue Coleman.. Vegas has Kirk 2nd in the odds department at 9-2 and
Les Miles at 2-1 for the Michigan Job...But that keeps slipping with each loss...
Games of the Week
LSU and the Cremesicles - Right to play for the Citrus bowl when Georgia gets the SEC At Large Berth...
BC and the Hokies - Rematch on a neutral field...can the Hokies take advantage?
Mizzou and the Laters - The game that decides EVERYTHING....
MMQ
LMU - LOST to the Piggies.....Great game that finished in OT on Friday, in case you missed it....What's really funny is that the Razor Backs Coach, Houston Nutt, after beating the #1 team, is probably going to get canned...Go figure the SEC.
BORDER WAR - Mizzou beats Kansas. And they looked good doing it. If they can slip past the Laters, they rightly deserve a shot in the national title game...More on that in a minute..
Hokies defeat Virginia - Set up the ACC showdown with a rematch against Boston College and one time Heismann front runner Matt Ryan. Can they pull off the rematch?
IRON BOWL - Auburn Kitties over Crimson Satan. Figure the love for Satan, if not gone completely, is going fast...You can't lose to Lousiana-Monroe and your arch rival after nearly beating LSU and still get love...I don't think Mike Shula ever lost to a SWC team in his tenure...
GATORLAND - Defeated "weak" in state rival FSU to keep their 9-3 record in tact...
CREMESICLES - needed 4 OT's in one of the best games over the weekend to beat Kentucky and win their way into the title game against LMU....
cornsuckers...Man, what happened to Nebraska football? They let Colorado hang 41 points on them in the 1st half and over 60 total points for the game? No wonder Callahan got canned...
DOMERS (Jeez I hate these guys)- Won their "Bowl Game" against the Cardinal after some really weak play calling by Jim Harbaugh...But 3-9 is still a nice record...I will be the first to predict that The Weasel is not .500 next year and will get the Ax by Turkey Day...Notre Dame faithfull just won't be able to take anymore.
The B(C)S Mess (and how it stands today):
The reason the (C) is in parentheses is that if you take it out, as Lou Holtz says, you have the perfect Initials BS Standings
1. Mizzou (Big 12)
2. West Virginia (Big East)
3. Ohio State (Big Ten)
4. Georgia (SEC)
5. Kansas (Big 12)
6. Virginia Tech (ACC)
7. LSU (SEC)
8. USC (Pac 10)
9. Oklahoma (Big 12)
10. Florida (SEC)
11. Boston College (ACC)
12. Hawaii (WAC)
Now, to clarify for all the SEC people out there...It looks like right now the "dominant" conference is the Big 12 with 3 teams in the top 12. That Florida nod at 3 losses is a gift, by the way. Be glad you have a QB that has 20 rushing and 26 passing TD's this season and everyone wants to see him play on New Year's Day. However, that shouldn't change the fact that the Big 12 is probably the conference that gets screwed this year - along with the SEC. But that's a good thing - I will explain in a minute...Oregon finished themselves off with the help of UCLA beating them 16-0...I feel bad for that team. They are great with Dixson and they are nothing without him...
So, what happens now, MR. MMQ? WVU, for all intents and purposes, is an automatic. They are playing about as well as they have played all year and only have to get past a weak Pittsburgh team in the Backyard Brawl on Saturday. So, figure they are in. And, I hate to say it, but I think it's going to be tough for Mizzou to be up again in a week to play the Okie Dokie Laters...and I think the Laters will be looking for respect in San Antonio...I like Bob Stoops in a one game showdown... I don't know what the spread is, but Mizzou will probably be favored and they will find themselves in very unfamiliar territory playing for the title. That means, if the Laters pull of the not so big upset - they already beat this team once - that the OSU (s)Luckeyes will find themselves in the title game against WVU. Which means that everyone in the Big 10 moves up a notch in the Bowls and Michigan becomes a lock for a New Year's day game...and if it had not been for that loss to (ARRGGGGHHH!) App State, maybe even the Rose Bowl...
Yep - I can always get it back to how it all affects the Michigan Wolverines, sports fans....
And Fans, this is WHAT WE WANT THIS YEAR. I figure if there is any time that you have 3 Big 12 teams in the top 10, three SEC teams in the top 10 and neither one of them makes the Title Game, and two of the "weakest" conferences slide teams into the National Title Game and the also get an at large bid (Illinois) for all the dough.... well, you can bet that there will be plenty of screaming from 24 teams (maybe 34 if you throw the Pac 10 in there) in the NCAA that will want either an 8 or a 12 team playoff...And deservedly so. I can't look at one team in the top 12 (with the exception of Hawaii) that didn't play their butts off this year and they should somehow get a shot to win it all if they can put 3 or 4 games together at the end of the season to make a run to the Championship...But we don't have a play off, so it will be two conferecnes that don't have multiple teams in the top 12, much less the top 25, that will get to play for all the marbles...does that make sense in this crazy college football world? This year...Anything makes sense...
Coaching Carousel
I would say hot seat, but the seat is always hot when your coach...
Callahan - (Cornsuckers)GONE
Franchione - (Texas A&M) Gone
Orgeron - (Ole Miss) Gone
Carr - Retired
Hot Rumors (or fact):
Bo Pelini - Interviewed Sunday by Osborn
Mike Sherman, Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator- Texas A&M
Kirk Ferentz - Daily Iowan is reporting that Kirk is going to Michigan to rejoin Mary Sue Coleman.. Vegas has Kirk 2nd in the odds department at 9-2 and
Les Miles at 2-1 for the Michigan Job...But that keeps slipping with each loss...
Games of the Week
LSU and the Cremesicles - Right to play for the Citrus bowl when Georgia gets the SEC At Large Berth...
BC and the Hokies - Rematch on a neutral field...can the Hokies take advantage?
Mizzou and the Laters - The game that decides EVERYTHING....
MMQ
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Search for the Coach..(Wednesday, November 21)
Yes, this is one of the most prestigious jobs in all of college football, and the title head coach carries with it amazing responsibility. Responsibility to young athletes, Alumni, student bodies...Name one alumni freind from a major university that doesn't identify with it's athletic team...even a little. It's tough, but everyone out there is proud of it's football or basketball tradition. That's just the way it is.
Bill Martin has a monumental task on his hands and rumor has it that 20 names exist on a "super secret" list that Bill put together starting as early as last year...and with Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas A&M, and others sure to be looking as the coaching carousel begins, it's going to be tough to land the "right" guy....
So, who's on the list MR. MMQ????? Allow me to speculate:
The Obvious (With Ties to Michigan):
1. Les Miles.
Why he's not the Man:
Lloyd might not like him. He's never come out publicy and said as much, but Lloyd's decision on this will count....So, Strike one. Bo Was pissed at him before he died - that is true. Strike Two. LSU doesn't seem to be that upset that he might be leaving....Do they know something we don't? Curve Ball coming, do you swing??? Has already stated that he won't be part of 3 ring circus.
Why he is the man:
A man of integrity (we think). Either hire him, or he's staying at LSU. But Les is a smart guy. He knows that he is only as good as his last win at LSU. One 9-3 or 8-4 season at LSU after this season, 2007, and he's as good as gone anyway and looking for another head coaching job somewhere.... Michigan won't do that. He'll be coach here until he hangs up the whistle. Clearly, Michigan is where he wants to be and if it's smart, Michigan will take him and let him mature into this job the way Lloyd did - If Lloyd can let by-gones be by-gones......Concerns: McGuppy wasn't offered a scholarship at LSU...He has committed to Michigan. Will Michigan make a decision based on a recruits wishes?
Side Note: Les's wife Kathy is a former Michigan Women's Basketball assistant and has been rumored to have been shopping for a home in Ann Arbor....She wants to come home.
Odds: 2-1
2. Mike Trgovac - Defensive Coordinator under the Carolina Panthers...Played for Bo...Could be a potential upset possibility to Les Miles....We just don't know much about him and is unproven at the head coaching spot...Even Bo was a head coach before he came to Michigan. The only guy without head coaching experience before he got the job??? Lloyd Carr.
Odds: 4-1
3. Brady Hoke - (Ball State) - He almost upset the 2006 Michigan Wolverines and was a field goal away from upsetting a lousy Nebraska team....Don't be surprised if he makes the headlines sooner rather than later...He was an assistant under Loyal Lloyd....But I still see Hoke as a long shot...
Odds: 10-1
4. Kirk Ferentz - Hired by former UM President Mary Sue Coleman at Iowa, who was a dear friend of the late Bo Schembechler - she spoke at his memorial. But, he is the HIGHEST PAID Big 10 coach...Did Iowa really know what they were doing or has the recruiting trail in Chicago dried up because of The Weasel in DomerLand??? Kirk has been rumored a lot. But would the Big Ten prey on its own and start something that no one wants to see? This is a longshot at best...
Odds: 50-1
5. DeBord - De NOOOOOO......Central Michigan Fiasco...Enough said...
Odds: How do you write the infinity sign again? - to one.
6. English - Timing is not on Ron's side. If Michigan would have won it all last year, the euphoria would have let this happen...But when the D gives up 1,000 yards in the 1st two games, 572 to a DII school, it's considered "Bad Timing". Given time, maybe. Right now, uh-uh....
Odds: if there had been a Championship and OSU victory in 2006: 2-1
Today: 200-1
7. Harbaugh - If he could have kept his mouth shut....
Odds: See DeBord
The Not-So-Obvious - No Michigan Ties...
8. Schiano - Rutgers. Wants the Penn State Job. Enough said.
9. Pellini - LSU defensive coordinator...May answer momma's call (See Bear Bryant leaves Texas A&M to go to Alabama) and go back to the Corn Fields of Nebraska
10. Bob Stoops - His name continues to get thrown around. The Michigan connection isn't clear. He was an assistant at Iowa under Fry in 1983, but that doesn't mean anything. I think the reason Stoops name comes up is he is CLEAN. He kicked his QB off the team for violations and sacrificed the rest of the team's success in the process. Michigan likes that...
11. Rodriguez - West Virginia - he turned down Alabama stating he was in his dream job...Or was he just saying that to make WVU fans happy? My guess is he knows that WVU will always be a 2nd tier to the Big Schools, one of them being Michigan. Beline might have paved the road for Rodriguez....No Michigan ties...100-1
12. Urban Mayer - had in his contract at Utah options to get out for the Domer job and Michigan. Florida AD made a quiet deal with Urban and Domers lost out publicly...Badly...Don't think the back door thing did anything to enhance his image at Michigan, much less his 2006 tirade to get into the National Championship game, which was probably going to happen anyway...
13. Brian Kelly - This one doesn't make a lot of sense...Thought to be a lead candidate for the MSU job - which doesn't make sense that his name keeps coming up for the Michigan job...No one is clear why he was taken out of the mix for MSU or if he took himself out. But is he going to be looking for the next job if he comes to Michigan? Look for Kelly to land at one of the other vacancies where he will probably do better than the Michigan selection...
Odds for all: 500-1
The Guys I Call to see How Are They Treating you Lately? (No Michigan ties)
14. Pete Carrol - Hear me out, because I know you're laughing. Pete is a guy with a big ego, but I think he is a traditional down to earth guy, too. He tried the pros and came back. And let's not forget that he understands the Big 10 and the "Game"....He coached under Earle Bruce. And he might be looking to make one last statement somewhere that people would really appreciate. Let's face it: In LA, you are either winning National Titles, or you are standing in line waiting for a table at the local hotspot like everyone else....
Odds: 500-1
15. Chris Peterson (Boise State) - This guys name was on every list LAST year after he beat Oklahoma, but nobody is talking about him this year. He would bring a new offensive scheme to Michigan, and he would be cheap. And he's young. At 41, He will outlive whoever makes this decision. ....But does he have the cache to pull off what needs to happen at Michigan for the next 3 years?
Odds: 1000-1
Left Field
16. Mike Belloti (Oregon) - Yeah, he's winning now...But he might listen to an offer...
17. Mike Stoops - If you can't get Bob, he may be on a list to grab after little success at Arizona.....but I think Texas A&M may have their sights set on Bob's Brother...At least they have more to the rivalry game than just the game if they get Stoops competeing against each other...
18. Tommy Bowden - I know - I don't like it either. But I am sure he has worn out his welcome at Clemson and He is probably tired of dealing with their expectations as well...And he might be the Arkansas answer in the SEC with Nutt getting canned. But he is the son of a legacy...
19. The Ole Ball Coach - This was thrown out on some radio station, but the guy made sense...South Carolina will never compete in the SEC the way Spurrier wants them to, but Michigan in the Big Ten with the right QB (Mallet - his arm fits well with the fun and gun offense, and a good defense - and in the weak Big 10 no less - and Spurrier finds himself in the National Title game for 1 or 2 years in a row and he has a chance to win it all one more time at a prestigious University like Michigan.......That's just ond of those Spurrier scenarios that might make him go Hmmmmm, Why Not Indeed? Lloyd would have to approve and he would be a short term solution at best...Golf season is too short and weather is not to his liking....
Odds for all: 2000-1
20. An Unknown....Remember the headlines in the Detroit News from 1969
Odds: 500-1
"BO WHO????"
MMQ
Bill Martin has a monumental task on his hands and rumor has it that 20 names exist on a "super secret" list that Bill put together starting as early as last year...and with Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas A&M, and others sure to be looking as the coaching carousel begins, it's going to be tough to land the "right" guy....
So, who's on the list MR. MMQ????? Allow me to speculate:
The Obvious (With Ties to Michigan):
1. Les Miles.
Why he's not the Man:
Lloyd might not like him. He's never come out publicy and said as much, but Lloyd's decision on this will count....So, Strike one. Bo Was pissed at him before he died - that is true. Strike Two. LSU doesn't seem to be that upset that he might be leaving....Do they know something we don't? Curve Ball coming, do you swing??? Has already stated that he won't be part of 3 ring circus.
Why he is the man:
A man of integrity (we think). Either hire him, or he's staying at LSU. But Les is a smart guy. He knows that he is only as good as his last win at LSU. One 9-3 or 8-4 season at LSU after this season, 2007, and he's as good as gone anyway and looking for another head coaching job somewhere.... Michigan won't do that. He'll be coach here until he hangs up the whistle. Clearly, Michigan is where he wants to be and if it's smart, Michigan will take him and let him mature into this job the way Lloyd did - If Lloyd can let by-gones be by-gones......Concerns: McGuppy wasn't offered a scholarship at LSU...He has committed to Michigan. Will Michigan make a decision based on a recruits wishes?
Side Note: Les's wife Kathy is a former Michigan Women's Basketball assistant and has been rumored to have been shopping for a home in Ann Arbor....She wants to come home.
Odds: 2-1
2. Mike Trgovac - Defensive Coordinator under the Carolina Panthers...Played for Bo...Could be a potential upset possibility to Les Miles....We just don't know much about him and is unproven at the head coaching spot...Even Bo was a head coach before he came to Michigan. The only guy without head coaching experience before he got the job??? Lloyd Carr.
Odds: 4-1
3. Brady Hoke - (Ball State) - He almost upset the 2006 Michigan Wolverines and was a field goal away from upsetting a lousy Nebraska team....Don't be surprised if he makes the headlines sooner rather than later...He was an assistant under Loyal Lloyd....But I still see Hoke as a long shot...
Odds: 10-1
4. Kirk Ferentz - Hired by former UM President Mary Sue Coleman at Iowa, who was a dear friend of the late Bo Schembechler - she spoke at his memorial. But, he is the HIGHEST PAID Big 10 coach...Did Iowa really know what they were doing or has the recruiting trail in Chicago dried up because of The Weasel in DomerLand??? Kirk has been rumored a lot. But would the Big Ten prey on its own and start something that no one wants to see? This is a longshot at best...
Odds: 50-1
5. DeBord - De NOOOOOO......Central Michigan Fiasco...Enough said...
Odds: How do you write the infinity sign again? - to one.
6. English - Timing is not on Ron's side. If Michigan would have won it all last year, the euphoria would have let this happen...But when the D gives up 1,000 yards in the 1st two games, 572 to a DII school, it's considered "Bad Timing". Given time, maybe. Right now, uh-uh....
Odds: if there had been a Championship and OSU victory in 2006: 2-1
Today: 200-1
7. Harbaugh - If he could have kept his mouth shut....
Odds: See DeBord
The Not-So-Obvious - No Michigan Ties...
8. Schiano - Rutgers. Wants the Penn State Job. Enough said.
9. Pellini - LSU defensive coordinator...May answer momma's call (See Bear Bryant leaves Texas A&M to go to Alabama) and go back to the Corn Fields of Nebraska
10. Bob Stoops - His name continues to get thrown around. The Michigan connection isn't clear. He was an assistant at Iowa under Fry in 1983, but that doesn't mean anything. I think the reason Stoops name comes up is he is CLEAN. He kicked his QB off the team for violations and sacrificed the rest of the team's success in the process. Michigan likes that...
11. Rodriguez - West Virginia - he turned down Alabama stating he was in his dream job...Or was he just saying that to make WVU fans happy? My guess is he knows that WVU will always be a 2nd tier to the Big Schools, one of them being Michigan. Beline might have paved the road for Rodriguez....No Michigan ties...100-1
12. Urban Mayer - had in his contract at Utah options to get out for the Domer job and Michigan. Florida AD made a quiet deal with Urban and Domers lost out publicly...Badly...Don't think the back door thing did anything to enhance his image at Michigan, much less his 2006 tirade to get into the National Championship game, which was probably going to happen anyway...
13. Brian Kelly - This one doesn't make a lot of sense...Thought to be a lead candidate for the MSU job - which doesn't make sense that his name keeps coming up for the Michigan job...No one is clear why he was taken out of the mix for MSU or if he took himself out. But is he going to be looking for the next job if he comes to Michigan? Look for Kelly to land at one of the other vacancies where he will probably do better than the Michigan selection...
Odds for all: 500-1
The Guys I Call to see How Are They Treating you Lately? (No Michigan ties)
14. Pete Carrol - Hear me out, because I know you're laughing. Pete is a guy with a big ego, but I think he is a traditional down to earth guy, too. He tried the pros and came back. And let's not forget that he understands the Big 10 and the "Game"....He coached under Earle Bruce. And he might be looking to make one last statement somewhere that people would really appreciate. Let's face it: In LA, you are either winning National Titles, or you are standing in line waiting for a table at the local hotspot like everyone else....
Odds: 500-1
15. Chris Peterson (Boise State) - This guys name was on every list LAST year after he beat Oklahoma, but nobody is talking about him this year. He would bring a new offensive scheme to Michigan, and he would be cheap. And he's young. At 41, He will outlive whoever makes this decision. ....But does he have the cache to pull off what needs to happen at Michigan for the next 3 years?
Odds: 1000-1
Left Field
16. Mike Belloti (Oregon) - Yeah, he's winning now...But he might listen to an offer...
17. Mike Stoops - If you can't get Bob, he may be on a list to grab after little success at Arizona.....but I think Texas A&M may have their sights set on Bob's Brother...At least they have more to the rivalry game than just the game if they get Stoops competeing against each other...
18. Tommy Bowden - I know - I don't like it either. But I am sure he has worn out his welcome at Clemson and He is probably tired of dealing with their expectations as well...And he might be the Arkansas answer in the SEC with Nutt getting canned. But he is the son of a legacy...
19. The Ole Ball Coach - This was thrown out on some radio station, but the guy made sense...South Carolina will never compete in the SEC the way Spurrier wants them to, but Michigan in the Big Ten with the right QB (Mallet - his arm fits well with the fun and gun offense, and a good defense - and in the weak Big 10 no less - and Spurrier finds himself in the National Title game for 1 or 2 years in a row and he has a chance to win it all one more time at a prestigious University like Michigan.......That's just ond of those Spurrier scenarios that might make him go Hmmmmm, Why Not Indeed? Lloyd would have to approve and he would be a short term solution at best...Golf season is too short and weather is not to his liking....
Odds for all: 2000-1
20. An Unknown....Remember the headlines in the Detroit News from 1969
Odds: 500-1
"BO WHO????"
MMQ
Monday, November 19, 2007
Lloyd - The Accidental Head Coach
He was a man that didn't want the job. And were it not for a drunken night by his own boss and good fried at Excalibur Restaurant in Southfield, we may have never come to know Lloyd Carr. And everything he stands for and everything that he has done for the University.
Gary Moeller, in what can only be described as a day that he will regret every time he wakes up for the rest of his life, was out at the University of Michigan. Joe Roberson, then AD, tapped Lloyd on the shoulder and told him he would be the interim head coach. Lloyd told him he was crazy, that he needed to find someone else for the job. Roberson said, "No, you're the man for the job." LLoyd lost that argument and has lived with the loss for the last 13 years.
It would have been interesting to see where Moeller, longtime Bo assistant, Head Coach at Illinois, an OSU team captain, could have taken the program. That is always an interesting question. Would he have maintained the program in the same manner as Lloyd? Could he have motivated the team the way Lloyd did in 1997? Would there have been a National Title? Would there have been More? Or None? We'll never know...
But what is nice is that, as much as he would let us, we got to know this Jimmy Stewart of a head coach who was never too loud, almost continuously mellow, and only got excited or emotional when someone challenged or made a comment about one of his guys. Bash Lloyd all you want, but don't say Navarre can't throw over a 5'11" nose tackle without hitting him in the helmet. Never state that the Michigan DB had a brain freeze in a critical loss. Nope, you couldn't go after his guys because he was going to come after you. And I like that.
Top things I liked most about LLoyd
1. Until this year, you were going to get an honest effort. Effort that was filled with intensity and desire. Effort reminiscent of the days of Bo and a work ethic that made blue collar look easy.
2. When most coaches don't know when to quit - Bowden, JoPa - Lloyd knows that to be the best, you need to do everything you can do and so much more. He knew those days and that effort was behind him. So, why not make way for the new era? Make way for someone that can give it 110% and more when it's required.
3. The smile and laugh of the victory coach on Michigan Replay.
4. His professionalism, class, and outright love for the University of Michigan.
Top things I won't miss about Lloyd.
1. Off left tackle, Off Left Tackle, 3rd down pass, and punt the ball.
So, whether we like it or not, Michigan must find a new Ambassador. Someone to fill the shoes of the most photographed, quoted, and spotlighted employee of any major Division 1 School. That's no true you say? All right - who is the President of the University of Florida? Thought so.....
Yes, this is one of the most prestigious jobs in all of college football, and the title head coach carries with it amazing responsibility. Responsibility to young athletes, Alumni, student bodies...Name one alumni freind from a major university that doesn't identify with it's athletic team...even a little. It's tough, but everyone out there is proud of it's football or basketball tradition. That's just the way it is.
MMQ
Gary Moeller, in what can only be described as a day that he will regret every time he wakes up for the rest of his life, was out at the University of Michigan. Joe Roberson, then AD, tapped Lloyd on the shoulder and told him he would be the interim head coach. Lloyd told him he was crazy, that he needed to find someone else for the job. Roberson said, "No, you're the man for the job." LLoyd lost that argument and has lived with the loss for the last 13 years.
It would have been interesting to see where Moeller, longtime Bo assistant, Head Coach at Illinois, an OSU team captain, could have taken the program. That is always an interesting question. Would he have maintained the program in the same manner as Lloyd? Could he have motivated the team the way Lloyd did in 1997? Would there have been a National Title? Would there have been More? Or None? We'll never know...
But what is nice is that, as much as he would let us, we got to know this Jimmy Stewart of a head coach who was never too loud, almost continuously mellow, and only got excited or emotional when someone challenged or made a comment about one of his guys. Bash Lloyd all you want, but don't say Navarre can't throw over a 5'11" nose tackle without hitting him in the helmet. Never state that the Michigan DB had a brain freeze in a critical loss. Nope, you couldn't go after his guys because he was going to come after you. And I like that.
Top things I liked most about LLoyd
1. Until this year, you were going to get an honest effort. Effort that was filled with intensity and desire. Effort reminiscent of the days of Bo and a work ethic that made blue collar look easy.
2. When most coaches don't know when to quit - Bowden, JoPa - Lloyd knows that to be the best, you need to do everything you can do and so much more. He knew those days and that effort was behind him. So, why not make way for the new era? Make way for someone that can give it 110% and more when it's required.
3. The smile and laugh of the victory coach on Michigan Replay.
4. His professionalism, class, and outright love for the University of Michigan.
Top things I won't miss about Lloyd.
1. Off left tackle, Off Left Tackle, 3rd down pass, and punt the ball.
So, whether we like it or not, Michigan must find a new Ambassador. Someone to fill the shoes of the most photographed, quoted, and spotlighted employee of any major Division 1 School. That's no true you say? All right - who is the President of the University of Florida? Thought so.....
Yes, this is one of the most prestigious jobs in all of college football, and the title head coach carries with it amazing responsibility. Responsibility to young athletes, Alumni, student bodies...Name one alumni freind from a major university that doesn't identify with it's athletic team...even a little. It's tough, but everyone out there is proud of it's football or basketball tradition. That's just the way it is.
MMQ
It's Over and It's Over...... (November 19, 2007)
Well, I can't really say much about what I saw on Saturday, except that I'm glad it's over...This season, starting out so dismally, ended the same way with two losses from an uninspired team and even worse effort from the coaching staff...That's not to say that I didn't like what I saw in the first possession. Hurry-Hurry offense, taking OSU's defense out of the mix was an indication to this fan that the Wolverines had finally figured it out...Take it to them, put them on the defensive, make the young QB throw. But after the first series, I never saw that imaginative offense again. It was like we decided just to give up, the OSU defense was too good.
Thoughts that ran through my mind sitting there in the rain: The 2007 season was eerily similar to 2005. The Heart Attack kids were banged up and lost 5 regular season games, and then lost to an over rated Nebraska team. But that team played OSU much better and actually led the game before folding in the 4th quarter....
Lloyd will be missed, and has announced his inevitable retirement. While I can't say right now, I will miss him, I can say that there will be times with the new guy, whoever he is, when we are asking, "Why can't this guy win late in the game like Lloyd did?" Some numbers, before and after the 2000 season, to show what Lloyd was and what he is now.
He is 6-7 against Ohio State (Thanks Super Cooper), and 75-16 against everyone else in the Big Ten. He went 1-6 against Jim Tressel, but 9-2 against Joe Paterno. Through the 2000 season, he was 11-1 against opponents ranked in the top 10. Since then, he is 6-8.
He has lost six of seven to Ohio State, but he started 3-0, when the Buckeyes' national rankings were 2, 2 and 4.
With his long tenure, Michigan has had seven head football coaches in 79 seasons. Notre Dame has had seven in 33.
So, if nothing else, I guess you can say that Lloyd came in with a bang and went out with a whimper, save for the 2006 Season that could have been. I still think about that OSU game and wonder what would have happened had we won. I do believe the 2006 Wolverines were a better team than last year's OSU team and they could have played with anyone in the country in November of last year.
On to the rest of the mess:
LATERS: Ooooooops Stooooooops! How many teams ranked in the top 5 are going to lose to non-ranked opponents in decisive fashion? The Laters showed that were human and knocked themselves out of title contention with the loss to Texas Tech...
Crimson Satan: Hey, don't look now, but my guess is all those people that met Satan at the airport and welcomed him with open arms are probably ready to tie his butt to a rail and run him out of town. You can't lose to Louisiana-Monroe after nearly upsetting the number 1 team in the country. Yep, watch for the "Fire Satan" signs a the next home game...
SPARTY: Congrats. You finally figured out that the season DOESN'T end after losing to Michigan. Maybe next year you can somehow figure out how to play the middle games after the opening 5 games and last 2.....Oh, by the way, Ford Field is nice at Christmas....
DOMERS (Jeez I hate these guys): I have never ever in my life seen a team celebrate like that after beating Duke. Now I have seen teams celebrate after beating Duke in Basketball, but not Football. Well, so much for the 1 win season. I guess that Duke victory will be something you can really build on, though....And I hear the Weasel is going back to his New England buddies to figure out what went wrong this season and how he can be better next year. Hey Coach Wuzzles: First thing you need is a Michigan QB - kind of like Brady - to take your program out of the dumps...
Cornsuckers: By weeks are nice because at least you're not in the news....
HOKIES: Way to crush the Gangstas when they're down...This game went on with so little hype that I kind of forgot it was this weekend. But the Showdown with Virginia Looms and then the re-match that everyone is waiting for....Can you guys make history?
KANSAS: The little Engine That Could keeps chugging away...If Kansas wins a Nationa Title, I am really going to start wondering about the state of College Football in General.....
GATORLAND: Still beating up on little guys, looking for someone to help them out in the SEC East....May The Rambling Wreck can pull off the upset....
HOT SEAT:
Morris (Baylor): GONE!
Oscar Mayer Whiner: Going...Maybe
SATAN: Watch this close...
Callahan: Even a week off can't stop this one...
Games of the Week
Kansas vs. Missouri - for all the Big 12 Marbles....
Colorado vs. Nebraska - It's still a good match-up....
Texas vs. Texas A&M - See Colorado Nebraska
Auburn vs. Alabama (If Satan doesn't show up for this game....)
Gatorland at FSU - Hmmm....Can Bobby's Boys pull the upset?
MMQ
Thoughts that ran through my mind sitting there in the rain: The 2007 season was eerily similar to 2005. The Heart Attack kids were banged up and lost 5 regular season games, and then lost to an over rated Nebraska team. But that team played OSU much better and actually led the game before folding in the 4th quarter....
Lloyd will be missed, and has announced his inevitable retirement. While I can't say right now, I will miss him, I can say that there will be times with the new guy, whoever he is, when we are asking, "Why can't this guy win late in the game like Lloyd did?" Some numbers, before and after the 2000 season, to show what Lloyd was and what he is now.
He is 6-7 against Ohio State (Thanks Super Cooper), and 75-16 against everyone else in the Big Ten. He went 1-6 against Jim Tressel, but 9-2 against Joe Paterno. Through the 2000 season, he was 11-1 against opponents ranked in the top 10. Since then, he is 6-8.
He has lost six of seven to Ohio State, but he started 3-0, when the Buckeyes' national rankings were 2, 2 and 4.
With his long tenure, Michigan has had seven head football coaches in 79 seasons. Notre Dame has had seven in 33.
So, if nothing else, I guess you can say that Lloyd came in with a bang and went out with a whimper, save for the 2006 Season that could have been. I still think about that OSU game and wonder what would have happened had we won. I do believe the 2006 Wolverines were a better team than last year's OSU team and they could have played with anyone in the country in November of last year.
On to the rest of the mess:
LATERS: Ooooooops Stooooooops! How many teams ranked in the top 5 are going to lose to non-ranked opponents in decisive fashion? The Laters showed that were human and knocked themselves out of title contention with the loss to Texas Tech...
Crimson Satan: Hey, don't look now, but my guess is all those people that met Satan at the airport and welcomed him with open arms are probably ready to tie his butt to a rail and run him out of town. You can't lose to Louisiana-Monroe after nearly upsetting the number 1 team in the country. Yep, watch for the "Fire Satan" signs a the next home game...
SPARTY: Congrats. You finally figured out that the season DOESN'T end after losing to Michigan. Maybe next year you can somehow figure out how to play the middle games after the opening 5 games and last 2.....Oh, by the way, Ford Field is nice at Christmas....
DOMERS (Jeez I hate these guys): I have never ever in my life seen a team celebrate like that after beating Duke. Now I have seen teams celebrate after beating Duke in Basketball, but not Football. Well, so much for the 1 win season. I guess that Duke victory will be something you can really build on, though....And I hear the Weasel is going back to his New England buddies to figure out what went wrong this season and how he can be better next year. Hey Coach Wuzzles: First thing you need is a Michigan QB - kind of like Brady - to take your program out of the dumps...
Cornsuckers: By weeks are nice because at least you're not in the news....
HOKIES: Way to crush the Gangstas when they're down...This game went on with so little hype that I kind of forgot it was this weekend. But the Showdown with Virginia Looms and then the re-match that everyone is waiting for....Can you guys make history?
KANSAS: The little Engine That Could keeps chugging away...If Kansas wins a Nationa Title, I am really going to start wondering about the state of College Football in General.....
GATORLAND: Still beating up on little guys, looking for someone to help them out in the SEC East....May The Rambling Wreck can pull off the upset....
HOT SEAT:
Morris (Baylor): GONE!
Oscar Mayer Whiner: Going...Maybe
SATAN: Watch this close...
Callahan: Even a week off can't stop this one...
Games of the Week
Kansas vs. Missouri - for all the Big 12 Marbles....
Colorado vs. Nebraska - It's still a good match-up....
Texas vs. Texas A&M - See Colorado Nebraska
Auburn vs. Alabama (If Satan doesn't show up for this game....)
Gatorland at FSU - Hmmm....Can Bobby's Boys pull the upset?
MMQ
Friday, November 16, 2007
26 hours and Counting...(Friday, November 16th, 2007)
THE GAME: Michigan vs. OSU
Point Spread: Doesn't Matter
Team Records: Doesn't matter (OK - Matters a little)
Team Statistics: Doesn't Matter
Location: Doesn't Matter
History: Well, that matters a little bit....If you have been paying attention.......
We are a mere 26 hours away from The Game. I wrote of memories of games in the past during last year's epic event...but it's interesting to see which games bubble up in memory the most every year, given where Michigan and the Suckeyes are ranked, what the expectations are, and what the press is saying...If you haven't been following, Michigan Sucks and OSU should win by 4-7 points, based on the spread...Hmmmmm...Memories of being the Underdog....
Dateline 1993 - John Cooper, "Super Cooper" had come to OSU from the then hot PAC 10 where every coach was the greatest coach ever and the PAC 10 was turning into the latest version of the Super Conference. Cooper had OSU playing and looking like an aerial assualt, having lost none with one tie against the Cheeseheads... I believe that "Big Daddy" Dan Wilkinson (Thank you for the Correction Trooper! - a lot of this is from memory...) was on that version of the OSU team... Michigan was a Big Underdog at home that year and we were not playing our usual style of football. OK - let me restate the last - We SUCKED...We had lost to Sparty, Illinois, the Cheeseheads, and the Domers (Jeez, I hate these guys....) and we were a Double Digit Dog in the Big House...Everyone was questioning Gary Moeller and whether or not he could get the team to compete at the level of the "new" OSU...I remember going to the game thinking I was going to witness another loss and suffer through an off season of losing the Game...
But, deep in the recesses of your mind, you remember that this is Michigan vs. OSU. Everyone talked about how records didn't matter in other games, but for this one, it really is true...And this is EXACTLY how you can recapture a season and make it truly successful - BEAT THE BUCKEYES!
And then it started to unfold...a quick turnover by the Suckeyes deep in the Northern End Zone...The crowd goes nuts as Michigan hangs a quick 7 on the Suckeyes with a circus catch by Mercury Hayes.... There is still some apprehension, like we might have been witnessing a mirage. I think everyone thought that the Suckeyes would get it back...But they didn't - and they hardly moved the ball against a stingy Meeechigan Defense. When it was all said and done, Che Foster, Ed Davis, and John Ritchie scored TD's and the 6-4 Wolverines had improved to 7-4, beating the heavily favored Suckeyes 28-0. Beating an arch rival is one thing...Blanking them, well, that's something really special. "Super Cooper" commented after the Game, "This is one of the most embarrassing games I've ever been involved with. They out played us on offense, on defense, and in the kicking game. If you'd told me we would come up here and get beat 28-0, I'd have probably stayed home."
Super Cooper - Welcome to the GAME....
1995 - Again in the House - Heismann Trophy Winner Eddie George, Receiver Terry Glenn and the Suckeyes come in ranked #2 and undefeated...and Glenn commented that "Michigan's nothing", and they weren't much... At 8-3, the Amaizing Blue had lost to Northwestern, Sparty, and JoePa...But, it's the Game and who should show up but "Touchdown Tim" Tshimanga Biakabutuka and rush for 313 yds against what was supposed to be an impenetrable Suckeye Defense...
Eddie and Terry - Welcome to the GAME.....
1996 - The Shoe....Super Cooper manages to always get the Suckeyes to the Game undefeated and usually ranked number 2...But another wounded Wolverine was cominig in at 8-3 to deny them the opportunity to finish undefeated. Scott Dreisbach went down and Brian Greise emerged as the QB of the future when he and Tai Streets hooked up for a 2nd half score and once again crushed the Buckeyes hopes of an undefeated season...
So, to the Fans out there thinking Michigan doesn't have a chance this year with a beat up Hart and Henne, 3 losses on the record, a coach that may or may not be with us next year, I have this to say:
I think we have the Suckeyes right where we want them......
"What the Mind can Conceive and Believe, The Mind can Achieve...
And Those Who Stay Will Be Champions!"
-Bo Schembechler, University of Michigan Locker Room
Is it Saturday yet?????????
MMQ
Point Spread: Doesn't Matter
Team Records: Doesn't matter (OK - Matters a little)
Team Statistics: Doesn't Matter
Location: Doesn't Matter
History: Well, that matters a little bit....If you have been paying attention.......
We are a mere 26 hours away from The Game. I wrote of memories of games in the past during last year's epic event...but it's interesting to see which games bubble up in memory the most every year, given where Michigan and the Suckeyes are ranked, what the expectations are, and what the press is saying...If you haven't been following, Michigan Sucks and OSU should win by 4-7 points, based on the spread...Hmmmmm...Memories of being the Underdog....
Dateline 1993 - John Cooper, "Super Cooper" had come to OSU from the then hot PAC 10 where every coach was the greatest coach ever and the PAC 10 was turning into the latest version of the Super Conference. Cooper had OSU playing and looking like an aerial assualt, having lost none with one tie against the Cheeseheads... I believe that "Big Daddy" Dan Wilkinson (Thank you for the Correction Trooper! - a lot of this is from memory...) was on that version of the OSU team... Michigan was a Big Underdog at home that year and we were not playing our usual style of football. OK - let me restate the last - We SUCKED...We had lost to Sparty, Illinois, the Cheeseheads, and the Domers (Jeez, I hate these guys....) and we were a Double Digit Dog in the Big House...Everyone was questioning Gary Moeller and whether or not he could get the team to compete at the level of the "new" OSU...I remember going to the game thinking I was going to witness another loss and suffer through an off season of losing the Game...
But, deep in the recesses of your mind, you remember that this is Michigan vs. OSU. Everyone talked about how records didn't matter in other games, but for this one, it really is true...And this is EXACTLY how you can recapture a season and make it truly successful - BEAT THE BUCKEYES!
And then it started to unfold...a quick turnover by the Suckeyes deep in the Northern End Zone...The crowd goes nuts as Michigan hangs a quick 7 on the Suckeyes with a circus catch by Mercury Hayes.... There is still some apprehension, like we might have been witnessing a mirage. I think everyone thought that the Suckeyes would get it back...But they didn't - and they hardly moved the ball against a stingy Meeechigan Defense. When it was all said and done, Che Foster, Ed Davis, and John Ritchie scored TD's and the 6-4 Wolverines had improved to 7-4, beating the heavily favored Suckeyes 28-0. Beating an arch rival is one thing...Blanking them, well, that's something really special. "Super Cooper" commented after the Game, "This is one of the most embarrassing games I've ever been involved with. They out played us on offense, on defense, and in the kicking game. If you'd told me we would come up here and get beat 28-0, I'd have probably stayed home."
Super Cooper - Welcome to the GAME....
1995 - Again in the House - Heismann Trophy Winner Eddie George, Receiver Terry Glenn and the Suckeyes come in ranked #2 and undefeated...and Glenn commented that "Michigan's nothing", and they weren't much... At 8-3, the Amaizing Blue had lost to Northwestern, Sparty, and JoePa...But, it's the Game and who should show up but "Touchdown Tim" Tshimanga Biakabutuka and rush for 313 yds against what was supposed to be an impenetrable Suckeye Defense...
Eddie and Terry - Welcome to the GAME.....
1996 - The Shoe....Super Cooper manages to always get the Suckeyes to the Game undefeated and usually ranked number 2...But another wounded Wolverine was cominig in at 8-3 to deny them the opportunity to finish undefeated. Scott Dreisbach went down and Brian Greise emerged as the QB of the future when he and Tai Streets hooked up for a 2nd half score and once again crushed the Buckeyes hopes of an undefeated season...
So, to the Fans out there thinking Michigan doesn't have a chance this year with a beat up Hart and Henne, 3 losses on the record, a coach that may or may not be with us next year, I have this to say:
I think we have the Suckeyes right where we want them......
"What the Mind can Conceive and Believe, The Mind can Achieve...
And Those Who Stay Will Be Champions!"
-Bo Schembechler, University of Michigan Locker Room
Is it Saturday yet?????????
MMQ
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Countdown to Showdown (November 15, 2007)
Thoughts on Thursday before the Big Game:
Is there a better time than the ones we live in? I know things in the economy aren't great and life is always coming at you...But isn't it nice to know that some things never change?
I would like to thank those that have made this tradition so special....45 times this game has determined the Big Ten Champion.....how many of you can recall any or, if you're good, all of the following: Bo Schemblecher, the Ohio State gold pants award, Woody Hayes, the 1969 Game, Fielding Yost, Fritz Chyrsler, Archie Griffin, Tom Harmon, Art Schlister, David Boston, Rex Kern (on his stern), Brian Griese, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Tom Brady, Elvis Gerback, Johnny Wangler, Anthony Carter, President Gerald Ford, Earle Bruce, John Cooper, Chris Spielman, Desmond Howard, Gary Pearson, The Ten Year War, Jim Mandich, John Hicks, Jim Stillwagon, Mike Lantry, Mike Wallace, Dan Dierdorff, Brian Griese, Randy Gradishar, AJHawk, Troy Smith, Jim Brandstatter, Jamie Morris, Hopalong Cassidy, Maize and Blue, Scarlet and Gray, Hail to the Victors, Script Ohio, FANS, FANS and more FANS, O-H-I-O, Jack Nicklaus, 1997 National Championship, 2002 National Championship, Chris Carter, The Shoe, The Big House, Buckeyes, Wolverines, the 1950 Snow Bowl blizzard with 45 punts, Robert Smith, Jim Harbaugh, The Gaurantee, John Kolesar, Charles Woodson, Jim Tressel, Les Miles, Mike Vrabel, Eddie George, Craig Krenzel, Lloyd Carr.....
It's the 3rd Weekend in November......Are you ready?
MMQ
Is there a better time than the ones we live in? I know things in the economy aren't great and life is always coming at you...But isn't it nice to know that some things never change?
I would like to thank those that have made this tradition so special....45 times this game has determined the Big Ten Champion.....how many of you can recall any or, if you're good, all of the following: Bo Schemblecher, the Ohio State gold pants award, Woody Hayes, the 1969 Game, Fielding Yost, Fritz Chyrsler, Archie Griffin, Tom Harmon, Art Schlister, David Boston, Rex Kern (on his stern), Brian Griese, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Tom Brady, Elvis Gerback, Johnny Wangler, Anthony Carter, President Gerald Ford, Earle Bruce, John Cooper, Chris Spielman, Desmond Howard, Gary Pearson, The Ten Year War, Jim Mandich, John Hicks, Jim Stillwagon, Mike Lantry, Mike Wallace, Dan Dierdorff, Brian Griese, Randy Gradishar, AJHawk, Troy Smith, Jim Brandstatter, Jamie Morris, Hopalong Cassidy, Maize and Blue, Scarlet and Gray, Hail to the Victors, Script Ohio, FANS, FANS and more FANS, O-H-I-O, Jack Nicklaus, 1997 National Championship, 2002 National Championship, Chris Carter, The Shoe, The Big House, Buckeyes, Wolverines, the 1950 Snow Bowl blizzard with 45 punts, Robert Smith, Jim Harbaugh, The Gaurantee, John Kolesar, Charles Woodson, Jim Tressel, Les Miles, Mike Vrabel, Eddie George, Craig Krenzel, Lloyd Carr.....
It's the 3rd Weekend in November......Are you ready?
MMQ
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
I Stand Corrected - And I Am STILL A FAN!!!
Countdown to Kick-off:
68 hours, 15 minutes
Last year, there was a buzz in the air like no other that I could remember from the greatest week there is in all of college football. As you know, I am a fan. And being a fan means that one of the things I think about when I wake up is The Game,the BIG GAME, and one of the last things you think about falling asleep is The Game. Last year at this time, with two undefeated Titans of the Gridiron getting ready to do battle down in Columbus made me realize why its so much fun to follow The Game. What else can get you so charged up?
And then, the inconceivable happened with Bo's death the day before The Game and not knowing how to feel the next day. We should be celebrating and feeling the fire of wanting to beat OSU, but there we were in a moment of silence in Buckeye Stadium, no less, for our coach. At least the OSU fans showed some class and kept their yaps shut.
Then, we lost the game and got the shaft from the BCS system, only to lose an unispired game against USC.
And then, the beginning of this season, after a long hangover from losing to the aforementionedSuckeyes and Trojans, brought the program national attention of the wrong kind with a disaster of historic, even epic proportions that every Michigan Fan will have to deal with every day for the rest of their sports recall discussion life.
But Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here to say that I have been re-inspired by friends and associates. That this Saturday, November 17, 2007, is a Holy Day of Obligation, and Michigan Football is the Religion. Let's not forget that Ohio is a 4 letter word and that all the JB Hunt Trucks south of the border will shut down for 4 hours on Saturday, so all the OSU grads can tune in to the game...and wish they had tickets in the Big House.
There have been great responses to the MMQ columns. Remember 1998 they said...Remember 1980 they said...and the words of one Bob Ufer, "Those first two games this season were Flukes! You have proven yourself to be the greatest football team in the land and you will go out and win the Rose Bowl, giving coach Bo his first Rose Bowl Victory!"
There was another great response from the Cleveland Connection:
HEY MMQ!!!!
Nothing is OVER until we decide it is! Was it
over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain't over now.
'Cause when the goin' gets tough . . . the tough get goin'! Who's with me?
Let's go!"
"What the F&ck happened to the Michigan I used to know?! Where's the
spirit? Where's the guts, huh? Oooh, we're afraid to go with you Mike
(Hart), we might get into trouble." Well just kiss my @ss from now on! Not
me!! I'm not gonna take this. Domer, he's a dead man! Sparty, dead!
Buckeye, . . "
"DEAD. We could do it with a conventional offense, but that could take
weeks and cost millions (and continue to bore our fans). NO, I think we
have to go all out. I think this situation absolutely requires a really
futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part. We're just the guys
to do it."
SO LET'S DO IT. Let's get back to basics and beat the Suckeyes!!!!
GO BLUE!
So my friends, Saturday will soon be here and I for one am Ready and Believing in Michigan Again!
68 hours, 15 minutes
Last year, there was a buzz in the air like no other that I could remember from the greatest week there is in all of college football. As you know, I am a fan. And being a fan means that one of the things I think about when I wake up is The Game,the BIG GAME, and one of the last things you think about falling asleep is The Game. Last year at this time, with two undefeated Titans of the Gridiron getting ready to do battle down in Columbus made me realize why its so much fun to follow The Game. What else can get you so charged up?
And then, the inconceivable happened with Bo's death the day before The Game and not knowing how to feel the next day. We should be celebrating and feeling the fire of wanting to beat OSU, but there we were in a moment of silence in Buckeye Stadium, no less, for our coach. At least the OSU fans showed some class and kept their yaps shut.
Then, we lost the game and got the shaft from the BCS system, only to lose an unispired game against USC.
And then, the beginning of this season, after a long hangover from losing to the aforementionedSuckeyes and Trojans, brought the program national attention of the wrong kind with a disaster of historic, even epic proportions that every Michigan Fan will have to deal with every day for the rest of their sports recall discussion life.
But Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here to say that I have been re-inspired by friends and associates. That this Saturday, November 17, 2007, is a Holy Day of Obligation, and Michigan Football is the Religion. Let's not forget that Ohio is a 4 letter word and that all the JB Hunt Trucks south of the border will shut down for 4 hours on Saturday, so all the OSU grads can tune in to the game...and wish they had tickets in the Big House.
There have been great responses to the MMQ columns. Remember 1998 they said...Remember 1980 they said...and the words of one Bob Ufer, "Those first two games this season were Flukes! You have proven yourself to be the greatest football team in the land and you will go out and win the Rose Bowl, giving coach Bo his first Rose Bowl Victory!"
There was another great response from the Cleveland Connection:
HEY MMQ!!!!
Nothing is OVER until we decide it is! Was it
over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain't over now.
'Cause when the goin' gets tough . . . the tough get goin'! Who's with me?
Let's go!"
"What the F&ck happened to the Michigan I used to know?! Where's the
spirit? Where's the guts, huh? Oooh, we're afraid to go with you Mike
(Hart), we might get into trouble." Well just kiss my @ss from now on! Not
me!! I'm not gonna take this. Domer, he's a dead man! Sparty, dead!
Buckeye, . . "
"DEAD. We could do it with a conventional offense, but that could take
weeks and cost millions (and continue to bore our fans). NO, I think we
have to go all out. I think this situation absolutely requires a really
futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part. We're just the guys
to do it."
SO LET'S DO IT. Let's get back to basics and beat the Suckeyes!!!!
GO BLUE!
So my friends, Saturday will soon be here and I for one am Ready and Believing in Michigan Again!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Without H&H, we're in Barney....Rubble...TROUBLE! (Nov.12, 2007)
Check out this special Link for the Tailgate Traditions!
Well, to say I didn't warn you wouldn't be exactly right. I predicted in the preseason forecast that the Cheeseheads would be looking to exact some revenge on the Woleverines this year after being the only blemish on an otherwise perfect season last year. And, I think that the Wolverines, Coaching staff down to the Players, knew that this game, while important, in the new Goals for the season, just didn't mean that much. In other words, we played flatter than a pancake....Of course, I do want to say that the refereeing in the 1st quarter was superb...Not allowing the Defense to "touch" the QB for Wisconsin was simply wonderful...NOT! However, Wisconsin was playing more inspired ball and we looked like we were "Trying" to win, and not playing like it was life or death..
But, we knew last week that the Cheeseheads didn't matter. Everyone else has at least 2 losses in the Big 10 and Michigan holds all the tie breakers. Therefore, to say that we were looking ahead to the Suckeyes is probably accurate...That's the game everyone wants to win. However, the Amaizing Blue still had an opportunity to pull it out if the defense would have just shown up once the offense closed it to 2 points in the 4th...
But this week is THE GAME. There is nothing more important in the life of a Michigan or OSU Football player than this week and this Saturday. I know Michigan looks like they are beginning their late season fade, but let's not rush to conclusions just yet...The Game is in the Big House and we will be up...You can bet Hart, Henne and Long spent many nights this off season, and this season, thinking about 60 minutes of football that will commence at noon in Ann Arbor on Saturday. They are 0-3 against the Suckeyes, and you know they want them bad....Speaking of the
SUCKEYES - what happened? Did Zooky come in there and show you what a mobile QB can do to a "great" defense? Thought so...In case you missed it, Mark May called this game and said that the Illini would win..Impressive pick. I felt that we escaped from Champaign by the skin of our teeth and knew that they could give OSU a game, but to pick them to beat OSU? That's tough....
SPARTY...Hey! You beat your little brother and became Bowl Eligigle. Granted, it will be the Flea Bag Bowl, if someone takes you over a sentimental Indiana...Which, given the situation with their coach and all, could get interesting. Better to beat JoPa's kitty cats and secure the bowl...or you might just be able to turn the equipment in next Monday...Oh, btw Sparty - here's another thought: If we beat OSU, Michigan gets the automatic BCS Berth. And, there is a GOOD CHANCE that OSU is an at large BCS pick...So, that opens up one slot in the Big 10. Sparty - do you get it yet? You need to cheer for the Wolverines in order to give yourself a secure shot at making a bowl and getting the extra 20-25 practices in for the year that you desperately need..... Or do you morons still believe it's better for Michigan to lose no matter what?
GATORLAND - Oscar Mayer Whiner whips the Ole Ball Coach...The Ole Coach is finally figuring out that just being a great coach at a lesser school doesn't necessarily mean that you can win...But, I still believe that if The Coach wants to go back to Florida, they take him in a heartbeat...especially if Florida ends up playing in the Outback Bowl against...Michigan....
domers - Okay....Now listen, this is very important. In order to preserve the one win season, you need to be VERY CAREFUL this weekend against Duke. I mean, they are beatable, but they should be up for you. I have every confidence they can win, so just don't show up in some sort of last ditch, build some momentum for next season effort...If you lose to them, I don't think you can beat Stanford that beat USC this year...So, the one win "Weasel's 3rd year" season will be in tact for all history to observe...
Children of the Corn - Hey! You can score. I have a feeling Callahan figured that he is already in deep doo-doo than so why not run up the score?
HOKIES - So it begins...You got some help from Maryland beating BC and you did your job against the seminoles. ACC championship is in your sights IF you can knock off Virginia....
BCS Mess
1. LSU
2. Oregon
3. Kansas
4. Oklahoma
5. Missouri
Hmmmmm.......3 of the top 5 teams are from the Big 12 and they don't include Texas or Nebraska....Strange Days we are living in my friends, strange days...So, the team that gets Royally Shafted this year: Oregon. They will suffer Michigan's fate from 1 year ago. It boils down to the fact that Oregon doesn't play a ranked opponent and Kansas, or Oklahoma, or Missouri will have big time wins coming...Sorry Oregon, but you will be one fumble away from the title game....Too bad, so sad. And what's really sad? It's starting to look more and more like havgin that title game inadvertently rewards the conference. The at large bids will probably go to Big 12 or SEC teams, even thought the PAC 10 is deserving of having 2 teams in...It goes back to an earlier post where I stated it's time for all the conferences to get 12 teams, everyone plays everyone in Conference - enough of the SEC playing the Little Sister of the Poor to pad their records, and let there be a play-off...Maybe, in our lifetime, the dream will happen...
________________________________________________________________
Games of the WEEK
OSU at Michigan...There can be only one.....Welcome ESPN GAME DAY CREW!!!! Looking forward to seeing Kirk, Chris, and Lee on Campus...but I know Lee is going to put that Suckeye head on at the end of the show....
_____________________________________________________________________
Hot Seat
Callahan: Scoring 73 doesn't save the job
Franchione: Texas A&M coach that likes to deal in inside information is gone...
Satan: Crimson Satan needs to beat, regularly, Mississippi State...Losing to them isn't going to sit well with the Tide faithful
The Ole Ball Coach: Never thought they would let him go after paying him big bucks, but he's not producing results...
Oscar Mayer Whiner: I'm standing by this one...If the Ole Ball Coach gets axed, there's a good chance this can happen...
Well, to say I didn't warn you wouldn't be exactly right. I predicted in the preseason forecast that the Cheeseheads would be looking to exact some revenge on the Woleverines this year after being the only blemish on an otherwise perfect season last year. And, I think that the Wolverines, Coaching staff down to the Players, knew that this game, while important, in the new Goals for the season, just didn't mean that much. In other words, we played flatter than a pancake....Of course, I do want to say that the refereeing in the 1st quarter was superb...Not allowing the Defense to "touch" the QB for Wisconsin was simply wonderful...NOT! However, Wisconsin was playing more inspired ball and we looked like we were "Trying" to win, and not playing like it was life or death..
But, we knew last week that the Cheeseheads didn't matter. Everyone else has at least 2 losses in the Big 10 and Michigan holds all the tie breakers. Therefore, to say that we were looking ahead to the Suckeyes is probably accurate...That's the game everyone wants to win. However, the Amaizing Blue still had an opportunity to pull it out if the defense would have just shown up once the offense closed it to 2 points in the 4th...
But this week is THE GAME. There is nothing more important in the life of a Michigan or OSU Football player than this week and this Saturday. I know Michigan looks like they are beginning their late season fade, but let's not rush to conclusions just yet...The Game is in the Big House and we will be up...You can bet Hart, Henne and Long spent many nights this off season, and this season, thinking about 60 minutes of football that will commence at noon in Ann Arbor on Saturday. They are 0-3 against the Suckeyes, and you know they want them bad....Speaking of the
SUCKEYES - what happened? Did Zooky come in there and show you what a mobile QB can do to a "great" defense? Thought so...In case you missed it, Mark May called this game and said that the Illini would win..Impressive pick. I felt that we escaped from Champaign by the skin of our teeth and knew that they could give OSU a game, but to pick them to beat OSU? That's tough....
SPARTY...Hey! You beat your little brother and became Bowl Eligigle. Granted, it will be the Flea Bag Bowl, if someone takes you over a sentimental Indiana...Which, given the situation with their coach and all, could get interesting. Better to beat JoPa's kitty cats and secure the bowl...or you might just be able to turn the equipment in next Monday...Oh, btw Sparty - here's another thought: If we beat OSU, Michigan gets the automatic BCS Berth. And, there is a GOOD CHANCE that OSU is an at large BCS pick...So, that opens up one slot in the Big 10. Sparty - do you get it yet? You need to cheer for the Wolverines in order to give yourself a secure shot at making a bowl and getting the extra 20-25 practices in for the year that you desperately need..... Or do you morons still believe it's better for Michigan to lose no matter what?
GATORLAND - Oscar Mayer Whiner whips the Ole Ball Coach...The Ole Coach is finally figuring out that just being a great coach at a lesser school doesn't necessarily mean that you can win...But, I still believe that if The Coach wants to go back to Florida, they take him in a heartbeat...especially if Florida ends up playing in the Outback Bowl against...Michigan....
domers - Okay....Now listen, this is very important. In order to preserve the one win season, you need to be VERY CAREFUL this weekend against Duke. I mean, they are beatable, but they should be up for you. I have every confidence they can win, so just don't show up in some sort of last ditch, build some momentum for next season effort...If you lose to them, I don't think you can beat Stanford that beat USC this year...So, the one win "Weasel's 3rd year" season will be in tact for all history to observe...
Children of the Corn - Hey! You can score. I have a feeling Callahan figured that he is already in deep doo-doo than so why not run up the score?
HOKIES - So it begins...You got some help from Maryland beating BC and you did your job against the seminoles. ACC championship is in your sights IF you can knock off Virginia....
BCS Mess
1. LSU
2. Oregon
3. Kansas
4. Oklahoma
5. Missouri
Hmmmmm.......3 of the top 5 teams are from the Big 12 and they don't include Texas or Nebraska....Strange Days we are living in my friends, strange days...So, the team that gets Royally Shafted this year: Oregon. They will suffer Michigan's fate from 1 year ago. It boils down to the fact that Oregon doesn't play a ranked opponent and Kansas, or Oklahoma, or Missouri will have big time wins coming...Sorry Oregon, but you will be one fumble away from the title game....Too bad, so sad. And what's really sad? It's starting to look more and more like havgin that title game inadvertently rewards the conference. The at large bids will probably go to Big 12 or SEC teams, even thought the PAC 10 is deserving of having 2 teams in...It goes back to an earlier post where I stated it's time for all the conferences to get 12 teams, everyone plays everyone in Conference - enough of the SEC playing the Little Sister of the Poor to pad their records, and let there be a play-off...Maybe, in our lifetime, the dream will happen...
________________________________________________________________
Games of the WEEK
OSU at Michigan...There can be only one.....Welcome ESPN GAME DAY CREW!!!! Looking forward to seeing Kirk, Chris, and Lee on Campus...but I know Lee is going to put that Suckeye head on at the end of the show....
_____________________________________________________________________
Hot Seat
Callahan: Scoring 73 doesn't save the job
Franchione: Texas A&M coach that likes to deal in inside information is gone...
Satan: Crimson Satan needs to beat, regularly, Mississippi State...Losing to them isn't going to sit well with the Tide faithful
The Ole Ball Coach: Never thought they would let him go after paying him big bucks, but he's not producing results...
Oscar Mayer Whiner: I'm standing by this one...If the Ole Ball Coach gets axed, there's a good chance this can happen...
Friday, November 9, 2007
Who I Read and What I Watch..(Nov. 9, 2007)
I would like to think my tongue in cheek style is mostly my own...But that would be unfair to the regular sportswriters that I read on a daily or weekly basis that have helped shaped the writing style, if you can call it that, that I use...Which is a third person, some facts, some fun, and lots of name calling included in the mix. If you like reading the blogs and e-mails, other people that I know you will enjoy reading:
Mike Lopresti - USA Today. I usually always read Mike's column, and he always adds a little personal insight into the facts that he presents. Some of the best stuff he does is for college football and if you go back to the 2006 November articles he did before the UM-OSU game, you will see why he is a must read for me...
Pat Forde - ESPN.com. Pat Forde and the "Forde Yard Dash" where he references 40 teams, players, coaches or "Dashettes" in his column is a weekly MUST READ for any fan who likes a little, no make that a lot, of insight and humor in his sports digestion. Pat does a great job of hosing down those that need it and has some of his own nicknames, including the "Scourge" Ty Willingham, who he believes was so unjustly run out of South Bend that he will never forgive the Domers for the act...So the guy can't be all bad. I also like the "Dashettes" - or did I already mention that???
Bob Wojonowski - The Detroit News. Wojo is a Michigan Man and always has the right perspective on Michigan when they are good or bad, and seems to be able to add the perfect amount of humor and insight into his opinions...
Angelique Chengelis - The Detroit News. While I didn't like "The Angel" at first, she has developed nicely as the Wolverines Beat writer for the news, keeping it light and adding insight.
Writers that I read and make me believe that I could work in the industry - OR - How can these clowns still have a job?
Drew Sharp - Free Press. This guy has to be not only the worst Sports Writer in D-town, but he has to be the most negative person when it comes to Michigan and Detroit Sports in general... This guy would complain after hooking up with a Playboy Playmate that the sex wasn't what he expected... When he truly went into the toilet for me: January, 1998 - "Michigan's National Title will always be tainted by the fact that the press and voters believed that Nebraska was a more representative National Champion"...What the hell? He's the local guy saying that Nebraska is better...Moron, Idiot, Jerk, and As#$hole are all too nice for descriptions of this guy..
Erik Smith - USA Today. This guy is supposed to pick and forecast the weekends games, but he rarely picks an upset, and he doesn't like Michigan....Annoying, but I read him because it usually kicks off the weekend...
Christy Brennan - USA Today....This woman knows so little about sports, and even less about writing about them...Makes you wonder how she got the job and how she keeps it...
What I like to Watch and Learn From:
College Game Day: Is there any other place you would rather be on Saturday Morning, if you're not at the Tailgate, than in front of the tube getting a fill of the day's action from Chris, Kirk, and Lee? I especially like Kirk Herbstreit - I know, he is a Suckeye, but I think he is one of the most insightful college football minds out there. And his Saturday Schedules are fun to follow...The guy starts his day in one place and by Saturday night, he is usually 1,000's of miles away....Corso - you gotta love the old coach and the guts he has to pick the upsets in the opposing teams stadium when he pulls out the opposing team's mascot helmet or garb...
Lou Holz - I disliked him as a coach, but ole Lou knows the game and he knows who's good and bad...but he still has a blindspot when it comes to the Domers...
Mark May - Very insightful and probably has a better handle on who's good and bad in college football than most of the ESPN guys...
Sunday Morning: College Game Day Final...The last dose until the following Week...
Mike Lopresti - USA Today. I usually always read Mike's column, and he always adds a little personal insight into the facts that he presents. Some of the best stuff he does is for college football and if you go back to the 2006 November articles he did before the UM-OSU game, you will see why he is a must read for me...
Pat Forde - ESPN.com. Pat Forde and the "Forde Yard Dash" where he references 40 teams, players, coaches or "Dashettes" in his column is a weekly MUST READ for any fan who likes a little, no make that a lot, of insight and humor in his sports digestion. Pat does a great job of hosing down those that need it and has some of his own nicknames, including the "Scourge" Ty Willingham, who he believes was so unjustly run out of South Bend that he will never forgive the Domers for the act...So the guy can't be all bad. I also like the "Dashettes" - or did I already mention that???
Bob Wojonowski - The Detroit News. Wojo is a Michigan Man and always has the right perspective on Michigan when they are good or bad, and seems to be able to add the perfect amount of humor and insight into his opinions...
Angelique Chengelis - The Detroit News. While I didn't like "The Angel" at first, she has developed nicely as the Wolverines Beat writer for the news, keeping it light and adding insight.
Writers that I read and make me believe that I could work in the industry - OR - How can these clowns still have a job?
Drew Sharp - Free Press. This guy has to be not only the worst Sports Writer in D-town, but he has to be the most negative person when it comes to Michigan and Detroit Sports in general... This guy would complain after hooking up with a Playboy Playmate that the sex wasn't what he expected... When he truly went into the toilet for me: January, 1998 - "Michigan's National Title will always be tainted by the fact that the press and voters believed that Nebraska was a more representative National Champion"...What the hell? He's the local guy saying that Nebraska is better...Moron, Idiot, Jerk, and As#$hole are all too nice for descriptions of this guy..
Erik Smith - USA Today. This guy is supposed to pick and forecast the weekends games, but he rarely picks an upset, and he doesn't like Michigan....Annoying, but I read him because it usually kicks off the weekend...
Christy Brennan - USA Today....This woman knows so little about sports, and even less about writing about them...Makes you wonder how she got the job and how she keeps it...
What I like to Watch and Learn From:
College Game Day: Is there any other place you would rather be on Saturday Morning, if you're not at the Tailgate, than in front of the tube getting a fill of the day's action from Chris, Kirk, and Lee? I especially like Kirk Herbstreit - I know, he is a Suckeye, but I think he is one of the most insightful college football minds out there. And his Saturday Schedules are fun to follow...The guy starts his day in one place and by Saturday night, he is usually 1,000's of miles away....Corso - you gotta love the old coach and the guts he has to pick the upsets in the opposing teams stadium when he pulls out the opposing team's mascot helmet or garb...
Lou Holz - I disliked him as a coach, but ole Lou knows the game and he knows who's good and bad...but he still has a blindspot when it comes to the Domers...
Mark May - Very insightful and probably has a better handle on who's good and bad in college football than most of the ESPN guys...
Sunday Morning: College Game Day Final...The last dose until the following Week...
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Oh Sh*t....Season's Over...(9-4-07)
All,
I was temporarily stranded on a deserted island for the last 72 hours without phone, cable, internet and paper news media.....Can anyone tell me the score of the Michigan App. State game?
Thanks, MMQ
Okay - I am officially off suicide watch - thank you for all the inquiries and letters of support.....
Michigan, even running the table, cannot possibly be considered for a Championship berth....I am not sure how they get considered for a BCS berth over any other 1-loss team.....so, what are all the guys that came back playing for? Pride? I doubt it.....I think we will probably lose 3-4 more games this season because no one will want to get hurt and blow their pro prospects.....That's what I think......And the Michigan program will start losing juniors left and right if they believe they can't play for a National Title....This could be the beginning of the end for this once mighty program.....I am considering burning all my Michigan memorabilia becoming a USC fan.....
That noise you heard coming from Ann Arbor?
Bo Schembechler rolling over in his grave, actually clawing his way out of the ground to kick some Wolverine butt this week......
My wife commented on Saturday that it wasn't like we lost to Eastern, which I had to explain to her would have actually been BETTER than losing to this App State team. If you are a fan, you better come up with a good comeback to "Hey, Michigan, you lost to a Division II School....." Some ideas:
"Yeah, but we still regularly kick your butt."
"What's your record against the Mighty Maize and Blue?"
"Uh, excuse me, but does your program lead all NCAA football teams in winning percentage?"
"All right, care to wager on the rest of the season?"
"Yeah, but PS3 with NCAA 2008 playing these two teams on the computer had Michigan winning 71-3"......and lastly,
"Uh, yeah, we suck.....
While all of these comebacks sound like sour grapes (except for the last one), they will help put Sparty, Domers, and other fans back in their place, but it will take YEARS to overcome this...Lifetimes.....Speaking of years, the unfortunate thing is that the Michigan kids don't even know what they have done. When they are 52 and it's 2037 and they bring this class back for it's anniversary, you know what they are gonna say? Hey - wasn't that the team that lost to App State - the school that doesn't exist anymore?
What is the Magnitude of this upset and what can you compare it to? How can we put this loss into perspective? Let's count:
1. This is like a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament losing to the 16-seed...
2. This is like the Lions winning the Super Bowl...
3. This is like Northwestern (or MSU) winning the National Football Championship in the modern era....Or Michigan Men's Basketball winning the title again....
4. This is like the Tennessee Women's basketball team playing any Division 1 Men's team in exhibition - and winning....
5. This is like the US Olympic Hockey team beating the Russians in 1980....
6. This is like ME, the MMQ, a 14-16 handicapper going out and beating Tiger Woods in a straight up 18 hole Match at Augusta...
For Non-athletic related comparisons:
1. This is like Ron Paul winning the presidency as a write in....
2. This is like Perot winning on the independent ticket in 1992
3. This is like KIA becoming the number one seller of Automobiles in the USA
4. This is like a small upstart software company creating a windows competitive package and taking over Microsoft......
All kidding aside here are some noteworthy comments/observations:
1. Michigan has not won a game since Bo died - This is a coincidence - maybe, but I will feel better when they put a W on the board.....
2. Michigan has collectively given up nearly 1350 yards in the last three games they played, compared to, if you recall, a total of 88 yards rushing through 7 GAMES last season......
3. Apparently, App State has been trying to get games with ACC, Big East and even SEC opponents who have all shied away from them....(did you hear that Bill????). Well, my guess is they just royally screwed up their chances to get a game with any of them at this point....so much for big paydays (Michigan gave these guys $400,000 to be a door mat, and they let them win........)
The Blame
There is so much of this to go around, that I don't even know where to begin. But let's do it anyway...
1. Bill Martin. What moron schedules a game that cannot benefit the University or the program at all? Even as a tune up, they aren't representative of teams we are going to face in the rest of the non-conference or conference for that matter. Better to schedule a BIG NAME SCHOOL, pump the team up and if you lose, you take your lumps and move on....but now, what have we gained? Nothing, absolutely nothing....and we have LOST EVERYTHING that this program has stood for in one game....Bill Martin, you can turn in your resignation anytime. Thanks for your effort.
2. Lloyd - the L stands for Losing - Carr......Yeah, he stood up and took it, but I didn't hear anything about why we were unprepared, why we underestimated this team, and where the lack of pride in being a Michigan Man went.....My brother in law informed me that while golfing on one of the 23 courses in Hilton Head in July, the guy he was golfing with noticed his Michigan head covers and commented that he would point out the house that Lloyd just purchased a few months ago....his retirement home. Lloyd, if you're going to retire, go now and let us salvage the season.....I have been an apologist for you too long. I have no more excuses....Yes, you are to blame for this loss and the 1997 season seems like a long time ago.......See ya and thanks for the memories....
3. Assistant coaches - Look, you know you have to keep these kids focused....They all read the papers and know that Vegas was too afraid to try and put a spread on this game....Those are things you need to continuously make kids aware of that it doesn't matter. This team is looking at this game, had it circled, and worked all summer to make the most of this opportunity....You had better not go out and lay an egg in front of the home crowd on opening day....
4. The Offense - Yes, you were offensive....OK, Hart, I'll give you a little credit....Henne, I am ready for you to graduate. While you have played great in some big games, you are inconsistent....You will probably be the NEXT Lions draft pick once they figure out that Stanton sucks....
5. The Defense.....You are slow, you didn't attack and the quarterback wasn't touched, as near as I could tell from listening to this on the radio (THANKS COMCAST), for the entire first half.....
6. The fans - this one included - maybe not treating this game properly. I did pull out the sacred flag at half-time and set it up in my drvieway....I considered repeating an accident involving a sealed, unopened fifth of Big Game in my garage before the opening game of last season, but I didn't do it.....A report from some of the regular tailgate attendees stated that the team was not welcomed with it's regular excitement....But how could we? It's Labor Day weekend and we are playing a D-II school....Who wants to get up for that? Come on, this fan still blames Martin for his non-participation....You schedule somebody worthwhile, and I will be there in full colors....
Everyone else who played this weekend and handled your preseason foes, congrats. It looks like you all got through cupcake weekend unscathed and ready for the real season to begin. I will now change this report to include Michigan at the end after the Division 1 report and the MAC report......Michigan is no longer worthy of being the first mentioned.....
MMQ
I was temporarily stranded on a deserted island for the last 72 hours without phone, cable, internet and paper news media.....Can anyone tell me the score of the Michigan App. State game?
Thanks, MMQ
Okay - I am officially off suicide watch - thank you for all the inquiries and letters of support.....
Michigan, even running the table, cannot possibly be considered for a Championship berth....I am not sure how they get considered for a BCS berth over any other 1-loss team.....so, what are all the guys that came back playing for? Pride? I doubt it.....I think we will probably lose 3-4 more games this season because no one will want to get hurt and blow their pro prospects.....That's what I think......And the Michigan program will start losing juniors left and right if they believe they can't play for a National Title....This could be the beginning of the end for this once mighty program.....I am considering burning all my Michigan memorabilia becoming a USC fan.....
That noise you heard coming from Ann Arbor?
Bo Schembechler rolling over in his grave, actually clawing his way out of the ground to kick some Wolverine butt this week......
My wife commented on Saturday that it wasn't like we lost to Eastern, which I had to explain to her would have actually been BETTER than losing to this App State team. If you are a fan, you better come up with a good comeback to "Hey, Michigan, you lost to a Division II School....." Some ideas:
"Yeah, but we still regularly kick your butt."
"What's your record against the Mighty Maize and Blue?"
"Uh, excuse me, but does your program lead all NCAA football teams in winning percentage?"
"All right, care to wager on the rest of the season?"
"Yeah, but PS3 with NCAA 2008 playing these two teams on the computer had Michigan winning 71-3"......and lastly,
"Uh, yeah, we suck.....
While all of these comebacks sound like sour grapes (except for the last one), they will help put Sparty, Domers, and other fans back in their place, but it will take YEARS to overcome this...Lifetimes.....Speaking of years, the unfortunate thing is that the Michigan kids don't even know what they have done. When they are 52 and it's 2037 and they bring this class back for it's anniversary, you know what they are gonna say? Hey - wasn't that the team that lost to App State - the school that doesn't exist anymore?
What is the Magnitude of this upset and what can you compare it to? How can we put this loss into perspective? Let's count:
1. This is like a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament losing to the 16-seed...
2. This is like the Lions winning the Super Bowl...
3. This is like Northwestern (or MSU) winning the National Football Championship in the modern era....Or Michigan Men's Basketball winning the title again....
4. This is like the Tennessee Women's basketball team playing any Division 1 Men's team in exhibition - and winning....
5. This is like the US Olympic Hockey team beating the Russians in 1980....
6. This is like ME, the MMQ, a 14-16 handicapper going out and beating Tiger Woods in a straight up 18 hole Match at Augusta...
For Non-athletic related comparisons:
1. This is like Ron Paul winning the presidency as a write in....
2. This is like Perot winning on the independent ticket in 1992
3. This is like KIA becoming the number one seller of Automobiles in the USA
4. This is like a small upstart software company creating a windows competitive package and taking over Microsoft......
All kidding aside here are some noteworthy comments/observations:
1. Michigan has not won a game since Bo died - This is a coincidence - maybe, but I will feel better when they put a W on the board.....
2. Michigan has collectively given up nearly 1350 yards in the last three games they played, compared to, if you recall, a total of 88 yards rushing through 7 GAMES last season......
3. Apparently, App State has been trying to get games with ACC, Big East and even SEC opponents who have all shied away from them....(did you hear that Bill????). Well, my guess is they just royally screwed up their chances to get a game with any of them at this point....so much for big paydays (Michigan gave these guys $400,000 to be a door mat, and they let them win........)
The Blame
There is so much of this to go around, that I don't even know where to begin. But let's do it anyway...
1. Bill Martin. What moron schedules a game that cannot benefit the University or the program at all? Even as a tune up, they aren't representative of teams we are going to face in the rest of the non-conference or conference for that matter. Better to schedule a BIG NAME SCHOOL, pump the team up and if you lose, you take your lumps and move on....but now, what have we gained? Nothing, absolutely nothing....and we have LOST EVERYTHING that this program has stood for in one game....Bill Martin, you can turn in your resignation anytime. Thanks for your effort.
2. Lloyd - the L stands for Losing - Carr......Yeah, he stood up and took it, but I didn't hear anything about why we were unprepared, why we underestimated this team, and where the lack of pride in being a Michigan Man went.....My brother in law informed me that while golfing on one of the 23 courses in Hilton Head in July, the guy he was golfing with noticed his Michigan head covers and commented that he would point out the house that Lloyd just purchased a few months ago....his retirement home. Lloyd, if you're going to retire, go now and let us salvage the season.....I have been an apologist for you too long. I have no more excuses....Yes, you are to blame for this loss and the 1997 season seems like a long time ago.......See ya and thanks for the memories....
3. Assistant coaches - Look, you know you have to keep these kids focused....They all read the papers and know that Vegas was too afraid to try and put a spread on this game....Those are things you need to continuously make kids aware of that it doesn't matter. This team is looking at this game, had it circled, and worked all summer to make the most of this opportunity....You had better not go out and lay an egg in front of the home crowd on opening day....
4. The Offense - Yes, you were offensive....OK, Hart, I'll give you a little credit....Henne, I am ready for you to graduate. While you have played great in some big games, you are inconsistent....You will probably be the NEXT Lions draft pick once they figure out that Stanton sucks....
5. The Defense.....You are slow, you didn't attack and the quarterback wasn't touched, as near as I could tell from listening to this on the radio (THANKS COMCAST), for the entire first half.....
6. The fans - this one included - maybe not treating this game properly. I did pull out the sacred flag at half-time and set it up in my drvieway....I considered repeating an accident involving a sealed, unopened fifth of Big Game in my garage before the opening game of last season, but I didn't do it.....A report from some of the regular tailgate attendees stated that the team was not welcomed with it's regular excitement....But how could we? It's Labor Day weekend and we are playing a D-II school....Who wants to get up for that? Come on, this fan still blames Martin for his non-participation....You schedule somebody worthwhile, and I will be there in full colors....
Everyone else who played this weekend and handled your preseason foes, congrats. It looks like you all got through cupcake weekend unscathed and ready for the real season to begin. I will now change this report to include Michigan at the end after the Division 1 report and the MAC report......Michigan is no longer worthy of being the first mentioned.....
MMQ
WTF ..... (9-10-07)
For Sale:
Remaining 2007 UM Season Ticket Package. Two Tickets. Cheap. Contact
Disgruntled and Lost all Hope Fan, Initials are MMQ.....
Sparty: Sparty On! 2 consecutive victories in the Dantonio era....You
won a game that last year might have gone the other way, according to the
reports and clips I saw....Bowling Green is legit, and was a good preseason
test. Pitt will challenge you even more and determine what the rest of
the season could look like....All I know is that suddenly, the sky is
turning Green and White, Honolulu Blue and Silver, and I don't know
why.....
Cornhuskers: Escaped with the victory.....another 2-0 team that deserves
mention. Can you handle the Rubbers at home? Shock the WORLD Baby - be
the App State of Division 1A and take down those pesky west
coasters....Help remind them which side of the country Football Started on,
even if you are in the midwest......
Gatorland.....Yeah, yeah 2-0....Your season doesn't really start until
Saturday.....And the Cremesicles owe you REVENGE....But you are in the
Swamp, so you should be able to handle them....But October 6th will be the
true test when Next Michigan Head Coach Les Miles and the LSU Tiger Fans
make you rethink how good you are....
LSU - This is the MMQ's newly adopted team, based on the fact that an old,
died in the wool, Bo Schembechler player turned coach can actually LEARN a
thing or two about the modern game and use them quite effectively. Pass on
first down, mix up the calls, and attack a defense with a sound game
plan....All things that Michigan needs RIGHT NOW....Bill Martin, Are you
Watching LSU and TALKING TO LES MILES? He is a Michigan Man......
Auburn - OOOOPS.......Hey - USF is a pretty good team......I don't think we
have any Auburn Tigers on the list, but in case it gets forwarded to a
closet Auburn Tiger Fan....Eventually, Tommy Twotone is going to need to
find an offense....All the defense in the world won't win a game for you,
and won't clinch the SEC.....
Division IIA
Appalachian State - Continued to Roll in Division IIA with a victory of
48-7 over Lenoir Rhyme.........Didn't see any highlights, but it looks like
they are for real....
Domers - Total Rushing yards this Season (-8). Please read that as Minus
8. Not 8. Now, I know expectations for the Domers was not that high and
quite a few of your victories last year were smoke and mirrors....but
geez....You must all be wondering if the money you spent on C. Wuzzles was
well spent.....But, I am guessing that Weis takes a long look at video this
week and tries to put a passing attack together that resembles some sort of
spread offense....JUST A HUNCH, Lloyd......I don't know which program is a
bigger disaster right now you or....
The Lamerines.....Well, here we are, 0-2 on the season, and hopes are
sinking faster than.....I had several cliches I was going to put in here,
but I can't really think of one that describes how fast, exactly, hopes are
sinking - with the exception that hopes are sinking faster than an 0-2
Lamerine team that has a D2 loss on it's record............I had the
opportunity to witness this debacle in person and I have some questions
that I would like to put in an open letter to Lloyd Carr:
Dear Lloyd:
1. Did you know Oregon would pass? A Lot? And run some Gimmick Plays? I
mean, that's all they had to go on after what App State did to you.....
1.5 And if in last week's practice, you discovered that you couldn't cover
the pass, even with the Free Safety lining up at times, 20 yards behind the
line of scrimmage, did you ever consider just blitzing the crap out of the
Ducks and giving up the Big Play in a different way? I mean, hell, if your
going to let them go and throw deep into triple coverage, at least don't
embarrass the WHOLE defense by letting them get beat deep when they have
triple coverage....Just a thought....
2. Did you know that last year, OSU had 9 new starters on Defense? I
don't recall them giving up 624 yards in any game last season.....Strange
how good coaches re-load with top ten recruiting classes without missing a
beat....So, are the guys who rate these recruiting classes just that bad,
or are you somehow not developing the talent that shows up? Or are you
creating defensive schemes that these kids haven't even played in
high-school due to the fact that the game has changed a little......
3. I know you can't fix Chad Henne's mind, and I don't know what you did
to it....I don't know if keeping the reigns on so long creates a lack of
confidence in a guy that has played 3 years....All I can think of is what
happened to the kid that was throwing for 3 scores against MSU in a triple
overtime game, threw a last second strike to Mario in the PSU game in 2005,
and has had other big game accomplishments? What happened? Henne couldn't
hit the broadside of a barn, was missing open guys, wasn't looking anyone
off, and was actually playing worse than he did as a freshman, sophomore,
and junior....Have you screwed that kid up so much that you've destroyed
him? And now, it looks like he's injured....
4. And thanks for giving the new kid a chance and mixing it up for
him....Your team is down four scores and what do you do? Send the new guy
in to hand off twice into a stacked line - while two wide receivers are in
single coverage...- I think I could actually see Oregon Coach Bellotti
smiling on that one - And I sit in row 74 - and then let the kid try to
throw when they dropped 6 guys back....No Lloyd, there really is no
question about what's coming when a team plays you....I am pretty sure that
I could be a "guest" defensive coach for any opposing team and tell the
team what to do and expect.....
5. I remember Oregon being a drop back and pass, vanilla offense when
Bellotti got there....They actually looked a lot like us....Amazing how a
guy can look around and see that kids are overall better athletes, getting
faster, and bulk doesn't necessarily always win.....Hmmm....Mike adjusted
with the Oregon team.....What's Michigan going to do??
6. Any thoughts as to why one of your captains stands up and gives the
Domers plenty of incentive to work extra hard this week by guaranteeing a
victory? I mean, you embarrassed the Domers last year, so they are already
motivated, and then you have Hart spouting off that nonsense.....I don't
dislike Hart, but he needs to understand that there are some things that
can't be said to the press and even the most casual fans that can see a
train wreck of a season upon us......like we need another loss to go 0-3
with 9 games remaining to somehow win 7.....
So let's look at that - this fan is merely looking for 7 wins with 10 games
to go at this point in order to keep the bowl streak alive....Granted, even
the most avid fan/spin doctor will say that the Big 10 is still in our
sights, the BCS Rose Bowl is a possibility, blah, blah, blah....What I see
is a Lamerine team with no psychological center and nothing to fall back on
and if Henne is out, well, it's "Panic Time" in Ann Arbor:
App State - L
Oregon - L
ND- W (Hart guaranteed it, right?)
PSU- L
NU W
EMU W
Purdue W/L - Iffy.....These guys are scoring points right
now....and our defense is a sieve....
Illinois W
Minnesota W
MSU IFFY.....Yes Sparty, you are due....it's been 6 years....
Wisconsin L
OSU L
Overall - 7-5....but that's a reach at this point.......
So, that means we could be playing for EVERYTHING on November 3rd (assuming
we beat Purdue and Lose to PSU).....And right now, Lloyd, I would say that
you can't pull that rabbit out of your hat....
There is so much more, but I grow weary....So, until the ghost of
Schembechler can rest after a Michigan victory,
MMQ
Remaining 2007 UM Season Ticket Package. Two Tickets. Cheap. Contact
Disgruntled and Lost all Hope Fan, Initials are MMQ.....
Sparty: Sparty On! 2 consecutive victories in the Dantonio era....You
won a game that last year might have gone the other way, according to the
reports and clips I saw....Bowling Green is legit, and was a good preseason
test. Pitt will challenge you even more and determine what the rest of
the season could look like....All I know is that suddenly, the sky is
turning Green and White, Honolulu Blue and Silver, and I don't know
why.....
Cornhuskers: Escaped with the victory.....another 2-0 team that deserves
mention. Can you handle the Rubbers at home? Shock the WORLD Baby - be
the App State of Division 1A and take down those pesky west
coasters....Help remind them which side of the country Football Started on,
even if you are in the midwest......
Gatorland.....Yeah, yeah 2-0....Your season doesn't really start until
Saturday.....And the Cremesicles owe you REVENGE....But you are in the
Swamp, so you should be able to handle them....But October 6th will be the
true test when Next Michigan Head Coach Les Miles and the LSU Tiger Fans
make you rethink how good you are....
LSU - This is the MMQ's newly adopted team, based on the fact that an old,
died in the wool, Bo Schembechler player turned coach can actually LEARN a
thing or two about the modern game and use them quite effectively. Pass on
first down, mix up the calls, and attack a defense with a sound game
plan....All things that Michigan needs RIGHT NOW....Bill Martin, Are you
Watching LSU and TALKING TO LES MILES? He is a Michigan Man......
Auburn - OOOOPS.......Hey - USF is a pretty good team......I don't think we
have any Auburn Tigers on the list, but in case it gets forwarded to a
closet Auburn Tiger Fan....Eventually, Tommy Twotone is going to need to
find an offense....All the defense in the world won't win a game for you,
and won't clinch the SEC.....
Division IIA
Appalachian State - Continued to Roll in Division IIA with a victory of
48-7 over Lenoir Rhyme.........Didn't see any highlights, but it looks like
they are for real....
Domers - Total Rushing yards this Season (-8). Please read that as Minus
8. Not 8. Now, I know expectations for the Domers was not that high and
quite a few of your victories last year were smoke and mirrors....but
geez....You must all be wondering if the money you spent on C. Wuzzles was
well spent.....But, I am guessing that Weis takes a long look at video this
week and tries to put a passing attack together that resembles some sort of
spread offense....JUST A HUNCH, Lloyd......I don't know which program is a
bigger disaster right now you or....
The Lamerines.....Well, here we are, 0-2 on the season, and hopes are
sinking faster than.....I had several cliches I was going to put in here,
but I can't really think of one that describes how fast, exactly, hopes are
sinking - with the exception that hopes are sinking faster than an 0-2
Lamerine team that has a D2 loss on it's record............I had the
opportunity to witness this debacle in person and I have some questions
that I would like to put in an open letter to Lloyd Carr:
Dear Lloyd:
1. Did you know Oregon would pass? A Lot? And run some Gimmick Plays? I
mean, that's all they had to go on after what App State did to you.....
1.5 And if in last week's practice, you discovered that you couldn't cover
the pass, even with the Free Safety lining up at times, 20 yards behind the
line of scrimmage, did you ever consider just blitzing the crap out of the
Ducks and giving up the Big Play in a different way? I mean, hell, if your
going to let them go and throw deep into triple coverage, at least don't
embarrass the WHOLE defense by letting them get beat deep when they have
triple coverage....Just a thought....
2. Did you know that last year, OSU had 9 new starters on Defense? I
don't recall them giving up 624 yards in any game last season.....Strange
how good coaches re-load with top ten recruiting classes without missing a
beat....So, are the guys who rate these recruiting classes just that bad,
or are you somehow not developing the talent that shows up? Or are you
creating defensive schemes that these kids haven't even played in
high-school due to the fact that the game has changed a little......
3. I know you can't fix Chad Henne's mind, and I don't know what you did
to it....I don't know if keeping the reigns on so long creates a lack of
confidence in a guy that has played 3 years....All I can think of is what
happened to the kid that was throwing for 3 scores against MSU in a triple
overtime game, threw a last second strike to Mario in the PSU game in 2005,
and has had other big game accomplishments? What happened? Henne couldn't
hit the broadside of a barn, was missing open guys, wasn't looking anyone
off, and was actually playing worse than he did as a freshman, sophomore,
and junior....Have you screwed that kid up so much that you've destroyed
him? And now, it looks like he's injured....
4. And thanks for giving the new kid a chance and mixing it up for
him....Your team is down four scores and what do you do? Send the new guy
in to hand off twice into a stacked line - while two wide receivers are in
single coverage...- I think I could actually see Oregon Coach Bellotti
smiling on that one - And I sit in row 74 - and then let the kid try to
throw when they dropped 6 guys back....No Lloyd, there really is no
question about what's coming when a team plays you....I am pretty sure that
I could be a "guest" defensive coach for any opposing team and tell the
team what to do and expect.....
5. I remember Oregon being a drop back and pass, vanilla offense when
Bellotti got there....They actually looked a lot like us....Amazing how a
guy can look around and see that kids are overall better athletes, getting
faster, and bulk doesn't necessarily always win.....Hmmm....Mike adjusted
with the Oregon team.....What's Michigan going to do??
6. Any thoughts as to why one of your captains stands up and gives the
Domers plenty of incentive to work extra hard this week by guaranteeing a
victory? I mean, you embarrassed the Domers last year, so they are already
motivated, and then you have Hart spouting off that nonsense.....I don't
dislike Hart, but he needs to understand that there are some things that
can't be said to the press and even the most casual fans that can see a
train wreck of a season upon us......like we need another loss to go 0-3
with 9 games remaining to somehow win 7.....
So let's look at that - this fan is merely looking for 7 wins with 10 games
to go at this point in order to keep the bowl streak alive....Granted, even
the most avid fan/spin doctor will say that the Big 10 is still in our
sights, the BCS Rose Bowl is a possibility, blah, blah, blah....What I see
is a Lamerine team with no psychological center and nothing to fall back on
and if Henne is out, well, it's "Panic Time" in Ann Arbor:
App State - L
Oregon - L
ND- W (Hart guaranteed it, right?)
PSU- L
NU W
EMU W
Purdue W/L - Iffy.....These guys are scoring points right
now....and our defense is a sieve....
Illinois W
Minnesota W
MSU IFFY.....Yes Sparty, you are due....it's been 6 years....
Wisconsin L
OSU L
Overall - 7-5....but that's a reach at this point.......
So, that means we could be playing for EVERYTHING on November 3rd (assuming
we beat Purdue and Lose to PSU).....And right now, Lloyd, I would say that
you can't pull that rabbit out of your hat....
There is so much more, but I grow weary....So, until the ghost of
Schembechler can rest after a Michigan victory,
MMQ
Crawling Back.... (9-17-07)
Division 1AA
I would like to say that I am excited after the Loserines Big Win over the much hated Domers (I am not even sure this current group of Domers is worthy of that slur....they would actually have to get better to earn the right to be called Domers)....and somehow, the victory rang slightly hollow when you really look at what was accomplished, by the numbers:
1. The Domers now have( -14) yards rushing on the year.....
2. They only had 10 first downs for the entire game....
3. They didn't cross the 50 yd line until the 2nd half.....
4. They allowed 8 sacks of Jimmy Clausen.....
5. They let Michael Hart average 5.3 yards per touch....
6. Mallet completed 7 passes out of 15 attempts, 3 for touchdowns.....
7. The Domers have still not scored an offensive TD under the Gifted and Wise offensive "Guru" known as C. Wuzzles...
8. The 38-0 score was EXACTLY the same as the score in 2003 against Ty "Losingham" in his 3rd and final season......Omens, anyone??? Or maybe Talisman....I always get those two confused....Sort of like the Domers getting Offense and Defense confused....Actually, I was impressed this group could find the field......
9. Hart was out in the 3rd quarter - a statement usually only made against lowly D-1AA teams and crappy MAC teams...
10......Just how bad are these guys? I guess that still remains to be seen with the rest of their schedule....Sparty goes to Domerland as a 14.5 point early favorite....I am not sure that number is high enough based on what was displayed on Saturday....
But - and I do mean this sincerely: I think that C. Wuzzles IS THE SMARTEST coach the Domers have ever had....By parlaying a 7 game winning streak into a 10 year contract that will reportedly pay him somewhere between $24-$32 Million - Win or Lose - He got one up on every other coach that has been through the Domer wringer in the last 15 years....So when he gets the ax, he will be walking with most, if not all, of NBC's money and most of the money that they received from last year's Sugar Bowl....Isn't it classic? The Domer's own Greed will be their demise......Oh - you won't fire him, Domer Nation????? And the reason for firing Losingham, and I quote from a former MMQ blog, "We let Ty go not because of what he did Sunday thru Friday, but because of the results on the field on Saturdays." Well, the results aren't looking much better under Wuzzles in year 3, so does he get the pass or did he smartly protect himself for the duration and leading the Domers into mediocrity for the next 10 years???? This remains to be seen...
One thing we can say about this is that 5 to10 years from now, it will simply look like another trouncing for UM against the Domers (which could become a regular thing if the Domers can't right the ship), but right now, it didn't prove much and was actually kind of worthless as far as getting the Maize and Blue ready for a real test against the Nittany Kitty Kats, who will come to Ann Arbor mad, proven, and ready for Double Dog Revenge having lost the last two seasons to the Wolverines.....Special Thanks to Russell Crowe for showing up and giving a pre-game prep talk - and at the post game press conference for stating he was going to hang around and have a few beers with Lloyd....Every little bit helps....
And, last but not least, I did hear, faintly, a man laying down to his final rest after the Wolverines managed a Victory over a much hated Rival....Go Bo, Coach Carr and company can manage without you....
Appalachian State - Defeated Northern Arizona - soundly....The Mountainmen continue to roll.....
D-1A
Sparty - Looking good....I watched some of this game and I will say that last year's Sparty's would have probably collapsed and found a way to lose that game...Don't lose momentum and do what you normally do to the Domers after the Wolverines soften them up for you.....and get some revenge for last year's debacle in Spartyland....
Gatorland - Damn, you guys look good....Even against a rival, you seem to know how to get the job done. Tebow is the real deal and it makes me wonder why he wasn't playing more last year, not that you needed him.....
Cornsuckers - Well, you played with the best team in the land for 30 minutes of football....After that, it pretty much looked like USC did what they wanted to do when they wanted to do it....I certainly hope that big time College Football finds it's way back to the Midwest, but right now, there's the SEC, Pac 10, and then there's everyone else...
Hokie Nation - Way to bounce back....keep your chins up and get ready for a tough ACC run...They are laying down for you anymore....
Cyclones - Way to nip the Hawkeyes....I am sure Ferentz was taking you for granted being 0-2, but you showed everyone that you're still gamers.....
Crimson Satan - Look out! Satan found a way to knock of the Big Pigs....Good game too, for anyone that missed it....Maybe old Satan will find a way into the SEC title game....Of course, the Georgia puppy dogs are next week, but they look beatable...frankly, after reviewing the Tide's schedule, there is a chance ole Satan could be 7-0 going into Tennessee.....and he gets an extra week to prep for Les Miles' Tigers.....Things are going to get interesting in the SEC....
LSU - handled Middle Tennessee and now need to Beat the Ole Ball Coach at HOME. Spurrier, who has stated he WILL BE A PART of the SEC Championship, will have his team ready.....Look out Coach Miles....
Best Upset of the Day: Kentucky over Louisville....The Johnny Come Latelys are learning that reputation does not win games for you and that once you are good, everyone puts a Big Ole target on you, circles your game on the calendar, sets up a countdown clock, etc....
2nd Best: Utah Utes hangin 44 on #11 UCLA and only giving 6 points to a would be Pac 10 contender....Ooooooooooops
Best Could have been Upset: UCF vs. Texas - The Longhorns are going to lose some games this year, and should have lost to these guys.....
Congrats Duke - Northwestern must have felt sorry for you...OR the Big 10 is just really that bad this year.......
MMQ
I would like to say that I am excited after the Loserines Big Win over the much hated Domers (I am not even sure this current group of Domers is worthy of that slur....they would actually have to get better to earn the right to be called Domers)....and somehow, the victory rang slightly hollow when you really look at what was accomplished, by the numbers:
1. The Domers now have( -14) yards rushing on the year.....
2. They only had 10 first downs for the entire game....
3. They didn't cross the 50 yd line until the 2nd half.....
4. They allowed 8 sacks of Jimmy Clausen.....
5. They let Michael Hart average 5.3 yards per touch....
6. Mallet completed 7 passes out of 15 attempts, 3 for touchdowns.....
7. The Domers have still not scored an offensive TD under the Gifted and Wise offensive "Guru" known as C. Wuzzles...
8. The 38-0 score was EXACTLY the same as the score in 2003 against Ty "Losingham" in his 3rd and final season......Omens, anyone??? Or maybe Talisman....I always get those two confused....Sort of like the Domers getting Offense and Defense confused....Actually, I was impressed this group could find the field......
9. Hart was out in the 3rd quarter - a statement usually only made against lowly D-1AA teams and crappy MAC teams...
10......Just how bad are these guys? I guess that still remains to be seen with the rest of their schedule....Sparty goes to Domerland as a 14.5 point early favorite....I am not sure that number is high enough based on what was displayed on Saturday....
But - and I do mean this sincerely: I think that C. Wuzzles IS THE SMARTEST coach the Domers have ever had....By parlaying a 7 game winning streak into a 10 year contract that will reportedly pay him somewhere between $24-$32 Million - Win or Lose - He got one up on every other coach that has been through the Domer wringer in the last 15 years....So when he gets the ax, he will be walking with most, if not all, of NBC's money and most of the money that they received from last year's Sugar Bowl....Isn't it classic? The Domer's own Greed will be their demise......Oh - you won't fire him, Domer Nation????? And the reason for firing Losingham, and I quote from a former MMQ blog, "We let Ty go not because of what he did Sunday thru Friday, but because of the results on the field on Saturdays." Well, the results aren't looking much better under Wuzzles in year 3, so does he get the pass or did he smartly protect himself for the duration and leading the Domers into mediocrity for the next 10 years???? This remains to be seen...
One thing we can say about this is that 5 to10 years from now, it will simply look like another trouncing for UM against the Domers (which could become a regular thing if the Domers can't right the ship), but right now, it didn't prove much and was actually kind of worthless as far as getting the Maize and Blue ready for a real test against the Nittany Kitty Kats, who will come to Ann Arbor mad, proven, and ready for Double Dog Revenge having lost the last two seasons to the Wolverines.....Special Thanks to Russell Crowe for showing up and giving a pre-game prep talk - and at the post game press conference for stating he was going to hang around and have a few beers with Lloyd....Every little bit helps....
And, last but not least, I did hear, faintly, a man laying down to his final rest after the Wolverines managed a Victory over a much hated Rival....Go Bo, Coach Carr and company can manage without you....
Appalachian State - Defeated Northern Arizona - soundly....The Mountainmen continue to roll.....
D-1A
Sparty - Looking good....I watched some of this game and I will say that last year's Sparty's would have probably collapsed and found a way to lose that game...Don't lose momentum and do what you normally do to the Domers after the Wolverines soften them up for you.....and get some revenge for last year's debacle in Spartyland....
Gatorland - Damn, you guys look good....Even against a rival, you seem to know how to get the job done. Tebow is the real deal and it makes me wonder why he wasn't playing more last year, not that you needed him.....
Cornsuckers - Well, you played with the best team in the land for 30 minutes of football....After that, it pretty much looked like USC did what they wanted to do when they wanted to do it....I certainly hope that big time College Football finds it's way back to the Midwest, but right now, there's the SEC, Pac 10, and then there's everyone else...
Hokie Nation - Way to bounce back....keep your chins up and get ready for a tough ACC run...They are laying down for you anymore....
Cyclones - Way to nip the Hawkeyes....I am sure Ferentz was taking you for granted being 0-2, but you showed everyone that you're still gamers.....
Crimson Satan - Look out! Satan found a way to knock of the Big Pigs....Good game too, for anyone that missed it....Maybe old Satan will find a way into the SEC title game....Of course, the Georgia puppy dogs are next week, but they look beatable...frankly, after reviewing the Tide's schedule, there is a chance ole Satan could be 7-0 going into Tennessee.....and he gets an extra week to prep for Les Miles' Tigers.....Things are going to get interesting in the SEC....
LSU - handled Middle Tennessee and now need to Beat the Ole Ball Coach at HOME. Spurrier, who has stated he WILL BE A PART of the SEC Championship, will have his team ready.....Look out Coach Miles....
Best Upset of the Day: Kentucky over Louisville....The Johnny Come Latelys are learning that reputation does not win games for you and that once you are good, everyone puts a Big Ole target on you, circles your game on the calendar, sets up a countdown clock, etc....
2nd Best: Utah Utes hangin 44 on #11 UCLA and only giving 6 points to a would be Pac 10 contender....Ooooooooooops
Best Could have been Upset: UCF vs. Texas - The Longhorns are going to lose some games this year, and should have lost to these guys.....
Congrats Duke - Northwestern must have felt sorry for you...OR the Big 10 is just really that bad this year.......
MMQ
Sparty, Sparty, Sparty....(11-5-07)
Top 5 Best Things said or heard from Saturday:
5. Don Shane, reporting from the MSU sideline when Sparty went up by 10 with 7:00 left in the 4th quarter, stated that Sparty was congratulating itself on victory and telling each other to "remember what it feels like to beat Michigan...." Gee, that was a short 7:00, wasn't it Sparty? Do you remember what it feels like?
4. "I hate Michigan. They suck and will always suck." Drew Stanton - during an interview about the game....But your alma mater must suck worse if you can't beat them, right Drew?
3. "I think we have Sparty right where we want him - up 10 points with 7:00 left in the 4th quarter. When was the last time Sparty ever won a game when they were up 10 in the 4th???" the MMQ at the party he attended, confident that Sparty would give up big plays to let the Amaizing Blue back in the game.
2. Mike Hart, after the game. "I was laughing because they were congratulating themselves. We have Chad Henne and Mario Manningham. Were two pass plays from taking the lead. Sometimes, when you're beating your little brother in basketball, you let him back in the game, you know, let him think he has a chance, then you just beat him." And that's what Sparty is - Michigan's little brother.
1. At midfield, after the game. "Hey, Mark, while you're bowing down, don't forget to kiss the 1997 Championship Ring...." Lloyd Carr to Dantonio....
Okay - I made that last one up....
So, once again, Michigan does the deed of finishing off a Spartan team that is incapable of finishing anything....Is Sparty aware of the fact that EVERYONE ELSE plays 60 minutes of football and not just 45 or 50 or 55? Just wondering....You know Sparty, it's not that we want to hate you (well, actually, we do)....and we would probably enjoy playing another rival that was consistently in the top 10 that after beating them would give us a boost in the rankings from time to time....kind of like the SEC gets when they lose to one of their own....But, you just can't seem to figure out that you need to prove it on the field, not just jack your jaws before the games, set up countdown clocks, win the games you are supposed to win, etc, etc, etc.....I wonder what Dantonio was thinking letting the team talk about winning before the clock read 0:01? That one blew my mind....How many games have you been ahead this year in the 4th and still lost? Don't you think you would know by now to keep your yaps shut before and during the game and then enjoy the podium the way Hart did afterwards? Sooner or later, maybe, and that's a BIG MAYBE, that will sink in....One other thought - if you played as well and as emotional against Northwestern, Iowa, Wisconsin, and maybe OSU, I think the outcome of those games would have been different....But we would have still pounded you...Simply because you're the little brother with an inferiority complex....
Final Thought: I think whoever gets Chad Henne in the 2nd or 3rd round is going to get a gem of a QB that will be able to play on Sunday...No, I am not saying he's Brady, but I think he will surprise some people and be a regular starter....If the Lions had only waited.....
BCS MESS:
Okay, someone, somehow, is going to get royally shafted this year....My guess - Oregon. They lost on a last second play that will keep them out of the National Title game, assuming that the Amaizing Blue (this sucks to have to type this) loses to the Suckeyes....LMU gets the nod because they are in the "GREATEST SUPER CONFERENCE OF ALL TIME" SEC and they get to beat up on OSU.....On top of that, Kansas could go undefeated and not play in the Title game, either.....So, is it long past time for a Play-off? I have been here before....Worse, and this could be the topper, LMU could lose the SEC title game and then be deemed not worthy to play in the National Title game...That would be classic....Let OSU and Oregon battle it out - or Oregon and Kansas settle it....Is this basketball??...More Screw Jobs Coming - Big 12 title game loser....Won't play in the BCS....Kansas, Missouri, or Oklahoma....sorry kids....And may not play New Year's day....
MICHIGAN - MSU NIGHT GAME: (LMU vs. SATAN) It's funny, isn't it? Two SEC teams led by a former Michigan Player and former MSU head coach? So, where does the SEC go to get this great coaching talent? Yeah, that's what I thought...... And, as always, the Michigan Man prevailed late with a typical Bama (Sparty) brain fart by fumbling in the 4th quarter....You kind of knew that Satan was going to lose that game, didn't you? So, LMU is on cruise control to the title match-up agains Richy Rich....Could that be the upset that does LMU in???
SUCKEYES: So, the Evil Empire of the South managed to beat the Cheeseheads, convincingly....I have to admit...The Amaizing Blue is banged up and I hope we can go to Cheesehead land beat those guys...It's gonna be a close game, as I figure pre-season, and it may go to OT....I don't see you guys slipping before November 17th - Illini is beatable, so it will all come down to another fateful Saturday in Ann Arbor....Tension will fill the air...Can Lloyd finally pull the upset - I am sure you will be favored in the game - and can Henne, Hart, and Long get one victory over the Suckeyes....We shall see.....
GATORLAND: Handled Vandy, hanging out with 3 losses hoping someone else in the SEC loses so you can inch up in the standings....Right now, the latest Bowl pairings I saw didn't have you playing on New Year's day........So, maybe, LMU going to the title game opens something up for you...Of course, if you don't get by the Ole Ball Coach this week...Well, who really wants to see an 8-4 Florida team play anyway? And Tennessee, who you pummeled, is ahead of you in the SEC with only 2 losses.....Hee, hee, hee......
HOKIES: Got over on the Rambling Wreck.....ACC is still up for grabs with BC going down....at least that should shut down the Doug Flutie led Matty Ice for Heismann camapaign...Going into the Final 3 here Hokie Fan - FSU, Miami, and Virginia....We don't need to discuss history here to know how you do in these games....
children of the corn: I can't even label you cornsuckers any more....I need a name that means less than cornsuckers....Using the cornsucker name is insulting to prior cornscker teams that made bowl games and at least played respecfully against teams they used to hang 76 on....I guess running the score up all those years on all those crappy Big 12 teams comes home to roost every now and then, doesn't it?
Weasel Nation....(Again, Labeling this team Domers disrespects every Domer that has bravely played there before - BUT JEEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!!!!) So, I overheard someone comment that the Domers would win out, and I, being of contrarian thought, immediately knew that the odds were MUCH BETTER for the Weasel to lose the last 4....but I knew that this would be the tough week as Navy just isn't that good.....But now, I am fairly confident that the Weasels can lose the last 3 and I am REALLY PISSED that UCLA didn't show up to beat these guys and the perfect season would have been perfect....But again, a 1 victory season is a good thing, right? So as an either or proposition, I like mine a whole lot better...But these ding dongs will probably win one against Duke or something...
GAMES OF THE WEEK
MICHIGAN at the CHEESEHEADS....Bielema's Boys will be looking for revenge and respect in order to be 3rd overall Big 10 Team....Illini are breathing down their necks...
USC at CAL: Believe it or not, this game is for 3RD PLACE in the PAC 10.....Who would've thunk it in September?
Urban Legend Mayer Whiner at the Ole' Ball Coach's place: Yes, it's the Gator vs. Gator game at South Carolina....Look for Spurrier to win the game and win his job at Florida back...
HOT SEAT
Urban Legend Meyer Whiner: If he loses this week, he could be gone by Monday.....National Title's don't last long when the Legends want to come back to their alma mater....
Weasel....It's hot in the press room, the post game news conferences, and everywhere else, but the Domer's know they made their bed and they have to "weasel" in it until they get another year or so out of this guy....
Dantonio - Don't put up countdown clocks unless you really know that you can back them up with a victory...I know Tressel managed to pull it off....but he is one of the few....Put up a countdown clock for Northwestern next year...I think they actually have a better record against Sparty in the last 6 years....
Callahan - I thought he could make it through the end of the year...but I think the Ax may fall on this Turkey's neck before the Colorado game....And it's probably deserved...You can't lost to Kansas 76-39 and not figure it's coming...
SUNDAY
Admittedly, I don't watch a lot of Sunday Football, but the Honolulu Blue and Silver train seems to be on track, and they pummeled the once proud Denver Broncos yesterday....That, along with Super Bowl 41.5 and Touchdown Tommy vs. Tennessee Ernie Manning Game was also intriguing and I will admit, I watched. Touchdown Tommy, with more weapons and a career of 4th quarter comebacks behind him managed to overcome Manning and the ponies....Can they go undefeated in the modern NFL? That is really the question I think on everyones mind at this point....The NFL could use another dynasty for the fringe fans.....
MMQ
5. Don Shane, reporting from the MSU sideline when Sparty went up by 10 with 7:00 left in the 4th quarter, stated that Sparty was congratulating itself on victory and telling each other to "remember what it feels like to beat Michigan...." Gee, that was a short 7:00, wasn't it Sparty? Do you remember what it feels like?
4. "I hate Michigan. They suck and will always suck." Drew Stanton - during an interview about the game....But your alma mater must suck worse if you can't beat them, right Drew?
3. "I think we have Sparty right where we want him - up 10 points with 7:00 left in the 4th quarter. When was the last time Sparty ever won a game when they were up 10 in the 4th???" the MMQ at the party he attended, confident that Sparty would give up big plays to let the Amaizing Blue back in the game.
2. Mike Hart, after the game. "I was laughing because they were congratulating themselves. We have Chad Henne and Mario Manningham. Were two pass plays from taking the lead. Sometimes, when you're beating your little brother in basketball, you let him back in the game, you know, let him think he has a chance, then you just beat him." And that's what Sparty is - Michigan's little brother.
1. At midfield, after the game. "Hey, Mark, while you're bowing down, don't forget to kiss the 1997 Championship Ring...." Lloyd Carr to Dantonio....
Okay - I made that last one up....
So, once again, Michigan does the deed of finishing off a Spartan team that is incapable of finishing anything....Is Sparty aware of the fact that EVERYONE ELSE plays 60 minutes of football and not just 45 or 50 or 55? Just wondering....You know Sparty, it's not that we want to hate you (well, actually, we do)....and we would probably enjoy playing another rival that was consistently in the top 10 that after beating them would give us a boost in the rankings from time to time....kind of like the SEC gets when they lose to one of their own....But, you just can't seem to figure out that you need to prove it on the field, not just jack your jaws before the games, set up countdown clocks, win the games you are supposed to win, etc, etc, etc.....I wonder what Dantonio was thinking letting the team talk about winning before the clock read 0:01? That one blew my mind....How many games have you been ahead this year in the 4th and still lost? Don't you think you would know by now to keep your yaps shut before and during the game and then enjoy the podium the way Hart did afterwards? Sooner or later, maybe, and that's a BIG MAYBE, that will sink in....One other thought - if you played as well and as emotional against Northwestern, Iowa, Wisconsin, and maybe OSU, I think the outcome of those games would have been different....But we would have still pounded you...Simply because you're the little brother with an inferiority complex....
Final Thought: I think whoever gets Chad Henne in the 2nd or 3rd round is going to get a gem of a QB that will be able to play on Sunday...No, I am not saying he's Brady, but I think he will surprise some people and be a regular starter....If the Lions had only waited.....
BCS MESS:
Okay, someone, somehow, is going to get royally shafted this year....My guess - Oregon. They lost on a last second play that will keep them out of the National Title game, assuming that the Amaizing Blue (this sucks to have to type this) loses to the Suckeyes....LMU gets the nod because they are in the "GREATEST SUPER CONFERENCE OF ALL TIME" SEC and they get to beat up on OSU.....On top of that, Kansas could go undefeated and not play in the Title game, either.....So, is it long past time for a Play-off? I have been here before....Worse, and this could be the topper, LMU could lose the SEC title game and then be deemed not worthy to play in the National Title game...That would be classic....Let OSU and Oregon battle it out - or Oregon and Kansas settle it....Is this basketball??...More Screw Jobs Coming - Big 12 title game loser....Won't play in the BCS....Kansas, Missouri, or Oklahoma....sorry kids....And may not play New Year's day....
MICHIGAN - MSU NIGHT GAME: (LMU vs. SATAN) It's funny, isn't it? Two SEC teams led by a former Michigan Player and former MSU head coach? So, where does the SEC go to get this great coaching talent? Yeah, that's what I thought...... And, as always, the Michigan Man prevailed late with a typical Bama (Sparty) brain fart by fumbling in the 4th quarter....You kind of knew that Satan was going to lose that game, didn't you? So, LMU is on cruise control to the title match-up agains Richy Rich....Could that be the upset that does LMU in???
SUCKEYES: So, the Evil Empire of the South managed to beat the Cheeseheads, convincingly....I have to admit...The Amaizing Blue is banged up and I hope we can go to Cheesehead land beat those guys...It's gonna be a close game, as I figure pre-season, and it may go to OT....I don't see you guys slipping before November 17th - Illini is beatable, so it will all come down to another fateful Saturday in Ann Arbor....Tension will fill the air...Can Lloyd finally pull the upset - I am sure you will be favored in the game - and can Henne, Hart, and Long get one victory over the Suckeyes....We shall see.....
GATORLAND: Handled Vandy, hanging out with 3 losses hoping someone else in the SEC loses so you can inch up in the standings....Right now, the latest Bowl pairings I saw didn't have you playing on New Year's day........So, maybe, LMU going to the title game opens something up for you...Of course, if you don't get by the Ole Ball Coach this week...Well, who really wants to see an 8-4 Florida team play anyway? And Tennessee, who you pummeled, is ahead of you in the SEC with only 2 losses.....Hee, hee, hee......
HOKIES: Got over on the Rambling Wreck.....ACC is still up for grabs with BC going down....at least that should shut down the Doug Flutie led Matty Ice for Heismann camapaign...Going into the Final 3 here Hokie Fan - FSU, Miami, and Virginia....We don't need to discuss history here to know how you do in these games....
children of the corn: I can't even label you cornsuckers any more....I need a name that means less than cornsuckers....Using the cornsucker name is insulting to prior cornscker teams that made bowl games and at least played respecfully against teams they used to hang 76 on....I guess running the score up all those years on all those crappy Big 12 teams comes home to roost every now and then, doesn't it?
Weasel Nation....(Again, Labeling this team Domers disrespects every Domer that has bravely played there before - BUT JEEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!!!!) So, I overheard someone comment that the Domers would win out, and I, being of contrarian thought, immediately knew that the odds were MUCH BETTER for the Weasel to lose the last 4....but I knew that this would be the tough week as Navy just isn't that good.....But now, I am fairly confident that the Weasels can lose the last 3 and I am REALLY PISSED that UCLA didn't show up to beat these guys and the perfect season would have been perfect....But again, a 1 victory season is a good thing, right? So as an either or proposition, I like mine a whole lot better...But these ding dongs will probably win one against Duke or something...
GAMES OF THE WEEK
MICHIGAN at the CHEESEHEADS....Bielema's Boys will be looking for revenge and respect in order to be 3rd overall Big 10 Team....Illini are breathing down their necks...
USC at CAL: Believe it or not, this game is for 3RD PLACE in the PAC 10.....Who would've thunk it in September?
Urban Legend Mayer Whiner at the Ole' Ball Coach's place: Yes, it's the Gator vs. Gator game at South Carolina....Look for Spurrier to win the game and win his job at Florida back...
HOT SEAT
Urban Legend Meyer Whiner: If he loses this week, he could be gone by Monday.....National Title's don't last long when the Legends want to come back to their alma mater....
Weasel....It's hot in the press room, the post game news conferences, and everywhere else, but the Domer's know they made their bed and they have to "weasel" in it until they get another year or so out of this guy....
Dantonio - Don't put up countdown clocks unless you really know that you can back them up with a victory...I know Tressel managed to pull it off....but he is one of the few....Put up a countdown clock for Northwestern next year...I think they actually have a better record against Sparty in the last 6 years....
Callahan - I thought he could make it through the end of the year...but I think the Ax may fall on this Turkey's neck before the Colorado game....And it's probably deserved...You can't lost to Kansas 76-39 and not figure it's coming...
SUNDAY
Admittedly, I don't watch a lot of Sunday Football, but the Honolulu Blue and Silver train seems to be on track, and they pummeled the once proud Denver Broncos yesterday....That, along with Super Bowl 41.5 and Touchdown Tommy vs. Tennessee Ernie Manning Game was also intriguing and I will admit, I watched. Touchdown Tommy, with more weapons and a career of 4th quarter comebacks behind him managed to overcome Manning and the ponies....Can they go undefeated in the modern NFL? That is really the question I think on everyones mind at this point....The NFL could use another dynasty for the fringe fans.....
MMQ
3 Left and Counting....(10-29-07)
I am glad that Henne and Hart will be back this week in order to play the Sparties up in East Lansing....The roller coaster ride that is the Michigan reserves reminds me of the Heart Attack kids of 2005....You just never know what you're gonna get - balls on the field, balls flying in all directions, fumbles, dropped passes, etc....But, the Mighty Wolverines FINALLY took care of the Golden Gophers and insured that the Little Brown Jug stayed where it belongs, in Ann Arbor.....There was a trivia question during the game, and I would like to share it all with you: (Answer at the end)
What was the first year that Michigan and Minnesota battled for the little Brown Jug?
A. 1898 B. 1903 C. 1909 D. 1914
I have to admit, I thought this was a trick question because of the way it was worded, so be careful with your answer if you think you know it.....
UM - SPARTY WEEK: The Term SOS, which in Michigan Wolverine Fan vernacular means "Same Ole' Sparty" and in MooU vernacular means "Save Our SEASON - BEAT MICHIGAN" is handy in that it can be used by either fan...... So, Sparty, at least the MMQ can still call some things right....Even though I missed on a couple of your losses in my pre-season prediction, I did say that you would be in the middle of your swan song when the Mighty Wolverines would have to come up and complete the pleasant task of sticking a fork in your season..how you give up huge leads in games that you have statistically controlled ought to be made into a documentary of how NOT TO PLAY late in the game....Giving up and 2nd and 20 for a TD - to the lowly Hawkeyes who are playing for pride????? .........I commented incorrectly that I thought you might make a non-New Year's bowl in Texas....the non-New Year's part I got right, but I am not sure you are going to make it out of the state at this point....I am not even sure you can win again...So your whole bowl picture is down to the Motor City or nothing....However, as is SEEMS TO BE EVERY YEAR, Sparty fan somehow believes that a victory, even if it's the only one - over Michigan will make everything OK as you will be on your way to Detroit......But Sparty, here's the issue: Even if you beat us, you still suck. And with 1 loss in the Big 10, Michigan is still alive for a BCS game....Funny how that works when you win the games you are supposed to win in your conference....Please, PLEASE, Sparty, save all your "records don't mean anything in this game" and "This game means more to us than you" rhetoric....Of course it means more to you - u suck and we're still a legitimate contender....This could be the 1st of your last three "bowl" games......
GATORLAND: Uh-oh...Don't look now, but I don't know how Urban Legend can find his way into a New Year's day bowl game now....The Richy-Rich Puppy Dogs put a beating on the Gators and had them for a snack at the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail party....The question is - when Mayer Whiner cries in an empty post game press conference that his team deserves to play on New Year's day, does he actually make a sound?
cornsuckers - I can't find smaller type...and I am not sure the cornsuckers deserve that....How do you have a Texas team - that isn't that good either - on the ropes in the 4th quarter and then let the RUNNING BACK single handedly beat you and rush for 200+ yards - IN THE 4TH Quarter? huskerfan, I don't know what the blackshirt defense means at this point, and I am not sure the whole husker image was nothing more than a mirage that was created by Osborn....I guess he can right the ship, but at 70, I am not sure he can live long enough to do it....
domers - Not playing makes for a great weekend, eh domer fan?
HOKIES - Tsk,tsk, tsk.....HOKIE FAN: I fell asleep on Thursday night with the Hokies comfortably in the lead with a 10 point margin with less than 2 minutes to go...what happened? It seems that you have given BC the right to play in the National Title game....Actually, in a way, I'm glad the season could work out this way...I would rather see 2 non-SEC teams battle it out, and I see LSU is vulnerable, so maybe this SUPER CONFERENCE can make enough noise with-in the NCAA to get rid of the BCS for a play-off......nah, it'll never happen....but I'm glad none the less that the SEC won't be there.....
SUCKEYES - Defeat an unimpressive Joe Pa team in Happy Valley Whiteout....I guess the Sweater Vested Troll will be undefeated coming to Ann Arbor this year....The bigger they are, the harder they fall....That ticket keeps going up in value....
HOT SEAT:
URBAN LEGEND MAYER WHINER: Think I'm wrong? Let's think about this....Spurrier will be available, or make himself available, after losing to Vandy and Tennessee - and maybe one more timewith Florida, Tenn, and Clemson on the schedule.......If Whiner loses again and the Ole Ball Coach makes a phone call to Gatorland, his alma mater where he won national titles and as a player won the Heismann,, do you think that Urban Legend won't be on the curb looking for work? You read it here first, MMQ fan....Trust me....This is closer than it may appear...
Weasel - yep - Don't see how the domers can go 1-11 and not at least think about axing the Weasel...but they won't....they will let him lose 3 more next year and do the deed....
Fullmer - this guy is cemented until he quits....I guess I have to take him off the list
SMU's Phil Bennet - oops - already got canned.....
GAMES OF THE WEEK:
MICHIGAN AT MooU - Need I say More?
SUCKEYES AT THE CHEESEHEADS: Should be interesting, but SUCKEYES SURVIVE.....
LMU at SATAN LAND: Can Les keep his record in the SEC to one loss or does SATAN find a way to beat his former school???
Did you read this far? The answer is C. Yeah, I know - the Little Brown Jug was PURCHASED in 1903 and left behind....A letter was written by the great Yost to say send it back after it was left behind in a stand emptying field rush when the Gophers tied the game late at 6-6...this is the first score recorded on the Jug....But Yost and company didn't go back and actually play for the Jug again until 1909....that's when the first Battle occurred....I know, trick question....
What was the first year that Michigan and Minnesota battled for the little Brown Jug?
A. 1898 B. 1903 C. 1909 D. 1914
I have to admit, I thought this was a trick question because of the way it was worded, so be careful with your answer if you think you know it.....
UM - SPARTY WEEK: The Term SOS, which in Michigan Wolverine Fan vernacular means "Same Ole' Sparty" and in MooU vernacular means "Save Our SEASON - BEAT MICHIGAN" is handy in that it can be used by either fan...... So, Sparty, at least the MMQ can still call some things right....Even though I missed on a couple of your losses in my pre-season prediction, I did say that you would be in the middle of your swan song when the Mighty Wolverines would have to come up and complete the pleasant task of sticking a fork in your season..how you give up huge leads in games that you have statistically controlled ought to be made into a documentary of how NOT TO PLAY late in the game....Giving up and 2nd and 20 for a TD - to the lowly Hawkeyes who are playing for pride????? .........I commented incorrectly that I thought you might make a non-New Year's bowl in Texas....the non-New Year's part I got right, but I am not sure you are going to make it out of the state at this point....I am not even sure you can win again...So your whole bowl picture is down to the Motor City or nothing....However, as is SEEMS TO BE EVERY YEAR, Sparty fan somehow believes that a victory, even if it's the only one - over Michigan will make everything OK as you will be on your way to Detroit......But Sparty, here's the issue: Even if you beat us, you still suck. And with 1 loss in the Big 10, Michigan is still alive for a BCS game....Funny how that works when you win the games you are supposed to win in your conference....Please, PLEASE, Sparty, save all your "records don't mean anything in this game" and "This game means more to us than you" rhetoric....Of course it means more to you - u suck and we're still a legitimate contender....This could be the 1st of your last three "bowl" games......
GATORLAND: Uh-oh...Don't look now, but I don't know how Urban Legend can find his way into a New Year's day bowl game now....The Richy-Rich Puppy Dogs put a beating on the Gators and had them for a snack at the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail party....The question is - when Mayer Whiner cries in an empty post game press conference that his team deserves to play on New Year's day, does he actually make a sound?
cornsuckers - I can't find smaller type...and I am not sure the cornsuckers deserve that....How do you have a Texas team - that isn't that good either - on the ropes in the 4th quarter and then let the RUNNING BACK single handedly beat you and rush for 200+ yards - IN THE 4TH Quarter? huskerfan, I don't know what the blackshirt defense means at this point, and I am not sure the whole husker image was nothing more than a mirage that was created by Osborn....I guess he can right the ship, but at 70, I am not sure he can live long enough to do it....
domers - Not playing makes for a great weekend, eh domer fan?
HOKIES - Tsk,tsk, tsk.....HOKIE FAN: I fell asleep on Thursday night with the Hokies comfortably in the lead with a 10 point margin with less than 2 minutes to go...what happened? It seems that you have given BC the right to play in the National Title game....Actually, in a way, I'm glad the season could work out this way...I would rather see 2 non-SEC teams battle it out, and I see LSU is vulnerable, so maybe this SUPER CONFERENCE can make enough noise with-in the NCAA to get rid of the BCS for a play-off......nah, it'll never happen....but I'm glad none the less that the SEC won't be there.....
SUCKEYES - Defeat an unimpressive Joe Pa team in Happy Valley Whiteout....I guess the Sweater Vested Troll will be undefeated coming to Ann Arbor this year....The bigger they are, the harder they fall....That ticket keeps going up in value....
HOT SEAT:
URBAN LEGEND MAYER WHINER: Think I'm wrong? Let's think about this....Spurrier will be available, or make himself available, after losing to Vandy and Tennessee - and maybe one more timewith Florida, Tenn, and Clemson on the schedule.......If Whiner loses again and the Ole Ball Coach makes a phone call to Gatorland, his alma mater where he won national titles and as a player won the Heismann,, do you think that Urban Legend won't be on the curb looking for work? You read it here first, MMQ fan....Trust me....This is closer than it may appear...
Weasel - yep - Don't see how the domers can go 1-11 and not at least think about axing the Weasel...but they won't....they will let him lose 3 more next year and do the deed....
Fullmer - this guy is cemented until he quits....I guess I have to take him off the list
SMU's Phil Bennet - oops - already got canned.....
GAMES OF THE WEEK:
MICHIGAN AT MooU - Need I say More?
SUCKEYES AT THE CHEESEHEADS: Should be interesting, but SUCKEYES SURVIVE.....
LMU at SATAN LAND: Can Les keep his record in the SEC to one loss or does SATAN find a way to beat his former school???
Did you read this far? The answer is C. Yeah, I know - the Little Brown Jug was PURCHASED in 1903 and left behind....A letter was written by the great Yost to say send it back after it was left behind in a stand emptying field rush when the Gophers tied the game late at 6-6...this is the first score recorded on the Jug....But Yost and company didn't go back and actually play for the Jug again until 1909....that's when the first Battle occurred....I know, trick question....
Building to the End (10-26-07)
I hate to start with another rant - but I have to do this. I read in an article that the play-off in Division 1AA is actually going to EXPAND in the future...Or they are at least considering it....Now, this is the same NCAA governing body for these schools and they have presidents just like other Division 1A schools that see this AS A GOOD THING! SO, HOW ON EARTH CAN YOU MAKE THE ARGUMENT that Division 1A would "suffer" because students would miss more class, there would be too many games, etc.......Please, can we just get on with a play-off of some sort and stop all this nonsense? I am sick of the NCAA not getting more serious about bringing the necessary parties to the table, get past the GREED (Which really, is what this is all about...Dollars....Sad) and figure out that they could make even more money if they set it up right.....OK, sorry about that...I know you don't want my opinion on a play off system...That's not why you read this drivel
In Wolverine Country, this was the original Final Four......It used to be that once the Wolverines had completed 6 or 7 games of their season, the final four would loom out there....The 4 were usually a mixture of Minnesota, Illinois, Purdue, sometimes, Iowa, and of course, that nasty, stinky, smelly little school from down south....The order would of course change, with the exception of the last, but the final four meant that you were pushing to the end and usually a climatic finish against those aforementioned Suckeyes.....This year, it's no different. With the Wolverines changing QB's and Running Backs like a Dad changes batteries in new toys on Christmas Day, the Wolverines handled an upstart Zookie team, after spotting them 7 points in the first minute of play. Not a good thing when you choose to defer until the second half....So, Henne got the job done injured without Mike Hart back there to carry the workload....And the Defense looked good, also....But, that APP STATE loss is looming ever larger now....Sure, Oregon shellacked us, but that 1AA loss is really stinging...It could all be different right now....But, such is the mess we are in....
SEC - Yes Caryl, I have been watching....More teams ranked in the Top 25, tons of respect, yadda, yadda, yadda....But, I have to admit, this conference has more going on than a 3 ring circus....If you couldn't watch any football on Saturday - a quick synopsis:
Vanderbilt - The Northwestern of the SEC, known for its academics, handed the Ole Ball Coach his first loss to Vandy-EVER.... I'm sure Steve was wishing he had a least one half of the offense he had while at Florida...
SATAN NATION: nick Satan, who suspended 5 players Saturday morning, starts the game with an ON SIDE KICK and goes on to Pummel the Fulmer Cremesicles...Who are starting to look less and less like an SEC team and look more like a Big Ten or Big 12 team....
GATORLAND: The Urban "Legend" Meyer Weiner show went on the road with a week of rest and caught the Kentucky Wildcats after an emotional victory over LMU....I believe you were lucky to have that week off, Gatorfan....Kentucky is good enough to beat you and probably would have if Tebow hadn't had such a great game....
And of course, let's not forget LMU.....Now, listen people - there are some things that are pretty obvious to this fan....One is, when you are down one point with 18 seconds left, deep in enemy territory, you run the ball to the last 3 seconds, - PROTECT THAT BALL!!!!!, call time out and you set up in the middle of the field to turn the game over to your trustworthy, 170 pound kicker....Yep, that's what you do if your a Michigan Coach or a Michigan man - Descendant of Bo....But, because that's WHAT EVERYONE KNOWS YOU'RE GONNA DO - Les "Call me Mr. Lucky" decides to tell his QB that if they line up one on one on with Byrd, the wideout, you go deep.....Jeez, so much for protecting the ball and playing it safe.....And what do you know? LMU beats Tommy Tutone in a thriller with a last second TD(how many times has that happened to Auburn?)....but was that wise? The ball could have been picked off....Man, the guy has gambler in him the likes of which I have never seen....Or is he just smarter than everybody else????
SPARTY - SUCKEYES: What happened? Are the SUCKEYES that good or were you guys just a little shell shocked...The first half produced nothing on offense and then the Italian Stallion turned the D loose in the 2nd half and they put 14 on the board for you and it's still not enough to change the tide....Oh well, I think you have a chance to win at least one more - maybe 2 if you're lucky (Purdue and Iowa)....But in my opinion, this was a winnable game for you if you played like you had the week before....But, it is October and November and you are the SPARTIES....I guess if you played all your games in August and September, you would be REALLY GOOD!
cornsuckers - I can't even capitalize it anymore....Man, how far this program has fallen...I guess you fire Callahan, especially for calling the new AD a "crsuty old piece of Shit" who was trying to run things from Washingyon..... and figure out how to pick up the pieces....Losing by a boat load to Texas A&M is no way to bounce back ...At least Osborn is too classy to can Bill mid season....But still, where has the pride in this program gone? With Texas, Kansas, K-State and Colorado left, it could be a season kind of like the next guys.....
domers - JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS! After the latest Weasel comment, after being asked if this was bottom, "So let me just say that people better enjoy it and have thier fun now." Well, folks, I am here to tell you that I don't see any hope for the domers in the near future - AND PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT!!!! - I do see a LOT of Teams trying to figure out how to get the domers on their schedule for the easy W......Kids are bailing on the program left and right and the domers aren't even playing teams close....Damn the UCLA Bruins for not showing up for that game - they are going to hate themselves for that loss....I still think the 0-fer would have been cool, but I guess 1-11 will show the world even more that you had to play that season and you didn't forfeit them all.....Man, you guys really suck and this is karma for your greed....I am not even sure what conference would take you as you would bring them down....So, are all the fan clubs rotating sending that bucket of fried chicken so Wuzzles ges one every day of the week? Because with what I am sure is a $10M buyout clause, you guys are stuck with this guy till he kicks.....
HOKIES - OK - BIG GAME ON THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS....BC coming to down undefeated...Do your job and get this BCS Mess even Messier.....
UCLA - the aforementioned Brew-Ins started their 1st string against the Cal Bears and defeated a top ten team.....This of course, was the Same Brew-In team that lost to the "Wait till next Year" domers.....I can't figure these clowns out....
RUTGERS - Thank you, Mr Shining, for beating the USF Bulls....I couldn't have watched a National Championship with that team in it.....
Did anyone know that Miami and FSU played this past weekend....Nope, me either....but Miami won....
HOT SEAT:
Fullmer - How does this guy hang around? Tennessee fan will want his head if they don't make a bowl....
Callahan - Never call the most legendary former coach of the school you are coaching a crusty old piece of shit (even if he is....)
Weasel - There is probably a rich Alumni group raising money to buy this guy out.....I hear the Pope even got a call.....(Sorry, Your Popeness)
Brewster - Minnesota - If they hated Glen Mason, this guy has to have worn out his welcome by losing to MAC, 1AA and lesser opponents....
GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Hokies host the Holy Warriors of BC - Look for the Hokies to upset BC.....Big
USC at OREGON: My guess is Oregon uses this to launch themselves back into the National Title Discussion...
OSU AT PSU: Night Game - WHITE OUT.....PSU Fandomonium will rattle the Suckeyes....Can they survive Happy Valley?
OSU at OU: Oklahoma's version of Michigan -Michigan State....Look out for the Cowboys to give Stupor all he can handle.....
MMQ
In Wolverine Country, this was the original Final Four......It used to be that once the Wolverines had completed 6 or 7 games of their season, the final four would loom out there....The 4 were usually a mixture of Minnesota, Illinois, Purdue, sometimes, Iowa, and of course, that nasty, stinky, smelly little school from down south....The order would of course change, with the exception of the last, but the final four meant that you were pushing to the end and usually a climatic finish against those aforementioned Suckeyes.....This year, it's no different. With the Wolverines changing QB's and Running Backs like a Dad changes batteries in new toys on Christmas Day, the Wolverines handled an upstart Zookie team, after spotting them 7 points in the first minute of play. Not a good thing when you choose to defer until the second half....So, Henne got the job done injured without Mike Hart back there to carry the workload....And the Defense looked good, also....But, that APP STATE loss is looming ever larger now....Sure, Oregon shellacked us, but that 1AA loss is really stinging...It could all be different right now....But, such is the mess we are in....
SEC - Yes Caryl, I have been watching....More teams ranked in the Top 25, tons of respect, yadda, yadda, yadda....But, I have to admit, this conference has more going on than a 3 ring circus....If you couldn't watch any football on Saturday - a quick synopsis:
Vanderbilt - The Northwestern of the SEC, known for its academics, handed the Ole Ball Coach his first loss to Vandy-EVER.... I'm sure Steve was wishing he had a least one half of the offense he had while at Florida...
SATAN NATION: nick Satan, who suspended 5 players Saturday morning, starts the game with an ON SIDE KICK and goes on to Pummel the Fulmer Cremesicles...Who are starting to look less and less like an SEC team and look more like a Big Ten or Big 12 team....
GATORLAND: The Urban "Legend" Meyer Weiner show went on the road with a week of rest and caught the Kentucky Wildcats after an emotional victory over LMU....I believe you were lucky to have that week off, Gatorfan....Kentucky is good enough to beat you and probably would have if Tebow hadn't had such a great game....
And of course, let's not forget LMU.....Now, listen people - there are some things that are pretty obvious to this fan....One is, when you are down one point with 18 seconds left, deep in enemy territory, you run the ball to the last 3 seconds, - PROTECT THAT BALL!!!!!, call time out and you set up in the middle of the field to turn the game over to your trustworthy, 170 pound kicker....Yep, that's what you do if your a Michigan Coach or a Michigan man - Descendant of Bo....But, because that's WHAT EVERYONE KNOWS YOU'RE GONNA DO - Les "Call me Mr. Lucky" decides to tell his QB that if they line up one on one on with Byrd, the wideout, you go deep.....Jeez, so much for protecting the ball and playing it safe.....And what do you know? LMU beats Tommy Tutone in a thriller with a last second TD(how many times has that happened to Auburn?)....but was that wise? The ball could have been picked off....Man, the guy has gambler in him the likes of which I have never seen....Or is he just smarter than everybody else????
SPARTY - SUCKEYES: What happened? Are the SUCKEYES that good or were you guys just a little shell shocked...The first half produced nothing on offense and then the Italian Stallion turned the D loose in the 2nd half and they put 14 on the board for you and it's still not enough to change the tide....Oh well, I think you have a chance to win at least one more - maybe 2 if you're lucky (Purdue and Iowa)....But in my opinion, this was a winnable game for you if you played like you had the week before....But, it is October and November and you are the SPARTIES....I guess if you played all your games in August and September, you would be REALLY GOOD!
cornsuckers - I can't even capitalize it anymore....Man, how far this program has fallen...I guess you fire Callahan, especially for calling the new AD a "crsuty old piece of Shit" who was trying to run things from Washingyon..... and figure out how to pick up the pieces....Losing by a boat load to Texas A&M is no way to bounce back ...At least Osborn is too classy to can Bill mid season....But still, where has the pride in this program gone? With Texas, Kansas, K-State and Colorado left, it could be a season kind of like the next guys.....
domers - JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS! After the latest Weasel comment, after being asked if this was bottom, "So let me just say that people better enjoy it and have thier fun now." Well, folks, I am here to tell you that I don't see any hope for the domers in the near future - AND PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT!!!! - I do see a LOT of Teams trying to figure out how to get the domers on their schedule for the easy W......Kids are bailing on the program left and right and the domers aren't even playing teams close....Damn the UCLA Bruins for not showing up for that game - they are going to hate themselves for that loss....I still think the 0-fer would have been cool, but I guess 1-11 will show the world even more that you had to play that season and you didn't forfeit them all.....Man, you guys really suck and this is karma for your greed....I am not even sure what conference would take you as you would bring them down....So, are all the fan clubs rotating sending that bucket of fried chicken so Wuzzles ges one every day of the week? Because with what I am sure is a $10M buyout clause, you guys are stuck with this guy till he kicks.....
HOKIES - OK - BIG GAME ON THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS....BC coming to down undefeated...Do your job and get this BCS Mess even Messier.....
UCLA - the aforementioned Brew-Ins started their 1st string against the Cal Bears and defeated a top ten team.....This of course, was the Same Brew-In team that lost to the "Wait till next Year" domers.....I can't figure these clowns out....
RUTGERS - Thank you, Mr Shining, for beating the USF Bulls....I couldn't have watched a National Championship with that team in it.....
Did anyone know that Miami and FSU played this past weekend....Nope, me either....but Miami won....
HOT SEAT:
Fullmer - How does this guy hang around? Tennessee fan will want his head if they don't make a bowl....
Callahan - Never call the most legendary former coach of the school you are coaching a crusty old piece of shit (even if he is....)
Weasel - There is probably a rich Alumni group raising money to buy this guy out.....I hear the Pope even got a call.....(Sorry, Your Popeness)
Brewster - Minnesota - If they hated Glen Mason, this guy has to have worn out his welcome by losing to MAC, 1AA and lesser opponents....
GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Hokies host the Holy Warriors of BC - Look for the Hokies to upset BC.....Big
USC at OREGON: My guess is Oregon uses this to launch themselves back into the National Title Discussion...
OSU AT PSU: Night Game - WHITE OUT.....PSU Fandomonium will rattle the Suckeyes....Can they survive Happy Valley?
OSU at OU: Oklahoma's version of Michigan -Michigan State....Look out for the Cowboys to give Stupor all he can handle.....
MMQ
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