WTF - No Michigan Replay??????

A couple of you have forwarded or called with the latest bit of Rich Rod assininity (is that a word?) which once again has The Rod standing in the face of tradition and thumbing his nose. In case you haven't heard, check the Angelique Chengelis aritcle for the summary.

Apparently, The Rod has decided that there will be a show, it just won't be taped after the game and aired on Sunday morning. But, jeez, I have been watching Michigan Replay since Ole Bo sat at the Maize and Blue desk with Brandy off to one side. I think I was 9 or 10, back when you only had 3 stations, plus channels 20, 50, 56 and 62 on good weather days pre-cable. You woke up Sunday Morning to catch Replay in all it's glory. Remember, too, that Michigan wasn't always televised and there was no such thing as ESPN. You could catch clips on the 6:00 P.M. news, but......Now, this leaves this cheap shot artist in me to believe one of if not all of the following:

1. The Rod is scared of the season that lies in front of him. He knows that he can't win every game and he is probably not talented enough to go on TV after a loss and maintain his composure and explain how it's still just a game...Anyway, knowing that the Rod probably doesn't want to be on the firing line right after a loss is understandable...And I can sort of understand this.

2. The Rod is pissed at everyone that had anything to do with this program prior to his arrival. I am getting the feeling that The Rod is getting ticked off with local and national media and whatever shot he can take at them, he'll take. He probably didn't like the idea of "being corrected" on his Michigan History by the walking Encyclopedia of Brandy sitting across from him every time he screwed up a fact or got a legacy name incorrect. I can understand this, but this is harder for me to swallow. Everyone knows you are not a "Michigan Man", and that's what Brandy is there for anyway. Let him be the historical expert and own that little piece of the show. You just win and lose the latest games....

3. What I think is really going on is that The Rod hasn't been able to put as much of a personal stamp on the program within the University as he would like, and he has therefor decided to make his mark anywhere else that he can. So, he will still do a show, but it won't be Michigan Replay.

In summary, The Rod has done nothing at this point to endear himself to this fan. All I can say is he better go at least 4-0 in the first 4 games this season. That will leave us having to win 3 to become bowl eligible. If, God forbid, we languish and fall into a Charlie the Tuna Weis type of death spiral, well, the SCREAMS for Les Miles, Cam Cameron, or anyone else that has a Michigan heritage will be heard around the world...And the Rod will find out exactly how ugly the press can get - not to mention the natives. If you thought Lloyd was on the hot seat after a couple of losses - okay App State was a hot seat loss - then wait until the Rod loses one he shouldn't have.

Season Schedule:
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME TV
Aug 30 Utah Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Sep 6 Miami (Ohio) Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Sep 13 Notre Dame South Bend, Ind. TBA TBA
Sep 27 Wisconsin Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Oct 4 Illinois Ann Arbor, Mich. 3:30 ABC
Oct 11 Toledo Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Oct 18 Penn State State College, Pa. 4:30 ESPN or ESPN2
Oct 25 Michigan State Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Nov 1 Purdue West Lafayette, Ind.TBA TBA
Nov 8 Minnesota Minn. TBA TBA
Nov 15 Northwestern Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Nov 22 Ohio State Columbus, Ohio TBA TBA