Heartbreak Saturday

It’s kind of amazing, really. I couldn’t believe that at some point on Saturday night, the realization washed over me that 7 days and roughly 3 hours prior to the exact moment in time that I was presently in, roughly 11:30, I was one very happy person. That a mere week ago all was right with the world and I was actually looking toward the future and the potential that existed…

7 days and 3 hours later….

Not So Much…

Multiple reasons for my morass of emotion were playing out on TV screens all over the place. Visions of disbelief and worse, people who seemed genuinely happy with several outcomes that were completely baffling to me. One Michigan fan (which I had to explain to him that he was NOT a Michigan fan because of this) kept celebrating every Domer (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!) score and fantastic play. Finally, unable to contain my frustration after another Tigers three up and three down coupled with a Michigan turn over and I confronted the guy.

“You call yourself a Michigan fan?” His reply. “Yeah, why?” I said, “Then why on God’s Green Earth are you HAPPY that the Domers are beating the Sooners? You should be pulling for Oklahoma if you’re a true Michigan fan.” And in response I got, “I don’t mind seeing Notre Dame win if they beat us and MSU. It makes us look better.”

My mind, or more importantly, my jaw stopped working. I simply didn’t know what to say or I was simply too drained to formulate an un-emotional, objective response to what I could only describe as a “Casual” Michigan Fan. Worse, I got the feeling this individual was a “casual” football fan as well. Meaning that he wouldn’t mind at all if the Domers played in the National Title game…And I so wanted to go where I’ve gone for the last 10 years. To explain how bad it would be for College Football to let Notre Dame into the National Title Game…

Which led me to the following thought picture:

Yeah…I know…It’s not pefect as the intersections assume some things that will neve be, but you get my point. On top of that, you had the Tigers getting beat again by the Giants…What’s happened to offense in this state??

I knew when DeRob went down that Michigan was in deep doo-doo. I was getting the feeling earlier when they couldn’t punch it into the end zone. Which makes (I don’t even like to type this) two games in a row where Michigan has NOT FOUND the End Zone…You know, that little strip at the end of the field with the writing in it…. It was another one of those games where nothing seemed to go right, yet everything was there for the taking. (Insert “Tigers” wherever “Michigan” appears in the last statement and you have a synopsis of the entire World Series, also.

So, what does it mean for Michigan going into the Final 4? Well, they have to win out in order to even have a shot at the B1G Title game. And they need a little help from their friends…Yeah, suddenly I’m rooting for Sparty on Saturday. And Minnesota and Iowa in subsequent weeks. Which means that Sparty is Michigan’s best shot at getting Nebraska back behind them in the Legends…..Yikes.

At one point I received a text from another fan that simply stated, “Every team I want to win tonight is losing….” And there were a lot of games to choose from. How can that be? As an avid fan, there should be one game out of the 6 or 7 that were on that you could say, “Okay, well…at least there’s THAT.”

I couldn’t find the one game on Saturday night that made me feel better….

So, what now for the….

BCS Mess

4 weeks to go in the regular season and looky who’s in the top 3 of the BCS…Domers (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!), Satan’s Warriors and K-State. Before we get into all of the details, I’m going to sit on my original observation and would just love for the Domers to go undefeated and not make the National Title Game – and IF EVERYONE HOLDS SERVE AND DOES WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO, that should take care of itself. But, I have this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that 2012 is going to be a weird year. And the weirdness has only just begun.

1. Satan’s Warriors: No surprise here. Until they are beat, they’re in the Championship.
2. K-State: Some are surprised by this rank, but when you beat the Laters in Norman, well, Computers like that. And Shellacking WVU didn’t hurt…
3. DOMERS: I don’t know what to say here anymore…We are ALL DUCKS FANS! OR K-STATE FANS! And Alabama Fans….
4. DUCKS: Need more quality wins and they have to hope that the rest of their competition wins out…And this is the week against USC.
5. LSU: In a great position as the first 1 loss team
6. Georgia: Just in case they win out, the pollsters want to keep these guys up there…
7. GATORLAND: Told you….Gatorland can only be a spoiler…
8. USC…Best 7-2 in the BCS
9. Florida State: Needs LOTS OF HELP
10. Louisville: Enjoy It. Charlie Strong will be coaching in the SEC next Season…

The Rest of the Mess

Sparty vs. Wiscy: What, did Wiscy figure this game didn’t matter this year as it has a paved road to the B1G championship? This has turned into a real rivalry when Wiscy used to own Sparty in Madison…Don’t understand what Bielema is thinking

GATORLAND vs. Puppy Dawgs: So, let me get this straight: First, the Dawgs lose horribly to The Ole Ball Coach, then the Ole Ball Coach loses HORRIBLY to Gatorland…..If A>B>C, shouldn’t the outcome of this game been GATROLAND DESTROYS PUPPY DOGS? For the love of Mike….Where’s the logic anymore…

Ducks vs. Colorado: Beat the spread. Beat the over. And could have got to 100 as the final score was the same as it was to start the 3rd quarter meaning Chip Kelly called off the Ducks…..

Idle Thoughts From Saturday

-SEC is eating their own…
-But Alabama won’t lose to MSU….
-Maybe, but no…
-Gene C. is so done at Auburn.
-Even with the $4M or so buyout…
-Texas A&M had to enjoy that victory…
-Washington is beating OSU? Come on BEAVERS!
-I like the Beavers…Really.
-Corvalis is just such a cool name for a city.
-Michigan is not looking good early.
-Come on! Catch the damn ball.
-Not another Field Goal.
-I like Gibbons, but why can’t this team punch it in?
-I think it goes back to Fitz…
-I won’t be sorry to see him go.
-I know he’s a senior and all, but I’m tired of thinking he’s going to get better.
-Tippy-toe into the line every time.
-This is Big 10 football.
-Put your head down and go.
-De-Rob….Say it isn’t so.
-This is approximately when I gave up.
-I didn’t think Bellomy was that bad…all things considered.
-All right….Maybe 44 yards after Bellomy took the field isn’t good…
-It wasn’t a good game.
-Kudos to the Husker Defensive Strategy “All Blitz, All the Time” once Bellomy took the field.
-This is what happens when you don’t have a running game (or Back).
-Get Fitz out of there….
-Is Devin all done at QB?
-Don’t Show the Latimore injury anymore…PLEASE…
-My stomach has been queasy from the first time I saw it…
-And they keep showing it…again and again and again…
-That has to totally suck…
-I guess the bright side is he’s alive? And with luck…can maybe play again?
-I dunno…Violent, nasty sport when looked at from that perspective.
-All thoughts and prayers going out to Latimore family…
-Final 4…Michigan Needs to win them all.
-And suddenly, Minnesota looks good. Frosh QB lit up Purdue.
-And Iowa is always tough.
-And I was most afraid of Northwestern going into the last 4 games.
-Not to mention OSU.
-Jeez…Can Michigan win one of those to get bowl eligible?
-At least two are at home…

More Idle Thoughts From the Weekend….

-Tigers ran into a buzz saw…
-And its name was the San Franciso Giants.
-As good as it felt to sweep the Yankees…I now know how the Yankee fans felt.
-One game would have at least dulled the ache a little…
-Whisk-whisk-whisk.....Whiskey!

The Hot Seat

For the first time all season, the weekly nominee DID NOT HOLD SERVE! Which means that Lacey Chabert has a shot of winning in the last 4 weeks, but if you don’t win your nomination week, well, you can pretty much kiss the finals good bye…

This week’s nominee caught the MMQ’s eye in several movies where I went, “Hey…who is that?” She was in Couple’s Retreat with a huge ensemble cast, The Heartbreak Kid with Ben Stiller, and most recently, Rock of Ages as the Rolling Stone reporter that does the deed with Stacy Jaxx….Without further ado: Malin Akerman!

 

One big Change: I moved Chizik to Numero Uno in honor of the A&M beatdown. John L will survive his contract, but Chizik might just lose his job first. Also, we might change the name of this to the “Race for Charlie Strong list.”

1. Gene Chizik: Losing to the Hawgs AND MSU in the same year gets you on the list…National Championships be damned! Question is: Who does Aburn, actually, anyone get if they fire the guys on this list? Petrino?
2. John L Smith – He’s only on a 10 month contract, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they canned him before then…To hire….WHO?
3. Derek Dooley: Needs a MAJOR win in the SEC
4. Mack Brown: I know, I know. But you didn’t think they would fire Joe Pa, either. Believe the MMQ when I say that his retirement or canning is nearer than you think…
5. Frank Spaziani: BC is a proud school that doesn’t get a lot of attention…. Until you lose to ARMY….And get a new AD looking to make a name for himself.
6. The Old Ball Coach: Can’t lose to your Alma Mater by double digits and not feel some heat.
6. (Tie) Paul Johnson. GT’s season has been an up and down roller coaster and losing to Middle Tennessee State should have had him on the list earlier…But he’s here now.
7. Pasqualoni – UCONN This team has not gotten better and only gotten a LOT worse since their Fiesta Bowl appearance two years ago…
8. Randy Edsall: Maryland is going to start thinking that with the ACC as screwed up as it is, why aren’t we winning more football games?
9. Kevin Wilson: But can Indiana really expect much more? Really?
10. Joker Phillips: Because someone at Kentucky cares….
11Brett Beilema – Wiscy. His fans have expectations now. Losing to MSU at home?
12. Tedford

The FMQ

I know my Ducks and that’s all I can say. I don’t know Michigan, Wiscy or Oklahoma….How could all of them let me down? All I know is there’s some jack-ass out there cackling with glee on the other side of all this….

Ducks (-45) at Colorado: It turns out this was the only game I should have bet on!

Take Oregon and lay the 45 for $100…WIN: Bank $190
Take the over (67) for $50…WIN: Bank $95

Sparty at Wiscy (-6.5):
Take Wiscy and lay the 6.5 for $50…LOSE

Michigan (+2.5) @ CORNSUCKERS:
Take Michigan and the 2.5 for $60….LOSE

Domers (+9.5 – Opening. Today: +12) @ Laters:
Take the Laters and lay the 9.5 for $60….LOSE

Parlay!
Ducks – Laters – Ducks & Buffs OVER for $20….LOSE

Starting Bank:   $492.50
TOTAL WIN:   $285
Bank:                $777.50

Early Monday Odds

Texas Tech (+7) vs. Texas
Stanford (-27.5) @ Colorado
Iowa (+1) @ Indiana (I know…I had to read it twice, also)
Cornhuskers @ Sparty (-1.5)
Oregon (-7) @ USC Pitt (+17.5) @ DomersMichigan @ Minnesota (Pick-Em)….Jeez, This I can’t believe. I guess I have to take Michigan here today.

Special Comment: If you aren’t clicking on the “Great Moments in Michigan Football History” link, here’s what you either missed or are about to miss:

October 27th: Wrangler to Carter against Indiana, 1979
October 30th: Braylonfest against MSU
November 3rd: Clockgate

Cornsucker Friday!

Well….A few people e-mailed and said I was too hard on Sparty in Monday’s write up. A LOT of people e-mailed and said, “YEAH, BABY!” So, the Ayes have it with respect to how Sparty needed to be put in their place after 4 years of misery in the State of Michigan.

Kind of makes you wonder how Sparty will deal with that against Wiscy this weekend. Did you kow: The Italian Stallion (Dantonio) hadn’t lost BACK TO BACK B1G games in his 4 years at Spartyland? That’s kind of an impressive statistic. And now, he has an opportunity to lose 3 in a row. Wiscy is playing better than the early season and Sparty NEVER does well in Madison. Those are some of the worst blow-outs in Sparty history. So, again, I ask the question: Is this SOS or are we going to see something special Saturday?

I want to type GO TIGERS with enthusiasm, but anyone who watched the first two games knows what I’m feeling right now - and I know how you're feeling, too. After witnessing what can only be described as a Six Sigma event on Wednesday night (Ball hitting the bag and Kung Fu Panda hitting 3 HR’s...Like ANY OF THAT that happens all the time…) we had to endure Thursday night and the freakish line drive that went off Fister’s melon and into the outfield. How that guy was still standing and was able to keep hurling it is amazing to me. I guess it looked worse on TV than it actually was? But how?

Anyway, I haven’t given up hope on the Tigers and can only speculate that the colder weather will help us more than it does San Fran….

Enough about all that’s happening in Sports and on to this week’s picks!

(Side note: I don’t know what is happening with the Hot Seat Mascot Voting. I have an inquiry in to figure out what happened and hopefully get it corrected.)

This Week’s Picks:

Ducks (-45) at Colorado: Ducks will roll the Buffs…But can they cover? I think this game is going to get ugly. Colorado ranks DEAD LAST in Defense in Division 1A (that's number 158 - and they are probably worse than that). And we know what the Ducks can do on Offense. Not to mention that Chip Kelly is PISSED that the Ducks dropped in the BCS Standings. Look for an ugly, ugly beat down of the poor Buffs….Seriously. It could get to triple digits. I feel so strongly about this that we’re going a little off the page here and betting more than we should…Something about never looking a gift horse in the mouth….
Take Oregon and lay the 45 for $100
Take the over (67) for $50

Sparty at Wiscy (-6.5): Sparty has ALWAYS had a hard time playing in Madison, as mentioned above, and SOS is back in the HOUSE! Let’s just lock this on in at 6.5 and go with the Badgers! I did that on Monday and the line has moved to 6. I thought it would move the other way (the Badgers having to lay more) but Vegas is impressed with Sparty’s ability to keep it close. I still like the Badgers in cold weather in Madison
Take Wiscy and lay the 6.5 for $50

OSU at PSU (-2.5): Is Braxton in or out? Frankly, doesn’t matter. In what is being tabbed as the B1G’s “Violation Bowl”, I’m thinking that PSU might be the better team, but I simply can’t trust them to do what they are supposed to do. If Braxton plays, that will be the first time PSU has seen him and it may pose problems for that defense. PASS

Michigan (+2.5) @ CORNSUCKERS: I think Michigan is on a roll…This would almost put B1G Legends out of reach. I always like Michigan getting points, especially with DeRob at the controls and even though we whiffed last week with the Maize and Blue, after watching part of last year’s game against these same Cornsuckers, I’m liking Michigan. Look for the Defense to get after Martinez…
Take Michigan and the 2.5 for $60

Domers (+9.5 – Opening. Today: +12) @ Laters: I’m glad I jumped on this line early on Monday. That’s a huge point spread move and that means wise guy money is betting the Laters HARD. This game has been talked about and built up so much that I think it’s beginning to look like the classic “Close match-up on paper that turns into a blow-out.” Stoops needs a BIG WIN to settle his critics and nobody thought the Domers could run the table this year. I had them at 10 wins thinking they could beat the Laters, but now….Not so much. Still 10 wins, but this is the week the Domers go down…Bad.
Take the Laters and lay the 9.5 for $60

Parlay!

I’m avoiding Michigan this week, but going with three that I feel most strongly on:

Ducks – Laters – Ducks & Buffs OVER for $20

Starting Bank:   $832.50
TOTAL BET:    $340
Bank:                 $492.50

A Love Letter To Sparty – Thanks for 900! And Letting Us Put You BACK In Your Place…

I am the MMQ and I approve this message…..

4 Years of PAIN and PRIDE Swallowing and having to endure something I’ve never endured as a football fan, has resulted in today’s:

 Arrogant Ass Summation for the Sparty Lovers that HATE this Blog!

(WARNING: I don’t know if it’s the election year diatribe and the hate ads on TV or what, but I’m not pulling any punches this year. Only read on if you are prepared for a CLASSIC MMQ put down on the earthiest of levels. We’re talking MAJOR throwback here to the early days of what motivated me to start writing this stuff on Mondays…. No vulgar language, mind you, but there is a definite trace of something more sinister and evil going on in the MMQ’s psyche today! I don’t always know where stuff like this comes from, but it’s buried deep inside me just WAITING to get out through my fingers and into the keyboard….)

Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: This is not a rivalry. The University of Michigan does not view Sparty in the same light or as an equal program to OSU and Notre Dame. There is no capacity for hate when the someone in the discussion is someone you view as an inferior in every way, shape and form. The Little Brother has been put back in his place.

This is EXACTLY what SHOULD happen to an inferior opponent that the State of Michigan allows to co-exist. The Michigan Wolverines over the years MADE you the football team and the program that you are today. Without Michigan, you are nothing. Nada. Zilch. Yet you seem to hate us more when you beat us then when you lose. Even though beating us is what puts you on the map. When you lose, you just kind of clam up. In that spirit, the spirit of the ugly word HATE that I normally reserve for the Domers and Suckeyes, well, here comes the Hate:

Right back at ya’!

First – The Kindergarten Level Stuff: Were it not for Sparty Land, where would all the in state high school C-students attend school? Were it not for your football program, what FBS fleabag would Michigan put on its schedule to take your place? Where would we get all of our best Service Sector employees at McD's, Burger King, Olive Garden and the like??

Graduate Level: Sparty, here’s the part where I REALLY twist the knife and begin to pick and probe at your fragile mental state that you’re mired in the middle of this AM: Michigan Fans all know how BADLY you want to be the better football program. How deep in your souls where you live, breathe, and keep your most secret of secrets that YOU don’t want to talk about: WE know how much you would trade one of those Final Four Apperances or an NCAA Basketball Championship for a BCS APPEARANCE or a BCS National Championship. All Michigan Fans are fully aware of HOW YOU HAVE NEVER, EVER MADE A BCS GAME in the 15 years that the BCS has been in existence.

EVER.

Sparty, can you explain that? Can you explain, please, how last season even though you BEAT your HATED RIVAL, these same Michigan Wolverines and you PLAYED in the B1G Championship Game, can you tell me why, WHY the College Football World DID NOT WANT your sorry asses in a BCS matchup and preferred the Mighty Michigan Wolverines to play in the Sugar Bowl? A Bowl, by the way, where Sparty has never played? Much like the Orange Bowl? And the Fiesta? All venues that Michigan has played in and won? Sparty Fans can only hope to see one of those venues before they die…A Bucket list for Sparty Fan of sorts…Could it be because the rest of College Football Nation sees you for exactly what you are? A supporting cast of losers that can never quite seal the deal?

Michigan Fans all know how you want to be THE FOOTABLL TEAM in the State of Michigan and would like nothing better than for The University of Michigan, and especially its fans, to just go away and curl up in a corner and die…But that, my Sparty friends, will never, ever happen.

The Guardians of Tradition and the knowledgeable fans of the Sport of FOOTBALL in this state, the ones that wear the Maize and Blue on Saturday and know what it takes to be Champions will NEVER EVER LET THAT HAPPEN! Michigan Fans know how to endure and, more importantly, maintain a loyalty to their program and their team and the sport of Football even when it doesn’t make sense.

Those Who Stay Will Be Champions.

Those are more than just words. They are a way of life. A mantra of excellence. A belief to never give up and to keep moving forward with a purpose.

Sparty simply knows how to demean, belittle and say, “Well, look on the bright side: Basketball practice has started.”

Alas, Sparty, all you have left for your 2012 football season is a broken dream. A broken dream and a broken team, courtesy of YOUR most hated rival. You may begin drinking now. OR rather, just keep drinking and don’t stop till January 1st, after Michigan plays in yet another bowl... And frankly, after everything I’ve heard for the last 4 years from smug Sparty fans that know no bounds to their hubris, at last, FINALLY, I can honestly say that this victory makes me EXTREMELY happy and very satisfied. Happy for the victory and satisfied with the knowledge that we’ve ruined your season.

So: Keep yer yaps shut till next year….Like usual! The way it should be….and more importantly, the way it’s meant to be.

All is right with the world.

By the way, the MMQ penned a blog about 5 years ago asking this question: Were there any Sparty Fans out there that wanted to take a bet that the Michigan Basketball Team would make a Final Four before Sparty made a BCS game? I got no takers then and I’m sure I won’t get any now. And I believe this coming Basketball season is going to reveal yet another seismic shift in the balance of the Basketball landscape of this state.

So, the bet is still on the table for anyone that wants it. Terms are negotiable. Contact the MMQ at your earliest convenience once you’re done feeling miserable and sorry for yourself. (To the uneducated, this is referred to as baiting someone into making a bad wager.)

Sparty Fan…What do you do now? What dream is left?

Want to talk Hockey? Don’t….

Women’s Volleyball?

Hee-hee…hahahahahahHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

BCS Mess

Don’t look now, but the BCS has taken a weird turn it what will only be weird turns for the last 5 weeks of the regular season. I believe there will be several BCS preliminaries, including the one this Saturday between the Domers and Laters…If you have been paying attention, and I think its WAY TOO EARLY to even be discussing this, but there is some debate about an undefeated Domer team not making the National Title Game. No kidding. Your MMQ has pointed that out SEVERAL times in the past and now it seems the Domer faithful are beginning to realize it. A 1 loss SEC or PAC12 team is simply going to have a stronger computer ranking over a 12 win Domer team. In a weird kind of way, I’m actually rooting for the Domers and hoping they win all of them and then get “Auburned” and not make the BCS National Championship…Wouldn’t that be sweet? Oh…The whining we would hear from South Bend with that scenario!!!

1. Satan’s Warriors: No surprise here. Until they are beat, they’re in the Championship.
2. GATORLAND: This can’t last as someone in the SEC will lose…
3. K-State: Some are surprised by this rank, but when you beat the Laters in Norman, well, Computers like that. And Shellacking WVU didn’t hurt…
4. DUCKS: Need more quality wins and they have to hope that the rest of their competition wins out…
5. DOMERS: This SHOULD get fixed this weekend in Norman and we never have to put these guys in a BCS top 5 again…
6. LSU: In a great position as the first 1 loss team
7. Oregon State: Needs LOTS OF HELP
8. Oklahoma: Ditto
9. USC…Not THAT one…The one of the WEST Coast….
10. Georgia: Just in case they win out, the pollsters want to keep these guys up there…

The Rest of the Mess

Domers (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!) vs. BYU: So…Two TD favorites against BYU and they squeak one out again. Domers have a defense, but they’re offense is going to need to show up one of these days. My guess is that one of them lets the Domer Faithful down on Saturday….

GATORLAND vs. The Old Ball Coach: Steve’s alma mater really stuck it to him good on Saturday. The Gamecocks didn’t know which way their jock straps went on…

K-STATE vs. WVU: Time to find another Heismann leading candidate. Geno Smith losing two blowouts just took himself out of contention. Look out for a defensive candidate on an undefeated team to make some noise in the coming weeks….

CornSUCKERs vs. Kitty Kats: I knew Bo would find a way to win that game…They lose, and they’re out of the B1G title race. But sorry Bo, there’s a team coming from Ann Arbor that may have a thing or two to say about you B1G Championship run…
Idle Thoughts From Saturday

-What a perfect day for Football…
-Some days are better than others.
-I think I finally dried out after the Illinois game..
-And we’re still waiting for the final say on the Illini mascot and tribe thing from Yost over at M-Zone..
-Tailgate was awesome! It was like the BAND WAS BACK TOGETHER!
-MMQ’s brother wore a multi-purpose/multi-game shirt for the occasion.

-What do a Sparty and Michigan student have in common?
-They both APPLIED to Michigan!
-Pre-Game Tiddies from Gary Parsons!

-Excellent call…A little Tiddy’s pregame is an incredible thing!
-Not that “BIG GAME!” will ever be replaced….
-And it is a Big GAME!
-Kovacs!!!!! NICE INT!!!
-Can we PLEASE convert a 3rd down?
-Why has Sparty been able to do so well at stopping DeRob?
-At least our Defense showed up.
-That group has improved tremendously.
-I’ll take field goals, but TD’s are nicer…obviously…
-Oh man, this is it.…30 or more yards to get in range…And DeRob hasn’t thrown one that far all day..
-DILEO! Nice Catch!
-Gibbons…PLEASE BE THINKING OF BRUNETTES!

-IT’S GOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!

-WAHOOOOO!
-I think that feeling in that stadium was one of sweet relief across the board.
-It wasn’t like the Domers under the lights game…
-This was more like, “Finally. Beat Little Brother. The way it should be…”
-900 WINS! How sweet is that?

-I hope I make it to see 1,000….
-We figured 10-12 years…so it’s doable…
-What are the chances it can be Sparty again?
-Hee-hee…..HAHAHAHAHAHA! He who laughs last….

More Idle Thoughts From the Weekend….

-St. Louis and San Fran are going 7 games…
-That’s what we wanted as Tiger Fans…
-Tigers Scrimmaged each other on Sunday…
-I would have bought a ticket to THAT…
-Just to have some fun!


The Hot Seat

I am ALWAYS impressed with the Reader Suggestions for Mascots. I must say that there are a lot of readers out there with too much time on their hands that like looking at eye candy on the internet! But, that’s not to say I don’t appreciate them! I really do! I want to give the readers what they’re looking for and here is another suggestion for Hot Seat Weekly nominee for Week #8: Lacey Chabert! You may remember Lacey ( I know I did) from the movie “Mean Girls” that she was in with Lindsay Lohan. I’m apparently still a big fan!

 

 

Not too many changes, but there is one GONE Coach from Idaho: Akey He’ll go on the gone list soon to be followed by many, but not necessarily all of the following:

1. John L Smith – He’s only on a 10 month contract, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they canned him before then…To hire….WHO?
2. Gene Chizik: Losing to the Hawgs AND MSU in the same year gets you on the list…National Championships be damned! Question is: Who does Aburn, actually, anyone get if they fire the guys on this list? Petrino?
3. Derek Dooley: Needs a MAJOR win in the SEC
4. Mack Brown: I know, I know. But you didn’t think they would fire Joe Pa, either. Believe the MMQ when I say that his retirement or canning is nearer than you think…
5. Frank Spaziani: BC is a proud school that doesn’t get a lot of attention…. Until you lose to ARMY….And get a new AD looking to make a name for himself.
6. The Old Ball Coahc: Can’t lose to your Alma Mater by double digits and not feel some heat..
6. (Tie) Paul Johnson. GT’s season has been an up and down roller coaster and losing to Middle Tennessee State should have had him on the list earlier…But he’s here now.
7. Pasqualoni – UCONN This team has not gotten better and only gotten a LOT worse since their Fiesta Bowl appearance two years ago…
8. Randy Edsall: Maryland is going to start thinking that with the ACC as screwed up as it is, why aren’t we winning more football games?
9. .Bo Pelini. Can’t lose to UCLA and start the B1G 1-1 and not expect to suffer a little…Kevin Wilson: But can Indiana really expect much more? Really?
10. Dabo Sweeney: Either find a defense or find a new job…
11. Joker Phillips: Because someone at Kentucky cares….
12. Brett Beilema – Wiscy. His fans have expectations now. Can’t lose to the Cornsuckers whenyou’re up 27-10.
13. Tedford: Only Hot Seat Coach to lose in Week 1!! But I can’t move him above Kelly.
14. Mark Richt: Just because he will lose some game he’s not supposed to and the annual “Fire Mark Richt” bandwagon will get a spit polish and a coat of paint…

GONE:
1.  Avey - Idaho:  1-7 will do that to a guy...


The FMQ

Well, with the EXCEPTION of Sparty NOT cooperating and going down by more than the spread, it was another good week for the FMQ. A few more like this one and we can get back into the black for 2012. And there are SEVERAL Picks I like this week!
Cornsuckers (+4) @ NWU: Never a doubt!
Take the Huskers and the 4 for $50: WIN Bank $95

BYU (+14) @ Domers: Never a doubt #2!
Take BYU and the 14 for $25: WIN Bank $47.50

Sooners (-34.5) vs. Kansas: Never a Doubt #3!!!
Take the Sooners and lay the 34.5 for $30. WIN Bank: $57

MICHIGAN (-9.5) vs. MSU:
Take Michigan and lay the 10 for $45: Should have doubted this a little…LOSE
Take the UNDER for $30: NEVER A Doubt #4: Bank $57

PARLAY! (6 to 1)

Huskers – Sooners – Michigan for $10 – Damn Sparty….Lose

BANK:                $576
TOTAL Win:      $256.50
BANK:                $832.50

This Week’s Early Odds:

Ducks (-45) at Colorado: Ducks will roll the Buffs…But can they cover?

Sparty at Wiscy (-6.5): Sparty has ALWAYS had a hard time playing there and SOS is back in the HOUSE! Let’s just lock this on in at 6.5 and go with the Badgers!

OSU at PSU (-2.5): Is Braxton in or out?

Michigan (+2.5) @ CORNSUCKERS: I think Michigan is on a roll…This would almost put B1G Legends out of reach…

Domers (+9.5) @ Laters: Man…I was hoping for like 7 here, but I think I still need to take the Laters and lay the 9.5.

Sparty Friday AANNNNND….wait for it…..DEEEEE-TROIT! TIIIII-GERS! AL CHAMPS!

Sparty. A blip in this season’s journey or something else? Sparty’s defense is much better than what we’ve seen the last two weeks. But there was a LOT that was learned, also, with respect to what their weaknesses are this season and what they can and can't do. In addition, I believe that the snap count timing that Sparty used so successfully last year will not be available to them this year….All THAT being said, I think DeRob let’s out 3 years of frustration on the Green and White and they are this year’s Domer Dish for the offense…

Just a hunch. But more on that in a minute.

The Tigers are AL CHAMPS as of this writing and I’m happy to say I was a "witness"! Thanks to two tickets falling into a friend's lap I was able to be there and take in the moment. Having never been to a World Series game, I must say that being at Division Championship Clinching Game was as close as you can get. Fantastic moment and the Stanks never even showed up. With respect to the term “Mailing It In”, well, the Yankees just redefined it with 4 games of unspirited play. Most interesting stat: MVP of the AL Playoffs – Delmon Young. Delmon singlehandedly batted in more runs in the Detroit - New York Series then the Yankees scored in all 4 games….Incredible! Go Get’em Tigers! Bring on the Cards or the Giants!

By the way, here’s a little something to smile at on this Friday morning!

                                          AL DIVISION CHAMPS!

(Jeez....I need to lose weight!)
This Week’s Picks:

Cornsuckers (+4) @ NWU: Northwestern breathing easy after making a bowl…Cornsuckers need a W! I still feel this way and I believe that the TRUE BIG RED is going to show up in Chicago…Along with all their fans. Look for the upset here and this is one of those where I wish there was a money line…
Take the Huskers and the 4 for $50

BYU (+14) @ Domers: BYU was a pre-season top 10 this year….Is there value here? Domers might be looking ahead to the Sooners…I really, REALLY want to take BYU and the points, but the Domer defense and questionable road offense of BYU (I watched the Boise State game) gives me a reason to pause. But BYU has a stingy D, also, making me think there just might be some money to be made taking the points….
Take BYU and the 14 for $25

Sooners (-34.5) vs. Kansas: This might be a lock…Sooners looking for style points win huge or will they trip looking ahead to the Domers? I am thinking more the former and I think that Kansas is UNBELIEVABLY bad this year…aka: Illinois. This isn’t a question of how bad it will be, but when will Super Stooper put the scrubs in and how much will they score?
Take the Sooners and lay the 34.5 for $30.

MICHIGAN (-9.5) vs. MSU: Is it SOS or will this end up being a game? I only have to lay the 9.5 and I think this is a GREAT bet. The O/U is 48.5…which is also interesting. If it turns into a slug fest, which it could, our offense should be better able to deal with Sparty’s D this year and run a ball control keep ramming it down their throat type of game…. In addition to the fact that our D should shut down Sparty’s already anemic offense….

Take Michigan and lay the 10 for $45

Take the UNDER for $30

PARLAY! (6 to 1)

Huskers – Sooners – Michigan for $10

BANK:             $756
TOTAL BET:   $190
BANK:             $586

I’m Still Trying to Warm Up

If you watched the Michigan game on Saturday, you know there was a little rain. And it was a little cold. Put both of those together and you have a mix for what could be an uncomfortable afternoon. However, when Michigan is killing somebody, it helps, a little.

I will say here and now that the original SuperFan and I stayed till the 4th quarter. We had good seats and we were having fun. But once I hit the warmth of the vehicle, well, I realized how chilled I had gotten. A saying comes to mind along the lines of, “I’m getting too old for this shit.”

Anyway, Michigan looked impressive, but the Illini are just plain awful. I’m not entirely sure they moved the ball past the 50 in the 2nd half. I know they had a couple of first downs, but their overall play struck me as un-inspired and they looked slow. I don’t know if Beckman will make the full term of his contract unless this team starts showing everybody something and showing them something very soon.

In addition, there was a debate at the tailgate about what EXACTLY the Illini were (are) and who Chief Illiwenek (was) is. I argued, per “Know Your Foe”, courtesy of the M-Zone, that their wasn’t a real “Ilini” tribe and Chief Illiwenek was a fictional character.

Here’s the M-Zone’s summary on the name and mascot:

Chief Illiniwek is a fictional name and not based on an actual American Indian chief. Additionally, there was never an Indian tribe that went by the name Illini just as, based on their play on the field this season, there is not a football team with that name either. The actual term is a used to describe the group of six tribes (Kaskaskia, Peoria, Michigamea, Moingwena, Tamaroa and Cahokia) that lived in the area. These Indian tribes were removed by the US government to settle in Kansas in 1832, then in 1867 when the US wanted to open Kansas to white settlers, they were removed to Oklahoma.

So, the MMQ rests his case with respect to the origins of the name and mascot. Any further arguments can be settled in the comments section.

After seeing Michigan’s lopsided victory and more importantly, our next opponent’s upset loss…I’m very much looking forward to the rest of this season!
BCS Mess

The first BCS Poll is out and there aren’t that many surprises on it, if you have been following along on the predictions from several sources that said we would be surprised by some of the teams. Before everyone panics, I think everyone involved in this fiasco has realized that an all SEC national title game sucks for everyone except the SEC, so I don’t expect that scenario to play out. I think there’s still enough head to head competition in the SEC to keep that from happening….

1. Satan’s Warriors: No surprise here. Until they are beat, they’re in the Championship.
2. GATORLAND: A bit of a surprise here as I figured the
3. DUCKS: would be number 2 based on their schedule and margin of victory.
4. K-State: Some are surprised by this rank, but when you beat the Laters in Norman, well, Computers like that.
5. DOMERS: Really? I mean…Michigan played both these teams and I will give the nod to Satan’s Warriors but the Domers will get crushed if they have to play that team…
6. LSU: In a great position as the first 1 loss team
7. South Carolina: Not so much….
8. Oregon State: Needs LOTS OF HELP
9. Oklahoma: Ditto
10. USC: Win out and win the PAC 12 and they are suddenly attractive again…

The Rest of the Mess
Domers (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!) vs. Stanford: IT WAS A TOUCHDOWN! Enough said. With the exception that anyone playing in Notre Dame Stadium should bring their own refs and not leave it to the Domers and NBC.

Sparty vs. Iowa: So….Kirk Cousins is now looking like a much better QB when he’s not there then when he was there. Maxwell is killing Sparty this year and Dantonio has apparently found his Tressel Gene (Field goal from the 6 in the 1st half?) when going for it might have been a nail in Iowa’s coffin? Hee-hee….I hate to use clichés…but SOS…SOS…SOS

LATERS vs. Short Horns: Wow….Mack Brown is moving WAY UP on the Hot Seat List. He’s gotten rid of Defensive and Offensive coordinators over the last 3-5 seasons. He’s changing schemes. Texas is bringing in top talent, but when you get embarrassed like this, well, it wouldn’t surprise me if Deloss Dodds starts the conversation out with, “It’s not you…It’s me. Really. It’s not you….”
LMU vs. The Ole Ball Coach: The Ole Ball Coach simply got outcoached in this one. I think there was a lot there for the taking when USC was on offense that they simply didn’t take advantage of. And LSU found an offense, which is never a good thing when you have to play in Death Valley. If I understand things correctly in the SEC, LSU controls it’s own destiny…Never a position you want to put Les Miles in.

Texas Tech vs. WVU: MMQ (along with everyone else) predicted that Geno would have a bad day and that eventually the WVU defense would need to step up…I just didn’t think it would happen against Texas Tech….

Kitty Kats vs. Gophers: Kitty Kats become bowl eligible (first B1G team to do so, besides the Suckeyes) and unfortunately Coach Kill has another seizure episode. As always, the MMQ hopes the coach is doing well and looks forward to the Gophers getting their 6th win for bowl eligibility.

Idle Thoughts From Saturday

-It’s raining and cold.
-Or it’s cold and raining
-Take your pick.
-Any sporting event that you have to watch in the rain sucks…
-The cold, not so much.
-Michigan looks good on offense.
-But Jake Ryan is all over the field on defense.
-He’s just all over the field!
-Falls down, gets up and STILL manages to cause the fumble!
-See?

-Illinois will be lucky to win another B1G game this year….
-Sparty is losing?
-Sparty LOST!
-Amazing…Not a loss anyone saw coming for Sparty....
-To think I almost laid the points on that game thinking Sparty would lay a thumping on them….
-Okay…It can stop raining now.
-No matter how much tailgating you do, you still get wet in the rain.
-You can tailgate and not “feel” the cold, but eventually it’ll get ya’…
-But you can't stop the wet…
-That almost came out wrong…
-I think the Domers hire their own refs…
-Conference is in control of that for everyone else…
-Why does every Domer home game questionable call seem to go their way?
-Can anyone else explain this?
-The MMQ is dying to know…
-The Ole Ball Coach is getting pissed…
-Mack Brown doesn’t look good in the presser....
-Is the writing on the wall for Mack?
-There have to be a LOT of fans that are looking at Will Muschamp at Florida this year…
-And saying, “Wasn’t HE SUPPOSED TO BE OUR HEAD COACH?”
-Stoops is righting the ship…But still always has to lose one game somewhere along the way.
-Poor Jerry Kill….
-When is the B1G going to catch a break?
-BESIDES the Suckeyes, I mean.
More Idle Thoughts From the Weekend….

-GO TIGERS!
-Again, I dislike whoever Detroit is playing but not to the point that I want anyone to get hurt…
-And Jeter is a class act.
-I always thought he would look good wearing the English D….
-And he’s a Michigan kid, anyway…
-Methinks the Yankees spent a lot of energy on beating Baltimore…
-Can the Tiger’s finish it up here in Detroit this week?
-The NBA and Hockey need to take a page from Baseball…
-Games every night. Gotta love that.

The Hot Seat

Once again, for the 6th week in a row, the Weekly Nominee holds up her spot and makes it into the finals!. Gwynneth looked on the ropes early, but eeked out a 1 vote win for the weekly and she will be in the final vote! This week’s mascot was suggested after the MMQ sent out last week’s request. I must admit, I never followed the WWF, or Women’s Wrestling for that matter, but had I known that Stacey Keibler was a regular, well, I might have watched!

 

The Ole Hot Seat is really heating up for some coaches. I should have moved Frank Spaz up last week after losing to Army, but that somehow escaped the radar of the MMQ. He’s been dutifully moved up this week, but the overall order hasn’t changed much….Al Groh, the Defensive Coordinator at GT got the ax, but we don’t track defensive coordinators. But Head Coaches that panic and fire their defensive coordinators mid-season? Paul Johnson, Say “HELLO!!!!” to the Hot Seat! And as mentioned earlier, Mack Brown is moving on up!

1. John L Smith – He’s only on a 10 month contract, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they canned him before then…To hire….WHO?

2. Gene Chizik: Losing to the Hawgs AND MSU in the same year gets you on the list…National Championships be damned! Question is: Who does Aburn, actually, anyone get if they fire the guys on this list? Petrino?

3. Derek Dooley: Derek needs a W in the SEC. He needs it really bad…

4. Mack Brown: I know, I know. But you didn’t think they would fire Joe Pa, either. Believe the MMQ when I say that his retirement or canning is nearer than you think…

5. Frank Spaziani: BC is a proud school that doesn’t get a lot of attention…. Until you lose to ARMY….And get a new AD looking to make a name for himself.
5. (Tie) Bo Pelini. Can’t lose to UCLA and start the B1G 1-1 and not expect to suffer a little…
6. Mark Richt: Just because he will lose some game he’s not supposed to and the annual “Fire Mark Richt” bandwagon will get a spit polish and a coat of paint…
6. (Tie) Paul Johnson. GT’s season has been an up and down roller coaster and losing to Middle Tennessee State should have had him on the list earlier…But he’s here now.
7. Pasqualoni – UCONN This team has not gotten better and only gotten a LOT worse since their Fiesta Bowl appearance two years ago…
8. Randy Edsall: Maryland is going to start thinking that with the ACC as screwed up as it is, why aren’t we winning more football games?
9. Kevin Wilson: But can Indiana really expect much more? Really?
10. Dabo Sweeney: Either find a defense or find a new job…
11. Joker Phillips: Because someone at Kentucky cares….
12. Brett Beilema – Wiscy. His fans have expectations now. Can’t lose to the Cornsuckers when you’re up 27-10.
13. Tedford: Only Hot Seat Coach to lose in Week 1!! But I can’t move him above Kelly.

The FMQ

FINALLY! It only took until the the 7th week to have a PERFECT weekend, but it was worth the wait! Now, the key is, can we build on this? Let’s hope so….

NWU (-3.5) @ Gophers:
Take the Kitty Kats and lay the 3 for $40
Nice…Sorry about Kill, but I like the results: WIN! Bank $76

Stanford (+7.5) @ Domers (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!): Take Stanford and the 7.5 for $40.
Stanford was still in this game and once it went to OT, the FMQ was in pretty good shape. I won’t say it was a lock with the whole 2 point thing and all, but good shape: WIN Bank $76

Michigan (TODAY: -25 Monday: -21) vs. Illini: OnMonday I said: I’m thinking I’ll lay points here…up to 24.
Take Michigan and lay the 21 for $30
Hee-hee….WIN: Bank $57
Taking the under (48.5) for $30

I was getting nervous on this one with all the subs in, but the clock finally went to 0:00. WIN: $57

Bank: $490
WIN: $266
BANK: $756

Monday’s Early Odds

Oregon (-10) @ Arizona State (Thursday): Oregon is only laying 10? Really?

MICHIGAN (-10) vs. MSU: Is it SOS or will this end up being a game?

Cornsuckers (+4) @ NWU: Northwestern breathing easy after making a bowl…Cornsuckers need a W!

BYU (+14) @ Domers: BYU was pre-season top 10 this year….Is there value here? Domers might be looking ahead to the:

Sooners (-35) vs. Kansas: This might be a lock…Sooners looking for style points win huge or will they trip looking ahead to the Domers?

Illini Friday and.....GO TIGERS!

Coming to you almost alive as I might have had one or two too many cocktails last night as I watched the TIGERS beat Oakland. For anyone that couldn’t make it through the entire game, I stayed awake and made sure the Tigers didn’t screw it up….I think this is my favorite photo (and caption) of this guy!

Anyway, on to more important things like College Football and who I’m taking this week. I had some early picks that I’m not entirely sure about at this point based on weather reports all over the country. However, that can’t stop us from wagering! Last week’s results were abysmal and we will try to rectify the situation and get into the black as we head through the half way mark of the season.

This Week’s Picks:

NWU (-3.5) @ Gophers: I got the Kitty Kats on Monday and only had to lay 3. This is another one of those games where weather could be a factor. However, I believe that NWU got the wake up call at PSU that they needed and they will be back with a vengeance looking for a bowl bid.
Take the Kitty Kats and lay the 3 for $40

Gamecocks (-2.5) @ LMU: This one is on my radar…If it goes to even…I’m taking the Ole Ball Coach. Unfortunately, this line hasn’t moved…But the early line on this game two weeks ago had LSU GIVNG 7! Which means there’s a ton of value taking LSU getting points at home…Problem is, that Gatorland game is too fresh in my mind to forget how truly awful LSU looked as is the Puppy Dawg BEATDOWN that happened on Saturday. As much as I would love to take the Madd Hatter and the points at home….PASS

FSU (-28) vs. BC: Boston College sucks…And FSU is going to be looking for Style Points….Here’s another one that I would probably jump on were it not for the fact that FSU looked awful at NC State. And I can’t seem to shake it. Yeah, they’re home and they got their wake up call….But can they cover the 28? And I just can’t bring myself to flip and take BC and the points on the road….PASS

Stanford (+7.5) @ Domers (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!): The line opened at 10 and I didn’t jump….I truly believe that the Domers are beatable and not worthy of a top 10 ranking. In fact, if you have seen any of the BCS ranking previews, several of the computers have the Domers in FIRST PLACE! I really think that Stanford’s Defense rises to the occasion and shows the Domers that their offense isn’t all that….Against an ACC team, yes. Against a stingy Stanford “D” that held USC to under 250 yards….I’m liking Stanford here.
Take Stanford and the 7.5 for $40.

Michigan (TODAY: -25 Monday: -21) vs. Illini: On Monday I said: I’m taking the points here…up to 24.
So, I took this one on Monday and laid the 21. I was lucky I jumped on the 21, but now with the call for rain, I’m really concerned about how the weather could impact the scoring in this game. The Illini are toast, but that’s usually when they rear up and give Michigan a great game making me think the Illini can cover the 21. I’m stumped here as I would like to hedge my bet, so I’m doing something I normally would NEVER do with DeRob driving the bus. I’m going to take the UNDER which is sitting at 48.5 points in addition to the line bet. If Michigan doesn’t cover, my guess is that neither team ends up scoring that much. Of course, these are the two teams that recently held the record for the most points ever scored in a football game…So am I an idiot? I think Michigan, at least, shows up with a defense. Which should make the difference.

Take Michigan and lay the 21 for $30
Taking the under (48.5) for $30

PARLAY!

No Parlays till we post a winning week.

Starting Bank: $535
Total Bet: $140
Bank: $395

Black Saturday Redux - 2012 Style!

Wow….What a Saturday for College Football! That is, if you like seeing ranked teams play against each other and other ranked teams lose to teams they had no business losing too!


First, Michigan. That was a game that did three things:

1. Re-established the confidence of De Rob. That was a MUST after what happened at the Domers. A few fans texted (and called!) and stated that Michigan didn’t throw the ball enough. Well, based on what happened last time out, I think they threw it exactly as many times as needed.
2. Truly established the Defense and gave them a load of confidence looking ahead to the B1G schedule. I was totally jacked when Taylor grabbed the pass into the flat and went for 6. That’s Michigan Defense of old.
3. Gave Michigan a 1-0 record in the B1G. Which is much better than starting with a loss. Which, I guess, goes without saying. But if you watched Game Day and the pundits, you would have thought Purdon’t was going to win the B1G this year. I’m not exactly sure where that was coming from, but I’m glad to see that Michigan was the first to expose Purdon’t for what they are: Charlatans.

Anyway, I ‘m suddenly extremely confident with Illinois coming into the Big House for Homecoming and I am also looking forward to Sparty for the first time in a long time…But before I get too far ahead of myself and based on the fact that the Michigan – Purdon’t game was more or less off in my house for the 4th quarter, let’s get to
The Rest of the Mess

Domers (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!) vs. Convicts: This game, I will state right here, would have ended a lot different had Dorsett caught one of the two passes that he dropped in the first 6 plays of the game. I think the Domers have yet to be tested by a really good QB and this observer believes the secondary is incredibly suspect. With Stanford and the Rubbers coming up, I think the Domer fall from grace is going to be ugly when it happens….

Sparty vs. IU: I guess Sparty watched last year’s tape of the 53-3 game and figured, “These guys really suck and we don’t have to show up.” After spotting IU 17 points, they kind of woke up and started playing. I’m really wondering what kind of team Sparty is this year. To play the Suckeyes close and then come out against a team that hasn’t looked like anything but warmed up dog doo all season and go down 17, well, I just don’t know. It’s clearly not the sign of a B1G Champion.

GATORLAND vs. LMU: It would appear that a huge pre-season favorite, LMU, is simply another average team in the SEC West based on the fact that Les has either had to throw too many key people off the team or GATORLAND is back! I’m not ready to state that GATORLAND is alive and well, but they beat a team they needed to beat to remain undefeated. LMU now has an SEC loss and will probably just eek their way into the top 10 of the BCS. Speaking of dropping out of the National Title Hunt..

FSU vs. NC State: Jimbo Fisher’s seat just warmed up a bit, but it’s not yet “Hot”. I expected an “Oops” from the Seminoles at some point this season as they have always found one game on the schedule to lose. I didn’t think it would be to NC State, but hey…You never know, do you…

Suckeyes vs. Cornsuckers: Urban wins a points race in his 2nd B1G game. Is anyone going to step up and spoil this Cinderella season in the B1G? Bo is one of the coaches that can expect a visit from the AD this week. Fire Bo Pelini (Who is a Nebraska Man) websites have started popping up. Can’t win the Big Game is the claim. And is now out of the top 25 and scrambling in the B1G. If you recall, Bo Pelinin could’ve probably had his pick of one of several jobs in the SEC when he was the Defensive Coordinator at LSU. MY guess is that part of the reason that Ozzy retired is due to the fact that he doesn’t want to have to be the one that let’s Bo go….Going to have to add him to the Hot Seat.

I had to add this due to the fact that I was alerted to it and reminded of some of the GREAT halftime shows that Michiagn USED to put on.... when the school of animal husbandry would get involved....Michigan Marching Band!  Are you up to the Challenge?  I have to admit:  This is pretty cool!  Even for a bunch of Suckeyes....


HAWGS vs. Auburn: Gene Chiczik’s name is going on the Hot Seat this week as well. Gene has lost the Auburn faithful and nobody looks very good on that team. And if you lose to a 1-4 Hawgs team in what can only be described as humiliating fashion, well, you have to figure the AD might just be coming to give you a progress report sometime this week. And a final “Add” or move up for the Hot Seat:

GAMECOCKS vs. puppy dawgs: The “Fire Richy Rich” bandwagon is getting prepped for the coming week of “GET RID OF THIS GUY!” I figured the Cocks were going to have their hands full with the puppy dawgs based on the Cocks performances against Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Talk about your week to week teams…The Cocks looked good enough on Saturday to win the SEC. Which means one of two things: They are good or the puppy dawgs are indeed, really, really bad. I wish I knew which.

Northwestern – PSU: Another undefeated and ranked B1G team gets knocked out of the top 25 by a team that, frankly, deserves a little love. PSU has taken so much crap (and the kids playing have nothing to do with any of it) that the MMQ finds himself in the weird position of rooting for this team. It’s really screwy based on the fact that I used loved to see PSU lose, but now find myself on the other side.

WVU vs. Shorthorns: Mack Brown’s seat just got a little hotter (again, top 25 team losing) and Geno Smith just moved to the front of the line, in my opinion, for the Heismann. Everyone else was anointing him, but, come on, WVU really hadn’t played anyone yet. Baylor wasn’t that good. However, sooner or later, Geno is going to have a bad day and the WVU defense is going to have to step up and win a Big 12 game. I’m not yet convinced that they can go undefeated in the Big 12.

Cal vs. UCLA: UCLA is ranked for the first time in forever and they lose to a CAL team that has a hard time figuring out who they are….Mora maybe isn’t the genius everyone thought he was….

K-State vs. Kansas: the Jayhawks finally learn why Chuckles Weis was available. I’d love to put him on the Hot Seat, but I believe that Kansas needs to give him at least 2 seasons….

Duckies vs. Washington: While Washington was ranked in the top 25, did anyone think that Kelly’s Heroes weren’t going to romp in this one? I wish I had laid the points here instead of taking Sparty….Learning my lesson the hard way…

Idle Thoughts From Saturday

 -Sparty, what the hell are you doing?
-Imploding it looks like….
-I guess Suckeyes took more out of them than anyone thought?
-Finally getting your act together?
-De-Rob doing what De-Rob does best….Run first, pass second.
-I’m not saying he can’t pass, but the facts speak for themselves.
-D-Rob is 500 yards away from becoming leading QB rusher in the NCAA.
-He finally surpassed Antwan Randle El, who played 8 seasons at Indiana.
-1st all time in the B1G.
-Yeah, let’s make him a passer first and runner second….
-That makes sense…NOT!
-And the argument that he can’t make it through the B1G rushing all the time?
-I’m tired of hearing it. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t.
-Otherwise, don’t try to change the Tiger’s stripes…(More on that in a minute!)
-Defense is stepping up today.
-Where’s this Purdon’t offense that I heard so much about?
-Where again?
-Jake Ryan is all over the field…
-As was texted to me: I Like that Kid!
-TAYLOR! GO BABY!
- That was fun! I can’t remember the last pick 6 Michigan had…
- I might have to look that up.
-Unless there’s someone out there that can remember…
- Kovacs playing banged up is still better than no Kovacs.
-Gatorland vs. LMU is an ugly brawl…
-The Ole Ball Coach is sticking it to Richy Rich
-Why does this seem to happen to Georgia once a season?
-They come out and look like total garbage and you figure they will lose to anyone tough…
-Then, then they play everyone close and upset somebody….
-Do they just need the wake up call every season?
-Auburn is in trouble. Check that: Chiczik is in BIG TROUBLE!
-SEC is kind of a mess.
-Unless you’re Florida or Satan’s Warriors.
-I’m starting to think that maybe, maybe Satan’s Warriors could have problems with somebody this season.
-Meaning: They’re gonna lose….
-CONVICTS! Catch the damn FOOTBALL!
-Especially when it hits you in the hands!
-JEEZ, I HATE THESE GUYS!
-Puppy dawgs can’t get ANYTHING going…
-Did they even prepare for this team?
-Can the Ole Ball Coach win the SEC?
-He has to be thinking end of career soon…Doesn’t he?
-And this team…With that Defense led by Clownet and Offense with Lattimore...
-Well, that’s a recipe that works in the SEC…Amirite?
-I wish they played Satan’s Warriors regular season.
-Quick Scan of the Schdule: Gamecocks only have LSU and Gatorland left that present a challenge…
-Oh, yeah, and those pesky Cremesicles who I said would beat somebody…And Clemson.
-Interesting….
-Uh-oh…Mack Brown might have found himself on the Hot Seat List
-Texas fans are getting impatient.
-And it’s not good when one bunch of Hillbillies comes in and beats another bunch of hillbillies.
-Or are Texans more rednecks than hillbillies?
-Someone clarify.
-But Mack and his coaching ability in “the Big Game” is definitely going to be discussed this week.
-And really, he should probably hang it up.

More Idle Thoughts From the Weekend….

-GO TIGERS!
-Coco Crisp flubbing that fly ball was awesome!
-Benoit letting a run score on wild pitch...notsomuch...
-Most important game in a 5 game series?
-Game 3. An argument can be made for game 4. And I get that….
-You’re either winning the series or forcing another game.
-I’ve been explaining to my daughters why game 2 (in a three game match) in volleyball is so important.
-Can’t get over the number of coaches (and parents) that think winning the first game is so critical.
-Sorry, this guy doesn’t see it that way.
-I have convinced half the crowd that my way of thinking is correct.…Isn’t that always the case though?
-There’s just some people whose minds you’ll never change…
-Game 2 in a three game series is it.
-Game 3 (or 4) in a 5 game.
-Game 5 in a 7 game series. That one has more to do with a series being tied and then being up 3-2 and having to win 1 of the last two….
The Hot Seat

Once again, the New Weekly Nominee holds serve putting 5 out of the 6 Hot Seat Mascots into the finals! That’s pressure for the new weekly nominee, I don’t care who you are! This week’s nominee, while not an uncommon name, was someone that caught my eye this summer in the Avengers (I know, another one from that movie). She was wearing an outfit early in the movie that the MMQ is just an extreme sucker for: Cut-off Jean shorts with a loose fitting top. I scoured the internet for a photo of her in that outfit and I’m still looking but suffice it to say that when I saw Gwynneth Paltrow in that white blouse / cut-off short get up, well, I knew she was going to be Week #6 Nominee!!!

 

1. John L Smith – He’s only on a 10 month contract, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they canned him before then…
2. Derek Dooley: Derek needed a W against Florida. He needed it really bad. I’m not sure he survives another season if the Vols don’t make a bowl.
3. Gene Chiczik: Losing to the Hawgs this year gets you on the list…National Championships be damned!
4. Mark Richt: Just because he will lose some game he’s not supposed to and the annual “Fire Mark Richt” bandwagon will get a spit polish and a coat of paint…
5. Mack Brown: I know, I know. But you didn’t think they would fire Joe Pa, either. Believe the MMQ when I say that his retirement or canning is nearer than you think…
5. (Tie) Bo Pelini....Can't go 1-1 in the B1G and lose to UCLA in the same season.
6. Brett Beilema – Wiscy. His fans have expectations now. Can’t lose to the Cornsuckers when you’re up 27-10.
7. Tedford: Only Hot Seat Coach to lose in Week 1!! But I can’t move him above Kelly.
8. Randy Edsall: Maryland is going to start thinking that with the ACC as screwed up as it is, why aren’t we winning more football games?
9. Kevin Wilson: But can Indiana really expect much more? Really?
10. Tubberville: Yeah, he’ll have a defense, but those people at Texas Tech are used to FIREWORKS!!!!!
11. Dabo Sweeney: Either find a defense or find a new job…
12. Joker Phillips: Because someone at Kentucky cares….
13. Frank Spaziani: BC is a proud school that doesn’t get a lot of attention….

The FMQ

The FMQ is in a slump. That’s all there is to it. I need a Slump Buster or something. And I’m open to suggestions…. I had such confidence in the Domer –Convicts bet. I watched the convicts against G-Tech and they looked good. It’s the case of yet another team being up one minute and down the next. My only good pick this past week was Michigan, and I wasn’t even that confident in that one. I had way more faith in Sparty than I should have. Let’s get to it and look at some early lines:

Miami (+13) vs. Domers:
Take Miami and the 13 points for $75
LOSE….didn’t see the Convicts playing this bad…

Sparty (-14) @ IU:
Take Sparty and lay the 14 for $60
Ditto For Sparty. What the hell….Is everyone playing to the level of their competition this year?

Michigan (-3) @ Purdon’t:
Take Michigan and lay the 3 for $50.
Should have bet the house here and I would have been a genius!
WIN BANK: $95
PARLAY!

3 Team Parlay pays 6 to 1.
UM – SPARTY - MIAMI for $30 - LOSE

Starting Bank: $535
Total Win: $95
Bank: $630

Opening Lines:

Michigan (-21) vs. Illini: I’m thinking I’ll lay points here…up to 24. So, I’m taking this one today at 21.
NWU (-3) @ Gophers: I’m taking NWU this AM and laying the 3.
Gamecocks (-2.5) @ LMU: This one is on my radar…If it goes to even…I’m taking the Ole Ball Coach.
Stanford (+10) @ Domers: This is SO TEMPTING….
FSU (-28) vs. BC: Boston College sucks…And FSU is going to be looking for Style Points….

B1G Season Kick-Off Friday!

Before we get to this week’s picks, a little more jabbing and picking at the wound that the Domers inflicted on Michigan and themselves: I’m SURE that NBC just LOVES the fact that $warbuck$ dumped the Michigan game. For a team that has been averaging a 2.1 to 2.4 rating for its games televised on NBC for the last several years (which represents about 3 to 3.5 million viewers), the Michigan - Domers game captured a 4.1 rating, which represents about 7 million viewers. It was by far the most viewed game of the day and is second to only Michigan-Alabama this year as the most watched game. Not only that, but click the LINK for the details that show that this was THE MOST WATCHED PRIME TIME Notre Dame game EVER on NBC, even beating the past USC-Domer match-ups.


Yeah…I’m sure there’s several NBC executives just drooling over a Domer-Duke or Domer-Syracuse September matchup in the coming years instead of Michigan. Yeah…I’m sure of that. (A Nielsen rating point is said to be worth $100,000 - $150,000 more for a 30 second prime time advertising spot. So, figure however many commercials are in a college football game in minutes and multiply that by $600 G’s….) In fact, if I was a betting man, I’ll bet that someone called $warbuck$ and said, “HEY, GREAT MOVE (Dumb Ass)! You really know what you’re doing there! (Dumb Ass, dumb ass, dumb ass….)” The MMQ added that parenthesis for unspoken emphasis. The FMQ is much more objective and less offensive in the satirical nature and wording of his posts than the MMQ. The MMQ calls it like he sees it….

$warbucks$ = Idiot…..I only hope Brandon finds a more suitable and worthy opponent to replace these clowns with….

One more little thing: If I’m an Okie State fan, I’m really pissed after I see this video. It’s the best video I’ve seen. Why doesn’t the replay booth see this? Why?




Anyway, I’m in a quandary this week, which is perhaps the reason I’m stalling so much. I’m a little leery of every early pick I made at this point, with the exception of taking Miami and the points. The lined opened at 14 and has moved considerably. 1.5 points represents significant steam coming in on the Miami side. So, I too will stay with the wise guys and get the best price I can for that game. For the other two games, I’m going to go heart and head.


This Week’s Picks:

Miami (+13) vs. Domers: Make all your convicts vs. catholics jokes now. Good vs. Evil…Except this fan thinks it’s the other way around when it comes to the good vs. evil thing with these two teams….I would have had an additional point here I had jumped early, but I like the points I’m getting anyway. In fact, I’m going with this as the upset of the week. I wish there was a money line (odds wager) in college as I would take it. For anyone not familiar with the term, the NFL has a money line. If you like the “dog” you can take that team and get 5-1 odds for example, and for $100 you would win $500. IF you are wondering why this is the upset special, see the Michigan pick below to understand how lucky the Domers were to win the Michigan game. They should be 3-1 looking to re-group this week.
Take Miami and the 13 points for $75
Arkansas (+10) @ Auburn: This line hasn’t moved much, but it’s moving in Arkansas’ favor (some sports books have it a +9.5) meaning that this is still the SEC and it’s still a decent Arkansas team…But it’s coached by a guy that can’t find his way out of a paper bag right now and with everything else going on in his personal life, his focus can’t be all that great, either. Yes, the assistants should be kicking ass, but it still takes a leader. As much as I want to take Arkansas and the points here…The John L Smith specter of a doomed season looms large. Therefore…PASS

Sparty (-14) @ IU: Sparty bounces back hard here after getting their offense fixed. Look for Leveon to have a big day on the ground. IU was literally embarrassed last week by a very bad Iowa team. I was frankly thinking this was more of a 20 or so point spread, so I think there’s a lot of value here.
Take Sparty and lay the 14 for $60

LSU (-2.5) @ Gatorland: Is Florida GATORLAND again or is it just Florida in nicer formations? Yes, Florida is undefeated in SEC play. That’s against the Cremesicles and Kentucky. LSU has played down to their competition, but then again, when HAVEN’T they played down to their competition? I want to take LMU so bad here it hurts….But I just can’t seem to find enough reason to pull the trigger….PASS
Michigan (-3) @ Purdon’t: There were EXACTLY 23 – count ‘em, 23 – missed assignments on the offensive side of the ball against the Domers in the last game Michigan played. (Again, check Mgoblog’s entry on Thursday). That came directly from Taylor Lewan and he mentions that normally that number, missed assignments, is in the single digits. If Michigan can fix that (and they have had two weeks to work on it) my guess is Michigan walks all over Purdon’t…If they haven’t, well, this one blows up in my face.
Take Michigan and lay the 3 for $50.


PARLAY!

3 Team Parlay pays 6 to 1.
UM – SPARTY - MIAMI for $30

Starting Bank: $750
Total Bet: $215
Bank: $535

Bye's Are A Good Thing…..

Bye weeks are always fun! I get to enjoy college games without having a vested, emotional interest in the outcome of one particular game and I think it allows me to watch the weekends match-ups with a little more objectivity.

What I learned: The B1G isn’t good. The good teams are bad…The losing teams are worse. But I want to see this conference in 2 to 3 more years…

SEC: The Good teams are AWESOME and the bad teams are going to surprise some people.

Big 12: The Good teams aren’t that good and the Bad teams are looking more and more like good teams in an upside down conference.

Beast: You figure it out….

PAC 12: There are teams in the PAC 12 that play really well certain weeks and then look like warmed up dog doo-doo in other weeks. With the exception of 1 team and their 2nd half performances: Oregon. I’m convinced they are too small and undersized at several positions. But they continue to run a sprinter’s pace at you until you collapse sometime in the 2nd half. Amazing team to watch….

ACC: I’m really not sure WHO wants to win this conference besides FSU and Clemson. VaTech is looking worse each week….But I’m sure they are going to spoil it for somebody.

It’s going to be a roller coaster of a middle season with Conference play getting into full swing this coming month. A lot of deciding games will be played and leaders will pull ahead in the standings. But I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see not so “Shocking” late third of the season upsets by the bottom tier teams…Of course, I guess you can say that every year about this great game!

The Rest of the Mess

Sparty – Suckeyes: How screwed up is the B1G that Michigan fans have to root for the team we truly hate against another team we hate? Normally, I’d like to see the Suckeyes lose to everybody…. Somehow, I guess this is supposed to make me feel better. A division loss for Sparty is better for Michigan that an OSU loss…But I hate the Suckeyes….

Cremesicles vs. Dawgs: Dooley still hasn’t won an SEC game, but this was closer than what most folks predicted. I suspect that Mr. Dooley’s Ice Cream spectacular is going to surprise somebody this year…And I have an idea as to who that someone might be….

Wiscy - Nebraska: It’s too bad that Nebraska hasn’t come in and owned the B1G…I think that would have more or less convinced everyone that the B1G isn’t that good…Now, there’s doubts when a double digit dog Wiscy team rolls into Lincoln and almost pulls off the upset. If I’m a cornsucker this AM, I’m a nervous nelly for the rest of the season…
Northwestern – IU: Talk about your reversals…the Lazy Z’s actually have a pretty good team this year and Indiana looks like something from the FCS conference. I guess now that basketball is somewhat back at IU people simply don’t care….But where were the Northwestern fans? It was a gorgeous day in Chicago…Come on fans! You have a top 25 undefeated team here!

Okie State – Shorthorns: Yes, it was a fumble. Yes, Okie State fans have a right to bitch. Yes, Texas is “sort of” back, but they won’t win the Big 12. If I’m an Okie Stater, I’m pissed this AM….

Oregon – Wazzzoooooo: Mr. Leach – Welcome to the PAC 12. Colorado somehow beats you and the Ducky Machine ran up your back side and treated you like a rag doll in the 2nd half. Will the Ducks survive the PAC and get the nod (again) for the National Title game? And can that offense work against Satan’s Warriors?

WVU – Baylor: Thanks a lot you idiots. Michigan vs. Illinois held the previous record for the most points scored in a football game when they left their defenses on the bench. Why even put a defense on the field? Amirite????

Idle Thoughts From Saturday

-"Game Day" signs are ALL hating on Michigan.
-Instead of just displaying signs for their own teams…
-What do you get when you put a field of OSU and Sparty Fans and Grads together on Saturday morning?
-Besides obnoxious boos whenever Desmond is on?
-A bunch of closed McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, and Duncan Donuts….
-See, that’s where Sparty Grads and OSU grads work
-(Sorry Michigan Fans et al, I have to explain these subtleties to the Sparties and Suckeyes reading this.)
-I know, I know....we should all just be happy they can read.
-What’s on at noon?
-Iowa is DESTROYING Minnesota. I thought Iowa was bad?
-Not when Floyd’s on the line, I guess.
-Northwestern is just beating up on Indiana…
-The FMQ is looking smart! Finally….maybe it’s ‘cause Michigan isn’t playing?
-And Michigan doesn’t play Indiana on the schedule again until when????
-I’m ready for round robin B1G play….
-Of course, that’s the year IU will be good…
-Sparty’s Offense looks…in a word…Offensive.
-Their defense seems to be shutting down Braxton.
-Will Braxton ever finish a season in the B1G un-injured….I mean healthy?
-This is a conundrum. Watched part of OSU-Sparty with Sparty slappy…
-Told me I had to root for Sparty because I hate OSU.
-Went through the division thing with him…
-Then asked him who HE rooted for when Michigan played OSU…
-I didn’t get a response.
-Screw Sparty.
-How did Wiscy-Nebraska get the night slot?
-I figured Sparty-OSU, too.
-Except that would have been Sparty’s third night game this season.
-That’s probably why…
-Wiscy rolling. The FMQ is looking smarter!
-The Ole Ball Coach got a bit of a scare from Kentucky…Just a bit…
-Oregon is not clicking in the first half….
-Nap Time…
-Oregon 2nd half – WHEEEEEEE!!!!!
-FMQ is a friggin’ genius!
-Parlay too!
-WHAT!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!! Don’t let WAZZOOOO SCORE NOW!
-Jeez…I hate Chip Kelly’s defense…
-Methinks, and I’m not going out on a huge limb here, but it could be an Alabama-Ducks National Title.
-Wait a minute…There’s still WAY too much football to be played before we go making dumb predictions.

More Idle Thoughts From the Weekend….

-GO TIGERS! GO TIGERS!
-I believe the magic number is “2”. Wins for Tigers or losses for Sox….
-With 4 games left.
-Making the Sox magic number….6? Somebody else help me with the math here….
-Go USA! Ryder Cup looks like a lock….
-Wait a minute. WTF….Can’t we win one of these things?
-If I’m a kick-off return or punt return man, I can’t WAIT to play the Lions….
-Play-off clock is ticking with each loss…1-3 is a bad way to start.
-Mickelson, Furyk, Woods…Ya’ll suck…
-I guess Golf just isn’t a good team sport for the USA….
-Are the Saints out of the playoffs? 0-4 isn’t a good omen.
-It means you have to win at least 9 or 10 out of the last 12 to have a shot...Not good...

The Hot Seat

I love having to select a Hot Seat Mascot every week…But I don’t want to deny the fans from providing input in case there’s someone you want to see on the screen! Shoot me any suggestions and as always, they will be considered for weekly nomination.

Without exception, each Hot Seat Mascot Nominee this year has won her introductory week! That might be record…I would need to look it up. Which means that we have 4 nominees in the finals and a new nominee that will turn some heads in Week 5. Kristen Bell first caught my attention in the movie “Couples Retreat” and I actually caught it again on cable. She’s easy on the eyes and I think is worthy of nomination. As always, be sure to vote!

Well, not a whole lot of shake-ups to the rankings this week, but I guess I need to put Joker Phillips on the list because someone at Kentucky might actually care about winning….

1. John L Smith – He’s only on a 10 month contract, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they canned him before then…
2. Derek Dooley: Derek needed a W against Florida. He needed it really bad. I’m not sure he survives another season if the Vols don’t make a bowl.
3. Tedford: Only Hot Seat Coach to lose in Week 1!! But I can’t move him above Kelly.
4. Randy Edsall: Maryland is going to start thinking that with the ACC as screwed up as it is, why aren’t we winning more football games?
5. . Kevin Wilson: But can Indiana really expect much more? Really?
6. Brett Beilema – Wiscy. His fans have expectations now. Can’t lose to the Cornsuckers when you’re up 27-10.
7. Frank Spaziani: BC is a proud school that doesn’t get a lot of attention….
8. Mark Richt: Just because he will lose some game he’s not supposed to and the annual “Fire Mark Richt” bandwagon will get a spit polish and a coat of paint…
9. Kelly, Brian: I know…I dropped Brian down a long way…Had to. He went 3-0 vs. B1G. That’s huge in Domer land.
10. Tubberville: Yeah, he’ll have a defense, but those people at Texas Tech are used to FIREWORKS!!!!!
11. Dabo Sweeney: Either find a defense or find a new job…
12. Mack Brown: I know, I know. But you didn’t think they would fire Joe Pa, either. Believe the MMQ when I say that his retirement or canning is nearer than you think…
13. Joker Phillips: Because someone at Kentucky cares….
The FMQ

I wanted so badly for this to work. I can’t BELIEVE that WAZOO scored a late TD and screwed up what would have otherwise been a perfect week. Still, I like the way it worked out with three teams and got us positive for the first time this year.

Northwestern (-13.5) vs. Indiana:
Take Northwerstern and lay the 13.5 for $60
Easy cover by the Kitty Kats…Might keep them on my radar for the rest of the B1G season…WIN: Bank $114

Wiscy (+14) @ Nebraska:
Take Wiscy and the 14 for $40
Good call here, too. Wiscy should have won this game. WIN: Bank $76

Oregon (-28) @ Wazoo:
Take Oregon and lay the 28 for $60.
No….NO….NO!!!! Stop that idiot!....Jeez…so close. Lose….

PARLAY!
3 Team Parlay pays 6 to 1.
NWU – WISCY - DUCKS for $10 - LOSE

Starting Bank: $560
Total win: $190
Bank: $750

Early Monday Odds (no picks YET):

NWU (-3.5 ) @ PSU…I’m suddenly a huge NWU fan…Or not
Arkansas (+10) @ Auburn…Doesn’t Arkansas HAVE to win an SEC game this year?
Michigan (-3) @ Purdue….Laying points on the Road?
Sparty (-14) @ IU….Does Sparty right the ship or do they lay down?
Miami (+14) @ Domers….This could be interesting. If I had to pick a winner, I pick Miami…but what do I know?
LSU (-2) @ GATORLAND….I’ll stick with Les until he proves me wrong…