Well, now that the NFL is over and we're all allowed to start watching college hoops, I must say that it's been a LONG, LONG time since I've been this excited about saying and thinking Michigan Basketball and NCAA Tournament in the same thought or sentence. And I'm eagerly anticipating the NCAA 64-5-6-7-8 seeding and the B1G Conference Tournament as well. All should be grand fun and provide a lot of later winter early spring entertainment...
After watching Michigan take down the Suckeyes on Saturday and then play Northwestern to OT (which - note to J. Belien: Win the stupid game in regulation with a better shot selection. Chances are that'll come in damn handy in the NCAA's...) I'm thinking they've got a real shot at the B1G Regular Season Conference Championship which they haven't won since 1986...Folks, to let you know how long THAT has been, I was still a student! And Frieder was the coach....
Not only that, but in case you haven't been paying attention, your other Michigan Athletics that normally don't get a lot of love are doing some really great things. The Michigan Hockey team is on a roll and looking at another CCHA Championship. And they weren't supposed to be that great this year. THAT'S the beauty of College Hockey. Even when you think it might be a bad season...BANG! You've got 1996 all over again...
Yes, it's Great to be a Michigan Wolverine in the Winter Months again!
And don't look now, but the Men's Baseball Team is 2-1 and Women's Softball is 8-1! The Women's Basketball team is also 19-8 and looking at their own seed in the Women's NCAA tournament...That's still 64 teams, by the way.
So, yeah, there's lots of stuff to be paying attention to. In a way, I'm kind of glad football is over and we've got that Sugar Bowl Victory/Trophy tucked away in Schembechler hall. It gives us a chance to enjoy everything else Michigan Athletics has to offer!
The MMQ
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
B1G Talking Home Field Play-Offs? PLEASE BE TRUE!
Don't look now: B1G 10 leading the way for a College football playoff that would (like your MMQ predicted) have home field advantage for the first round games!
Here's the link to the Tribune story...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-big-ten-idea-a-college-football-playoff-with-home-games-20120206,0,4747499.story
What's most interesting is that Delaney and most of the Big 10 schools are for looking at something that would force the southern and western schools to play in the midwest come December. That has always been something that would level the playing field, at least in the MMQ's mind...
But there is a sinister side to this as well: Follow the money. A home football play-off would more than likely bring in as much dough (if not more) than a B1G Championship appearance. Rumor has it that the B1G Championship game brought in more than the $8M it projected and will be a premier play-off game in the college football arena.
That being said, it probably didn't take long for a few of the AD's to sit up and say, "Hey, play-offs is where we're headed and if we're going to break the model anyway, why not at least be in charge and say what's what?" Not only that, but the BTN is probably in EVERYONE'S ear (who'll listen) telling what potential projections are, etc.
So now that the B1G is leading the charge, where is this headed?
I wouldn't be surprised if some sort of "alliance" between the best of the PAC12 and the B1G end up going head to head at the end of the season as a way to dismiss the notion that the two best teams in College Football are ever again seen as being in the SEC. If there is a play-off, you can bet that only teams from the B1G, PAC12, SEC and (right now) the ACC will be in it...The Big 12 and BEast will bust their collective hiny's and try to get back up and up to play off level conference numbers, but my guess is we're on the verge of very big change in the collegiate football landscape.
Here's the link to the Tribune story...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-big-ten-idea-a-college-football-playoff-with-home-games-20120206,0,4747499.story
What's most interesting is that Delaney and most of the Big 10 schools are for looking at something that would force the southern and western schools to play in the midwest come December. That has always been something that would level the playing field, at least in the MMQ's mind...
But there is a sinister side to this as well: Follow the money. A home football play-off would more than likely bring in as much dough (if not more) than a B1G Championship appearance. Rumor has it that the B1G Championship game brought in more than the $8M it projected and will be a premier play-off game in the college football arena.
That being said, it probably didn't take long for a few of the AD's to sit up and say, "Hey, play-offs is where we're headed and if we're going to break the model anyway, why not at least be in charge and say what's what?" Not only that, but the BTN is probably in EVERYONE'S ear (who'll listen) telling what potential projections are, etc.
So now that the B1G is leading the charge, where is this headed?
I wouldn't be surprised if some sort of "alliance" between the best of the PAC12 and the B1G end up going head to head at the end of the season as a way to dismiss the notion that the two best teams in College Football are ever again seen as being in the SEC. If there is a play-off, you can bet that only teams from the B1G, PAC12, SEC and (right now) the ACC will be in it...The Big 12 and BEast will bust their collective hiny's and try to get back up and up to play off level conference numbers, but my guess is we're on the verge of very big change in the collegiate football landscape.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Signing Day - The NCAA Equivalent of the NFL Draft
Every year, on February 1st, ESPN has nothing but 12 hours of Signing Day Coverage for NCAA football recruits. It's turned into a media event, with class rankings and "top 10 recuiting classes" named and cited in every major publication.
Frankly, I've never gotten into the whole recruiting thing (that much) but I will admit that it's almost impossible to ignore anymore. I mean, there's simply so much information out there that you have to glean something in the process of reading about sports every day.
And here's the thing I've taken away from it: IF you had a lousy season, say 3-9 up to about 8-5, well, you're highly rated recruiting class is the new savior to your program and in three years you'll be reaping the fruits of that labor. If you had a great season and you have a highly rated class, well, you're just re-loading.
Everyone has recruited "exactly the guy they needed" to fill a gap or gaps in their future line-up. And everyone has a National Champion on paper on February 1st, just like everyone in the NFL has a Super Bowl ready team after Draft Day...Problem with all of this is, how are they going to develop and perform as their careers progress? No one can simulate that.
Thankfully, after today, its over and we can get on with more meaningful discussion....
Frankly, I've never gotten into the whole recruiting thing (that much) but I will admit that it's almost impossible to ignore anymore. I mean, there's simply so much information out there that you have to glean something in the process of reading about sports every day.
And here's the thing I've taken away from it: IF you had a lousy season, say 3-9 up to about 8-5, well, you're highly rated recruiting class is the new savior to your program and in three years you'll be reaping the fruits of that labor. If you had a great season and you have a highly rated class, well, you're just re-loading.
Everyone has recruited "exactly the guy they needed" to fill a gap or gaps in their future line-up. And everyone has a National Champion on paper on February 1st, just like everyone in the NFL has a Super Bowl ready team after Draft Day...Problem with all of this is, how are they going to develop and perform as their careers progress? No one can simulate that.
Thankfully, after today, its over and we can get on with more meaningful discussion....
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Joe Pa – Mourning is Over…Let the Judgment Begin
I was going to refrain from saying anything about the Joe Pa debacle that has more or less brought a highly regarded state university to its knees in the last 4 months. I was going to let Joe’s death pass and read the wonderful obituaries about the man that was. I was going to read about what he accomplished on the field. And I would ignore the elephant in the room for now.
But, as I read through them, something just didn’t feel right. And I’ve learned when something doesn’t feel right, something isn’t right.
Yeah, Joe Pa accomplished great things. And while NO ONE should ever be measured by their failures alone, there are some failures that simply can’t be overlooked. And even though Joe’s was a sin of omission, he let that omission go on for nearly a decade. That we know about.
A decade of allowing continued evil to transpire when it could have been stopped.
A decade where he could have asked the powers that be what action they were taking.
A decade where he could have made a phone call expressing his concern…
A decade where he could have done something…
A decade…So much time…so much pain and suffering.
Joe won two National Championships in 1983 and 1986 with Sandusky by his side. Joe stood with him then and celebrated in the glory of that accomplishment. If we judged them together then, what choice do we have but to judge them together now? Joe didn’t do anything to mitigate or reduce that, really, even in the end. When he had a chance.
Do we have a choice then, to measure the man without Sandusky by his side now? Due to the simple fact that Joe Pa didn’t do anything to get us to believe that he felt anything for Sandusky’s victims. Even when it became painfully obvious that he needed to. Joe had an opportunity to stand up, do the right thing and not only show remorse over what he had done (or failed to do) but that he understood his actions and the actions of Sandusky and how painful those actions were and how much he felt for the innocents. But Joe did no such thing. And I have to blame Joe and the support group around him for not waking him up to what needed to happen. And if they don’t understand that now, well, maybe PSU is better off without them, too.
I think part of where Joe (and said support group) failed was due to his lack of comprehension of the vulgarity of the issue at hand. And how people react to that vulgarity wasn’t even the issue. If you somehow can justify the lack of moral outrage by anyone that looks at Joe’s entire “body of work” and says that “he was a good guy”, well, than I can’t really help you. Yeah, it was a great 60 year run Joe had. But what does that mean when you overlook or somehow try to balance a terrible wrong against volumes of good?
Yes, Joe did great things. But he also committed the worst sin of all.
Not caring when he should have.
Not being a leader when he needed to be.
And not looking back on that time with an understanding that it was bigger deal than Football, the University, and Penn State in general. And feeling the pain and suffering that the Sandusky victims still feel to this day.
Sorry, Joe Pa. I’ll recognize the accomplishments and nod my head when they’re brought up by PSU loyalists, but I can’t put you in the “Greatest” column any more.
I can only hope in the end that I am not in Joe Pa’s situation. I wouldn’t wish that type of trial on my worst enemies…That would be an impossible conundrum. To have to stand up and renounce someone that you have known and worked with for 30 years. I’m not even sure I could do it, either. And that’s why this is so hard…so difficult for a lot of people that know and respect the coach, the teacher and….the humanitarian.
And maybe in that place, the place where you want to believe in your family, friends and your co-workers, is where I can find Joe’s humanity. For not wanting to destroy a life that destroyed so many others…But at the same time, by taking charge, he could have saved the lives of so many more…
It’s confusing, to say the least. But, as an individual, I just can’t let it go. As a society, we can’t let it go. And maybe, that will be Joe’s lasting lesson. And some good can come out of all this.
I don’t know…But I wish I did.
Still Searching for Answers….
The MMQ
But, as I read through them, something just didn’t feel right. And I’ve learned when something doesn’t feel right, something isn’t right.
Yeah, Joe Pa accomplished great things. And while NO ONE should ever be measured by their failures alone, there are some failures that simply can’t be overlooked. And even though Joe’s was a sin of omission, he let that omission go on for nearly a decade. That we know about.
A decade of allowing continued evil to transpire when it could have been stopped.
A decade where he could have asked the powers that be what action they were taking.
A decade where he could have made a phone call expressing his concern…
A decade where he could have done something…
A decade…So much time…so much pain and suffering.
Joe won two National Championships in 1983 and 1986 with Sandusky by his side. Joe stood with him then and celebrated in the glory of that accomplishment. If we judged them together then, what choice do we have but to judge them together now? Joe didn’t do anything to mitigate or reduce that, really, even in the end. When he had a chance.
Do we have a choice then, to measure the man without Sandusky by his side now? Due to the simple fact that Joe Pa didn’t do anything to get us to believe that he felt anything for Sandusky’s victims. Even when it became painfully obvious that he needed to. Joe had an opportunity to stand up, do the right thing and not only show remorse over what he had done (or failed to do) but that he understood his actions and the actions of Sandusky and how painful those actions were and how much he felt for the innocents. But Joe did no such thing. And I have to blame Joe and the support group around him for not waking him up to what needed to happen. And if they don’t understand that now, well, maybe PSU is better off without them, too.
I think part of where Joe (and said support group) failed was due to his lack of comprehension of the vulgarity of the issue at hand. And how people react to that vulgarity wasn’t even the issue. If you somehow can justify the lack of moral outrage by anyone that looks at Joe’s entire “body of work” and says that “he was a good guy”, well, than I can’t really help you. Yeah, it was a great 60 year run Joe had. But what does that mean when you overlook or somehow try to balance a terrible wrong against volumes of good?
Yes, Joe did great things. But he also committed the worst sin of all.
Not caring when he should have.
Not being a leader when he needed to be.
And not looking back on that time with an understanding that it was bigger deal than Football, the University, and Penn State in general. And feeling the pain and suffering that the Sandusky victims still feel to this day.
Sorry, Joe Pa. I’ll recognize the accomplishments and nod my head when they’re brought up by PSU loyalists, but I can’t put you in the “Greatest” column any more.
I can only hope in the end that I am not in Joe Pa’s situation. I wouldn’t wish that type of trial on my worst enemies…That would be an impossible conundrum. To have to stand up and renounce someone that you have known and worked with for 30 years. I’m not even sure I could do it, either. And that’s why this is so hard…so difficult for a lot of people that know and respect the coach, the teacher and….the humanitarian.
And maybe in that place, the place where you want to believe in your family, friends and your co-workers, is where I can find Joe’s humanity. For not wanting to destroy a life that destroyed so many others…But at the same time, by taking charge, he could have saved the lives of so many more…
It’s confusing, to say the least. But, as an individual, I just can’t let it go. As a society, we can’t let it go. And maybe, that will be Joe’s lasting lesson. And some good can come out of all this.
I don’t know…But I wish I did.
Still Searching for Answers….
The MMQ
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
It's A Wrap!
I’m always a little sad when I start writing the season wrap….It’s kind of like taking the docks out of the water at the end of the summer…Another season in the books and we have to wait until next fall when it starts all over again. 230 days from last Monday night until the Kick-off Classic….230 days….
Anyway, here we go!!!
First, a question: Are you satisfied? As a Michigan Fan, you have to be a lot happier with the results of the season than you were with most of the over the counter pre-season expectations going in, unless you are a long time reader of this blog and understand that the guy writing it knows a couple of things about the team and can recognize a favorable schedule when he sees one. I predicted 10 wins and a B1G championship. Right on the first count, wrong on the 2nd. But, a BCS game and victory made up for that (Suck on that, Sparty). However, I’m not sure I can go out on that same limb next year, but more on 2012 in a minute.
As far as the overall College Football Season for 2011 goes…are you happy? Satisfied? Do we have our National Champion? The MMQ is NOT that enthralled…And I can tell you why.
Fans are expressing their discontent with the whole BCS thing and stretching games out until January 9th when the real world has already returned to the daily grind. I mean look at the MMQ – this is one of the LATEST season wraps ever by date….Check out the USAToday article for details, but games not on January 1st were not only poorly attended, but they were also some of the lowest rated TV for the bowls. Ever. (Granted, a LOT of that has to do with them being on ESPN, but a rating is a rating). A couple of snippits:
-Even with a capacity crowd in New Orleans' Superdome on Monday, average bowl attendance will hit a 33-season low. It was 49,617 through the first 34 games, down almost 3% from a year earlier.
-The BCS took a succession of TV ratings hits, the biggest to last week's Orange Bowl. West Virginia's 70-33 rout of Clemson drew just 4.5% of U.S. households, making it the lowest-rated game in the BCS' 14-year history.
-All told going into Monday, the BCS' 7.3% average on ESPN was down 10% from the 2010 season and 21% from 2009 — when its games were carried by broadcast network Fox.
That’s pretty sad and hopefully sends a message to everyone involved in this mess: New Year’s Day ONLY or a Play off, or here’s a radical idea: Both. I know it’s not quite that simple, but, JEEZ LOUISE, figure it out! People do NOT want to travel after New Year’s day and burn 3 or 4 days of Vacation on what amounts to a nothing bowl during the first week of the New Year….Sorry, but it’s true. In addition, “BCS” means nothing anymore…But a play-off, well, as long as your team is alive, you might figure out a way to watch and attend the games – In December.
But NOT a neutral play-off site based play-off and NOT using the small bowls as the pre-games to the Big One. I’m talking about a play-off format something akin to the NFL. Home Game Sellouts for the 1st and 2nd rounds would be GUARANTEED! Can you imagine what a school like Michigan, Bama, LSU or any of the big boys, could charge for tickets like that? And the money it would bring in via TV revenue alone? Sheesh! It’s a wonder that David Brandon hasn’t single handedly done it already!
And isn’t that better than playing in the Idaho Potato bowl and having your university PAY a minimum of $750,000 participation fee and another $500,000 to local hotels and restaurants? You can bet that athletic departments around the US are licking their chops at that opportunity!
Will it happen? Not right away of course. But once you go to a 4 team plus 1 format (which is going to happen! Check out Frank The Tank), it will be the opening of Pandora’s Box. Because the Big Boy’s that DON’T make it into the 4 team format will start making noise and as soon as the idea of home field advantage takes hold for first round games, well, it’ll be lights out for some of the bowls.
That’s not to say that if Michigan lost in the first round of the MMQ’s 12-16 team play-off proposal (remember this from 2009?) that they then couldn’t go to the Outback Bowl…But you can bet that if they did lose in the first round and got an Outback Bowl invite, even fewer fans would attend. Hence, the beginning of the end for Bowls will be upon us. Fans would have already blown their wad on home play-off tickets or going to someone else’s place to catch a “Meaningful Game.”
And frankly, that’s not a bad thing. It’s a hell of a lot better than handing Bama a re-match without them even earning it, fer God’s sake….If you don’t make the playoffs, well, you can still go to a bowl and get the extra practices in. But bowls and universities alike will start to hate them (the bowls) and revenue will dry up as the traditions just fade away and home play-off games and the revenue they can bring in take hold. And, if the Power conferences agree to share that home game revenue, well, it’s academic
…At least, that’s the ole MMQ’s view of the world.
Idle Thoughts From the Season
-Upon reflection, after everything was said and done, the MOST SATISFYNIG WIN OF THIS SEASON was and is the last second victory over the Domers (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!) in the first ever night game at the Big House!
-Followed very closely by the satisfying thumping we put on the Suckeyes…
-And I’m really glad I was at both games with people that will remember and appreciate what we witnessed…My brother and daughter…
-Of course, my daughter might have learned some new bad words…
-But she’s been learning them anyway.
-I’m glad we discovered a defense that works…
-And I’m even more glad we were able to build an “acceptable” offense around DeRob…
-I would really, really like to have the Iowa game back…
-Sparty, well, I’d like to have it back, but we would need to completely re-do how we snap the ball…Molk’s only downfall.
-Fond memories of the Minnesota romp will live for awhile…
-That and Purdue.
-Speaking of Purdue – last two out of three over OSU? Really?
-Suckeyes must be getting sick of that...
-Meyer to OSU…That’s just bad form, Urban.
-Sorry, but it is.
-Yeah, the SEC is tough.
-I hope we give you ulcers in the B1G next year.
-But it is kind of funny…NDNation is livid over the fact that you went to OSU when they had an (imaginary) shot at you…
-Of course, they’re just going to go hire Satan now.
-Don’t believe me? Here’s the link…
-I guess they don’t know or didn’t hear that $warbuck$ just gave Kelly a 2 year extension.
-I hope Hoke continues to be a good coach and isn’t a flash in the pan…
-We’ll eventually see, but I don’t like the idea of another coaching search in the next 5 years…
-It’s too traumatic for the fans and players alike…
-But I doubt the PTB would ever make a Rodrigues mistake again…And if they did, I’m sure hoping the hire would get more universal support than Rodrigues got.
-I think I like the amplified band…To all the people that are bitching: Turn off your hearing aid.
-I also like the pumped in RAWK music. Makes it feel a little more energized.
Pre-Season Predictions and Outcomes
Well, I hate to pat myself on the back (AGAIN!), but your ole MMQ did nail down this season pretty well – for Michigan. I only screwed up Iowa and Northwestern, and I still believe that had they just shown up at Kinnick and gotten a few favorable calls or reversed TD’s and Michigan beats Iowa.
As far as the rest of the predictions, let’s take a peek (from the Pre-season Spectacular):
1. Stanford - Come on, Luck coming back is huge for that team. – This one was closer than anyone was giving me credit for…but they didn’t win the biggest games…
2. Alabama - Bowl game loss to Luck will be sweet for all other College Football Fans….Oops…heh-heh, well, at least I got one team in the title game right.
3. Boise State - Something has been eating at me and this could be the year of the mid major in the National Title game…Not that they’ll win. – HEE-hee…HAHAHAHAHA! The Boy’s State run should be over now that Kellen Moore has left the building…
4. Oregon – Come back kids have controversy and a lot of time to prepare in order to deal with it. But Luck will be too much.. – Oops…Oh well, you can’t get them all right…
5. Texas A&M – If they can get by Texas – Jeez…This had to be the biggest face plant of the year…
6. Michigan – Surprise Big 10 Champions! – Okay, so they weren’t B1G 10 champs…but they were closer than most people thought!
7. Virginia Tech – Who else can you pick from the ACC? – Clemson?
8. LSU – An extremely disappointing season for Miles… - Wow…LSU has to be considered for a national title about every three years…That’s just the way it is…
9. Wisconsin – Didn’t see Michigan coming – Well, I wish Michigan could have played them…
10. Georgia – Sleeper in the SEC. I’ve read a couple things and I like ole Richy Rich to get it right (finally) – Ooooops…Another big miss by the MMQ.
2011 Biggest Surprises:
1. Michigan – Really. No one else was giving a 1st year head coach with a lousy record any more than 8 wins this year. 9 wins was going to be incredible! 10, you were a slappy…11 with a BCS bowl victory and you would have been laughed right out of the front door of ESPN.
2. This could almost be a tie for number 1: LSU After looking at kicking two members off the team on Labor Day, not to mention all the other crap that was going on, I’m more convinced than ever that the Hatter is one of, if not the best College Coach in the game today. And Michigan let Lloyd Carr decide not to go get him…Sheesh…
3. PSU – I’m glad 2011 is in the books for this great institution and I only hope they bring someone in that can put the whole sordid affair behind him.
4. Okie State – I’ll be honest, I wasn’t buying the hype and I thought that the Laters and Longhorns would put these guys in their place….What does the MMQ know?
5. Miami Scandal…Only it wasn’t that much of a surprise, really, when it comes down to it….
6. RGB III winning the Heisman.
2011 Biggest Disappointments
1. Texas A&M
2. PSU - Yes, you can be the top in two categories with a cataclysmic event like this...
3. NCAA ruling on OSU…Should have been much, much worse….
4. Luck not winning the Heisman, not that RGB didn’t deserve it. But RGB wasn’t on anyone’s radar pre-season. Luck only has himself to blame…if he beats Oregon, he’s right there…
5. Sparty not making a BCS bowl…Oh wait, that should be in the Biggest Laughs of 2011!
6. Tennessee – will this former SEC powerhouse ever figure it out again?
Weirdest and Strangest Conference Re-alignment Developments
1. Texas A&M to the SEC…Along with Missouri. Big 12 will never be the same….
2. Pitt and Syracuse leaving the Beast in the middle of the night…
3. WVU fighting to get out of the Beast early…
Hot Seat Mascot
Just to throw another picture of Jenn in here SOMEWHERE!
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Early 2012 Predictions
Well, I hate to make predictions (except when I’m right) and I’m afraid that next season may actually bring more disappointment than many Michigan fans realize. I’m actually amazed at the number of people that believe 10 wins in 2012 is a given (based on what happened this year). Sheesh…What a crappy way to make a prediction. What surprises me is how many casual fans believe that a repeat of this year should be easy now that we have the right coaching in place…To all those fans that either haven’t been paying attention or need an education, here’s some simple questions:
Did you look at the schedule?
Did you see who they’re going to have on the starting roster?
Did you see who Michigan has to play on the road?
Michigan has a plethora of incredibly tough road games….Yes, Denard is back, but they are losing a lot of key people on Defense…Especially in the middle D-Line. That’s a problem and will more than likely be a setback…
Alabama, Domers, Cornsuckers and OSU are ALL ON THE ROAD!!
(If Michigan can win two of those, I’ll be impressed.)
So, without further ado: Here’s an early peek at the season schedule in addition to the predictions associated with each game.
(Home Games in CAPS – I know, the Jerry Dome is in Dallas, but at least we’re wearing the Blue Jersey’s. Scratch that. We’re probably wearing some “one time only!” special uni….sigh…)
ALABAMA
Satan’s Warriors in the Jerry Dome. Not the opening cream puff you’d like to have to knock the rust off, but maybe Alabama will be saying the same thing and still be drunk from winning a Mythical National Title…Question is: Does the MMQ and the faithful figure out a way to get down to Dallas on Labor Day for this one where accommodations may be available or do we just watch what will probably be massive bloodshed on the tube? That’s the question…Ask me in May.
Michigan 24-Satan’s Warriors 42
AIR FORCE
This team is NOT a pushover and could present problems to Michigan’s defense with all it’s senior leadership in the middle gone….
Michigan 41-air force – 35
UMASS – See Air Force
Michigan 35 – Umass – 27
Michigan @ Domers
I don’t like this game. B. Kelly’s back will be against the wall and the pressure will be intense. Kowing the Domers, they will have already dropped a game to either Navy, Sparty or Purdue….They will have this date circled looking not only for triple revenge against the Maize and Blue, but also for the Night Game. This is a REVENGE GAME in all capital letters! Of course, when you’re playing for revenge, you’re playing tight and we own these guys!
Domers 24 - Michigan 23
Michigan @ Purdue
Purdon’t won’t…
Michigan 37 – Purdon’t 17
ILLINOIS
Michigan hands first year head coach Beckman his first loss to Michigan…
Michigan 52 – Illini 21
SPARTY
Quadruple Revenge, anyone? This is one the Wolverines will have circled on THEIR calendar…
Michigan 42 - Sparty 35
@ Cornsuckers
I hate Road Revenge Games….Nebraska is going to want this one almost as bad as they will want to crush Wisconsin…
Michigan 27 – Cornsuckers 30 (OT)
@ Minnesota
If Kill is still the coach, he won’t beat Michigan this year…
Michigan 42-Gophers 24
NORTHWESTERN
Not as much of a threat this year, but still should not be taken lightly…
Michigan 31 – Northwestern 21
IOWA
Michigan owes this team as well and will be looking at a 3 game winning streak if they can pull it off…
Michigan 24-Iowa 21
@ tosu
Michigan will have its hands full in a game that will be much bigger for OSU as it will be the Legend’s first “Big Game” in Columbus.
Michigan 24 – OSU 35
So, for those of you keeping score at home, that’s a potential 4 losses for your Wolverines in 2012 where many people are going to have them winning at least 10 games and going to a BCS bowl…Sorry, but that’s just the way the ole MMQ sees it…
As far as my Way Too Early Top 10 Predictions? Well….I guess I can do that…
1. Alabama – returning too many players and its Satan, after all.
2. USC – Barkley’s back and there’s no bowl ban this year…In fact, I don’t know anyone in the Pac 12 that can put up a challenge at this point…
3. Arkansas – They were close this year with a bunch of guys coming back and the QB will be in his third year…And look at their schedule! Bama and LSU at HOME!!! That’s a big deal…
4. LSU-See Alabama
5. West Virgina – After the Orange Bowl Statement (I know, Bowl victories are NOT momentum), I think WVU is set to make a big run next year as they head to the Big 12…2nd season QB and a lot of offense coming back. Of course they have FSU in a early pre-season matchup.
6. Oklahoma – just ‘cause it wouldn’t be a pre-season without Stoops in the top 10 somewhere….
7. Oregon – Chip Kelly’s system is a good one, even without James…
8. Michigan – This might be a little high based on what I just predicted, but I’m just saying that to expect an undefeated season in 2012 is just kidding yourself…10 wins again would be HUGE…. (DeRob in his third year)…. Maybe a B1G Championship? Not completely out of the realm of possibility…But you gotta use the ‘ole imagination.
9. FSU – they’re pissed off about 2011 and have a bunch of guys coming back. But can they get by the Moutaineers?
10. Tie - tOSU and Texas – Meyer and Mack will have surprisingly good teams next year. Only problem is one of them is playing for nothing and the other is running into two Oklahoma teams that aren’t scared of Texas anymore…
FINAL FMQ
Well, the Championship Game didn’t do us any favors, and the final result for the year is dismal. I guess that just goes to show you that even when you’re trying to leverage house money, it still hurts when you lose. But ending another year in the Green indicates that we must know SOMETHING about what we’re doing! We just need to do the better stuff better and the bad stuff less….Still, $248 for the season is nothing to sneeze at…
Kind of goes without saying, right?
The NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Satan’s Warriors vs. LMU (+1) O/U - 40
Wow…This game might make us very happy or very sad as far as the ole FMQ is concerned….
We have $232 house money that we could parlay here if we wanted…Let’s do it…The current bet is:
Take LMU and the 1 point for $75 - LOSE
Let’s add to it and take the under for $100 – WIN! Bank $190
Let’s parlay LMU winning and the under for $50 (pays 3 to 1) – LOSE…
Starting Bank: $1,058
Total Win: $190
Bank: $1,248
Enjoying the Ride....MMQ
Anyway, here we go!!!
First, a question: Are you satisfied? As a Michigan Fan, you have to be a lot happier with the results of the season than you were with most of the over the counter pre-season expectations going in, unless you are a long time reader of this blog and understand that the guy writing it knows a couple of things about the team and can recognize a favorable schedule when he sees one. I predicted 10 wins and a B1G championship. Right on the first count, wrong on the 2nd. But, a BCS game and victory made up for that (Suck on that, Sparty). However, I’m not sure I can go out on that same limb next year, but more on 2012 in a minute.
As far as the overall College Football Season for 2011 goes…are you happy? Satisfied? Do we have our National Champion? The MMQ is NOT that enthralled…And I can tell you why.
Fans are expressing their discontent with the whole BCS thing and stretching games out until January 9th when the real world has already returned to the daily grind. I mean look at the MMQ – this is one of the LATEST season wraps ever by date….Check out the USAToday article for details, but games not on January 1st were not only poorly attended, but they were also some of the lowest rated TV for the bowls. Ever. (Granted, a LOT of that has to do with them being on ESPN, but a rating is a rating). A couple of snippits:
-Even with a capacity crowd in New Orleans' Superdome on Monday, average bowl attendance will hit a 33-season low. It was 49,617 through the first 34 games, down almost 3% from a year earlier.
-The BCS took a succession of TV ratings hits, the biggest to last week's Orange Bowl. West Virginia's 70-33 rout of Clemson drew just 4.5% of U.S. households, making it the lowest-rated game in the BCS' 14-year history.
-All told going into Monday, the BCS' 7.3% average on ESPN was down 10% from the 2010 season and 21% from 2009 — when its games were carried by broadcast network Fox.
That’s pretty sad and hopefully sends a message to everyone involved in this mess: New Year’s Day ONLY or a Play off, or here’s a radical idea: Both. I know it’s not quite that simple, but, JEEZ LOUISE, figure it out! People do NOT want to travel after New Year’s day and burn 3 or 4 days of Vacation on what amounts to a nothing bowl during the first week of the New Year….Sorry, but it’s true. In addition, “BCS” means nothing anymore…But a play-off, well, as long as your team is alive, you might figure out a way to watch and attend the games – In December.
But NOT a neutral play-off site based play-off and NOT using the small bowls as the pre-games to the Big One. I’m talking about a play-off format something akin to the NFL. Home Game Sellouts for the 1st and 2nd rounds would be GUARANTEED! Can you imagine what a school like Michigan, Bama, LSU or any of the big boys, could charge for tickets like that? And the money it would bring in via TV revenue alone? Sheesh! It’s a wonder that David Brandon hasn’t single handedly done it already!
And isn’t that better than playing in the Idaho Potato bowl and having your university PAY a minimum of $750,000 participation fee and another $500,000 to local hotels and restaurants? You can bet that athletic departments around the US are licking their chops at that opportunity!
Will it happen? Not right away of course. But once you go to a 4 team plus 1 format (which is going to happen! Check out Frank The Tank), it will be the opening of Pandora’s Box. Because the Big Boy’s that DON’T make it into the 4 team format will start making noise and as soon as the idea of home field advantage takes hold for first round games, well, it’ll be lights out for some of the bowls.
That’s not to say that if Michigan lost in the first round of the MMQ’s 12-16 team play-off proposal (remember this from 2009?) that they then couldn’t go to the Outback Bowl…But you can bet that if they did lose in the first round and got an Outback Bowl invite, even fewer fans would attend. Hence, the beginning of the end for Bowls will be upon us. Fans would have already blown their wad on home play-off tickets or going to someone else’s place to catch a “Meaningful Game.”
And frankly, that’s not a bad thing. It’s a hell of a lot better than handing Bama a re-match without them even earning it, fer God’s sake….If you don’t make the playoffs, well, you can still go to a bowl and get the extra practices in. But bowls and universities alike will start to hate them (the bowls) and revenue will dry up as the traditions just fade away and home play-off games and the revenue they can bring in take hold. And, if the Power conferences agree to share that home game revenue, well, it’s academic
…At least, that’s the ole MMQ’s view of the world.
Idle Thoughts From the Season
-Upon reflection, after everything was said and done, the MOST SATISFYNIG WIN OF THIS SEASON was and is the last second victory over the Domers (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!) in the first ever night game at the Big House!
-Followed very closely by the satisfying thumping we put on the Suckeyes…
-And I’m really glad I was at both games with people that will remember and appreciate what we witnessed…My brother and daughter…
-Of course, my daughter might have learned some new bad words…
-But she’s been learning them anyway.
-I’m glad we discovered a defense that works…
-And I’m even more glad we were able to build an “acceptable” offense around DeRob…
-I would really, really like to have the Iowa game back…
-Sparty, well, I’d like to have it back, but we would need to completely re-do how we snap the ball…Molk’s only downfall.
-Fond memories of the Minnesota romp will live for awhile…
-That and Purdue.
-Speaking of Purdue – last two out of three over OSU? Really?
-Suckeyes must be getting sick of that...
-Meyer to OSU…That’s just bad form, Urban.
-Sorry, but it is.
-Yeah, the SEC is tough.
-I hope we give you ulcers in the B1G next year.
-But it is kind of funny…NDNation is livid over the fact that you went to OSU when they had an (imaginary) shot at you…
-Of course, they’re just going to go hire Satan now.
-Don’t believe me? Here’s the link…
-I guess they don’t know or didn’t hear that $warbuck$ just gave Kelly a 2 year extension.
-I hope Hoke continues to be a good coach and isn’t a flash in the pan…
-We’ll eventually see, but I don’t like the idea of another coaching search in the next 5 years…
-It’s too traumatic for the fans and players alike…
-But I doubt the PTB would ever make a Rodrigues mistake again…And if they did, I’m sure hoping the hire would get more universal support than Rodrigues got.
-I think I like the amplified band…To all the people that are bitching: Turn off your hearing aid.
-I also like the pumped in RAWK music. Makes it feel a little more energized.
Pre-Season Predictions and Outcomes
Well, I hate to pat myself on the back (AGAIN!), but your ole MMQ did nail down this season pretty well – for Michigan. I only screwed up Iowa and Northwestern, and I still believe that had they just shown up at Kinnick and gotten a few favorable calls or reversed TD’s and Michigan beats Iowa.
As far as the rest of the predictions, let’s take a peek (from the Pre-season Spectacular):
1. Stanford - Come on, Luck coming back is huge for that team. – This one was closer than anyone was giving me credit for…but they didn’t win the biggest games…
2. Alabama - Bowl game loss to Luck will be sweet for all other College Football Fans….Oops…heh-heh, well, at least I got one team in the title game right.
3. Boise State - Something has been eating at me and this could be the year of the mid major in the National Title game…Not that they’ll win. – HEE-hee…HAHAHAHAHA! The Boy’s State run should be over now that Kellen Moore has left the building…
4. Oregon – Come back kids have controversy and a lot of time to prepare in order to deal with it. But Luck will be too much.. – Oops…Oh well, you can’t get them all right…
5. Texas A&M – If they can get by Texas – Jeez…This had to be the biggest face plant of the year…
6. Michigan – Surprise Big 10 Champions! – Okay, so they weren’t B1G 10 champs…but they were closer than most people thought!
7. Virginia Tech – Who else can you pick from the ACC? – Clemson?
8. LSU – An extremely disappointing season for Miles… - Wow…LSU has to be considered for a national title about every three years…That’s just the way it is…
9. Wisconsin – Didn’t see Michigan coming – Well, I wish Michigan could have played them…
10. Georgia – Sleeper in the SEC. I’ve read a couple things and I like ole Richy Rich to get it right (finally) – Ooooops…Another big miss by the MMQ.
2011 Biggest Surprises:
1. Michigan – Really. No one else was giving a 1st year head coach with a lousy record any more than 8 wins this year. 9 wins was going to be incredible! 10, you were a slappy…11 with a BCS bowl victory and you would have been laughed right out of the front door of ESPN.
2. This could almost be a tie for number 1: LSU After looking at kicking two members off the team on Labor Day, not to mention all the other crap that was going on, I’m more convinced than ever that the Hatter is one of, if not the best College Coach in the game today. And Michigan let Lloyd Carr decide not to go get him…Sheesh…
3. PSU – I’m glad 2011 is in the books for this great institution and I only hope they bring someone in that can put the whole sordid affair behind him.
4. Okie State – I’ll be honest, I wasn’t buying the hype and I thought that the Laters and Longhorns would put these guys in their place….What does the MMQ know?
5. Miami Scandal…Only it wasn’t that much of a surprise, really, when it comes down to it….
6. RGB III winning the Heisman.
2011 Biggest Disappointments
1. Texas A&M
2. PSU - Yes, you can be the top in two categories with a cataclysmic event like this...
3. NCAA ruling on OSU…Should have been much, much worse….
4. Luck not winning the Heisman, not that RGB didn’t deserve it. But RGB wasn’t on anyone’s radar pre-season. Luck only has himself to blame…if he beats Oregon, he’s right there…
5. Sparty not making a BCS bowl…Oh wait, that should be in the Biggest Laughs of 2011!
6. Tennessee – will this former SEC powerhouse ever figure it out again?
Weirdest and Strangest Conference Re-alignment Developments
1. Texas A&M to the SEC…Along with Missouri. Big 12 will never be the same….
2. Pitt and Syracuse leaving the Beast in the middle of the night…
3. WVU fighting to get out of the Beast early…
Hot Seat Mascot
Just to throw another picture of Jenn in here SOMEWHERE!
Early 2012 Predictions
Well, I hate to make predictions (except when I’m right) and I’m afraid that next season may actually bring more disappointment than many Michigan fans realize. I’m actually amazed at the number of people that believe 10 wins in 2012 is a given (based on what happened this year). Sheesh…What a crappy way to make a prediction. What surprises me is how many casual fans believe that a repeat of this year should be easy now that we have the right coaching in place…To all those fans that either haven’t been paying attention or need an education, here’s some simple questions:
Did you look at the schedule?
Did you see who they’re going to have on the starting roster?
Did you see who Michigan has to play on the road?
Michigan has a plethora of incredibly tough road games….Yes, Denard is back, but they are losing a lot of key people on Defense…Especially in the middle D-Line. That’s a problem and will more than likely be a setback…
Alabama, Domers, Cornsuckers and OSU are ALL ON THE ROAD!!
(If Michigan can win two of those, I’ll be impressed.)
So, without further ado: Here’s an early peek at the season schedule in addition to the predictions associated with each game.
(Home Games in CAPS – I know, the Jerry Dome is in Dallas, but at least we’re wearing the Blue Jersey’s. Scratch that. We’re probably wearing some “one time only!” special uni….sigh…)
ALABAMA
Satan’s Warriors in the Jerry Dome. Not the opening cream puff you’d like to have to knock the rust off, but maybe Alabama will be saying the same thing and still be drunk from winning a Mythical National Title…Question is: Does the MMQ and the faithful figure out a way to get down to Dallas on Labor Day for this one where accommodations may be available or do we just watch what will probably be massive bloodshed on the tube? That’s the question…Ask me in May.
Michigan 24-Satan’s Warriors 42
AIR FORCE
This team is NOT a pushover and could present problems to Michigan’s defense with all it’s senior leadership in the middle gone….
Michigan 41-air force – 35
UMASS – See Air Force
Michigan 35 – Umass – 27
Michigan @ Domers
I don’t like this game. B. Kelly’s back will be against the wall and the pressure will be intense. Kowing the Domers, they will have already dropped a game to either Navy, Sparty or Purdue….They will have this date circled looking not only for triple revenge against the Maize and Blue, but also for the Night Game. This is a REVENGE GAME in all capital letters! Of course, when you’re playing for revenge, you’re playing tight and we own these guys!
Domers 24 - Michigan 23
Michigan @ Purdue
Purdon’t won’t…
Michigan 37 – Purdon’t 17
ILLINOIS
Michigan hands first year head coach Beckman his first loss to Michigan…
Michigan 52 – Illini 21
SPARTY
Quadruple Revenge, anyone? This is one the Wolverines will have circled on THEIR calendar…
Michigan 42 - Sparty 35
@ Cornsuckers
I hate Road Revenge Games….Nebraska is going to want this one almost as bad as they will want to crush Wisconsin…
Michigan 27 – Cornsuckers 30 (OT)
@ Minnesota
If Kill is still the coach, he won’t beat Michigan this year…
Michigan 42-Gophers 24
NORTHWESTERN
Not as much of a threat this year, but still should not be taken lightly…
Michigan 31 – Northwestern 21
IOWA
Michigan owes this team as well and will be looking at a 3 game winning streak if they can pull it off…
Michigan 24-Iowa 21
@ tosu
Michigan will have its hands full in a game that will be much bigger for OSU as it will be the Legend’s first “Big Game” in Columbus.
Michigan 24 – OSU 35
So, for those of you keeping score at home, that’s a potential 4 losses for your Wolverines in 2012 where many people are going to have them winning at least 10 games and going to a BCS bowl…Sorry, but that’s just the way the ole MMQ sees it…
As far as my Way Too Early Top 10 Predictions? Well….I guess I can do that…
1. Alabama – returning too many players and its Satan, after all.
2. USC – Barkley’s back and there’s no bowl ban this year…In fact, I don’t know anyone in the Pac 12 that can put up a challenge at this point…
3. Arkansas – They were close this year with a bunch of guys coming back and the QB will be in his third year…And look at their schedule! Bama and LSU at HOME!!! That’s a big deal…
4. LSU-See Alabama
5. West Virgina – After the Orange Bowl Statement (I know, Bowl victories are NOT momentum), I think WVU is set to make a big run next year as they head to the Big 12…2nd season QB and a lot of offense coming back. Of course they have FSU in a early pre-season matchup.
6. Oklahoma – just ‘cause it wouldn’t be a pre-season without Stoops in the top 10 somewhere….
7. Oregon – Chip Kelly’s system is a good one, even without James…
8. Michigan – This might be a little high based on what I just predicted, but I’m just saying that to expect an undefeated season in 2012 is just kidding yourself…10 wins again would be HUGE…. (DeRob in his third year)…. Maybe a B1G Championship? Not completely out of the realm of possibility…But you gotta use the ‘ole imagination.
9. FSU – they’re pissed off about 2011 and have a bunch of guys coming back. But can they get by the Moutaineers?
10. Tie - tOSU and Texas – Meyer and Mack will have surprisingly good teams next year. Only problem is one of them is playing for nothing and the other is running into two Oklahoma teams that aren’t scared of Texas anymore…
FINAL FMQ
Well, the Championship Game didn’t do us any favors, and the final result for the year is dismal. I guess that just goes to show you that even when you’re trying to leverage house money, it still hurts when you lose. But ending another year in the Green indicates that we must know SOMETHING about what we’re doing! We just need to do the better stuff better and the bad stuff less….Still, $248 for the season is nothing to sneeze at…
Kind of goes without saying, right?
The NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Satan’s Warriors vs. LMU (+1) O/U - 40
Wow…This game might make us very happy or very sad as far as the ole FMQ is concerned….
We have $232 house money that we could parlay here if we wanted…Let’s do it…The current bet is:
Take LMU and the 1 point for $75 - LOSE
Let’s add to it and take the under for $100 – WIN! Bank $190
Let’s parlay LMU winning and the under for $50 (pays 3 to 1) – LOSE…
Starting Bank: $1,058
Total Win: $190
Bank: $1,248
Enjoying the Ride....MMQ
Monday, January 9, 2012
Sugar Bowl Wrap and Other Trivia
Wow! That’s all I can say…Wow.
Did They deserve to win? Depends
Did They earn the win? Depends
Did They luck out? Depends
Depends on what? Which side of the argument you’re on, of course!
But guess what? None of it matters because THEY DIDN’T LOSE! And WINNERS (not whiners) find a WAY TO WIN!
Based on that fact alone when all the Sparty and Domer haters that come up to you for the next 6 months, you can simply put that big ole shit eatin’ grin on your face and say, “They won. That’s all that matters.”
Favorite things from the Sugar:
-Brendan Gibbons, and I quote, “Thinking about Brunettes during the big kick because that’s what Coach Hoke told me to do.” Another shot of Lucy Pinder, anyone, on behalf of Gibbons? Maybe she derserved being the Hot Seat Mascot afterall!
-Molk finding it somewhere inside of him to walk on that field for the last 60 minutes of football he would ever play. His injury was a scare and definitely could have been game changer…
-RVB playing like a warrior…
-Roundtree coming up HUGE and simply not being denied…
-Beamer's Boys making critical mistakes at critical times...I won't say they handed Michigan the game, but they didn't do themselves any favors, that's for sure.
Things I could do without:
-Internet “second guessers” calling a non-catch a catch. Change the rule if you don’t like it and review Roudtree’s catch in the Iowa game, puh-leeze before you throw stones.
-That Michigan didn’t deserve to win. Really? Did USC “deserve” to win the 1977 game? (Charles White phantom TD) And I can think of other games, too….but I’m just not going there this AM.
-That the win is somehow “tainted” because Va-Tech didn’t deserve to be there…BS....Va Tech was a worthy team and fared better than other ACC teams (see Orange bowl and Clemson, for example)
-That this wasn’t a “Great” Michigan team…I might agree with that, but
-It was a Great Team…And I think that’s the part that’s being overlooked….
Something that surprised me was that this was only the 5th time in recent history that Michigan had posted 11 or more wins. Out of curiosity and with the help of the stellar information over at the Bentley Library, I found the other seasons where Michigan had 11 or more….(I only went back to 1970)
2006 (11-2) Lost to OSU and the Rose Bowl to USC
1997 (12-0) Won the Whole Enchilada
1986 (11-1) Beat OSU and lost the Rose Bowl to ASU
1971 (11-1) Beat OSU and lost to Stanford in the Rose
Those are some pretty impressive teams…But did you notice anything in particular about the accomplishments? With the exception of 1997, all those teams either lost to OSU or the Bowl game, or in one case (2006), both.
And I can tell you this: As good as I felt about all those teams, there’s nothing that feels better than winning the last two. I don’t care what season it is.
So, I guess you can take the 11 wins, put it on the mantel, and say nice job. But for this fan, I really, REALLY appreciate the fact that tosu and the Bowl Game are part of the 11 victories. Yes, there’s one blemish on the record that I would like to erase, but there’s always next year.
Just for giggles, I looked up 10 game winning seasons (when they only played 11 games and a bowl) and this is what I came up with (when you factor in that 10-1 regular season percentage-wise is actually better than 11-2. In my mind, that’s an equivalent stat…Yeah, I know, they play more games allowing for more error, but come on, winning 10 back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s is still a big deal.):
1972 (10-1) Lost to OSU. Didn’t go to the Rose because of loss to OSU
1973 (10-0-1) tied OSU and didn’t got to the Rose because of THE VOTE!
1974 (10-1-0) Lost to OSU and didn’t go anywhere. Didn’t go anywhere in 73, either.
1976-77-78 (10-2) Orange (Lost), Rose (Lost) and Rose (Lost). Beat OSU in ’76 and ’77.
1980 (10-2) BEAT OSU and WON the Rose
1985 (10-2) BEAT to OSU and BEAT Nebraska in the Fiesta
1989 (10-2) BEAT OSU and lost to USC in the Rose
1991 (10-2) BEAT OSU and Lost to Washington
1998 (10-2) Lost to OSU and BEAT Arkansas in the Citrus
1999 (10-2) BEAT OSU and BEAT Alabama in the Orange
2002 (10-2) Lost to OSU and BEAT Florida in the Citrus
2003 (10-2) BEAT OSU and lost to USC in the Rose….
So, why did I do all that for you? To show you how many times in 40 seasons that Michigan won the last two. And how many times did the Wolverines win the last two? I’ll make it easy for you…Exactly three times. Four when you add in 1997. And they only beat OSU and won the Rose TWICE…
For those of you couting along at home, that's only 4 times in 40 years that Michigan has Beat OSU and won the Bowl...So, in conclusion….winning 10 was a big deal in the day of 11 regular season games. And winning the last two was even a BIGGER DEAL, in the MMQ’s humble opinion, than winning 10 or 11, for that matter.
So, please, PLEASE, I implore you…Enjoy this victory and this season! It doesn’t happen very often that we beat OSU and win the Bowl Game!
As far as the rest of the bowls, my take on all the ones that mattered:
Cotton: Arkansas sort of proved it MIGHT have belonged in a play-off, but I would have thought that a much larger margin of victory against K-state would have sent a stronger message. Of course, K-state had plenty of time to prepare and maybe the Hogs simply didn’t want to be there as bad as the Wildcats….
Orange: Holy Crap! Did Clemson even think about practicing defense? I mean, it’s one thing to not play well…But not play at all? I’m pretty sure that any BCS team would have had a field day against the defense that Clemson put on the field. And WVU did.
Sugar: Enough said, but stop with all the negatives, especially: Michigan Fans! Too many haterz out there already that will be poo-pooing this win as something less than it is. Sour Grapes and bitter biscuits, Sparty and Domer fan!
Fiesta: I don’t want to be the kicker for Stanford. In fact, why was the kicker even put in that position when you have Mr. Lucky taking the snaps from center? A freshmen kicker vs. a 3rd year (about to be a multilmillionaire) starting QB? C’mon…Even the ole MMQ knows how to call THAT one….Probably the best game of New Year’s day followed closely by the
ROSE: Okay. This game had everything, if you like offense. If you’re defense oriented, you didn’t see the 4th quarter because you had already clawed your eyes out. However, I did see it and Wiscy probably didn’t deserve to win, but they didn’t deserve to lose to Sparty and the Suckeyes, either, and based on the freakiness of 2011, I figured that Instant Karma was gonna’ help them…I don’t know why Wilson tried to down the ball with 2 seconds left. Call two plays, line up and play ‘em.
Outback: Cousins was nearly the goat (AGAIN) but Sparty met a bigger failure in critical games than Sparty ….Mark Richt may or may not be the Bulldogs head coach next year, and that season ending bowl loss after being up by 16 at the half is probably all anyone who is making the decision will point at if he’s not on the side line next year…
Gator: Yawn…I’m frankly a little pissed at the Suckeyes, and this is simply another reason to really hate them…They couldn’t even beat a Gatorland team that was easily beatable…with the former Gatorland coach on their sideline, for God’s sake…
Capitol One: Double Yawn…Someone tell the Cornsuckers that you NEED TO SHOW UP IN BOWL GAMES WHEN YOU PLAY THE SEC! 1997 doesn’t count anymore….
Alamo: Best Bowl game not on New Year’s day…I was impressed with RGB III…Really.
CHAMPS: Hahahaha….HAHAHAHAHAHA! Domers LOSE!!!!!
Biggest Bowl Statement
I kind of hate this comment that have become very “in vogue” to say by all the talking heads. It seems like everyone harps on it and tries to make each bowl that isn’t the National Title Game a “Big Deal” by stating this or that team made the biggest statement by winning their bowl. The MMQ’s version:
1. Oregon. Picking this one as the biggest statement was tough. But I think it's justified. Oregon wins it’s first BCS and it’s first Rose Bowl in 90 some years…That’s a pretty big statement and a relief for the fans…
2. Okie State – This was big deal as they won their first BCS game in addition to winning the Big 12 destination bowl against a legit team – Stanford.
Everything and everyone else is just kind of noise….I really don’t think you “build” momentum with a bowl win, but it would be an interesting statistic to analyze…
The Hot Seat
Jenn Brown will adorn the upper right of the blog for the year and I have been challenged with finding a close up photograph of the Jenn Brown Tramp Stamp tattoo. I will do my utmost to seek out this photo and have it on the blog as soon as humanly possible. Actually, any of the readers up to the challenge? Can anyone get a shot of that Tattoo for our blog?
Maybe we should have a contest...that's an idle thought....
Did you think if I sent her a twitter asking for a shot of it she would respond?
We’ll do a final wrap next week with respect to hirings and firings…and how those coaches might do in the coming season.
FMQ
Urban Legend Bowl (OSU vs. Florida -2.5)
Take OSU and the 2.5 for $200
-GAG! This game just sucked…That’s what I get for putting any money on either one of these teams…
ROSE BOWL Oregon vs. Wisconsin (+4.5)
Take Wiscy and the 4.5 for $75
-Jesus Tap Dancin’ Christ…Just RUN THE FINAL PLAY! LOSE…..
The FIESTA Stanford vs. Oklahoma State (-4.5)
Take Mr. Lucky and the 4.5 for $75
Mr. Lucky doesn’t win, but he covers….WIN $142.50
The OUTBACK Sparty vs. Georgia (-2.5)
Take Sparty and the 2.5 for $50
Sparty comes through for the ole FMQ – WIN - $95
The SUGAR Michigan vs. Va Tech (+2.5)
Take Michigan and lay the 2.5 for $125
Hee-hee….3 points is 3 points….WIN - $237.50
The NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Satan’s Warriors vs. LMU (+1) O/U - 40
Wow…This game might make us very happy or very sad as far as the ole FMQ is concerned….We have $232 house money that we could parlay here if we wanted…Let’s do it…The current bet is:
Take LMU and the 1 point for $75
Let’s add to it and take the under for $100
Let’s parlay LMU winning and the under for $50 (pays 3 to 1)
So, we’re either going to have a nice tidy sum or be up a bunch (but not double….Sad Face. )
Starting Bank: $1,307
Total Bet: $250
Bank: $1057
Enjoying the Ride....MMQ
Did They deserve to win? Depends
Did They earn the win? Depends
Did They luck out? Depends
Depends on what? Which side of the argument you’re on, of course!
But guess what? None of it matters because THEY DIDN’T LOSE! And WINNERS (not whiners) find a WAY TO WIN!
Based on that fact alone when all the Sparty and Domer haters that come up to you for the next 6 months, you can simply put that big ole shit eatin’ grin on your face and say, “They won. That’s all that matters.”
Favorite things from the Sugar:
-Brendan Gibbons, and I quote, “Thinking about Brunettes during the big kick because that’s what Coach Hoke told me to do.” Another shot of Lucy Pinder, anyone, on behalf of Gibbons? Maybe she derserved being the Hot Seat Mascot afterall!
-RVB playing like a warrior…
-Roundtree coming up HUGE and simply not being denied…
-Beamer's Boys making critical mistakes at critical times...I won't say they handed Michigan the game, but they didn't do themselves any favors, that's for sure.
Things I could do without:
-Internet “second guessers” calling a non-catch a catch. Change the rule if you don’t like it and review Roudtree’s catch in the Iowa game, puh-leeze before you throw stones.
-That Michigan didn’t deserve to win. Really? Did USC “deserve” to win the 1977 game? (Charles White phantom TD) And I can think of other games, too….but I’m just not going there this AM.
-That the win is somehow “tainted” because Va-Tech didn’t deserve to be there…BS....Va Tech was a worthy team and fared better than other ACC teams (see Orange bowl and Clemson, for example)
-That this wasn’t a “Great” Michigan team…I might agree with that, but
-It was a Great Team…And I think that’s the part that’s being overlooked….
Something that surprised me was that this was only the 5th time in recent history that Michigan had posted 11 or more wins. Out of curiosity and with the help of the stellar information over at the Bentley Library, I found the other seasons where Michigan had 11 or more….(I only went back to 1970)
2006 (11-2) Lost to OSU and the Rose Bowl to USC
1997 (12-0) Won the Whole Enchilada
1986 (11-1) Beat OSU and lost the Rose Bowl to ASU
1971 (11-1) Beat OSU and lost to Stanford in the Rose
Those are some pretty impressive teams…But did you notice anything in particular about the accomplishments? With the exception of 1997, all those teams either lost to OSU or the Bowl game, or in one case (2006), both.
And I can tell you this: As good as I felt about all those teams, there’s nothing that feels better than winning the last two. I don’t care what season it is.
So, I guess you can take the 11 wins, put it on the mantel, and say nice job. But for this fan, I really, REALLY appreciate the fact that tosu and the Bowl Game are part of the 11 victories. Yes, there’s one blemish on the record that I would like to erase, but there’s always next year.
Just for giggles, I looked up 10 game winning seasons (when they only played 11 games and a bowl) and this is what I came up with (when you factor in that 10-1 regular season percentage-wise is actually better than 11-2. In my mind, that’s an equivalent stat…Yeah, I know, they play more games allowing for more error, but come on, winning 10 back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s is still a big deal.):
1972 (10-1) Lost to OSU. Didn’t go to the Rose because of loss to OSU
1973 (10-0-1) tied OSU and didn’t got to the Rose because of THE VOTE!
1974 (10-1-0) Lost to OSU and didn’t go anywhere. Didn’t go anywhere in 73, either.
1976-77-78 (10-2) Orange (Lost), Rose (Lost) and Rose (Lost). Beat OSU in ’76 and ’77.
1980 (10-2) BEAT OSU and WON the Rose
1985 (10-2) BEAT to OSU and BEAT Nebraska in the Fiesta
1989 (10-2) BEAT OSU and lost to USC in the Rose
1991 (10-2) BEAT OSU and Lost to Washington
1998 (10-2) Lost to OSU and BEAT Arkansas in the Citrus
1999 (10-2) BEAT OSU and BEAT Alabama in the Orange
2002 (10-2) Lost to OSU and BEAT Florida in the Citrus
2003 (10-2) BEAT OSU and lost to USC in the Rose….
So, why did I do all that for you? To show you how many times in 40 seasons that Michigan won the last two. And how many times did the Wolverines win the last two? I’ll make it easy for you…Exactly three times. Four when you add in 1997. And they only beat OSU and won the Rose TWICE…
For those of you couting along at home, that's only 4 times in 40 years that Michigan has Beat OSU and won the Bowl...So, in conclusion….winning 10 was a big deal in the day of 11 regular season games. And winning the last two was even a BIGGER DEAL, in the MMQ’s humble opinion, than winning 10 or 11, for that matter.
So, please, PLEASE, I implore you…Enjoy this victory and this season! It doesn’t happen very often that we beat OSU and win the Bowl Game!
As far as the rest of the bowls, my take on all the ones that mattered:
Cotton: Arkansas sort of proved it MIGHT have belonged in a play-off, but I would have thought that a much larger margin of victory against K-state would have sent a stronger message. Of course, K-state had plenty of time to prepare and maybe the Hogs simply didn’t want to be there as bad as the Wildcats….
Orange: Holy Crap! Did Clemson even think about practicing defense? I mean, it’s one thing to not play well…But not play at all? I’m pretty sure that any BCS team would have had a field day against the defense that Clemson put on the field. And WVU did.
Sugar: Enough said, but stop with all the negatives, especially: Michigan Fans! Too many haterz out there already that will be poo-pooing this win as something less than it is. Sour Grapes and bitter biscuits, Sparty and Domer fan!
Fiesta: I don’t want to be the kicker for Stanford. In fact, why was the kicker even put in that position when you have Mr. Lucky taking the snaps from center? A freshmen kicker vs. a 3rd year (about to be a multilmillionaire) starting QB? C’mon…Even the ole MMQ knows how to call THAT one….Probably the best game of New Year’s day followed closely by the
ROSE: Okay. This game had everything, if you like offense. If you’re defense oriented, you didn’t see the 4th quarter because you had already clawed your eyes out. However, I did see it and Wiscy probably didn’t deserve to win, but they didn’t deserve to lose to Sparty and the Suckeyes, either, and based on the freakiness of 2011, I figured that Instant Karma was gonna’ help them…I don’t know why Wilson tried to down the ball with 2 seconds left. Call two plays, line up and play ‘em.
Outback: Cousins was nearly the goat (AGAIN) but Sparty met a bigger failure in critical games than Sparty ….Mark Richt may or may not be the Bulldogs head coach next year, and that season ending bowl loss after being up by 16 at the half is probably all anyone who is making the decision will point at if he’s not on the side line next year…
Gator: Yawn…I’m frankly a little pissed at the Suckeyes, and this is simply another reason to really hate them…They couldn’t even beat a Gatorland team that was easily beatable…with the former Gatorland coach on their sideline, for God’s sake…
Capitol One: Double Yawn…Someone tell the Cornsuckers that you NEED TO SHOW UP IN BOWL GAMES WHEN YOU PLAY THE SEC! 1997 doesn’t count anymore….
Alamo: Best Bowl game not on New Year’s day…I was impressed with RGB III…Really.
CHAMPS: Hahahaha….HAHAHAHAHAHA! Domers LOSE!!!!!
Biggest Bowl Statement
I kind of hate this comment that have become very “in vogue” to say by all the talking heads. It seems like everyone harps on it and tries to make each bowl that isn’t the National Title Game a “Big Deal” by stating this or that team made the biggest statement by winning their bowl. The MMQ’s version:
1. Oregon. Picking this one as the biggest statement was tough. But I think it's justified. Oregon wins it’s first BCS and it’s first Rose Bowl in 90 some years…That’s a pretty big statement and a relief for the fans…
2. Okie State – This was big deal as they won their first BCS game in addition to winning the Big 12 destination bowl against a legit team – Stanford.
Everything and everyone else is just kind of noise….I really don’t think you “build” momentum with a bowl win, but it would be an interesting statistic to analyze…
The Hot Seat
Jenn Brown will adorn the upper right of the blog for the year and I have been challenged with finding a close up photograph of the Jenn Brown Tramp Stamp tattoo. I will do my utmost to seek out this photo and have it on the blog as soon as humanly possible. Actually, any of the readers up to the challenge? Can anyone get a shot of that Tattoo for our blog?
Did you think if I sent her a twitter asking for a shot of it she would respond?
We’ll do a final wrap next week with respect to hirings and firings…and how those coaches might do in the coming season.
FMQ
Urban Legend Bowl (OSU vs. Florida -2.5)
Take OSU and the 2.5 for $200
-GAG! This game just sucked…That’s what I get for putting any money on either one of these teams…
ROSE BOWL Oregon vs. Wisconsin (+4.5)
Take Wiscy and the 4.5 for $75
-Jesus Tap Dancin’ Christ…Just RUN THE FINAL PLAY! LOSE…..
The FIESTA Stanford vs. Oklahoma State (-4.5)
Take Mr. Lucky and the 4.5 for $75
Mr. Lucky doesn’t win, but he covers….WIN $142.50
The OUTBACK Sparty vs. Georgia (-2.5)
Take Sparty and the 2.5 for $50
Sparty comes through for the ole FMQ – WIN - $95
The SUGAR Michigan vs. Va Tech (+2.5)
Take Michigan and lay the 2.5 for $125
Hee-hee….3 points is 3 points….WIN - $237.50
The NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Satan’s Warriors vs. LMU (+1) O/U - 40
Wow…This game might make us very happy or very sad as far as the ole FMQ is concerned….We have $232 house money that we could parlay here if we wanted…Let’s do it…The current bet is:
Take LMU and the 1 point for $75
Let’s add to it and take the under for $100
Let’s parlay LMU winning and the under for $50 (pays 3 to 1)
So, we’re either going to have a nice tidy sum or be up a bunch (but not double….Sad Face. )
Starting Bank: $1,307
Total Bet: $250
Bank: $1057
Enjoying the Ride....MMQ
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