I think everyone knows I was a fan of Yost before he left and love the fact that he has returned. You have to see this...Really.
It's beyond classic...
The MMQ
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
We Can’t Fire Rich Rod Till January 1st (It Saves Michigan $1.5M)
That’s it. I’m done.
Fire Rich Rod starts right here, right now.
I’ve seen enough, endured enough and have had my fill of SPARTY, Wisconsin, and tOSU losses for a lifetime. I long for the days of Big 2 little 8…And I want them back. And we’re not going to get there with this clown and the carnival car of characters he has working for him. But I'll be the first to admit it's not the easiest thing you can do. If it were, it would have already happened.
So why not can him today? For starters, there’s a $1.5M reduction in the buyout of the Rod on January 1, 2011. And Harbaugh won’t officially do anything until after his bowl, anyway…But I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. I’m sure the $1.5M is a big enough reason…
Of course, that’s pocket change for Brandon. When you review what he got when he left Domino’s and what he still owns in stock, IF (notice the big if) Brandon wanted Rich Rod Gone, he’d be gone right now. There wouldn’t be any delay. It’s the way of the CEO Athletic Director. Mgoblog.com has a great pros vs. cons list of what happens if you fire the Rod vs. what happens if you keep him. Of course, the assumption here is you somehow, some way, manage to land Harbaugh. And that’s NOT an automatic, given everything that Harbaugh has with respect to baggage (drinking, calling out his alma mater, etc.)
So, what do you do? I like the pros and cons list, but now I really think it’s a matter of how much do you trust Rich Rod as a head coach? I mean, really TRUST him? If your answer to the question is, “Implicitly, I know he can win in the Big 10 with this scheme and with this offense/defense” then you answer is, you can’t fire him. If you’re answer is, “No F!@#%@#$^ing way to I trust this douchebag to run the concessions at Michigan Stadium much less the football team” then you should have fired him already.
For Brandon, I have a sneaking suspicion the trust for Rich Rod is somewhere in between. He has a great record (prior to his arrival at UM) and has proven he can coach/recruit/manage an offense. But that’s it. There is no defense, no special teams, and a huge component of heart missing on the defensive side of the ball. Then, when his starting QB gets two dislocated fingers, we see how quickly even the offensive side of the ball can be reduced to that of a decent MAC team. We can see why the OSU game was the entire season encapsulated as to how “Those Who Cannot” started out strong and got progressively worse once Big 10 play began.
Let’s review the games 1 by 1 to see the symmetry.
UCONN: Somewhat of an easy victory given where everyone was picking this team early. So, things were looking positive.
"NOTRE DAME": In all honesty, this game is always a toss up (with the exception of ’06 and ’03). So, winning was everything, but the issues on defense and kicking started to rear their ugly heads. Could have been an L, easy.
UMASS: A romp, as it should have been.
BOWLING GREEN: MAC team goes down, as it should, but again, defensive woes continue and fans start to realize that we better out score everyone because we’re not stopping anyone.
"INDIANA": A game we could have easily lost and not if not for the Denard heroics, we would have.
MSU: A sad and sorry excuse for a game and the offense started to show that they were human as well and shot themselves continuously in the foot. We lost and lost bad to a beatable rival. Rod goes to 0-3 against MSU. Half Time and you’re thinking if they can just get the offense back together, they’ve got a puncher’s chance in the 2nd half…
IOWA: A repeat of the foot shooting scenario on offense and even when a comeback looked feasible, Stanzi and company simply marched down the field and held serve.
PSU: Please…McGloin looks like Montana and the offense didn’t even really show up.
"ILLINOIS": Could have gone either way, offense had a good day and pre-vailed. But chalk up another possible L here.
PURDUE: Solid win against an equally shaky team.
WISCONSIN: Do I need to say any more?
OSU: The Exclamation point to the entire mess….No offense without DeRob and defense, while standing firm in the 1st quarter, crumbled and came apart at the seams in the 2nd half.
Overall record: 7-5
“Luck” record: 4-“3”-5
What I’m basically saying is, a win isn’t always a win when it can go either way at any given moment. If “Those Who Cannot” were sitting here with 4 victories this season, would we be having the Rich Rod discussion? OR would he have already been on a bus out of town?
And don’t tell me that a crap, piece of garbage bowl victory is a great springboard to a new season if you win…Bowl victories go to the teams that want it more, plain and simple. The better team rarely wins and the team that wants to be there is usually the victor. If they win the bowl, should he keep his job? If he loses the bowl, should he get canned? What’s the difference at this point? I’ve seen 12 games of work in the 3rd season. It’s enough.
David, do the honorable thing and can him now….And don’t call me a hater. I’m as loyal as anyone comes to this institution and this team. I have earned the right to question everything about this situation at this time. Of course, the circus around us will only get worse with Jimmy coming to town on Thursday for the football bust:
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon says he's not letting speculation about Rich Rodriguez's future change his timetable to evaluate the football coach.Brandon reiterated Monday morning that he doesn't do performance reviews of coaches until their seasons are over.That might make for another uncomfortable month for Rodriguez.He helped the Wolverines qualify for a bowl -- possibly the Insight Bowl on Dec. 28 -- for the first time in his three seasons in charge of college football's winningest program.The situation swirling around Rodriguez's status might turn into a circus at the team's banquet Thursday night because Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh plans to be there to be honored along with his 1985 teammates.
Thanks MZONE….Somehow, in a weird, twisted way, it does help.
The Rest of the Mess
Know why this week took so long to put together? Because SO MUCH CRAP HAPPENED! That’s Why!
Cam Newton – when it comes down, it will be AFTER the SEC cashes it’s big National Championship and BCS checks…You gotta love the SEC, doncha’?
Bosie State’s Bus CRASHED! Hee-hee…..HEEE-HEEEE-HAHAHAHAHA! I love it when a team that can “play with anyone in the country” loses to a team that can also “play with anyone in the country”. I’m glad to see Boy’s State go down. No offense, but they’re simply not beating the Big 10 or SEC week in and week out…
BCS Standings:
1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. TCU
4. Wisconsin
5. Stanford
6. Ohio State
7. Michigan State
8. Arkansas
9. Oklahoma
10. Boise State…(unbelievable)
Who cares…
This week’s biggest GAINER: Wisconsin and Stanford. Well positioned for the National Title Game if Auburn stubs their toe against South Carolina…Which, wouldn’t that be nice? But the BCS somehow may not let a 1 loss team in unless they let that 1-loss team leap frog TCU…tragic, really, in a way.
Biggest Screw Job Coming: Stanford getting sent to the Orange Bowl, 3,000 miles away for any fans that want to go.
2nd Screw Job Coming: UCONN going to the Fiesta, 2,500 miles away. Uh, gee, fellas, can’t we have the BCS bowl games be a little more geographically friendly for everyone involved?
TCU joins the BEast…Tell me that’s not interesting? So the BEast through acquisition buys a shot at the 2010 National Title? Classic…
The Wrap:
SPARTY vs. PSU: Gutsy game, Sparty. I guess you earned it. I only hope that Dantonio has a bigger heart attack that sends him to Florida to retire…(JUST KIDDING!) But, what’s that prescription he’s taking, again?
DOMERS @ USC: This one killed me, too...After everything that happened to the Domers this year, THEY find a way to beat an equally matched arch rival. Kelly saved himself a long off season of grief no matter what happens in the bowl game.
GATORLAND vs. FSU: Hee-hee…HAHAHAHA! Urban legend lands the best recruiting class the “world” had ever seen and then has a 6-6 season….Classic!
Stanford @ OSU: No, I don’t think OSU was looking ahead to the Ducks. Yes, I do think Stanford is THAT good. I kind of wish Stanford had another shot at Oregon. Really. I think they’ve gotten better as the Ducks have merely held on…
All of the Big IIX: So, somehow, in some twisted convoluted way, Oklahoma backs into the Title game against Nebraska. And that means they have a decent shot at making it into a BCS game.
Boys State vs. Wolfpack: I only wish I had been energetic and awake enough to stay up for this game….WE NEED TO FIX THIS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL! Old guys cannot stay up and watch a 10:00 PM game any more….
LMU vs. Arkansas: The Mad Hatter is the hottest seated 2 loss coach there is…
SATAN vs. Auburn: Hee-hee….HAHAHAHAHAHA! Satan has to learn how to play 60 minutes of football. In fact, Satan’s seat might just be a little hotter after that mess on Friday. 3 losses after winning the national title and you lose the Iron Bowl to boot…That doesn’t sit well with Roll Tide fans, you know.
Cal vs. Washington: Cal doesn’t fake wins to well, either…Don’t know what I’m talking about? The Defensive Coordinator got suspended for 1 game for the Oregon injury faking…Should have been WAY MORE severe.
Big 10 Mess:
Wisconsin – Rose
OSU – BCS?
MSU – Capitol One against….Satan????
Idle Thoughts From Saturday
-Rich Rod has to go…That’s it.
-I’m done rooting, supporting, finding reasons for him to stay...
-Can I support the team 150% and still want the coach gone?
-Is that possible?
-It doesn’t make me wrong or put me in a place where I hate Michigan…
-Of course, Harbaugh did LOSE to Oregon…Which is the offense and team that were most trying to copy…
-But can we get the kind of defense we need to go along with this offense?
-Can we get the players we need?
-Can we get the size and speed we need?
-If you can Rich Rod today, how long BEFORE we’re back challenging for a Big 10 title?
-Longer than it would take if you kept him?
-So, does that mean you should keep him? If it’s longer, it’s longer.
-But does that make sense?
-Does he REALLY GET the Big 10?
-Does he REALLY GET Michigan? The Game? MSU? Notre Dame? Any of it?
-Harbaugh’s back in town on Thursday.
-I should go to the Football Bust – 25th year for the 1985 Team.
-Just to see who shows up.
-And offer to buy Brandon and Harbaugh a drink…
-Of course, there would probably be a line to do that…a lonnnnng line...
-Tressel called off the dogs so that we weren’t “embarrassed”.
-I think he did that so that we wouldn’t fire the Rod today.
-But I think he still might get canned…
-Maybe Jimmy and David already have a drink scheduled…
-You know…Just to talk as “Michigan Men”...(Right - I know what you're thinking. No need to spell it out.)
-I’m sure they’ll discuss Bo and stories of the great one…
-Think David will bring Pizza?
The Hot Seat
The Hot Seat voting this year has been erratic, at best. You folks don’t seem to know who exactly you want, but you seem happy with the finals competition so far. Well, we have one week left and after a surprising debut from our first blast from the past, Veronica Hamel, I figure our 2nd blast would surely garner the most votes….But alas, Markie just didn’t capture the imagination of the MMQ readership this week as much as Marissa Miller did. So, with one LAST WEEK to get another nominee into the final for Championship Week, I am pulling out all the stops. I’ve had numerous suggestions come in late, but I really like this one to wrap up the regular season: Kate Hudson! Yes, I know that she might not be as gifted as our other nominees in some areas, but I still have kind of a thing for her….
How can you not love this face???
And these just sort of speak for themselves...
And a little something extra for the ladies...No, were not going to have a write in for Matthew McConaughey so DON'T ASK!!!
1. Dennis Erickson – Inevitable at this point - I think…
2. Rich Rod – Hotter again, A close loss to tOSU would have put it to rest...But no
3. Butch Davis – North Carolina…
BANK: $592.50
Fire Rich Rod starts right here, right now.
I’ve seen enough, endured enough and have had my fill of SPARTY, Wisconsin, and tOSU losses for a lifetime. I long for the days of Big 2 little 8…And I want them back. And we’re not going to get there with this clown and the carnival car of characters he has working for him. But I'll be the first to admit it's not the easiest thing you can do. If it were, it would have already happened.
So why not can him today? For starters, there’s a $1.5M reduction in the buyout of the Rod on January 1, 2011. And Harbaugh won’t officially do anything until after his bowl, anyway…But I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. I’m sure the $1.5M is a big enough reason…
Of course, that’s pocket change for Brandon. When you review what he got when he left Domino’s and what he still owns in stock, IF (notice the big if) Brandon wanted Rich Rod Gone, he’d be gone right now. There wouldn’t be any delay. It’s the way of the CEO Athletic Director. Mgoblog.com has a great pros vs. cons list of what happens if you fire the Rod vs. what happens if you keep him. Of course, the assumption here is you somehow, some way, manage to land Harbaugh. And that’s NOT an automatic, given everything that Harbaugh has with respect to baggage (drinking, calling out his alma mater, etc.)
So, what do you do? I like the pros and cons list, but now I really think it’s a matter of how much do you trust Rich Rod as a head coach? I mean, really TRUST him? If your answer to the question is, “Implicitly, I know he can win in the Big 10 with this scheme and with this offense/defense” then you answer is, you can’t fire him. If you’re answer is, “No F!@#%@#$^ing way to I trust this douchebag to run the concessions at Michigan Stadium much less the football team” then you should have fired him already.
For Brandon, I have a sneaking suspicion the trust for Rich Rod is somewhere in between. He has a great record (prior to his arrival at UM) and has proven he can coach/recruit/manage an offense. But that’s it. There is no defense, no special teams, and a huge component of heart missing on the defensive side of the ball. Then, when his starting QB gets two dislocated fingers, we see how quickly even the offensive side of the ball can be reduced to that of a decent MAC team. We can see why the OSU game was the entire season encapsulated as to how “Those Who Cannot” started out strong and got progressively worse once Big 10 play began.
Let’s review the games 1 by 1 to see the symmetry.
UCONN: Somewhat of an easy victory given where everyone was picking this team early. So, things were looking positive.
"NOTRE DAME": In all honesty, this game is always a toss up (with the exception of ’06 and ’03). So, winning was everything, but the issues on defense and kicking started to rear their ugly heads. Could have been an L, easy.
UMASS: A romp, as it should have been.
BOWLING GREEN: MAC team goes down, as it should, but again, defensive woes continue and fans start to realize that we better out score everyone because we’re not stopping anyone.
"INDIANA": A game we could have easily lost and not if not for the Denard heroics, we would have.
MSU: A sad and sorry excuse for a game and the offense started to show that they were human as well and shot themselves continuously in the foot. We lost and lost bad to a beatable rival. Rod goes to 0-3 against MSU. Half Time and you’re thinking if they can just get the offense back together, they’ve got a puncher’s chance in the 2nd half…
IOWA: A repeat of the foot shooting scenario on offense and even when a comeback looked feasible, Stanzi and company simply marched down the field and held serve.
PSU: Please…McGloin looks like Montana and the offense didn’t even really show up.
"ILLINOIS": Could have gone either way, offense had a good day and pre-vailed. But chalk up another possible L here.
PURDUE: Solid win against an equally shaky team.
WISCONSIN: Do I need to say any more?
OSU: The Exclamation point to the entire mess….No offense without DeRob and defense, while standing firm in the 1st quarter, crumbled and came apart at the seams in the 2nd half.
Overall record: 7-5
“Luck” record: 4-“3”-5
What I’m basically saying is, a win isn’t always a win when it can go either way at any given moment. If “Those Who Cannot” were sitting here with 4 victories this season, would we be having the Rich Rod discussion? OR would he have already been on a bus out of town?
And don’t tell me that a crap, piece of garbage bowl victory is a great springboard to a new season if you win…Bowl victories go to the teams that want it more, plain and simple. The better team rarely wins and the team that wants to be there is usually the victor. If they win the bowl, should he keep his job? If he loses the bowl, should he get canned? What’s the difference at this point? I’ve seen 12 games of work in the 3rd season. It’s enough.
David, do the honorable thing and can him now….And don’t call me a hater. I’m as loyal as anyone comes to this institution and this team. I have earned the right to question everything about this situation at this time. Of course, the circus around us will only get worse with Jimmy coming to town on Thursday for the football bust:
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon says he's not letting speculation about Rich Rodriguez's future change his timetable to evaluate the football coach.Brandon reiterated Monday morning that he doesn't do performance reviews of coaches until their seasons are over.That might make for another uncomfortable month for Rodriguez.He helped the Wolverines qualify for a bowl -- possibly the Insight Bowl on Dec. 28 -- for the first time in his three seasons in charge of college football's winningest program.The situation swirling around Rodriguez's status might turn into a circus at the team's banquet Thursday night because Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh plans to be there to be honored along with his 1985 teammates.
Thanks MZONE….Somehow, in a weird, twisted way, it does help.
The Rest of the Mess
Know why this week took so long to put together? Because SO MUCH CRAP HAPPENED! That’s Why!
Cam Newton – when it comes down, it will be AFTER the SEC cashes it’s big National Championship and BCS checks…You gotta love the SEC, doncha’?
Bosie State’s Bus CRASHED! Hee-hee…..HEEE-HEEEE-HAHAHAHAHA! I love it when a team that can “play with anyone in the country” loses to a team that can also “play with anyone in the country”. I’m glad to see Boy’s State go down. No offense, but they’re simply not beating the Big 10 or SEC week in and week out…
BCS Standings:
1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. TCU
4. Wisconsin
5. Stanford
6. Ohio State
7. Michigan State
8. Arkansas
9. Oklahoma
10. Boise State…(unbelievable)
Who cares…
This week’s biggest GAINER: Wisconsin and Stanford. Well positioned for the National Title Game if Auburn stubs their toe against South Carolina…Which, wouldn’t that be nice? But the BCS somehow may not let a 1 loss team in unless they let that 1-loss team leap frog TCU…tragic, really, in a way.
Biggest Screw Job Coming: Stanford getting sent to the Orange Bowl, 3,000 miles away for any fans that want to go.
2nd Screw Job Coming: UCONN going to the Fiesta, 2,500 miles away. Uh, gee, fellas, can’t we have the BCS bowl games be a little more geographically friendly for everyone involved?
TCU joins the BEast…Tell me that’s not interesting? So the BEast through acquisition buys a shot at the 2010 National Title? Classic…
The Wrap:
SPARTY vs. PSU: Gutsy game, Sparty. I guess you earned it. I only hope that Dantonio has a bigger heart attack that sends him to Florida to retire…(JUST KIDDING!) But, what’s that prescription he’s taking, again?
DOMERS @ USC: This one killed me, too...After everything that happened to the Domers this year, THEY find a way to beat an equally matched arch rival. Kelly saved himself a long off season of grief no matter what happens in the bowl game.
GATORLAND vs. FSU: Hee-hee…HAHAHAHA! Urban legend lands the best recruiting class the “world” had ever seen and then has a 6-6 season….Classic!
Stanford @ OSU: No, I don’t think OSU was looking ahead to the Ducks. Yes, I do think Stanford is THAT good. I kind of wish Stanford had another shot at Oregon. Really. I think they’ve gotten better as the Ducks have merely held on…
All of the Big IIX: So, somehow, in some twisted convoluted way, Oklahoma backs into the Title game against Nebraska. And that means they have a decent shot at making it into a BCS game.
Boys State vs. Wolfpack: I only wish I had been energetic and awake enough to stay up for this game….WE NEED TO FIX THIS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL! Old guys cannot stay up and watch a 10:00 PM game any more….
LMU vs. Arkansas: The Mad Hatter is the hottest seated 2 loss coach there is…
SATAN vs. Auburn: Hee-hee….HAHAHAHAHAHA! Satan has to learn how to play 60 minutes of football. In fact, Satan’s seat might just be a little hotter after that mess on Friday. 3 losses after winning the national title and you lose the Iron Bowl to boot…That doesn’t sit well with Roll Tide fans, you know.
Cal vs. Washington: Cal doesn’t fake wins to well, either…Don’t know what I’m talking about? The Defensive Coordinator got suspended for 1 game for the Oregon injury faking…Should have been WAY MORE severe.
Big 10 Mess:
Wisconsin – Rose
OSU – BCS?
MSU – Capitol One against….Satan????
Idle Thoughts From Saturday
-Rich Rod has to go…That’s it.
-I’m done rooting, supporting, finding reasons for him to stay...
-Can I support the team 150% and still want the coach gone?
-Is that possible?
-It doesn’t make me wrong or put me in a place where I hate Michigan…
-Of course, Harbaugh did LOSE to Oregon…Which is the offense and team that were most trying to copy…
-But can we get the kind of defense we need to go along with this offense?
-Can we get the players we need?
-Can we get the size and speed we need?
-If you can Rich Rod today, how long BEFORE we’re back challenging for a Big 10 title?
-Longer than it would take if you kept him?
-So, does that mean you should keep him? If it’s longer, it’s longer.
-But does that make sense?
-Does he REALLY GET the Big 10?
-Does he REALLY GET Michigan? The Game? MSU? Notre Dame? Any of it?
-Harbaugh’s back in town on Thursday.
-I should go to the Football Bust – 25th year for the 1985 Team.
-Just to see who shows up.
-And offer to buy Brandon and Harbaugh a drink…
-Of course, there would probably be a line to do that…a lonnnnng line...
-Tressel called off the dogs so that we weren’t “embarrassed”.
-I think he did that so that we wouldn’t fire the Rod today.
-But I think he still might get canned…
-Maybe Jimmy and David already have a drink scheduled…
-You know…Just to talk as “Michigan Men”...(Right - I know what you're thinking. No need to spell it out.)
-I’m sure they’ll discuss Bo and stories of the great one…
-Think David will bring Pizza?
The Hot Seat
The Hot Seat voting this year has been erratic, at best. You folks don’t seem to know who exactly you want, but you seem happy with the finals competition so far. Well, we have one week left and after a surprising debut from our first blast from the past, Veronica Hamel, I figure our 2nd blast would surely garner the most votes….But alas, Markie just didn’t capture the imagination of the MMQ readership this week as much as Marissa Miller did. So, with one LAST WEEK to get another nominee into the final for Championship Week, I am pulling out all the stops. I’ve had numerous suggestions come in late, but I really like this one to wrap up the regular season: Kate Hudson! Yes, I know that she might not be as gifted as our other nominees in some areas, but I still have kind of a thing for her….
How can you not love this face???
And these just sort of speak for themselves...
And a little something extra for the ladies...No, were not going to have a write in for Matthew McConaughey so DON'T ASK!!!
1. Dennis Erickson – Inevitable at this point - I think…
2. Rich Rod – Hotter again, A close loss to tOSU would have put it to rest...But no
3. Butch Davis – North Carolina…
4. Richy Rich – 6 losses in the SEC? But 6 wins and bowling...
5. Zookie – Heh-heh…Bowling…But could have been so much better
6. Les Miles – only 2 loss coach on the list….
7. Urban Legend - just cuz if anything comes out and he had anything to do with the leaking of records…Domers, here I come!
8. Joe Pa –Looks like it’s going to be 2011…..
2010 GONE LIST
1. Brewster
6. Les Miles – only 2 loss coach on the list….
7. Urban Legend - just cuz if anything comes out and he had anything to do with the leaking of records…Domers, here I come!
8. Joe Pa –Looks like it’s going to be 2011…..
2010 GONE LIST
1. Brewster
2. Dan Hawkins
3. Randy Shannon – Miami: Hadn’t even made our hot seat, but I guess if you’re not playing for ACC titles in your 3rd year, you’re gone…
4. Bill Lynch – Indiana: Didn’t see this one coming, either. Figured he had a job till someone saw him and figured he might do better at their school.
3. Randy Shannon – Miami: Hadn’t even made our hot seat, but I guess if you’re not playing for ACC titles in your 3rd year, you’re gone…
4. Bill Lynch – Indiana: Didn’t see this one coming, either. Figured he had a job till someone saw him and figured he might do better at their school.
BONUS: Erick Spoelstra (Miami Heat) - I know, I'm going out of my zone here a little, but firing this guy will be akin to firing Wade Phillips...So what? The Heat aren't winning because they aren't hitting shots...
Hot Coach Search - Carousel
1. Brady Hoke – actually had TCU sweating a little
2. Harbaugh – It will take the right job to make him leave…
3. Gruden – This guy’s name comes up for every vacancy….
4. Houston Nutt – See Gruden…
5. Steve Mariucci – I guess a few years after the Lion’s debacle erases the memory banks and makes it worthwhile to look at this re-tread…
OPEN SPOTS:
Minnesota
Colorado
Miami
Indiana
FMQ Betting Results:
Michigan at OSU (-18.5): Take Michigan and the 18.5 for $50.
LOSE…Enough said….
Hot Coach Search - Carousel
1. Brady Hoke – actually had TCU sweating a little
2. Harbaugh – It will take the right job to make him leave…
3. Gruden – This guy’s name comes up for every vacancy….
4. Houston Nutt – See Gruden…
5. Steve Mariucci – I guess a few years after the Lion’s debacle erases the memory banks and makes it worthwhile to look at this re-tread…
OPEN SPOTS:
Minnesota
Colorado
Miami
Indiana
FMQ Betting Results:
Michigan at OSU (-18.5): Take Michigan and the 18.5 for $50.
LOSE…Enough said….
Gatorland @ FSU (-2.5): Take FSU and lay the 2.5 for $40.
WIN Bank $76
Arizona @ Oregon (-19.5): Take Oregon and lay the 19.5 for $40.
LOSE
LOSE
Oregon State @ Stanford Take Stanford and lay the 14 for $50.
WIN: BANK $95
Northwestern @ Cheeseheads (-22.5): Take the Cheeseheads and lay the 22.5 for $50.
WIN: Bank $95
BANK: $592.50
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
TEQ - Turkey Eve Quarterback
Seeing as how we have games spread throughout the weekend, it only makes sense to get the picks in today....It's unusual having The Game on Thanksgiving Weekend. I think I like it, but with everything else going on, I'm certainly not getting as worked up as I usually do. Yes, it probably has something to do with the fact that we are going to lose, and lose badly, but I think it takes off a little focus and it's going to take some getting used to.
However, that didn't stop tOSU President Gee from spouting off about how "Boise State and TCU are simply not worthy" in an interview/article for ESPN.com. He reiterated what every fan of a big school/conference believes with respect to the meat grinders that their conferences represent have to go through in order to achieve an undefeated or even 1 loss season.
Once again, it's what the BCS stands for and the imperfection of what we end up with. If there were a play-off, would Boise and TCU be ranked as high as they are? My guess is no. You would have every 1 loss major conference team ranked ABOVE Boise and TCU and they would be "fighting" for a 7th or 8th spot in the play-off and the argument would then hinge on, "Well, is an undefeated Boise orTCU better than a 1 loss Wisconsin, LSU, MSU, tOSU, OSU or Stanford? Assuming that Oregon, Auburn, Wisconsin, LSU, tOSU, OSU, Stanford, and MSU or if another worthy "AQ" qualifier existed. And my answer would kind of be the same as Gee's: That is, they haven't earned it on the field.
Plain and simple: It comes down to dollars. You want to play in the Big Game with the Big Boys, pony up, buttercup. 30,000 seat stadiums and small athletic departments don't get a seat at the table, plain and simple. They let them (TCU and Boise) have the Fiesta in 2010. It produced ratings, but was that because it had it's own night and football-holics were getting their last fill?
So while I long for a play-off, I fall into the "elite" group of snobs that don't really want to see a TCU or Boise State win it all. Call me a hypocrite, but that's just the way it is.
As for this week's bets, let's see if we can't do something right for a change...
Michigan at OSU (-18.5): Wow...I can't remember a spread in the Game ever being this big. Rich Rod knows he needs to keep this one close. Can they? Can they keep it to within 2 1/2 TD's? I have to go with (my heart) the Blue Men here and take the points...Take Michigan and the 18.5 for $50.
Gatorland @ FSU (-2.5): When was the last time the GATORS got points in this contest? I like the Seminoles to even this series up a little. Take FSU and lay the 2.5 for $40.
Arizona @ Oregon (-19.5): This is a scary line. I really don't think Oregon will play poorly at home this week, looking for whatever style points they can get...Take Oregon and lay the 19.5 for $40.
Oregon State @ Stanford (-14): Stanford is literally steamrolling teams at this point and if I had stuck with them the last three weeks, I'd be financially better off. Take Stanford and lay the 14 for $50.
Northwestern @ Cheeseheads (-22.5): Bielema the Bad will run it up again this weekend, looking for a BCS bid. Take the Cheeseheads and lay the 22.5 for $50.
Parlay:
Let's go for it:
3 way - Cheeseheads - Stanford - Oregon for $25. Pays $150.
5 way - All the picks for $10. Pays $200.
Bets: $265
BANK: $326.50
However, that didn't stop tOSU President Gee from spouting off about how "Boise State and TCU are simply not worthy" in an interview/article for ESPN.com. He reiterated what every fan of a big school/conference believes with respect to the meat grinders that their conferences represent have to go through in order to achieve an undefeated or even 1 loss season.
Once again, it's what the BCS stands for and the imperfection of what we end up with. If there were a play-off, would Boise and TCU be ranked as high as they are? My guess is no. You would have every 1 loss major conference team ranked ABOVE Boise and TCU and they would be "fighting" for a 7th or 8th spot in the play-off and the argument would then hinge on, "Well, is an undefeated Boise orTCU better than a 1 loss Wisconsin, LSU, MSU, tOSU, OSU or Stanford? Assuming that Oregon, Auburn, Wisconsin, LSU, tOSU, OSU, Stanford, and MSU or if another worthy "AQ" qualifier existed. And my answer would kind of be the same as Gee's: That is, they haven't earned it on the field.
Plain and simple: It comes down to dollars. You want to play in the Big Game with the Big Boys, pony up, buttercup. 30,000 seat stadiums and small athletic departments don't get a seat at the table, plain and simple. They let them (TCU and Boise) have the Fiesta in 2010. It produced ratings, but was that because it had it's own night and football-holics were getting their last fill?
So while I long for a play-off, I fall into the "elite" group of snobs that don't really want to see a TCU or Boise State win it all. Call me a hypocrite, but that's just the way it is.
As for this week's bets, let's see if we can't do something right for a change...
Michigan at OSU (-18.5): Wow...I can't remember a spread in the Game ever being this big. Rich Rod knows he needs to keep this one close. Can they? Can they keep it to within 2 1/2 TD's? I have to go with (my heart) the Blue Men here and take the points...Take Michigan and the 18.5 for $50.
Gatorland @ FSU (-2.5): When was the last time the GATORS got points in this contest? I like the Seminoles to even this series up a little. Take FSU and lay the 2.5 for $40.
Arizona @ Oregon (-19.5): This is a scary line. I really don't think Oregon will play poorly at home this week, looking for whatever style points they can get...Take Oregon and lay the 19.5 for $40.
Oregon State @ Stanford (-14): Stanford is literally steamrolling teams at this point and if I had stuck with them the last three weeks, I'd be financially better off. Take Stanford and lay the 14 for $50.
Northwestern @ Cheeseheads (-22.5): Bielema the Bad will run it up again this weekend, looking for a BCS bid. Take the Cheeseheads and lay the 22.5 for $50.
Parlay:
Let's go for it:
3 way - Cheeseheads - Stanford - Oregon for $25. Pays $150.
5 way - All the picks for $10. Pays $200.
Bets: $265
BANK: $326.50
Monday, November 22, 2010
I Believe…I Believe…I Believe…Ahh, Screw It
The title of this entry is the revelation of my most sincere and deepest feeling that I’ve had on this team and the Rich Rod regime to date. I honestly believed that the Defense had “turned a corner” against Purdue and that there was progress made. I honestly believed that we would have nothing to lose (which was true) against the Badgers and they would be coming in and playing tight, ripe for an upset. I honestly believed that in the Ann Arbor sunshine Michigan’s offense would be loose and all over the field…I honestly believed that The Rod would show what kind of coach he was in this game and he would light up the Badger’s defense early and often and put them into a situation where they “needed” to score.
How wrong I was. How horrible this mess has become.
I know Spielman tries to remain objective when he does Michigan games. But I think I heard him say something at one point that made it sound like even HE was disgusted when he observed what level this Michigan Defense has sunk to. The comment was something like, “Look injuries happen. But this is the Big 10. You suck it up and you play with who you have. But you’re still expected to perform.” I know I didn’t get the exact words here right, but it was in the 2nd half and it certainly expressed what I was feeling.
This team has not lived up to Michigan Expectations. And while I had temporarily re-assigned the, “Those Who Cannot be Called Michigan” moniker, I think it has to be slapped back on them until they beat someone decent. The Domers simply don’t count anymore as being “Someone decent”. I’m talking a top 10 victory here. Someone that is BCS bound and you literally hit them on the chin so hard they’re looking through their ear hole when they get up.
Until THAT happens…This squad is again deemed, “Those Who Cannot…”
Special Note: I’m sure you’ve heard by now, but in case you haven’t, Rob Lytle, Michigan’s punishing tailback from the mid 70’s died on Saturday after a heart attack. Another sad entry into this sad season…The link to the entire story is in the RSS feed above.
The Rest of the Mess
BCS Mess: Nothing new to report here, really. Everyone (that played) held serve and everyone else is hoping that someone else helps them out. LMU got a little scare, but in the end, it’s all the same:
BCS Standings:
1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. TCU
4. Boy’s State
5. LSU
6. Stanford
7. Wisconsin
8. Ohio State
Who cares…
SPARTY vs. Purdon’t: Sparty has turned a corner of sorts. For 20 years or so, you would have lost this game and completely taken yourself out of whatever BCS opportunity you had. As it were, it looks like you’ll be out of the BCS anyway with Wisconsin and tOSU still ahead of you in the BCS. Orlando and the ole Citrus Bowl looks like they’re calling you…
DOMERS @ the Pinstripe: They played Army. They beat Army. This is what the Domers are supposed to do. I wonder: With 6 victories, will they go bowling or thumb their nose at the whole thing yet again? I think Kelly understands the value of the extra game. Let’s see what happens against USC.
Hokies vs. The Gangstas: I believe I predicted after the James Madison debacle that the Hokies would NOT lose again…I think I’m going to be proven right.
Stanford @ Cal: Why don’t I stick with my original instincts? Harbaugh is CLEARLY a coach that gets a rivalry and knows how to get his players up for a game. Tedford’s seat just got warmer.
All of the Big 12: Look, there’s so much wrong with this dysfunctional conference that it’s not even funny. It’s tiring (And I think impossible until they play the games) to try to figure out who’s going to come out of the South to lose to Nebraska. Or will they upset them just to make everything messier? Hats off to Okie State, however. First 10 win season…Ever…
Cornhuskers vs. A&M: Oops....Bo loses and pisses off his big boss in one night....
Gatorland vs. App State: They won. And it ain’t easy.
Interesting games this week (Allow the MMQ to highlight exactly what you need for this Weekend’s Feast):
THANKSGIVING:
Texas vs Texas AM – Is this really going to be a game to watch this year? Kind of have to because it’s on Thursday….
BLACK FRIDAY
The Iron Bowl – Auburn vs. Alabama and it means something…
The Backyard Brawl: WVU at Pitt. Always a hard hitting game..
Colorado vs. Nebraska: This was a rivalry of incredible proportions years ago. Can the Buffaloes do the impossible this year?
Oregon vs. Arizona – night game…If you get dragged out shopping and miss the above games, at least you can settle in and catch this one….
Boy’s State vs. Nevada: Maybe an upset?
SATURDAY
The Game (Well, it’s interesting for tOSU)
MSU vs. PSU: Last time these two will meet in the last game. Joe Pa’s last?
Virginia vs. Hokies: Somehow, Hokies always make this game interesting…
Gatorland vs. FSU: It looks like there’s a remote possibility that FSU evens it up this year…
LSU vs Arkansas: Always a good one…And possible upset.
Okies vs Okie State: Can OSU keep it’s record intact?
DOMERS vs. USC: This game actually has my attention. I might tune in….
Big 10 Mess:
2 serious teams with 1 loss: Wisconsin - OSU
Spoiler Opportunity: Michigan vs. OSU
SPARTY Remaing: Penn State
Wisconsin Remaining: Indiana
Sorry, Sparty. Unless you pray for and get a MIRACLE in Columbus, you’re tickets been punched to the Citrus, win or lose. Sad in a way…I’m betting you would like the Iowa game back.
Idle Thoughts From Saturday
-Rich Rod, DON’T KICK THE FIELD GOAL!
-What are you thinking? You need POINTS! Lots of Points!
-And we miss….
-That’s when I kind of knew we were doomed.
-Ann Arbor always looks good in the late fall when the sun is shining.
-Oh sure, now come out in the 2nd half with your tail’s on fire…
-Rod, too much, too little, too late.
-If you don’t get fired, it will amaze me.
-Spielman, “Rich Rod is still recruiting like he’s at WVU. He NEEDs to recruit Michigan players…”
-Uh…Thanks, Chris.
-I think…
-Football should not be played in Baseball stadiums.
-End of discussion.
-OSU is going to destroy us…
-Iowa had chances, but OSU and the Vest found a way…
-Maybe we do need Harbaugh. But it will still be years before we’re close to these guys…
-And that makes me sad, angry and extremely confused.
-How can you not have freshmen ready to play?
-Unless it’s a crap system on Defense – Again, thanks Spielman.
-Life sucks and it will stop sucking (a little) once next Saturday is behind us (again).
-Maybe we’ll win the bowl?
The Hot Seat
OMG – Julie Bowen DOESN’T win a week! Veronica Hamel is going to get a shot in Championship week! Amazing! A Blast from the Past wins out against the current and hot incumbent!
And, anyone who’s familiar with tradition knows that, “Because you CAN’T have one without the other…” We need to put another Blast from the Past for Week #12 out there to see what you do with her: Markie Post! Yes, Night Court’s Dan Fielding’s lustful desires only had eyes for Harry, but I also had some lustful eyes for Markie on Night Court. I’m betting there’s some older readers that will know exactly what I’m talking about!
In The Office....
Pink Bikini....
Blue Bikini
The Hot Seat List for Week #12
1. Dennis Erickson – Inevitable at this point - I think…
2. Richy Rich – 6 losses in the SEC? Check again – is your name still on the office door?
3. Butch Davis – North Carolina…I just don’t see how he survives with everything that’s happened.
4. Rich Rod – Hotter again, One last chance to change the Fire Rich Rod Chorus…
5. Zookie – Heh-heh…Bowling…But could have been so much better
6. Les Miles – only 1 loss coach on the list….
7. Urban Legend - just cuz if anything comes out and he had anything to do with the leaking of records…Domers, here I come!
8. Joe Pa –Hanging it up on his own....
2010 GONE LIST
1. Brewster – Did you hear they are trying to get Peterson from Boy’s State to interview? Riiiiight…..
2. Dan Hawkins – Colorado’s been winning since he left. Go Figure.
Hot Coach Search
Brady Hoke – actually had TCU sweating a little
Harbaugh – It will take the right job to make him leave…
FMQ Betting Results:
Never, ever let a bad week cloud your judgement….
Cheeseheads @ Michigan (+6): Immediate thought: Bet the farm on the Cheeseheads and lay the points. What did we do? The Opposite and it cost us…
Take Michigan and the 6 for $60
LOSE
PSU @ Indiana (+10): I’ll take PSU and lay the 10 for $40.
WIN Bank $76
Stanford @ Cal (+6.5): I’ll take Cal and the 6.5 for $60.
Dumb, dumb, dumb….Lose
OSU @ Iowa (+3.5): Take Iowa and the 3.5 for $40.
Thank GOD for half points: WIN bank $76
Bank: $591.50
How wrong I was. How horrible this mess has become.
I know Spielman tries to remain objective when he does Michigan games. But I think I heard him say something at one point that made it sound like even HE was disgusted when he observed what level this Michigan Defense has sunk to. The comment was something like, “Look injuries happen. But this is the Big 10. You suck it up and you play with who you have. But you’re still expected to perform.” I know I didn’t get the exact words here right, but it was in the 2nd half and it certainly expressed what I was feeling.
This team has not lived up to Michigan Expectations. And while I had temporarily re-assigned the, “Those Who Cannot be Called Michigan” moniker, I think it has to be slapped back on them until they beat someone decent. The Domers simply don’t count anymore as being “Someone decent”. I’m talking a top 10 victory here. Someone that is BCS bound and you literally hit them on the chin so hard they’re looking through their ear hole when they get up.
Until THAT happens…This squad is again deemed, “Those Who Cannot…”
Special Note: I’m sure you’ve heard by now, but in case you haven’t, Rob Lytle, Michigan’s punishing tailback from the mid 70’s died on Saturday after a heart attack. Another sad entry into this sad season…The link to the entire story is in the RSS feed above.
The Rest of the Mess
BCS Mess: Nothing new to report here, really. Everyone (that played) held serve and everyone else is hoping that someone else helps them out. LMU got a little scare, but in the end, it’s all the same:
BCS Standings:
1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. TCU
4. Boy’s State
5. LSU
6. Stanford
7. Wisconsin
8. Ohio State
Who cares…
SPARTY vs. Purdon’t: Sparty has turned a corner of sorts. For 20 years or so, you would have lost this game and completely taken yourself out of whatever BCS opportunity you had. As it were, it looks like you’ll be out of the BCS anyway with Wisconsin and tOSU still ahead of you in the BCS. Orlando and the ole Citrus Bowl looks like they’re calling you…
DOMERS @ the Pinstripe: They played Army. They beat Army. This is what the Domers are supposed to do. I wonder: With 6 victories, will they go bowling or thumb their nose at the whole thing yet again? I think Kelly understands the value of the extra game. Let’s see what happens against USC.
Hokies vs. The Gangstas: I believe I predicted after the James Madison debacle that the Hokies would NOT lose again…I think I’m going to be proven right.
Stanford @ Cal: Why don’t I stick with my original instincts? Harbaugh is CLEARLY a coach that gets a rivalry and knows how to get his players up for a game. Tedford’s seat just got warmer.
All of the Big 12: Look, there’s so much wrong with this dysfunctional conference that it’s not even funny. It’s tiring (And I think impossible until they play the games) to try to figure out who’s going to come out of the South to lose to Nebraska. Or will they upset them just to make everything messier? Hats off to Okie State, however. First 10 win season…Ever…
Cornhuskers vs. A&M: Oops....Bo loses and pisses off his big boss in one night....
Gatorland vs. App State: They won. And it ain’t easy.
Interesting games this week (Allow the MMQ to highlight exactly what you need for this Weekend’s Feast):
THANKSGIVING:
Texas vs Texas AM – Is this really going to be a game to watch this year? Kind of have to because it’s on Thursday….
BLACK FRIDAY
The Iron Bowl – Auburn vs. Alabama and it means something…
The Backyard Brawl: WVU at Pitt. Always a hard hitting game..
Colorado vs. Nebraska: This was a rivalry of incredible proportions years ago. Can the Buffaloes do the impossible this year?
Oregon vs. Arizona – night game…If you get dragged out shopping and miss the above games, at least you can settle in and catch this one….
Boy’s State vs. Nevada: Maybe an upset?
SATURDAY
The Game (Well, it’s interesting for tOSU)
MSU vs. PSU: Last time these two will meet in the last game. Joe Pa’s last?
Virginia vs. Hokies: Somehow, Hokies always make this game interesting…
Gatorland vs. FSU: It looks like there’s a remote possibility that FSU evens it up this year…
LSU vs Arkansas: Always a good one…And possible upset.
Okies vs Okie State: Can OSU keep it’s record intact?
DOMERS vs. USC: This game actually has my attention. I might tune in….
Big 10 Mess:
2 serious teams with 1 loss: Wisconsin - OSU
Spoiler Opportunity: Michigan vs. OSU
SPARTY Remaing: Penn State
Wisconsin Remaining: Indiana
Sorry, Sparty. Unless you pray for and get a MIRACLE in Columbus, you’re tickets been punched to the Citrus, win or lose. Sad in a way…I’m betting you would like the Iowa game back.
Idle Thoughts From Saturday
-Rich Rod, DON’T KICK THE FIELD GOAL!
-What are you thinking? You need POINTS! Lots of Points!
-And we miss….
-That’s when I kind of knew we were doomed.
-Ann Arbor always looks good in the late fall when the sun is shining.
-Oh sure, now come out in the 2nd half with your tail’s on fire…
-Rod, too much, too little, too late.
-If you don’t get fired, it will amaze me.
-Spielman, “Rich Rod is still recruiting like he’s at WVU. He NEEDs to recruit Michigan players…”
-Uh…Thanks, Chris.
-I think…
-Football should not be played in Baseball stadiums.
-End of discussion.
-OSU is going to destroy us…
-Iowa had chances, but OSU and the Vest found a way…
-Maybe we do need Harbaugh. But it will still be years before we’re close to these guys…
-And that makes me sad, angry and extremely confused.
-How can you not have freshmen ready to play?
-Unless it’s a crap system on Defense – Again, thanks Spielman.
-Life sucks and it will stop sucking (a little) once next Saturday is behind us (again).
-Maybe we’ll win the bowl?
The Hot Seat
OMG – Julie Bowen DOESN’T win a week! Veronica Hamel is going to get a shot in Championship week! Amazing! A Blast from the Past wins out against the current and hot incumbent!
And, anyone who’s familiar with tradition knows that, “Because you CAN’T have one without the other…” We need to put another Blast from the Past for Week #12 out there to see what you do with her: Markie Post! Yes, Night Court’s Dan Fielding’s lustful desires only had eyes for Harry, but I also had some lustful eyes for Markie on Night Court. I’m betting there’s some older readers that will know exactly what I’m talking about!
In The Office....
Pink Bikini....
Blue Bikini
The Hot Seat List for Week #12
1. Dennis Erickson – Inevitable at this point - I think…
2. Richy Rich – 6 losses in the SEC? Check again – is your name still on the office door?
3. Butch Davis – North Carolina…I just don’t see how he survives with everything that’s happened.
4. Rich Rod – Hotter again, One last chance to change the Fire Rich Rod Chorus…
5. Zookie – Heh-heh…Bowling…But could have been so much better
6. Les Miles – only 1 loss coach on the list….
7. Urban Legend - just cuz if anything comes out and he had anything to do with the leaking of records…Domers, here I come!
8. Joe Pa –Hanging it up on his own....
2010 GONE LIST
1. Brewster – Did you hear they are trying to get Peterson from Boy’s State to interview? Riiiiight…..
2. Dan Hawkins – Colorado’s been winning since he left. Go Figure.
Hot Coach Search
Brady Hoke – actually had TCU sweating a little
Harbaugh – It will take the right job to make him leave…
FMQ Betting Results:
Never, ever let a bad week cloud your judgement….
Cheeseheads @ Michigan (+6): Immediate thought: Bet the farm on the Cheeseheads and lay the points. What did we do? The Opposite and it cost us…
Take Michigan and the 6 for $60
LOSE
PSU @ Indiana (+10): I’ll take PSU and lay the 10 for $40.
WIN Bank $76
Stanford @ Cal (+6.5): I’ll take Cal and the 6.5 for $60.
Dumb, dumb, dumb….Lose
OSU @ Iowa (+3.5): Take Iowa and the 3.5 for $40.
Thank GOD for half points: WIN bank $76
Bank: $591.50
Friday, November 19, 2010
Cheeseheads Tight? Can the Wolverines Pin Their Ears Back?
Wow…An 0-fer…I haven’t had an 0-fer in I don’t know how long. If ever. I mean, usually the blind luck of the whole damn thing usually means you get 1 right. Add to that some insight and a little analysis and you should be able to make educated guesses that are at least better than a coin flip. Why else gamble, right? Sports betting has to be one of the toughest propositions going which is why you never meet any rich, retired sports bettors. The house eventually takes it all at 10% per win…
But that’s why were doing it fantasy! It really doesn’t matter. Unless you were one of those people that decided to put all your hopes and dreams on the FMQ at the beginning of the season and went to a website and signed up for an account. If you did, I will do my best to make sense of this mess and get some of that back. And things are getting more interesting in Mid-November. Bigger upsets occur…Underdog Teams are playing with a “nothing to lose and everything to gain” attitude. At least they SHOULD be….
So, we’re down to $639.50 after getting back to almost even. Let’s try for broke. No, let’s not. But any thought we have today, let’s re-think the opposite side.
Cheeseheads @ Michigan (+6): Immediate thought: Bet the farm on the Cheeseheads and lay the points. But that got me in trouble last week. I can see the Michigan argument: Home, big game for Wisconsin on the road if they want to win the Big 10 outright. Michigan still would like to have one more win to secure a New Year’s day bowl – Ears pinned back, nothing to lose…the Wisky offense just looks like too much for the Michigan defense. But the Cheeseheads played awful in East Lansing. Is it possible? It would be an upset for the ages…All Right:
Take Michigan and the 6 for $60
PSU @ Indiana (+10): Was Indiana embarrassed enough by Wisconsin to rally this week? I’m not sure. First instinct was to take PSU and lay the points on a team that has more or less given up on making a bowl game. The other side: IU might have one upset left in them. But it’s really hard to see. I’ll take PSU and lay the 10 for $40.
Stanford @ Cal (+6.5): I think Cal can play at home…But is Stanford still thinking BCS style points? Rivalry game….First instinct is to take Stanford and lay the points…I guess that means I’ll take Cal and the 6.5 for $60.
OSU @ Iowa (+3.5): Was Iowa embarrassed enough last week to screw up the nerve to upset the Suckeyes at home? First instinct was take OSU and lay the points, therefore:
Take Iowa and the 3.5 for $40.
Parlay
No parlay this week…Let’s get a little back….
Total Wagered: $200
Bank: $439.50
But that’s why were doing it fantasy! It really doesn’t matter. Unless you were one of those people that decided to put all your hopes and dreams on the FMQ at the beginning of the season and went to a website and signed up for an account. If you did, I will do my best to make sense of this mess and get some of that back. And things are getting more interesting in Mid-November. Bigger upsets occur…Underdog Teams are playing with a “nothing to lose and everything to gain” attitude. At least they SHOULD be….
So, we’re down to $639.50 after getting back to almost even. Let’s try for broke. No, let’s not. But any thought we have today, let’s re-think the opposite side.
Cheeseheads @ Michigan (+6): Immediate thought: Bet the farm on the Cheeseheads and lay the points. But that got me in trouble last week. I can see the Michigan argument: Home, big game for Wisconsin on the road if they want to win the Big 10 outright. Michigan still would like to have one more win to secure a New Year’s day bowl – Ears pinned back, nothing to lose…the Wisky offense just looks like too much for the Michigan defense. But the Cheeseheads played awful in East Lansing. Is it possible? It would be an upset for the ages…All Right:
Take Michigan and the 6 for $60
PSU @ Indiana (+10): Was Indiana embarrassed enough by Wisconsin to rally this week? I’m not sure. First instinct was to take PSU and lay the points on a team that has more or less given up on making a bowl game. The other side: IU might have one upset left in them. But it’s really hard to see. I’ll take PSU and lay the 10 for $40.
Stanford @ Cal (+6.5): I think Cal can play at home…But is Stanford still thinking BCS style points? Rivalry game….First instinct is to take Stanford and lay the points…I guess that means I’ll take Cal and the 6.5 for $60.
OSU @ Iowa (+3.5): Was Iowa embarrassed enough last week to screw up the nerve to upset the Suckeyes at home? First instinct was take OSU and lay the points, therefore:
Take Iowa and the 3.5 for $40.
Parlay
No parlay this week…Let’s get a little back….
Total Wagered: $200
Bank: $439.50
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Domer Arrested...But Isn't That What They All Wanted?
Domers (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!)...They come in all shapes, sizes, ehtnicities, and all walks of life. Domer students, Domer Cops...It simply doesn't end.
In case you haven't seen it, check the link to the story and video. I will tell you right now that the video takes some time to download for whatever reason - but it's kind of worth it to see what's happening. Hard to hear anything though. But the cop, Mr. Kaps(?) is way out of line from what we can see.....
So, this 21 year old student who had partaken in his "Domer/God given right" to imbibe some of the grape that the Lord hath bestowed on him to drink and add to his joyous occassion, may or may not have mouthed off to a "Domer Cop" that had been given the University and God-given right to bash the heads of Domer students that he believes are either lipping off to him or showing him disrespect and are what the cop deems to be "publicly intoxicated."
Classic. Absolutely Classic. I love Domer on Domer crime...
Here's the thing: About 2 years ago for anyone keeping score at home, Daddy "I'm not drunk" $warbuck$ showed up and the University of Notre Dame, Father Jenkins and $warbuck$ all decided that somehow, the Domer Football game day experience had "gotten out of hand". Hey, Domer Authorities: Have you seen and witnessed some of the crap that's been on the Domer field in the last 5 years? Drinking at Notre Dame would have to be a part of a student's life just to get through the pain of football season. Look at any bad program and I guarantee you when the product on the field is bad, alcohol sales in the local community skyrocket on home game days.
Anyway, they decide to work with the local authorities, all of them, and they decide they are going to "clean up" game day.
The problem with any endeavor like this is (See Duke bans Tailgating) that as soon as you take something away that's been understood and used responsibly by say, 97% of the fans that are in attendance, they get pissed. And they are going to find ways to work around the system. And they will. And responsible people might get a "little publicly intoxicated" as a result of having to use the work around solution. Please read this well written entry from NDNation about what it "was" like and "What" it became....
by Now Hang Up (2010-11-16 13:26:05) cannot delete Edit Return to Board Ignore Poster Highlight Poster Reply to Post
My freshman year was the last year of the old alcohol policy. For those who don't remember, essentially the rule was "If it's in your room, it's yours." I'll start by stating that my roommates and I drank far too much in college. Like, an unhealthy amount. But freshman year, our RA was our friend. He came and went during our parties and we didn't hide anything from him. If someone was too drunk, he'd come through and say "Hey, cut him off for a while." We knew we could go to him if there was a problem and he would help us out with what we needed. We weren't "above the law" in any sense of the word- we were fined a couple of times for various things- but we didn't fear his presence in our lives, even when he was enforcing the rules. We had good parties on campus- twice we had a DJ in the basement of Alumni for a dance party, with drinks in cleared-out rooms upstairs. FGR and the RAs monitored, wrote out fines where necessary, and otherwise left us alone. Sophomore year they changed the policies to make us safer, and our parties immediately became significantly less safe. Doors were shut and locked. Our RAs were the enemy, and they were not to be told what we were doing. Instead of having punch or mixed drinks, hard alcohol was stored under sinks and behind desks, and served up quickly in shot form. If someone was too drunk, well, he could stumble his ass to the bathroom alone, because I wasn't going to be fined too. Drinking games were played quietly and secretly. We didn't stop drinking, we didn't drink less, we just did it quicker and without supervision. Parties weren't nearly as social as they used to be, so we started going off campus more and more. After a freshman year of insisting that we wanted to live in Alumni all four years, we filled out applications to live in college park. Essentially, ND went from a true "in loco parentis" system, where the RAs and rectors were the authority figures but still a part of our lives and turned it into "us vs. them".
Now, add some hard-ass cops with badges and attitudes to the mix that have been given orders from God himself to somehow, "Clean it all up!" You're just going to end up with a mess on your hands and cops getting fired as a result of it all.
I'm not here to defend cops. Believe me, I think we have way too many now and with the reduction of taxes, state and local, hopefully there will be even fewer to deal with. I'm not here to defend underage drinking, either. But on a college campus, well, let's just say that I "get" that it might happen, on occassion. And, believe it or not, as I have expressed before that I don't think tailgating is a free ticket to public drunkeness on the borderline of being disorderly. I mean, this isn't the SEC...It's Notre Dame. For whatever that's worth....
Back to my point: if you are a town like Ann Arbor or South Bend that relies on the dollars that the game day attendees bring to the local economy, you figure out working solutions and more than anything you practice tolerance - BOTH WAYS! That's one thing I'll take my hat off to the Ann Arbor Police for. They really don't get too involved unless they absolutely have to and they let the fans do what fans do. Yes, on any normal day, there's probably just cause to have 50,000 or so people sitting in the holding cell in downtown Ann Arbor drying out. But on Game Day, at least for right now, it's understood that it's a party.
So, maybe the Domers can weed out and put up some sacrificial cops on the altar of keeping the parents and fans at bay with some public firings. And maybe the tea-totalers that are imbibing will find a way to do it in moderation in the future in South Bend. Or maybe a midwestern university that is becoming a bit of a laughingstock and now a public safety hazard for potential students (and the parents of those students) will say to themselves, "I can do better" and the university will continue to spiral downward into the abyss.
It's hard to say what will happen, but I wouldn't want my child to go to Notre Dame.
Period.
In case you haven't seen it, check the link to the story and video. I will tell you right now that the video takes some time to download for whatever reason - but it's kind of worth it to see what's happening. Hard to hear anything though. But the cop, Mr. Kaps(?) is way out of line from what we can see.....
So, this 21 year old student who had partaken in his "Domer/God given right" to imbibe some of the grape that the Lord hath bestowed on him to drink and add to his joyous occassion, may or may not have mouthed off to a "Domer Cop" that had been given the University and God-given right to bash the heads of Domer students that he believes are either lipping off to him or showing him disrespect and are what the cop deems to be "publicly intoxicated."
Classic. Absolutely Classic. I love Domer on Domer crime...
Here's the thing: About 2 years ago for anyone keeping score at home, Daddy "I'm not drunk" $warbuck$ showed up and the University of Notre Dame, Father Jenkins and $warbuck$ all decided that somehow, the Domer Football game day experience had "gotten out of hand". Hey, Domer Authorities: Have you seen and witnessed some of the crap that's been on the Domer field in the last 5 years? Drinking at Notre Dame would have to be a part of a student's life just to get through the pain of football season. Look at any bad program and I guarantee you when the product on the field is bad, alcohol sales in the local community skyrocket on home game days.
Anyway, they decide to work with the local authorities, all of them, and they decide they are going to "clean up" game day.
The problem with any endeavor like this is (See Duke bans Tailgating) that as soon as you take something away that's been understood and used responsibly by say, 97% of the fans that are in attendance, they get pissed. And they are going to find ways to work around the system. And they will. And responsible people might get a "little publicly intoxicated" as a result of having to use the work around solution. Please read this well written entry from NDNation about what it "was" like and "What" it became....
by Now Hang Up (2010-11-16 13:26:05) cannot delete Edit Return to Board Ignore Poster Highlight Poster Reply to Post
My freshman year was the last year of the old alcohol policy. For those who don't remember, essentially the rule was "If it's in your room, it's yours." I'll start by stating that my roommates and I drank far too much in college. Like, an unhealthy amount. But freshman year, our RA was our friend. He came and went during our parties and we didn't hide anything from him. If someone was too drunk, he'd come through and say "Hey, cut him off for a while." We knew we could go to him if there was a problem and he would help us out with what we needed. We weren't "above the law" in any sense of the word- we were fined a couple of times for various things- but we didn't fear his presence in our lives, even when he was enforcing the rules. We had good parties on campus- twice we had a DJ in the basement of Alumni for a dance party, with drinks in cleared-out rooms upstairs. FGR and the RAs monitored, wrote out fines where necessary, and otherwise left us alone. Sophomore year they changed the policies to make us safer, and our parties immediately became significantly less safe. Doors were shut and locked. Our RAs were the enemy, and they were not to be told what we were doing. Instead of having punch or mixed drinks, hard alcohol was stored under sinks and behind desks, and served up quickly in shot form. If someone was too drunk, well, he could stumble his ass to the bathroom alone, because I wasn't going to be fined too. Drinking games were played quietly and secretly. We didn't stop drinking, we didn't drink less, we just did it quicker and without supervision. Parties weren't nearly as social as they used to be, so we started going off campus more and more. After a freshman year of insisting that we wanted to live in Alumni all four years, we filled out applications to live in college park. Essentially, ND went from a true "in loco parentis" system, where the RAs and rectors were the authority figures but still a part of our lives and turned it into "us vs. them".
Now, add some hard-ass cops with badges and attitudes to the mix that have been given orders from God himself to somehow, "Clean it all up!" You're just going to end up with a mess on your hands and cops getting fired as a result of it all.
I'm not here to defend cops. Believe me, I think we have way too many now and with the reduction of taxes, state and local, hopefully there will be even fewer to deal with. I'm not here to defend underage drinking, either. But on a college campus, well, let's just say that I "get" that it might happen, on occassion. And, believe it or not, as I have expressed before that I don't think tailgating is a free ticket to public drunkeness on the borderline of being disorderly. I mean, this isn't the SEC...It's Notre Dame. For whatever that's worth....
Back to my point: if you are a town like Ann Arbor or South Bend that relies on the dollars that the game day attendees bring to the local economy, you figure out working solutions and more than anything you practice tolerance - BOTH WAYS! That's one thing I'll take my hat off to the Ann Arbor Police for. They really don't get too involved unless they absolutely have to and they let the fans do what fans do. Yes, on any normal day, there's probably just cause to have 50,000 or so people sitting in the holding cell in downtown Ann Arbor drying out. But on Game Day, at least for right now, it's understood that it's a party.
So, maybe the Domers can weed out and put up some sacrificial cops on the altar of keeping the parents and fans at bay with some public firings. And maybe the tea-totalers that are imbibing will find a way to do it in moderation in the future in South Bend. Or maybe a midwestern university that is becoming a bit of a laughingstock and now a public safety hazard for potential students (and the parents of those students) will say to themselves, "I can do better" and the university will continue to spiral downward into the abyss.
It's hard to say what will happen, but I wouldn't want my child to go to Notre Dame.
Period.
Can It Be? Can Michigan Make the Gator?
For a few of you out there, this is relevant. I assumed (you know, that whole ass out of u-and-me thing becomes more relevant all the time) that all the bowl prognosticators and predictors had this right with Michigan "projected" to go to the Insight Bowl in Tempe, AZ on December 28th, 8:00 P.M. You know, one of those "oops I missed it" games if it doesn't have a team in it that you're particularly interested in. It made sense and we would solidify it with one win in the next two games....I know big ifs.
But here's what's interesting - MVictors has discovered, or rather, reminded everyone of what the new bowl rules are. That is, the Gator and the InSight bowl "SHARE" the 3rd and 4th pick from the Big 10. So, that means if they can't "negotiate" who will play where, they flip a coin.
What makes it even more interesting is that both Bowls will probably want Penn State with Joe Pa hanging up the whistle and everything. Assuming that, Michigan has an outside 50-50 chance of actually making it to Florida this year after all!
And even though I'd be the length of that damn state away (Have you driven Florida recently? It's frickin' LONG...) I think I owe it to my Alma Mater to at least try to make that game on January 1st at 1:00 P.M.
Here's hoping...Beat the Cheeseheads!
But here's what's interesting - MVictors has discovered, or rather, reminded everyone of what the new bowl rules are. That is, the Gator and the InSight bowl "SHARE" the 3rd and 4th pick from the Big 10. So, that means if they can't "negotiate" who will play where, they flip a coin.
What makes it even more interesting is that both Bowls will probably want Penn State with Joe Pa hanging up the whistle and everything. Assuming that, Michigan has an outside 50-50 chance of actually making it to Florida this year after all!
And even though I'd be the length of that damn state away (Have you driven Florida recently? It's frickin' LONG...) I think I owe it to my Alma Mater to at least try to make that game on January 1st at 1:00 P.M.
Here's hoping...Beat the Cheeseheads!
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