Ho-Hum Weekend Might Hold a LOT of Value

I was looking at spreads on Monday and it hit me that this weekend is really lacking in any big, marquee games.  Conference play has begun, but the big boys aren’t squaring off with each other yet and some other big teams are playing out of conference opponents. 

When I was looking at the spreads, I saw some value in a couple of plays and I think we’ve got some opportunities to make a little more money this week….As long as we balance things out correctly!

Sparty (+7.5) @ domers:  I was not going to touch this game and then I started thinking about what usually happens down in domerland when sparty visits.  Not in the recent past mind you, but there was a time when sparty owned that field.  With sparty’s defense and an awakening of their offense, I see some value with sparty getting a TD and a teaser…The test will be whether or not sparty’s D is for real against a domer Offense that can actually move the ball….And I will also predict that this might be the first OT game of the season.

Take Sparty and the points for $75

KSU (+4.5) @ Texas:  Nothing can fix the Longhorns at this point and everyone sees and smells blood in the water.  Mack Brown seems like a confused retiree trying to figure out how his I-Phone works - and he's looking for help anywhere he can find it.  I’m not as confident in this pick, but I definitely can see a team that’s not confident when they take the field – and that team wears orange…. 

Take KSU and the points for $40

Cremesicles (+17.5) @ Gatorland:  This used to be a big game…wha’ happn’d?  The cremesicles suck and Gatorland already has an ACC blemish on their record.  Is there some value in the 17.5 that the Vols are getting in what used to be a rivalry match-up and one that Butch Jones has probably had circled on the calendar???  Maybe…

Take Tennessee and the 17.5 for $30

CSU (+39.5) @ Bama:  I am so tempted to take Bama with a hangover and the fact that the former d-coordinator for Saban is the head coach at CSU….But I just can’t pull that trigger.  But I don’t like laying 39.5 on Bama, either….PASS

Maine @ Northwestern (-28):  I think the purple kittens just might open big can of wallop on Maine this weekend…..

Take Northwestern and lay the 28 for $60

Akron (+8) at Louisiana Rajun Cajuns:  When I saw this game and spread, I wanted to believe that Akron getting points was a HUGE value pick after what they did in the Big House…

Take Akron and the 8 for $30

Stanford (-7.5) @ ASU:  Okay, ASU just got really lucky to win that game against Wiscy.  My guess is they are going to be a little hung over.  Stanford has quietly covered all their games so far this year.  I’m ready to get back on the Cardinal bandwagon.

Take Stanford and lay the 7.5 for $60

Michigan (-17.5) @ UConn:  So, let’s see.  Michigan coming off a nearly humiliating experience.  Reports are that they practiced in pads on Sunday and Tuesday was hard hitting and a good practice.  Gardener has reviewed and stated that he’s “learned something from each and every INT he’s thrown this year.”  Everyone seems healthy and UConn hasn’t won a game….I see value in taking Michigan to cover here.

Take Michigan and lay the points for $60

PARLAY!

Sparty – Northwestern - Stanford for $30

Starting Bank:           $1,298

Total Bet:                   $385

BANK:                        $913

Tuesday Morning Odds and Ends

Pelini Gate

Bo Pelini again finds himself in more hot water that he’d probably rather not be in, and its all his own doing.  Meaning:  Bo shot his mouth off again over the weekend about something Tommy Frazier (Husker QB that led Nebraska to two national titles in 94-95) tweeted about the defense in the UCLA game.  That response prompted someone to then release a tape of Bo ripping on the “Fair Weather Fans” in unflattering terms that had previously gone un-aired two years prior.  So, it sounds like things are really heating up in Lincoln.  If you’re a Pelini fan, you have to love his passion.  But if you are a defensive minded fan, you probably can’t wait to see him GONE sooner rather than later.  For a full run down,click here for the story.

Wiscy - ASU Gate

Turns out the officiating crew that botched the end of the Wiscy – ASU game has been reprimanded and it’s not the first time (for some).  Apparently, this is the 2^nd time for some of the officials that screwed up about two years ago on an onsides kick in Oregon that would have set up an upset for the Ducks.  What’s really amazing is that these guys are allowed to continue refereeing.  Look:  I’m not saying being a ref is an easy job.  On the contrary, its extremely difficult at any level and my hat is off to the guys that stay objective, in the moment and repeatedly make the right call.  In fact, I think it’s a gift and you either have it or you don’t.  It’s pretty apparent to the MMQ that the 2^nd time around reprimand for some of these guys is enough to give them the boot.  Sorry, but Collegiate officiating at this point needs to be clean and is just too important for the stakes involved.  Fire ‘em and bring in the next bunch.  The PAC12 is making a mockery of this and needs to take action, more than just “reprimanding” whoever.

South End-Zone Ann Arbor "Bermuda" Triangle

In the domer game when Devin threw that poorly timed interception to Tuitt, the MMQ had a flash back to the Stewart-Westbrook incident in ’92 that I thought occurred in about the same location.  In fact, there is photographic evidence that supports my and a lot of other fans’ observations that there is certainly something strange going on in the South End Zone between the first “I” and the “H” in MICHIGAN.  It's about a 15-20 foot circle of mystery.  And its disturbing.  I tried to recollect other end zone or field locations where equally good or bad things happened, but couldn’t come up with anything specific.  If anyone has any other “coincidences” on the field in specific locations, drop me a line and I will investigate.  Here’s the proof, however, that there is definitely an “Ann Arbor Triangle of Mystery” in the South End Zone.

 

 

Beliema Gate

Jen Beliema apparently tweeted “#karma” after the Wiscy – ASU game.  I get that the Beliema’s were probably not the most popular couple in Madison once her husband made the decision to coach at Arkansas.  But that’s life in collegiate football today.  Stay above the fray, Mrs. Beliema.  You won’t like what fan bases can do once they smell blood in the water.  And I’m sure the student body at Madison will be ready with a response once the Razorbacks lose their first game….

Oklahoma State Gate

Okie State is taking the SI reporter, Jason Whitlock has come out and challenged the “questionable” 5-part series on the University shenanigans and taken the Oklahoma Homer Reporter to task.  Frankly, I agree with Whitlock.  Was the method used to challenge and air his grievance inappropriate?  I dunno.  We all live in Twitterverse now.    Lord knows that NO ONE would ever hire the MMQ to do an investigative report on the domers, Sparty or ohio and expect to get an objective report.  Shame on both parties, maybe, and my feeling is to simply let this thing go and chalk it up to experience.  But, alas, I have a feeling that his story has legs and will be with us longer than the Miami investigation phase of “Booster Gate” that still has not seen a penalty handed down.

Just felt like MMQ nation needed to know all this stuff….

That is all.

Total, Complete, Humiliating, Unmitigated Disaster....Averted

Well, everyone who is and isn’t a Michigan Fan knows what happened in Ann Arbor on Saturday.  The Question should be:  What exactly DID happen?

I’ve gone back and looked at the Akron stats from the first two games that they played.  Akron got killed in the first game against UCF.  It wasn’t even close.  Then they eked past a weak James Madison team and barely beat them.  There is really no logical explanation for what happened Saturday accept for this:

Michigan ASSUMED they would roll and the Zips had other ideas.  I give a lot of credit to the coaching staff (Bowden) of Akron and what they were able to accomplish and take advantage of.  I also take that same amount of credit away from the coaching staff of Michigan and certain players that are wearing the Maize and Blue.  I’m not saying that Akron didn’t do a great job….but I’m not sure Akron is that close had they played Michigan a week before under the lights.

Which brings the ole’ MMQ back to a topic that I have brought up a million times in the past….Ever since the original “Horror”.  I’ll repeat it here again just in case someone is listening:  There is absolutely nothing to be gained by playing an inferior opponent.  You only have everything to lose….and the inferior opponent gets to take that “Rocky” round house swing and hopefully connect on your chin when you’re not looking.   That’s what you’re setting yourself up for every time you play one of these teams.  I would much rather that Michigan played the domers, a PAC12 School and an SEC or Big 12 school for their 3 non-conference games vs. the MAC or anyone else. 

 ut, that’s never going to happen and our coaching staff needs to do a better job of pumping these guys up, even after a big game like the domers and figure out how to keep them moving forward.

After glancing at what I wrote here in the last 5 minutes, I realize I sound like “Every Fan” that you hear on the radio and TV.  I didn’t solve any mysteries or answer any questions.  I guess at the end of the day, all you can do is say, “OK…They won.  2 months from now, IF they keep winning, none of this will matter.”

However, if I had not just purchased a new TV, I would have been shopping for one today after that pick six that Devin threw……There was something close by that would have been flying at the old set….

And the defense finally blitzed on the last play of the last drive which prevented the touchdown…And I walked away.

 I’m never sure how to feel after games like this, but something after watching that game inspired me to start a new segment in the Monday Morning Report vs. recapping the games in the Rest of the Mess.  Not saying the Rest of the Mess is gone…Just trying something different.   Something that fan bases go through that’s very similar to the 5 Stages of Grief.  Something that, if you read this blog, just maybe you will see something in yourself to help you realize that, well, you’re not alone out there.

 5 Stages of Slappy Fan Grief

1.  Denial and Isolation – Teams that have fan bases that are in the Denial and Isolation Stage of Grief:  Michigan, Sparty, ohio, USC Cocks, A&M.  These are teams that are still undefeated or with 1 loss to a really good team and they know they have a problem, but are denying it on their blogs and fan base discussions.  They are dismissing the fact that they don’t have a defense or an offense or there have some other glaring hole that everyone else can see but they are saying, “Hey, if we stick together, we can fix this problem.  No big deal!  We’re still undefeated or sitting with one loss to a really good team!”  But eventually, that Achilles Heel flaw will get you when you least expect it.  Spary’s offense, Michigan’s QB, ohio’s defense and South Carolina’s general state of affairs immediately come to mind as team’s that have issues that the fan bases simply want to deny or stick their collective heads in the sand over and reject that they exist…Until….
2. ANGER – Anger is what happens when you lose that first game that you weren’t supposed to lose.  And you lose it in a way that should NEVER happen and it leaves you swearing out loud at no one in particular.  You are throwing objects, blaming homer announcers and simply flying off the handle, losing control.   IF YOU DIDN’T SEE what happened in the Wiscy-ASU game, allow me to recap. Trailing by two, the Badgers quickly moved down the field, reaching the Sun Devils' 13 with 18 seconds left.  Hoping to set up kicker Kyle French in the middle of the field for a potential game-winning field goal, Wisconsin called for a Stave run left from the right hash mark and take a knee. But as Stave went to kneel, he was clipped by one of his lineman and went down a bit awkwardly as he emphatically placed the ball on the 15-yard line. Stave hopped up quickly and players from both teams stood around for a few seconds, trying to figure out what happened. Stave checked with the referee to make sure the play was dead, but Arizona State's players piled on the ball, thinking it was a fumble. Realizing the clock was still running, the Badgers tried to line up with 2 seconds left to spike the ball, but couldn't get a play off in time. No kick, Game Over.  This is where if I was a Cheesehead, I would have been going ABSOLUTELY INSANE with rage over whatever that coaching staff was thinking.  ANGER has set in on the Cheesehead fan base.  Other teams with fan bases in the Anger phase that are sitting with one (or more) losses and some that are undefeated  that believe their anger will somehow be recognized and heard by the administration:  USC Rubbers, some of the domers, some Sparties, Gatorland, Georgia, Cornsuckers,  ….and it’s not going to let up if they lose another game which then leads to
3. Bargaining – This phase is when you realize that your team just isn’t that good and you figure that if you can win 6….JUST 6 games and make a bowl, or beat your arch rival, your season will somehow be successful as you will get the extra bowl practices (that your team desperately needs!) and you can somehow put some momentum together for the following season.  There are teams that, believe it or not, are already in the bargaining phase.  Yes, it’s tough to believe that even before conference play has started that you can have fan bases in this phase, but they exist.   West Virginia, Purdue and the Cremesicles immediately come to mind.  “Yeah, we’ve lost games we were SUPPOSED to lose…but if we can just win the games we’re SUPPOSED to win, everything will be okay this season….”  Sound familiar?  Bargaining can go either way, but if the team doesn’t produce…it’s a fast, slippery slope down into
4. Depression – This is that cold dark place of despair in slappy fan’s mind where you don’t want to look anyone in the eye at work or talk to anyone about college football simply because if you have to talk about it, you’re too afraid of what might come out of your mouth.  It could be pure venom or a complete betrayal of your team by stating, “That’s not the school I ROOT FOR!  That’s not my alma mater that’s doing that!”  Depression is deep, dark and nasty.  I’m not entirely sure there’s any fan base that has reached depression yet – but most if not all fans know that it’s out there lurking, waiting, like a cold, remorseless predator…And that only sets in once you realize that your team isn’t going bowling or you’ve fired a coach….The only schools that immediately comes to mind with a fan base that might be reaching the depression phase would be the Yellow and Black Children of the Corn….And PSU – but for other reasons.  Depression can linger for a long time…It can be never ending for a lot of Slappy Fans…And this is where they stay.
5. Acceptance – Reaching this stage of mourning is a gift not afforded to everyone, least of all slappy fan. You have to be a mature fan to get here.  You need to have a great support group (family, friends, etc.) or write a blog and let it all out….This is where you realize that your team just sucks.  And they not only suck, but they are the suckiest of all sucks that suck whatever…Yes, you’re now completely off the bandwagon and have donned the colors of a secondary school simply to avoid any discussion about the issue altogether, albeit you will discuss with like-minded fans at special meetings or in the basement and you will come to conclusions that its either the kids playing or coaching or both.  And you will be right.  But what difference does it make?  The season is over and you are relegated to collegiate spectator, watching the other rabid fans cheer their teams on to victory.  Once proud USF, Syracuse, and UConn come to mind as they are all 0-3 and wondering what happened to their once proud programs.  UConn could get some redemption by taking a page from the Akron book and playing Michigan tough this week….but I doubt it….

Texas – All of the above.  They really need their own separate category at this point.  There are fans in denial, there’s angry fans, fans that hate the players, fans that hate Mack Brown, fans that hate Deloss Dodds (because he can’t and won’t fire Mack Brown) and everything that’s dysfunctional about a program or an athletic department is happening in Austin on the 40 Acres right now.  There won’t be total acceptance by the fan base until there is a change….any change….more than just firing the D-Coordinator…

Idle Thoughts From Saturday

-Not this….Not this again….

-Why?  What the hell is GARDENER DOING!????!!!!!????

-Take 98 away from him now….
-Which, I’m starting to think that I’m not completely sold on. 
-You know, the legends thing…
-For one game, it’s fine.
-And you can move it around among the players.
-But Gardner seems to be folding under the starting pressure and living up to that number.
-Yeah, he was great against the domers.
-But what the H!#$!#lll happened Saturday?
-Why did he keep short-arming his throws?
-I can’t put it all on him…
-He wasn’t getting a lot of time.
-The O-Line looked like they were taking a day off…
-Akron came to play…
-Michigan escaped…
-Get better Jerry Kill
-And take double your meds on Game Day….
-Johnny Football lights them up early.
-But A&M has a defense problem.
-Or maybe Bama’s offense has started to find itself…
-Whichever, it was almost a fantastic ending…
-So, who beats Bama?
-Anyone? 
-I believe there will be someone that gives them a scare…
-But beating them?  Maybe Ole Miss?
-It has to happen sooner or later….
-Okie State scandal is much ado about nothing…in my mind.
-Bama scandal, Not so much….
-Too much evidence and a lot of paper trails…
-Satan may eventually have to answer for something…
-But it is a “Compliance” issue, I guess.
-There’s no way Satan’s head will roll or anything like that…
-Until he loses again to Auburn.
-domers struggled with Purdue. 
-Until that pick, game was closer than anyone thought it would be…
-Is the Michigan-domer game just TOO BIG?
-Do they really fall that far emotionally that early in the season now?
-Or do they simply read and see their own press too much?
-Methinks it’s more of the latter…
-What is Wiscy DOING????!!!!??
-Idiots….I’m mad as a B1G fan at those clowns…

-I can only imagine what the Wiscy Fan Base is going through…

The Hot Seat

Well, the MMQ fans have spoken and Blair O’Neal did not get the weekly nod as the Week #2 Hot Seat Mascot!  Amanda carried over and so far, she is holding serve as the only Hot Seat Mascot that is currently in the finals.  I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, either.  I could handle looking at Amanda’s photo on a regular basis….

This week, I was inspired by SI as I was cruising their site and saw a couple of potential Hot Seat Mascots when I accidentally clicked on the swimsuit section.  I swear it was an accident!  Without further ado, Hot Seat Mascot Week #3 nominee:  Jessica Perez!

 

 

 

 

Poor Mack Brown…Does anything save him now?

Hot Seat Rank

1. Mack Brown:  So, Who does Mack Fire this week?  IS Deloss Dodds bacon cooked as well?
2. Lane Kiffin:  Losing to Wazoo just might be a fire-able offense at USC..
3. Ferentz:  Squeezing by ISU doesn’t move you down the list…
4. Pelini:  This is going to get a lot worse when the cornsuckers lose their next game…
5. Brian Kelly:  Wait…You didn’t roll Purdue over by 50?  FIRE KELLY!  With all of our athletic talent….he should easily win over these guys
6. Weiss:  Why not?  
7. Hoke….Losing that close to Akron puts you on the list for a week…

FMQ Betting Results:

I swear I will never bet Michigan as more than a 3 TD spread ever again…I will never bet Michigan as more than a 3 TD spread ever again.  I will never bet Michigan as more than a 3 TD spread ever again.  There.

I hope that solves that problem.  And I need to work on a few others or we’re going to start going the wrong way!  However, plus $50 or so on the week isn’t a terrible thing, either.

Washington @ the Illini (+9.5):  Take Illinois and the points for $35 –

LOSE – Illini let me down…..
Youngstown State @ Sparty (-27):  Take Youngstown and the 27 for $25
LOSE….Damn Sparty and finding an offense this week…

Louisville (-13) @ Kentucky:  Take Louisville and lay the 13 for $75

WIN!  Bank $142.50  Charlie Strong covers…Whew…

Tennessee @ the Quack Attack (-27.5):  Take the Ducks and lay the 27.5 for $75
WIN!  Bank $142.50  The Ducks may be the betting favorite of the FMQ this season like Stanford was two years ago…

Ohio (-16) @ Cal:  Take ohio and lay the 16 for $40
WIN!  Bank $76   Urban covers and the offense looks good doing it…

Game of the Century XXXIII (or whatever) A&M(+9): Take Texas A&M and the 9 for $40

WIN!  But I would have preferred the outright upset!  Bank $76 

Akron @ Michigan (-37.5):  Take Michigan and lay the 37.5 for $75

LOSE….And I will never Bet Michigan again when they are more than a 3TD spread…EVER!

PARLAY!

Oregon – Michigan-Louisville for $30 - LOSE

Starting BANK:         $831

TOTAL WIN:              $437

BANK:                        $1298

Like It Needs Any More Build Up

As a preliminary, this guy is nuts….If you don’t want toclick the link, he spent $115,000 for the vanity plate “12THMNAN” in an online Texas DMV auction….Insane.  But he is donating to a War Veteran...So, maybe not so crazy after all....

In case you HAVEN’T heard, there’s two stories out this week.  One is in Sports Illustrated and the other on Yahoo Sports.  One is an incredibly unbelievable tale of payouts for performance, academic scandal, drugs and sex and the other one is about Alabama and several other players for SEC schools that took money from an agent “Coordinator/Concierge” for players at Alabama and other SEC schools.

To put it bluntly:  One of the articles is pure trash and while there may be some truth to it, most of the “named” sources were players that were either reprimanded or removed from the program altogether for academic reasons or violations of team rules.  On the other hand, the Yahoo article provides texts and proof and reports the facts.  Sad that an upstanding “news” agency, SI, appears to be trying to sell copy and garner hits on their website (That you have to sit through a COMMERCIAL for before you read the article) vs. simply reporting what was uncovered via good, investigative journalism.  But that’s not my point here today….

Here’s the thing:  Which program do you think the NCAA will come down on harder?  You guessed it:  Okie State will probably get hit with an investigation into whatever shenanigans that went on down there and Alabama will probably have nothing done to them, or receive a slap on the wrist at best, because, well, they’re Alabama.  And even if they did do something like “Take away their National Championships”, well, everyone knows that they did it on the field and they cheated doing it, but what does it matter if schools like Alabama are never going to do ANYTHING TO CHANGE IT and continue to flaunt the rules that everyone else is trying to live by?  And if its going on in the SEC, well, it’s happening everywhere.  It’s just the extent that is happening is the only question…

Which makes the entire entity of the NCAA a farce to begin with.  And the quicker some of these schools can get out of the problem of having to deal with the NCAA, the better. 

Which leads me to today’s item of interest:  There has been a lot of chatter on some of the blogs about a “Division 4” of college football that would split from the NCAA and start playing by “Their Own Set Of Rules”, whatever that might mean.  But the jist of it is that the Power 5 conferences (B1G, SEC, PAC12, ACC, Big 12 and domers) would more or less thumb their collective noses at everyone else and set up a league where they would only play each other and that would then lead to an 8 team play-off with the traditional bowls.  (Orange, Rose, Sugar and Fiesta)  Now, I have no idea whether or not that would ever happen, but I’m starting to see where the college landscape is going and the powers that be are ticked off with having to share the pie that they created with the likes of Boy’s State and Northern Illinois when schools like that make it into a BCS bowl.  The big boys don’t like sharing….Their Attitude:  Too bad, so sad for the capable little up-starts that want to take on the world.

And while I’m not sure that’s fair (Another word which I’ve come to hate, by the way), is it fair that the elites in the collegiate football world (that isn’t built on a level playing field, anyway…Just like some schools have and warrant higher tuition) have to share the wealth?  What makes sense for everyone?  Can their be a "simple solution?

I dunno….but I’m starting to think this thing is going to change a lot sooner rather than later…The big boys don’t want to lose the money that TV and bowls generate and its looking a lot more like they are willing to pay athletes (because they can afford it) to keep a stranglehold on everyone else.

But all that isn’t why you’re reading here on Friday!  We’re here to make the picks for the weekend and there are some DANDY games to get some fantasy coin down on so let’s not waste any more time!

Washington @ the Illini (+9.5):  I was not going to touch this game and then I looked again at some stats and stuff like that and something caught my eye.  The Illini offense is doing good things and while I’m not saying they can win the game, at home I think they can keep it close…and they were good to me last week!

Take Illinois and the points for $35

Youngstown State @ Sparty (-27):  First of all, to get a spread THIS BIG, you need to assume that your offense can actually score.  And I'm not sure Sparty's offense has scored 27 points in two games COMBINED....So far, Sparty has shown me NOTHING that makes me believe that the offense is going to somehow magically fix itself this week.  And the Defense can’t always score points….Therefore,

Take Youngstown and the 27 for $25

Domers @ Purdue (+21):  Oh man, I SO WANT TO TAKE Purdue in this game and I would love to see the Domers come out flat after last week’s Under the Lights game….But, I can’t trust what they are calling “Football” now in West Lafayette…Therefore I will PASS….

Vandy @ USC(-13.5):   Here’s another one that I want to jump on the Vandy Underdog Wagon and I want to believe that Georgia exposed some things that the rest of the SEC is going to be able to use…Unfortunately, I don’t believe in Vandy enough….This will probably be the regret game of the week…I PASS….

UCLA (+4.5) @ Nebraska:  If Nebraska hadn’t laid that egg earlier a couple of weeks ago, I would be very inclined to jump all over them in a revenge situation at home.  But….I just can’t trust the children of the corn here….I PASS….

Louisville (-13) @ Kentucky:  Again, this spread seemed about right until I actually looked at what Western Kentucky did stat-wise to Kentucky and I have a feeling that Charlie Strong is going to try and get all the style points that he can against a weak SEC foe…and an SEC school that didn’t even give him a phone call when the job opened up…So,

Take Louisville and lay the 13 for $75

Tennessee @ the Quack Attack (-27.5):  Wow…I wanted to say Tennessee was getting better, but when you see a spread like this, it makes you realize that whatever the Cremesicles have done, it’s nowhere close to the level that the Ducks are playing at.  With the Ducks at home, this spread could get covered before halftime. I’ll

Take the Ducks and lay the 27.5 for $75

Ohio (-16) @ Cal:  Looked at this game a couple of different ways, but I don’t think the Bears are ready for what Urban Legend is bringing.  Even though I do believe that the suckeye defense is suspect, I believe the offense is now clicking.  It will take till the 4^th quarter (unlike the Ducks above), but I think ohio covers…

Take ohio and lay the 16 for $40

Game of the Century XXXIII (or whatever) A&M(+9):  So, Satan is somehow a 9 point favorite IN College Station at Kyle Field, home of the 12^th man…..Hmmm….I’m a smart guy…At least, I like to think I am.  I know that Satan has probably done nothing but figure out how to stop Johnny Football for however many days it’s been since they last played.  However, the B1G, the domers and everybody else that had to face D-Rob did all that stuff too…Sometimes scheme and coaching can’t beat superior talent…And Johnny Football wants this, as does Sumlin.   Therefore,

Take Texas A&M and the 9 for $40

Akron @ Michigan (-37.5):  I can’t believe I’m about to do this…But after looking at Akron’s stats and who they’ve played…God help them in Ann Arbor.  I really think this boils down to how long Hoke leaves the offensive starters in and how hard the 2 and 3 deep guys go after it. 

Take Michigan and lay the 37.5 for $75

PARLAY!

Oregon – Michigan-Louisville for $30

Starting Bank:           $1,246
Total Bet:                   $385

BANK:                        $861

Gardner Gets a LOT of TD's to the Gallon!!!

GOOOOOOOOOD MONDAY MORNING!  It’s another beautiful bright, sunshiny day here in the great state of Michigan!  (Even though its not actually sunshining today!)

 It’s Monday after a Domer (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!) Victory and the MMQ is still smiling!  What is there to smile about?  Oh, Lets Count the Ways!

 

1.  Gardner throws for 4 TD’s and rushes the "Lights" Out!
2. Gallon catches 3 TD’s in a single game - and that’s a pretty elite group to be in at Michigan….And he didn’t do it against a nobody, either.
3. 98 to 21…Legend to Legend!  That’s kind of cool….
4. The Stats Sheet above is old but I couldn't find an updated version....Attendance is now 115,109.  The LARGEST EVER crowd to watch a college football game….
5. The Defense holding the Domers to 23 points.  That wasn’t supposed to happen – The Domers were supposed to score at will on our depleted D….
6. Gardner wearing 98.  Mixed feelings….More on that in a minute
7. Kelly….Will have the Starring role in a  new movie called, “50 Shades of Purple”  The movie will explore the masochistic relationship between a coach and his underperforming QB….
8. Fitz T….Finding a running game when we needed him.
9. Gardner driving for a score when we REALLY needed him!
10. It was a Big Game….
11. Actually, IT WAS A REALLY BIG GAME!

 

 

So last first.  Why was it a REALLY, REALLY BIG GAME?  Well, Mr. Parsons was able to locate a “Really Big Flask” by Googling “Really Big Flask” and we now have the original Big Game and the “REALLY, REALLY BIG GAME!”  But I think the reason it was a Big Game is pretty obvious.  Bragging rights over the Domers for the next however many years that they couldn’t win the last one in the Big House.  Michigan establishing itself and launching into the Top 15.  But most importantly, we beat the hypocrites that were all rubbing their rosaries with 10 minutes to go in the 4^th quarter and God once again said, “There’s a lot of other stuff to pray for.  Quit bothering me with this crap.  Oh by the way, I can’t stand your coach, either”

 However, God did give the Domers a small ray of hope when Gardner had what can only be explained as a “WTF” moment for every fan in the Big House and threw an incredibly poor throw away pass at the wrong time to the wrong guy. 

That hush you heard if you were watching on TV wasn’t the fault of the volume control on your set…The only other time I’ve heard that stadium that quiet was when Stewart threw a ball to Westbrook and I believe it was almost in THE EXACT SAME SPOT in the End Zone….Talk about the wrong kind of chills running up and down your spine.  The MMQ was thinking I picked a helluva 4th quarter to quit drinking ….And yes, the domers started to believe that all the rosary rubbing was going to pay off.  However, after Michigan’s offense went 3 and out on the ensuing drive, the Michigan D rose to the occasion and held the Domers to a Figgie.  I’m not saying that was the defensive stand of the game, but it certainly felt a lot better being up 4 then being tied at that point.  Taylor and Countess led what can only be described as an “Inspired” defense and more or less said…
”Nope – Not tonight.” 

 And then there was the next drive.  It had everything.  If the Defense rose to the occasion on the prior domer drive, well, the offense answered on their next drive.  Fuhgedabout the pass interference calls “saving” Michigan.  They were legit.  The domers were cheating all night and finally got called on it.  Gallon was frustrating everyone the Domers threw at him. 

Hail to the Victors….Hail, Indeed.

 To say that the stadium was loud during the defensive stands, on the scores, and when it was finally in the bag would be a bit of a slight to the definition of “Loud”.  Ear Shattering would be more appropriate. 

Legends

 I love the Legend thing…I really do.  I think it gives us a chance to honor players from prior generations and hearing Mark Harmon talk about Ole 98 really choked me up.  But, at the same time, they put 98 on a kid that has only played in 7 games to this point.  Not saying he’s not worthy, just sayin’….that’s all.  And what about Devin’s number and Devin trying to make his own Legend?  Let’s face it, he’s had more numbers at Michigan (7-12-98) than any other player that I can think of.  So, is that fair? 

 Truly mixed feelings for the MMQ on that level.

 But, beating the Domers….What a feeling.  And of course getting to watch the brave fans dared to enter the big house wearing the Green-Blue-Gold-White…Whatever…come out after the game was oh so sweet…..

 The next test?  Hard to say…Akron shouldn’t be much of a test and UConn is proving to be a non-starter.  The Gophers are in a continuous struggle….PSU on October 5^th could be the next foreseeable hurdle.

The Rest of the Mess

 Sparty vs. FSU:  Got to see some of this game on the BTN highlights and a repeat.  Sparty D once again outscored the offense.  I’m not sure that’s a great way to win football games.  Sparty needs to find a QB and figure out something better on offense besides whatever it is they are running…

 Texas vs. BYU:  Mack Brown has not only moved up on the Hot Seat List, but he has now hired the former Defensive coordinator that oversaw the worst 3 years of defense at Michigan – Greg Robinson.  I’m not sure which is more unbelievable….600 yards given up to BYU and a lot of it on the ground or the hire….

 Georgia vs Cocks:  Well, the Ole Ball Coach took one on the chin from the School he loves to abuse.  But the SEC East is still up for grabs and it’s early.  Best thing to come out of this game is another 1 loss SEC team early in the season.  I want to see a lot more of those which leads me to

Florida vs. Miami:  Hee-hee….Miami and Showers gets the last laugh in this one after Florida spent the week yakking about how this was no longer a rivalry for them…kind of like that Kelly idiot at the Domers….

Washington State vs. USC:  Speaking of Hot Seats, Lane Kiffin’s just got a whole lot warmer….When you are at USC, you CANNOT LOSE to the “W” Schools….That’s written down somewhere, I think….

Purple Kitty Kats vs. Syracuse:  The Purple Kitties cruise to a fairly easy win over what was supposed to be a big test for them in Syracuse.  Look out…Northwestern could be undefeated for quite awhile at this point….

 

SDSU vs ohio:  While not a remarkable game in any way, Braxton Miller went down.  And while that shouldn’t affect ANY of the near term games for the suckeyes, I’d really like to see him back before the end of the season…just the competitor in me….

 

Idle Thoughts From Saturday

 -GRIDLOCK!  Not……We even arrived a little late at the tailgate and got our corner spot…

-Big Game was flowing!

-The Tailgate Chef looked to be in mid season form!

-I hate not being able to watch any of Game Day or any of the other games when I go to a game…
-Believe me, I’m not saying being in Ann Arbor is a bad experience.
-Quite the contrary.  It was an awesome game and an awesome time!
- Just something about being in my own basement with my remote in my hand….
-Is that wrong?
-I had another obligation that forced me to be up at 5:30 AM on Saturday…
-So not only was it a Big Game…It was a frickin’ LONG DAY..
-Stadium looks awesome under the lights…
-No Shadows
-Colors really pop on the green carpet….
-Jets were awesome pre-game.
-But I guess Michigan paid for it and I now know where some of that PSL money is going..
-I “Maized Out!” for the first time ever…
-I can’t believe I didn’t wear the home Blue….But hey, I don’t want to be one of those old curmudgeon alumni that can’t change…
-Gallon’s incredible catch and ensuing TD run!
-Half time was really cool….They should show more halftime show’s on TV….The junkies can flip to another station for updates and scores around the league…
-Gardner is having a day…Thank God…Oh no, wait – I meant, “THANK YOU FIELDING H. YOST!” – Ufer
-He was watching from somewhere, of that I’m sure.
-And he had to be in the same agony that we are all in when Devin threw that pick 6…
-Amazingly, the crowd hung in there….
-Could it be that everyone KNOWS that the 4^th quarter in a Michigan – Domer game isn’t over till the clock literally says 0:00?
-COULD BE!

The Hot Seat

 Once again, after two weeks of games, there are some coaches that are going to be feeling the heat from their fan bases and their administrations.  Two big jumps this week…but more on that in a minute.

 I was looking around for a Hot Seat Mascot this week and stumbled across this candidate.  I vaguely remembered seeing her on “The Big Break”.  Yes, I sometimes watch the Golf Channel.  Sue me.  Without further ado, the Hot Seat Mascot nominee for week # 2:  Blair O’Neal!  She’s a PGA tour golfer…And she’s HOT!
 

Once again…Shake ups “R” us on the Hot Seat Ranking…

Hot Seat Rank

1. Mack Brown:  Loses to BYU and cans his Defensive Coordinator to hire…GERG?  Seriously…If I’m a Texas Fan, I don’t know what I’m madder about….
2. Lane Kiffin:  Losing to Wazoo just might be a fire-able offense at USC..
3. Ferentz:  I can’t believe the Iowa fan base isn’t screaming louder for his head…
4. Pelini:  Husker Nation HAS TO BE GETTING TIRED of these close games…AND NO DEFENSE!
5. Weiss:  Why not?  
6. Mullens:  You can’t lose the opener at MSU and not get some heat….
7. Beamer….Yes, you played the number 1 team…but you lost the way you USED to beat Number 1 teams….
8. Muschamp:  Gatorland has to be pissed off at this…You don’t lose to the ACC if you’re an SEC team….
9. Brian Kelly:  Hee-hee….HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!
10. Stoops – Kentucky….You can’t lose to Petrino in that game….and that badly…

 FMQ Betting Results:

 Okay, so we got off to a great start and this week we suffered some small losses, but we were $14 to the good when it was all said and done.  The picture is getting a lot clearer with respect to who to LAY points with and who to TAKE points with.  I might have jumped the gun a little early on some teams, but next week will be interesting.

OSU (-27.5) vs. SDSU:  I looked like a genius on this one…

Take the suckeyes and lay the 27.5 for $75
WIN!  Bank $142.50

Okie State (-26) vs. Texas San Antonio Somebody….:  Here…Not so much….

Take Okie State and lay the 26 for $75
LOSE…….

Oregon (-22) @ Virginia:  GENIUS again!  I love it when a plan partially comes together…

Take the Quack Attack and lay the 22 for $75
WIN!  Bank $142.50

Western Kentucky (+12) @ Tennessee:  OOOOPS!  Idiot again…..

Take WKU and the 12 for $40
LOSE….

Cincinnati (-7) @ Illinois:  GENIUSSSSS!   I’m brilliant!

Take the Illini and the 7 for $25
WIN! Bank  $47.50

Navy @ IU (-12.5) :  Idiot…..Again….
Take the Hoosiers and lay the 12.5 for $25
LOSE….

Domers @ Michigan (-3.5):  Wile E. Coyote….Super Genius!

Take Michigan and lay the 3.5 for $40
WIN!  Bank $76

PARLAY!

Okie State – suckeyes – Ducks for $40
Damn Okie State….That’s the last time I bet them….Maybe…

Starting BANK:             $837.50
TOTAL WIN:               $408.50
BANK:                           $1246