Hard to believe it’s week #6 already in the College
Football Season! My how time flies when
the games begin!
I was reflecting a little and going back and reading some
past entries…What a difference 2 seasons can make. 2 seasons ago Michigan was firing its AD
BranDictator and its football team was on its way to 5-7 and sitting at home
for the holidays. I like it this way a
lot better!
Something else I like that I saw posted by the Bentley
Library is one of the Football Applications that you need to fill out if you
want to play football at the University of Michigan. They had shared one of my favorite
applications was that of old number 98, Tom Harmon.
The answer to the last question when asked if he will do
everything to be the best physically, mentally, spiritually in order to put the
best of yourself on the field every Saturday is classic: I know damn well I will!
I have a feeling that Harmon and Harbaugh would have been
good friends had they been in school at the same time…
Controversy
of the Week!
Unfortunately, Title IX appears to be rearing its ugly head
again. This time, the latest Title
IX Director at Baylor (Patty Crawford) who was hired in 2014 amid what
has to be the biggest scandal that any school has faced regarding alleged student
stalking, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and rape, has resigned her position after a
failed mediation. Read the entire story here.
But get this: She
now ALSO has a Title IX lawsuit against the University! Her attorney
(Dunn) released a statement summarizing:
"I
don't know of any other time I can think of where a Title IX coordinator has
filed a Title IX complaint against the institution, resigned in protest, [has]
been retaliated against and spoken out," Dunn said
It all stems from the fact that she claims the University
kept her from doing her job and was not allowing her to fully investigate the
cases that were brought forth. But, in
other news, Baylor shot back with this statement that came from the arbitration
hearing that was supposed to be kept confidential:
Baylor
officials released a statement late Monday night announcing Crawford's resignation,
and university spokeswoman Tonya Lewis told the Waco (Texas) Tribune on Tuesday
that
Crawford's "demand for $1 million
was surprising and her request to retain book and movie rights was troubling,
and
we can't explain her motivation."
Dunn
wouldn't confirm details of the mediation because it would be a violation of
the law, but he told Outside the Lines that Crawford, "never had any plans
to pursue a book or movie deal."
"That's
nonsense," he said. "It's a desperate move by Baylor to try to smear
her, and here they violated the law once again."
WE
can’t explain her motivation???
Or they just don’t want to call her out? I’ll do it for them!!! See where this is going? This woman, who was a director for the exact
thing that she’s supposed to be policing, decided that the job was too much, or
perhaps there was systemic misconduct (still not proven) and she figured
it wasn’t worth fighting. So she decides
to try mediation to resolve her issues.
The mediation fails (meaning she wasn’t reading the tea leaves
correctly) and she makes all the noise she can to come out of the deal looking
like the hero, even though someone or some people disagreed with her – and now
she’s attempting to get paid off for walking away from the entire mess as well.
I’m not condoning any type of sexual aggression or
misconduct against women. I ashamed and
appalled at what has allegedly happened at Baylor. But when someone uses a situation that’s as
volatile as the Baylor Title IX situation for her own financial benefit and
opens up a shit-storm of bad publicity to further her cause and tries to make
herself look good, I start to smell something very fishy in Denmark. And I think the mediation judge (or board –
whichever it was) agrees with me.
What better University to pour a cup of gasoline on to a
fire that has been burning for over 2 years?
Where is public support and opinion going to fall if a female Title IX
director comes out and condemns the school for something they’ve more or less
been found guilty of in the court of popular opinion? It sounded like Baylor fired just about
everybody associated with anything having to do with the misconducts – with the
exception of the Baylor Football Assistant coaches. After the PSU Scandal, would any
University ANYWHERE be anything less than supportive of a Title IX
Director in the middle of the worst allegations in school history? But Crawford decides that due to the fact
that people treat her with a wariness warranted only for pit vipers and hungry
mountain lions (due to the fact that she might blow a whistle on some of them,
perhaps?) that they’re not letting her get her job done. She hires a lawyer, files the lawsuit and
demands cash. I guess I’m asking: What can a University do to defend itself
from that type of attack when it’s in the middle of the biggest scandal it will
ever face?
My
Take: This will piss some people off – So be
it. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a
million times: Go back to where all this
started. For 40 years, Title IX has been
and is an abomination on the face of higher learning and athletics. What makes it even worse is now, people like Crawford
are using it as a weapon for her (their) own financial gain. While it was originally meant to help female
STUDENT ATHLETES in a University setting that was receiving government
aid, it’s now being used and misused by non-students trying to further their
own careers.
Dump Title IX and re-write the entire thing – which
includes getting rid of quotas for male and female athletes, which deprives so
many male student athletes a chance to play collegiate sports. And let the law of the land deal with legal
issues, sexual assault, and sexual misconduct vs. Universities having to be
their own police and get rid of the need for “Title IX Directors”.
Controversy
of the Week #2!
Because this ties to last week’s COTW, I thought I should
share. Some East Carolina University Band members made a really bad move last
Saturday and knelt during the National Anthem. Again, as you may know, kneeling, raising
your fist, WHATEVER, now covers the entire spectrum of supporting BLM to unjust
racial relations and prejudice in just about any setting. It’s not just about the words in the
National Anthem anymore. In
other words, it’s become too broad in its interpretation to make any sense to anyone
as to what you’re trying to protest and/or support. And the chorus is united and strong coming
out against
such actions when it comes to the National Anthem.
The local radio station that has broadcast ECU football
games (forever) has stated that it won’t be broadcasting this Saturday’s game
in a “protest of the protest”.
Players demonstrating is one thing, but you’re in the band. That’s a privilege. The team isn’t going to win or lose any more
with you there or not there. I wouldn’t
be surprised to see a few band members get the boot out of the marching band. In
fact, the school came out in a statement after first praising the band and
stated that the band would no longer be demonstrating during the Anthem due to
all the negative feedback from fans and the general public.
My
take: I agree with and
support the radio station. Stop
screwing around with the National Anthem. If you want to support or
protest the BLM or any other current societal issue, go do it on the Diag or
whatever student forum you want to voice and show your support on YOUR
OWN TIME. Let America have
its National Anthem back.
But, as always – see both sides.
The
FMQ
What
a difference a week makes….
And this time, it was in the wrong direction. Miserable, miserable results with two Vegas
Wins games to boot (Vegas wins when the favored team covers the spread
“EXACTLY” and has to pay No ONE!)
Last week’s results and where we stand:
This week there are some good games and I’m only going with
the strongest statistical evidence and whatever The Magic 8-Ball says to
do!
I’ve seen multiple arguments that BC has one of if not thee
best Defense in the ACC. And they are
the best 3-2 team out there. I’ve seen
Clemson beat the best and I have a feeling that they’ll win this one walking
away.
Magic 8-Ball Says: You May
Rely On It!
Texas getting 10 points in this game seems a little
insulting to Texas. I’m not sure C.
Strong can pull off the big upset again like they did last year. This is a BIG GAME for Charlie and company as
it may be the one that decides his fate (assuming it’s not already decided –
but I think it is). I’ll take Big Game
Bob. Magic 8-Ball Says: Reply Hazy – Try Again. Uh-oh…...
The suckeyes just hung 58 on this team at home. I’ve seen the Rutgers offense. Not Good. Their defense is also atrocious. This is one of the worst B1G teams in the
conference – next to Purdon’t. Assuming
Michigan scores once a quarter (feasible) and Jimmy wants to build some
confidence in his kicking squad, this margin should be manageable – assuming
the kickers make a kick or two. I’ll
also bet that there’s a Defensive TD in there somewhere and Peppers does
something… and assuming Jimmy doesn’t pull starters earlier than usual I like
Michigan to cover…. Magic
8-Ball Says: Concentrate and Ask
Again. Ok. Asking Again:
It is Certain!
Friday
Night Lights!!!
Clemson
(5-0) @ Boston College (3-2): (+17)
I’ve seen multiple arguments that BC has one of if not thee
best Defense in the ACC. And they are
the best 3-2 team out there. I’ve seen
Clemson beat the best and I have a feeling that they’ll win this one walking
away.
Magic 8-Ball Says: You May
Rely On It!
Take Clemson
and lay the 17 points for $25
SATURDAY!!!!
Oklahoma
(2-2) @ Texas (2-2): (+10)
Texas getting 10 points in this game seems a little
insulting to Texas. I’m not sure C.
Strong can pull off the big upset again like they did last year. This is a BIG GAME for Charlie and company as
it may be the one that decides his fate (assuming it’s not already decided –
but I think it is). I’ll take Big Game
Bob. Magic 8-Ball Says: Reply Hazy – Try Again. Uh-oh…...
I’ll
still take the Laters and lay the 10 for $25
MARYLAND
(4-0) @ PSU (3-2): (+1.5)
Maryland has to lay points on the road coming off a 4-Win
season last year at what’s supposed to be the 4th Powerhouse of the
B1G East. Somebody knows something kind
of like I know something. Durkins Terps
are for real and he’s got an offensive coordinator that won’t let up. With PSU’s defensive injuries, I see value in
the Terps here. Not only that, but
Durkin has probably talked to Harbaugh more than once this week to figure out
how to manage Franklin and the Nittany Nuthins… Magic 8-Ball Says: Don’t Count
On It. Nuts……
I’m
ignoring the 8-Ball here and I’ll still take the Terps and lay the 1.5 for $25
LSU (3-0)
@ Florida (4-1): (+3)
Here’s another “strong” SEC East Team getting points at
home. LSU and the new found offense
under Coach “O” is going to go after that Gator defense much the same way
Tennessee did, I’m guessing. Without
Fournette, they will have to go to the air.
I like LSU and their receivers to make a statement. Magic 8-Ball Says: As I See It – YES! HA-HA!!!
Take LSU
and lay the 3 for $50
Iowa @
Gophers (+1)
Jeez…This is more or less a pick-em game. Iowa stinks on ice this season and has mostly
everyone back. Is Ferentz simply taking
this season off because of the huge extension?
Will Iowa wake up sooner or later this season? The Gophers are a good team, but let PSU back
in the game last week….This is a BIG GAME for Coach Claeys. He needs a win to keep TCF Field full of
fans…or the new AD will be looking for a sexy hire come December. I like the Gophers here. Magic
8 Ball Says: Very Doubtful. Oh boy…..
Okay –
follow the 8-Ball’s advice and take Iowa and lay the 1 for $25
Domers
(2-3) @ NC State (3-1): (-2.5)
I’m not going to say that this is the Electric Chair of
Death Game for Kelly, but losing this one would not bode well for him. In fact, it’ll be at least 5 more games
before he could get to 0.500 assuming another loss in there at Miami. NC State is playing good football right now
and probably feels insulted by being considered part of the “weak” ACC
schedule. I’ll take the Wolfpack at home
getting points. Magic 8-Ball Says: Without a Doubt! YES!!!
JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!!!!
Take NC
State and lay the 2.5 for $25
BYU
(2-3) @ SPARTY (2-2): (-6)
This is a tough game.
Sparty is in the “Desperate Need to Win Mode” if you
believe the Football Stats website.
Sparty’s best chance of winning 7 or 8 games starts right here and
now. Problem is, BYU has an incredible
offense that can – guess what – pass. And that’s Sparty’s biggest weakness –
Defensive Secondary. Add to the fact
that Malik McDowell sits for the first half (Targeting Ejection) and it could
get ugly earlier, with Sparty having to fight back. I’m not saying it’s a Hot Seat game for
Dontanio, but his seat would be getting warm with a loss. Still, I predicted Sparty to lose 2 or 3 out
of this 5 game stretch and this was one of them. Take BYU and the 6 points. Magic
8-Ball Says: Better Not Tell You Now… Hmmmmm..
Take BYU
and the 6 for $25
Indiana
(3-1) @ suckeyes (4-0): (-28.5)
The hook finally showed up on this line and I think that’s
what all the bettors were waiting for. I
actually think K. Wilson and the Hosers might keep it closer than this so I see
a lot of value in IU. Take the Hosers
and the points. Magic 8-Ball Says: Outlook Good!
Take Indiana
and the 28.5 for $50
Michigan
(5-0) @ Rutgers (2-3): (+28)
The suckeyes just hung 58 on this team at home. I’ve seen the Rutgers offense. Not Good. Their defense is also atrocious. This is one of the worst B1G teams in the
conference – next to Purdon’t. Assuming
Michigan scores once a quarter (feasible) and Jimmy wants to build some
confidence in his kicking squad, this margin should be manageable – assuming
the kickers make a kick or two. I’ll
also bet that there’s a Defensive TD in there somewhere and Peppers does
something… and assuming Jimmy doesn’t pull starters earlier than usual I like
Michigan to cover…. Magic
8-Ball Says: Concentrate and Ask
Again. Ok. Asking Again:
It is Certain!
Take Michigan
and lay the 28 for $75
PARLAY!
3 teams pays 6-1
Michigan
– LSU –Indiana for $50
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