12 Days and Counting - INSIDE MICHIGAN Debuts August 26th - MORE STADIUM OVERHEADS!

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CHECK THE BRICK WORK!!! THIS LOOKS REALLY COOL!!!!!

What Michigan Replay has become. (Click for MGOBLUE website details.)

For those of you that just want the gist of it:

"ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Inside Michigan Football, the University of Michigan Athletic Department-owned football show, begins its first season with head coach Rich Rodriguez, host Jim Brandstatter and reporter Doug Karsch on Aug. 28.

Inside Michigan Football will be broadcast 15 times throughout the season, debuting on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. on FSN Detroit with a replay Friday night at midnight on WXYZ-TV7 (ABC). The same weekly schedule will remain in place for the entire season with additional airings to be announced on the Big Ten Network.

“The title of the show is exactly what it will be,” said producer and director Patrick McLaughlin. “We will have a level of access that few programs in the country allow. We’ll be at every practice, in the locker room and behind the scenes every football Saturday. This will truly be an inside look at Michigan football.”

The show will include game highlights, player features, postgame locker room reactions, commentary from Rodriguez and a preview of the next opponent. Additional features such as sideline spotlights with former players, sounds of the game segments and more will be seen for the first time on Inside Michigan Football."

6:30 on a Thursday night? How in the @#$#%@% am I supposed to remember THAT? Turn it on during dinner? Of course, maybe, just maybe, Ole Rich Rod knows a thing or two about the average college football viewer and the high school recruits...Thursday practices are walkthroughs, for the most part. High Scholl players are probably home early looking forward to the "Big East" Thursday Night Lights game to come on. Isn't this a nice little preview. Still, 7:30 would have been a better time slot for this viewer....

Well, I guess we'll see....I am curious as to this whole insider thing...At least Brandy is still there. And Karsch is a good addition...Even though someone reported that he graduated from Sparty Land???? If anyone can verify, that would be great.

Countdown on the MGoBlue website has been interesting and some of the videos leave me with an "Uh-Oh...." feeling. If anyone has watched any of these, you will know what I mean. While this may be the most conditioned team to head into the stadium for the first game, we could really suck while everyone adjusts to the new offense and defense. I am hearing things like, "In time, this should work itself out as long as we keep coaching hard." Kind of like that App State game worked itself out last year....

More Stadium Remodel Overhead Pics

Thanks to longtime reader and Fan Tom H for providing the link to the Michigan Engineering Website that has a collection of photos and overhead shots of the Stadium renovations....If you poke around on this site, you will find some web cameras as well that take real time shots of the construction.



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website address:
http://www.umaec.umich.edu/projects/Stadium/photos.html

But, as I look at this.....How in the hell do they plan to move 107,101 people in and out of those sections that are under construction????? Are other sections going to get asked to pick up the slack? Inquiring minds want to know. Getting in and out of that place could get even worse than it already is.

Other Notes

The Buckeyes got two players arrested...So what else is new....

Things are always in sort of a wait and see mode with 2 weeks to go...It's just hard to believe we are less than 2 weeks away from the season opener.

So, until there's more to report,

MMQ

2008 PRE-SEASON SPECTACULAR!!!!!!

Can it be 2008 already? Where did the time go from that BIG CITRUS BOWL VICTORY OVER THE FLORIDA GATORS?

He who laughs last, laughs best....

One small look back to 2007 and what should have been a lot better season. But, alas, the injury bug, lack of focus, conditioning and possibly lazy coaching (read: App State) cost the 2007 squad a great opportunity. It's hard to believe that the Senior squad will never be able to say that they beat OSU....It's sad in a way as they accomplished a lot otherwise.........

On to 2008!

Let's get right to it, shall we?

WHAT ABOUT MICHIGAN?

1. The local and National Press drivel: Rich Rod! Rich Rod! Rich Rod!
My reponse: So What? So What? So What?
2. All I can say is this guy better win and in my opinion, he needs to go 4-0 to fix all the issues he has created with the hard core and casual fans WHO APPRECIATE, RESPECT and TRUST TRADITONS!!!! What would we be without tradition, anyway? Sparty?

A. Ending Michigan Replay after a 35 year run?
B. Abandoning a decades old Captain Tradition with no tangible explanation as to why?
C. Trying to give the Number 1 Jersey to a DEFENSIVE BACK? HELLO: Number 2 goes to the D-Back, you Moron.....Or didn't you know that Charles Woodson won the Heismann?

Again, I use the term, Moron......Which the Rod may want to get used to sooner rather than later. I can only imagine what some of the other faithful will be refering to him as if he doesn't come out smoking...
3. X's and O's - I would like to say that I am comfortable with the offense - but I'm not. We have a lot of unproven people in a lot of key positions in a new offense that won't feature the QB throwing on third down....this makes me nervous. Steve Threet looks like your QB starter. TB is up for grabs with Grady drinking his bodyweight and trying to get behind the wheel...If you haven't seen the mug shot, he looks ready to pass out....Carlos Brown is banged up leaving us with a big question mark and wondering whether or not McGuffie can really run behind an in-experienced offensive line with a new blocking scheme....Otherwise, it' Brandon Minor and, well, that leaves me a little tense....
4. Defense - I'm not as worried. Returning starters and what sounds like a conditioning program that rivals the United States Army's Green Berets will have us fast and hopefully, attacking. Look for us to keep teams off balance. My guess is the first 4 games are defensive, low scoring affairs with Michigan on the winning side....
5. Special Teams: It's back to the Spread Punt Formation...Regular readers and long time fans will remember this as the disaster that lost the Iowa game a few years back...Zoltan Mesko says it will be better and the "Coffin Corner" is now back in the realm of possibility....We'll see...
6. Coaching: I know, I already talked about the Rod...But I wanted to touch on some of the other buys - er, guys - I didn't mean to imply we bought coaches.... If you don't know who Barwis is or haven't heard the name, stop reading here as it's only going to get worse. You may just want to jump to the section where I razz and harass other programs and speculate on the season. I do believe that Michigan's conditioning program was dated and old fashioned. So much knowledge and science has gone into conditioning that it's just not about lifting and running anymore...But lifting and running to your body type and conditioning for peak performance. Core strength is key as well. So, if you have been following the Barwis workout regimens and believe that a conditioned team is a winning team, then we are going to be a winnig team. Maybe. Scott Schafer, Defensive coordinator, was the mastermind behind the Stanford upset of USC and also led the Western Broncos Defense in fewest rush yards allowed in 2006...Interesting, very interesting...Calvin Magee: Credited with WVU's outstanding run offense...If Offensive Line Coach Greg Frey's name sounds familiar, he played on the FSU national Championship team in 1996 and helped launch the USF program...
7. Stadium: It may not intimidate teams yet, but if you haven't seen the pictures...It will, young Skywalker...It will.... (Special Thanks to FAN and loyal Reader Jeff G for AWESOME OVERHEAD PICS!!!)





8. Intangibles: New Regime, New Attitude. We might lose games, but I doubt we lose them in the same way...
9. FANS: Well, what can I say. Everyone is excited, to say the least. I guess I am intrigued, but I know that there is risk in any change with this order of magnitude; ie, Tiger Woods Swing, Carburator to Fuel Injection, etc, etc....This ain't a new quarterback in a proven scheme, folks...This is a whole new way of football for the Michigan Maize and Blue.
10. Season Analysis: The regular readers are wondering what took so long, so here we go:

Utah Utes: Does this team really need a nick name change by the MMQ? What the hell's a UTE? Anyway, a year ago I would have said that this was a win, but after the App State debacle, anyone can beat Michigan in the opening game. That's my new belief and philosophy. Therefore, I predict that we will be looking at a close game due to the fact that Utah has a mobile QB (NOOOOOO!!!!) and runs the spread. Maybe Rich Rod knows how to defend this offense as well as run it. Michigan 17 - UTES 13 If we lose this game, lookout for the Boo Birds and Season tickets will get CHEAP...
Miami (Ohio): This game may actually be scarier than the UTES. If we beat the Utes, there will be a big sigh of relief that the University did the "right thing" and the team may relax. This might be all Miami needs to pull an App State. Another defensive struggle with Michigan on the winning side: Michigan 21 - Miami 16
Domers: Well, well, well....Charlie Weis is still coach. And he is proclaiming that the Domers will, get this, WIN 9 to 12 GAMES THIS SEASON!!! I laughed out loud when I saw THAT headline... The Domers lost the much hated AD White to Duke, where I hope he has success. Too much blame was thrown at him and Willingham for the Domers demise. My guess is the Domers will be better than last year's 3-9 season. Yes, they really went 3-9. Let that sink in, loyal MMQ readers...Savor that. Know that there is a very good chance that Michigan should never fall to that level...Ooops, I keep forgetting that whole App State thing. But, Michigan Ain't Notre Dame and we win this one in Domer land, leaving Fuzzy Wuzzles with an O-FER against the Maize and Blue: Michigan 35 - Domers 3
Cheeseheads: What can I say about the Cheeseheads? They won't have played anyone when they arrive in Ann Arbor, but they will have looked impressive beating the usual suspects of D-II and bottom dwelling D-I schools. My guess is that revenge will be on the mind of Michigan, having lost to the Cheeseheads last year in a winnable game had Henne been healthy and if ANY OF OUR RECEIVERS would have caught the damn ball: Michigan 14 Wisconsin 13 (or vice-versa)
Illini: Uh-oh. Zooker's got a loaded team coming to Ann Arbor with revenge in mind and looking a potential Big 10 title. Don't think for a minute that the Illini haven't had this game circled since their bowl win. It'll be close, but I think Michigan's offense may have gelled at this point and we can pull off the upset: Michigan 27 - Illini 24
Toledo Rockettes: Sailor Bill needs to have his head examined with scheduling more than capable MAC teams after BIG GAMES. If Michigan beats the Illini, there will be a let down. If Michigan loses, they will come out flat. My guess is this is the trap game of the year. The Rockettes can play ball, and they wear Michigan's colors. With the proximity to Ann Arbor, look for Rockette Fans to gobble up tickets hoping for an APP State repeat: Michigan 30 - Rockettes - 23
Nittany Kitty Kats: Okay. Rich Rod will be due to lose one somehwere in here, if he hasn't lost already, and this could be the game. I can't believe this game is being played at 4:30 instead of at night for a Nittany White Out, but it will finish at night and it will be intimidating. My guess is the Kitty Kats have had this game circled as well, looking for many years of revenge and frustration with the Maize and Blue: PSU 31 - Michigan 24
SPARTY: "Bow Down Little Brother" Heh-heh-heh...Last Year was 8 in a Row.....but who's counting? Two new regimes in the Big 10. One with a history of winning and the other with a history. Sort of. Rich Rod vs. the Bowing Italian. Which University made the right choice? Sparty loves history with this game. Every new Michigan coach loses to Sparty his first game. Bo lost, Mo lost, and Lloyd lost. Sparty is WAY overdue for their inspirational victory. Last win was the 1 second Sparty Bob mess....BUT....Look for History to continue (hey, I'm a realist and Rich Rod doesn't "get" this rivalry yet - But he will): FOOTNOTE ON THIS PICK: Let's not forget The Rod lost the WVU - Pitt rivalry game that would have put WVU in the National Title Game). Sparty 24 - Michigan 23

SPARTY REDUX
NO - NO - NO
I almost went to post with the earlier Sparty Pick - I originally wrote a lot of this in early July, but as we get closer to the season and the blood begins to turn Blue...I just can't pick Sparty.....Screw History - Rich Rod Wins Big!!!
MICHIGAN 42 - Bow Down Boys 3

Spoilermakers: They're down, but not out. Look for a Michigan romp with a Spoilermaker late season swoon - even though this will be Spoilermaker Head Coach Tiller's last chance to beat Michigan, he let's the home crowd down: Michigan 42 - Spoilermakers 21
Golden Gophers: New Stadium - Big Game. Brewster is doing okay, but can't manage to get(and I can't Imagine) the Little Brown Jug back to Minnesota: Michigan 24 - Gophers 17
Purple Kitty Kats: Northwestern will be the next victim on the way to the game: Michigan 35 - Northwestern 14
Suckeyes: In Columbus. It will be war. If history prevails in THIS game, The Suckeyes could get surprised by a fired up, in shape, ready to kill Wolverine team looking for a better bowl bid and RESPECT. Don't be surprised if Michigan pulls off the upset of the decade against an undefeated Suckeye Team: Michigan 22 - OSU 0

So, I have Michigan losing 3 (maybe 4 or 5)games. Normally, you all know that I find a way for Michigan to win all of them....But Rich Rod has NOT inspired that kind of confidence - yet. I almost didn't make the schedule prediction with so many unknowns and questions about the roster. But this is Michigan and I believe we will go better than the Herbie 6-6 prediction. Come on - Rich Rod has something to prove and Michigan doesn't exactly re-build. They re-load. Look for no-names to make the most of the opportunity they will be given this year and Michigan, I predict, surprises some people. A top 10 finish is also expected, after we win the bowl game.

For the rest of the masses, here you go (with a small focus on the future coaching carousel):

SPARTY: Dantonio comes into his own and Sparty once again is mentioned as a good to great team. Look for them to have an 8 win season with a bowl victory....They should have beat Boston College but collapsed late..Maybe Dantonio figures that part out.....
DOMERS: Honestly, I can't see how this team can be that much better than last year, but 3 wins has to be a motivating factor. Look for the Domers to win at least 6 and get to a bowl. (They will not win the 9 that Wuzzy is claiming they will win, that's for sure...) If they don't get to a bowl, Fuzzy Wuzzy will get the COACHES HOT SEAT SPOT #1....IF they lose to Michigan and MSU, look for another season slide....Of course, Domer fan will be able to point to Losingham at Washington and say, well, we're at least doing better than THEM...Pray Ole' Ty has a bad season or Fuzzy is gone....
CORNSUCKERS: Look Out! With a new Coach (Pelini), a legacy, Nebraska could get back on the football map and be playing meaningful games in November....Time will tell
GATORLAND: After Urban's Self Proclaimed Illness that lasted 4 weeks after losing to Michigan in the Capital One Bowl and his own admission that he used the words of Lloyd Carr to get over it, I guess Florida will be back. Urban Legend had a great game to build on all spring. Look for the Gators to be dominant in the SEC this year, surprising an upstart PuppyDog squad...
Puppy Dogs: Everyone seems to love Georgia this year. Not me. Prove it, I'll believe it.
Les Miles U: Always a threat. They will get their wins. But no National Title. Will Les stay off the Hot Seat with 3 losses - Maybe 4?
USC Rubbers: Yeah, yeah, yeah...They're going to be good. Pete Carroll just reloads...
USC GAMECOCKS: The Ole' Ball Coach makes it one more season. Look for this team to upset some people....Or maybe The Ole' Ball Coach decides finally that the little white ball is more entertaining and a whole lot less demanding...which earns him the COACHES HOT SEAT SPOT #2
CLEMSON KITTYS: T. Bowden needs to win. Period. COACHES HOT SEAT SPOT #3 at the start of the season. First loss will bring out the loyal Clemson faithful and Fire T. Bowden Websites.....
AUBURN: Tommy Tutone must be getting tired of winning and not getting any respect. Look for Tommy to take new coaching offers SERIOUSLY after what Michigan did with Rich Rod....Tommy loses 1 game, misses the National Title and figures, "to hell with the SEC, I am going to the Big 10." Purdue, Anyone???? Tiller's leaving... COACHES HOT SEAT SPOT #4
Tennessee CREAMSICLES: Fulmer has to be feeling the pressure. He is not even picked 3rd in his OWN DIVISION in the SEC. Look for Phil to say "Enough". HOT SEAT SPOT # 5.
SATAN NATION: Alabama has HIGH EXPECTATIONS, laying out all that dough for Nick. After he losese his 2nd game, look for the ranting to begin....HOT SEAT SPOT #6.
MIZZOU: Are they for real? Most of the 2 loss team is back and hungry...But the LATERS are out there lurking...
LATERS: Stupor once to take this team to a championship....But is the Big 12 good enough?

Hey, did you notice Something? I just realized that a lot of the hot seat spots are held by SEC coaches - with the exception of Fuzzy and Bowden... Do you think ole' Les Miles might be wishing he had a cushier seat cushion in the Big 10 now - where he would have been coach for life? I am not so sure LSU will love him as much as they do now if he loses 4 games this year....

Hot Seat:
1. Charlie Fuzzy Wuzzles
2. the Ole Ball Coach....Spurrier
3. T. Bowden
4. Tubberville
5. Fulmer
6. Satan


Pre-season Prediction for the Top 10:

1. USC - They will beat OSU on Sept. 13th.
2. OSU - They will fight back and re-match with USC for the Title- Just a hunch
3. AUBURN - Tommy Tutone has a New O-Coordinator....Look for them to score this year
4. WVU - Call it the Weak East Pick and Poetic Justice....Just a hunch
5. LATERS - Look out...Big 12 will be tough and Stooper is due for a Big Season - Could be a Title Contender...

TIED FOR 6th (My darkhorse picks)
MICHIGAN: IF they can get on a roll....Maybe even top 5????
GATORS - Looking in from the outside at the Title game with 2 SEC losses...
GEORGIA - Won't play Florida in a Bowl game...Also ticked that there isn't a playoff
ILLINI - I know, but the Big 10 is Strong/Weak. If they can upset Michigan and get past the Suckeyes...Well, who knows?
CHEESEHEADS: Read Big East Effect. Big 10 is weak and they play defense...
CLEMSON: ACC is weak. Clemson needs to win....But, they will lose to someone, somewhere that they shouldn't....
'BAMA - Satan gets early season love....But the Tide Swoons late in the year

EARLY BIG GAMES TO WATCH

Michigan At Domers - September 13
OSU at USC - September 13


Until September (Or at least late August)

Adieu.

MMQ

WTF - No Michigan Replay??????

A couple of you have forwarded or called with the latest bit of Rich Rod assininity (is that a word?) which once again has The Rod standing in the face of tradition and thumbing his nose. In case you haven't heard, check the Angelique Chengelis aritcle for the summary.

Apparently, The Rod has decided that there will be a show, it just won't be taped after the game and aired on Sunday morning. But, jeez, I have been watching Michigan Replay since Ole Bo sat at the Maize and Blue desk with Brandy off to one side. I think I was 9 or 10, back when you only had 3 stations, plus channels 20, 50, 56 and 62 on good weather days pre-cable. You woke up Sunday Morning to catch Replay in all it's glory. Remember, too, that Michigan wasn't always televised and there was no such thing as ESPN. You could catch clips on the 6:00 P.M. news, but......Now, this leaves this cheap shot artist in me to believe one of if not all of the following:

1. The Rod is scared of the season that lies in front of him. He knows that he can't win every game and he is probably not talented enough to go on TV after a loss and maintain his composure and explain how it's still just a game...Anyway, knowing that the Rod probably doesn't want to be on the firing line right after a loss is understandable...And I can sort of understand this.

2. The Rod is pissed at everyone that had anything to do with this program prior to his arrival. I am getting the feeling that The Rod is getting ticked off with local and national media and whatever shot he can take at them, he'll take. He probably didn't like the idea of "being corrected" on his Michigan History by the walking Encyclopedia of Brandy sitting across from him every time he screwed up a fact or got a legacy name incorrect. I can understand this, but this is harder for me to swallow. Everyone knows you are not a "Michigan Man", and that's what Brandy is there for anyway. Let him be the historical expert and own that little piece of the show. You just win and lose the latest games....

3. What I think is really going on is that The Rod hasn't been able to put as much of a personal stamp on the program within the University as he would like, and he has therefor decided to make his mark anywhere else that he can. So, he will still do a show, but it won't be Michigan Replay.

In summary, The Rod has done nothing at this point to endear himself to this fan. All I can say is he better go at least 4-0 in the first 4 games this season. That will leave us having to win 3 to become bowl eligible. If, God forbid, we languish and fall into a Charlie the Tuna Weis type of death spiral, well, the SCREAMS for Les Miles, Cam Cameron, or anyone else that has a Michigan heritage will be heard around the world...And the Rod will find out exactly how ugly the press can get - not to mention the natives. If you thought Lloyd was on the hot seat after a couple of losses - okay App State was a hot seat loss - then wait until the Rod loses one he shouldn't have.

Season Schedule:
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME TV
Aug 30 Utah Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Sep 6 Miami (Ohio) Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Sep 13 Notre Dame South Bend, Ind. TBA TBA
Sep 27 Wisconsin Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Oct 4 Illinois Ann Arbor, Mich. 3:30 ABC
Oct 11 Toledo Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Oct 18 Penn State State College, Pa. 4:30 ESPN or ESPN2
Oct 25 Michigan State Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Nov 1 Purdue West Lafayette, Ind.TBA TBA
Nov 8 Minnesota Minn. TBA TBA
Nov 15 Northwestern Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA TBA
Nov 22 Ohio State Columbus, Ohio TBA TBA

Photo Link of Renovation

Yes, I'm back. But only as a purveyor and passer on of information and photos. The renovation is on going and it's looking like we will have an intimidating stadium when this is complete. Thanks to Brian at mgoblog for the updates....

I will not give this note the special accolades and recognition that a season preview deserves, but I do have to add an observation and commentary due to an e-mail received earlier this week. A Sparty, who shall remain nameless, took it upon himself to send me a pre-season college football ranking that, get this, did not include Michigan in the top 25, but did include us in others receiving consideration. No mention of Sparty anywhere in the mess, but Central was in there....(Hold the F%@#$^^ing Appalachin State Comments). Obviously, Sparty is taking greater delight in Michigan's omission vs. their own absence...

Here is the poll (nationalchamps.net - for anyone wanting to acknowledge it's existence..):

1. Ohio State
2. Oklahoma
3. Florida
4. Georgia
5. Southern California
6. Missouri
7. Louisiana State
8. Virginia Tech
9. Kansas
10. Clemson
11. West Virginia
12. Texas Tech
13. Illinois
14. Texas
15. Wisconsin
16. Tennessee
17. Auburn
18. Arizona State
19. South Florida
20. Penn State
21. Connecticut
22. Virginia
23. Boise State
24. Florida State
25. Ball State

I will make a mental note of where Michigan finishes this year with respect to the following teams: Ball State, Florida State, Boise State, Virginia, Connecticut, PSU, South Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, West Virginia and Clemson. I will go on to say that I went to a real source and discovered that Las Vegas, who knows more than any talking head about what might happen this season, has Michigan Ranked 10th (in odds) to win the National Championship at 30-1. That, I believe. Do I believe we will finish in the top 10? Time will tell. Do I believe we will have one of the top 25 teams in the country come January? Yes. Do I think an implosion similar to what the Domers experienced last year will befall us? Not a chance in this lifetime.....Forget it Domers, that ugly blemish is yours and yours alone.....

So, until a real publication comes out with a pre-season ranking that I can buy into that doesn't include the likes of Ball State and Connecticutt in the top 25, I will refrain from jumping into the fracas.....We haven't even enjoyed summer yet, people....



MMQ

You can stil find me at the blogspot

Season Wrap - Rodrigues is News

Well, I would like to say that after LSU's blistering defeat of OSU in the National Title Game, the season has come to a close...As messy and quirky as it was, it would be nice to let 2007 go and bring on the New Regime with a Fresh Start in 2008.

LSU - OSU: If you stayed up for the entire game, some things were fairly obvious. Tressel is NOT a Big Game Coach. I am still trying to figure out how he managed to beat Miami in 2001. My thoughts at this point are that Miami just wasn't that good, either. But my memory gets worse every year. One thing I noticed during this game was that as much as they tried, OSU simply wasn't able to adjust. LSU just kept coming after the Suckeyes, and the Suckeyes let 'em come. It was a game that was eerily similar to last year for the Suckeyes, scoring and taking an early lead only to watch as another SEC team took them to task. Now, I am not saying Michigan would have fared any better, but I do believe, that the team we watched on New Year's day play Florida in the Citrus Bowl would have beat OSU handily and may have been in a lot closer game against LSU...Dare I say, in fact, that our offense may have found some weaknesses in the LSU defense and exploited them, similar to what we did to Florida? Anyway, you have to beat the App States, Oregons, Wisconsins, and OSU's of the world to have a shot at the title....

So, why the late post? Because I have been so intrigued with Rodrigues and Michigan Football in the news on an almost daily basis. And I am not talking about local Detroit news. I am talking about ESPN first 15 minutes-half hour lead story type news. Let's run this down in case you haven't been keeping track.

Michigan Players Leave

First, Michigan loses Manningham, Arrington, and in what I think may be a blessing in disguise, Mallet. The first two hurt. I always hate to see receivers leave. I don't know why. I miss them more than I miss the running backs, Quarterbacks, o-line guys....I do miss Defensive stars, also...but receivers are different. I guess it has something to do with the fact that I can always remember some big play they made to beat somebody and when we're losing to that opponent, I remember back and think, "If we only had Braylon out there right now...." My comments to them are go forward and enjoy your Sundays. Thanks for everything you did for us and all the memories.

As far as Mallet goes, I am starting to think, "Good Riddance." Any moron who was at Michigan and got a new coach that was willing to come in and work with him in this offense, but decides instead to transfer to Arkansas with a new coach and an unknown system is
A. Not Too Bright
B. Listening to the wrong People
C. Has questionable decision making skills
D. Was never someone I wanted as a QB in the first place
E. All of the above.

The correct answer, in my opinion, is E. Mallet would have been a head case under Rich Rod and probably would have floundered in the Spread Option system. So, don't look at Mallet leaving, given the new coaching staff, as a great loss. I think we avoided another run of John Navarre like years. I could be wrong. The kid could go down to Arkansa and light up the SEC in 2009...But my guess is he gets lost in the shuffle down there. Time will tell.

Terelle Pryror

When, if ever, did Michigan care so much about a recruit that has NEVER played a down of Collegiate Football? I can't remember a time of seeing a high school kids name in the paper more than I have seen this kids. Maybe Henson's name was out there a bunch, again, my memory fades as I get older. But really. I expect this kid to ride the pine for a year, unless he can come in like Henne and show me that he has the talent to play. Let's maintain some semblance of Michigan here, people. We know that the latest flash in high school can sometimes come to Michigan and get eaten alive by the big show....

On to the Rich Rod Saga.

So far, the WVU elite and not so elite has accused Rodrigues of (in no particular order):
1. Shredding Top Secret, National Championship formula documents that included all of his "illegal" NCCA violations that were committed while at WVU.
2. Making "illegal" phone calls from his WVU cell phone to potential Michigan recruits after he quit WVU.
3. Making 112 calls to one specific number in Pennsylvania. (Turns out this was his message service.)
4. Not making good on the $4 million buy out that was in his contract.
5. Telling his WVU players via an assistant coach that he was leaving for Michigan.
6. Countless other crimes against humanity.....

Now, I could address these charges 1 by 1, and determine whether or not they are newsworthy at all. However, the news agencies have determined that they are becuase WVU officials are seeing to it and telling the news agencies that they are "Big ISSUES".

Look, I think we all know how we would feel, and by "we" I mean Michigan Fans, If Lloyd Carr at the end of last year after the Rose Bowl announced that instead of retiring, he was leaving to coach at, for lack of a better example, USC. We would have at first been shocked, then angry, then we would have talked about it on talk radio, on blogs, and in e-mail incessantly until there wasn't anything left to say, unless the University threw something new out there to talk about. "Lloyd Carr and Michigan Playbook Covers disappear on same weekend. Conincidence?" Or, "Lloyd made suspicious phone calls at his desk."

We would all be hopping mad, and spewing venom every time we saw him wearing the Maroon and Gold Colors on some news conference - which would be quite often, given the shock factor of Lloyd leaving for another Univeristy. So, I give the WVU people some slack...But come on, enough is enough already. It's been a month. You have a new coach. He won a big Bowl Game for you. Let it go, people....Let it go. OR start turning that venom towards the AD and the President of WVU who didn't do a better job of trying to keep Rich Rod from leaving.

That being said, it makes me wonder if Michigan is a permanent part of this rotating coaching show that takes place every December as part of the Collegiate Football Experience. I mean, Rich Rod left his alma mater for more money. Now there are schools in the SEC that now know that he will leave for a better offer. Don't think for a minute that some school like Tennessee or Kentucky wouldn't come after Rich Rod with another $1 million and tell him how great it would be to coach in the SEC....It's warm, nice climate, better athletes...We all know the drill and rhetoric by heart. And my guess is that South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee will all be looking for coachese in 1 to 3 years. Don't think they won't hesitate to make a phone call to Rich Rod if he hasn't won here or even if he has won here...They won't care and neither will he...If the opportunity looks better, than you can believe that he will look at it...And we'll be saying all the same stuff about him that WVU is saying now.

So, keep the headlines and info handy....We might need it some day. But, only for 1 month. That's the limit on how long you get to bitch about someone leaving your school. Then it's time to get behind the new guy.

Newer readers to this post: Usually, between January and July, things are pretty slow. Last year, I did a write up on the NCAA tournament at the end, and I may give you my usualy satirish take on the results this year. But I hope to remain silent until that first pre-season issue of whatever rag comes out and has the pre-season rankings in it...That's when we'll get it going again. So, until then:

Adieu. (That's for the Cajun fans of LSU out there....)

LSU - OSU: Arsenic or Cyanide?

The National Title Game

Here we are. It's the end of what can only be described as a "head scratching" season. Upsets were not the unusual - they were the norm. Was there any game this season that included a top 5 team where you didn't think, "Yeah, the underdog has a real shot in that game." I am not talking about just a wouldn't it be nice thought....No, these were more like "the favorite better look out because the dogs are coming home."

It's frustrating that the NFL playoffs have started and I am still going to be watching college football. Traditionally, my college hat is usually put away for the Pros at this time of year and I can get into the build-up to the Super Bowl. But it's Janauary 7th, the Christmas decorations are put away, and I am going to turn on a college football game tonight....No, something just isn't right.

If we're going to be stuck with the BCS, please turn back the clock to pre-2000 and at least let me gorge myself on football on January 1. Wednesday and Thursday were good games, but couldn't we mix those in with what we had on the 1st? Speaking of which, I would be remiss if I didn't get my Hokie and Later digs in here:

HOKIES vs. Kansas: Hokie fan, you must know how it feels to lose the last game of the season quite regularly right now. You clowns really let me down in my Bowl Pool...No longer am I a Hokie believer. You're frauds until you prove otherwise. What's your record in the last game? Without looking it up, I can't think of one you have won in the last 5 tries...I know Georgia spanked you and Auburn had a piece of you, also. What's the deal with the ACC, anyway? I don't see you guys winning a lot of bowl games, and if Sparty had not given BC the game, well, it would have looked really bad for your conference....

WVU vs. Oklahoma: IF Bob Stoops isn't campaigning to get the Big 12 out of the Fiesta Bowl alliance, he's insane. Is there anyplace - stadium - on earth that Oklahoma would rather NOT play in than in Tempe, Arizona? To say they have had some bad games there would be an understatement. Stoops and Oklahoma have not fared well at all post season since the injustice game with Jason White and the loss in the title game to KSU. It just goes to show that there is Karma and USC should have been in that National Title game against LSU in 2004.

Which brings us to tonight. OSU vs. LSU

Arsenic or Cyanide?

Personally, I literally needed to write down the pros and cons of this game to get a feel for who I wanted to win. Ideally, I want this game to last forever in an infinite tie, but that won't happen, so we need to figure out who we should root for.

LSU
Pros: I like Les Miles. How can a Michigan Fan not like him? Regardless of some of the things he's said and done, I believe he is a great coach in the mold of Schembechler and he will historically have an important place in the collegiate game. I would rather see Les win than the "Vest" take another title. Les deserves it and he will always root for Michigan, so I have to be loyal to him.

Cons: The SEC wins another title. This grinds me to the core, but I can't let my hate for the SEC overide my like for Miles. So, even though he coaches in THAT conference, I believe he deserves the win, even though it further supports the SEC supremacy argument. This is the only really bad con I can come up with...With the exception that the coach that could have been Michigan's next head man will have won a national title and we missed on the opportunity to hire him because of it.

OSU
Pros: They are the Big Ten. This was a much easier team to root for when they were playing against the crooks of Miami in 2001. However, it's never easy for a Michigan Fan to say "Go OSU" - Hell, it's even difficult to type it. But the Big Ten is the Big Ten, and we need to stick together. And if they win, the SEC gets knocked down to the level of everyone else.

CONS: What does the Big 10 winning this game REALLY accomplish? The SEC Press will say that LSU was not a great team and overall, top to bottom, the SEC is still a superior conference to everyone else....So 3 months from now, you will have both OSU AND the SEC elitist in our ear who claim that they will be back next year for vengance and victory over all...It doesn't shut Herbstriet up, it doesn't shut up Corso....No, OSU winning suddenly puts them right there in the "MAJOR NATIONAL PROGRAM" discussion in bold letters...And that really turns my stomach...In fact, I am getting a headache right now as I write this.

So, where does that leave this fan? Again, it's arsenic or cyanide, and it's tough. But I am going to stick with the Maize and Blue and turn the tint on my TV up so it looks like LSU's purple is Blue and root like hell against OSU...Sorry if I am letting the Big 10 down and going against everything I have preached up to this point, but I just can't root for the Suckeyes anymore...It's too painful and it's getting to be too much with these clowns....

If I am offending any OSU fans out there, well, blow me. But I need you knocked down a peg a whole lot more than I need the SEC knocked down a peg...that's how I feel right now.


GO LSU! Beat OSU!

Which means that the Suckeyes probably win as they are the dog and it will somehow put a fitting end on this whacky season...

Gator Got Run OVER By a PISSED OFF WOLVERINE!

No more "The SEC Is the DOMINANT CONFERENCE"

No More "Mr. Heismann Tim Tebow is unbeatable"

No More "Urban Legend Oscar Mayer Whiner" is the Best Coach...

Ain't Victory Sweet?

Oh, and that thing I said in an earlier blog about the SEC being a better conference?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

Yes, just when you thought it was unsafe to turn on the TV and watch the Maize and Blue, look what they do to you...They leave you wondering "What If???...."

1. What if we manage to kick that field goal against App State?
2. What if the Defense figures out a way to stop Dixon and Oregon?
3. What if the Injury bug hadn't plagued the team and Wisconsin hadn't played their best game of the season against us?
4. What if Chad Henne and Hart would have been healthy for OSU?

Yes, the what if's will abound after that game and, having watched it, whether they would have won or lost, I think it has a lot of people asking more questions, including:

1. Whose offense was that, anyway??? Now, I know Lloyd is capable of doing some things that will "trick" the opposing coaches and defenses as to what they are reading on the field..But folks, I watched this team all season and I can't recall 1 game where we ran Mike Hart out of the Spread....In addition, when did we start running very simple pass routes where it was "throw it up and let the receiver beat the defender?" When you go from 92 yards in the last game against OSU and pile up over 550 against what is supposed to be a pretty good SEC defense - with an average secondary, it kind of makes you wonder....Did RichRod already work some of his magic into the gameplan in order to keep Mallet around? Could be....Because I don't think Mike DeBord had those kind of plays in his book.....

2. Where was that attacking Defense all year? Yeah, I thought we could get to Tebow....Other teams had all year. But I didn't think we could get to him THAT EFFECTIVELY....Yes, Tim had his moments, but when it came down to game time, he is just not a QB that can drive a team down the field on his arm...He needs to be able to run and throw, and without time outs, well, he was forced to be 1 dimensional, clearly having to go to the weaker dimension -his arm....But hats off to the D...They kept us in it and that was a big question mark going into the game.....

3. Nuts, nuts, nuts....Even with a play-off, Michigan isn't in the mix. But given how we looked yesterday, I think we were a pretty good team at the end of the year...USC good - not yet...I am starting to hate those guys.... So next year, look out...Yes, I know that is the rallying cry for every Wolverine fan out there..but still, we should be okay with RichRod at the helm...

On to other Games

Did anyone have that Less than Satisfied Feeling yesterday? I think I am really starting to hate the BCS for more than just the obvious reasons. With the exception of the Outback Bowl and Capital One Bowls, there wasn't a watchable game on yesterday...The Cotton Bowl showed us (again) that the SEC isn't that great and Missouri got hosed....The Gator Bowl was good at the end, but everyone had turned it off by that time. Can't we move some of the New Year's Eve Bowls to New Year's day and overlap the two "Simply Awful" games - The Rose and the Sugar - in order to have something else to click to? NO!!!!

WHY?

Because the BCS wants you to watch ONLY THOSE BOWLS.....I am really starting to hate those guys....The Rose got stinky in the 1st quarter and the Sugar was ugly from the first 2 plays Hawaii made on offense for 10 yards - negative 10 yards....Yep, after the Capital One Bowl, you could pretty much turn off the TV and do anything else....They have ruined New Year's day for the Football Fanatic.....And that's sad...

Sparty - How on earth to you let that game slip away? Well, 6 turnovers don't help, but that was an easily winnable game for you....Maybe Dantonio isn't everything he's cracked up to be, or maybe with some better personell, you make a big statement next year....By the Way, Sparty, I think you cost me 1st place in my Bowl Pool, so Thanks again....

Purdue over Central - This game was bad, then got really good if you stayed with it...But the Spoilermakers found a way to suck out at the end for the victory over Central....

Mizzou over Arkansas - You know, the Cotton Bowl usually sucks, and I can't think of the last good game that was played there....I guess the Auburn Nebraska game last year was okay, but man, it always seems like two unmatched teams meet up with one getting their butts kicked....

Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Peach): Somehow, and don't ask me how they do it, but this bowl manages to put together a game that is not only worth watching, but it usually goes down to the wire...And it's the ACC against the SEC...Auburn comes out on top in OT, but who saw it on New Year's Eve? Well, I did, because I sat at home with my family, but wouldn't that game have been a whole lot better on New Year's day???

Rose - I am tired of Pete Carrol winning...Can Michigan replace this guy and the dominance that USC seems to enjoy?

Sugar - I am tired of WAC Teams getting the nod to a BCS bowl just because they are undefeated....It isn't fair to everyone else. Bust up the WAC, make the PAC 10 twelve teams strong, and enough of this already...

Tonight: The Sooners destroy a wannabe WVU team still trying to figure out how they lost to Pitt and how they lost their coach all within less than a month of looking at a National Title....

Tomorrow: Va Tech goes nuts on Kansas...This should have been Mizzou's game...

Monday: LSU probably runs roughshod over OSU....But this one could go either way...

MMQ