MeyerGate Mailbag and Friday Round Up

MeyerGate Mailbag and Friday Round Up

There has been so much hubris regarding the entire MeyerGate scandal that it’s almost sickening to even get on social media where half the bucknuts (or more) are insanely outraged that their head football coach was suspended for 3 games and believe that the whole thing is a travesty.  The travesty being that Meyer and Smith have been unjustly accused and punished for not “following through” on a domestic issue where no charges were filed…

Yet, I’ll be these were the EXACT SAME PEOPLE that were expressing OUTRAGE that PSU didn’t do more or fire Sandusky and Paterno sooner once the facts of the case came out. 

Hypocrisy is an evil, twisted thing.  There’s right and wrong in this case, and I’m not entirely sure that the folks in Columbus got it right.  But they now have to live with their decision and we’re ALL going to get to see how that works out for them. 

Don’t fret, Football Fans!  I always believe things have a way of working themselves out…

How Bad, EXACTLY, Were Sex Toy University’s (NEW NAME! STU – see the Mailbag) Actions, In Comparison to Other Scandals?

So, in the aftermath of the 3-Game Suspension non-punishment (Forgot to mention that Meyer can actually coach in practice during the week but can’t be on the sidelines for the games), how does what STU did stand up to other, similar punishments doled out by other universities or the NCAA?  Does the punishment fit the crime?

Let’s list a few (starting with two from the school down south):

Punch Gate:  Legendary coach Woodrow Wilson Hayes punches defensive player Bauman from Clemson after he intercepted STU in the 4^th quarter of the 1978 Gator Bowl.  It was all captured on film:

STU didn’t hesitate on this one and immediately fired Woody the following day. 

Coach Status:  Gone and will be forever remembered as the coach that punched a player on the sidelines…

AD Status:  Did the firing, like an AD should do.

President Status:  Probably uninvolved, as he should be.

Everyone Else:  Expressed sorrow for Woody, hired Earl Bruce, and the world somehow kept spinning on its axis.

COMPARISON:  There is no comparison to be made here.  While it was probably the most DIFFICULT DECISION EVER MADE BY AN AD ANYWHERE, the right decision was made.  End of story…

Tattoo Gate:  For the few of you that have been reading me for awhile, you may want to go back and read the entry I wrote when Tressel was facing the music. 

http://michiganmanmmq.blogspot.com/2011/06/trouble-with-tressels.html

The Trouble With Tressels (lies) is that you can never tell just one and they just seem to keep turning up.  Tressel lied in an effort to keep a lid on something that had already blown open.  And the NCAA was going to investigate and open up the entire can of worms.  I questioned Smith’s ability at THAT time regarding whether or not he would keep his job…

School Status:  Probation

Coach Status:  Fired

AD Status:  Retained

COMPARISON:  If STU was still STU, they would have manned up and done the right thing and punished Meyer according to the standard set with Tressel.   Granted, the III (Idiots In Indy) we’re forcing STU’s hand in all of this, but never the less, they ended up doing the right thing.   But it is funny that Smith has overseen two of these scandals.  If I was the Prez at STU, I’d be going after his job.

PSU and Sandusky:  Another one that the MMQ had some really deep opinions on regarding how the NCAA COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY over-stepped their bounds and should have let the legal system handle what were ultimately legal issues.  Some of my takes:

http://michiganmanmmq.blogspot.com/2011/11/joe-pa-at-least-do-right-thing-now.html

http://michiganmanmmq.blogspot.com/2012/01/joe-pa-mourning-is-overlet-judgment.html

The NCAA doled out $60M in monetary penalties, 10 scholarship reductions per year over 4 years, bowl ban, B1G Post Season Ban (B1G enforced). 

School Status:  Damn near the Death Penalty – for non-football related issues

Coach Status:  Fired

AD Status:  Fired

EVERYONE ELSE STATUS:  Fired or facing jail time…

COMPARISON:  PSU was already taking matters into its own hands and handling the situation internally.  The President and AD were already under scrutiny and on administrative leave.  Emmert, prez of the Idiots In Indy, decided, unilaterally, that wasn’t enough.  Later cut the probation and bowl ban down to 2 years.  The III has done NOTHING in the STU MeyerGate case, even though a demonstrable loss of institutional control has been shown in the investigation report itself. 

LNU Various Sexual Assaults, Allegations of Rape and of course, Larry Nassar:  This one is so convoluted and morally corrupt that it makes me wonder if there’s anyone in charge at LNU?  Dantoninnia should not have survived bringing the players on campus that he did and subsequently, when they got into trouble and he had no choice but to kick them off the team, he suffered no consequences.  Because he was beating Michigan.  Izzo pulled the same stunts with different players that were accused of rape, assault and sexual assault. 

School Status:  Hopefully the name “Larry Nassar University” will live on for quite some time…

Coach Status:  No penalties or reprimands.  They’re winners, fergodsakes!

AD Status:  Hollis finally fired after LN Debacle, but should have been scrutinized by LKS a lot sooner over Izzo and Dantoiinia debacles.

President Status:  Fired, but if that’s firing, fire me today so I can go drink mimosas on the beach!

COMPARISON:  Each of Michigan’s arch rivals, STU and LNU, seem to take the position that “As long as you’re beating Michigan, you still have a job.”  They are both loathesome and disgusting institutions as to how they approach these types of issues.  So, they’re basically the same. 

unc EducationGate:  For over 20 years unc offered a 3 credit one 2 page paper course that was considered and “advanced” course that was attended by a majority of unc athletes.  Often times, the players didn’t even write their own papers and turned in previously written or TA written papers.   . 

School Status:  We didn’t cheat!  This was NOT ACADEMIC FRAUD!!!

Coach Status:  Still Coaching…

AD Status:  Still ADing

Everyone Else at unc:  suffers the ridicule of knowingly and fraudulently getting “paper grades” for non-classes.

COMPARISON:  Again, tough to figure this one as no one was hurt, other than the complete reputation of a university.  So, more of less the same as STU, but in the STU case, there is a victim.  However, the III pursued this for nearly 7 YEARS before concluding that they could NOT charge unc with Academic Fraud resulting in no punishment.  MeyerGate and EducationGate are equally embarrassing episodes in the collegiate world.  Both should have had more punitive damages

Reggie Bush Gate:  Reggie’s family and Reggie accepted reported amounts of up to $200K in the form of beach house rental and payments to his parents, but not directly to Reggie about 6 months prior to Reggie being drafted by the New Orleans Saints. 

Player Status:  Forfeited his Heisman Trophy

Coach Status:  Split before the shit could hit the fan for him…

AD Status:  Gone…

Everyone Else:  Team forced to forfeit National Championship in 2004 and all the wins in 2005.

COMPARISON:  Doesn’t even come CLOSE to comparing.  USC suffered greatly at the hands of the NCAA for the actions of one individual, even though it’s very easy to see (now) that Carrol was also a target of the NCAA.  Still, giving up national titles and scholarships is WAY MORE than STU will ever suffer.

Here’s an Interesting Fact:

Meyer – still Coaching

Fickel – Fired after 1 Season as interim

Tressel – Fired

Cooper – Fired

Earl Bruce – Fired

Woody Hayes – Fired

Comparison:  Michigan has fired three (Hoke, Rich Rod, Moeller) of it’s last 6 coaches. 

The Mailbag…

3 Games Suspension – What complete and utter BS out of Columbus.  I watched that presser and it was a joke.  Let’s rename them “Sex Toys University” – Are you good with that?

Done!   Unless I get another really good name from someone else this will do rather nicely!

Are you really happy that Meyer kept his job?  Are you just being sarcastic or what? 

No – I was actually being very sincere.  I think what Urban Legend is going to have to start dealing with this issue in every presser he has at every place he goes.  That is:  The lingering story of MeyerGate and the fact that he didn’t do enough.  On top of that, when the screw finally begins to turn, I WANT TO BEAT MEYER.  Just like I WANT TO BEAT SATAN.  That’s why they’re there, right?  To knock them off!  There will be nothing sweeter when the time comes. 

Is there any chance there’s more to the story out there lurking? 

I will say that I follow Brett McMurphy on both Facebook and Twitter.  I try to hit his page everyday and now that I’ve been following him more, he seems like a very thorough individual.  Which is partly why I think ESPN canned him.  He was getting to the bottom of too much stuff.  So, sit back and wait and see.  But yes, there can always be more to the story!

You know the “Other Coach” mentioned in the 23 Page report was Tom Hermann, right?

I had surmised that and also saw that some other reporters connected the dots on who the other coach was, so yes, it’s confirmed.  Other than what that might mean for Hermann and his status at Texas, it’s just another trivial fact in all of this.  I mean, Hermann wasn’t working for Texas yet when he visited a club to gawk at naked women, so I don’t think you can go after a guy for what he did in his previous life.  I suppose if he doesn’t start winning, the Longhorn Bloggers will begin attacking his character by bringing up his association with Zach Smith and whether or not he’s “fit” to coach young men. 

So, all this bullshit aside, are you having a hot seat mascot this year?  You skipped on Hottest Coach’s Wife of the B1G because the Flecker had it hands (job) down.  Let’s get some skin going…

The Hot Seat Mascot was originally started (Hang on - I’ve got to look) around 2008 when Michigan was REALLY, REALLY, REALLY BAD.  It was a welcome distraction for me and the small following that was mostly Michigan Fans at that point in time.  The Hot Seat Mascot grew into a tradition of sorts and then even had a tourney with reader voting in the last couple of seasons (it existed).  The MMQ took a hiatus from that as (ahem) my daughters started to take glimpses at and read my blog.  I can only state that now, after a solid 9-year run, while it was a fun divergent tangent to the overall blog, I thinking about officially retiring the Hot Seat Mascot.  That’s not to say that I won’t post an occasional photo of an attractive female whenever I come across one.  So maybe I’m saying the MMQ has succumbed to the “politically correct” pressure and doing things the right way.

HOWEVA’!  I’m also a guy that likes to give the people what they want.  Perhaps a poll is needed to decide whether or not we have a Hot Seat Mascot Competition this Season?

Why Not??

Meyer Gets 3 Games, Transfer Rules & More

MeyerGate Ends…Or, Perhaps Its Karma’s Beginning?

In typical "Scandal Fashion" (late night report out), we have a verdict.  And that verdict is kind of a joke…

But, if you believe in Karma, you should be tickled pink!  Because, as I’ve always said, KARMA’S A BITCH!

First, the details of the suspension:

Meyer out for three games in a continued administrative leave without pay. 

Smith out from August 31 through September 17^th, without pay.

Next, the statements, The Lies, THE COVER UP and other facts from the Investigation (ALL EXTREMELY LAME!):

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24450632/ohio-state-summary-findings-casts-doubt-coach-urban-meyer

The suckeye Prez probably had the most impactful statement with regards to stating what sounded like, “Some of you will think the punishment is too harsh, while others will believe it’s not nearly enough.”  I personally go the impression that Drake wanted to can both Smith and Meyer, but he was more or less standing there with his hands tied. 

I have to believe any University Prez in today’s #METOO environment would have lobbied for firing with cause.  And I can only imagine what the few liberals in Columbus will do when the time comes…

Drake said the board wanted to take its time to be as thorough and equitable as possible, knowing it would not be able to please all parties with the decision.

The MMQ’s Take:  More than half of the people on the Board of Trustees want to keep these lying SOB’s on staff.  I couldn’t even get them to agree to at least fire Smith…

"We worked to refine our decisions and our actions to be able to do the best we could to achieve those goals," Drake said. "It's a very difficult and complicated situation."

The MMQ:  I agreed to go along with this three-ring circus even though I know EXACTLY the right thing to do.  But I was beat down every time I tried to do the right thing.  You try being a Prez at a “Football First University”…

White said the investigators conducted more than 40 interviews and reviewed 60,000 emails, 10,000 text messages and relevant reports from media and police. That information led the board to believe that "the handling of this matter did not exhibit the kind of leadership and high standards that we expect."

The MMQ:  Everybody involved in this “situation” pretty much all fucked up…

Investigators also found that upon learning about accusations made by Courtney Smith in an Aug. 1 report from college football reporter Brett McMurphy, Meyer and a fellow football staffer discussed how to adjust the settings on Meyer's phone so that text messages more than a year old would be deleted. When investigators examined Meyer's phone, they did not find any message more than a year old but said they were unable to tell when Meyer adjusted the settings on his phone to get rid of older messages.

So – let me get this straight:  Meyer purposefully made efforts and successfully DELETED TEXTS that were one year old?  And that’s not a cover up to hide a lie?

Question to “The Distribution” as I know there’s a lot of techy types that read this:  Can’t deleted texts be recovered?  Didn’t “Kwame’s Lasting Lessons” teach us that? 

Is finding these deleted texts the next McMurphy Digging Expedition?

"While those denials were plainly not accurate, Coach Meyer did not, in our view, deliberately lie," lead investigator Mary Jo White said. "... Coach Meyer impressed us with his sincere commitment to the 'respect for women' core value that he espouses and tries to instill in his players."

NOW let me get THIS STRAIGHT:  the Investigators are LYING for Meyer stating that HE DIDN’T LIE?  How much more comical can this get?

Urban Meyer denied knowing about the text messages Courtney Smith sent to his wife in 2015, but the independent investigators concluded that "given the closeness of their relationship and Shelley's concerns, we believe it is likely that Shelley and Urban Meyer had at least some communication about these allegations in 2015 and were concerned about them, although both had doubts about the credibility of Courtney's claims ..."

Well, at least the Panel saw through the veil of BS that Meyer never knew that Shelly got a text with photos.  They at least recognized that their own credibility would be compromised if they didn’t acknowledge that fact.  But they conveniently hid behind the “CREDIBILITY” of Courtney’s claims, even though she had marks all over her body…Nice.

"We cannot logically square Coach Meyer's responses on Big Ten Media Days broadly denying knowledge of the 2015 events regarding Zach Smith with his extensive knowledge of those events in 2015 and the evident knowledge of AD Gene Smith of the 2015 events reflected in the group text message of July 23 and July 24, 2018 sent to Coach Meyer," investigators wrote in their report.

This one, this STATEMENT OF BEAUTY, has to be my absolute favorite.

"We cannot logically square. 

What the hell does that mean?

The Investigators now KNOW that Meyer blatantly lied because Gene Smith in fact TEXTED HIM the evening before Media days and Meyer STILL LIED THAT HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE!!! 

Question:  What exactly, besides losing to Michigan, does a guy have to do to get fired in Columbus?

There’s a lot more and I’ve read the 23-page report.  It’s sickening that educated people, people that are supposed to be objective and arrive at logical conclusions came together in what can only be described as a “knowing conspiracy” to more or less save the most successful coach, in wins and losses, that the suckeyes have ever had.  The report, in its entirety:

http://a.espncdn.com/pdf/2018/0823/ohiostatepdf.pdf

Yes, there is some supporting evidence that Meyer in fact didn’t have information about 2015 (or was simply LYING AGAIN!) and that he asked for “guidance” on how to address the press during the B1G Media days…

Anyway, Meyer’s statement was equally lame, and he never apologized to Courtney.  Even given another opportunity to apologize directly to her in the follow-up questioning, Meyer didn’t acknowledge her.  Whether or not that was necessary is opinion, but it would have at least been a caring mention or gesture to the “victim” here, depending on the storyline you’re believing at this point.

Every talking head, writer and blogger is lambasting the suckeyes right now, and they should be, rightfully so.  There was a clear path here if you wanted to stay on the moral high road.  Without question, they have knowingly and willingly protected a proven liar. 

The suckeyes chose the other path…that could lead to oblivion.

Wins in Football (at osu) are bigger than firing a lying, established, successful coach that created an enabling environment for a sexual pervert and domestic abuser. Plain and simple.

But when the suckeyes downfall begins (and it will!) it will be fun to watch the suckeye faithful begin to bitch and moan and then collectively yell, “Why didn’t we fire this SOB when we had the chance?”

Parents of players will certainly think twice before letting their student athlete attend osu. 

The death spiral has begun.  It might be slow, but it has begun.

Into The Morass of the NCAA Transfer Rule…

It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad…What price victory?  What price player safety?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2018/08/21/texas-am-faces-ncaa-scrutiny-former-player-eligibility-jimbo-fisher/1052434002/

The NCAA is getting laid to waste, as is Texas A&M and Jimbo Fisher this week with respect to a linebacker, Marchiol, that decided he’d seen and done enough at Texas A&M.  Marchiol had been recruited by Sumlin and decided to follow his coach Sumlin to Arizona and play for him. 

Santino Marchiol has alleged that:

1.    Texas A&M Coaches gave him money on two different occasions to entertain recruits on unofficial visits.

2.    Texas A&M coaches were present at what were supposed to be “Player only” workouts

3.    Texas A&M players violated the “8 hours per week” spring practice rule, practicing and working out from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM

4.    Alleging that Texas A&M Trainers forced him to practice on an injured foot (in 2017)

So, Marchiol did the sensible thing and hired former Shea Patterson attorney Mars to lead his fight against losing a year of eligibility.  Marchiol more or less sang like a bird and isn’t ashamed to bring A&M down as a result.

Part of me hates that the players have to do this.  But at the same time, I get that if a player is losing a year of eligibility to get away from a toxic situation or worse, a situation where he’s losing playing time, why not bring everyone down with you?  What’s worse:  What if other transfer desires start making stuff up about programs they’re leaving in order to get immediate eligibility?  I mean, why not? 

Those are the new ground rules!

It only makes sense from the player’s perspective.

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2018/8/21/17766214/texas-a-m-ncaa-santino-marchiol

Where this should get interesting is how far the NCAA goes into investigating A&M.  If they do find improprieties, I’m guessing a lot more Athletic Departments decide to tell the NCAA to reduce the restrictions on transferring even further to the point that free transferring and not losing a year of eligibility will become the norm. 

Only makes sense. 

No one wants to be a squealer, but at the same time:  If I’m getting screwed, I’m taking you down with me…

And What If A&M Decides To Fire Fisher?

A&M really stuck their PeePee out there with Fisher and don’t have anything to fall back on.  Fisher got the Sweet-heart-iest of deals when he signed at A&M. 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/08/22/jimbo-fishers-75-m-deal-texas-m-school-gets-no-help-if-fires-him-without-cause/1064738002/

If Fisher is fired without cause at any point, all the buyout money will come from Texas A&M, according to a copy of the agreement obtained Wednesday by USA TODAY Sports.

In a departure from many college coaching contracts, Fisher would not be required to seek new employment – and if he did, the income would have no impact on what Texas A&M would owe him.

Making the agreement even more favorable to Fisher, if he terminates it without cause, he will have “no financial obligation to the University.”

Jeez…No wonder Fisher had to take the deal!  Even Harbaugh and Meyer owe their respective universities $500K and $2M if they chose to terminate, so there’s some pain involved. 

So anyone thinking that the Jimbo Fisher Era is over before it even got started due to a couple of paid unofficial recruiting trips and some illegal practices…think again!

Which, make you think, between Maryland, the suckeyes and A&M: 

How has The Beast gotten so far out of control?

With College Gambling Legal In Multiple States…

It’s time we all brush up on what it takes to be a smarter bettor!  I like Bud Elliot, even though there’s MANY TIMES I don’t agree with his picks.  If anything, I sort of use Bud as a contrarian pick as he sees things through a different color lens than I do.  The FMQ results weren’t outstanding last season ($763 in the BANK – Down $234), either, but I’m always ready to learn. 

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2018/8/21/17760306/college-football-bets-gambling-lines-spreads-odds-2018

This is where this article by Bud provides some insight.  Why he didn’t offer (or maybe he did) up a couple of these “Hedgy” type bets in early spring is beyond me.  Anyway, check out the article, study it, and I’ll see if I can’t put some of Bud’s practices to use for the FMQ.

One of Bud’s bets that he did get down is as follows:

NC State and Georgia Tech to win the ACC (+$6,000 each): This is nothing but a hedge opportunity. I project these teams for second or third place in their divisions. So why bet? Well, the gap between the odds for FSU and NC State and between Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech is too large. NC State draws Virginia and North Carolina as its opponents from the Coastal Division, likely an easier cross-division pairing than either Clemson or FSU get.

This was a great wager as I’m sure the price on those bets come way down as we approach Saturday Kick-off.  Assuming the odds dropped to even $4,000 (for a $100 bet), you could in theory throw $4,000 down on the other side of the bet and be into the bet completely neutral for a chance to win $2,000.  That’s a bet I can always live with.  $0 money out of my pocket (at the end of the season) for a shot at $2,000 ($6,000-$4,000 = $2,000).  Granted, you have to tie up a big chunk of change for the season, but if you have the means, you’re now seeing an easy way to make some dough.

Patterson, Newsome, MeyerGate & More

I’ve Been Waiting To Post…

Based on the outcome of the Board of Trustees meeting in Columbus.  Their meeting began today, Wednesday, at 9:00 AM.  Meyer was present at the meeting.  I have a feeling based on some leading reports is that Meyer will be suspended and will be reinstated with time already served.  Seems a little wishy-washy, but whatever.  All I can say is: 

Stay tuned…

Newsome DONE…

In very sad, but not totally unpredictable news, Grant Newsome announced his retirement from football after suffering an injury that nearly led to the loss of his leg. 

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/08/20/totality-injury-too-much-michigans-grant-newsome-retires-football/1044289002/

I actually followed this pretty closely and was constantly amazed at what Grant was going through and figured about 6 months or a year ago that there was no way he was going to manage coming back from this injury.  But, Grant seems surprisingly upbeat and recognizes the fact that he’s going to be able to walk for the rest of his life.

Patterson Is The Starter

In a highly unusual and un-Harbaugh like move on Monday, Jimmy announced that the starting QB would be Patterson.  I’m not sure if that’s because Patterson starting seemed like the worst kept secret ever (Michigan’s D-Coaches were talking him up in pressers) or if Harbaugh has turned a new leaf and figured, “Keeping it a secret here hasn’t worked in the past.  Let’s try something different.”

I personally think it takes a lot of pressure off the starter knowing he’s going to start and he can concentrate and think a little more clearly about his tasks in the last two weeks of camp. 

So, for all the worry-bead fans out there – think of this as good news!

Irving-Bey Transfers to CMU

Everyone knows that I’m not into recruiting (that much) and I also don’t follow the back-up players too closely, but I do remember landing this 4-star (away from LNU) and was excited to see another big, fast D-Line guy on the roster.   I guess Irving-Bey didn’t like the fact that he became a red-shirt and decided he wanted to play now and have a chance at getting to the NFL earlier?  Dunno…Confusing.

https://mgoblog.com/content/exit-deron-irving-bey

The Gophers Name a Frosh Starting QB 

But are any QB’s really freshmen any more?  I understand what Fleck is doing here.  Go with the youth movement and maybe have some semblance of his guys on at team in 2-3 seasons.  Exactly the same thing he did at Western.  The fact that he is a walk-on is a bit of a head scratcher, but so was last year’s Heisman Winner while he was at Oklahoma…

http://www.startribune.com/p-j-fleck-picks-zack-annexstad-a-true-freshman-walk-on-for-gophers-starting-quarterback/491281271/

I don’t think it’s a terrible idea, especially if you believe you have deficiencies elsewhere and the season may not be as successful as you’d like it to be.  Start the hungry guys and maybe motivate the holdovers to try a little harder.

Harbaugh-isms Ranked By SBNation

These are pretty good if you follow the coach’s quotes. 

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2018/8/21/17763514/jim-harbaugh-quotes

1. “FAT IS THE ENEMY OF SPEED.”
2. “Got where I am by rolling up my sleeves, delegating nothing, and taking everything personally.”
3. “Lead like Truman don’t tap dance like Fred Astaire!”
4. “IF YOU ARE BORED YOU ARE BORING.”
5. “AIN’T HARD BEING A FOOTBALL PLAYER IF YOU ARE A ‘FOOTBALL PLAYER.’”
6. “Preaching to the choir is for the showboats and the soft.”
7. “Transform your fear into anger...solve your problems with aggression.”
8. “I’ve been known to come through on occasion.”!
9. “ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION.”

10. “Do you usually get what you are asking for? Do any of us?”

11. “I shouldn’t have to pester or harass you to help you.”

12. “You are over the legal limit for what ifs.”

The Mailbag…

As usual, you all texted or mailed on a variety of issues…

Wow!  Surprising that Harbaugh named the starter…He usually doesn’t even issue game rosters during game week!

A variant of this note/text/e-mail was received from several of you.  Yeah, as I stated, it’s a little surprising.  But, again, Harbaugh and the rest of the coaches/team will not have to answer that question or related questions for the next two weeks.  I mean if the whole entire team knows who the starter is, what’s the difference?   And Patterson gets dedicated time and doesn’t have to think about being the starter, he just needs to think about executing. 

So now that Patterson is the starter, do you think Michigan goes to a more “up-tempo” offense than in seasons past? 

I really hate it when you guys make me think.  First, I’m not sure that Tempo is the “only” answer to winning football games and championships.  NCAA leading tempo team Syracuse ran a blistering 88 PPG in 2017!  I didn’t know where Michigan even ranked in tempo or how many plays per game (PPG) Michigan averaged, so I had to consult the trusty www.teamrankings.com website for some info.  Michigan ranked 88^th last season in Tempo, but NC Bama ranked 90^th.  Clemson, OTOH, ranked 20^th.  Over the seasons, Michigan has dropped in Temp from 80 PPG to 70 PPG last season.  I think part of that was compensating for a lousy offense, where you’d rather NOT run more PPG.  That being said, it seems you can be successful running at a higher tempo (Clemson - 77 PPG) and also successful running a slower tempo (Bama – 69.9 PPG).  Again, looking at Clemson and Bama as the “Target”, Clemson’s overall offensive production (with Deshaun Watson) was better (in adjusted stats) than Bama’s.  Which, then, of course, you DEFINITELY WANT to run more PPG with a better offense.   So, in short, if we’re going to assume the Michigan offense is going to be BETTER with Patterson, I think they’ll try to up the PPG and run a slightly higher tempo.  Guestimate, at best.  In the end, who knows?

But, if you’re a stats guy and want to know what makes a champion, be more worried about Opponent Yards Per Game!!!  That’s the stat you’d like to control, and looky here!  These were the top teams in 2017!

Just saw the stuff about Smith and the sex toys.  I must admit that, other than having heard of a C-ring, I am absolutely clueless as to what those other things are for and/or how they are used???  What a perv!!!

I just bet he looked stunning in that suspender rig!!!

Wasn’t even going to put this response out there, but ya gotta’ admit, the suckeyes have given us a spectacular August with news breaking on Fridays heading into weekends!  If you hadn’t heard, McMurphy (Stadium) reported the following:

Fired Ohio State assistant football coach Zach Smith sent a picture of his penis from a White House bathroom, according to a published report Friday night.

Stadium reported that Smith, citing photos it had obtained, sent a photo from April 20, 2015 - the same date of Ohio State’s White House visit after winning the 2014 national title - where his penis could be seen alongside a towel that featured the seal of the President of the United States.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/bigten/2018/08/17/zach-smith-ohio-state-nude-photo-white-house-erotic-toys/1024780002/

USAToday and others have now followed up and corroborated the story.  What started out as a domestic abuse situation (And I’m starting to believe there wasn’t as much abuse as just wild, outlandish sex and other illicit activity that was sometimes reported as abuse) has morphed into an episode of “Jerry Springer-Columbus Style”!   All we need is Urban, Shelly, Zach, Courtney, the Mother and Mother-In-Law on stage and maybe a few other assistants thrown in for good measure and, damn folks! 

We’ve got ourselves one helluvan’ episode!

More juicy details!  Honestly, I wanted to put copies of the pics of the equipment in this post, but decorum and decency is preventing me from doing it.  However, Click the link below for McMurphy’s Stadium article and see all of Zach’s crazy merchandise!

And I agree with the e-mailer:  I’m no prude and I enjoy a walk on the wild side, but I have NO IDEA what some of this stuff is used for!!!

https://watchstadium.com/news/zach-smith-sex-toys-ohio-state-offices-staffer-nude-photos-white-house-08-17-2018/

Documents and receipts Stadium has obtained show Zach Smith ordered more than $2,200 in sex toys, male apparel and photography equipment and had the items delivered to him at Ohio State’s Woody Hayes Athletic Center in 2015.

The Woody Hayes Athletic Center houses all Buckeye football operations.

All of the items were delivered to “Zach Smith, Woody Hayes Athletic Center, 535 Irving Schottenstein Drive, Columbus” between February and May 2015. Copies of some of those documents are listed below.

Courtney Smith said Zach Smith took multiple photos of his penis inside the Ohio State coaches’ offices, inside the White House when the Buckeyes visited in 2015 and also photographed himself in the coaches’ offices receiving oral sex and having sex with an OSU staffer.

The items delivered to Smith between February and May 2015 at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center include a men’s spider enhancer thong triple c— ring, body wear CS2 metallic erotic c— strap gold and snake skin, Wildman T-ball lifter red, candyman men’s jock suspenders, PetitQ open slit bikini brief and studio pro product table top photography lighting kit.

The items were ordered and delivered mostly through Amazon from various companies/individuals including Captain Camo, StevenEven, Erogenos, Gypsy B and Devil’s Wink.

Lots of good leads of where to find stuff is there for the more sexually adventurous readers! 

MMQ TIP OF THE DAY!:  Get a post office box FIRST if you’re going to be ordering crap like that on line and not paying cash at your local porno shop!

Oh boy…So where does this leave Meyer?  In all honesty, until this story leaked, I really thought Meyer was going to dodge a bullet.  But now that he was not only employing an alleged domestic abuser, but he was also employing a semi-perverted philanderer that like to take pictures of the stuff he was doing.  In Obama’s White House, no less.  So, yeah, there’s more problems for Meyer that he can’t necessarily answer.  Especially the sex in the coach’s office with a former staffer.

And if Meyer DOESN’T Get let canned, can you imagine what a field day the student sections will have wherever the suckeyes have to play on the road this season?  It almost seems to easy, but Captain Camo, StevenEven, Erogenos, Gypsy B and Devil’s Wink are probably going to get a HUGE BOOST in sales in all those cities!

Still No Word Out of Maryland?  What’s Taking So Long??

I dunno… 

Seems like we should have heard something by now.  I just don’t see how Durkin survives, especially with Peppers coming out and saying stuff, too.  Peppers could have easily kept his mouth shut, but decided he need to pipe up.  Doing the right thing, perhaps?

Whatever the case, I’m shocked that after the University President more or less owned up to the WHOLE THING that Durkin is still an employee of the University. 

What I DIDN’T realize is that there could be criminal charges pressed, depending on what the investigation reveals. 

Yikes…The idea that a coach or coaches could be charged with criminal negligence resulting in death is pretty serious. 

So were ranked 14^th in the Pre-Season poll…What do you think about that?

I’m LOVIN’ IT!!!  Why you might ask?  Because in each of the last three seasons, a double digit Pre-Season AP Poll Ranked Team has made it to the CFP Final Four! 

Chris Fallica, aka “The Bear” on ESPN’s Game Day, pulled this juicy detail out and stated, “the candidate that best fits this model for the 2018 season?  

Michigan.”

Yep – perfect spot to be ranked.  

Did you happen to catch the before and after photos of Rashan Gary after the “Herbert” treatment?  Seems like Michigan has a pretty good strength and conditioning guy now!!!

I did see the before and after of Rashan, but I was unable to relocate it on Twitter.  I hate twitter with that respect.  There’s not a really good search engine to find stuff that was posted even less than a week ago.  However, I did find the before and after of Devin Bush, and yeah, I like what I’m seeing.  This is going to be a muscled up, lean team heading into the season.  Off season conditioning is EVERYTHING!!!  Herbert appears to be a Barwis (Rich Rod) type of individual.  Eat right, rotate your proteins and carbs, exercise muscle groups at different intervals, the importance of aerobic lifting to build stamina, etc.

ETC

Satan “S@#$%s Out” Players!!!

If any other coach other than Satan had made this statement, he’d be getting rode hard all over social media as being a guy that immediately needs to be canned!  But not Satan!  He can get away with anything!