Michigan Wolverines

I wonder how many sleepless nights Michigan Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez has had since taking the "dream" job that is the head football coach at the University of Michigan? I'm guessing one for every one of the nine losses during the 2008 season. Possibly one ( a celebratory one ) due to that great come from behind win at home against Wisconsin, and maybe one for each of the players that have left Michigan for other schools or early entry into the NFL. I'm sure there were also a few when trying to find a replacement for departed defensive coordinator Scott Shafer, although the UM faithful probably started sleeping better when the news became public. We could all imagine that national signing day resulted in lack of slumber and I'm sure a few were had along the recruiting trail, and some of which we may never know about.

Continue reading "Fewer Sleepless Nights for Rich Rodriguez."

Hmmmmm... It was not that long ago in 2006, the number two Michigan Wolverines were jumped by the Florida Gators ( number four at the time ) to get into the BCS Championship game instead of having a rematch for the national title between Michigan and Ohio State. The reason Florida got in…style points. They played one more game than did Michigan and got enough style points to leap frog Michigan by running the score up 62-0 on Western Carolina.

Continue reading "Style Points, BCS formula to National ..."

quarterback.What does this all mean ? It means, for the moment at least, all fans of the Michigan Wolverines football team should get to know Tate Forcier who played at Scripps Ranch high school in San Diego. It means that even though Forcier was the last of the three quarterback commitments for 2009, he is the last one standing. Is he the last of the Mohicans perhaps?

Continue reading "Michigan's Recruiting River Dammed By Beaver !"

Webster's dictonary defines tradition as:

"1 a: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom) b: a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction3: cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions4: characteristic manner, method, or style."

Continue reading "The New Michigan !"

Each year the Calaveras Redskins and the Bret Harte Bullfrogs meet on a Friday evening in November in a cross county rivalry that dates back a few generations.  To victor goes the bell.  The bell has resided in San Andreas almost permanently for as far back as most of us can remember.  Every year, all teams enter their seasons with great hopes and dreams, and this season was no different.  Every year, the residents of Calaveras County wonder if this will be the year that Bret Harte beats arch enemy Calaveras.  And remember this is a rivalry that goes to the soul of both schools. There is nothing like a loss to the other school that eats at your gut more. 

Continue reading "The Bell Stays in San Andreas"

It’s an intriguing weekend in the Big Ten this week, as all five underdogs are at home.  That is quite the rare feat, and we know that somebody is going to jump up and pull off an upset at home.  So , which team will actually defend its home turf?  I’m going with Michigan, despite the fact they haven’t been doing such a great job of winning at home so far this year.  The three home losses this year have me thinking that the home-field advantage is less of a factor than is the Spartans’ one-dimensional offense.  Michigan’s three poor defensive performances have come against Brian Johnson, Juice Williams, and Daryll Clark.  Brian Hoyer is not on that level, and the Michigan front seven should be able to gang up on Javon Ringer and keep itself off the field.Otherwise, the other four road favorites should have enough in their arsenal to get wins.  That includes Penn State, who is capable of making a big statement in the de facto Big Ten Championship.  The offense hasn’t been slowed yet this year, and the Buckeyes will only be able to keep them in check for so long.

Continue reading "10-25 Big Ten Picks"

bsp; All I’m saying is 2008 Michael Jackson resembles 1980 Michael Jackson more than the 2008 Michigan Wolverines resemble the Bo/Carr Wolverines – and that’s even disregarding the Adidas logo on the unis.

Continue reading "Coming to Grips with the Big Ten"

Penn State is currently ranked #6 by both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. The Nittany Lions are 5-0, including a 38-24 victory over then #22 Illinois. PSU is led by Junior quarterback Daryll Clark, who leads the Big Ten in passing efficiency. The high-powered offense of the Nittany Lions are averaging just under 50 points per game, and they have beaten their opponents by an average of 37 points. The team is showing the country that they should be considered a national power.

Continue reading "We ARE!...Overrated?"

FINALLY, college football begins today.  Well, specifically it began Thursday night with Oregon State’s shocking victory over USC.  While it might be impossible for today to match the drama of Thursday night, it is finally time when the FCS/Div I-AA/cupcakes go awayLast week was another successful one in general for the Big Ten.  Nothing too spectacular, but they avoided the disasters that have seemed to strike the Big East, Pac 10, and ACC on different occasions this year.  Purdue narrowly survived against Central Michigan, Michigan State dominated in the trenches against the Fighting Irish, and Minnesota surprisingly annihilated a struggling FAU team.  Despite two losses, neither were unexpected – Iowa lost to Pitt by a single point in Pittsburgh, while Ball State rallied around fallen teammate Dante Love and dominated an Indiana team that looks like the conference’s weakest link at this point.  Here are the Big Ten Big 11 Rankings, then some picks:

Continue reading "Big Ten Week 5 Blog, Sep. 27 Picks"

 Welcome to the maiden, bare-bones edition of my futile attempt to start a Big Ten Football blog.  Sure, we might not have a team capable of playing USC within 30 points, but that doesn't mean the league isn't worth talking or complaining about at least a little, eh? Anyhow, any feedback or comments readers have are always welcome.  I hope I don't test your patience as much as mine and Michigan diehards are being tested at the moment from our Wolverines....

Continue reading "Big Ten Week 3 Blog"