Diaries

Updating the Diary to include writeups on the second to games today.

Ok, so Bowl Season is finally upon us. Since my Big 10 Picks were so well received, I figured I would do some 'pick essays' during the bowls. There were some issues this morning posting on this site, or I would have had this up about three hours ago. Do I feel sheepish posting this promoting Navy as a bet when they're winning already at the half? No, not really. I think its a pretty good read and this game has a long, long way to go. We'll see if my analysis is correct or not.

So, without further adieu, I give you some insight on the EagleBank and New Mexico bowls....there are two others on later and I will update this Diary (or start a new one, this already looks like someone puked up a bunch of copy) accordingly.

EagleBank Bowl, Washington DC, 11 am
Navy vs Wakfe Forest. Lines, Wake -3, O/U 43.5

An intriguing matchup of styles meets us to kick off bowl season. Its Navy's triple option versus the constant misdirection and deception of Wake Forest. I enjoy watching both teams style of play. And, I love betting on both because both are well coached, hard to play against and get zero repsect from the general public. Translation: You get generous lines in their favor all the time. I am saddened a bit that I have to go against one of these teams.

What you missed while the John Thompson Caravan rocked the Big House

These teams played each nearly three months ago. Navy took down Wake, 24-17. You probably missed the game because you were glued to Michigan's thrilling comeback over Wisconsin. So, let me offer a quick summery. Wake turned the ball over six times, including QB Riley Skinner chucking four interceptions. Navy leapt out to a 17-0 lead and outgained the Deacons 296-43 on the ground.

The game helped define Navy in the post Paul Johnson era and helped spark a nice fall run that saw Navy go 6-2 SU, 5-3 ATS in their final eight games. For Wake, meanwhile, it exposed the Deacs as a limited team on offense with a mediocre QB. Worse, it showed you could do damage, particularily on the ground, against the well regarded Wake defense. Heading into the contest, Wake had been flying high after stoning Florida State and elevated to #16 in the polls. Including the Navy game, Wake slumped to a 4-5 SU, 3-6 ATS record in their final nine contests.

Conventional wisdom says expect Wake to make amends for that defeat in this game. Skinner, has average as he is, is not a turnover machine and wont throw four picks again. Wake Forest is tied for third nationally in Turnover Margin, so dont expect a repeat of the debacle back in September.

While I agree that Wake wont turn it over six times again, I dont think the Deacons will get their measure of revenge in this bowl season lid lifter. For one, that turnover margin strength is negated by the fact that the team tied for third in this stat with Wake is Navy. Wake will improve that -4 TO stat from the first game, but it wont turn it completely around either.

I do think Navy's ability to run the football will stay constant. They outrushed the Deacs by over 250 yards. Navy's QB Kapio-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada is as healthy now as he has been all season from a nagging hamstring injury. With him, fullback Eric Kettani and tailback Shaun White, I dont see Wake having any better success stopping this attack the second time around. Indeed, Navy played most of the first game without their top QB, so the Navy attack, while familiar to the Wake defenders, may have an added edge to it that Wake wont be ready for. This will be a triple option attack humming at its best. Expect a lot of third, and even fourth, and short conversions all day for Navy as they set sail on at least three long, time consuming drives for scores.

Wake has scored 17 or less points in seven of its last 10 games and only more than 23 once in that span. This team is lousy on offense. Its in the bottom quarter of a lot of offensive categories including total offense, rushing offense and points scored. It cant lean on any one thing. While Navy can beat you with three different guys running the football, Wake cant counter with anything other than their defense setting it up on short fields and good special teams play. That combo can win you a lot of games, but against Navy, who does not turn the ball while controling time of possession, it does not.

The US Navy: Winning as an Underdog since the War of 1812

We have a time tested theory that goes back to evil days of impressment at the sea. The Royal Navy was supposed to take back the colonies in 1812, but the plucky American midshipmen had other thoughts. Be it war or football, I like the Academy in the role of underdog.

Lets stick to football for now. One of my primary rules as the season goes on is always take a strong look at Navy when its getting points. Navy is 21-9 ATS as a dog in its last 30 chances away from home. Conversely, Wake is a mediocre 11-16 ATS as a favorite.

Historically, underdogs who outrush their opponents cover the spread at alarming rates. Of course, its hard to identify which team will outrush which team prior to the game. Thats not the case with Navy, which has now lead the nation in rushing for four consecutive seasons. Navy has outrushed the opposition in 34 of its last 38 games.

Yeah, but is that really important?

Yes, especially this time of year. If want more hard numbers, try this on for size. Bowl underdogs who outrush their opponent are 122-51-5 ATS since 1980. Its a good bet that we can pencil Navy in for more yards on the ground today.

Besides, its pretty obvious the Demon Deacons are terrorists

Finally one last piece of intriguing motivation. Revenge aside, is Wake really all that stoked to be here? They had a January bowl game on their minds four weeks ago. Navy, meanwhile, will be ready to go. They could care less about the situation, venue, time of day (note, that 11 am start. Who responds better here, I wonder, the military men or the typical college boys? Gee, I''m not sure), foe or weather. Regardless, they will punch you in the mouth and run that triple option down your throat.

But, consider this bonus piece of motivation. Part of each team's pre bowl itinerary includes a visit to the US Naval Academy where they'll spend time with injured and wounded Naval troops. I am sure the moment will prove poignamt for the boys at Wake. However, something like that ought to inspire the Middies sky high. They will take the field for their fallen comrades. The Navy's senior leadership will be embarking themselves in a few months for active duty in the Persian Gulf. Spurred by the urging of their wounded buddies, they will relish the chance to take the field one more time. Wake might as well be wearing terrorist jerseys this morning.

The Pick: Navy +3....2 units...what has changed since that first match-up? Not much, although a strong case can be made that Navy has improved a bunch since then as they got used to the sideline leadership and play calling of new coach Ken Niumataloo. Wake seems to have regressed this season. They cant score points and Navy's triple option will be too much for them to overcome. Navy has covered four straight bowls. Today will make five.

New Mexico Bowl, Alburquerque, NM, 2:30 pm
Colorado St vs Fresno St. Lines, Fresno -3, O/U 60

The New Mexico Bowl, Settling Bar Stool Arguments since 2006

This is what bowl season is all about. Two middle of the pack mid major teams fighting it out for conference pride. Is the fifth place team in the WAC better than the fifth place team in the Mountain West? Is anybody even asking this question? Who cares, we'll find out anyway.

A sure sign that bowl season may be saturated is the fact bowl suits found slots for these two teams which are a combined 2-10 against fellow bowl teams this season.

Despite that, I would not be shocked if an entertaining shootout emerges in this one. Both defenses stink and rank 85th or worse in many key statistical categories. Offensively, however, there is a lot to like. Both QBs, Brandstatter for FSU and Ferris for CSU, can carry their team and dont face a lot of pressure. Fresno has a great offensive line, by mid major standards, and always has a tailback or two on its roster who can rip off yards. For the Rams, runningback Gartrell Johnson is a stud with four 100-yard games down the stretch as the Rams surged to an improbable bowl bid. He will be the most fun player to watch in this one.

I too like to live dangerously

I cant shake the feeling that Fresno will win this one going away in the fourth quarter.

But, do you know what betting on Fresno means? It means backing a team thats ranked 100th in rushing defense and hasnt stopped a quality rushing attack in years. It means backing a team thats bagged only one measly point spread cover since Labor Day and surrendered 61 points in its last contest. Oh, and the Bulldogs won the Chili Cook Off between these teams that started the week of bowl festivites for the clubs. The winner of that has never gone on to win the game.

So, yeah, sign me up for a little Fresno.......eh, what could go wrong!?!

I feel like Austin Powers when he sat at the blackjack table for the first time with #2 and boldly took a hit on 18. He did win that hand. And, I'm not sure if it will because of luck or good handicapping if Fresno pull this one out. I do think we can discount the cook off mumbo jumbo. This is just the third year for the New Mexico Bowl. Gambling commandment 'Never go against a streak' gets negated by gambling commandment 'be wary of small sample sizes.'

Fresno flat out has a more talented squad. They are faster and play more physical. One major advantage is in the trenches, especially the excellent Fresno offensive line going up against the CSU defensive front. The Rams are the worst pass rush in football, ranking last in sacks. They are undersized and often play like it. They wont be any match for Fresno offensive line. The running lanes will wide open and Brandstater will have all day to pass as he makes a strong case to NFL scouts today. This advantage for Fresno wil pave the way for a dominating second half as the Bulldogs pull away.

In addition to Fresno, I like the Over, even if its a high total. If Fresno comes out motivated from the start, they ought to put up more than 40 points. Meanwhile, the loser in Fresno's last 10 games has average 27.4 ppg. I expect both teams to be in the 30s. Bottomline, both defenses are garbage and we'll have close to 800 yards of total offense. That should translate into a lot of points. Fresno's recent bowl games have been shootouts, averaging 64 points per game the last three postseason games.

The Pick: Fresno Moneyline -135, and Over 60...1 unit apiece...Quick explanation of the moneyline for the uninitiated. Fresno just has to win the game, making the point spread irrelevant. It costs a litte more to bet. In a regular bet against the spread, a player would need to wager $110 to win $100. In this case, taking Fresno just to win will cost $135 (thus the -135 in the line above) to win $100. I feel the extra bucks in this case is worthy insurance to still give you the win when Fresno kicks a field goal at the gun. If they win by double digits, it does not matter. You get your bet money back. I have been bullied into the money line by the fact that Fresno has covered only once since its opener. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

St Petersberg Bowl, 4:30 pm
Memphis vs South Florida. Lines, USF -12, O/U 56

There are 34 bowl games. There's no rule that says you have to make a play on everyone. This will be one I wont play. I just see anything to like in either case.

I wont lay double digit chalk with USF. I just dont trust Matt Grothe. The recipe for a three interception game includes this guy's DNA. Most pundits gush over his game, but I am not impressed. In his last five games, he has tossed 11 interceptions to just three touchdowns and USF has averaged a paltry 14 points per game. Grothe forces the ball way too much and does not play smart football. Plus, he sports the dorkiest mohawk I've ever seen. While they're playing a de facto home game 30 miles aay from their campus, I do not trust this team really giving a damn about playing Memphis.

However, that is not pushing me into the direction of the Tigers. At no point did this team catch my eye this season. I suspect they're nothing more than a mediocre team. I have no feel if they can hang in this game or not. And, while I distrust USF on offense, I like their defense from playmaking end Selvie to their ball hawking secondary. They ought to get their share of takeaways.

So, we have the sixth place team from the eight-team Big East playing a mediocre squad from the Conference USA. On one hand, the sixth place team should probably never lay this much chalk. Then again, should the middle class of CUSA be able to compete evenly with bowl teams from the BCS leagues? I dont know the answers to any of those questions. Both these teams lost to Louisville and made Ron English's defenses look good.

Yeah, thanks, but no thanks on this one.

The Pick: No pick........This game reminds me of being dealt a 12 in Black Jack. It never matters if I play the percantages or take a risk. Hit or stick, I always lose.

Las Vegas Bowl, 8 pm
BYU vs Arizona. Lines, Arizona -3.5, O/U 59.5

The third place team from the Mountain West Conference squares off against the third place team from the Pac-10. It's an interesting clash that gives the mid major the chance to scalp a big league pelt. Whats compelling is BYU is arguably the more talented and better schooled football team. Since they're getting points, that makes them a more than attractive play.

The Mountain West went 6-1 versus the Pac-10 this season. Why should that change in this game? BYU is an upper echelon MWC team while Arizona remains a middle of the pack Pac 10 team. I think BYU should be favored to win the game, not the other way around.

Both teams feature great offenses and the QB battle between the Cougars Max Hall and the Wildcats Willie Tiutama will be one of the best of the bowl season. Both will do damage and make statements during the game. They lead a pair of offenses that both rank in the top 20 in points scored. Each quarterback has weapons all over the field. This will be a fun game.

My case for BYU starts with this interesting college bowl angle: Underdogs who won their bowl game last season are 23-12 ATS, including 15-3 ATS if they're playing a team that won eight or less games. That fits the Cougars who won this bowl last season against UCLA and it also fits the 7-5 Wildcats. Also, always look to fade those teams making a bowl appearance after a postseason draught of three or more years. The Cats have not been to a bowl since the late 1990s. These historical trends all point to BYU.

Lets also play arm chair psychiatrist while breaking down how each of these teams are handling their bowl week. Surrounded by all sorts of temptation to lose focus and forget you're even a member of a football team, let alone one that will be playing a high stakes bowl game in front of a sellout crowd and national TV audience, which team can handle the pomp and circumstance better?

My vote goes to BYU. This is their fourth trip to this bowl. The glitz of the Strip wont faze them. Its nothing more than a business trip. Adhering to Morman principles and the school's strict code, I believe all the BYU players were in bed by 10 oclock last night. If not, they were up spending time with the wife and kids.

As for Arizona, I dont care what they say. They are a distracted bunch. Its their first bowl in years and these players have obviously never played in one. Its not a typical game. People all over the place are patting your back for your great season. Instead of breaking down assignments, you are feted all week with banquets and team social events to attend. You hob knob with the other team. That in and of itself is a bizarre situation to adjust to and maintain top notch competitive focus. Toss in the fact that all this is going on with the Las Vegas Strip as background and you know Mike Stoops--he himself in his first bowl game as a head coach--has a huge challenge keeping his kids focused.

I know what I would do as a college student in Vegas, especially if I had the built in confidence and entitlement of being a member of a winning football team. And, it would have little to do with getting ready for the game.

The Pick: BYU +3, 2 Units; Over 60, 1 Unit......BYU will come out ready to play. They will land a couple opening salvos and forge out to a comfortable early lead. The Cats won go away. They will make their run. But, they'll be playing catchup the whole way, a la their game with Oregon last month, and when the final gun sounds BYU will be ahead 35-31.

 Brian, in the comments, says it is not irrational to panic, given that we desperately need better quarterbacking and each option is like "a lottery ticket," so we need more of them.  Now, I generally agree with Brian on most Panic or Don't Panic decisions, but here I'm going to come down on the Don't Panic side.

1. We only want people who want to be here.  Remember last signing day with McGuffie saying he was going with his head instead of his heart?  How did that work out?

2. A corollary to #1 would be: Better Now Than Later.  There is a month and a half (minus dead periods) to get a replacement.

3. A replacement is quite possible.  I don't know if it is realistic to expect one of the 4 stars left out there to switch, but a high-3 star "lottery ticket" would be fine.

4. He (probably) wasn't going to start anyway.  It's true that Forcier could turn out to be mediocre, or break his leg.  And Threet might not make the normal HUGE first year to second year of starting jump.  Or break his leg.  But chances are pretty high those weren't both going to happen.  Yes, Troy Smith turned out to be better than Justin Zwick.  But Zwick wasn't bad, and they weren't going to go 3-9.  At this point, I think most of us are hoping for someone decent enough to sweep through 3 MAC teams, ND at home, and the weakest half of the Big 10 next year... = 8-4.

5. Although recruits are lottery tickets, in fact there is very little history at Michigan of big name QB recruits (I would include Threet and Forcier in this, plus, again, the excellent chance of another signee) crapping out.  Maybe Beaver would have been marginally better than Threet and Forcier.  But both crapping out?  I can't think of this happening.  I'll try to list big-name Michigan QB recruits in the last 12 years or so and see what we can find.  Please correct my memory:

Tom Brady (Phil Steele composite rating, something like #25 QB): Umm, not crappy

Jason Kapsner (PS 7?): Never saw the field, seemed like a numbers game

Drew Henson (PS 1 or 2): Starter

John Navarre (PS 30-ish?): Pushes the edge of "big name recruit"; was 3.33 year starter anyway

Andy Mignery (PS 20s or 30s?): Crapped out, switched to TE

Matt Gutierrez (PS 10 or so): Was due to start, injured, beat out by Henne, would have been good

Chad Henne (PS 1): 4 year Starter

Ryan Mallett (PS 1): Started as true frosh, turnover prone and bad inter-personal skills, but will probably be good

Steven Threet (PS 26): Hot and cold as rFr. starter, but that is quite normal; should be a decent starter at least, although not ideal for this system

Coner (PS 40) and Jason Forcier (PS 42) are beyond my definition of big-time recruit.  Clayton Richard was highly ranked, but chose baseball.

So, only Mignery (and he was very close to Cone in terms of hype, below Tate Forcier and Threet) came to campus and seemed like a waste of scholarship.  Kapsner never did anything, but the reports were that he was competitive for a starting spot.  Maybe there's one or two guys I'm forgetting who disappeared, but it seems at least 2/3 of guys who are 4-star quality turn out to be viable college starting quarterbacks.  

Shavodrick Beaver, who had been committed to Michigan since the spring, has changed his commitment to Tulsa. There had been rumors of him wavering, but he recruited heavily for Michigan and spoke publicly about how he couldn't wait to come to Michigan, was ready to compete for the job, etc. But now the #8 dual-threat quarterback is staying close to his home in Texas.

This event affects the perception of Michigan's program, but probably not the program itself. Most analysts and fans expected fellow QB commit Tate Forcier to compete with holdover Steven Threet for the starting quarterback job in 2009. A common scenario had Threet starting the season and slowly giving way to the more talented, more athletic Tate Forcier. If this scenario had played out, Beaver probably would have redshirted.

Looking forward, Threet is scheduled to run out of eligibility after the 2011 season. Forcier, if he doesn't redshirt at any point, would finish his four years in 2012. If the aforementioned scenario took place, Beaver would have redshirted, hung around for four years, and perhaps started as a fifth year senior in 2013.

Let me say that again.

Very realistically, Beaver's decommitment affects the 2013 season.

Now, depth is obviously a concern. Every team wants great players waiting in the wings to take over from great players. But is that realistic? Probably not. Assuming Forcier sticks with his commitment, we'll have two 4-star QB's over two classes of eligibility - and that doesn't include possible replacements for Beaver in the 2009 class, such as Tajh Boyd, Eugene Smith, or Denard Robinson (all 4-star players themselves).

Michigan will be okay. The Wolverines will plow through and be successful. The offense started to hit its stride at the end of the 2008 season, especially running the ball. If we can run the ball effectively without an effective QB, imagine what type of offense we will have when Threet improves his accuracy or Forcier steps in with his pinpoint accuracy and good athleticism.

We need not worry about the loss of our third string quarterback.

Go blue!

In response to occasional "gasps" I read in various places about UMs recruiting falling off under RichRod, I've looked over UM's recruiting classes for the last 7 years (that's as far back as Rivals and Scout go) and compared those classes with this 2009 class (as it is so far). The results show that this class is going to be a "typical" UM class in terms of quality. In fact, this year's class will likely end up above average when the final pieces fall into place (Do you hear me Big Will??).

I've used average star ratings from Rivals and Scout. I use the average star rating rather than the rankings of the classes for some obvious reasons. First, the ranking of the class depends somewhat on its size and I am interested in quality, not quantity. Second, the rankings of classes year to year does not allow good comparisons across years for the same school. For example, UMs class in 2005 was ranked second in the nation but had a lower average star rating than the 2007 class which ended up ranked 10th in the nation:

----------Average Stars--------
---------Rivals----Scout----Ave.
2009-----3.57-----3.33-----3.45

2008-----3.67-----3.56-----3.62

2007-----3.40-----3.70-----3.55

2006-----3.63-----3.60-----3.62

2005-----3.48-----3.65-----3.57

2004-----3.59-----3.45-----3.52

2003-----3.82-----3.59-----3.71

2002-----3.55-----3.05-----3.30

ave.------3.59-----3.51-----3.55

This year's class, as it currently stands, is average for Rivals and a little below average for Scout. There are 5 spots left to fill in the class (+ or - one depending on who you listen to). If Will Campbell is one of those spots, the number will shift into above average territory on both Rivals and Scout. If another 4-star or two are added to the class in addition, the class will move firmly into above average territory. In fact, if Big Will and a few additional 4-stars are added, the class will be the second best since 2002 on Rivals (with 2003 being the best) and firmly above average on Scout.

The perception that recruiting has fallen off comes from something OTHER than the actual quality of our recruits. My opinion (and only an opinion) if that it comes from a shift in the emphasis of the recruiting. Recruiting attention has shifted to the slot-dots and fans' attention and discussion is disproportionately about those players. I think this is because they are the new type of player UM is after and people tend to focus on changes. Anyway, there are quiet a few of them and many are 3-star guys. I think this means the perception becomes that "most" of out recruits are 3-star guys when, in fact, there hasn't been much of a change from the traditional quality of UM recruiting classes.

It was 1969, a year Iggy Pop would immortalize in song. A year in which many a body bag got filled in ‘Nam. Some guy called “Bo” came up from Ohio to replace some guy named “Bump”. The whole freaking world was changing at a rate hard to measure without an electron stopwatch. Hippies were promoting free love and revolution and drugs. The White Panthers and the Rainbow People’s Party had houses on Hill Street. Black people were demanding to be treated like actual human beings; not asking, demanding. Walter Cronkite was still cool, but so was Joe Namath.

Me and Allan, my best bud, walked from Melrose Street to the stadium. No tickets. Didn’t have a nickel between us, but we were going to the Game. Our friends would be there, like always, in the south end zone about sixty or seventy rows up.

With our best pathetic faces, we stood at the corner of Stadium and Main begging for tickets--for all of about twenty seconds. Some drunk rich guy staggers up to us. “Here ya go, boys!”, he says. “Have a good time!” Allan looks over the tickets. 45 yard line, fifty rows up, west side. WTF! Ten minutes later we’d sold them for ten bucks apiece, had climbed under the fence by Crisler Arena and after a quick stop at the hot dog stand, were on our way to our rightful spots amongst the Tappan Junior High congregation. Life was good.

Some idiot, I don’t remember who, was handing out free apples. Jim Lampley, then a budding cub reporter, was standing on a riser in the southwest corner of the playing field doing some advance work for the TV. Well, he was making an attempt. Suddenly a hail of apples descended upon him like cluster bombs out of a Tomahawk Missile. I must admit that I did in fact aim for his head, but was pleased with the chest shot that connected—along with several other young apple snipers. Jim Lampley relocated. We laughed and taunted.

Back then they had no end zone nets. They had the hated Yellow Jackets—the guys responsible for retrieving footballs out of the crowd after extra points and field goals. We hated them. They hated us. We both knew the battles this day would be fierce. Our resolve was strong that day at the start, but after the Wolverines started chewing up some Buckeye ass—well, we would have stomped little old ladies into the ground to secure that pigskin manna falling to us from the heavens. And yes, we liberated more than one trophy that day.

Few people around today are witness to the thundering roar heard for miles that used to crack the atmosphere Saturday afternoons—that is, the stomping of feet on the steel bowl girding the concrete pit of Michigan Stadium. It sounded like a nuclear bomb attempting to extinguish an F5 Tornado hovering over a burning fireworks factory. Opposing teams used to experience anal pucker level 10 the first time they were beseeched by this auditory and vibratory assault. Wolverines used to jack up like crack heads air lifted into Peru. (Key Play? We would have kilt you and ate your young!) I’m telling you, the Wolverine Army could have taken Moscow that day and still had enough left to bum rush Peking.

As the human wave crashed the field after the boom of the final gun, and assaulted the goal posts at the north end, it was evident all intelligence had evaporated in a radioactive cloud of fanatic lust that remains lurking even today. We brought down the goal posts. Toppling over the shared gravitational pull of the goal post brought with it every fan whose muscle, sinew and brainwaves had propelled them into history. A mere two feet from my face, as I was crashed to the turf by the tidal wave of screaming fans, the corner of the goal post dug a good 9 inches deep. It was truly a miracle no one was kilt.

As Allan and I watched the frat boys carry those goal posts out of the stadium that day the sun was slipping behind some clouds and a grayness befell the Earth as if to say, you will never again witness such a contest. Be grateful. Though I had been to many Michigan games before then, that day, I felt truly baptized. I knew then, the Wolverines—win, lose or draw—would be my team forever.

Well it looks like i missed an interesting night last night. Overheard some people in the WLA say that I was the topic of a nice little post. Apparently I have made such an impression on people that there is a need around here to call me out personally for answering questions and giving my insights. I do not want to start another thread of attack, but I do want to answer some questions.

1. I liked Shafer at Michigan because i run a lot of Shafers schemes. I liked the idea of being able to follow the WOlverines over the next several years, knowing the terminology being used, the direction and the focus of the Defense, and such. I was supprised when he got the job, and was excited to tell people about what to expect over the years. Im sad to see him go, becasue i believed that if given time, he would have had michigans defense rolling, and i was excited about seeing someone at michigan who was going to emphasis technique and fundamentals.

2. I was a Michigan fan long before Shafer came around, and I was very excited to be apart of a blog community interested in knowing more about football, and offer another perspective. If by offering my perspective I offended people i appologize, as obviously it was not my intent. Still think that over the past couple of years I have been on the receiving in of many more attacks, then i have given out. But i appologize for any attack i have made, as one is too many.

3. Shafer not being at Michigan does ABSOLUTELY nothing to shake my confidence in my ability to break down a football play, to talk football, or to coach football. It has never been about proving myself on here. In fact its all been about talking Michigan football.

4. I like this Blog, i like Brian, and I like the WLA.. So im not going anywhere.... sorry to dissapoint some of you...

5. I like to talk about Skull cracking, Butt-kicking, weight-lifting, football stuff, becasue that is a big part of my life. In all reality i am exactly like i am in here, a nice guy with a pretty big heart, but kinda crazy. Im new to the world of internet tough guys, and bullying, so i am not very good at it, and most of the people that have a problem with me are much better at writing then I am, so be it. If anyone REALLY has a problem with me, im not too hard to find...

Later

G