football

The Big Ten Network teamed up with WhatIfSports once again to "predict" the outcome of the last fifteen years of B1G play had Nebraska been invited in 1996. The big mystery of the 1997 MNC: OSU (or M/OSU split). FWIW they call Nebraska finishing third in the division with three conference losses.

Obviously this sounds crazy, but this is the same company that predicted a 3-9 finish in 2010 with 23ppg, a 95% chance of losing to UConn and a 19% chance of victory at Purdue. Also the same company that had Tennessee besting us in the opening round of the 2011 dance.

http://www.bigtennetwork.com/dpp/sports/football/BTN-Partners-with-WhatI...

http://www.bigtennetwork.com/generic/sports/football/1997-Big-Ten-Legend...

Al Borges was the OC for Portland State under the entire tenure of then Viking HC Ernest "Pokey" Allen.

Both coaches went on to great fame at Boise State, including the 1994 Div. 1-AA National Title Game (13-2), losing 14-28 to Cheater McCheatervest of Youngstown State.

Shortly after that 1994 season, Allen was diagnoses with cancer and stepped down as Boise HC in December 1995.

I didn't realize how interesting of a character coach Pokey Allen was, until I saw this tribute footage with mostly Portland State football footage.

Allen was HC at Portland State from 1986-1992, and had Al Borges at his side as OC all of  those seasons plus two more at Boise State (1993-1994)

Local Portland TV news tribute to the late "Pokey" Allen.

For Al Borges, it must have been pretty cool to have worked with, and have been associated with such a great football coach and funnier-than-hell co-worker.

Some of the "bootleg" stuff Denard will no doubt be running off of Borges' gameday menu:

1995 Oregon vs. UCLA: QB Tony Graziani scores TD on a bootleg pass option play.

(No. 14 is star Oregon TB Ricky Whittle!  Seems like Borges always had great TBs to work with.)

1995 Oregon at UCLA: QB Tony Graziani getting destroyed on a bootleg pass play, but not before hitting receiver 49 yards downfield for 1st down.

Found this game footage from Hulu.com from their Big Ten Greatest Games series:

If anything I found the playcalling interesting to watch as Al Borges was a the OC for the Hoosiers that year. 

Also interesting since Borges was on the sideline not upstairs, which is the way he did his OC job at UCLA as well.

Indiana finished 3-9, Wisconsin 8-6 that season.

Coach Hoke's press conference quotes (text)

MGoBlue Fan/Media Day gallery

Fan/Media Day fluff:

Hoke:

Demens:

Jackson:

Mallory:

Martin:

Smith:

I know Borges had stated he may use a 3rd down back this season in his press conference a few days back. But it was revealed today that Michigan will be using a 3rd down back and that player has already been named the third down back. Jackson stated he will not reveal who that player is, but it will be obvious when the team plays Western.

My question is ... who do you feel the 3rd down back is? Apparently it will be a back that is not going to be amongst the final few backs considered to be a starter this season. I know a lot are thinking Vincent Smith, but I have to assume he is going to battle down to end for the staring spot.

What are your thoughts?  Toussaint or Hayes maybe? I know Jackson is very high on Rawls and Hayes .... could we possibly see Rawls as the starter and Hayes as the 3rd down back at some point this season?

EDIT: Link to article stating the 3rd down back has already been chosen:

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/michigan-has-picked-a-third-down-back-a-plan-for-denard-robinsons-carries-and-two-very-talented-fres/