football

Chicago OL Chris Bryant is coming in for an official visit this weekend with his parents. He does not have any other visits planned after this, but he could schedule a few if he decides he needs to. 

Michigan is in good position with Chris, but he does have some concerns about the coaching situation. He plans on asking about those concerns this weekend. I don't expect him to make a decision this weekend, but it's not out of the question. I don't think he really knows what he wants to do at this point until some things are cleared up. This visit will be for him to see more of the social life and how he interacts with the players. 

"There's a sucker born every minute." In this case, me. In the euphoria of our 5 - 0 start, I thought we had a good chance to beat Michigan State. This was a fatal miscalculation. In the hubris of that moment, with blind confidence in then Heisman front runner Denard and in the proud and sure confidence of Michigan's return to glory, I made a wager. A foolish wager. One requiring the wearing of Michigan State garments in a public setting, and the possible sacrifice of my first born child.

After the loss, I was required to take my senior daughter on a campus visit to Michigan State, on a beautiful Fall day. She was not swayed, and is planning to attend Kansas State. (A planned major in animal science with the goal of large animal vet school does not make Michigan a viable location for attendance.) Disaster narrowly averted . . . I can't imagine the pain and humiliation of Michigan alumni who have offspring attending Michigan State. I wonder if there are support groups for those unfortunate souls.

The second part of the bet was paid off yesterday. Needless to say, this goes down as a day of great personal shame and infamy. Sigh. At least the tie I wore was reasonably tasteful. Muted green and silver stripes with a single "Michigan State" at the bottom is tolerable. A loud, garish green and white polyester abomination with a field of leering Sparties would not have been. Lesson learned.

Note to self:  should Michigan somehow get through the first 10 games next year without a loss, do NOT, repeat, do NOT, make a wager with colleagues from Nebraska, or nephews from Ohio State. Yes, I believe 2011 will be a good year. Yes, I believe that we will be in all our games. But no, this ginger does not want to take the chance of wearing Nebraska or Ohio State red.

According to Rivals, we'll be in the 7th best bowl to watch this offseason.  But, they also play up the 'Mullen is the hot name, Rich Rod once was' angle as well.

UMGoblog just tweeted it.

Home to HaHa and Dee, this reeks of Saban pulling something out of his bag of many tricks. Hopefully Dee is solidly blue and doesn't give in to Satan. I mean Saban.

Scout is reporting that Muskegon DL Damon Knox has committed to MSU. For anyone wondering, it's been reported here multiple times that his grades wouldn't be good enough to net a scholarship offer. Best of luck to the kid, even if he's off to Sparty.

Why did he commit?

"That coaching staff is amazing,” he said about the Spartans. “They’re so energetic and never flat. I constantly hear from them and they really want me. They make me feel very wanted…I love that program.”

Bought my first bowl tickets today! Its the first bowl game Michigan has gone to where I live in the state in which they are playing. Very excited to make it to my first one, but I have a few questions maybe some of you MGoUsers can answer. By the way, stadium seats are $65 a pop.

1. I signed in with my MGoBlue user account (the one I used to buy student season tickets all 4 years of undergrad). Is there any preferential seating selection for repeat customers or customers with seniority (alumni, perhaps)?

2. Will I be placed in the Michigan group? I purchased Stadium level seats.

3. How many of you are making the trip? I hope there's an awesome showing by Michigan fans. I'd like a home crowd advantage.

Go Blue! Let's beat up on the SEC!