Cal

Shaq Thompson has eliminated us after this weekend. His new top 3 are ASU, Cal, and Washington. He's taking his last official visit to Utah in 2 weeks. He also semi-eliminated Oregon and said this, 

"Those three have my attention right now," he said. "I was feeling Oregon too but the more I think about how small Eugene is, I'm not sure that fits me. I'm kind of a big city guy."

I'm not sure how big Eugene is but I don't really consider Ann Arbor a big city.

Barring something crazy happening, it doesn't look like he'll visit. We always knew he was a longshot but it was still nice to think we had a fighting chance.

Link: http://247sports.com/Article/5-star-Shaq-Thompson-talks-ASU-trip-top-3-49631

Yesterday I got to be part of the Color Guard (those people in military uniform that do stuff with the Us flag before the game).  It was at Cal, but I didn't mind it because it was a special opportunity, and I go to school very near there (Sorry, I'm a lifer who didn't even go to the school...Brainwashed?  Maybe, but don't you DARE say it!)  So, I was able to stand 40 feet from the tunnel when the players came out, hang out pre-game and see those HUGE linemen walk past me, and stand next to the warming up cheerleaders.  (It's really hard to stand at attention and not look at the people in front of you when they are cheerleaders stretching.)  Then, I ended up going back to my brother's frat for the end of the game because it started raining and I was still in uniform (Oh, and Cal was up by 33-3 if my memory doesn't suck)

The point of this was to observe some things:
1.) Those players at Cal at pretty big
2.) I can actually see why this happened.  http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5710536   When I walked in no one EVER questioned me.  I was just in uniform and after I was on the field I was then able to move to the student section.  I will admit, I don't think I should have been allowed there, but I could have gone almost anywhere, and I wanted to meet my brother, who was in the student section.  This is more bothersome.
3.) My new dream for life is to get this equivalent of a free field pass at UM.  I swear to you all that if I do end up getting to do colors (flag ceremony stuff) at UM then I will.....I will....maybe cry while holding the colors?  Just a tear of joy.  Oh, yeah, and I will try to BODY SURF!  (just kidding, would still be in uniform)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball/news?slug=kr-caldropsbsb092810

It's articles like this that make me thankful we have/had Athletic Directors like Bill Martin and David Brandon.  There is no discussion of any Michigan sports programs getting cut during these times while great schools like Cal have to cut not only baseball, but also both gymnastics teams and women's lacrosse. 

Thank you Michigan Athletic Department!