Unverified Voracity, Globetrotting Comment Count

Brian

Bust happening one. There was one piece of a news-type thing that transpired at last night's football bust. It was Dave Brandon saying this:

LIVONIA - When emcee Frank Beckmann made an off-hand quip about the Michigan football team headed west for its upcoming bowl game, athletic director Dave Brandon corrected him.

“I think we’re going in a different direction,” Brandon said Thursday at the podium during the team's annual football banquet at the Laurel Manor.

That direction would be south to Florida, whereupon Michigan would play an SEC team of some variety. An eagle-eyed reader with a strange method of surfing Michigan's ticket website stumbled across two "hidden" items and sent them along. They are tickets for the Insight and Gator bowls. If Michigan isn't going west and isn't preparing to sell Outback tickets, this means Michigan would play Florida in the Gator. The Gator Bowl has just publicly declared it doesn't give two dangs about anything but "heads in beds, fannies in seats and big TV ratings," so that sounds like they're going for Dread Ferrari sex appeal over the Americanzi*.

This avoids the ten-win-opponent gauntlet on either side and sets up a fascinating matchup between Florida's offense and Michigan's defense, except it probably won't be that fascinating because as soon as they step on the field against Michigan, Florida will look like MC 900 Foot Tebow is at the helm again. If form holds they'll still lose because Michigan puts up 40.

*(Note to self: try very hard not to misspell this by transposing the final A and N.)

Bust happening two. The other thing the newspapers are reporting today is an "emotional" or "emotional" Rich Rodriguez making a case for his job, which probably shouldn't affect anyone's decision but will make everyone feel worse if the plug gets pulled:

“My name is Rich Rodriguez,” he said. “I’m honored to be the football coach at Michigan. I hope you realize I want to be a Michigan man.”

Guh. That Michigan's head coach would have to say something like that in year three is a depressing summary of the state of things.

Apparently something by someone named Josh Groban was referenced, horrifying the Michigan twittersphere and thrilling those of rivals. I don't know who that is, and where I'd normally set about fixing my old-manness in this department it sounds like ignorance is bliss here. I will take the opportunity to remind you that Special K is the center of all evil in this universe and his power is only growing. INCREDIBLY DORKY AND OVERWROUGHT ANALOGY HO: Michigan Stadium feels like one of the Elven havens after the destruction of the one ring, its ancient power slowly leaching from it, permitting intruders like men and Saliva to breach its hallowed ground.

/idaoah

In other verklemptness. Denard accepting his MVP:

DenardRobinson_Banquet-thumb-590x411-63224

Lon Hordowel/Ann Arbor.com

Bust bit of information that is not really a happening but is interesting. Michigan's share of the pie for their game in Jerryworld is a whopping 4.7 million dollars. The News says this is "roughly" what Michigan gets for a home game, so Michigan gets to play a real opponent in one-off without sacrificing any dollars. Insert usual complaint about how the Big Ten's excessive revenue sharing encourages big games played thousands of miles from campus over home-and-home series that are more convenient and authentic than preseason bowl games in generic corporate stadia. I would much rather go to a game in Tuscaloosa than Dallas.

Football of the other variety. This weekend Michigan will attempt to do one better than its best-ever finish in soccer by beating #2 seed Maryland and advancing to the College Cup in Santa Barbara, whereupon their games will actually be on television. Getting past the Terps will be a tall order. They're 19-2-1, have won 15 straight, and are seeded higher than the Akron team that crushed Michigan 7-1 a month and a half ago.

There's no TV but I am pretty sure this will be a web stream of the game, which is Sunday at 1.

As a side note, I think it would help soccer's attendance considerably if they started having more consistent scheduling. Football's something you should probably avoid, but why not play on Sunday at a consistent time as often as possible? Michigan's home games were on Saturday(3), Wednesday(6), and Friday(2), with just one on Sunday. I get that you're going to have a lot of Wednesday night games because of scheduling issues but it seems like they should make an effort to get a consistent date and time going for weekend games.

It's all about the pants. ESPN Rise has a slightly hyperbolic profile of Carlton Brundidge, who "combines drive of a beast, dad's instilled military discipline." Biographical tidbit: Brundige's older sister was a Michigan swimmer named Clinique, which is a brand name for makeup and reminds me of Idiocracy.

But the real reason I'm bringing this to your attention is awesome pants:

Gary Teasley; MI DEC 2010; Basketball; Southfield High School; Story Idea: Calrton Brundidge is the top hoops player in Michigan, rated as the No. 52 senior in the ESPNU 100. Brundidge has committed to play his college ball at Michigan. Brundidge comes from a big-time basketball family, with his brother playing at Wayne State and his father, who played at Army under Mike Krzyzewski. Team Colors: White and Blue; Photo by: Scott Stewart

We need warmups like that so hard.

(HT: UMHoops.)

Etc.: The Big Chill rink is extant and "perfect" according to Berenson. AA.com has a video interview. Tom Brady in ugg boots. Justice Hayes is staying local even if Rodriguez leaves because Fred Jackson is a permanent fixture. Mets Maize on Rodriguez the person.

Comments

RoxyMtnHiM

December 4th, 2010 at 1:07 PM ^

Amidst the uncertainty, two things have been etablished as fact:

1. A segment of the Michigan family found the events of the past week embarrassing and antithetical to their notion and experiences of what Michigan football is about.

2. You shouldn't try to talk about it here.

MGoShoe

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^

...the link for reference.  Here's hoping the legions of National Capital Region alumni show up in droves in College Park.  

Since I have the honor to be the presiding officer at the retirement of my reserve unit's master chief petty officer and reenlistment of my unit's (mobilizing) chief petty officer on Saturday in Norfolk, I will miss the game.  Somethings are simply more important.

TrppWlbrnID

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:36 PM ^

he is a character from a terrible 90s movie that is played by the guy who is dr evil's son.  he wears goggles, is really hyper and is the high school dj or some crap and plays terrible music.  hilarity ensues, yada yada.  this is the nickname for the guy at Michigan Stadium who chooses to play Old Time Rock n Roll and the usual jock schlock, except the one time he played the bed intruder song.

 

if we knew who he was, he would not be a problem any longer, if you get my drift.

Wolverine0056

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:50 PM ^

We need warmups like that so hard.

How hard Brian?

I love RR and Denard, if you don't then your not a Michigan fan. RR is a Michigan Man in my heart and will always be one. A coach / player / anything that puts that much heart into a speech, let alone what he does for his student athletes and their family (Mealers) is incredible. 

 

 

Mgobowl

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:51 PM ^

A game of this significance must be televised. Does anyone know if this will be on BTN, FSN, or even ESPN? I'm living out of market, so I'm trying to figure out how I can watch the game.

IanO

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^

The left hand has apparently deleted the Brady Ugg Boots post.

There is apparently some disagreement about what constitutes a quality board post.

IanO

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:14 PM ^

I didn't particularly care about the thread itself. I just wanted to point out the strangeness of a moderator deleting a thread that Brian saw fit to front-page.

But I now see it was actually deleted because it was a repeat. So never mind. :)

Seth

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^

Is there anything poetic about it if Rich Rodriguez's tenure is ultimately bookended by two defeats of Florida, one of the most successful teams in college football during this period of football history?

jnaramor

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^

1. Why are the soccer games not on TV? It drives me nuts when you want to support your team.

2. I really think it's premature to fire RR after 3 seasons. I think that you have to give him at least one, if not 2 more years. I'm really growing tired of the "Hire Harbaugh or Bust" sentiment. He may need to test the NFL waters. At least we can give RR a true chance and then reassess again next years. I mean we gave Amaker 6 seasons...

RoxyMtnHiM

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^

That Michigan's head coach couldn't refrain from turning the bust into a mawkish, self-pitying spectacle -- layered on top with hopelessly embarrassing taste in music -- is what says a lot about the state of things. Saturday he was mocking the notion he should hold hands with anybody and sing Kumbaya. Thursday he was holding hands and singing Kumbaya (yeah yeah yeah I know, the 1st was referencing OSU...). I'd hate to see the guy go Moeller (ftr, I got no reservations at all about Mo as a great football coach who was important in the continuity AND evolution of Michigan football and feel that heretofore that was one of the saddest episodes in our modern history) but I wouldn't rule out the possibility. RR needs to get a grip and realize grace under pressure is part of the gig, especially at a place where a tough SOB like Bo set the standard.

BLUEFBFAN

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:14 PM ^

That is funny. Bo was a great coach,but one thing he didn't have was grace when coaching. He was more a bull in a china shop. Moeller went Moeller probably because of the rediculously obnoxious, whiny,arrogant fans out there who act like cock roaches when the season doesn't go right and helped him to have a melt down.

st barth

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:25 PM ^

I'm actually kind of glad our football coach has hopelessly embarrassing music taste.  Clearly football is much higher on his priority list than keep his ipod loaded.  If his taste were better than mine, then I would be concerned.

Never

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^

Always read that as him saying "I want to be a Michigan Man" (e.g., I will be remembered as)  since that ultimately is what his detractors claim he is not.

M-Wolverine

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:58 PM ^

In terms you would understand, Josh Groban is pretty much the complete opposite of Morrissey.  Assuming Morrissey has a goatee.

bluebyyou

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:04 PM ^

After the Big Chill, heading south would be nice.

I take the emotional words that RichRod spoke to mean that he really has no more knowledge of his future than we do, or maybe he does and things are still conjectural.   I also take this as not being a good sign and, when coupled with Harbaugh's absence last night, makes me think something is up.

Communist Football

December 3rd, 2010 at 6:34 PM ^

The game between Dr. Phillips and Seminole Ridge is at 7:30 at Bill Spoone Stadium (the DPHS home stadium). That means the press conference is likely to be in the 10-11 range. 

Buuut...a friend of mine who is a former miss FL invited me out to dinner with her and her girlfriends.  Faced with the choice of a Dee Hart decommitment press conference and that, well, I think you'd do the same as me.  Sorry Comrades.  If for some unfortunate reason my night out is abbreviated, I'll head over to DPHS and record the event.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

December 3rd, 2010 at 3:07 PM ^

Getting tired of the OMG Josh Groban LOLSOHARD schtick from our own house.  Let Sparty and Buckeye haters hate, it's what they do.  They hate all that is good and holy about Michigan, right down to the maize and blue and winged helmets, of course they will hate every other bit of news about us too.  Has nobody ever been on an athletic team of any kind?  Nobody's ever had stupid team things that brought on unity and motivation?

On my high school swim team, we had "Devils' Week" to get us really good and ready for the division meet.  It consisted of three hours of impossibly difficult swimming, accompanied by one theme song for each day, set on repeat for three hours.  Try the Brady Bunch for three hours straight.  I guess everyone else's teams all picked only the coolest, most MTV-approved music, though.

So a message to everyone who means it when they say they're embarrassed about Josh Groban and that makes RR not a Michigan Man: Fuck you sideways with a porcupine. No, really.  Grow the fuck up and stop being a fifteen-year-old about this.