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

scottydreisbach

December 3rd, 2010 at 3:45 PM ^

Admittedly I haven't been in the RR camp for a while.  To be honest, I actually feel a lot better about him after last night's speech.  I don't care if the Groban song is cheesy.  Clearly he and the players were all in it together.  The team still believes in him and it was a sentimental but important moment.  

I would ask everyone to stop hating.  Coach Rod deserves our respect, particularly after last night.  

Token_sparty

December 4th, 2010 at 7:55 PM ^

Would you not be LOLSOHARD-ing about that?  Well, maybe not as hard as I'm LOLSOHARD-ing about your 'good and holy about Michigan' comment.  Not nearly.

For the record, I think Coach Rodriguez is a good coach.  I don't like the Josh Groban thing because of the occasion- it was a banquet honoring the team, and he basically got up there and begged for his job- having set up the music to play beforehand.  You raise ME up?  That's the problem right there.  Have you ever heard him take responsibility for anything that went bad?  I haven't.  Before this banquet scene, I respected him even if I made a joke here and there.  After this, I'm not sure I can respect him, even though he and his staff have done so much good (Brock Mealer, the offensive improvement, etc.).

This is not about defending or slagging him, but putting the situation in context.  What does it tell us about Rodriguez?  It says that he'll stage a faux-emotional outburst to plead for his job.  In the end, it's all about him, even when it shouldn't be.

caup

December 3rd, 2010 at 3:22 PM ^

I support RR.  I want him back. Period.

But, yeah, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the Josh Groban Thing made me cringe. Like, a good old-fashioned squirm-in-my-seat-please-God-let-this-end..why-isn't-this-over-yet? kind of a cringe.

MGoBlog has the highest concentration of smart, sensitive fans who are totally fine with a Josh Groban sing-along, and that is super okay.

But it's also okay to cringe if sing-alongs to sappy teenyboppers isn't, you know, your thing.

markusr2007

December 3rd, 2010 at 3:25 PM ^

First, I think holding hands and singing Kumbaya at a college football bust is very similar to what the Who's down in Whoville did during  "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" story.  And we all know how that ended now don't we?

 

Second, kudos to the Indiana Fightin' Hoosiers basketball program for taking up the "Uncle Sam Pants" idea.  Maize and Blue versions would be very cool for Michigan, but may cause seizures.

 

 

 

badjuju81

December 3rd, 2010 at 3:39 PM ^

I want RR to stay, too, but I'm sick of his whining about what he and his family have been through.  I agree it sucks and it's unfair, but enough already.  It's just not good leadership! What he's going through in order to be a millionaire isn't so effing bad.

Don't want to copy IU with the pants.  We need to go to something even more horrific, IMHO. How about PLAID?!

superjoe455

December 3rd, 2010 at 3:56 PM ^

This is a joke and RR needs to go. I don't get how you kids want to keep the joke of RR. He will never beat OSU and by the looks of it never will beat MSU. Bye D. Hart have fun winning national championship's in Alabama. ITS A JOKE

Feat of Clay

December 3rd, 2010 at 4:15 PM ^

I went to three games this year, and in two out of the three I either had no seat or felt damned lucky to have one.  Watching from the end zone standing against the fence is actually a great view, but it can kind of be a pain in the ass if you weren't expecting it.

Also they ran out of food last time I was there.  And the parking is awful.  Honestly, the crowd problem seems opposite of what you indicate.

MGoShoe

December 3rd, 2010 at 9:06 PM ^

...Michigan - OSU game and it was packed. My three person group could barely squeeze into the grandstand.  Granted, it was the evening following the BGSU game, but still.  A ton of those in attendance were youth teams and their parents.  I can't agree with you more regarding the parking.  We were in the overflow lot and it was quite a hike to the stadium.

I was really impressed with the Ultras and the atmosphere.  We're extremely fortunate to have such a fantastic soccer facility.

Rufus X

December 3rd, 2010 at 4:19 PM ^

Like odd enough fro Jim Rome (again, love him or hate him) to spend a full half hour on it today.  Definitely cringworthy, and shows a certain lack of understanding of outsiders perceptions

Not that he HAS to care what others think.   If he wins 10 games every year he could play "wind beneath my wings".    He's got to realize where he is right now, in terms of public perception, and play it a little safer than this.  Wait, isn't "wind beneath my wings" pretty much the same thing as that Josh Whoeveryouare crap?

Not good.  Reminds me of John L smacking himself.  Bizarre.

southern_yankee

December 3rd, 2010 at 4:37 PM ^

I agree it was weird, but not for the external perception.  It was just weird to hear a coach essentially emontionally begging to keep his job at the end of season banquet.  I would have really much rather he spendt time talking about seniors, and how this years' season and bowl qualification is stepping us in the right direction.  I guess the whole tone was just odd to me.  But I guess with all the pressure he's been under, I can't get too upset over this....

Interesting that his tone seemed to imply he has no idea what Brandon is going to do or thinks he is gone.  Or am I reading too much into nothing?

JFW

December 3rd, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^

That sums it up for me. To me, the best thing that he could have done was stand up there, stuck his chest out and act confidently, and pretend there was no heat while he gave all the attention to the seniors and the class of '85. Not pressworthy, but giving the focus of the evening to those guys, and just being a class act. 

Cope

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^

Ok, I've been holding this in far too long, but evidence to support my claims is becoming overwhelming.

A strange twist of fate took my happy childhood and early adulthood in Ann Arbor and at the U to the shores of Florida, the new world. I met a girl. She bled orange and blue, yes, of the Gator variety, and strangely, loved football as much as I. After the initial anaphylactic shock wore off and my maize and blue blood recovered, we made a deal. Little did I know the consequences.

We would support each other's teams after our own. I would (at a distance) follow up my love for the Wolverines with that of the Gators. She would adopt the Wolverines as her team from the North. It was a beautiful marriage. We would each take the other to a home game and deck our faithful significant from head to toe in our team's apparel.

When autumn came, I swept her with the prevailing winds to Ann Arbor, and we sat, both in matching MI eyeblack and yellow Denard shirts, screaming my maize and blue to an exciting second half comeback at Iowa that just fell short.

Later, we would do the same in matching orange and blue in the Swamp against the formidable Carolina Gamecocks.

All the while, I sensed a climax building. In my heart, I knew we would play in the bowl game. Our seasons were shaping up eerily similarly. It seemed destiny would have us meet.

I've maintained this strange faith through predictions of the Insight Bowl to the unexpected fall from power of Iowa. And now I declare it to Mgoblogdom:

We will play the Gators in the Gator Bowl. It is undeniable. It is fate. And for me, it is war.

It is the only true ending to this strange story, a sad twist of fate, but poignantly beautiful.

And something tells me, it is one we will win. 

Polisci

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^

Dear DB,

Please end this farce.  I personally would keep RR, but if Harbaugh is going to be our next coach, what the heck is he doing wasting his time with Stanford this month?  I don't give a crap about Stanford their record or their bowl game.  A Michigan Man cares about Michigan. If he is going to be coaching Michigan next season then it should start today.  

Either way, end this, please. 

Sincerely, your loyal fan,

Polisci

rcrichlo

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:37 PM ^

reading the article it seems to me that UF might not get chosen.

Jacksonville is primarily a Gator town, but some worry Florida fans won't travel, won't spend the night and won't help the economy. The Gator Bowl Association will weigh that in its selection process.

Jacksonville is primarily a Gator town, but some worry Florida fans won't travel, won't spend the night and won't help the economy. The Gator Bowl Association will weigh that in its selection process.

 "Still trying to get that balance," Catlett said. "We're not about college football. We're about economic impact."

"People would love the Gators because this is a Gator town," Clarissa Laster said. "However, the economy, such as it is, would benefit greatly to have other teams -- teams from out of state -- come in to help with the local economy."

 

 sounds like UM fits the bill. UF not so much. perhaps, UM vs. UF would be the right combo of locals and outsiders though

Franc-O

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^

Maybe I get torched for my viewpoint but I stand by it as its how I feel.

Dec 3rd marks the day that I became officially embarrassed by the school I love. What went on last night was a disaster. I am an alum, I bleed maize and blue and I'm tired. Tired of what Rich has done to the image of our program.  What he did last night is indefensible. How dare he turns what should have been a great evening for the seniors and the team into a clown show circus. Today Michigan is getting laughed at and in 35 yrs I have never witnessed such an act. Damn it I love this school, I love this team, I love the history and tradition and I no longer respect Rich Rodriguez. I say this because I have a strong belief that such an outrageous act as last nights sing along was more than just an impromptu act of attempted inspiration, I believe it more leans toward an act that had many deeper meanings that will eventually benefit one Rich Rodriguez.



Again I do love Michigan and mean no disrespect to my school. But I'm tired and I have no more blind faith left.



Go Blue

zlionsfan

December 3rd, 2010 at 9:19 PM ^

and we'd be less likely to echo the crap they shovel to fill airtime when there's nothing to talk about other than "hey i herd this nba guy went back to celevland and beat them lolwut."

If Michigan were 11-1 and RR were getting them ready for the Rose Bowl, he could play Kenny Chesney and people would be saying "Hell yes he's got them ready to kick some ass!" Things aren't where we want them to be, so anything he does is "wrong". If he'd been stoic through the banquet, people would criticize him for being emotionless. If he'd focused exclusively on the players, people would criticize him for ignoring the elephant in the room.

SmithersJoe

December 3rd, 2010 at 9:45 PM ^

If he'd focused exclusively on the players, people would criticize him for ignoring the elephant in the room.

Personally, I would have preferred this, especially at a banquet intended to honor those players.  I don't think there would have been nearly the attention or criticism in that case, but hindsight is 20/20.

skootermcgilicutty

December 4th, 2010 at 9:15 AM ^

What?!?  No more 97.crap, The Douche Nozzle?

 

O.k.  That wasn't fair.  The do cover subjects other than RR.

 

I mean, just yesterday, they got me updated on the Lions quest to upset the mighty Bears of Chicago this weekend.  Oh, and the hot stove signings for the Tigers.

 

Still.

JFW

December 3rd, 2010 at 8:34 PM ^

Sorry you got negged.

I actually actively pity RR. The pressure seems to be getting to him. This was just wierd, and not the right place or the right time. 

As I've said before, I think Harbaugh is a better fit, and the right direction for the program. That said, if RR gets another year, I'll be pulling for the guy to win 11 right down the line. If he does get fired, i hope he finds another job that is a better fit. 

But holy cow! He just seemed a bit unhinged with this! And Josh Groban? Really? C'mon! Its football! How about some Metallica at least! Ouch!

jdog

December 3rd, 2010 at 8:17 PM ^

Dude, get ready.  One day, you will be on this blog defending Richrod like he's Lloyd Carr and some little bitch will be writing how Lane Kiffin, Jr. should be Michigan's coach and anyone who thinks otherwise should STFU.  Then you're an old man. . . .

DustomaticGXC

December 4th, 2010 at 10:10 PM ^

no matter who they play in the bowl game.  I mean come on:  When was the last time Michigan lost to a team that wasn't in the Big Ten? 

 

And why no recognition at the banquet for Rich Rod winning yet another Big East title?