I'm always interested when someone says to wait until the first few weeks of the season. Since any team can beat any other team on any given Saturday, what is the value of a Week 3 poll vs. a preseason poll? All you have done is handicapped the lower-ranked teams based on a few weeks of performance.
Since I've joined this site my idea has been to never release a single poll until all games are played (even conference championships). Then you have all the data necessary to find your final four ( which with the playoffs seem to be the only purpose of the polls now)
Humor, like all art, is quite subjective. I, however, haven't once been entertained by him so far when he tries to be funny in that movie, Big Hero 6 ( I have a 4-year old) or the beer commercial where he's talking to a draft nozzle.
I rarely post (maybe 6 times since I've been a member) but I had to post just to mention the actor who was holding the camera narrating throughout Cloverfield. I literally muted the movie many times because his voice was so annoying.
Kornheiser 's podcast is the only one I listen to. Good to know there are others on the board who enjoy this, as it is a departure from what most people see on TV (or maybe an extension beyond his 30 second takes with Wilbon). The jingles by the fans are brilliant by themselves.
Thanks for posting this. I literally just looked at the Revisions section of the Depth Chart by Class to count the class of 2016. So now that we know this, will the same people who were uneasy with names being mentioned in previous threads give Brian some pushback for doing the same on the front page?
I will admit that I am a little uneasy as it seems we are eagerly anticipating hearing names so we can pencil in an expected commit for next year. I mean, the kids that may get a gentle shove were once commits as well, right?
I did a search and couldn't find a post on this, but on the 15 yd penalty on the Purdue player late in the game (10 mins left in 4th, after the Gibbons FG to put us up 34-13), did the replay look like a Michigan player threw a punch first at the Purdue kid? I was listening to the radio feed while watching the game, so I didn't hear if the TV guys brought it up (they showed the replay). I haven't read any of the post-game transcripts so I wasn't sure if the question was brought up to Hoke. Anyone else see/confirm this for me?
I don't download torrents, and I imagine the play won't show up on UFR's or "Every Snap" videos, so that's why I am asking.
By the way, not trolling, so those waiting to overreact to the question, go have a drink. This is a genuine question in the interest of finding a genuine answer.
I actually like what he said, as I have the same opinion. The biggest issue, though, is that teams are ranked before every game is played. Everybody agrees that the ranking system is something that changes week-to-week, so why not just wait until the last week to release it? I know this will never happen, because those that vote would still compile a private ranking system, and lord knows ESPN will have their "informal rankintology" every Monday. I've always been under the impression that when a team has an opinion on whether they should be in the National Championship game or not, the cause of such ire is on the voter's shoulders, not the BCS's. This issue won't end if a tournament is adopted, unless guaranteed spots are given to conference champions only (which still poses problems because conferences rarely play every other team in their conference)
I like the bowl system because kids have the opportunity to play a team they may never play again in a city they may have never visited nor may ever visit again. Creating a tournament only gives you a tournament champion (see college basketball).
Scenario 1: (1) Undefeated Team
(2) Undefeated Team
(3) 1-loss team
(4) 2-loss team
If (4) beats (1), (3) beats (2), and (4) beats (3), was (4) the best team in college football? Probably not, they were just the best team over a two-week period in a tournament. How would that be any less mythical o than those that use "MNC" somewhere in their online lexicon?
End Rant.
/it's like 85 degrees in Arizona; no real reason to complain, I guess.
I have always said that, if I ever became a coach, my first statement would be, "Talk about is not a question. 'Could you talk about' is a question, but not a question that I will answer. You have 3 hours to think of something substantive, so inspire yourself to contribute something worthwhile."
I am lucky enough to have a wife that always sees me on this site and doesn't chastise me about it. She is now interested in the "face palm guy" and "Lloyd Brady" and which cat picture makes the "intangibles" each week. So, I looked away for a second after the touchdown and I hear, "There he is!!!" and I say, "The face-palm guy?" and she says, "No, Lloyd Brady!". I literally laughed for almost a straight minute that my wife who never followed college football is now pointing out a college student with a made up name created on a sports blog.
My wife and I land at Midway at 4pm that Saturday. What's the easiest, quickest and cheapest route to the game? We already have tickets. Bus? Cab? Rent a car?
If you haven't read this on the site, take some time with a nice drink and, of course, a sandwich. Genius even for the 99% of us that don't watch reality tv.
Anyone who says we DIDN'T waste our first round pick is an idiot. We have 1st round money now invested in 2 people at the same position. With the salary cap, we cannot afford elite level players at each position group if we are investing a lot of money to just one of those groups. After the 1st round, we still need every single high-priority position that we did before the draft even began. We may be able to get to the QB more easily, but that certainly won't stop our OLBs and CBs from being taken advantage of. Double moves, 5-wide sets, screens, etc. can all be used to tame an aggresive Dline.
How this is not being compared to WR I, WR II, WR III is beyond me. Now, if we had a rookie salary cap, I would be upset, but not as upset. You just can't, in this league, have 2 1st-rounders at the same position and succeed as an up-and-coming team.
4:59pm Thursday: OT, OLB, CB
4:59pm Friday: OT, OLB, CB
As for impact, both Smith and Prince would've had a bigger impact because they would be an upgrade at a position of need.
With KVB back, I think we could've had the best DL in the league without Fairley and an upgraded back 7 with a 1st round CB.
I can't believe that the Commissioner of a conference would come out publicly and essentially say, "These names stink (stink), and we need new ones" only for the rotten stinkpiles to stay. Will Delaney come out with a statement saying, "My bad" or "Upon furter review, the play stands as called"? Only way to put the heat on himself for initially acknowledging the 90% of us who were obviously "wrong".
Harbaugh has a deal in principle with Denver to become the new Bronco coach. At the last second, Jeff Tedford is hired as the new coach. As Tedford is introduced by a local marching band, Tedford accidentally trips over the trombone player, causing Elway to proclaim himself the new Denver coach.
/redeem'd without the need of a helicopter twirl into the end zone
If you read the whole story, it is a grand pile of nothing.
"I believe that something will happen, but not because I want it to."
" I want something else to happen. That way, if either happens, I will be in the clear."
By the way, "95 percent of them were stunned" is meant to make the reader believe that it means 95% of ALL players, when in all honesty, it doesn't.
By the way, is there a website that tracks writers/analysts predictions (or better yet, preseason polls vs post-season polls)? Something to actually being accountability and a checks and balance mentality to sports media?
I have looked at several Big Chill threads and haven't read anything about problems with the TV feed. I'm in Arizona, and with about 7 mins left in the game, the screen froze and went black until 10 minutes past the hour (football postseason show was on). Good thing was I got to see all of the goals. I know there are other Arizonians here....did your feed cut out as well?
Obviously, it's been shown that Josh was over his head with a head coaching gig, but would any of us have turned down the opportunity if it were presented to us? If I were a middle management guy (like a coordinator), I would still accept a job as a corporate head if it came up. I think any one of us would do the same.
With MSU having more tickets allotted, is it safe to assume we are the away team? Unfortunate, if true, as I would love to see the home uniforms on New Years Day
Lived in north Scottsdale and now in east Mesa. Upper deck was bad cuz of overpriced subpar food. would be cool if Michigan came here for bowl game. Certainly a lot of Michiganders out here to pack the stadium! By the way, high school math teacher with huge Michigan banner hanging in classroom!
Looks like RichRod is getting older by the day with this grrrrbij known as the secondary. Sidenote: rumors of moving back to a 4-3 under with Roh goin all "Put me in Coach..as long as when I'm in, I'm a Defensive End". What are the chances we get destroyed and the number of posts TOTAL are cut by half? That's called apathy, children.
/already drunk on Friday thinking about Saturday
/it's only rum and coke, no need for an intervention...
/should those sentences be bullet points since, collectively, they make no sense?
Did anyone else notice the running plays going to the side of the defensive line where a 4th defensive lineman would normally line up? Then, when Martin went out, the runs just kept going up the middle. Eesh..get well Mike. Get the playbook quickly Mr. Washington
The offense struggled only a few times all night. How many 3 and outs have we all seen throughout our Michigan football lives? We knew what RichRod brought to the table: offense and a militaristic mentality in terms of training, practicing, and motivation. The defense is terrible. We know that, but I think all of us have been waiting for a bit of a tweak in scheme and play-calling, and not necessarily positions. I wouldn't be surprised if GERG resigned. I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't win another game this year. I wouldn't be surprised if we stayed with the 3-3-5 (oops, I mean multiple fronts) defense. We are so focused on the offense getting us out of trouble that I think we may forget just what it is this offense is doing on a week-to-week basis. It is mind-blowing. Instead of posts on RR, maybe we should put all of our energy into focusing on everything and anything defense. If you're friends with defensive HS kids, recruit em. If you're friends with defensive coordinators, bring a dictaphone and ask a bunch of questions. We are Michigan, and if we are all in then it is time for us to do soemthing about this travesty called defensive football.
Go Blue. Go BO. Go Blitz. Go Hit Somebody. Go Wrap Up. Go Recruit. Go Do Something
"The answer to their troubles is simple. Turnovers, penalties, kicking game snafu's, and defensive missed assignments and tackling have cost them. If they eliminate these things and play a complete game, they'll win."
Isn't this the M.O. for any team to win? This man has played and participated in football for decades, and this is the best critique that he can muster up? If a member had posted this as a forum topic, he or she would be destroyed by "obvious" replies and comparative memes regarding skies being blue and water being wet. 22 defensive players on 2-deep, and 12 are underclassmen. Fundamentals come with time, and mistakes will be made. We knew this year would be tough on the defensive side of the ball, and that the kicking game would struggle because a walk-on beat a scholarship freshman last year. Oh yeah, and then Woolfolk got hurt and Will Campbell didn't develop and Obi became Obi of old and Vlad is still hurt and transferred and J.T. left and .....
Could be wrong, but isn't the one problem with stretching the field horizontally is that eventually the vertical threat doesn't become a factor (e.g., the redzone)? It is then that the simplicity of the offensive scheme gets a bit exploited. I would love for the team to go 2 or 3 wide with Denard under center.
I think the 1st year was Computer+Writers' Poll+Coaches Poll. Now it is Computer+Coaches Poll. The coaches will NEVER convince me that they watch all of the games, and so their opinion is just as comforting as the writers' opinions used to be. In other words...not very. I want just Computer. No votes. No emotion. Just Computer. Somebody please embed a picture of Trapper Keeper from South Park
My only concern is that if you have a 6-team playoff, then teams ranked 7-9 may have an argument that they belong. This is the College Basketball paradox. 64 teams are invited, and immediately there are arguments for 5-10 teams that were "left out". I would love a system where a computer gives a score for strength of schedule based on some sort of crazy algorithm where the ideological and emotional biases or humans are totally tossed out. Right now, we have emotionally charged "writers" who want to lift up and bring down the big guys and consistently promote the little guy.
But I have to disagree to comparing the sentiment to Brock's Walk. The coaches and training staff never stopped and allowed Brock to do what he wanted. They pushed him. Hard. Harder than anyone else had up to that point. I applaud Brock 100 times more than this act of kindness (no disrespect against the sentiment, understand). Brock's Walk was a challenge accomplished. It still gives me chill just writing about it now. That was a hell of a moment in Michigan history, and will and SHOULD be replayed with all of the great moments in Michigan Stadium.
The biggest problem with the current structure is the ranking of teams before every game is played. Texas was ranked #7 when they lost to UCLA, who is currently unranked. So, if Texas drops to #21, does that mean that UCLA beat the #7 team in the country, or the #21 team in the country? No one can honestly assess any college football team until after their last game has been played. To do otherwise unfairly handicaps teams competing for the championship game. If, as the experts say, the polls are fluid week to week, doesn't that mean that the last week is the only one that truly matters because it puts the entire season into perspective?
As far as a "playoff" being the answer because "they actually decide it on the field"...um, no they don't. Every team in college football has their own schedule, which does not include every other team in their conference, let alone every other team in the FBS. If college basketball has taught us anything, it's that a playoff doesn't crown the best team of the college season, they crown a tournament champion, which is hardly the same year after year, comparatively. It has also taught us that, apparently, 64 teams weren't enough for a tournament. Imagine the outrage by teams ranked 1 or 2 spots below the cut line for the college football tournament.
I love the bowls because it puts teams against one another who may never play each other again in a city the kids may never travel to again. It's a year-end gift for a season's test. I wouldn't want to trade that experience for a glass football voted on by people who see maybe 10% of the teams that they are voting for.
I believe he was the guy that won the ESPN "be the next "boom goes the dynamite" guy" contest, so it's no wonder he does the highlights the way he does. Then again, Dave Revsin's "NOWWWWW" at the end of his promos makes me laugh at him uproariously every single time I hear it. The only thing worse is that Friday Night Tailgate show. Holy hell, you must force yourselves to watch 5 straight minutes of that show. I've only been able to watch 3 straight minutes, which is one minute more than I could handle a Dane Cook standup...
Does any website ever embed either the audio or video from the press conferences? I tire of MgoBlue's evil software that constantly stops/starts/stops/starts. Used to be MVictors, but I haven't noticed them doing the recent press conferences in the past few weeks.
Agreed. I always think back to "The Team" speech by Bo. "We're going to believe in each other. We're not going to criticize each other. We're not going to talk about each other. We're going to ENCOURAGE each other!"
That's why I am worried about teams like MSU, OSU, Wisconsin and Iowa. I keep looking at our D-line and their O-line and worrying that 5 on 3 is a bad start to any run play. UMass ran a lot of misdirection so that their big guys could more easily seal one side and bring an Olineman into the second level. It looked like our Dlinemen were being coached to crash to the side that the linemen were going; bad part of that is a counter would put 75% of our defense on the wrong side of the play.
On a side-note: interesting piece by the analysts during the game. GERG mentioned during weekly interviews that Peyton Manning's no-huddle taught him to put his 11 best players on the field at all times to avoid being caught in a substitution penalty or being exploited with a certain package that may have been on the field. Could this be the explanation for "multiple fronts" instead of "multiple packages" like LC's regimes used to do?
Does BTN have a coverage map like ESPN? I actually emailed them regarding Saturday's games, but they haven't responded yet. I am in Arizona, and our cable provider has 2 BTN channels. The main BTN channel says OSU-Ohio, and the 2nd channel says "Regional Coverage" with the other 3 games listed.
If michigan recovered in end zone or if ball drifted through the end zone it would've been michigan ball at the 20 yd line. It would've been considered a touchback, change of possession
First, props for putting together that video. That was really cool to watch.
1. Patrick Omameh was getting beat on almost every play. The scramble by Shaw that cost 10+ yards was Omameh's guy breaking through to the backfield.
2. Denard still needs some work on the Zone Read. Those couple plays where Shaw had to cut back and run to the other side should have been plays where Denard kept the ball. Even on the V. Smith rush TD, the left side of the field was WIDE open for Denard to easily score. I wonder if this is like LeBron's first couple of seasons where he was overly committed to spreading the ball around instead of taking the key shots. Or maybe it's just cuz it's the first game. Nahh...
3. Had to look at the stats to confirm how much the ball was spread around. Whoa, 19 completions to 8 different receivers. Good start!
My worry was that the kickoff only got to the 10, and it didn't seem like it had much air under it: Stonum seemed like he caught the ball in stride.
I can't remember, does RichRod have a press conference scheduled tomorrow to discuss the Beanie Bowl? Anyone here have any notes from it? Yes...foaming at the mouth for all the up-to-date info for the next 7 days. Holy Crap...7 days!!!
I know we have a ban on FREEP stories, so could we put a ban on all ESPN stories not affiliated with people who actually cover the Big Ten for more than 5 minutes? I mean, turn on the channels when a game is being replayed, or when a game is live, but c'mon people; it's pointless to continue watching these poorly arranged shows when all that happens at the end of the day is we get all GRRRR faced from listening to stupidity for a half-hour to an hour.
I have a tuner card in my computer, and had one in my previous desktop. If you have a set-top box, you don't even need to run the setup on WMC. Just make sure that the live tv in WMC is turned to whatever channel the cable box responds to (Ch. 3 or 4). If you don't have set-top box, then run the setup in WMC (setup is really easy and friendly to those of us not highly proficient in that area) and the channels will appear like magic. Also, make sure WMC downloads the guide, so that you can set your dvr within WMC. If I remember, the guide is good for up to a week's worth of programming, and you can also have it record the same channel at the same time every day like you can now on a dvr set-top box. It is actually really cool.
I know that brian thinks that rich rod was talkin about will campbell when he talked about players that were out of shape but now i wonder if you was really talking about turner
He twice said that there were some players who weren't in the shape needed to play Division 1 football. Now, if you say something like that once, it can be thought of as coach speak. He didn't say "They're not where we want them to be". He said that if they stayed how they were, they wouldn't be wearing a winged helmet come September 4th. But then, twice wouldn't elaborate the comments, except to imply that these said players weren't freshmen. ANy thoughts? I was floored. It seemed like RichRod was walking into this Fall practice with a very noticeable no-nonsense attitude illustrated in the press conference.
Recent Comments
I did a search and couldn't find a post on this, but on the 15 yd penalty on the Purdue player late in the game (10 mins left in 4th, after the Gibbons FG to put us up 34-13), did the replay look like a Michigan player threw a punch first at the Purdue kid? I was listening to the radio feed while watching the game, so I didn't hear if the TV guys brought it up (they showed the replay). I haven't read any of the post-game transcripts so I wasn't sure if the question was brought up to Hoke. Anyone else see/confirm this for me?
I don't download torrents, and I imagine the play won't show up on UFR's or "Every Snap" videos, so that's why I am asking.
By the way, not trolling, so those waiting to overreact to the question, go have a drink. This is a genuine question in the interest of finding a genuine answer.
I thought that the redshirting rules changed a bit, so technically these guys can still all redshirt. Am I wrong here?
I actually like what he said, as I have the same opinion. The biggest issue, though, is that teams are ranked before every game is played. Everybody agrees that the ranking system is something that changes week-to-week, so why not just wait until the last week to release it? I know this will never happen, because those that vote would still compile a private ranking system, and lord knows ESPN will have their "informal rankintology" every Monday. I've always been under the impression that when a team has an opinion on whether they should be in the National Championship game or not, the cause of such ire is on the voter's shoulders, not the BCS's. This issue won't end if a tournament is adopted, unless guaranteed spots are given to conference champions only (which still poses problems because conferences rarely play every other team in their conference)
I like the bowl system because kids have the opportunity to play a team they may never play again in a city they may have never visited nor may ever visit again. Creating a tournament only gives you a tournament champion (see college basketball).
Scenario 1: (1) Undefeated Team
(2) Undefeated Team
(3) 1-loss team
(4) 2-loss team
If (4) beats (1), (3) beats (2), and (4) beats (3), was (4) the best team in college football? Probably not, they were just the best team over a two-week period in a tournament. How would that be any less mythical o than those that use "MNC" somewhere in their online lexicon?
End Rant.
/it's like 85 degrees in Arizona; no real reason to complain, I guess.
I have always said that, if I ever became a coach, my first statement would be, "Talk about is not a question. 'Could you talk about' is a question, but not a question that I will answer. You have 3 hours to think of something substantive, so inspire yourself to contribute something worthwhile."
I am lucky enough to have a wife that always sees me on this site and doesn't chastise me about it. She is now interested in the "face palm guy" and "Lloyd Brady" and which cat picture makes the "intangibles" each week. So, I looked away for a second after the touchdown and I hear, "There he is!!!" and I say, "The face-palm guy?" and she says, "No, Lloyd Brady!". I literally laughed for almost a straight minute that my wife who never followed college football is now pointing out a college student with a made up name created on a sports blog.
If you haven't read this on the site, take some time with a nice drink and, of course, a sandwich. Genius even for the 99% of us that don't watch reality tv.
Anyone who says we DIDN'T waste our first round pick is an idiot. We have 1st round money now invested in 2 people at the same position. With the salary cap, we cannot afford elite level players at each position group if we are investing a lot of money to just one of those groups. After the 1st round, we still need every single high-priority position that we did before the draft even began. We may be able to get to the QB more easily, but that certainly won't stop our OLBs and CBs from being taken advantage of. Double moves, 5-wide sets, screens, etc. can all be used to tame an aggresive Dline.
How this is not being compared to WR I, WR II, WR III is beyond me. Now, if we had a rookie salary cap, I would be upset, but not as upset. You just can't, in this league, have 2 1st-rounders at the same position and succeed as an up-and-coming team.
4:59pm Thursday: OT, OLB, CB
4:59pm Friday: OT, OLB, CB
As for impact, both Smith and Prince would've had a bigger impact because they would be an upgrade at a position of need.
With KVB back, I think we could've had the best DL in the league without Fairley and an upgraded back 7 with a 1st round CB.
I can't believe that the Commissioner of a conference would come out publicly and essentially say, "These names stink (stink), and we need new ones" only for the rotten stinkpiles to stay. Will Delaney come out with a statement saying, "My bad" or "Upon furter review, the play stands as called"? Only way to put the heat on himself for initially acknowledging the 90% of us who were obviously "wrong".
Harbaugh has a deal in principle with Denver to become the new Bronco coach. At the last second, Jeff Tedford is hired as the new coach. As Tedford is introduced by a local marching band, Tedford accidentally trips over the trombone player, causing Elway to proclaim himself the new Denver coach.
/redeem'd without the need of a helicopter twirl into the end zone
If you read the whole story, it is a grand pile of nothing.
"I believe that something will happen, but not because I want it to."
" I want something else to happen. That way, if either happens, I will be in the clear."
By the way, "95 percent of them were stunned" is meant to make the reader believe that it means 95% of ALL players, when in all honesty, it doesn't.
By the way, is there a website that tracks writers/analysts predictions (or better yet, preseason polls vs post-season polls)? Something to actually being accountability and a checks and balance mentality to sports media?
I have looked at several Big Chill threads and haven't read anything about problems with the TV feed. I'm in Arizona, and with about 7 mins left in the game, the screen froze and went black until 10 minutes past the hour (football postseason show was on). Good thing was I got to see all of the goals. I know there are other Arizonians here....did your feed cut out as well?
Obviously, it's been shown that Josh was over his head with a head coaching gig, but would any of us have turned down the opportunity if it were presented to us? If I were a middle management guy (like a coordinator), I would still accept a job as a corporate head if it came up. I think any one of us would do the same.
Anyone know why it hasn't been brought up that all stats be frozen when OT starts?
Looks like RichRod is getting older by the day with this grrrrbij known as the secondary. Sidenote: rumors of moving back to a 4-3 under with Roh goin all "Put me in Coach..as long as when I'm in, I'm a Defensive End". What are the chances we get destroyed and the number of posts TOTAL are cut by half? That's called apathy, children.
/already drunk on Friday thinking about Saturday
/it's only rum and coke, no need for an intervention...
/should those sentences be bullet points since, collectively, they make no sense?
Did anyone else notice the running plays going to the side of the defensive line where a 4th defensive lineman would normally line up? Then, when Martin went out, the runs just kept going up the middle. Eesh..get well Mike. Get the playbook quickly Mr. Washington
The offense struggled only a few times all night. How many 3 and outs have we all seen throughout our Michigan football lives? We knew what RichRod brought to the table: offense and a militaristic mentality in terms of training, practicing, and motivation. The defense is terrible. We know that, but I think all of us have been waiting for a bit of a tweak in scheme and play-calling, and not necessarily positions. I wouldn't be surprised if GERG resigned. I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't win another game this year. I wouldn't be surprised if we stayed with the 3-3-5 (oops, I mean multiple fronts) defense. We are so focused on the offense getting us out of trouble that I think we may forget just what it is this offense is doing on a week-to-week basis. It is mind-blowing. Instead of posts on RR, maybe we should put all of our energy into focusing on everything and anything defense. If you're friends with defensive HS kids, recruit em. If you're friends with defensive coordinators, bring a dictaphone and ask a bunch of questions. We are Michigan, and if we are all in then it is time for us to do soemthing about this travesty called defensive football.
Go Blue. Go BO. Go Blitz. Go Hit Somebody. Go Wrap Up. Go Recruit. Go Do Something
"The answer to their troubles is simple. Turnovers, penalties, kicking game snafu's, and defensive missed assignments and tackling have cost them. If they eliminate these things and play a complete game, they'll win."
Isn't this the M.O. for any team to win? This man has played and participated in football for decades, and this is the best critique that he can muster up? If a member had posted this as a forum topic, he or she would be destroyed by "obvious" replies and comparative memes regarding skies being blue and water being wet. 22 defensive players on 2-deep, and 12 are underclassmen. Fundamentals come with time, and mistakes will be made. We knew this year would be tough on the defensive side of the ball, and that the kicking game would struggle because a walk-on beat a scholarship freshman last year. Oh yeah, and then Woolfolk got hurt and Will Campbell didn't develop and Obi became Obi of old and Vlad is still hurt and transferred and J.T. left and .....
Could be wrong, but isn't the one problem with stretching the field horizontally is that eventually the vertical threat doesn't become a factor (e.g., the redzone)? It is then that the simplicity of the offensive scheme gets a bit exploited. I would love for the team to go 2 or 3 wide with Denard under center.
I think the 1st year was Computer+Writers' Poll+Coaches Poll. Now it is Computer+Coaches Poll. The coaches will NEVER convince me that they watch all of the games, and so their opinion is just as comforting as the writers' opinions used to be. In other words...not very. I want just Computer. No votes. No emotion. Just Computer. Somebody please embed a picture of Trapper Keeper from South Park
My only concern is that if you have a 6-team playoff, then teams ranked 7-9 may have an argument that they belong. This is the College Basketball paradox. 64 teams are invited, and immediately there are arguments for 5-10 teams that were "left out". I would love a system where a computer gives a score for strength of schedule based on some sort of crazy algorithm where the ideological and emotional biases or humans are totally tossed out. Right now, we have emotionally charged "writers" who want to lift up and bring down the big guys and consistently promote the little guy.
Muck Urban Freyer as well my friend.
Go Blue!!
But I have to disagree to comparing the sentiment to Brock's Walk. The coaches and training staff never stopped and allowed Brock to do what he wanted. They pushed him. Hard. Harder than anyone else had up to that point. I applaud Brock 100 times more than this act of kindness (no disrespect against the sentiment, understand). Brock's Walk was a challenge accomplished. It still gives me chill just writing about it now. That was a hell of a moment in Michigan history, and will and SHOULD be replayed with all of the great moments in Michigan Stadium.
The biggest problem with the current structure is the ranking of teams before every game is played. Texas was ranked #7 when they lost to UCLA, who is currently unranked. So, if Texas drops to #21, does that mean that UCLA beat the #7 team in the country, or the #21 team in the country? No one can honestly assess any college football team until after their last game has been played. To do otherwise unfairly handicaps teams competing for the championship game. If, as the experts say, the polls are fluid week to week, doesn't that mean that the last week is the only one that truly matters because it puts the entire season into perspective?
As far as a "playoff" being the answer because "they actually decide it on the field"...um, no they don't. Every team in college football has their own schedule, which does not include every other team in their conference, let alone every other team in the FBS. If college basketball has taught us anything, it's that a playoff doesn't crown the best team of the college season, they crown a tournament champion, which is hardly the same year after year, comparatively. It has also taught us that, apparently, 64 teams weren't enough for a tournament. Imagine the outrage by teams ranked 1 or 2 spots below the cut line for the college football tournament.
I love the bowls because it puts teams against one another who may never play each other again in a city the kids may never travel to again. It's a year-end gift for a season's test. I wouldn't want to trade that experience for a glass football voted on by people who see maybe 10% of the teams that they are voting for.
/rant
/fin
I believe he was the guy that won the ESPN "be the next "boom goes the dynamite" guy" contest, so it's no wonder he does the highlights the way he does. Then again, Dave Revsin's "NOWWWWW" at the end of his promos makes me laugh at him uproariously every single time I hear it. The only thing worse is that Friday Night Tailgate show. Holy hell, you must force yourselves to watch 5 straight minutes of that show. I've only been able to watch 3 straight minutes, which is one minute more than I could handle a Dane Cook standup...
Someone here actually created an account specifically for WTKA. Go to www.yourmuze.fm (not .com). Username: Mgoblog
Password: Mgoblog
Only issue is that WTKA cuts to nuttin but commercials in the last hour before kickoff, but the other times are pretty sweet.
Does any website ever embed either the audio or video from the press conferences? I tire of MgoBlue's evil software that constantly stops/starts/stops/starts. Used to be MVictors, but I haven't noticed them doing the recent press conferences in the past few weeks.
Agreed. I always think back to "The Team" speech by Bo. "We're going to believe in each other. We're not going to criticize each other. We're not going to talk about each other. We're going to ENCOURAGE each other!"
That's why I am worried about teams like MSU, OSU, Wisconsin and Iowa. I keep looking at our D-line and their O-line and worrying that 5 on 3 is a bad start to any run play. UMass ran a lot of misdirection so that their big guys could more easily seal one side and bring an Olineman into the second level. It looked like our Dlinemen were being coached to crash to the side that the linemen were going; bad part of that is a counter would put 75% of our defense on the wrong side of the play.
On a side-note: interesting piece by the analysts during the game. GERG mentioned during weekly interviews that Peyton Manning's no-huddle taught him to put his 11 best players on the field at all times to avoid being caught in a substitution penalty or being exploited with a certain package that may have been on the field. Could this be the explanation for "multiple fronts" instead of "multiple packages" like LC's regimes used to do?
Does BTN have a coverage map like ESPN? I actually emailed them regarding Saturday's games, but they haven't responded yet. I am in Arizona, and our cable provider has 2 BTN channels. The main BTN channel says OSU-Ohio, and the 2nd channel says "Regional Coverage" with the other 3 games listed.
I loved it when Tate hugged RichRod, and then hugged Shoelace after the final TD. Still couldn't believe that RichRod put in Devin!
First, props for putting together that video. That was really cool to watch.
1. Patrick Omameh was getting beat on almost every play. The scramble by Shaw that cost 10+ yards was Omameh's guy breaking through to the backfield.
2. Denard still needs some work on the Zone Read. Those couple plays where Shaw had to cut back and run to the other side should have been plays where Denard kept the ball. Even on the V. Smith rush TD, the left side of the field was WIDE open for Denard to easily score. I wonder if this is like LeBron's first couple of seasons where he was overly committed to spreading the ball around instead of taking the key shots. Or maybe it's just cuz it's the first game. Nahh...
3. Had to look at the stats to confirm how much the ball was spread around. Whoa, 19 completions to 8 different receivers. Good start!
My worry was that the kickoff only got to the 10, and it didn't seem like it had much air under it: Stonum seemed like he caught the ball in stride.
I can't remember, does RichRod have a press conference scheduled tomorrow to discuss the Beanie Bowl? Anyone here have any notes from it? Yes...foaming at the mouth for all the up-to-date info for the next 7 days. Holy Crap...7 days!!!
I know we have a ban on FREEP stories, so could we put a ban on all ESPN stories not affiliated with people who actually cover the Big Ten for more than 5 minutes? I mean, turn on the channels when a game is being replayed, or when a game is live, but c'mon people; it's pointless to continue watching these poorly arranged shows when all that happens at the end of the day is we get all GRRRR faced from listening to stupidity for a half-hour to an hour.
I have a tuner card in my computer, and had one in my previous desktop. If you have a set-top box, you don't even need to run the setup on WMC. Just make sure that the live tv in WMC is turned to whatever channel the cable box responds to (Ch. 3 or 4). If you don't have set-top box, then run the setup in WMC (setup is really easy and friendly to those of us not highly proficient in that area) and the channels will appear like magic. Also, make sure WMC downloads the guide, so that you can set your dvr within WMC. If I remember, the guide is good for up to a week's worth of programming, and you can also have it record the same channel at the same time every day like you can now on a dvr set-top box. It is actually really cool.
Have you seen the weights of these incoming DB's? I'm not sure how many of these future impact kids can honestly contribute this year in the Big Ten
He twice said that there were some players who weren't in the shape needed to play Division 1 football. Now, if you say something like that once, it can be thought of as coach speak. He didn't say "They're not where we want them to be". He said that if they stayed how they were, they wouldn't be wearing a winged helmet come September 4th. But then, twice wouldn't elaborate the comments, except to imply that these said players weren't freshmen. ANy thoughts? I was floored. It seemed like RichRod was walking into this Fall practice with a very noticeable no-nonsense attitude illustrated in the press conference.