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Fornelli is a national guy…

Fornelli is a national guy with an eye on the B1G in general (he's an Illinois fan so at least some respect for that alone). I think he does a really good job generally and that this article is a really nice article for a casual who doesn't follow MGoBlog. It's unfortunate that they apparently can't afford an editor, as you noted, but he's generally been a good read/listen (Cover 3 Podcast) throughout the season and generally takes a reasonable stand on all things Michigan.

ETA: one thing I always tend to notice is when national folks call someone a good recruiter. That tends to carry more weight to me than when we here it internally. Especially from a guy like Fornelli who is plugged in nationally, talks to Bud Elliot all week, and wouldn't say it if it wasn't consensus.

Agree that if you're staying…

Agree that if you're staying downtown, Xochi is probably the best choice for a nice meal.

The big Houston bbq debate…

The big Houston bbq debate is Truth vs Pinkertons. I'm a Pinkertons guy myself, it's the most central-Texas-like of the options I think, and Houston really doesn't compare to Austin-area for bbq. Houston is an incredible food city, though, and you'll do well at just about any place Eater recommends.

I don't recommend planning on spending a lot of time downtown. There's just not much down there to do as it's all a hub for lawyers/accountants/other service professionals who don't live in the area and don't spend the weekends in the area.

Stadium is pretty isolated in the city. Not a ton to do around the area, so I wouldn't plan on getting there super early unless you plan on tailgating. Traffic is always, always awful in Houston so I'd give yourself an extra hour than what you feel you need if your kids can handle it. Better to get there early and hang out at a few tailgaes than to get there late. Also, the game starts at/during rush hour on a Monday and as a rule I avoid highways 4-7pm every workday. I've lived all over the world and Houston drivers are a special kind of idiot. 

I very much enjoy living in Houston (except in July and August) but we're not the best city for travelers. You aren't missing much of anything if you just decide to take your kids to the movies to kill a few hours. If the weather is nice, the zoo (DON'T TRY TO PARK THERE) or any of the parks in town are fine. There are some walkable area in the Heights where you and your kids can meander around getting ice cream and such. Have a great time - just don't expect it to be a vacation destination.

The Zoo is great, but if you…

The Zoo is great, but if you want to go there, DO NOT PLAN TO PARK THERE. There is next to no parking there and only two single-lane roads in and out. Uber to Hermann Park and walk the rest of the way.

I'm a junior biglaw…

I'm a junior biglaw associate at a V10 who went to one of Michigan's peer law schools (the band has been referred to as MVPN colloquially. It's below CCN, which is below HYS. If reading this makes her cringe, biglaw might not be the best idea). There are two problems with law school: (1) it's expensive as hell (total COA at Columbia surpassed $300k all in recently) and ain't getting cheaper and (2) the only jobs where one can reasonably feel confident paying back that debt come in the type of work I do, where I trade all of my life for a lot of money. I never say "don't" to someone thinking of law school. But I do say, "don't pay for it."

Law schools give "scholarships" to like more than half of their applicants these days. What they're doing is having students that barely slip in subsidize the students they are competing with Harvard for. The thought is, someone might decide that going to M for free is a better deal than paying 300k for the Harvard brand.

Here's a link to Michigan's APA 509 disclosures: https://michigan.law.umich.edu/system/files/2022-12/Std509InfoReport-99-12-16-2022-17-55-44_a11y.pdf. Read that. In order to qualify for significant scholarships she needs to "be above both numbers". That means having both a GPA and an LSAT score above the school's median which here is 3.83/171. Those are not easy numbers to get, but since she's started early enough, I cannot stress enough that her undergrad course load matters VERY little to law school admissions. Only the GPA she gets. As a previous poster stated, if she loves chemistry, by all means, study chemistry. If she decides she's dead set on law school, getting an A outweighs everything else. 3.95 should be the goal. The LSAT can take care of itself after getting the uGPA.

It works the same for any law school. Look at their median uGPA/LSAT numbers and get above both of them. I went into the Army to get the GI Bill to pay for law school (covers 100% tuition at M and all other public schools - YRP covers many of the pvt schools). I don't recommend serving unless someone REALLY wants to serve, but it saved me, when all is said and done with debt interest, probably half a million dollars.

Edit: I wrote a series of articles for a veteran website a few years back talking about this process. It's vet centered but it goes step-by-step through the application process. I don't own the website and did not get paid for this. I just think it might be helpful: https://theveteranpro.com/military-to-law-school-1/

Ramzy is a very good writer…

Ramzy is a very good writer. I like reading his stuff even when Michigan isn't involved.

I enjoy the little things…

I enjoy the little things about his videos. Like the fact that the guy yelling at everyone is Lebron which makes a clever kind of sense. Not a huge fan of the overt jokes but they're not for me. I like the subtle stuff.

If Erik All sees the field…

If Erik All sees the field that would be a wonderful shock. He's behind a ton of proven talent no matter what position he plays.

Of B1G blogs, Corn Nation…

Of B1G blogs, Corn Nation along with Go Iowa Awesome and Eleven Warriors are all very good reads in general for CFB fans.

I find "Dumb People Town" to…

I find "Dumb People Town" to be very funny. Daniel van Kirk is a really nice balance between the two Sklars. That show really shines with some of the funnier guests. Jon Hamm and Patton Oswalt both have done recent episodes and both were very funny.

Carlo Kemp asked to go…

Carlo Kemp asked to go inside because it's less running. You and me, Carlo. You're my new favorite player.

Donated 19.97 like I always

Donated 19.97 like I always donate 19.97

Tough to say just how many

Tough to say just how many people Carl has touched. I know personally I had a 30 second conversation with him on the sideline at some random band practice back in 2002 and I left feeling just great. He really makes people feel special when they're in his presence. Here's to a very long, and very fruitful, retirement.

I'm not huge fan of Izzo, and

I'm not a huge fan of Izzo, and I don't doubt the veracity of her statement, but it is that, a statement. No need to title your thread like a BuzzFeed article.

Came in here hoping to debate

Came in here hoping to debate the merits of Alain Ducasse Paris vs Alain Ducasse London with someone else who was into that kind of weird stuff. I'm disappointed :(

Devil's advocate to the whole

Devil's advocate to the whole "former players can't do it" groupthink but Jerry West has done alright for himself as a GM. Larry Bird also hasn't been terrible. If Lebron wasn't around that Pacers team would've at least made a Finals.

The quote is not indicative

The quote is not indicative of its meaning out of context. His point would have been better made by saying, "Last year before playing them we didn't think Michigan was that good, just well coached." The implicit follow up would be, "Then we played them and they whipped our ass. It was surprising."

Causation v Correlation

Causation v Correlation fallacy.

/internet policing

There are a ton of resources

There are a ton of resources out there if you want to have other options rather than salary vs insurance policy. I know 12-step programs aren't for everyone, but Overeaters Anonymous is a real thing and you can go to an open meeting and just listen. Also, several Behavioral Therapy/Solution-Focused Therapy counselor are out there in just about ever city who I'm sure would be willing to do an assessment and at least talk/listen to you about how you're feeling and then, even if you're not comfortable continuing with that person, refer you to someone who could really help you. I hope you get better.

2nd

I second this. Because of my ties to the community my college sports fandom has risen in my late 20s and early 30s as I feel connected. I was a HUGE Colts and Pacers fan when I was a kid but since leaving Indianapolis a decade ago I barely watch either team ever. Pandering aside this blog is probably a huge reason why my Michigan fandom has risen. I genuinely feel like I learn things about football, the NCAA, the B1G, and the University by being connected here.

The only reason I'll watch pro/club sports now is for a transcendent game or gambling.

A&M is a good barometer for

A&M is a good barometer for us as well. Other than Bama their remaining schedule looks fairly easy. 1-loss (no conference champ) A&M against 1-loss (no conference champ) Michigan is where this problem seemingly starts.

Glue Depth

I think it's foolish to underestimate the loss of leadership on this team. Ferrell and Bielfeldt were the difference between a 9-9 B1G team and a 15-3 one imo. Hartman was expected to be able to provide some more of that as well as replacing production of both Max and Nick Zeisloft. His injury is not his first knee injury and his loss is significant. Ultimately this team is riding on the continued excellence of Bryant, the development of Anunoby, and the emergence of one other guy to provide 20 great minutes in the backcourt. Johnson and Blackmon likely are what they are. They need help, especially defensively. This feels like a team to me that is an underdog to make the regional. 6-8 seed and RO32 exit seems just about right.

I'd take a flyer on +2000

I'd take a flyer on +2000 probably that he plays another snap at Michigan after this season.

It's a win for ROTC too.

It's a win for ROTC too. North Hall was a dump 15 years ago. Can't imagine it still standing.

Well, if yout players hit

Well, if yout players hit harder and ran harder and still lost by 30+ then who's fault is it that things ended the way they did, Scott?

In fairness this is likely how he needs to build his team. To go from 0-12 to competitive in the American they are going to need to build an attitude. Good for them for showing up today. If they do that all year they might win 6 games. That would be a few steps forward. I actually found myself thinking that his team was well prepared and resilient throughout the game.

I don't know if I am

I don't know if I am enthralled with or disgusted by Mr. and Mrs. Pool giving their son the name "Bumper"

If it's a nickname please disregard.

That letter sounds like he

That letter sounds like he really wanted to come here. I feel awful for the kid. I don't like offering or "offering" scholarships and then pulling them later after the kid commits. I know it's a point of contention and people are cool with it. I still don't think Michigan should do it.

I think they should probably

I think they should probably pay a premium for the way Brian included them. I actually read all of them and looked forward to the humor. Some of the best integration I've seen.

I got the same advice when I

I got the same advice when I injured my left ankle ten years ago. I was poor and had no insurance so surgery wasn't happening. Was in a boot and off it for almost 2 months. I am probably 98% of what it was a decade later but it still hurts some days. Take your PT VERY seriously if you aren't going to get surgery. Don't end up like me.

Yup

That's the face of a guy saying "This could end horribly... but I think I'm gonna let it play out and watch what happens"

I make that face almost every time I'm home for the holidays.

HS teammate of Andrew Dakich

HS teammate of Andrew Dakich

I read all of these and

I read all of these and Zordich is probably my favorite presser on the staff. He's the least "NFL polished" though he does have the pedigree. I feel like I'm learning something every time I read his answers. He's quite similar to Mattison in that if you ask a good question you'll get a good answer.

A lot of it is confirmation

A lot of it is confirmation of what we're seeing in UFRs, that Michigan is prepared schematically and tough, especially on defense. Rudock gets some defense from one of the anonymous coaches as well. It sounds like the coaches profiled were the coaches at UNLV and/or Utah as they specifically mention Rudock's progression in the BYU game, Smith being a load and some other things that occurred in that game specifically. The head coach refers to Harbaugh as "Jim" very familiarly so maybe that's Whittingham. Who knows really. Any way you shake it, the view is positive.

I just halfway assumed

I just halfway assumed Joaquin Update was some 2018 DB prospect from Illinois.

Love the Purdue pick. They've

Love the Purdue pick. They've played a good half in every game they've played this year. They're the sneaky "not as bad as they have looked" team while MSU is the sneaky "not as good as they've looked" team. I think fair line there is like 17.

IU I don't like. Their defense is going to get scored on. A lot. And OSU can stop the run. Sudfeld is good but if they can't rip 5 yards per carry he's not that good. Really like OSU this weekend.

I know he gets a lot of heat

I know he gets a lot of heat here, mostly deservedly so. He really acts like a child sometimes. But this is on the harsh end of punishment in modern athletics. He probably laid a program for Holt after his first offense and Holt didn't live up to those standards outlined. So he dismissed him. Each one of these situations should be taken individually, imo, and if Crean did the wrong thing here I think I would understand the argument that he was too harsh before I understood the one that he was too lenient.

Most likely they misread and

Most likely they misread and thought 1 was good and 5 was bad. That's all I can come up with.

US Cellular is now just a

US Cellular is now just a slightly below average ballpark, but I maintain that New Commiskey when it was built before the renovations was just awful. Especially in the upper deck. I'm a huge White Sox fan and it's just a shame really. The only positive are the wide concourses and organist, which just leads it to feeling like a nightmarish clown prison.

I guess you could say he was

I guess you could say he was defeated?

They have room for him

They have room for him because they had already cut their roster to the max number of scholarship players before they kicked Mosquera Perea and Devin Davis off the team. Seeing as those two guys were the entirety of their big man bench depth after an assumed starting job for incoming Freshman Thomas Bryant, Max will have a big role to play there. 15 minutes a game in B1G play is certainly not out of the question. And Indiana has the talent to be a Sweet 16 team this year if the Crean implosion doesn't happen.

No way Patterson is headed

No way Patterson is headed back to IU. He departed on a really sour note during one of their scholarship crunch periods. It was claimed that he didn't meet academic eligibility requirements after his summer classes but I'm not sure how true that was. He was actually the type of guy that Crean typically helps turn into a productive player so it was a head scratcher at the time. He's a D and energy guy. Not a shooter.

Wanna do karate in the

Wanna do karate in the garage?

The Kings has written off

The Kings had written off McLemore last year as well. He's improved in his second year. Writing off a rookie is completely stupid. Nik has an elite NBA skill, he can shoot. He's smart enough to eventually become a passable team defender. There's no reason he can't stick on as a rotation player eventually.

That front office fired a guy who was actually doing fairly well coaching the team and hired one of the worst five NBA coaches of the last decade as his replacement. Nik hasn't been good. Yet. But jesus he's halfway through his rookie season. Give the guy a break.

I doubt it. This kid is Cam

I doubt it. This kid is Cam Newton's size with good athleticism and showed that he can throw a nice, tight ball down the field, even if his receivers were WIDE open often. I get where teams wouldn't want to waste a high first on him, but he wouldn't make it past the second round. There are too many teams who need a QB to not take a flier on this guy. If he was smaller or hadn't thrown the ball as effectively I get it. But he had a hell of an audition and god knows he doesn't want to end up banged up like Devin did before he can sign a contract. I'd say there's a good chance he's out.

The outer and louder edges of

The outer and louder edges of opinion will always generate visceral reaction. This is nothing new. Rupert Murdoch's bank accounts are all the proof one needs. Gregg is just another example.

I disagree here

In a world of increasingly sterile and superficial relationships I find the emphasis on the coach and recruit/player to be refreshing in most cases and creepy in others. In Brady's case it truly seemed that the relationships he forged were very strong with his players and recruits. If a recruit has another coach he feels comfortable with willing to extend an offer his way I feel he's doing the right thing by switching as soon as possible. Fans don't give much thought to 'excess' recruits after their positions have been filled in a class. But these kids don't have unlimited time to commit to offers. More often than not it probably behooves them to choose the next best situation rather than waiting for a coaching staff which may not have the same chemistry as the previous regime.

Up to you really. People who

Up to you really. People who enjoy bourbons will drink them neat with maybe just a drop or two of water depending on your preference. I find this youtube channel to be an excellent resource on all things whisky, whiskey, bourbons, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_5Ve5-J1bA

I noticed just in the Vine on

I noticed just in the Vine on the front page that his delivery started very low and looked time consuming.

Analogy

The way the US was to succeed in the WC finals was to focus on their strengths and play with a focus on increased variance. When a team keeps the game low scoring teams with lower talent can grab a piece of luck and win the match. Greece won a Euros going 1-0 on better teams doing just this.

Any steady fan will admit that we did not have the talent of ANY of our opponents. Bunker/counter and playing a low scoring match was the absolute best way for us to succeed. Until we have more talent this doesn't change things. For anybody who has watched through the last two cycles there has been a noticeable shift where we have been better on the front foot against teams with equal/less talent. But this does not mean we can control a possession based match against more talented teams.

To put it in terms everyone will hate: RichRod's ultimate coaching goal is to decrease variance by increasing possessions in a game, relying on his offense's skill to outscore his opponents by a small amount per possession. Teams that play more plodding styles, ahem DeBord et al, are relying on luck more than teams that aren't. But when you're devoid of talent in soccer that's the absolute best way. Almost everything JK did this WC finals was at the least defendable and at best a good decision. Anybody thinking we're more than we are isn't realistic. Anybody else, hop on for the ride. I am very much looking forward to the next 10+ cycles.

Yup. Going with AO for the

Yup. Going with AO for the entirety of the group stage. This was my last shot at it before I'm tied down with a family since there is no way in hell I'm doing WC Russia or WC Qatar. Trip of a lifetime and I'm glad I prepared (for years.)