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Date	Title	Body
2 days 9 hours ago	So...	Why did Hoke hire him again?  That sounds a lot worse than I intend it to.  I can understand why he would hire him at SDSU, but at UM?  Did he just have a comfort level with him at that point and felt it was inappropriate to go after someone new?  It seems that at UM we could do better.  He certainly doesn't seem to compare favorably to Mattison's resume for example.
3 days 15 hours ago	That makes sense	I am not originally from Connecticut, but have lived there for about 7 years.  I was born in AA, but have lived all over the place and in the Northeast for almost 20 years.  But, you're right, not only is there not a lot of loyalty for UCONN football, football fans in the Northeast don't really follow college football.  Until you get down to PA, football fans in the Northeast are much more interested in the Patriots, Jets, or Giants.  It blows my mind, but it's an argument I have been having for years.  They just don't get it because there is no big time program for them to hang their hat on.  You know it's a sad state of affairs when women's hoops is more popular than football.
3 days 15 hours ago	Totally agreed	There is no atmosphere because it's too far from campus and you don't get the feel of a college atmosphere.  It was never really intended with UCONN as it's main focus as it was originally planned as the Patriots stadium and was going to be in downtown Hartford until they decided to create Gillette Stadium, then it was scaled back, moved, and used primarily for UCONN among others.  I personally like the stadium itself in terms of comfort and view of the game, but in terms of feeling like a college football atmosphere...it does not really.  But, it's all we got in Connecticut and there's not much north of PSU for good college football.
3 days 20 hours ago	Good for you	That really speaks to UCONN football!  Is the student section still on the far corner between the end zone and the visitors side?  The three times I went I was always either in the opposite end zone, which was actually pretty cool because the dance team or cheerleaders were only a few rows in front of us, or on the home side sorta near that same end zone.  My buddy got us tickets and I hope we are on visitors side this time.  Good for you rocking the UM gear in your own student section!
4 days 7 hours ago	Sounds good	I definately plan to be vocal in my support of UM so it won't be too hard to find me, although UCONN football fans aren't like the fans you see in the B1G.  They don't have the same sort of school pride in thier program and it doesn't help that the stadium is not on campus.  I don't know if you've ever been to Rentschler Field before, but it only seats about 40,000.  There aren't really any bad seats, but there are currently only 468 tickets available according to Stubhub (starting at $136) and I'm guessing this one will sell out.   http://www.stubhub.com/connecticut-huskies-football-tickets/connecticut-vs-michigan-9-21-2013-4253175/
4 days 10 hours ago	Finally a game I can go to	I forgot how incredible Denard looked early in the season in RR's offense.  I'm also surprised to see how effective Michael Shaw was in some clips.  It may not seem like much to some of you, but living on the East Coast I rarely have the chance to see UM play outside of a once in a while visit to PSU.  This game I will be at and am quite excited to see our guys first hand for the first time since we lost at PSU in 2010.  Since I will be attending with my friends that are unfortunately UCONN fans, albeit not the sort of fans we are all on this board, I am really hoping to rub it in their faces how vastly superior we are in college football.  I hoping for at least one insane Funchess catch, Fitz & Countess looking ready, Green steamrolling some 170lbs DB, Frank Clark decleating Whitmer, a glimpse of the freak that Charlton will become, a strong push from the likes of Kalis/Miller/Braden, Cam Gordon being servicable, Darboh contributing, Gallon being Gallon, Q-Wash & PeeWee knifing through every play, Ross acting like a human missle throwing himself at anything that dares carry a football in front of him, and Devin showing off why he will be the B1G offensive player of the year.  Is that too much to ask for in one game???
5 days 19 hours ago	Yikes	I stopped reading after his second response.  But, I thought for sure he would be a very good NFL reciever.  I always thought he was one of the best recievers we ever had.  He was so big and was basically un-coverable (word?) in college.  He was very similar to Braylon.  I still think fondly of his dominance over Bama in the 2000 Orange Bowl.  So, I guess form that perspective he was a bust, but to be honest I didn't really follow his NFL career, which probably means it wasn't that good.
6 days 6 hours ago	Alan Branch???	What was he like 6'6" 325?  If he can hit PSU QBs the same way then I'm all for it.  Although in all fairness I think Hoke has shown he prefers his guys in shape and able to go hard as we saw PeeWee and BWC bring their weights down last year.
1 week 18 hours ago	For me	I really enjoy the environment at Beaver Stadium at PSU.  The tailgating is great, the fans are a lot of fun and very inspired, they are also fairly understanding of other fans as I have seen UM play there a number of times and wore UM gear and didn't get too much crap, and the student section is really big.   All in all for college football it's the best place I've gone to a game, and it's super easy to get in and out of as it's in the middle of nowhere.  FYI I haven't been to Michigan Stadium since I was a child and don't remember it.     For baseball I really like Fenway.  The fans are great, the stadium is old but has a lot of history, and Boston is a great city with lots to do and tons of sports bars around the stadium.  Parking sucks, but if  you take the train in it's awesome.  For a small venue, I love Hadlock Field where the Portland Sea Dogs (Portland, Maine) play, who are the AA affiliate to the Red Sox.  I used to work for them, but it is an awesome place to watch baseball if you like baseball.  There aren't many minor league experiences better than the Sea Dogs.     I never liked the old Yankee Stadium, but I haven't been the the new one yet.  I didn't really like the Old Three Rivers Stadium either or the old Vet in Philly, but Three Rivers was worse IMO.  But, Camden Yards is also a great place as is Busch Stadium in St. Louis.  The University of Phoenix Stadium is really nice and easy to get in and out of, but the fan experience isn't quite the same as it is in a college town.  The Phoenix area is cool, but is by no means a football town, but the stadium itself is pretty nice.
1 week 2 days ago	Where is he now?	Yeah, he definately looked strong and explosive at his size in the video.  What is his weight at now and have you tested his body comp?
1 week 2 days ago	Oh nice	Thanks for chiming in here.  What would be your assessment in terms of how you view his body type?  What do you think would be an ideal playing weight and body composition for Malik?
1 week 2 days ago	Are you his trainer?	I noticed you said "we haven't done any plyo or speek work the last 4 weeks."  Are you his trainer or a teammate or something?
1 week 2 days ago	That makes sense	That makes sense if he hasn't had much conditioning work lately.  I'm sure he'll improve his body composition quite a bit when he gets with Wellman and the staff.  He looks like a guy that can be challenged to keep weighht off versus a guy that is challenged to put on weight.  I think he looks a little soft in the midsection and lower body in that video and most of the pictures I've seen of him.  But, he's a big kid too so it's not all that surprising.  I'm sure he'll be fine once he gets on the S&C program and wind up being quite strong & explosive as a big fella.  He seems similar in stature to Van Bergen but more explosive.
1 week 2 days ago	Fair enough	I can't really argue with what you expected, but I wouldn't look at him and think fit, and definately not "VERY fit".  Guys like Hand, Ferns, Peppers, etc. absolutely look fit.  That is what I would think of as fit, regardless of height, weight, or age, because they all the same age but vary in heights and weights, yet they all have excellent muscle tone and a low body composition, McDowell does not.  That doesn' t make him any less of a quality player or less desirable, but he just doens't jump out at me as "VERY fit" that's all.
1 week 2 days ago	We could sure use Hand	It has been a while since we have had a guy like that.  He is a stud and makes everything look easy...he's just so athletic.  McDowell looks like he's moving well and is a very big guy, but I can't exactly say he looks fit.  He looks a little soft in terms of body composition.  He seems like he can carry that and still move well and I'm sure his body composition will improve in college, but I wouldn't look at him and say he looks "VERY fit".
1 week 3 days ago	I agree	I like the new uniform as a whole better...the pants and jersey are nicer, but I agree that the sparten logo is a downgrade.  I don't mind the line down the middle of the helmet, but it would look better with the "S".  And, don't get me started on that awful uniform that they love to wear against us that is all dark contrasting forrest green and black with no white and the puter helmet...that is awful.
1 week 3 days ago	Yikes	I like a few in there...Georgia, Ole Miss red, Oregon St, Wake Forest white, and PSU, but there are some really ugly ones in there too like Arizona's puter helmet, UCF's helmets, the Oregon-esque Indiana helmet, and UNC looks awful.  I liked UNCs old uniform, it was already unique.  I don't know why helmets are getting so weird.  Classic plain helmets are much better looking IMO.  Some of the best helmets are UM, PSU, Florida, USC, Miami, Clemson, Texas, Auburn, Georgia, Nebraska, Notre Dame, FSU etc.  I hate to admit it but I've always liked Iowa's helmet a lot too.  I actually do like Texas Tech's new helmet, but it's because it's plain.  Those classic helmets are good for a reason...they haven't changed much in decades.
1 week 4 days ago	Absolutely	There have been a number of "signs" that Hoke was the right guy to right the ship.  The first was beating ND in 2011, the second was beating OSU in 2011, the third was winning the Sugar Bowl, the fourth was beating MSU last year.  Those two wins (MSU and OSU) were huge signals that we are taking steps forward and are important to not only our players, but our fanbase to believe we can return to what we once were...basically a prennial B1G power that is expected to contend for the title every year.  Beating both of those teams was a huge relief to not just believe we could, but to know it.  I think we will beat MSU on the road and win 2 consecutive wins that says a lot because based on recruiting it will only get worse for MSU.  But, beating OSU in Columbus...man that has been a long time.  When is the last time that happened, like '03?  I think like Navarre/Perry/Edwards if I'm not mistaken.  Man, that was a long time ago.  That would be a real signal that we are ready to contend now.
1 week 5 days ago	No doubt	She's smokin.  NESN has a history of putting hot chicks on their crew too...Heidi Watney, Jenni Dell, Hazel Mai, etc...definately makes watching Boston sports bearable.
1 week 5 days ago	That kid is nuts	He is a genetic freak of nature.
1 week 5 days ago	Fakeness	Sam is smokin hot, but less call a spade a spade.  I'm sure she's more fake than him...colored hair, fake tan, botox, whitened teeth, etc.  I bet she does just as much of that as he does if not more.
1 week 5 days ago	Miami/FSU	I'm surprised Miami/FSU didn't make the list.  Granted, it hasn't been as good as of late, but it is still better than some others and was insane for a good 15 years.
2 weeks 8 hours ago	Totally agree	The question is why didn't he realize that and shut his yapper?  Maybe he was just too old and didn't care.
2 weeks 8 hours ago	Gee is an administrator	You have to bear in mind that Gee is an administrator at an institute of higher learning.  He is supposed to be an educator above all else.  He is not a football coach.  His business should be education, not football.  The university's self proclaimed purpose is "to advance the well-being of the people of Ohio and the global community through the creation and dissemination of knowledge".  Their core values include the pursuit of knowledge, igniting a love of learning in their students, making the world a better place, and celebrating diversity among others.  These are the values a president should be discussing...not football and mockery.  If anything he should be tying these themes into being a student athlete versus whatever the heck it is he is doing.  So, to make a long story short, is it OK for a football coach  to trash talk other teams privately...yes.  Is it OK for the president of the university to do so publicly...absolutely not.
2 weeks 9 hours ago	So...	What does the future hold?  Will the SEC continue to dominate the next 10 years or will the B1G return to prominence?  It looks like OSU should continue to be OSU and UM should return to being UM.  Personally I don't care if the rest of the B1G is crap as long as it doesn't prevent UM from getting into the playoff system.
2 weeks 10 hours ago	A problem I see	I heard someone mention this on ESPN and I agree that one of the biggest issues here is not that the university's ideals were in contrast with Gee's behavior, but that it became public information.  He said this stuff a while ago and him saying it apparently isn't the problem, or at least not enough of a problem to cause the university to react.  Only when his behavior becomes public information does it draw a reaction from the university.  When it's not someone's behavior that's the problem, but rather whether that behavior becomes public, is an ethical issue for the university.
2 weeks 15 hours ago	Ferns looks college ready	He moves well, is athletic, and has the size of a BCS linebacker right now...very excited.  I really liked how fluid, athletic, and well put together he looks for his age.
2 weeks 1 day ago	Hmmm	I'm definately thinking Countess ends up 1st or 2nd, Washington, Schofield, Gardner, and Funchess, probably 2nd team and Ross with an honorable mention.
2 weeks 1 day ago	FYI	Maybe it's just me but I thought this was Damon Webb on Peppers, like maybe a quote from the NFTC camp last weekend.  You may wish to add Sam to the title, or I could just be weird.  Thanks for sharing either way...good stuff.
2 weeks 1 day ago	Anyone see OSU's schedule?	Their crossover games are Illinois and Minnesota...arguably the two worst teams in the West division.  One of the takeaways from Brian Bennett on ESPN's B1G Blog: "Ohio State again looks set up for success, as the Buckeyes first three Big Ten road games are at Indiana, at Rutgers and at Illinois before the season-ender in Ann Arbor. Penn State is the only traditional league power Ohio State will play until the final two weeks of the regular season, and the Lions come to the 'Shoe."

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