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24 weeks 4 days ago Sagarin's algorithm says

Sagarin's algorithm says Michigan is the 9th best team in the country.  I think that's pretty favorable.  I'm a MIchigan fan, and even I don't think we're the 9th best team in the country.

The problem is the BCS doesn't want to incent teams to run up the score to improve their rankings, so they removed margin of victory from all BCS computer rankings.  So, Sagarin computes a second rating that takes a key component of his algorithm out, it becomes politically correct, and the results are completely wonky.  

 
24 weeks 4 days ago BCS uses ELO CHESS.  Michigan

BCS uses ELO CHESS.  Michigan fell from 22 to 23.  Baylor held steady at 7.
27 weeks 4 days ago In fairness to Sagarin, the

In fairness to Sagarin, the BCS elects to use the politically correct ELO-CHESS version of Sagarin's ratings.  In Sagarin's "pure" ratings, Oklahoma is 3 and OK State is 4, but Wisconsin is 7 and Michigan is 9.  Missouri, TAMU, and UT are next at 10, 11, and 14, but then we get Nebraska at 17 and Sparty at 22.  K State is 23 and Penn State is 25.  Then we get Baylor at 29, but Ohio (33), Illinois (40), Iowa (45), and Northwestern (53) are all ahead of iowa State at 62.  Purdue (66) is ahead of Texas Tech (68).  Minnesota (101) is ahead of Kansas (106).
30 weeks 2 days ago   I got the book today

 

I got the book today and had time to read just about the same number of pages.  It's definitely been an interesting read, and it seems I had repressed memories of most of the 2008 season.  I had forgotten many of the details of those 2008 games Bacon described, so I went back and pored over box scores.  I am a bit dismayed by how very inaccurate Bacon's recounting of the facts of the 2008 Purdue game are.  He writes Michigan led 42-35.  They did not.  Purdue led 42-35.  He writes that Purdue scored a TD but missed a 2-point conversion, leaving Michigan with a 42-41 lead.  That, obviously, did not happen.  He writes that Michigan only needed to get a first down to run out the clock, when in fact Michigan scored late to tie the game at 42, kicked to Purdue, surrendered the TD on the horrific hook-and-lateral, and got the ball back with 26 seconds left.  Threet and Mathews actually drove us to the Purdue 47 for a Hail Mary attempt that failed.

I recognize the book is not an epic retelling of the 2008 Michigan-Purdue Clash of the Titans, but I'm not sure I understand how something so inaccurate could have been missed prior to publication.  
31 weeks 1 day ago Small correction: I believe

Small correction: I believe the odds of Michigan winning the Nebraska game should be -13% rather than +13%.
33 weeks 1 day ago Unless I'm mistaken, the

Unless I'm mistaken, the unadjusted percentages assume the two teams are equal (i.e., each has a 50% chance to win the game at kickoff).  The spread percentages are modified using the spread as an indicator of how comparable the teams really are.  So, once Fitz lost 4 yards to bring up 3rd and 5 from our own 25, we'd have been slightly more likely to lose than to win if Minnesota had been as good as us.
37 weeks 15 hours ago I can't speak to any

I can't speak to any complexities specific to your situation.  It's also been several years since I had to rely on ESPN Gameplan to watch a Michigan game.  However, if the service works now like it did then, it was just like any other PPV event on cable and was indistinguishable from any normal Michigan broadcast.  The $15 cost included all-day access to all available games, and once or twice I even took advantage of that and watched some other games I wouldn't normally have seen.

So, if you determine Gameplan actually allows you to watch the game, and assuming the service hasn't changed, I believe it's a very good option.  Personally, given the choice between paying $15 for Gameplan and trying to find a consistent and high quality stream, I'd spend the $15 every time.
49 weeks 6 days ago I'd say not so universally higher rated

Wormley is rated higher by Scout, ESPN,  and 24/7.  Wormley is the #13 DE to Scout while Strobel is #24.  24/7 says Wormley is the #3 SDE and #57 overall, while Strobel is the #14 WDE and #169 overall.  ESPN says Wormley is the #16 DE while Strobel is #56.  Only Rivals prefers Strobel; Strobel is a 5.8 and #231 overall to Rivals, while Wormley is a 5.7 and not in the top 250.  
1 year 1 week ago No disrespect intended, but

No disrespect intended, but honestly, reading about a UM-trained (or in training) physician who doesn't want to treat OSU fans ranks awfully low on my list of things that make me proud to be a Michigan fan.  I'm pretty firmly in the camp of "I want to crush OSU in any and every sporting event, but in the grand scheme of things, UM and OSU fans are vastly more alike than they are different, and extending the 'hatred' beyond the confines of the playing field is ridiculous."  I like to think OSU fans are that ridiculous much more often than M fans.  I should note that my OSU-educated co-worker disagrees.
1 year 5 weeks ago I understand Coach Jackson

I understand Coach Jackson agrees, saying "He's like me but with more hyperbole."
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