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I would love to see ChalmersE results for the survey in the Degenerate Gambling thread.

At least we can all watch the #2 ranked team in college basketball for the next few months and enjoy players like Mr. Trey Burke who is a once in a generation type talent.

I think you can also throw in the tight ends in there as well.  An improved AJ Williams should allow for essentially a 6th offensive linemen on the field during running plays.  Hopefully improvement in blocking by both him and Funchess should help alleviate some of the growing pains from playing a bunch of young guys next year.

On a related note, does anyone know how the word 'redshirt' came about?  I know that quarterbacks usually wear a red colored jersey to indicate their 'don't hit status', but I wonder if incoming freshmen used to wear them as well back in the day to indicate their status. 

My issue with expansion is that more teams don't necesarily equate to more money for each school.  I believe the Big10 currently divides the total money made by the number of teams in the league.  So if the Big10 earned 120 million last year, each team pockets 10 million dollars.  So to justify the addition of Maryland and Rutgers, these two teams need to each bring over 10 million apiece to make this more profitable for the Big10.  As of now, does anyone know if this is actually the case?  Furthermore, one would hope that these two schools bring much more than that to the table to actually justify their addition to the conference because otherwise no one is actually getting richer from it. 

I don't believe these divsions are going to be maintained for basketball.  Look at how the Big East operated with 16 teams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp069Y_P-9M

I can't even embed right now and don't even care.  Screw the Big10.

Ugh.  I already hate how Micigan can go 3 years without playing a team in the conference.  The addition of 2 more teams will just make that even worse.  Hard to consider a team in your conference when you only play twice a decade.  I feel like we play schools such Western and Eastern at least that often...

Wow.  I feel like I have been reading the same UFR for defense the last 4 weeks and couldn't be happier about it. 

I agree with you completely about Nebraska though. One could easily make an argument that Michigan has faced 3 out of the 4 worst offenses in the Big10.  While he have shut those teams down, I want to see us take out a team whose offense doesn't pain me to watch.

Nebraska needs this game just as much as Michigan does and its at their place so they will be playing with a ton of energy.  As a result I am expecting their defense to play much better than it has so far (at least at the start of the game) and their offense to maintain the level they are currently at.

Key will be for Michigan to open the offense up early because I can see Nebraska following MSU's gameplan and selling out on the run.  This could lead to some short drives (3 and outs) and all Nebraska needs to do is score and now we have Denard playing down a score or two in a hostile environment and I just don't ever see that ending well.  Open it up early and get some scores or first downs and the crowd noise lessens and  their defense will begin to show their true colors.  This is when we go back to the running game plan and take control of the game. 

At what point does the pitch count become too high forcing Leyland to pull Scherzer. And yes I know he is pitching 'great'.

In a few years I feel like all those great reasons could be dwarfed by the fact that Ohio isn't in our division anymore and there just won't be as much up for stake going forward. 

Take for instance this year.  There is a good chance that if Michigan takes care of its business, it will enter the game against Ohio having already clinched a spot in the title game.  Beating Ohio won't really matter.  And yes I know that beating them will feel great and give us bragging rights, but that can only go so far in a rivalry that is supposed to be about deciding the Big10 Championship.

I think the fact that Illinois is awful, it is fall break for the students, weather is less than ideal and it has a 3:30 pm start time will kill crowd attendance today.  Not much incentive to watch the worst team in the Big Ten play in lousy weather conditions if you are just an average Michigan fan. 

Honestly, just look at the Big10 recruiting rankings and you have your explanation for why the conference is doing so poorly.  Almost half the conference struggles just to pull in a class with 3 stars across the board.  This is not a recipe for success.  Until that changes, you are going to see Michigan and Ohio dominate with a few other programs making a run every now and again. 

Totally agree about switching up the divisions.  Not only does having the protected game with Ohio only make it harder for Michigan to win the Big Ten, but it is also in the process of doing significant damage to one of the greatest rivalries in college football.  Look at what happened to the Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry when they were split into different divisions. 

If the divisions stay how they are, I don't see how anyone can claim the Michigan-Ohio rivalry is one of the best in college football anymore.  Not when the winner of that match-up may just play again the following week or the result of the game is irrelevant because either team has already clinched a spot in the title game.  A good rivalry has a lot at stake depending on who wins and you just can't say that is the case anymore with how the Big Ten champion is now determined. 

To start, does anyone remember last year's National Championship Game?  LSU pretty much got curb stomped by Alabama and it would have been even worse if LSU somehow didn't hold Alabama to five field goals.  By all accounts, LSU was considered the best or at least second best team in the country last year.  They killed Oregon and West Viriginia, yet took a minor miracle to beat Alabama the first time and then got crushed when they played again.  While, this is a different Alabama team than las year, one can argue they are even better on offense this year and it has yet to be seen what type of drop-off, if any, they will have on defense.  Michigan got beat up by Alabama.  So?  Going by last year, they could have done this to pretty much every other team in the country.  It really is not a great gauge at all of how Michigan will fare the rest of the year by any means.  Actually, it is a horrible gauge which is why I could give a shit what the UFR is going to show.  B/B+ level players can look like D/C- players when you go against a team loaded wiht A/A+ talent and that needs to be realized.  Also, does anyone even remember where Michigan was 2 years ago?  Rome wasn't built over night. 

Saying that, Michigan just played the best team they will all year and they are going to come away from that learning alot.  While teams like Iowa, MSU, and Wisconsin struggled to put away low-level teams that field players much physically smaller than their own, Michigan's inexperienced d-line got to go up against the best offensive line in the country. They got hurt, beat up, and looked awful.  But they will be better for it. 

Also, these type of games are great mental tests as well for the players.  The coaches got to see which kids busted their ass all game even though the outcome was already in hand.  They got to see which kids play with a lot of pride and heart and that will only serve to make them better in the future.  Furthermore, a lot of talented freshman saw the field and got invaluable experience.  Two or three years from now, these kids will have this game in their memory banks and know first hand how one has to play to be considered a champion. 

While no one liked losing how they did, I think we can all say their is a silver lining to this game.  I don't know about you guys, butI can't wait for this Saturday's game against Air Force.  I love this team and am expecting a great performance! GO BLUE!

I still remember the tears that streamed down my face from that Iowa loss.  That and the Syracuse game a few years earlier are the only times I can remember crying from a game.  Not that they hurt any less now, I just got older and discovered the secret powers of alcohol to make one forget.  

I can't wait for the day when you have to carefully look over the depth chart to find a Fr. attached to a name in the 2-deep. 

If the "apple pie" drink followed this recipe I can understand the repercussions that follwed during the night.  Simply put, Everclear will mess you up. 

I think just saying forearm would suffice.

When they show Smith taking a swig of Gatorade after scoring on the bench, I can't help but envision him on ESPN wearing the Maize and Blue doing the same thing after scoring a huge touchdown against our rivals.   

Does anyone know if there is a limit on the number of players a team can have on its roster?  I know there are dressing rules and such for away games, but wasn't sure regarding just people listed on the team.

I'm a little confused.  If Mario bulks up and loses some of his speed, wouldn't it make sense for him to just stay on the defensive line than switch to linebacker?  I feel like a strongside linebacker would need more speed and quickness than a weakside defensive end.  

After watching the highlight video, I have to say that Kyle's favorite breakfast food must be pancakes. 

Finally getting to the running events!  I have been waiting for this all week.  Also, anyone see Dibaba bust out a 60 second final lap in the 10k?  Thats incredible. 

Supposedly they asked the kids which coach is the easiest to impersonate and Shane went with Dantonio.  Pretty funny stuff and another reason to love the kid even more!

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8138286

I forget her name, but a girl running for Reed City won four individual state titles at the D3 track meet. She was low 40's in the 300 m hurdles and whats really crazy is that she is only a junior.

Yeah.  In a culture all about making money, it is not often you see a person in charge make a decision such as this.  Petrino was winning football games and in almost all other situations, that triumphs pretty much everything else. 

What about the SEC vs. Honesty and Integrity?  I hear thats a good one,

Big10.  Your unnecessary expansion.  Woof.

I don't have enough points, but I feel like we need a what are you drinking thread.  I know it is only 3 pm but four commits already!?!  I can only hold off from the celabratory toasts for so long!

And here I thought that five pairs of boxers would hold me over through the weekend...Looks like laundry day tomorrow.

It could just me being a Northerner and not having access to it all the time, but the few times I have had Chick Filet I would say they are the best.  Heck, I came so close to going to a school in the South just to have access to it.

 I always felt like Carmelo Anthony is one of the most overrated players in the league.  For all of his scoring, he never seems to help the players around him and the team always struggles.  Just look at Carmelo's stat line last year against Houston:

50 points - 0 assists - Nuggests lost the game

I feel like these numbers show why the Big Ten's perception always seems to take a hit come bowl season. Seven of the twelve teams with an average of less than three stars per recruit. Makes it tough to win those match ups out of conference when the SEC's seventh, eighth, or ninth ranked class would finish third in the Big Ten.

Michigan is in the Big Ten and the conferences recent bowl record leaves a lot to be desired. ESPN also has done a great job of making public opinion think that any conference other than the SEC and USC is inferior and not capable of winning anything. Until the Big Ten has a couple great bowl records along with a National Championship I think many coaches can use that to discredit Michigan and the other schools in the Big Ten.

Brionte was committed to Ohio before Meyer. And yeah, I know he reaffirmed his commitment to Ohio after Meyer. But all those Michigan kids from Ohio also reaffirmed their hate for Ohio and love for Michigan despite Mr. Meyer's best efforts.

I believe he was at the UTL game along with all of the other recruits and found himself pulling for the Irish over the course of the game.  I guess he figured if he was pulling for ND in that enivronment then that is where he needs to go.

I don't see why the Cousin statement is such a big deal.  The main complaint he has is that the system is broken which is completely true.  If the tables had been reversed, I know most everyone would be rather upset and I would expect the players to be upset as well.  The truth is that no Big 10 Championship game probably keeps us out of a BCS bowl with MSU likely making a BCS bowl.  As long as the system remains how it is, I have no problem with people complaining about the set up or voicing their displeasure, even if it is a Spartan.  Michigan got into a BCS bowl due to the flaws in the current system (with 3/4 possible other at-large teams ranked ahead in the standings), so lets just be happy and content and realize quite a few teams got screwed. 

Isnt't it 'The Nokia Sugar Bowl?m

 I consider Ohio Michigan's biggest rival but I consider MSU Michigan's mosted hated opponent.  This may seem contradicting and is probably in a large part due to my upbringing.  Growing up in Lansing, and having many Spartan friends has left me with a burning hatred of everything Sparty these last four years.  I am sure Ohio fans can be just as cocky and ignorant and annoying, but the lack of interactions with them has not put the hate there in that regard.

Coupled with this is the fact that the Game has diminished some in the past few years.  A rivalry is at its best when both teams are competive and Michigan has just not been at the same level the past few seasons.  In some sense, it seemed as if Tressel and OSU actually felt bad when they played us and that probably upsets me more than anything.  I seem to remember Tressel letting off the gas pedal of one of the games quite early a year or two simply because he knew Michigan could not win. 

Saying all of this, I expect the rivalry to pick up again these coming years, and really shine.  And as far as my hate for MSU? Well, as long as Dantonio is there I don't see that changing.  

Yeah. I think it is set so every team plays three games regardless of whether you win or lose. So if Michigan loses against Duke they play the loser of the other semifinal game

Halftime is a matter of preference. I thought the half time show was easily much better than the band just playing songs on the field that can be difficult to hear where you are sitting. I believe that the students loved it and was quite entertaining. Though this is all with the caveat that you have seen the videos before. Though it makes you wonder what the band would have done had the scoreboards not been fixed in time...

I am sure there has been some discussion about this, but I cannot help but see Mattison going more and more towards a 3-4 defense in the coming years.  The abundance of quality linebackers in addition to the types of defensive linemen being recruited just seems to fit this philosophy.  Pipkins seems to be a prototypical nose tackle and guys like Wormley, Godin, and Strobel seem to have the size to play the ends in this type of defense.  This leaves players such as Mario and Ryan to occupy that 'rush' lineback role, while still having three other linebacker spots designated for players such as Morgan, Demens, Ross, Bolden, etc. 

I am at the Arena now and half the televisions have the Michigan State game on....kind of surprised.

+ A happy Lloyd Brady

So why is not Charles Woodson on the team?  And I also think David Harris needs to be somehow included.  Been an anchor of one of the best defenses in the NFL for a few years now.

Exactly.  Something tells me that mop up snaps against EMU and WMU won't mean anything against the likes of a defense the caliber of a Nebraska or tSIO.  We will only be able to judge Devin's ability when he plays in meaningful snaps against a good opponent.  And I for one hope to never see this scenario because that means something has happened to Denard. 

Alabama is looking really good.  Here is hoping a lot of these guys leave after their junior season.  I'm looking at you Mr. Richardson...

Despite the fumble I'm loving me some Vincent Smith.  On his touchdown run, should have been down at the three but managed to power his way into the end zone.  Quickly becoming one of my favorite players.

I can live with Denard overthrowing receivers and having a very limited passing game because he has the ability to score every time he takes off and make something happen. I just can't live with the interceptions thrown into double and triple coverage. With an ever improving defense he needs to realize that this isnt last year and he does not have to score forty points to win. Michigan can beat teams in Big Ten play with a limited passing play as long as they don't turn the ball over and give the other team free gifts. Dare I say, but our defense has been very opportunistic and been able to get the big turnover and avoid the big play. If Denard can limit these throws and force teams to go the length of the field Michigan will be very competitive.

What about the 1997 Rose Bowl game against Washington State University ? I know it doesn't have the glitz and glamor of the tSIO game only a few weeks earlier but it did cap a perfect season and resulted in a National Championship for Michigan.  To this day, I can still remember Bob Griese choking up in the press box as he watched his son finish off the undefeated campaign.   

One thing I don't understand about these 16-team conferences is how this affects football schedules.  If you have two eight team divisions, a team will probably play nine conference games.  That gives you seven games in a round robin format with two games to play teams in the other division.  If one of those games is a protected rivaly, you end up playing the other schools from that division once every seven years at best.  That just makes no sense to me.

Today was definitely a great day with Michigan winning and now OSU losing.  I can say that after today games, I definitely feel that Michigan's chances of beating MSU, OSU, and Iowa all increased.  Still not going to be easy, but all of those teams showed they are vunerable in several facets of the game.  On the other hand, Ilinois looks like they are going to be a tough game, but some Big Ten team had to look good today didn't they?

I am not saying Vincent Smith is Mike Hart reincarnated.  I am just saying that lack of break-away speed and size are not sufficient reasons to discredit his ability to be an everydown back, when one of the best backs in Michigan history had those characteristics. Vincent Smith has shown the shiftiness and agility to pick up chunks of yards with every touch so far this season.  He also is a great pass blocker and catches the football out of the backfield as well as, if not better than any back we currently have on the roster.

 I am just wondering what are reasons other than those previously mentioned above that people are against letting him be the primary back.

I think a big key to the remaining games on Michigan's schedule has to be their ability to start games much better than they have for the first three.  Against teams like WMU and EMU, Michigan can overcome a poor start but against the better teams that is just not the case.  This team is just not good enough to show up in the second quarter and think it can win a game.  And yes, I know we did come back against ND, but they also did their fair share to shoot themselves in the foot whenever possible.

There are several comments in this thread regarding Smith's lack of size and top end speed and this is why he can't be the every down back. Really? I think Mike Hart might have something to say about that.

I would do something like a 10 team standard league with a snake style draft.  I like auction drafts but they definitely can make it harder to assemble a good team if your new, where at least in the snake style you are guaranteed your picks.  Also, leagues with more than ten teams really make it necessary for you to know a lot about football as the back-ups of back-ups can be fair game. 

And as stated previously, a league in which your with some good friends is the best.  For proof, just watch a few episodes of The League to catch my point. 

A tSIO quarterback accepting improper benefits with a large buckeye tattoo on his upper arm coupled with complaints about his ability to be a leader and good teammate.  Am I missing something?  Didn't TP leave the school?

Your best bet is probably stacking your bench with back up running backs like Montario Hardesty in Cleveland. Value is terrible now but one injury and you suddenly have a starting running back. May not work out but might be your best chance.

Considering Jamal Charles is one of the top running backs in the game you have to start him every week. You don't draft a player with your first pick and not start him based on the match up. Few running back like Charles are lock for plenty of carries and considering his home run threat everytime he touches the pig skin he is a lock starter. Flex positions are where you are more likely to look into the opposing team.

I don't if this has been mentioned but from all accounts I have heard that Banner is also looking to play basketball at what ever school he chooses.  I know that Michigan is offering him this chance and I am wondering if he does commit do any of you see this affecting Mitch McGary's decision to come here?

While in general this may be true for high level large Universities, there are definitely many exceptions to that rule.  The likes of Hope College, Calvin College, and Kalamazoo College all have strong undergraduate research programs in the sciences.  For instance, the Hope College Chemistry department is ranked as one of the highest in the country regarding reserach and other mitigating factors.  The last time time US News ranked undergraduate chemistry reserach, Hope College was ranked alongside the likes of Standford, MIT, and Michigan.

my bad for double post

I can honestly say that I am not a fan of DB. I understand wanting to run a profitable athletic department but at least it is covered by the aura of college athletics. With DB there is just no covering the fact that he is all about the money and doesn't even try to cover it up.

And while this may be incorrect, all i know is that when DB was CEO of Dominos the product sucked. Maybe the company was turning a profit and thats all that matters, but their image was terrible. And then as soon as he departs from the company Dominos goes on this huge campaign to change public opinion for the better and make the pizza taste a whole lot better.

It could just be me, but I can not help but to view Michigan Football similar to Dominos pizza under the guidance of DB. Michigan might make some dough from his work, but that dough is making some pretty poor tasting pizza.

What are the chances Kalis is just a silent commit and remains as such in the coming months? I know that all of us would love a commitment from him, but would it not be in Kalis's best interest to hold off from that in order to stop potential Ohio airheads from making his life hell. If I were in his shoes I feel like that would be a genuine concern of mine.

So this may be pretty well known but I was wondering what constitutes the difference between an unofficial and official vist for recruits.  If you are on an unofficial visit is the school allowed to pay for anything or is that a NCAA violation?  Likewise, what is the extent in expenses that a school can cover on an official visit? Travel? Meals?  Is there a limit to these?  Just curious. 

In the event that RR is fired this week, are we expecting an immediate announcement of the next coach?  I think most of us are expecting a head coach announcement Thursday or Friday at the earliest according to DB, but several rumors indicate that RR may be given the pink slip as early as tomorrow. 

what are his chances for the hall of fame?