unverified voracity
2023 ohio state
zak zinter
jj mccarthy
sign stealing scandal type substance
2023 big ten championship game
marcus hall
epic double birds
nebraska
transfer portal
[Patrick Barron]

Unverified Voracity Does In Fact Have 20 Minutes To Listen To Rich Eisen Today Comment Count

Brian November 28th, 2023 at 12:40 PM

Reacts. Rich Eisen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w91s6-n9BgQ

Joel Klatt on the aftermath of the Zinter injury:

https://youtu.be/kYKnvx1quLc?t=1785

Here's a brief Journey segment about what Klatt is referencing:

Some guy in Cleveland:

This guy:

Big Sean catching strays.

[After THE JUMP: JJ items]

Mysterious JJ injury rumors confirmed. The hit he took against Penn State that saw him get up limping was indeed the culprit:

This goes some way towards explaining why Michigan didn't call any runs for him against Ohio State, but does not explain why he got a live read against Maryland. Also, if McCarthy was able to move well enough to pick up those scramble yards it seems like they could have had him keep it a couple times, if only to keep OSU honest.

The wild explanation for the wild throw. OSU freshman safety Malik Hartford was on the field for exactly one snap. It was this one:

I guess he must be referring to the quick glance Hartford took towards Wilson at the beginning of the play, because Hartford doesn't actually turn and run until McCarthy is in the middle of his throwing motion. FWIW, Hartford had about 100 snaps in OSU's previous three games so he was on the field enough to get a read on his play.

Partridge releases a statement. He waited until after OSU to do so  so as to not provide the proverbial distraction. Upshot: he denies any knowledge of Stalions's activities and denies destroying evidence. He says he was terminated "because of a failure 'to abide by the University directive not to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation with anyone associated with the Michigan Football Program.'" IE, he likely discussed with a player how he should approach an interview with the NCAA.

If that's true it should mean Partridge's dismissal won't add onto the notice of allegations that's coming down the pike at some point.

Iowa: not projected to score a zilly. Vegas and SP+ both expect Iowa to score about six points, and here's a doozy of a prop:

Marcus Hall on the epic double birds. Adam Rittenberg catches up with Hall and asks about one of the more, uh, colorful recent moments in the rivalry:

"I didn't hear anybody in the crowd, I didn't hear anything," Hall said. "All I was thinking was, 'It's my senior year. I've looked forward to my senior year playing Michigan for so long.' The energy and preparation that goes into that game, you're so invested in that game. For it to end before halftime, I just blew up."

As ABC cameras followed him, Hall threw his helmet down on the Ohio State sideline, kicked a bench and then pumped his fist in anger. Then, as he turned into the stadium tunnel, he raised both of his middle fingers toward the Big House crowd.

"I compare it to, when you're fed up on the job and it's time to go, just let 'em fly," Hall said.

They're going to put you in the sports gulag, Jim. Harbaugh made another argument for paying the players at his press conference after being there while Zak Zinter had surgery. Apologies to Alejandro Zuniga for not directly embedding this but it'll get cut off:

After watching Zak Zinter's injury on TV, Jim Harbaugh made another push for paying the players:

"Who could be against the players being compensated for what they do? At least even minimum wage. I mean, who could argue against that — when there’s injury or not. I mean, the emotional buildup watching it on TV: There wasn't a commercial that went by, a sporting event that was played all week that you didn't see those two teams and the buildup and the hype and the talk about players’ legacies and everything that could possibly be rolled into one game on the line. And then you see the amount of people that are benefiting financially from those players’ efforts out there. I wonder who could be against that? I ask other coaches to get on board, to use their platform and their voice for the student-athletes — not just football players, all student-athletes — to be sharing in this ever-increasing revenue. That was another thought that I had, and I just don't know who could be against that."

He said he'd be happy to take a paycut to get this done. The NCAA is going to send him to Bolivia now.

The football Gods continue to tell Nebraska to run triple option. Ye gods:

They have not forgiven Nebraska for hiring Bill Callahan, and will not until the Cornhusker QB runs for 1000 yards.

Interesting guys in the portal. A couple of names to keep an eye on:

  • THOR GRIFFITH, an all-Ivy DT at Harvard who told Bruce Feldman he'd like to transfer to M or OSU. Griffith was #8 on Feldman's freaks list this year. PFF also loved him, issuing him an 89. I would hop on this ASAP; Michigan will lose Jenkins and Goode after this season and Griffith would slot right in as Yet Another Co-Starter At DT.
  • Donaven McCulley, who led Indiana in receiving yards this year. 75 PFF grade, 6'5". I'm intrigued.

Etc.: Minter talks evolving third down strategy. Ross Dellenger on the possibility of a "great split" with football powers breaking away from the NCAA. Rittenger on five reasons Michigan can win the national championship. Most of the money bet on M-OSU was on OSU. Nice shirt.

Comments

JHumich

November 28th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^

The wild throw is even better now than it was before I read this.

The reason he KNEW it wasn't a risk was through DILIGENCE in film study, backed up by the ALL-WORLD ABILITY to pay it off.

Joined: 02/18/2017

MGoPoints: 53191

yossarians tree

November 28th, 2023 at 3:12 PM ^

I'm not going to nitpick on JJ because the throw is certainly impressive, even though there are universes where #25 gets an easy interception on the ball if he doesn't turn around. In watching the replay I think the safer throw might have been a softer toss over #25's head letting Roman run under it in the end zone. There was no defender back there and Roman had clearly beaten his man.

Joined: 08/19/2010

MGoPoints: 22319

DennisFranklinDaMan

November 28th, 2023 at 5:32 PM ^

My concern with that throw is that JJ sometimes overestimates his good luck. He zips throws like that in there, or the late pass against his body to CJ, and they work, and everyone says, "he's amazing!" But one of his INTs against Maryland, right down the middle, was the same thing — him throwing a ball into heavy coverage. That time the defender turned around and made the easy INT.

Don't get me wrong — I leapt off my sofa when Wilson made the catch, and despite what Klatt said I had no doubt the TD would be upheld. But I also immediately wrote to my friends at the game "what an amazing crazy STUPID pass!"

It's results-based, right? When the throw works, JJ's amazing. But ... we also saw against Maryland (and TCU last season) what can happen when he over-relies on his arm instead of making sure a player is open first.

For now, I'll just keep hoping the gods continue to favor him/us. :-)

Joined: 01/23/2021

MGoPoints: 14547

Brhino

November 28th, 2023 at 1:14 PM ^

I get confused with all the fancy betting terms that come into play these days... but that's saying Vegas thinks Iowa will score about half a point per half, whereas Michigan should be good for about a touchdown a quarter... right?

Joined: 09/08/2009

MGoPoints: 19569

XM - Mt 1822

November 28th, 2023 at 1:45 PM ^

chuck, i'm just posting to say (not snarky) you are the type of buckeye fan that i have much empathy for.  you know why, as you know your fan base better than i do.  i think i can speak for most all of us and say you are welcome here and when the tables turn (and they will someday) you'll still be a gentleman about it.  

Joined: 12/21/2011

MGoPoints: 104458

schreibee

November 29th, 2023 at 1:59 AM ^

I think what people here respect about you Chuck - and you may well reject this supposition - is that after a hard fought game with an extremely difficult to handle outcome, like this past Game - you come here & accept M fans crowing rather than go to 11W or whatever to join bucknuts bitching. 

It tells us you get it. And we appreciate that.

Joined: 11/02/2009

MGoPoints: 21183

schreibee

November 29th, 2023 at 2:06 AM ^

He certainly does not make bucknuts smarter by coming here - quite the opposite.

I think he's given up on trying to raise the level of discourse there, which is why he'd rather be amongst people he respects celebrating a painful loss for himself, rather than with people he doesn't.

Joined: 11/02/2009

MGoPoints: 21183

AnthonyThomas

November 28th, 2023 at 1:53 PM ^

I haven't really seen that many calls for Day to be fired. The game was competitive enough that I think most Buckeye fans realize that starting all over with another coach is way riskier than keeping Day.

Maybe I'm crazy and maybe I'll get negged for saying it, but I'd be happy if Day left for the NFL. There has been no real drop off from Urban to him. Michigan just caught up. They are long overdue for a Brady Hoke-like disaster.

Joined: 11/13/2010

MGoPoints: 19382

EGD

November 28th, 2023 at 2:14 PM ^

If really thought there was any chance OSU would replace Day with a Hoke-like disaster, I’d sign up for that immediately. But it’s one of the best jobs in college football, they’d be much more likely to get an upgrade. Certainly there would be some short-term chaos but I kind of think M is better off dealing with the devil it knows here.

 

Joined: 09/16/2009

MGoPoints: 35199

M-Dog

November 28th, 2023 at 7:01 PM ^

The 12 team playoff is going to be a sweet spot for Day, if OSU fans will let him take advantage of it.  But they won't.  

His teams are built to win CFP games in nice warm weather or climate-controlled indoor stadiums.  Hell, he almost took down Georgia last year.  He was able to exploit their one "relative" weakness . . . their secondary.

But his issue has been that he has to beat Michigan to get into the CFP (last year he got lucky).  That won't be the case starting next year.  So he could make the rational decision to keep doing what he's doing, and just focus on the CFP.  He'll get into it most years.  Then he can do his thing.

But that would mean accepting losses to Michigan, who is built to beat Ohio State in November.  His fanbase would never accept that.  They are very sensitive to being called "soft."  Especially by us.

So, Day will adapt by making Ohio State look more like Michigan.  We are already seeing it.  That will change their pass-first identity and make them less of a team built to win CFP games against the likes of Georgia. 

 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257573

schreibee

November 29th, 2023 at 2:37 AM ^

Look - if Michigan may soon be playing osu on consecutive weeks fairly frequently, once in AA/Cbus, then again in Indy- then bucknuts will get over losing outside in November if they often win indoors in December. 

That would start a whole new narrative for them about M choking in the postseason. But...

Let me say right here I'd rather be seeded 5-8 & host a 1st round game, than seeded 1-4 with a week off. I'm going to predict that over the next 5-10 years as many or more teams seeded 5-8 will win the NC than teams seeded 1-4 that enjoyed a week off. Also that NO team seeded 9-12 will ever win in this format. 

Joined: 11/02/2009

MGoPoints: 21183

DennisFranklinDaMan

November 28th, 2023 at 5:37 PM ^

Agree. I think it's strange the amount of mockery Day gets on here. He's clearly an excellent coach — his team had the ball in plus territory with a chance to win at the end on the road against the #3 team in America, in the last game of an otherwise undefeated season!

And even stranger ... the more we talk about how bad he is as a coach and how soft Ohio State is ... the more we devalue our own victory! 

As far as I'm concerned, Ohio State an awesome fucking team, played their asses off, and would have beaten almost every single team in America on Saturday. 

But unfortunately for them, they played us, and we're better. :-)

 

 

 

Joined: 01/23/2021

MGoPoints: 14547

PopeLando

November 28th, 2023 at 1:33 PM ^

I hate that, on the heels of a BS suspension, that all the programs colluding against Michigan now get to lobby the NCAA to drop the hammer on Michigan.

The pessimistic part of me - which cannot help but acknowledge the masterful smear campaign - would not be surprised if, very soon, every media outlet started talking about how Michigan should be banned from the playoffs. I wouldn’t be surprised if a new set of quotes/outrage dropped on Friday this week. And I wouldn’t be surprised if ESPN finds out about this before Michigan does.

Joined: 08/01/2015

MGoPoints: 69891

M-Dog

November 28th, 2023 at 7:33 PM ^

Here is the "No SEC in the CFP" scenario:

- Michigan wins big, a convincing and dominant win.
- Washington wins big, a convincing and dominant win.
- FSU wins big, a convincing and dominant win.

That gives you three undefeated conference champions with convincing and dominant wins in their championship games.  You can't make a reasonable case to leave them out of the CFP.

To continue:

- Texas wins big, a convincing and dominant win.
- Alabama beats Georgia in an ugly win that makes both teams look bad, ala the 6 to 3 LSU - Alabama game several years ago.

That gives you three one-loss teams for one remaining CFP slot: Texas and Alabama who won their conferences, and Georgia who did not win their conference.

Who do you pick for that one slot?  

The CFP committee has clearly stated that they value a conference championship.  They are not going to pick Georgia over Alabama.

So it's down to Texas and Alabama.  Texas has already beaten Alabama head-to-head, at Alabama, by double digits.  That matters.  That's why you play the games.  Alabama may counter by saying "Well we beat #1 Georgia, that proves how good we are."  But Texas can counter by saying "Well we beat YOU, that proves how good WE are."

It would be very hard to make a case to leave Texas out in favor of Alabama.  So, that results in a CFP with no SEC team.

Of course the reality is that SEC bias is indeed a real thing and the CFP committee will manufacture some BS reason to make sure an SEC team is not left out.  Probably to the detriment of undefeated Florida State. 
 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257573

PopeLando

November 28th, 2023 at 2:57 PM ^

I hear you, but if you had bet me $100 that the B1G Commissioner would be so eager to stab one of the flagship universities of his conference in the back, to the point of ignoring legal arguments, existing bylaws, due process, and even the lack of evidence...I would have taken that bet and lost $100 to you.

Joined: 08/01/2015

MGoPoints: 69891

JBLPSYCHED

November 28th, 2023 at 1:46 PM ^

The Rich Eisen diatribe is well worth the 20 minute viewing time. He describes the events of the past 6+ weeks and what Saturday's win did to silence the OSU fans who desperately seek to explain losing to us the past 3 years.

I'm not normally a fan of Eisen's--those former/ESPN guys mostly run together in my mind--but he's a Michigan grad and expresses all of our (collective) experience beautifully.

Joined: 11/27/2010

MGoPoints: 7441

CompleteLunacy

November 28th, 2023 at 2:26 PM ^

He was pure, unabashed Michiagn homer in this one. It felt a bit dirty to watch at times. But it also perfectly encapsulated the psyche of the Michigan fan in this moment. we've taken SO MANY LUMPS in the past month, and the feelings of BPONE were starting to creep back in. And yet...the team rallied to calm the nerves of fans at PSU, and the fans rallied to galvanize the team at OSU when they needed it. It's one of the best "fight through adversity" stories I have ever witnessed in my sports fandom. I wore my "Michigan vs. Everybody" shirt proudly last weekend. Half of the hate is because they're jealous.

Whatever, I love this team, and not just because they win. But because they are full of great men who embody everything it means to win with cruelty and win with character. They truly love each other and build each other up when one or more are having a bad day. JJ was not great against maryland due to injury? No problem, JJ, the run game and defense and special teams have your back. No Zak Zinter, no Will Johnson, no Jim Harbuagh? It's ok, Corum and Trente and Sherrone and Mikey and everybody else have your back.  It's such a joy to watch them overcome all the obstacles and outside noise. I just hope we get to see them do it 3 more times!

Joined: 11/13/2010

MGoPoints: 12910

BlueKoj

November 29th, 2023 at 12:01 PM ^

I like Rich. This was a good listen. His victory laps have been enjoyable. I do wish he more effectively used his platform to counter the media absurdity about advanced scouting. I never really heard him push back with logic or facts or pointed questions either with guests or on his own. He also is pearl-clutchy about Harbaugh and the NFL and other things. Definitely more fan boy regarding Michigan than calm, erudite pro-Michigan voice.

Joined: 01/10/2014

MGoPoints: 7792