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Recent Comments

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More of a mountain biker…

More of a mountain biker myself, but yay for bikes. It's surprises me every year how many people follow the tour de france, including non-bikers.

Understand that if you have…

Understand that if you have enough coin, and Jim does, LA can be a great place to live. Foothills or beach can be nice, depending on personal preference and life style. I lived in Redondo Beach for years and understand pros/cons. Today, leaving my office at Main and Huron here in Ann Arbor, I had the (dis)pleasure of seeing some dude openly pissing on a dumpster. Yay.  That said, it's not an accident that I live in Ann Arbor - I like it here and am happy my kids grew up here. 

Today was another day with sun in the 50's. In February. I fully expect a big snow storm in March but man, February has been incredible by Michigan standards (unless you like to ski).

34 - 30 Michigan…too many…

34 - 30 Michigan…too many field goals (or missed PAT) baked into that score, but I am running with it.

When you can't pass pro, as…

When you can't pass pro, as demonstrated early on, you bring on the heavies and run it down their throat.

No style points, just another win. 

Fair question but Olu…

Fair question but Olu Oluwatimi says hi. Yeah, I know he is a grad x-fer but I couldn’t resist.

Then there’s Oki…. 
 

While we could do better in the portal we have absolutely benefited.

Except I think Maryland will…

Except I think Maryland will suffer a letdown rather than getting fired up to plan a team they can and should beat. Hopefully I am wrong.

MSU is another interesting situation from a team dynamic. Have all the x-fers ruined their team culture (chips anyone?). Will they circle the wagons and improve or just give up? Time for Tuck to earn some of that contract, lol.

Thanks, I thoroughly enjoyed…

Thanks, I thoroughly enjoyed those highlights. And good Lord, Wheatly and Timmy in the same backfield had to terrify opposing DC`s. Great receivers too.

Interesting move. Rolling…

Interesting move. Rolling the dice on high end talent in a position of need versus potential locker room disruption (based on the checkered past). Definitely an opportunity for Mazi, coaches, etc. to work some magic. Hopefully Harbaugh can bring some Chuck Daly magic, circa Dennis Rodman years.

+1 on West Quad (Rumsey). …

+1 on West Quad (Rumsey).  Great location (closer to sports and Blimpy Burgers way before they moved) and much nicer than S. Quad.

See any of the Glasgow…

See any of the Glasgow brothers as exhibit A for why a booster might want to pay a walk on more than the 85th scholarship player.

I would add UA (Arizona, not…

I would add UA (Arizona, not Alabama) before Kansas. Both schools cheat their butts off in hoops but UA is in the PAC footprint plus the fact my son (UM grad) lives there. That would make for a great travel game for me provided it was later in the year to avoid the heat.

As a former California…

As a former California resident and UCLA season ticket holder (since returned to Ann Arbor), I look forward wearing shorts to a game at the Rosebowl in November.  You know, when you carry a sweatshirt with you to sit on until it gets a little "chilly" when the sun drops behind the stadium, leaving you in the shade. 

I'm pretty sure OSU is…

I'm pretty sure OSU is already an associate member of the SEC based on other recruiting practices (cars, tats and so on) regardless of whether they play school or not.

One interesting aspect of…

One interesting aspect of NIL is the tax man. We know he doesn't take a bite out of the cash bag but I suspect we may start hearing about unpleasant surprises in the next few years. Does someone paying large NIL have to report those payments to the feds via a 1099 or similar? That would make the old fashioned bag of cash and/or car more attractive.

As demonstrated by their…

As demonstrated by their rigorous admissions process.

(on par with WCC from what I understand)

I am not sure why this was…

I am not sure why this was negged so I brought you back up to zero.

 

...and thanks Magnus.

One way some schools may pay…

One way some schools may pay for this is by killing more lower tier sports programs. Hell, if you compare Michigan to the SEC football powers, we support many more programs. We have 29 varsity programs compared to 19 for Georgia, 21 for Bama. MSU supports 23 while OSU supports 36 programs, three of which are coed. Does anyone know what those teams are? Google failed me. 

Anyone from the south that…

Anyone from the south that visits this weekend hopefully brought some cold weather gear. Mother Nature didn't do us any favors. At least they got to see some snow this morning I guess (which might be a novelty to someone who grew up in the south.)

Interesting question that…

Interesting question that has me curious as well. Using me as a sample of one, the answer is that I don't use the phrase very often, but when I do, it's followed by a quick prayer. 

I wasn't able to watch the…

I wasn't able to watch the game, but it sounds like one very positive development is Houston showing up on the D side of the court despite firing bricks on the other end. D travels.

Agreed re. the mental aspect…

Agreed re. the mental aspect. If you're wide open you have the added pressure (whether subconscious or conscious) of knowing you should make it. On the other hand, if someone is in your grill there's a lower expectation (pressure) combined with the fact you don't have time to think about it, unlike a wide open look.

It's kind of like suddenly hitting better in tennis after breaking a string and using an old backup or borrowed racket. The pressure of expectations is lifted. (yeah, at 5'7" I played tennis in HS, not hoops).

That's an interesting…

That's an interesting dichotomy and does provide perspective when viewing University actions.

FWIW, I suspect that the statue and building name will change in roughly 25 years or so once donors of a certain generation/age have passed on.

Go Dreads!*

I may have to…

Go Dreads!*

I may have to catch a game next year. When my kids attended Dexter most fans left after watching the band's half time show (unless their kids were unfortunate enough to play for the team.)

* recommended school name change from Dreadnoughts to the Natty Dreads. (Likely wouldn't play well among the local PTA though, lol)

You didn't see a material…

You didn't see a material change in game plan last year from prior years?  The defense was totally reworked while the offense continued on more of an evolutionary path. Not sure what else to say other than Go Blue!

During my son's time at…

During my son's time at Dexter they did not win a game. Not one game over four years. At least that's what he says and he was in the band so he was at the games (also played in UM's marching band.) Get a decent coach (aka a coach who recruits talent) and look what happens.

I suspect some are recruited…

I suspect some are recruited away with sweet nothings whispered in their ears (and perhaps a signing bonus to boot, I mean NIL...)

If we get curb stomped you…

If we get curb stomped you can make it up to him by bringing him to Ann Arbor for a home game, spending the night in town to show him around a bit. He might like some of the museums (maybe not if you're from Chicago) or walking around campus, through the Law quad and into their lower level... especially if he was a harry potter fan. The grad library is pretty cool too or, in another direction maybe Vault of Midnight down on main street. Plenty of decent food options or the unique experience of Blimpy Burger.

Maybe like Mattison with…

Maybe like Mattison with respect to recruiting/coaching but hopefully not on the repeated traitor bit.

Let me add a certain bowl…

Let me add a certain bowl game against Florida too many years ago under Lloyd. Just because you haven't doesn't mean you can't.  Granted our passing game was not great early in the year but it has progressed nicely. That said, I cannot see JH supporting a pass first approach.

1. Michigan 31 /  Georgia 27…

1. Michigan 31 /  Georgia 27

2. Win will cause me to scare the dog by running around yelling with a ridiculous grin on my face.

Loss will cause me to reflect on an awesome season. (a blowout loss may cause temporary depression)

 

Go Blue!!

When was the last time a SEC…

When was the last time a SEC football power school traveled north to play? I guess Georgia beat ND in a tight game in South Bend. After that, I really can't think of anyone. Neutral games in their footprint or maybe Jerry's world are essentially home games for them. Most of the bowl games are in their footprint as well (thank you Rose Bowl). If they are so dominant, come on up north for a game in November. Home and away. 

You just don't want the…

You just don't want the spinnaker to become a sea anchor. It can get hairy in heavy winds/seas (former foredeck crew here.)

The flag was picked up after…

The flag was picked up after the review confirmed Barrett's "pass" was a legal lateral thrown behind the line of scrimmage. Edwards is now 2 for 2 on passes with both going for touchdowns. 

I have to think Harbaugh was…

I have to think Harbaugh was playing for the #1 seed in the 4th quarter.  Smart man.

My voice is shot this…

My voice is shot this morning. The crowd was rocking before the opening kickoff and never let up. The atmosphere was incredible. (except maybe for the red hats in the crowd)

While we didn't get many…

While we didn't get many holding calls, OSU was called for numerous false starts. I believe these were the direct result of their tackles feeling a bit jumpy due to the guys lined up across from them. Awesome game by Hutchinson, Ojabo and the rest of the d-line.

During the TV timeouts…

During the TV timeouts yesterday, our guys were jumping around to the music (keeping warm and loose) when it blasted over the PA while OSU meandered around or stood there, many with heads down. The difference was notable. This was in I noticed this in the middle of the 2nd half.

While the announcers kept…

While the announcers kept talking about getting Hunter more touches, (which makes sense) I noticed multiple times where he could have taken one dribble and had a wide open shot from the free throw line but instead was only looking to pass. I have no idea if they were attempting to run some plays through him or if he was just tentative for some reason.

This is spot on. With Hunter…

This is spot on. With Hunter's offensive increased range and Diabate's defensive abilities (pretty nice offense + rebounding against UNLV) they compliment each other quite nicely.

 

While Johns did improve from his rough SH game, Diabate just brings a lot more to the party. That said, Diabate needs to improve his free throw shooting if he wants to be on the floor for anything more than a defensive sub at the end of tight games though.

While I agree with you on…

While I agree with you on trading Johns' and Williams minutes for the reasons noted, I did see Williams get blown by for easy buckets a few times last night. Offensively though, Johns is an unfortunate mess.

Considering he was dressed…

Considering he was dressed last week, are we assuming Eric All is good to go?  We could really use his blocking this week given PSU's ends, not to mention the pass catching.

You might want to pump the…

You might want to pump the brakes a touch regarding the defense - at least early in the season. With Diabate as a notable exception, freshman often struggle on D and we definitely lost some plus defenders from last year's team. Even Jones will likely require some adjustment. His high steal rate may have come from taking risks to the detriment of overall team D. The Wayne State game had an example where he went for a steal with the result being an easy bucket for (WS.)  If I remember correctly, Michigan rated poorly for team steals while earning a very high rating for overall team D. 

It will be interesting to see how it plays out as the season progresses. Hopefully I am completely wrong and they tear it up right from the get go.

It appears that all the…

It appears that all the fancy stats remain unaware that Wisconsin has no quarterback. That's pretty much the only explanation - that this is based 100% on the stats with no adjustment for recent injuries and player availability.

To a lesser degree, the same could be said for PSU although maybe Clifford is expected to return sooner rather than later. (update anyone?)

He's just looking for a…

He's just looking for a welcome to the family hug.

Let's hope the team isn't…

Let's hope the team isn't sleeping on Rutgers. They have better coaching than in years past and upgraded a bit via the x-fer portal (so I am led to believe).  Yes we should win comfortably but you still have to show up and play. 

So far, the new coaching staff seems to bring more intensity which should help.

One big impact I haven't…

One big impact I haven't seen discussed is that by going above board, recruits will now have to pay taxes. 1099's are required for large payments (it used to be a little below $1K but I don't know the current threshold for reporting now.)  1099's are reported by the payer which means you can't hide the income if the payer is making it above board and taking it as an expense for tax purposes. As a result, I wouldn't be surprised if a fair amount of unreported payments continue. 

With respect to the fact paying recruits/players isn't illegal, well it is if it doesn't get reported as income by the recipients. 

It's been a while since I…

It's been a while since I watched any footage of Irvin, but I'm pretty sure Jett has a much better handle now than Irvin had in college.

Apricot jam beats peach jam…

Apricot jam beats peach jam hands down... especially on toast.

Logged in just to upvote…

Logged in just to upvote your dog. (I love boxers and she's a real cutie)

I for one, would like to…

I for one, would like to thank coach Underwood for his ridiculous comments the week before squaring off against us.