Hey, Wake Up. The Game is Over. Ya, we won.

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With just under nine minutes to go in the first quarter, Michigan had scored on their first two drives.  The first was nearly perfect and resulted in a touchdown.  The second, which commenced as a result of a Red Hawk turnover, ended with a 47 yard field goal from Lopata.  After the way things went just a week ago, there was a brief moment of optimism.  Maybe we were going to put something together here.  Unfortunately, about two-and-a-half hours later in real time, and three full quarters later in game time, we had only mustered a missed field goal and six consecutive punts.  Fortunately for Michigan, and for my sanity, an anemic Miami offense went all day without finding the endzone.  It took until 11 minutes remaining in the game for Michigan to put together another scoring drive and end a game that was akin to chewing razor blades.

It was ugly.  There's no other way to describe it.  Last week, we couldn't run the ball.  This week, we couldn't throw a pass over the line of scrimmage.  But it was a win.  A win that was no doubt the result of a weak opponent rather than a result of improved execution.  However, in the end, it was both imperative and historic.  Imperative because in this season of change, it's the lay-ups that make the difference between 5-wins and the end of the nation's longest bowl streak, and 6-wins and a trip to Ford Field.  Historic because it was win number one for Rich Rodriguez, and hopefully the first of many that will come over a long and successful career.

The Lions would like to ask you..."What about right now?"  That is still an unanswered question.  Can Michigan improve enough to compete in the Big Ten?  Probably not.  But after watching the upstart (just laughed a little) Aztecs of San Diego State give Notre Dame more than all they could handle, I think we can compete next week. The Wolverines will be looking to end the Big Ten preseason in South Bend in what might be the worst matchup talent wise of Michigan and Notre Dame...ever.  After that, a bye week.  Maybe, just maybe, they will improve dramatically before hosting the Badgers.

The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. - A.Chalmers

And if you are a Michigan fan...they fit all three.

Make Your Own Damn Ribs

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Adapted from several recipes across the internets...

UMTailgate Ribs

Rub 'Em


  • Baby back ribs

  • 2 parts chili powder

  • 2 parts smoked paprika

  • 2 parts coriander

  • 1 part onion powder

  • 1 part garlic powder

  • 2 parts crushed red pepper

  • 3 parts ground cayenne

  • 1/4 part ground coffee

  • 1/4 part lemon pepper

  • 3 parts dark brown sugar

  • Sugar in the raw


Preheat oven to 280 degrees.  Reserve about 2 cups of rub for later.  Mix rub 2 to 1 with sugar in the raw.  Spread half a cup of mixture on meat side of each rack of baby backs (spare ribs work too) with membrane removed.  Spread a quarter cup of mixture on bone side.  Place ribs on sheet pan, meat side up and cook for 2.5 hours.  Remove from oven.

Glaze 'em and baste 'em


  • Peach preserves

  • dark brown sugar

  • apple juice


Lower the temperature in the oven to 230 degrees.  Make an individual packet out of tinfoil for each rack.  Depending on thickness of the foil you are using, you might want to double up on layers.  Spread 3 tablespoons of peach preserves on each slab followed by 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.  At this point you are wondering why you are making peach pie on top of a rack of ribs...but trust me, it works.  Seal the ribs leaving one end open and pour about 1.5-2 cups of apple juice into the foil packet.  Seal it completely and put it on a rack in your oven being careful not to tear the packet and have the apple juice leak out all over the oven.  You might want to use a sheet pan underneath them if you are worried.  Cook packets for 1.5 hours.  Remove from oven once again.

Finish 'em


  • apple juice

  • rub from step one


Feel free to cover refrigerate at this point, up to overnight.  Place ribs on a medium grill and moisten each rack with about 2 tablespoons of apple juice, then sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of of rub and spread it around.  Heat ribs to desired temperature...which should be somewhere around "hot"...usually found around the time you start to see significant carmelization of the glaze.

Serve 'em up and enjoy.

Might Have Picked the Wrong Week to Quit Drinking...At the Game

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Ya, we're 0-1.  Everything we witnessed on Saturday pointed to a season of struggles.  How does one get by in this era of transition, bad quarterbacks, and out of sync lineman?

Drinking, that's how.

The tailgate will continue regardless of the outcome on the field, and it will do so with vigor.  So, following the rules of tailgating, after you get some substance in your belly...you need to pour a tasty beverage over it.  Stuck tailgating at family friendly Pioneer High?  Try a can cover from the geniuses at canouflage.  You too can fake out the 5.0 by swilling on a can of Mountain Spew.  It's also good for walking to the stadium without worrying about the corner police confiscating your last chance for a beer before the four hours known as "the game."

Can't hold out for the whole game...but can't miss the game.  It's a problem many of us die hards deal with weekly.  There's nothing worse than losing your nice buzz through four quarters of sobriety and having a walking hangover by halftime.  Fear not, you sick, alcoholic bastard.  Get yourself a Beer Belly and enjoy sipping on...or mixing with stadium coke...your favorite beverage all game long.  This monstrosity holds 80oz of liquid.  Two suggestions if you go with this option:  #1 is that you best be sharing or you will find yourself in a hospital.  80 shots is too much, so spread the love.  #2 is to keep in mind that it is difficult to wear a beer belly flask if you already have a sizable beer belly.  This applies to many of our tailgaters...yours truly included.  Another option for sneaking in some spirits...The Disposable Flask.  Easily pocketed and undetectable to the metal wands, this flask should get you through Sheridan's 4th interception with its 7.5 ounces.

You can get all James Bond with your efforts as well.  Try a cell phone flask.  They look a bit dated, like most of the Godfather's cell phones, but should serve the purpose.  The binocular flask looks like the real thing when hanging around your neck, and holds a full 16 ounces.  Finally, we have the camera flask.  Fake like you are a newcomer and snap a fake photo of the Big House as you walk past security, then slowly sip the 4 ounces to keep that buzz on all game.

So don't give up on your drinking achievments, study your Whiskipedia, and we'll see you Saturday with your popped collar for the 80's themed tailgate.

Holiday Weekend Roundup, I Feel...OK Edition: September 2, 2008

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Here's what happened around the internet while you drank copious amounts of liquor and wondered what Michael Jackson should look like...