The Big Finish

Some say we're back in the game.  I say we never left.

• Stokes


• More Stokes


• And More Stokes


• (William) Campbell and [J.T.] Turner are the top-rated players in the state of Michigan and Ohio, respectively. This is the first time that the Wolverines had the top-ranked athletes from both states since 2002: Prescott Burgess (Ohio) and LaMarr Woodley (Michigan).


• Michigan did well despite coming off their worst season since Bo Schembechler was in kindergarten. That reflects the tradition of Michigan football, Rich Rodriguez's recruiting prowess, and the blatantly obvious fact that every position on the field is up for grabs.


• Florida’s Scot Loeffler (the popular quarterbacks coach for Lloyd Carr and of the Detroit Lions last season) and who just joined Urban Meyer and the Gators last month, apparently tried to woo Turner to Gainesville in the past three weeks.

It's Like the NFL Draft...Only It's Children. Giant, 4.3-Forty Running Children.

​National signing day is here, which can mean a lot.  Scratch that, it DOES mean a lot.  Say what you want about the first year performance of Rich Rodriguez...the recruiting class that has been tentatively assembled by the snake oil wizard is tremendous.  Respect that, if nothing else.  If a few fringe non-verbals pull the trigger and LOI to the Maize and Blue...the hype machine will be full steam ahead.

Typically, the rich get richer on this day, as the best of the best from high school pick the best of the best football programs, continuing the cycle that keeps Utah outside of the BCS.

We are one of the rich...and we've got Rich.

We've morphed very quickly into a team that emphasizes national recruiting.  You can chalk up the perceived successful MSU recruiting class to the fact that we allowed them to have the home state.  Yes, the Big Ten can be won with a team comprised of the State of Michigan's finest.  But we didn't bring in Rodriguez to win the Big Ten.  And while we would be ecstatic at the idea of a Big Ten championship right now, that is not the ultimate goal here anymore.

Rebuild.  Eliminate Ohio State.  Win Bowl Games.  Win National Championships.  Yes, that order.  Yes, that's plural.

It all starts tomorrow....roundup of announcement times courtesy of The Wolverine.

Update (11:30am): Denard Robinson and Adrian Witty to Michigan.  Pearlie Graves to Texas Tech.  We are one step closer to no chance of Sherithreet.

William Campbell Goes Blue

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Watch As 17-year Old Kids Dramatically Pick Up Hats

Two high school All-American games are being broadcast this weekend, and a whole slew of Michigan hopefuls are in action.  Watch with bated breath as someone will shun us, someone will surprise us, and someone will embark on the road to becoming the next Anton Campbell.  Varsity Blue has a list of interested teens that you should print out and adorn with check marks draw lines through as each makes their decision LIVE during breaks in the Pro-Bowl-like action.  Just kidding.  You actually shouldn't even watch because signing day is actually over a month away, and until pen hits paper, you really don't know.

Because you can't trust someone that hasn't had lap dance.

US Army All-American Bowl, January 3rd at noon, NBC

ESPNU Underarmour All-America High School Football Game, January 4th at 2pm, ABC

Get Your 'Vette On: University of Ohio State Signs Pryor to One-Year Deal

​As you know, the entire lot of recruited high school athletes make their decisions known on national signing day, which this year fell on February 8th. Terrelle Pryor did not, and opted to hold out for the free agent signing period. The free agent signing period is a little known part of the recruitment process. In fact, this is the first year of free agency in college athletics, and it only involved four suitors, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Oregon...and one player, Terrelle Pryor. Terrelle had a difficult decision to make.

• Penn State offered Pryor a four-year deal that included education, room and board, uncertainty at the head coaching position, and four years of losses to Michigan.


• Oregon offered a four-year deal that included education, room and board,several pairs of Jordan's, the hottest cheerleaders I've ever seen in person, the chance to perform in the loudest stadium I have ever been in, fruity uniforms, and six pounds of the finest Northwest salmon.


• Michigan offered a three-year deal with an option for a fourth, a first class education with unlimited access to independent study classes, the largest stadium in the nation for his junior year, and an immediate starting job.


• Ohio State offered a one year deal, with an option for a second and/or third year of community college level education. In addition, they offered legal assistance for after his Freshman year when he attempts to break the age requirement for the NFL draft. Upon his 21st birthday, he will receive a case of Grey Goose, a flack jacket signed by Maurice Clarett, and two bodyguards to protect him from the Jewish mafia. All of that...plus a Corvette and a giant watch.

After careful deliberation, Terrelle chose the University of Ohio State. Congratulations to Terrelle on choosing a future filled with embarrassment, NCAA sanctions, and ultimately...incarceration. Take a second, go to this website, and type in "Clarett" for the last name...enjoy.

Am I bitter? Maybe.

Just want Terrelle to know, the friend of my enemy is my enemy. F*ck him for ever making me give a sh*t.