What's Up This Weekend: Get Off the Bubble (On the Good Side)

Friday (2/26/16):

• Hockey at Minnesota, 9pm BTN

Saturday (2/27/16):

• Baseball vs. Cal Poly in San Luis Obisbo, 3pm
• Softball vs. Oklahoma St in Palm Springs, 8pm
• Softball vs. NC State in Palm Springs, 4:30pm

Sunday (2/28/16)

• Women's Basketball at Rutgers, 2pm
• Softball vs. Washington in Palm Springs, 2:30pm
• Men's Basketball at Wisconsin, 6pm BTN : UMHoops Preview
• Baseball at Santa Clara, 9pm

Monday (2/29/16)

• Football Spring Practice Begins in Florida.  Spring Game will be on April 1.

Throwback Thursday Remembers the First Theme

The Luau is the theme that started the now 13-year history of our tailgates having a specific food and loosely policed (if not completely ignored) recommended garb.  It (and themed tailgates) made its debut at the 2003 season opener against Central Michigan.

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While themes changed from year to year and game to game, the season opener always seemed to be Luau.  It kicked us off again in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.  After the horror that was the 2007 season opener, we threw out the baby with the bathwater.  Most clothing worn on that day was burned.  I left my jersey in the stadium.  Luau was not used again until 2010.  It has made a comeback in recent years, and while it's no Chappaquiddick Seafood Festival, it is certainly a favorite with its festive atmosphere and copious amounts of pig.

And with that, it is my pleasure to announce our first theme of the 2016 season.  For the opener against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, the theme will (obviously) be Luau.  Less than 190 days away folks!  Get your coconut bras out!

Go Blue!

Way Back When-sday Pic of the Week: September 8, 2001

The Godfather takes a minute to pose with random Husky co-eds on September 8, 2001 before Michigan fell 23-18 in Seattle.  This is back when he was super creepy but just moderately old.  Now he's just regular creepy but really really old.  Full picture set from that day and recap here.

Wrestling is Real

He might leave tomorrow, or in 5-years, or never.  What I am sure of is that you will never see a man that coaches athletes have a better time doing so than Jim has the last 14 months.  Everything is a competition to Jim, right?  Well right now dude is beating the crap out of everyone else at the game of life.  In the meantime, in 10 seconds of camera time at a  wrestling event he made a bigger impact on the south than any satellite camp or spring practice could ever do.  Your move SEC/ACC.

Weekend Roundup Has A Checkered Past, February 22, 2016

• OK, so on this day in UMTailgate history I asked for you to support Rich Rod and clearly called out Harbaugh.  In my defense I was still pissed about that shot he took at us. 
• The embedded video below is poorly acted, but its message is clear and poignant.  However, due to the fact that I'm getting older and less of the people around me are planning nuptials, I would like to also add in a request for people to not die during football season.  Thanks.

This is what your friends should do to you when you set a date during the Fall. Tailgaters Ep. 1 Dr. Joe Thompson @drjoethompson Davey Ballantine Rory Kramer Ian Adams Director: Elliot Feld Camera: Elliot Feld

• Maryland loss recaps from UMHoops and MGoBlog
• Coach K's nickname for Grayson Allen is "asshole". 
• They may never rebuild the program, but they can rebuild the statues, minus a pointing finger.  That finger probably pointed at a redheaded former qb turned assistant coach at some point and was accompanied by the words "if you keep your mouth shut about that child rape you saw, I'll promote you."
• Details on how the Hawkeyes can close the gap and overcome Big Ten powerhouse Michigan State.  Can't tell how many levels of sad there are for me in that last sentence. 
• Jim Harbaugh held a 90-minute autograph session on Friday from 3-4:30p.  It was limited to 200 people, so they handed out wrist bands at 9am.  There were 100 people in line already at 5am.