From Oh Crap to Ho Hum

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​You don't like to find yourself some stupid lucky play away from being tied at half with a far inferior opponent, but it's important to keep in mind that after EMU tied it up at 10-10, Michigan went on a 35-7 run to finish the game.  They also gashed the Eagles for 380 yards rushing, the most since 2003.  Tate was rarely called upon to throw, and I'm inclined to believe that the focus on the ground game was intentional and calculated.  The ground game keeps the boys grounded.  In short, we won't be having another week of Tate is Jesus press conferences.  Though he might actually be Jesus.  Oh, and Denard is still really fast, and still really a quarterback, he just can't throw so well....yet.

The defense was again, timely, but left a little something to be desired, especially early on.  However, the third quarter continues to be our quarter.  Michigan has given up zero points in the frame following halftime adjustments.  For the Western game, the Broncos had two third-quarter drives, one that resulted in a turnover on downs, the other ended in an interception.  The Fighting Irish had three third-quarter drives, a fumble and two punts, and a total of 22 yards.  Eastern had four drives in Saturday's third quarter, two ending in punts, one interception, and one turnover on downs.  So, ya, I think that means something.

In the end, it wasn't like we were all sitting around at the half, worrying about what would have been the ultimate disaster.  That fear is waning.  We were just all looking for something a little better, a little bit more "last week."  Call it Irish hangover, or lack of inspiration going into a meaningless game.  Whatever.  While we're not quite in a position to be looking past opponents, that's what we did, and we still won 45-17.  So there's that.  And that's enough as we transition to conference play.

Weekend Roundup: Earth Rotating in the Proper Direction Again Edition, 9/15/2009

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It's time to get back to being Arrogant Michigan Fan.

We won.  You lost.  We won because we're better than everybody else, on and off the field.  We are the greatest college football team of all time, representing the best academic Univerisity of all time...the rest of you can get in line behind us.

Ha ha ha, hee hee hee...Central Michigan beat Michigan State.  Compounding my glee is that it came on the day that Dantonio's extension was announced, and just a couple weeks after Michigan State signed up to play directional Michigan in a round robin fashion for many years to come.  Little brother will never learn.  No matter what you do, no matter who you get to lead your band of misfits, you will still be dumb.  You're dumb.  There's nothing you can do about being so damn dumb.  From stupid penalties to drugged up quarterbacks to having your heroes shoot themselves in the leg...literally.  That is who you are, and that is who you will always be.

Sure, the events of the final 30 seconds all broke in the Chippewas' favor.  But we'd been outplayed by a significant margin for the 59 minutes and 30 seconds that preceded those 30 seconds--outgained by 74 yards and outconverted by 8 first downs.  And when it mattered most, we couldn't stop them.  Central gained a total of 147 yards to reach the endzone on both of its final two non-onside-kick-commenced drives.  We were lucky to be in position to win the game with 30 seconds to go.

And you're lucky we continue to let you participate in Big Ten football, as you have less Big Ten titles than the University of Chicago.

This feels great.

And you, OSU, who have taken advantage of the worst years of the Big Ten, have shown time and again that you are built only for this conference, and only when it sucks.  With the coach you have, a sweatervested god in your world, you have reached your peak.  You will forever live off of that single National Championship in 2002 that required the participation of a future felon that took money from a booster.  Cue Dr. Saturday...

Ohio State's failure to beat a quality opponent since defeating Michigan to punch a ticket to the national championship game in 2006, Tressel's teams have been outclassed, outsmarted, outplayed and outprepared in every big game they've played.

More, more, more!

This was a giveaway game, one the Buckeyes absolutely should have won. But it wasn't the kind where the quarterback makes a boneheaded play at the end of the game, or where the runningback fumbled, or the cornerback slipped and fell, or the kickoff coverage broke down. It was a game where the coaching staff let everyone down by asking its team to execute a rubbish gameplan.

And from the SF Chronicle, and article titled "A Better Choice - Ann Arbor" infers that Pryor made the wrong choice...

ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit and some other national experts say that the No. 11 Buckeyes proved they can play against the nation's elite. If by play against, they mean play not to lose and handcuff their exciting quarterback with conservative play calling, then yes Ohio State proved that.

Did I mention how great this feels?  One more shot from Black Shoe Diaries...

Congratulations, Ohio State. You have a five star quarterback that can't read defenses. He stares down his receivers, throws off his back foot, and forces passes he has no business throwing. On top of that, he's an inarticulate headcase who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut leaving one to suspect he has some self esteem issues he's trying to mask.

Ok, enough.  Here's some links about us...

Tate Forcier and Darryl Stonum were named big ten players of the week.  Sports Illustrated said this about the last spot in their Heisman watch list...

Heisman-o-meter: There are a number of players who could've landed in this spot. Along with the aforementioned Gilyard, Pike and Spiller, Purdue's Ralph Bolden, Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, Alabama's Mark Ingram (who battled the flu last week) and even Michigan's Tate Forcier are among the multiple contenders.

Ya, well, no.  But, ya. In other news, 

Charlie Puddingpants whined about officiating, but we later found that pictures don't lie.  Troy Wollfolk walks soft and carries an empty leash.  

About his dog  (BTW things seem to be awfully fun at pressers these days)...
"I kind of like to walk him in the dark because he's black and he can't be seen, so it's like I just have a leash," Woolfolk joked.

The Wolverine talks of Euphoria

Coming for you, Ron English...GO BLUE!!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....We're Halfway There

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​If you don't love Bon Jovi...you don't love yourself. And if you don't love Mike Hart, tell me where to meet you for your well-deserved ass kicking.

On a day that felt often felt Appstateish (a word soon to be added to Webster's) 

Mike Hart became the all-time leading rusher in Michigan history, solidifying his place among the all-time greats to wear the winged helmet. And despite a body, speed, and skill set that is likely not made for the next level, you should know that Mike Hart will be a beacon for the University of Michigan regardless of what kind of career he has in the NFL. He is the face of this team. He is the voice of this team. And I'm not just talking about this year, I'm speaking (typing) in much broader terms. Mike says all the right things, but more importantly, he means everything he says. He believes in this program more than you do. It's unfortunate that this team and this coaching staff can't get him what he so aptly deserves: a National Championship, a Heisman trophy, and the proverbial ride off into the sunset. But the funny thing is, he could care less at this point. He is content in single handedly keeping this team together, keeping this team winning. As far as Michigan Men go...Mike Hart is Maize and Blue perfection. Undersized and underestimated, a will and a determination that cannot be measured, a true believer in "the team, the team, the team." He is in a nutshell the athletic embodiment of Bo himself.

Congratulations Mike.

So, we're 4-2 after six games, the halfway point of the 2007 regular season campaign. Unfortunately, out of those 6 games, we have only managed to play well once, and that was against the worst team ever. Despite the smoke and mirrors of winning four straight, we have not recovered from the two early season losses. We still come out stagnant week after week, needing a second-half, and sometimes 4th quarter wake-up call to win games against inferior teams. We still play down to the opponent.

What looked like mid-October garbage games coming into the season are now huge. A ranked Purdue team on homecoming and a road trip to Champaign to play an upstart Illinois team that runs a spread. Follow that up with what will be (one way or another) a November to remember. What I'm getting at is that the season hasn't even started yet. And that's good, because we haven't really started playing yet.

The Urban-themed tailgate went off without a hitch. There wasn't a whole lot of Urban flair to it, but we weren't short on food. Country style breakfast, sweet potato pie, cinnamon rolls, black-eyed pea stew, and pulled pork were just some of the delicious delights that adorned the tailgate tables. Noticeably absent: cheesy potatoes...and the Godfather. Captain Michigan was forced into the leadership role once again, and with his poignant and speedy announcements, his ignoring of the newcomers to the tailgate, and his amazing move to gather us together for a group picture, he showed once again why he is not just an alcoholic crazy man...but a leader of alcoholic crazy men (and women).

Battle for 17 while we drink 40s

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by Johnny Cleveland​

In a season with a set of continually descending goals, we have an opportunity to capture our first title. Kings of the County. The Wolverines enter Saturday tied for first place in the Big Ten standings with Illinois, Wisconsin and OSU. The Hurons Eagles travel a short 7 miles down Washtenaw Ave. with a .500 mark in the MAC West and an overall record of 2-3. Continue Reading for the tail of the tape and lots of fun linkages!



Last Meeting: 55-0 Us, Sept. 17, 2005. Series: UM 7-0

Enrollment: EMU (23,000) UM (38,006)

Coaches: EMU (Genyk, 4th year) UM (Carr, last year) *1


  1. Apparently LC coached at EMU as an assistant in the 70's!!


Discipline Issues:


Players:


OTHER NOTES and Distractions till the Urban starts @ 8 AM.


  1. Say hello to an old friend named Bob

  2. At least we are all still alive to play football Saturday

  3. Tickets less than face?

  4. Time to Laugh!

Hail to the Victors!!!

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So the tailgate was about half as big as the previous week, with the weather and the opponent being a factor...but we were just as spirited. The tables were once again overflowing with food, and the shelters in one week went from shading us from the sun to protecting us from the rain. We grilled, we deep fried, we ate, and we drank...hitting that mid-season-like stride before we head out on the road next week. As a special treat, the Godfather's daughter, affectionately known as "the Princess", celebrated her 23rd birthday by sharing a big bucket of yucca. It was prepared by some of the newcomers under the strict supervision of the Godfather himself.

It was a relaxing tailgate, right up until the small crew from WTKA 1050 AM showed up with the coveted tailgate of the week trophy. We schmoozed the crew, introduced them to the Godfather, gave them our weekly newsletter, and gawked at the trophy. They went off to look at some other tailgates, but returned just before game time to present us with the weekly award. We will be recognized on the WTKA website this week, and will face off later in the season against some other tailgates for the "Tailgate of the Year". Like we needed another reason to be fired up for Saturdays?

Congratulations go out to all of the tailgaters of UMTailgate.com for earning this prestigious award!

Eastern Makes You Sleepy

The tailgaters got tired from counting all of those points. Michigan completely dismantled the Eagles of Eastern, scoring a school record 28 points in the first quarter en route to a 55-0 victory. Hart got the week off to tend to his injury, and most of the starters got to watch their friends take their shots at the Eagles for the second half. It was just what the doctor ordered for the banged up Wolverines going into Big Ten play.

On the Road...Next Week's Theme

Next Week's theme for the game in Madison is UMTailgate.com Diner / Deli. Think burgers, cheesesteaks (I think I'm brining these), sub sandwiches, etc.