Mass Debate? I Don't Think So
/This entire Bowl Season has sucked. Why? Because we were not in it. I've watched, perhaps this year more than any other due to the lack of a bowl trip to manage. No sightseeing Orlando, Pasedena, or the Riverwalk over the holidays, only the quiet comfort of riveting contests like the Poinsettia Bowl to calm my nerves as we wait for recruits to commit and decommit...and the arrival of a new defensive coordinator. I think I would have had a better time attending the world championships of beer pong. I can't figure out how it isn't televised on ESPNU. Anyway, the season, while over for us on November 22nd, and over for most by Jan 1, ended for everybody tonight. Florida won the BCS championship game on Thursday 24-14, but in this era of hope and change, some other one-loss schools (USC/Utah/Texas/Boise) have staked a claim. Here's why no one but Florida has a leg to stand on.
USC: Lost a game at home to Oregon State. Oregon State lost to Penn State 45-14. Lose to a team that lost to a Big Ten team...outta here. Slight conundrum that USC dismantled Penn State in the Rose Bowl...but then again, they are automatically disqualified from NC contention for playing their bowl game against a team from the Big Ten and not winning by 35. Sucks to be in the PAC-10 with that forced Big Ten matchup.
Utah: Plays in Mountain West Conference. That should be enough. But, they also only beat Michigan by 2 points....Toledo beat Michigan by 3 points. Outta here.
Boise State: Play most games on Thursday nights. Have a blue field. Outta here.
Texas: Did not make their conference championship game. Played a Big Ten team in their bowl game, and won by less than 35. Outta here.
So, congrats to Florida and to Tim Tebow, who will likely end his career with only one bowl loss...
Thank You Tulsa...and Some Quick Hits
/To my competitors in the Bowl Pool... Stan Parrish? Really? Realllllllly?
For the past two weeks, Brady Hoke has been packing his bags and making daily 5pm dinner plans at Rams Horn with a geriatric Steve Fisher, leaving Stan the man to lead the Cardinals into postseason play for the first time since, well, ever. So, ya, I took Tulsa, and ya, I clinched the pool regardless of championship game outcome.
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Ohio State kept the momentum going on the basketball court, losing 67-58. Unfortunately, it came at the hands of Sparty. So in short, the desired outcome, a release of copius amounts of sarin gas into the Breslin Center, did not occur.
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Scot Loeffler, who is still too cool for that second "t," has been named the QB coach of the Florida Gators. If this whole Rich Rod thing doesn't work out, we'll give you a coordinator spot on Harbaugh's staff.
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Rosters for the Shine Game on January 17th have been set, TT is on the East, along with Morgan Trent. Look for draft stock to rise on the 3 QBs on the West Roster.
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BIG GAME TONIGHT. Michigan looks to end a 13-year drought in Assembly Hall in Zack Novak's homecoming. LIVE 6:30pm, BTN.
Capital One Bowl Pics
/Didn't really touch on the tailgate itself...or lack thereof. We were some tired boys on Tuesday morning. Tired and unmotivated. I guess we were just going through the motions...waiting patiently for the impending doom. We were bad fans this day. No hope. No chance.
We managed to meet up with Baby Gorilla and his female companion (fresh off her regular season suspension, and proudly wearing Michigan gear), Shep and friends, and the world famous Goody and his fiance...no no, the new one. They all seemed surprised at our lack of enthusiasm. We-the-streakers just chalk it up to too much experience, and too many trips to this god-forsaken bowl venue. You can hand all the Capital One tarps you want on that atrocity, it's still the Citrus Bowl.
Little did we know that everything would change so drastically.
Inside, we ran into Cooper and family from Garsworld, who happened to be in our section. We celebrated the surprising victory together, and stayed long after the final whistle to bask in the glory. A day where everything finally went our way.
I hope you don't have a lot of big expectations for the pictures...like I said, I was suffering from a lack of motivation. Regardless...here they are....
Thank you Blue, for making me so wrong.
The Perfect Storm
/The game plan, the situation, the timing...There are those that put more time into the analysis of the game and to scrutinizing the recruiting process but if you watched Rich Rod's former team Wednesday night none of that information was required to be excited about what the future holds at Michigan.
It feels like the perfect storm. Lloyd gets the respect he deserves (and I'm at the front of the line despite my numerous critical posts) and the seniors finally put it together. The game plan and execution were amazing.
And as I watch the fiesta bowl I can't but think my god that's our offense! Our bowl game had me dreaming of yesteryear but I dream of more today.
The one prevailing thought? Jesus Christ those guys are fast!
No doubt there will be bumps on the road during our transition but if Rich Rodriguez can carry the program with half the class as Lloyd we'll be in good shape. However I'm a little concerned about what seems to be, at least publicly, a lack of enthusiasm for the job. No doubt Rich is playing both sides but I think it's too late. WV already hates him. He might as well show a little more enthusiasm for being at Michigan. Even if this is a stepping stone for the pros he seems too even keeled for what has happened over the last month. Maybe he needs to settle in first, hire his staff, and get things going his way. But at some point I'd like to know he's not just here to spite his previous AD. If it was so hard to leave wouldn't it mean taking the Michigan job would out-weigh any regret or sorrow that leaving created?
The posturing in the media by both sides is tiring and frankly pathetic, immature and self-indulging. It's understandable and I realize the feelings are natural when you have your heartbroken like West Virginia is portraying. But as far as Rodriguez is concerned, it might be more difficult to turn down love.
If I learnt anything in 2007 its that there's more to life than football. But when football is your life you better be sure you're surrounded by the necessary requirements to live...and I'm thankful for being able to say proudly, I have been given these. Family is defined by the individual. And individuals make the family. And fittingly, Lloyd Carr would always quote "The strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack."
So for 2008 I wish Bill Stewart and the Mountaineers the best of luck and may Rich Rodriguez find comfort and success for however long he decides to stay in Ann Arbor. Most importantly, a thank you to Lloyd, you made my experience at Michigan magical and my continued support honorable. Cheers.
