I spoke to the U-M Club of Lansing last week, and one of the questions was about the impact of legalized gambling on college sports and the potential dangers. This is a complicated topic, but as ever I mentioned there is a historical precedent at Michigan. It involves our guests this Saturday--the Oregon football team. This is from 1960, and it involved the Ducks, gamblers from New York, the FBI, and eventually a U.S. Senate subcommittee. Here's what happened:
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Captain Conley and the 1964 Wolverines | Starting From Nothing (Part I)
“You’ve got to remember, we were a bunch of losers.” That’s how 1964 Michigan team captain Jim Conley labeled his team before summer training camp. But somehow this group of losers, who won just 5 games in 1962 and 1963 combined, captured Michigan’s first Big Ten title since 1950 then pummeled Oregon State 34-7 in the Rose Bowl. Bump Elliott’s team transformed into a powerhouse that put away four top-10 squads, including powerful rivals Michigan State and Ohio State on the road. They crushed teams led by a returning Heisman-winning quarterback in Roger Staubach (Navy), and a squad (Illinois) that featured Dick Butkus, arguably the greatest linebacker in football history.
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The Case of Michigan vs. Illinois’ Red Grange (1924-1925)
From EDUC 212: 'The History of College Athletics' October 16, 2024, the history lesson you need before we face Illinois at Memorial Stadium.
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Winking at the Middle | Ep. #53 Professor and the Pundit
The boys are back after a brief Prof & Pundit fan tour of Europe, Scandinavia and the subcontinent. We briefly hit on the concerning loss at Washington and the status of our empty QB cupboard, and the reality that we're presently in a fight for the middle of the Big Ten. We hit on Coach CB confronting loud Husky fans, Connor Stalions making the podcast rounds, the impact (questions really) on the House vs. NCAA settlement, a spin around the Big Ten, trouble at USC and Alabama and much more! Finally, who's been waiting all day for Sunday night? NOOOOBODDDDY.
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A Column for Curtis Redden
In January 1919, in the waning days of WWI, Curtis Redden passed away in Germany. Redden was the captain of Fielding Yost's 1903 national championship team and a lieutenant colonel in 149th Field Artillery. Redden developed pneumonia and never recovered. Did you know that Redden is honored inside Illinois' Memorial Stadium? Here's the story:
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Pesky Gophers and Greasy Pigskins | Ep. #52 Professor and the Pundit
This week, we dive into Michigan's nail-biting victory over Minnesota—yes, the jug is back in Schembechler Hall! But despite the win, questions linger. Kind of like the Gophers did on Saturday. We explore Alex Orji’s progress as a quarterback and celebrate Mullings' impressive transition to RB1. We examine the defense’s mixed performance and the questionable calls that took this one down to the wire. The Pundit gets you ready for the first road trip of the year to Seattle in the national title (you do remember that, right?) against our new B1G brothers - the Washington Huskies. After a few sights & sounds from a wild day, we take a trip through the B1G and the nation.
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Little Brown Jug Lore – The History of Football’s Oldest Rivalry Trophy
The 2009 football season marked the 100th anniversary of when Michigan and Minnesota first played for The Little Brown Jug. Early in that year I started on a quest to find out everything I could about the old trophy. I reviewed the legends, interviewed writers, equipment managers, coaches and pored through newspapers, pottery experts, photos and other accounts on the history. Here’s what I learned!
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Welcome to the Big Ten…SMASH! | Ep. #51 Professor and the Pundit
The boys get you ready for Saturday's season kickoff against Fresno State, we discuss Michigan's 2024 captains, the key position groups, and the Pundit provides his scouting report on The Bulldogs. We discuss a few playoff predictions and Dooley sympathizes with Kirk Herbstreit. We also continue the discussion of NIL and the impact of the proposed House settlement on athletic departments. The fellas close with a quick run around the country with the latest headlines and the big games to watch out for this weekend. The Prof & Pun close with things only they care about :)
