And the conversation is short.    More punting, more Brady Hoke watching punting and a very brief glimpse at a couple plays.   Some of the punts were slightly shanked and both Andy Reid of The Wolverine and Kyle Meinke of AnnArbor.com were nearly clocked with pigskins that sailed out of bounds.  Careful now! He was listed in the depth chart as an “OR” along with Michael Shaw, but today Fitzgerald Toussaint #28 took the first snap.  And here’s proof as Fitz looks for daylight: Hey, was Braylon contacted?   An unfamiliar sight for sure as someone (per media relations, it’s senior safety Zac Johnson) donned the coveted #1 jersey.  Don’t be alarmed, this was not a permanent assignment, they just needed to use that uniform today. Hoke: “I’m going to have to explain this later, you watch,”

  Even the half-bumble bee, half wolverine can’t believe #5 is #10 From the Western Michigan game notes, these delightful ditties: Tate Forcier ranks 10th all-time in completions, wow.  It’s true.  I verified it with the statistics database: Denard needs just 369 yards of total offense to pass Tom Brady in that category at #8 all-time. My favorite: with just 82 more yards on the ground, Denard will pass Old 98 Tom Harmon in career rushing yards.   Take a cool drink, 98: Bonus: Not listed in U-M’s Game Notes, but in the B1G notes – Denard is just 123 yards behind Ricky Leach for #3 all-time in the Big Ten for rushing yards by a quarterback.

Here’s the only pic I could find with something on Brady Hoke’s head other than a headset, and I’m positive pretty sure it was Photoshopped:   Some guys don’t like to wear hats or visors, I get that.  My buddy Scotty Mudbowl has a small coconut and lids make him look like a little kid.  Some fellers with big heads (me) have trouble finding a hat that is comfortable (yes, even the adjustable ones).  Hoke clearly doesn’t have the pea head issue so I’m guessing it’s a comfort thing. It may seem like a silly question but I’m guessing the topic has come up once or twice behind closed doors on State Street.  Adidas sells a lot of hats and as you recall, we all made a fuss over a couple special edition hats Rich Rod wore last season (in support of the troops and the fight against breast cancer) that I’m guessing sold big time.  Fans want to own the hat that the coach wears. There’s also a historical element here, but it’s certainly far from a Michigan “tradition”.  Just about every Michigan coach wore a hat on the sidelines: Fielding Yost in 1905, George Little (from his Miami, OH days, but we’ll go with it), Tad Wieman Kipke, Crisler, Oosterbaan Bo’s ordering a new Fridge from France (“..and…

Ok, don’t feel me (or touch me for that matter).  But if you are inclined, you can get some more MVictors action these places: Audio –> “This Week in Michigan Football History”  I’m returning to the 1050AM WTKA airwaves this fall during the football pregame show with my history segment.  The first installment will cover the 2005 season.  Think nailbiters, Manningham and new Math, JoePa, Jug gone, and we’re still waiting for Tyler Ecker to hand the ball to Breaston.  You can hear all of 2010 segments here. Documentary –> Black and Blue Look for my contribution to the documentary on the 1934 Georgia Tech, Willis Ward/Gerard Ford drama sometime this fall, last I heard sometime next month.  Latest trailer here. Live! –> 2011 U-M Club of Detroit Kick-off Dinner Monday night 8/29 in Dearborn I’ll be on the panel with media leviathans Brian Cook and Angelique Chengelis.   Want to go?  Sorry dude, it’s sold out, so check reach out to your black market sources.  More details.  TV –> Big Ten Network Keep your eyes peeled to an upcoming special on BTN, similar to the Icons series from last year.  I can’t say anything other than that :( Print –> GoBlueWolverine Magazine As usual, check out my monthly history piece in GBW.  Next issue has a cool story about 1964…