As Rade gets up to check in the first game after Merle fouls out, even though Coach Dale has benched him. Coach Dale: Where are you going?   [Rade, puzzled, looks at him] Sit down. Rade Butcher: You gotta have five out there! Coach Dale: Sit… down. Referee: You need one more, coach. Coach Dale: My team is on the floor. This great movie scene came to mind as Forcier trotted past Rodriguez, trying to put himself back in the game with 1:30 to go.  Rodriguez told him to Sit….down, albeit with a helmet love slap: Looking at the tape, I’m not sure exactly sure what Forcier was trying to do beyond demonstrating to Rodriguez who he thought should be taking the snaps.  It was clear that Robinson was going to stay in (several guys on defense were pumping up Denard, Sheridan was giving him a few words and the offense huddled with Tate just listening along from the outside).  He finally looked like a freshman on the field and with this, acted like one on the sideline.  I don’t know what he said or did (beyond the bad decisions with the ball) but it must have been egregious for Rodriguez to put the outcome in the hands of Robinson instead of the guy that’s done it again and again.  Sure,…

A few thoughts just as the game wrapped up tonight. We lost this game despite all these things you were looking for: Minor busting off sizeable chunks of yards.  He looked great and Michigan re-established a running game. Stanzi continuing to throw to “spaz routes” including two directly to Warren resulting in one pick six. Weather not being a factor. Woolfolk showing tight coverage at corner including solid break-ups. Denard (at times) looking like a viable option at quarterback. Progressing on defense despite the first half points surrendered. Rich Rod dressing as though he was off to rediscover the North Pole after the game. And yet, they came up short.  Talk now will be on the decision to hold Robinson in the game despite the late game brilliance that is Forcier.  I give credit to Denard for getting them back in the game but it’s #5 that has the gift (the “I was born to do this” stuff ceased being silly a couple weeks ago) -and he should have been in there in the last drive.  Really no question.  Robinson’s last pass was a high school heave. Where to from here?  More confusion over where this team sits in the Big Ten.  They’re clearly on par with Iowa despite the mistakes, yet could be nipped by the likes of Indiana. …

Folks, many of you know former Michigan kicker Phil Brabbs is fighting cancer.  Click here to visit Phil’s blog that candidly discusses his quest to kick cancer, or better yet, donate a few bucks (even $2 helps) please to support him.   I’m in, so should you.   They’ll even give you a kick ass bracelet:   Questions, comments or what have you?  cancerkicker@gmail.com or visit the blog and support the man who gave you this memory (go to 5:20)

I’ll be sitting in with Ira Weintraub on WTKA 1050AM’s Key Bank Countdown to Kick-off show from 4-7:30ish tomorrow.  You can listen live via the stream on WTKA.com, email the show at studio@wtka.com or call 734-998-1050.  Ira will be taking a lot of calls, emails and the like. I may have my laptop with me so follow on Twitter. I will be covering some Little Brown Jug history if your interested, along with some talk about the Michigan State game, the Big Ten, Florida/LSU and of course a lot of looking ahead to tomorrow night’s game against Iowa. P.S. If I mention that Iowa’s defense is solid, here’s why – from Iowa’s official pregame press release:

Brandon Graham’s hit on Glenn Winston that got me out of my seat at Spartan Stadium: