Free Press One of the hardest parts about watching this team is that I’ve lost that comfort in knowing that we’re the stronger team on the field. A lot of the games over the past few seasons were painful because you felt like Michigan, with a few exceptions, was the better team, but you never really felt like they were out of any game. In general, Michigan had the players and the ability to string a few big plays together a mount a comeback even in the worst situations. People ask me about the 2008 squad and I often I say “fragile”. Everything they do seems fragile, any success they have on the field seems to be finessed, earned not by overwhelming the opponent but rather just getting a couple guys loose or making a good play on defense. And like a flash it goes away–with a string of three and outs on the offense, or giving up a pass over the middle on third and long. Even with Michigan up 21-14 yesterday I still felt like they would need a big mistake or some dumb luck to hold the lead and pull off a big win. A few more thoughts on the game: * Give credit to State for sacking up and winning that game–no Spartan Robert, no strange…

Nice recaps of the open practice: Michigan Sports Center UMHoops.com

Did you hear Bob Page this morning on WTKA? No, you didn’t, because Page calls in during the 9-10am slot when nobody listens. He was in rare form this morning, taking a few brutal shots at Michigan and Michigan State on the eve eve of the game. Here’s the full audio: [display_podcast] Here’s a little more on Page from the site ‘Out of Bounds‘: But Page, who most notably worked at channel 7 in the 70’s and 80’s before switching to cable, left Detroit for New York and actually made it — big time. I always thought it was delicious that rabblerouser Page should make it in New York while the straight-laced guys went kapoot. Page became a big shot at MSG Network, usually handling Rangers and Knicks intermissions, along with some reporting and studio work during sportscasts. In Detroit, he angered channel 7 enough to get himself fired, and he was no favorite among Lions officials for his remarks about the team and even the play-by-play offered to the media (not to be confused with radio for the fans) in the press box. Page felt it was too slanted toward the home team; not objective, the way press box play-by-play should be. He was also kicked out of Billy Martin’s office once.

The impressive win over the Spartans allowed the Buckeyes to take over the top spot, and Minnesota resumed its climb up the rankings offsetting Wisconsin’s plummet. Here’s the full index: Gilliam the Badger is fed up, thus: “The Badgers opened the 2008-09 season with Midnight Madness on Friday at the Kohl Center. Returing from the team that won 31 games and the Big Ten title, are Joe Krabbenhoft, Trevon Hughes, Macus Landry, and Jason Bohannon. The Badger women’s hockey team beat Bemidji State 9-0 on Saturday in Eveleth, MN in the inaugural Women’s Hockey Hall of Fame game. The men’s football team apparently had a bye week against Iowa.” Lew: “Ohio State finally seems to have shed the USC demons and decided winning the Big Ten is a worthwhile goal – should be a great one against Penn State Saturday night. Will Michigan be able to put together two solid halves of football this season? If they don’t do so against Sparty, maybe those rumors of Coach Rodriguez losing control of the team will prove true. Speaking of losing control of his team, what the heck is going on with Wisconsin? Michigan’s fall can be traced to the coaching change – but who do the Badgers blame? Their band?” Biggie the Spartan summed up the week: “Double turds.” Schlimmy, the…

Here’s ESPN GameDay host and former Indiana coach Lee Corso on WDFN today, along with the Angel of the Big House, the Detroit News’ Angelique Chengelis: [display_podcast] Notes: * First Corso, has nice things to say about Rodriguez and that “he’ll turn things around.” He urges Michigan fans to understand that things won’t be the same Big 2 like it was when Bo and Woody roamed the sidelines (and Corso was getting smoked at Indiana). He added, “It’s going to be very good in two years.” * As for Angelique, it starts off a little slow but picks up from there. She talked about the trip to Happy Valley, and the obvious (“they haven’t been able to put together a full game”). She talks about Threet’s injury and his status, and she talks about the switch to Minor from McGuffie (“they finally realized he’s the kind of back you can ride…”). She also gets into Lou Holtz’s Hitler comment and whether he should talk to Rodriguez about it, and explores the mindset of the players right now.

Photo Credit: Wolverine Barista Some of you out-of-town fans may not know that former All-American lineman and color man for Michigan radio Jim Brandstatter not only covers the Wolverines, on Sundays he does the same for the Detroit Lions. In all seriousness, this is of course is a dream job for many of us who follow sports and Brandstatter does a great job, but consider the seasons he’s presiding over right now. Through Sunday, consider first the Wolverines. You’re reading this blog so you know the story, 2-5 including an embarrassing loss to Toledo, and blow-out defeats to Illinois and Penn State. The laughingstock Lions are worse, dropping to 0-6 Sunday. That makes the teams 2-11 through 13, having been outscored 382-227. Brandstatter’s covered every minute of every game, having not the burden of the play-by-play (it is what it is), no. He’s had to do the analysis and commentary on the play, on the coaching on the situation, and ultimately, on the mess that’s unfolding before him. Hopefully, things will turn this week for at least Brandy’s Saturday team with the Spartans heading into town this weekend. And the annual MSU/Michigan game no doubt has great significance for Brandstatter, as his father and brother both played for the Spartans, from the Free Press: His father, Art, played at Michigan…