A few quick takes and updates for you: Shand vs. Martin: Bill Martin was served with papers and they were accepted by the University. The school hired the firm of Butzel Long to defend Martin in the case. [More on the Shand firing here] Tickets Arrive. Ahh, always a great day. Season ticket holders have their tickets in their greasy hands. This year is definitely special with an incredible home slate including Oregon, Penn State, Notre Dame and Ohio State. Dantonio Shines at JDRF Walk. Most of you know that MVictors.com is a huge supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The JDRF recently added a charity “walk” in East Lansing after years of having big walks in Ann Arbor and Warren. Former MSU coach John L. Smith was a big supporter of JDRF and new head man Mark Dantonio really impressed over 1,000 walkers on the banks of the Red Cedar on Saturday by not only showing, but walking and taking some time for a few pictures. More on Hart vs. Harbaugh. I spoke to a former M player at a wedding this weekend in west Michigan. He actually hadn’t heard all the details of Harbaugh’s comments and Hart’s blast back, so I broke it down for him. While he acknowledged he had a lot of respect for…
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Pee in the Cornflakes
Just learned from classmate Rosey that Corwin “Cornflakes” Brown is leaving the staff of the New York Jets to take the defensive coordinator job at Notre Dame. This hurts. It always hurts when a player or coach becomes affiliated with a rival, but a captain? Cornflakes served as captain for the 1992 Wolverines, who were Big Ten and Rose Bowl champs. The team was also undefeated but didn’t win the national title because three of the games amazingly ended in ties. This team took the tie to a new level. [Michigan trivia buffs, check yourself on ‘How many Michigan teams were undefeated in the 1990s?’]. When they weren’t tying people they were kicking ass. The 1992 Wolverines scored more than 30 points on 8 of 12 games, including putting up 61 on Houston, and tossing a 63-spot on Minnesota. Brown was popular with the Michigan students when he played. It is confirmed that one group of madcaps even painted C-O-R-N-F-L-A-K-E-S on their pasty bare chests during one game. He’ll have his hands full with the Irish, who were smoked by his former school, LSU and USC this past year (and each of these teams put on the brakes late in the game).
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Stubborn DeBord Wouldn’t Change a Thing
Oh this is a beauty. You won’t believe these comments from Michigan offensive coordinator Mike DeBord. I was never really sure about this guy. There is a legion of folks in Mount Pleasant that can’t stand the man and what he did for the Chips. But this quote really chapped my ass. Here’s DeBord addressing the press on how he’d attack USC’s defense knowing what he learned during the game: “I’d run the ball again. When you’re getting sacked, tell me how you’re going to keep throwing the ball and you’re going to make improvements. I don’t understand that. So no. I’d run the ball. I wouldn’t do anything different.” WHAT? What don’t you understand? You stubborn man. Carr shouldn’t have DeBord’s head for this. I’d like to chalk this up to DeBord being a smart ass, but it doesn’t sound like he was.
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Harbaugh Named Stanford Coach
Former Michigan All America quarterback Jim Harbaugh has been elevated to the big time, he’s going to coach in the Pac 10 at Stanford. He’ll have his work cut out for him as departing coach Walt Harris has left him with the team that went 1-11, and only one of the losses was even close. I noticed that the Stanford editorial staff isn’t quite on the ball, stating that Harbaugh was scheduled to “meet the media Tuesday at 2 pm, PDT.” Pacific Daylight Time? Gang, we switched over to Standard time several weeks ago. If Harbaugh can turn things around at Stanford he’ll quickly jump to the top of list of potential Lloyd Carr successors. Links: San Diego Tribune piece Stanford Football Official Site
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On the Coaches
It is really odd how college football gives the some power to the coaches to determine the structure of the post season. Can you imagine another sports league where this would be acceptable? What if the NFL coaches voted on wildcard teams [would Bill Belichick leave the Jets off his ballot]? It’s silly, but I guess no sillier than allowing members of the media to vote to determine the worthy team or the computer system. So the system it what it is and the college coaches had a major say in sending Florida to the big game. Here’s my take on some of the coaches and their votes (or lack thereof):
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Reaction to Florida to BCS Title Game
Here’s my take on this mess. I feel bad for the Michigan players and coaches and it’s not right that they don’t have a clear shot at the national title. I do think there is some credence to have a representative from another conference play in the title game.
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Urban Meyer Wiener
Coach Outraged over possible RematchSALINE, MICHIGAN Memo to Urban Meyer, take a cold shower. Check out this quote I snagged from ESPN.com this evening from the Florida coach: Florida coach Urban Meyer said Sunday a rematch between Michigan and Ohio State would be cause for immediate change to the BCS. “If that does happen, all the [university] presidents need to get together immediately and put together a playoff system,” he said. “I mean like now, January or whenever to get that done.” Part of me wishes they would institute a playoff anyway, but Coach Meyer, why the outrage? He went on to explain that it wouldn’t be fair to Ohio State [that’s life without a playoff, Coach], that Michigan had their shot and didn’t even win their conference. He then went on to explain why the other close teams (Arkansas, Notre Dame, and USC) really didn’t deserve a shot either. With two weeks left in the season it is clear this man has no class. Here’s to hoping that Lloyd Carr quietly defends his team’s chance on a neutral-field game against the Buckeyes, but leaves it at that. I don’t know if Meyer still has an out clause in his contract to coach at Michigan, but someone should tell Meyer that Michigan doesn’t hire weiners. The problem with all these…
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Jim Herrmann’s Head
Speculation on Jim Herrmann’s demise, M defense’s return to dominance SALINE, MICHIGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2006 Late in the second half, Tim Jamison came off the left end and had a free run at Wisconsin quarterback John Stocco. It was another sack for the Wolverines, who effectively brought a halt to the entire Badger offensive on Saturday leading to Michigan’s redemption of the famed Little Oaken Axe of Rosedale trophy. Michigan’s front four is flat out dominating play right now, bringing pressure to the QB and making the backs change direction. While it is still early in the season, Michigan has the #1 rushing defense in the country with teams netting just 18.5 yards/game. And while the Blue have yielded a moderate amount of passing yards, much of that was in garbage time at the end of the game. Ron English, after quickly resigning from the Chicago Bears this season after being offered the defensive coordinator job, has now transformed Michigan into a dominant bunch. So what happened to the man and his defense that once was the toast of the college football world, leading the Wolverines to the 1997 National Championship? Displaced defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann had a great team in 1997, led by an incredible group of linebackers and one of the greatest college football players of all-time in…
