Despite losing a couple of times this season those App State Mountaineers have found their way into the FCS Championship where they’ll face the Delaware Blue Hens. Two quick takes: Winged Hens. When they step on the field against the Blue Hens they’ll certainly get a dose of deja vu. While the setting for the game won’t quite be the same, the opponent looks like some team you know. Yes, it’s that other team that dons Crisler’s creation. Turns out it wasn’t over. Just after Michigan lost that brutal game to the Mountaineers, the common thinking was that this awful loss knocked Michigan out of national championship contention. We learned quickly that that loss was not a fluke as the whole 2007 season was a struggle, but that loss did not knock Michigan out. Had the Wolverines won the next 11 games they’d be a lock for the BCS Championship. You could even argue that they’d have an outside shot at the title game had they simply won every game after the Oregon loss. Good luck to the Mountaineers, whose fans were unbelievably cool before and after the game. Here’s to you Shaggy:
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The Best of the Les Petition
There’s no doubt the online petition to Save the Miles is making an impact on State street. The cleverly titled the ‘Les Go Blue’ effort to organize fans to convince Bill Martin to get LSU coach Les Miles in Ann Arbor has gathered over 800 legitimate signatures so far. Forget unreturned phone calls, I’ll got out on a limb and predict that this could be the difference in this whole mess. The petition asks for name, email and a pledge amount to the athletic department if Les Miles is hired (default is $10). A quick scan of the signatures to date yielded a few beauties: * #659 Joel Jackson – Pledged $10,000. Hey big spender! * #607 Edward Martin – The posthumous funding source of the Fab 5 gave no specific amount but offered “money and cakes if Les is hired”. * #231 CCBIV -tied some conditions “$100 if it’s Miles, $0 if it’s ferentz, debord, grobe, pinkel” We’ll let the accountants sort that out once this is over. * #472 Dave Paton indicated some bitterness in his offer: “$10 in pennies–and they won’t be rolled”. That’s old school retribution, baby. Nice work. * #277 Stacey guaranteed she give “Whatever is left of my will”. How generous! * Mike Hunt. This name shows up on many petitions for some reason…
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Kill Bill vol. 3! The Martin Man March
Callers were freaking out on WTKA this morning. The Martin Man March to be scheduled soon. Suggested protest MMMarch route: – Start at corner of Stadium and Main (outside the Big House) – Wind down to State Street in front of the athletic administration building – Head over to Main Street and park it a Conor O’Neils for a pint. Then we’ll sort all this out. I’m working on picket signs. A few suggestions: 1. MARTIN SHORT (sighted) 2. At least we have hoops season 3. Let’s get Moeller’d 4. Now I know why the AD hasn’t returned my calls. 5. Michigan Sailing Rocks! 6. DeBord DeBlows 7. Hey Ferentz, you’re next! 8. Cancel Christmas 9. MSC: Maize doesn’t necessarily mean Corn 10. Did Pep make the NBA? 11. New recipe: Les Miles, Less Martin 12. Can Dave Shand come back now? For context read on why all the former players, alumni, bloggers, and columnists are furious, please see Jim Carty in the Ann Arbor News, and Michael Rosenberg in the Detroit Free Press.
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Ann Arbor shows well on GameDay
Since I was busy with my own version of pregame festivities on the golf course I missed the events around ESPN’s visit to campus. Based upon the initial reviews it looks like the fans showed well and came up with some clever signs. That’s kind of what the mob of fans behind Corso, Fowler and Herbstreit is measured on these days. Football Jesus broke down the signs of the day and provided a Top 25 ranking. He liked the ‘We need a Carr with Les Miles’ which I’ve seen before but doesn’t really make a lot of sense. There’s a joke there somewhere but that’s not it. His favorite is pretty funny but a tad PG-13, you can check it out here. Of his Top 25 here are my favorites: 3. Only Buckeyes work at Home Depot 4. Charlie Weis ate Notre dame’s season. 6. Herbie sings “the Victors” in the shower 8. Stop talking about Barry Bonds 12. If you can read this you are not a Buckeye 20. Tressel watches “the View” 24. Desmond walks on H2o
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Famous ESPN GameDay signs
Despite both squads coming off a loss, The GameDay crew is coming to Ann Arbor this weekend. Check out this site or this site with a list, for some of the classic signs that have appeared behind Herby and Corso, along with my favorite:
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You M-supporting Wuss!
You may have noticed this site pumps Stubhub. They pay a decent commission if you refer someone who buys tickets from their site. While SH’s reporting sucks, it does tell you who bought what. I just found this disturbing sale: While I can’t know for sure, it appears as though we’ve got a bonafide pessimist within our ranks. It’s a somewhat safe assumption that these tickets were purchased by a Michigan fan. This “fan” no doubt purchased the tickets assuming Michigan would lose to the Buckeyes and take the Big Ten #2 slot in the Capital One Bowl vs. the SEC #2. Funny, the dude is loyal enough to want to attend the Capital One Bowl, but in his hearts of hearts– a traitor. Reveal yourself coward!
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Carr Loves Mo D?
Oh my nerves are shot. You get the feeling we really haven’t scratched the surface on the man that is Lloyd Carr. I just saw this link on mgoblog’s m.go.licious links. Pete Thamel of the New York Times was on campus this week and spent some time with our coach. According to his post Another Side of Carr, Thamel reveals prior to his Monday presser Carr approached him with a question, ““Do you know Maureen Dowd?”. Carr went on to praise Dowd for her intelligence and style. Dowd of course writes the ‘Liberties’ Op-Ed column in the Times and is a big time liberal. Along with Thomas Friedman, she is part of the A-Team of columnists appearing each week on Wednesday and the coveted Sunday editions. I doubt that a copy of the Times never made it to Bo Schembechler’s desk during his days roaming his building on State State, and if he ever got wind of Carr’s praise of Dowd you can bet he have a few words. Old Bo was a vocal conservative and I’m sure he kept things that way inside Schembechler Hall. Is our man Carr turning the political leanings of the athletic department toward those of our students, faculty and town? Elsewhere: Check out this week’s Sports Illustrated’s piece on the Detroit Lions practice squad…
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Ann Arbor: Guide to the Bars for fans
Fellow Big Ten blogger NittanyWhiteOut sent an email recently asking for some advice on the local bar scene. While your Webmaster is essentially retired from that game I make it out enough to know the deal. When coming into Ann Arbor for a game I’d offer the following advice on what to do and where to go in Ann Arbor. For bars, Ann Arbor really has two major areas, although some locals would debate this and again, everything is basically within a mile or so so what’s the big deal? Campus refers to those bars directly around the Campus most frequented by the students. Main St. is the upscale area of Ann Arbor with some of the upper scale restaurants, thus an older crowd. Campus Bars: Rick’s American Cafe’ aka Rick’s – A below ground hole that is the cool hang out; at least it used to be. Older players may be seen here after the game. Will often end the night with a round of ‘The Victors’ after a big win. Cheap pitchers, pool, DJ – nothing special other than that the place is always packed. No food. Website. Good Time Charley’s aka ‘Charley’s – Like Rick’s been around for many years, great food, burgers, wings, etc. Long Island Ice teas a specialty, cheesy bread, Count Twist bread is…