So I’ve pushed this out there for a while when I found out earlier this year that the Gator Bowl and Insight Bowl share the third and fourth pick of the non-BCS Big Ten teams: The Gator Bowl will share, with the Insight Bowl, the third and fourth pick in the Big Ten Conference after the BCS. The Gator Bowl and the Insight Bowl will each submit, to the Big Ten Conference, their team selection…Should each Bowl desire the same team, the selection order will be decided by the flip of a coin.. [from the Gator Bowl press release distributed to U-M media] You know I love to dig into certain things so it’s a thrill when you guys share stuff you’ve found, like this. Reader Nick found this story by Garry Smits on jacksonville.com with some specifics about a September coin flip with the Gator and Insight that happened in December. An excerpt: The other bit of good news is that the Gator Bowl won a coin flip with the Insight Bowl in the Big Ten offices in Chicago (Catlett called heads). Therefore, the Gator Bowl will get the third Big Ten selection after the league champion goes to the Rose Bowl. Picking ahead of the Gator will be the Capital One Bowl in Orlando and the Outback Bowl…
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The Fence
I get both sides. I get the case to keep Rich Rodriguez– I understand the mix of talent and injuries that were huge factors as to why we’re in this mess, and to start over would set the program back further. And I see the results and I’ve observed the neglected & misguided defense and clearly understand why people think it’s time to move on. I know there are a lot of you out there that are on the fence. The lunatic middle. You understand that a guy has to have a few recruiting classes, there are a few positive signs and of course there’s Denard. At the same time you can barely watch this team get manhandled by decent opponents. I think there’s a big camp out there that’s just going to put their trust in Brandon to make the call. He’s done nothing in the past few months to think that he’s not going to do what’s best for Michigan. I’m no longer on the fence but I understand. I’ve stated here that you don’t get thirdsies on defensive coordinator (I think that should be in the next contract. Twosies maybe). If I’m Dave Brandon we bring in a new coach. Having been somewhat close to the program for the past few years I really like these players…
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Beat Ohio!
Cover of ‘Ohio Sports Forum’ magazine, December 1976 (on eBay now) Go Blue today in Columbus. (P.S. Nope, Woody couldn’t stop Bo in ‘76 or ever again).
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Holiday Gift List for Michigan Football Fans
To make your favorite Wolverine fans happy this holiday season, here’s a few gift ideas for the Michigan fans in your family: 1. If These Walls Could Talk…by Jon Falk. Longtime equipment manager Jon Falk’s book continues to sell well, that’s because it’s cool. Instead of offering a smattering of stories (like XX and XX), Falk walks you through time, season by season, and offers up some of his great memories of Bo, Mo, Lloyd and today. 32% off at Amazon? Get a few copies. Other favorites include Natural Enemies, Bo’s Lasting Lessons, Blue Ice, Obscene Diaries of a Michigan fan, and the Michigan Football Vault. 2. Authentic Schembechler Hall Lockers. I’ve posted on these before, and as I understand it there are still a few left. They are amazing—the demo crew handling the locker room renovation retained the rights to keep the lockers and they have the paperwork to back it up. Complete with combination for the secure door. Seller is asking $800 but email me mail @ mvictors . com for the secret insider discount. More details here. 3. Moe’s has Clothes, Galore. Did you notice that Moe’s and Underground Printing are sponsors this site, mgoblog and several of my peers in and out of the blogosphere? So what? Come on friends, support them. They’ve got massive “Blue…
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This Week in 19th Century Michigan Football!
Here’s the last entry* in ‘This Week in Michigan Football History’ to be played Saturday on WTKA 1050AM’s Key Bank Countdown to Kick-off pregame show before The Game. It’s probably the most unique segment in the series as we go back — ALL the way back – to the 1800s and talk about the game played on this day in 1883 against Stevens Institute, the first game ever played against Racine College and a few key facts from the underappreciated 19th century. I hope you enjoy it: [display_podcast] Thanks to reader Scott B. for pointing out to me the tie to George Jewett, the first black player in Michigan (and conference) history, and the current team. Believe it – according to U-M Media Relations, freshman DB Courtney Avery is a descendant of Jewett. I’m digging for some better details on this. The sponsor of This Week…is Wolverine Beer so here’s where you can find it and you can hear all of the This Week… clips here. * Exclusive: We might to special hockey history segment for the Big Chill so look out for that.
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From Tingley to Ann Arbor to Nashville: Coach Dan McGugin’s Friendship with Fielding Yost
A wonderful account of Vanderbilt's Dan McGugin and his relationship and history with Michigan's Fielding H. Yost.
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Legacy of Gripers: 131 years and Growing
I was poking around the U-M Bentley Library tonight doing some research for the final segment of This Week in Michigan Football History for Saturday’s pregame show. I went over to page #1 of Wolverine lore: 1879 & the first game ever played against Racine College in Chicago at White Stockings Park. (No, the teams didn’t switch sides when they crossed midfield, hahar). The Bentley page for the 1879 team now includes a recap of the Racine game from the Michigan Chronicle, the student newspaper of the day. So check this out. Near the start of the first game ever played, before a point was officially tallied or a single line of history written, maize and blue backers had a major gripe with the referee over a call: I love that the writer took the high road on the disputed kick during the game but insisted “a kick was made” in the recap piece, and added the parting shot, “he is as liable to be mistaken as anyone else.” It’s in your blood, Michigan fan—getting screwed for 131 years.
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Big Chill Preparations (Video)
Nice little feature on getting the Big House ready for the Big Chill:
