I just picked up the 2009 version of Brian Cook’s always awesome Hail To the Victors season preview guide.   Once I make it through the book I may share some thoughts (I busted a gut reading the letter from the editor) but definitely go get a copy.  I found mine at Costco in Brighton this afternoon. Naturally I found one item to nitpick.  The sections previewing each unit contain these nice little snapshots out of the Michigan record book.   But a couple of them appear to be a tad off inside the defensive section, here’s one: No, I’m not so much of a nerd that I know the defensive record books cold.  I recently interviewed legendary Michigan defensive lineman, captain and All-American Mark Messner and as part of the prep, took a gander at these numbers.  I knew he was well represented in these (and other) categories. Here’s the official season and career leaders in sacks from the 2009 Spring Media guide: When I met Messner, I offered him the customary dead fish blogger handshake.  He then preceded to nearly rip my arm off.  Needless to say it’s probably best to set the record straight on this one. While thumbing through the guide, one statistic that jumps right off the page: the record for most sacks in a single game.…

The scene of Tiger Woods searching in vain for his golf ball yesterday at the British Open was quite a sight.  To think that Woods can snap a ball sixty yards off-target is a bit scary to anyone who plays the game. What does this have to do with Michigan sports?  Not much.  But did you know that Woods played a junior tournament at U-M’s incredible Radrick Farms golf course in 1991?   Tiger lost the tournament that year, and according to my buddy ‘Mudbowl’, Eldrick carded a sextuple bogey 11 on the course’s par-five twelfth hole!  Does anyone out there know for sure?

Exciting news – I signed up with Sam Webb and the fine team at GoBlueWolverine magazine to produce a monthly column on Michigan athletics history.  Yes, kind of like what I do on MVictors only with a bit more depth, polish and maybe even with some photos.    The monthly piece will be exclusive to magazine subscribers (which I believe includes all full year members to the website) and after a certain period they will likely appear on Scout.com.        To the existing subscribers: I hope you enjoy it.  To those on the fence (scout vs. rivals) – do it now!  Sam Webb’s killing it on the recruiting trail and elsewhere.  Mention MVictors and get a 0% discount.

Win-win.  Browse, bid and buy unique Michigan memorabilia and benefit the Bernard “Pat” Maloy Scholarship!   You can following the small banner on my right sidebar or bookmark this link.  Many items from players and coaches and famous U-M alums (sweet James Earl Jones pic!) donated and signed, so check it out. I’m a big fan of this item on the left.   It’s a poster sized version of the 1947 Michigan vs. Ohio State game program signed by Wolverine legend Bob Chappuis. . Bidding started out at $75.00.  A great addition to any collection, man cave, bar or what-have-you.  Get on it!

Check out Michigan Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon in this 1941-ish wire photo.  The 8x10 image features Old 98 looking slightly corny despite having a pair of fine-looking broads on each arm.  What a gas:

Yes, another top flight Michigan-based recruit went with Rich Rod and crew as Austin White committed today.  You don’t go to this site for recruiting updates I’m guessing so check out more on mgoblog or Varsity Blue or your premium site of choice. My preference on premium site?  Why not Sam Webb’s GoBlueWolverine?  Webb was all over this recruitment, in fact it looks like he broke the story.  I know a couple days ago when talking about the “state” of recruiting between MSU and Michigan, the WTKA morning show host encouraged fans to “just wait and see” what White would do, hinting that he kinda felt White was feeling Blue. It continues a string of great leads from Webb.  Sam broke the news that Michigan stopped pursuing Greg Paulus for still unknown reasons.   Webb also was clearly on the inside of Will Campbell’s decision, telling everyone to chill out when Campbell played games with the recruitniks telling the Wolverines were off his list just a day or so before announcing his choice. Then this happened: Maybe Webb and GoBlueWolverine will hook up with MVictors to inject some righteous history into the magazine and website?  We’ll see. Here’s the audio of the interview with White from WTKA 1050AM in studio with his parents this morning (how’s that for being an insider?),…

Prior to the season word got out that the season would be Fielding Yost’s last at the helm of the Wolverines.   Beat writers weren’t convinced, even up to the final game of the season.  Earlier in October, the Chicago Tribune ran a column titled, YOST’S RETIREMENT ALL BUNK, AS USUAL: Apparently, the reports of old Yost calling it quits were a bit of a theme, enough so to go with the snickering headline.  Perhaps headlines like this one in the New York Times all the way back to 1907 explain: Despite the skepticism, Yost really did hang them up at the conclusion of the 1923 schedule.  The players made sure they sent ‘Hurry Up’ out on a high, running the eight-game table while outscoring opponents 150-12.  The Wolverines were recognized as national champions, sharing the honor with Illinois.   After the season Yost threw on a fine suit and posed for the team photo next to captain Harry Kipke, who would go on to coach the great Michigan teams of the early 1930s: After watching Illinois’ Red Grange legendary six-touchdown performance against his Meechigan, Yost decided to return to the sideline for the rematch in 1925.  As described in Bruce Madej’s book Champions of the West, “For 12 months, Yost schemed how to bridle Illinois’ Galloping Ghost. He replaced Michigan’s unsuccessful…

Esteemed writer, professor, radio host and raconteur John U. Bacon joined 1050AM WTKA this morning with Andy Evans and discussed the upcoming football schedule. The conversation started reviewing the schedule, Evans asked Bacs for his take on the most intriguing games of the upcoming season outside of Ohio State.   Bacon’s take: First Notre Dame, not only for what it means for the rest of the schedule for both teams, but also for the impact on the future of the coaches especially coach Weis. After that Michigan State, and Bacon shares his thoughts on the Spartans and the state of the rivalry, and on Rich Rodriguez’s relative silence related to MSU. The audio; football talks at about 2 minutes: [display_podcast] Related: * Read John U. Bacon, me, Brian Cook, Craig Ross and others in Hail to the Victors 2009!