ESPN radio’s Colin Cowherd revealed today that the Vegas Sports Consultants released their lines for the projected win totals of every college football team. Thanks to a caller to Cowherd’s show we learned that Michigan is set at 8. I would have thought it’d be set a tad lower (was thinking somewhere between 6.5-7.5 before I heard it). Keep in mind this only covers the regular season (no bowls, no conference championships). Here’s the complete list of over/unders (scroll down past the odds of winning the national championship, M still 40-1 fyi). Here’s an audio clip with Ken White of the Vegas Sports Consultants where he talks about a few of teams including the Buckeyes: [display_podcast] Like Cowherd mentions in the clip, I also like to watch that Vegas poll. And I love that they are waiting for AP poll to drop before they release theirs. Expect Michigan somewhere in there given the 8 Over/Under and the recent odds released to win the national championship. I also love that White reveals that chumps like you and me tend to bet overs, therefore the lines are padded that way. Guest columnist Schlimmy slipped this along, the odds were also released to win the Big Ten championship, of note: Michigan 11-2, Ohio 2-3, Illinois 4-1, Wisconsin 3-1, Penn State 5-1, MSU 12-1.…
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Fritz Crisler didn’t sign all three of these
Great observation by MVictors guest columnist Lew. He suspected some funny business in comparing the signatures on the two letters I wrote on in the last eBay Watch. Lew’s comment: Great stuff, as usual, MVictors. I’m no handwriting expert, but what’s up with the “Fritz” signature on the Biggie Munn letter? Lew’s instincts are correct in that there’s something goofy, but after a little digging, I think he’s actually got it backward. In looking back on some older posts, it looks to me as if the Biggie Munn letter of recommendation signature was delivered by Crisler himself, it’s the signature on the letter congratulating Ohio State that ol’ Fritz left to his secretary! Here’s the evidence: The signature from the 1954 Football Bust has got to be authentic and while I’m also not a handwriting expert, it certainly shares many characteristics with the Munn letter of rec, and it’s nowhere in the neighborhood of the OSU letter. Also, how and/or why would someone falsify Crisler’s signature at a football bust? Case closed. You’ve got to chuckle a bit that Crisler didn’t bother to sign the OSU letter, although I’m sure it wasn’t meant as a slight to his colleague in Columbus.
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Celebrity Columnist Wanted
Those of you in the Ann Arbor area may recall that last season the News ran a regular pre-game piece where they asked Verne “Mini-Me” Troyer a few questions along with a prediction on the upcoming game. Needless to say “And Mini Me Makes Three” was unbelievably lame, but whatever, it was fun I guess. Well, with the release of the tiny M fan’s X-rated tape, it’s safe to say Troyer won’t be back next season. Thanks to my buddy Rosey who sent me this shot of Mini-me donning his favorite gear with his “co-star”, 22 year-old Ranae Shrider a waitress aspiring model/actress: Finding a replacement won’t be easy especially given where Mini set the bar last year. Rumored candidates include ‘the rock’ at the corner of Hill and Washtenaw and a Mr. Spots cheesesteak.
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eBay Watch: Righteous Docs
I mentioned last time that the memorabilia auction action has picked up a bit. There’s been so many one-of-a-kind items lately that I feel an obligation to get them out there. Here you go, apologies for the dump: 1. Bo and Woody’s Notes. An incredible item. The seller claims the following: In 1969, the University of Wisconsin requested that all Big 10 coaches send to them a sampling of plays and words of wisdom that they kept in the athletic department for 35 years. They auctioned off all of it a few years ago and I was given chance to pick up 2 of the items.. Here’s a look at what Bo submitted: his eleven thoughts on “Basic Offensive Thinking”: Woody Hayes diagrammed a few plays which are also included in the auction. Again, from the description: The Ohio State University coach Woody Hayes diagram of 4 plays a Trap, 14 pass, 14 sweep and 98 Jet Pass(all hand diagramed by Woody). He also has notes on here like “”QB Look deep as you come out” Funny thing is that he chose 2 passes which was 2 more than he would be willing to run. Here’s a link to the auction. It was bid up to just under $1,000 but did not meet the seller’s reserve. 2. Game Contract between…
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Brandstatter on Karsch show (audio)
Michigan radio color man Jim Brandstatter sits in with Doug Karsch on 97.1/1270 and hits on the $4M buy-out and Michael Rosenberg’s recent piece [mgoblog’s blow-by-blow analysis] that trashes Rodriguez. [display_podcast] UPDATE: Today’s editorial in the News ties the Rodriguez settlement to the athademics scandal: If anyone is under the illusion that Michigan football is part of the universe of public education, get over it. Sure enough, we’ll get over it. Will you?
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T Sweets Tribute
An excellent Tyrone Wheatley highlight compilation pulled together by WolverineHistorian. I love the Rose Bowl run at 30 seconds in – ridiculous.
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Charles Woodson’s Wine
Found this on mgoblue.com today (there’s also an older piece from the Free Press). During his days in Oakland, Heisman trophy winner Charles Woodson apparently befriended someone at wine maker Robert Mondavi not too long ago and was inspired to deliver his own vintage. He calls it TwentyFour: Do you want to try it? Here’s the details on a tasting coming up: ….the Michigan debut of TwentyFour will take place with a wine tasting on Friday (July 18) at the Chop House in Ann Arbor. The event will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with tickets available for $75 per person. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Mott’s Children’s Hospital and Woodson will donate $10 from each bottle sold to the hospital. I was getting sick of everyone’s definition of a Michigan Renaissance man starting and ending with Dhani Jones and his bowties. This is pretty cool – good for Chuck. What’s not so cool? One of Michigan’s greatest football players of all time feeling ok about this sweater, yikes: Update: A few folks indicate the wine is very good: a little Woody with a Chucky aftertaste. You can see more photos and learn more about Woodson’s wine at Twentyfourwine.com, official site.
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Fresh…adidas gear hits M-Den
The first wave of fierce adidas gear hits the racks at the M-Den this week and much of the stuff is pretty fresh. The Ann Arbor News ran a short piece on the arrival and co-owner of the M-Den Doug Horning loves it saying, “The quality, so far, has been great, and the lettering has been exactly what we asked for.” He added, “We think the fans will be very pleased with the new product.” Conspiracy theorists might suggest this was coordinated by Bill Martin, who unleased the freshies as a modern day bread-and-circuses hustle to distract people from the Rodriguez settlement. Pretty sneaky, Bill! Photo Credit: The Billy Dollaz likeness compliments on Autumn Thunder, dig it Update: I found the adidas shirts here. M-Den’s site nav requires superior web skills.
