On the morning of the MSU game, I just saw on Sportscenter that Tom Izzo & company dropped their exhibition opener to Grand Valley State in 2 OT. Immediately ESPN put a graphic up drawing comparison’s to the Appalachian State debacle. A few quick takes: – It is a huge upset, exhibition or not. My guess is that Izzo doesn’t like to lose at anything and teaches his players to take everything (practice, games, exhibitions) seriously. – Upsets in hoops really don’t scale to football for a many reasons. There’s only five guys on the court at a time, and one hot hand can make the difference in almost situation. Look no further than one of the greatest Spartan teams of all-time, Mateen Cleaves’s 2000 championship squad. They lost an early season game to Wright State. – If you see any idiots wearing Appalachian State gear you have full license to fight stupid with stupid by asking them where you can get some GVSU gear. – The net? This “upset” is not even close to the level of the Appalachian State loss.
-
-
Memo to MSU Tailgaters
To all those descending on East Lansing Friday night or early Saturday morning, MSU changed its gameday parking policy a couple years ago. The time the lots open is now a function of the kick-off time, in order to curb all day drinking fests on University grounds for later-starting games. With the 3:30pm start, the lots will open at 9am. Here’s the posted times.
-
The Inspiration of 1898
With Saturday marking the one-hundredth game between Michigan and Michigan State, I took a look back to find the first meeting of the two schools. It dates back to the late 19th century when on October 12, 1898, the Wolverines defeated the crew from Michigan Agricultural College 39-0 in Ann Arbor. The season of 1898 was a special one for other reasons. The Gustave Ferbert coached squad made it through the season undefeated heading into the final game- a showdown with the powerhouse University of Chicago held on Thanksgiving Day. The defining moment of the game was when Wolverine Charles Widman broke free on a 65-yard run that allowed the M men to take down Chicago 12-11 and claim the title of Champions of the West. One of the 600+ fans that attended the game was music student Louis Elbel. As recorded in the October 1979 version of the Michigan Alumnus and posted on the alumni website, here are Elbel’s own words on how the Chicago win and the season of 1898 inspired the greatest fight song in the world: “We were crazed with joy,” Elbel. “We paraded in the dark. We yelled and followed our U-M Band, singing to the tune of “Hot Time in the Old Town.” It struck me quite suddenly that such an epic should be…
-
State Game slated for 3:30pm
In a bit of a surprise, looks like ABC will pass on the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin game and instead feature the 100th installment of the Michigan vs. Michigan State series in its 3:30pm slot. More here.
-
Jug Retained – Minnesota Recap
Another slow start, another nice win for a Michigan team playing short handed. Despite the early mistakes blew away the Gophers in the second half and retained the Little Brown Jug. Ryan Mallett took one step back but two steps forward in his development, making up for some early mistakes by connecting with Manningham on some nice throws in the second. In the end Captain Shawn Crable secured the ancient receptacle and the Wolverines ensured that it would be safe in Ann Arbor for another year. A few takes from inside the Big House: – As I observed at the 2005 game, the Gopher fans were a big no-show at the Big House. I think I counted about 20 Minnesota fans, concentrated in one pocket of the stadium (see pic above). Either that or they have devious Maize and Blue colored disguises. I think I saw more hockey fans from Boston U. who were in town to watch the Terriers get swept by the Blue at Yost. – All signs point to a health Hart and Henne returning next week for the big one against State. Henne was active on the sideline and I saw Hart do a little sprint after the pre-game coin toss. They’ll be needed; Danontio will have the Spartans primed. – I caught Beckmann and Brandstatter…
-
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…
-
To go along with your Michigan lawn gnome
A few items of interest from around the web, here on Wednesday evening before the battle for the Little Brown Jug: – Just posted on mgoblue.com, for sale is a replica commemorative coin that is being used on Novermber 17th as the flip coin for the big game. It features the likeness of Woody on one side, and Bo on the other. Have to assume the Buckeye captain will call ‘Woody’ when the teams meet at midfield but we’ll see. For those who need to add to their collection of knicknacks, and knicknacks. – Frank Deford on NPR this morning, discussing the ridiculous nature of the college bowl system: “No fair or rational system can choose just two teams to play for the title. ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is a more genuine athletic competition.” – Earlier this week Mgoblog on Lloyd Carr: Carr has once again picked his charges up off the mat and driven them towards respectability. We can wish this peculiar talent of Carr’s was less firmly established, but we should be thankful for it at the same time. – And finally back to the Little Brown Jug, an excerpt from this week’s Game Notes press release: The trophy disappeared from the trophy case of the Michigan Athletic Administration building in 1930 and was not found until 1934.…
-
Do M Men sell their tickets to strangers?
Between ebay, Ticketsnow and Stubhub there are about 2,000 tickets to the Michigan-Ohio State game on November 17 currently for sale. Not one of the tickets sold on these sites will anywhere close to the $60 face value of the ticket. Michigan’s policy on selling tickets is pretty clear. First, they can not be sold on University property at all although the authorities generally look the other way at all the activity outside Crisler before the game. Second, the back of your ticket states “This ticket shall not be sold above face value..” and it is understood that your tickets could be revoked if your caught selling for more than face. Looking closer at some of the available tickets on StubHub I saw 4 together…in my section, in my row. Bollocks! Given the location I have to assume that some season ticket holder is selling his soul these beauties to make a tidy profit. I get that a) the real cost of these tickets is very high, especially those facing the maximum required donation, b) times are a little hard out there, c) folks should have the right to try to make a buck, d) there are times when people just can’t make the game or live out of town. But…..by putting those tickets out on the market means I…
