Sad to hear that Ann Arbor legend and street ‘Shakey Jake’ passed away Sunday. It’s unconfirmed whether the football team is dedicating their performance in this Saturday’s Penn State to Jake’s memory. To be continued…
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Best Supporting Actor – Russell Crowe on Michigan sidelines
Seeing famous people on the sidelines of Michigan games is nothing new. Come early to the Ohio State game and you’ll see famous Michigan alums, whether it be athletes such as Tom Brady or Derek Jeter, or journalists like Mike Wallace. No matter what you think of Hollywood or of Russell Crowe in particular, having Crowe and some of his South Sydney rugby team on the sideline Saturday really mattered. The timing of his decision to come by and help out his buddy Coach Carr couldn’t have been better. While we’ll never know the true impact of the visit, here are a few areas where I think the visit was big: – Back to Cool: For players, fans and even recruits, Crowe’s visit reminded folks that despite those calling for the coach’s head and the poor start this is still the University of Michigan football team and this is still a pretty cool place to be. How many players called their folks after the game and told them about meeting Russell Crowe? I openly asked last week if any of the recruits that Carr visited with prior to the Oregon game had any intention of becoming a Wolverine. Well, I think those at the game this week might have a different take on their future plans. [Speaking of future plans,…
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Media Watch: Notre Dame
What they’re saying about the Notre Dame game. In summary, the media has turned the “trainwreck watch” away from Ann Arbor and right upon ol’ Charlie Weis and the Irish. And why not? That was an absolute mess out there and I think my 3 year old daughter knows that ND hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown this year. Yikes. Here’s some of the quotes out there this morning: Jim Carty, Ann Arbor News: “…a relief to know you were finally not the butt of every joke on ESPN, and that you got there by absolutely teeing off on an opponent” John Heuser, Ann Arbor News: “After seeing its national title hopes destroyed in four quarters, then suffering its worst home loss in 40 years, the University of Michigan football team took its first step toward reclaiming its season Saturday.” Bob Wojnowski, Detroit News: “The Irish are really, really putrid, and we’re not overlooking that. But the Wolverines were really, really desperate, and boy, did it show. It turns out the which-storied-program-is-in-more-trouble debate was pretty silly. U-M pounded Notre Dame in every way possible, releasing waves of tension with newfound exuberance in a 38-0 victory Saturday at Michigan Stadium.” Jerry Green, Detroit News: “And what is happening to Notre Dame in this football September of 2007 is equally as honest and…
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Sights & Sounds – That Never Gets Old | Michigan 38, Notre Dame 0 (2007)
A few hours after that 38-0 beat down on the pathetic Coach Weis-led Irish, just a few thoughts:– Mallett was good enough but this team needs Henne back if there is any hope for a decent season. Nice work by Mallett against a feeble Irish team. – How bad were they? I’ve been to most of the home games since 1989 and I can’t remember a worse opponent. Seriously. This team was much worse than the 2003 Irish team that was beaten down by the same score. – Russell Crowe made it to the Big House to help out his new buddy Lloyd Carr. Not hip to the whole Carr/Crowe phenomenon? Click here for some context. – I love the Notre Dame rivalry and the fans, but to all the jackasses wearing the Appalachian State gear: 38-0, how does that taste? – Say what you want about Mike Hart and his statements before the game, but he completely rolled over those guys today. He delivered and overwhelmed those jokers. – As for Coach Weis, word on the street is that he’s holding an open try-out for the team on Monday. Wow – more to come on that.
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Gut Check Time, Beat Irish!
Coach Weis, you are my little gentleman…I’ll take you to foggy Londontown, because you are my little gentleman. Forget about the past 2 weeks and get up for this one. Michigan needs to win and is coming off as a 8 1/2 point favorite??? (As I suggested prior to Oregon, take the points!). For the sake of both teams, let’s hope this is the last time before 2031 that these teams start 0-2. A pep rally is going off this evening at Elbel field. I don’t think I’ll be able to make but if anyone gets any photos please forward. Remember, Go Blue and ‘To Hell with Notre Dame’!
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Who Will Coach Michigan in 2008?
The question of the day. We know that Lloyd Carr will not be fired by Bill Martin. It is up to Carr and he’s made certain arrangements in his contract to make it easier to do so after this season. We can speculate that Carr has already made up his mind but who knows for sure. Here’s a look at the final Four: Like the NCAA Final Four, we’ll start both semi-finals on the same day, vote for the next Michigan head coach: {democracy:31} {democracy:32}
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Henne done? PSU Start time
Rumors out of Ann Arbor are that Henne might be done for the season. If true, this might be a bigger blow than if M lost Mike Hart as least as it translates to wins and losses. We’ll see, Carr is about to address the media. UPDATE: Good news, looks like Henne won’t make the ND game but may be back. Carr said he’s “in good spirits”. I drink a few good spirits after last game. Also- looks like the Penn State will be on ABC at 3:30. Umm, is it because ABC knows this hopeless trainwreck is a popular spectacle?
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Cracks in the Foundation
It’s clear that folks are reeling over this one and the focus is turning to the future of this program. Lloyd Carr is still mum on his plans and I think the fire Carr brigades realize he’s not going to be sacked. There’s still a season to play and much to play for/preseve. Mike Hart has already come out and said that he’s going to help turn this around and guaranteed victory over Notre Dame. Here’s some takes on this mess: – Mallett and Henne. The young freshman saw his first action on Saturday after Henne went down. There was some loud cheering when Mallett went into the game for the first time. Some interpreted this as cheering for Chad Henne’s injury – it wasn’t. It was simply some excitement over Mallett and for a change. Most the stadium didn’t even realize Henne was banged up. – What the injury means. For any M fans feeling good that Mallett is probably going to start against Notre Dame, you shouldn’t. While the young guy has an incredible arm and a lot of promise, but he probably knows a quarter of plays that Henne does and DeBord won’t open up the offense with the kid in there. Bottom line: Michigan’s best chance to win is far and away with Henne. – Toughness…
