I spoke to the U-M Club of Lansing last week, and one of the questions was about the impact of legalized gambling on college sports and the potential dangers. This is a complicated topic, but as ever I mentioned there is a historical precedent at Michigan. It involves our guests this Saturday--the Oregon football team. This is from 1960, and it involved the Ducks, gamblers from New York, the FBI, and eventually a U.S. Senate subcommittee. Here's what happened:
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Winking at the Middle | Ep. #53 Professor and the Pundit
The boys are back after a brief Prof & Pundit fan tour of Europe, Scandinavia and the subcontinent. We briefly hit on the concerning loss at Washington and the status of our empty QB cupboard, and the reality that we're presently in a fight for the middle of the Big Ten. We hit on Coach CB confronting loud Husky fans, Connor Stalions making the podcast rounds, the impact (questions really) on the House vs. NCAA settlement, a spin around the Big Ten, trouble at USC and Alabama and much more! Finally, who's been waiting all day for Sunday night? NOOOOBODDDDY.
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Pesky Gophers and Greasy Pigskins | Ep. #52 Professor and the Pundit
This week, we dive into Michigan's nail-biting victory over Minnesota—yes, the jug is back in Schembechler Hall! But despite the win, questions linger. Kind of like the Gophers did on Saturday. We explore Alex Orji’s progress as a quarterback and celebrate Mullings' impressive transition to RB1. We examine the defense’s mixed performance and the questionable calls that took this one down to the wire. The Pundit gets you ready for the first road trip of the year to Seattle in the national title (you do remember that, right?) against our new B1G brothers - the Washington Huskies. After a few sights & sounds from a wild day, we take a trip through the B1G and the nation.
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Welcome to the Big Ten…SMASH! | Ep. #51 Professor and the Pundit
The boys get you ready for Saturday's season kickoff against Fresno State, we discuss Michigan's 2024 captains, the key position groups, and the Pundit provides his scouting report on The Bulldogs. We discuss a few playoff predictions and Dooley sympathizes with Kirk Herbstreit. We also continue the discussion of NIL and the impact of the proposed House settlement on athletic departments. The fellas close with a quick run around the country with the latest headlines and the big games to watch out for this weekend. The Prof & Pun close with things only they care about :)
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2023: A (New) Space Quandary on The Little Brown Jug
We're out of space for scores on the Little Brown Jug (again!). Here's a look at the considerations and options for the oldest rivalry trophy in college football.
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Booze Raid Snags Michigan Football Captain (1931)
Not that alcohol is celebrated by local authorities on campus today, but in 1931 we were still a couple years from the end of Prohibition. This was a little more serious. Word of the raid made the front page of the February 12, 1931 Chicago Tribune which provided some of the spicy details of the “Rum Raid” including a pretty lengthy listing of the more prominent students arrested. Among them (and the first listed) was James "Ducky" Simrall--the captain of the 1930 football team and a Phil Delt.
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The U.S.S. Michigan Sinks Penn (November 13, 1909)
The AMAZING story of the 1909 Michigan-Penn game, held in Philadelphia. Needing a boost after getting crushed by the Quakers the previous 3 seasons, Yost and Michigan got a big one. The navy men stationed on the U.S.S. Michigan came out to root Wolverines on in this HUGE historic win. You'll enjoy this one.
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The Distinguished Digit, The Sacred Seat | Origins of the 1 in Michigan Stadium capacity
A discussion on the origins and significance of the "1" in the Michigan Stadium official capacity. Includes an interesting theory coming out of a 1960s article in Sports Illustrated.
