2007 Best Sports City

The Sporting News has completed its annual Best Sports City evaluation and Detroit has come out on top for the 2nd time in the last decade.

Ironically, ESPN's Colin Cowerd was discussing yesterday on his show that LA is a better overall sports town than New York. What he forgot to do before starting his debate is to actually look-up some data - LA is nowhere near the #1 spot, or #2 for that matter. Of course, these rankings are subjective in nature when choosing the objective measures to rank the cities, but at least the Sporting News has a method behind their madness rather than just putting forth a blind opinion, which is what Cowerd does often.

Over the last 4 years, Detroit & Boston are tied for the top spot and there appears to be no let off in sight for either city.

Link to rankings:
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=248801

DP

(click to enlarge)

Scheduling a Check-Up

Admittedly, I sometimes drop in at ND Nation to take in the talking points. Most of the time I chuckle at the arrogance of posters that undoubtedly assist in making Notre Dame the most hated school in college football, although Domers will proclaim it is the most loved. I guess it is if you count followers who couldn't decipher illegal motion from offsides. Back to point. Lately, besides the constant bashing of Kevin White and how he had his lunch handed to him by Michigan AD, Bill Martin, who went into contract negotiations with Addias against the 'supposed' most prestigious football program in the Nation, but came out with a deal that will force Notre Dame to, once again, stand behind the Leaders and Best, I noticed the topic of scheduling.

Most of the scheduling bickering from Domers relates to the new strategy Kevin White will implement for Notre Dame moving forward. However, lost in the usual whining sessions is the constant delusion that ND is somehow without equal when it comes to strength of schedule. The slanted reality of that board is as if there is everyone else just galloping through its annual cakewalk of opponents and then there is the mighty Notre Dame.

So I decided to look up some actual data, which is commonly over looked at ND Nation.

Now, my goal was obviously not to show that ND has a weak schedule, rather, it was to compare top teams across the Nation and their superb results against ND's mediocre results since the BCS was institued. I figured the data would ultimately knock me in the head with the fact that ND has suffered in mediocrity solely because its schedule is so difficult and that other programs have lathered in success simply because their schedule is weak.

Well, the results were mixed.

First, I included in my sample the Top 12 teams post BCS in win %. None of these teams were Notre Dame (#28). I also excluded the likes of Boise State, Louisville, and TCU, due to their conference affiliations. The data I used for my annual strength of schedule rankings is Sagarin, mainly because of his widely acceptable data methods.

The results show Notre Dame ranks very high against the most successful schools of the past nine years; however, this was expected, but I wasn't even close to being blown away by the results.

Top strength of schedule post BCS you ask? Florida State, with an average annual rank of 15. Notre Dame, meanwhile, came in 2nd place, just 1 spot ahead of USC and 4 ahead of Michigan. So here's how the breakdown looks:

Florida St - 15
Notre Dame - 16
USC - 17
Michigan - 20
Ohio State - 24
Florida - 26
Tennessee - 29
Oklahoma - 31
Geordia - 34
Texas - 36
Miami - 37
Wisconsin - 41
Va Tech - 50

Now, it's clear from this data the ND loyalists can rag on certain teams. I make my cut off as a Top 25 schedule. But, to suggest ND's scheduling is in a class in itself, is comical at best. Also keep in mind that this data only highlights the Top 12 most successful programs since 1998, it doesn't account for numerous other schools, many of which that would mirror ND's scheduling difficulty. But that is for a later study as my intuition, and point, was satisfied with this data sample.

What is also humorous is Domers constant bashing of Ohio State's weak scheduling, yet to my utter surprise, OSU has produced a Top 25 schedule over the past decade.

I understand that ND's 16 rank is higher than all the schools on this list, save Florida State, but you don't go around thumping your chest when 4 or 5 of the most successful programs are within shouting distance of ND's ranking. A quiet pat on the back would suffice.

Being proud of strict standards of scheduling is one thing, but filling up thread after thread with the delirious notion that everyone should strive for ND's scheduling standards should make even Rockne chuckle.

We can take this data even one step further and switch our source to the college football data warehouse to find the most recent quarter century SOS rankings (1975-1999) that has ND ranked #4 behind USC, Michigan, and Ohio State.

To carry this down, yet another path, is the repeated slandering from ND fans of the Big Ten's willingness to play MAC schools and how sacred ND could never stoop so low. Well, since 1990, the Service Academies, which annually find a place on Notre Dame's schedule, have posted a whopping 16-12 record again MAC schools. What this convinced me of was not that MAC schools are a challenge for Big Ten teams, rather ND plays MAC schools each year and disguises them with the Service Academy pedigree.

To end, we simply learn that many top programs in the Nation can easily stack its schedule next to ND's. Furthermore, with ND taking the approach of lining up San Diego State, Duke, and Baylor on future schedules, I will go out on a limb and suggest the scheduling gap will close even more in the upcoming years.

So, be proud ND fans and alum for a respectable scheduling strategy, but try not to be so smug about it because you don't stand alone on the top of this mountain.

DP

Dan Patrick leaving ESPN......how sad

So I turn on my radio today and flip through my USA Today to hear and see, almost everywhere, that Dan Patrick is leaving ESPN. I'm under the sneaky impression that this qualifies for National news? Are you serious? A former Sports Center and radio talk show host decides to leave the company he works for and its all over the National headlines? I'm not sure I've seen anything so foolish in my life.

Let's get one thing straight, Dan Patrick, in my eyes, is one of the most overrated sports personalities in my lifetime. You make a big deal out of the retirement of great, historically sport announcers, like Ernie Harwell and Jack Buck, to name a couple. But for a man that provides daily sports news and hosts a radio talk show, a quiet pat on the back and company farewell party will do. And save me the Sports Center is part of America nostalgia. At best, Patrick delivered us daily sports news with a slang based presentation. Sure, it was creative, far from professional, and after a few years, quite annoying.

His radio show was decent in the first couple of years when the likes of Sean Salisbury and Rob Dibble were co-hosts. But like many media heads, the room began to get to small for Dan until it was just him hosting the show. There is nothing worse in sports radio than a host talking with himself. Most of the time it just does not lend to great discussion nor debate.

So, my wish is that ESPN sends Dan off with a great farewell; however, I certainly hope I don't have to hear about his exit for the next month leading up to it. Dan Patrick is undoubtedly not worth the attention of the media. He may have made it cool to wake-up in college dorms across the country in the 90's and catch-up on the daily sports scene, but beyond that his legacy, in this man's eyes, is nothing more than the musical chair strategy used in sports media to drum up some ratings.

DP

Superstitious

It's been a long, but enjoyable, past 9 months from many perspectives of life. Financially, my wife and I were finally able to rid of a left over property that caused us nothing but headaches since we were relocated nearly 4 years ago. Talk about a relief to finally see an extra $1,700 per month flow back into one's life. Family wise, it's been a real treat to watch my 17 month old son grow up. And boy does the growing go fast, real fast. And then comes the part around the house where my wife and I decided to put a boulder of pressure on our shoulders in trying to convert a den into a play room, finish our basement, and decorate a nursery for our soon to be daughter in a mere 7 month time period. All this while trying not to miss out on our son's milestones, as he seems to reach one on a daily basis (I especially like the ones where he responds ecstatically to Let's Go Blue/Tigers/Red Wings/Pistons).

Mixed into all this jumble has been one heck of a stretch for my teams, but with heartbreaking endings. The Tigers went to the World Series, Michigan football was one game from the National Championship Game, and the Red Wings & Pistons were both two games from Stanley Cup Finals and NBA Finals. So much success and so close, yet all missed out on the big prize. Anyone who is close to me knows how big of a sports fan I am and how seriously I take this stuff. Needless to say, I've spent a number of nights in the last 9 months wondering what might have been. I had one ticket to Game 6 of World Series and I dreamt for two weeks of the Tigers winning it on that night and what I would do drenched in the middle of such jubilation. Game 6 was never even played.

What exactly is the point in all this? Well, just when you think you've packed up your sports following for a few months to give yourself a much needed mental and stress break, you accidentally step into something that pulls you right back in. Last night, with my basement now finished and in the middle stages of being re-organized, I decided to tune into the Tigers game on my XM Radio for the 1st time this year. What a surprise I was in for.

It's been nearly 23 years since I sat with my late Grandpa in St. Clair Shores, MI, at the ripe age of 8 and watched Jack Morris pitch a complete gem against the Chicago White Sox to register the last Detroit Tiger no hitter. I still remember the joy on my Grandpa's face as he shouted out loud when it was over and then watching Morris and Parrish hug in jubilation on the field. And then last night, 23 years later, alone in my basement with my son sleeping soundly upstairs, the unlikely happens again as Justin Verlander does it. There is just something about magical about a no hitter. Even more magical is that in 1984 and in 2007 I was able to watch or listen to both.

I must be lucky? Maybe it will help make-up for the tough endings my teams have recently faced? However, I think it has made me superstitious. The last Tigers no hitter was in 1984. We all know how that year ended. I had a mysterious feeling last night, call it a prognosis, if you will, that this Tiger season will end just like the infamous moment in 1984, when Larry Herndon pulled in the fly ball down the left field line to give the Tigers their last World Series.

I'm saying it now, the stars are aligning for the Tigers this year, if only in my head. We are on our way to a joyous celebration come October, when us Detroit fans can rejoice an ending that doesn't come up short. Maybe I'm just convincing myself to get lured back into the sports scene that has exhausted me, lately. Either way, the memory and emotion of last night has garnered my full attention to witness a Tiger season, which just might end as magical as that October night way back in 1984.

Go Tigers!

DP

Day of Reckoning

So here we stand, two of the most crucial games of the year for Detroit sports, not too mention a fairly important 'statement' series double header in Beantown. Yes, all converging on this otherwise normal Thursday in mid-May is an elimination game for the Pistons, a death grip on the series game for the Wings, and two, who's king of the AL, games for the Tigers.

Just another day.

For the Pistons the game plan is simple. Show up with some energy and avoid falling into that manhole they've so desperately have been trying to climb out of in the 2nd half of Game's 3-5. Get Sheed involved early down low. Play the two man game with C-Webb and RIP early and often to: establish motion in the offense, get both players on track, and most importantly, make the Bulls work on defense. It's time to move the ball, again, and force the Bulls to exert some energy. On defense, keep them guessing with a steady combination and trapping, zone, and man to man. These Bulls will gladly turn the ball over if you force them to make quick decisions.

Tonight, for the Pistons, the series and a trip to the ECF is there for the taking. The United Center, nor its fair weather crowd, will not bother them as the road appears to be their home away from home. Lest I remind you of:

Game 6 vs. New Jersey in 2004
Game 5 vs. Indiana in 2004
Game 7 vs. Miami in 2005
Game 6 vs. San Antonio in 2005
Game 6 vs. Cleveland in 2006

With the exception of the Indiana game, the rest were all close out games for the opposition and all were played on the road. Hopefully, that makes some of you hold down food a little easier today.

The Red Wings have a golden opportunity tonight with the Ducks best player, Chris Pronger, out of the line-up serving a one game suspension for his cowardly hit on Tomas Holmstrom. With this HUGE void in the Ducks defense, Babock needs to employ the strategy that was so successful in Game 3, separate Zetteburg and Datsyuk while keeping those lines changing. Put the Ducks on their heels and inhibit their ability to match lines with the Wings. With Pronger out of the line-up and Babock's line moving success in Game 3, it could prove to be a deadly combination for the Wings to put a stranglehold on this series heading back to Motown.

Oh, and let's not forget that we still have that 42 year old wall in the net who is undoubtedly in the Ducks head right about now.

And for the Tigers, not much can be made of baseball games in May. But wouldn't it be something to at least split the double header and the series today with the Red Sox and complete a brutal 7 game road trip with a 4-3 record while remaining on top of the AL Central? And all this without Rogers, as well as Zumuya and Bonderman for the past couple of weeks!

When all is said and done, this is undoubtedly and statement day for Detroit sports. Maybe the biggest the city has ever experienced on a single day......well, at least until next week.

Deeetroit Everything

In the spirit of Detroit Piston PA announcer, Mason, who coined the phrase,
Dee-troit Bask-et-ball - let's switch that phrase for a day to Dee-troit Every-thing.

On this joyous 2007 Mother's Day, is there any other city in the country who is dominating the sports scene like Detroit? In the last 23 games played by the Tigers (12), Pistons (7), and Wings (4), only the Tigers have lost a game, once.

Today, Detroit will dominate the national airwaves as the Pistons, Red Wings, and Tigers will all be on National Television. In a region that is most certainly suffering from an employment standpoint, it is good to see the blow somewhat diverged with the success of the local teams.

Like soap, if you are a fan of Detroit its best to take this moment and work up a good, thick lather, and enjoy this synergy of dominance.

For the last couple of years there has been anticipation of the Pistons and Red Wings both taking the Titles in the same season. Finally, when least expected, there is a solid chance that this will come to fruition with both teams potentially battling for it all in June.

Of course, there is always a possibility that the road ends up short for both the Wings and Pistons, but us Detroiters relish the opportunity, as opposed to watching from the sidelines like Miami and Dallas fans.

Would it be something to host a World Series, NBA Finals, and Stanley Cup all within an eight month period? At this point, we are on course to be the only city to swim in such success.

So, give mom a hug and take her to brunch, then enjoy the day of our teams being jammed down America's throat.

DP

Facilitate This

At first glance, maybe I'm too old school. But that can't be it since I'm only 31. How old school can I possibly be at this age?

I was raised just a few miles north of Detroit in the proud city of Warren. Growing up, basketball was my livelihood. It was so simple back then, grab a ball, find a court, and play until the sun went down. Crap, at times, some of the best ball was being played on courts with no nets or slightly bent hoops. No matter, we played until the day gave way to the night.

In the summer, our hard headed high school basketball coach would take us to the city to play in summer leagues against PSL's schools in an old dingy gym in Hamtramack.

The good old days, when all you needed to play some competitive hoops was a ball, a jersey, and a rim.

Obviously those days are gone as college institutions now need multi million dollar venues in order to produce a good basketball program. After all, good arena lighting and new seats will undoubtedly get recruits to play with some heart and fire. In fact, it may even get a couple of players to dive on the ground for a loose ball. A new practice facility will surely help clear the mind of the head coach so he can install an offense that actually attacks the basket. It should also help with his ability to get off his butt during games and show some fire.

This is the sad state of college athletics. Gone are the days when you used to put on your jersey and play with passion no matter where the hoop stood, inside or out. Now we need shiny floors, bright lights, and state of the art PA systems in order to produce a winning team.

But something tells me deep down I'm misguided by this new train of thought. In my belly I feel the competitive drive and success of a team has little to do with facilities and more to do with the coach and his ability to produce a well prepared team that develops its players. Realistically, most of these kids come from nothing and are just ecstatic to where a college uniform.

At first, it might be difficult to sway in the big guns who opt for high profile schools with fancy, shiny hardwood. However, bringing in a coach who can take mid-level talent and make it gel will slowly get some lookers. Eventually, it is the leader who will turn this thing around. The talent will come because they want to play for this coach, not because the arena is nice looking. They will run through a wall for this leader and its effect will be shown by the play on the court.

In the end, its the General that attracts his men and leads them to victory, not the surrounding battlefield conditions.

We now have the opportunity to find that General and finally get it right, at last.

After all, the place where they play is just window dressing, its what's going on inside that produces success.

Pick a Side and Stay There!

So, most agree the current college football system is a joke in terms of crowning a National Champion. The majority in the college football world want some type of postseason, whether its an 'And 1' or playoff.

But, now I'm confused. This past Saturday we obviously watched the two best teams in the country play in Columbus, OH. The game was so thrilling that the first question asked was should there be a rematch?

Approximately half of the media and fans are in favor of it.

The other half?

Well, most use arguments along the line of 'its unfair to Ohio State' or 'give another team a chance' or 'Michigan had its shot' (in Columbus mind you).

Let me point out the problem with this. If you're part of the no rematch camp for reasons other than you DO NOT feel Michigan is #2, then you're really not in favor of a playoff and this shocks me. I am baffled that overnight a large portion of the college football world has decided a playoff is not the way to go.

You're probably asking why I'm saying this. Well, it's quite simple. If you're not in favor of a rematch, then a playoff will NOT work because rematches will be plentiful.

So we sit here today more confused than ever. As college football was, slowly, but surely moving toward a 'playoff', we just learned that there are many who actually don't want it because they hadn't taken the time to think it through.

You can't have a playoff without rematches!

Who would've thunk that?

Michigan vs. Ohio State (THE Game)

My first memory of this classic series is 1986. The Harbaugh led Wolverines walked into Columbus and fell behind Cris Carter's Buckeyes 14-3. However, Big Blue stormed backed from the early deficit to clip the Bucks 26-24, to clinch the Big Ten and a trip to the Rose Bowl.

I was 9 at the time and the hatred began that day. Over the years it has intensified and now lives at a soft boil, some 21 years later.

The 18th of November, 2006, will present to us one of the best match-ups in college football history. Not only is it Michigan vs. Ohio State, but it's for all the marbles. As if pure detest isn't enough, these two powerhouses will decide who books a trip to the National Championship this Saturday.

The ferocity of this series is unmatched. The war of the border is like no other. The tension escalates with each passing year and has now come to a climax. In the 102 year history of this epic series, never have they met ranked #1 and #2 and its quite possible it will never happen again.

For the fans, it is a week of two tales. The media coverage will be intense. You'll hear more statistics regarding the two teams then you'll care to know. The analysts will spew their meaningless jargon to hype THE Game to its highest magnitude. But come Friday night, every Michigan and Ohio State fan will have a feeling in the pit of their stomach that will not let them sleep. In fact, I doubt many do. Saturday morning will be welcomed with arms wide open, yet the nervousness and tension will escalate to unprecedented proportions.

Nobody is fooling anybody this week. Those fans who have an attachment to this game cannot concentrate a lick without thinking to Saturday. The game will be joyous for one side and sorrowful for the other. The emotions let loose during the week could supply enough power to generate a major city for months. What this game means to many cannot be quantified by on-field statistics. We will all hear why one team should beat the other, but emotions win in this rivalry. More often than not, the more talented team walks off as the loser. Heart and determination trump god given skill in this battle.

The media content this week has gotten so large that one doesn't even know where to begin. Maybe its best to just sit back and reflect. Enjoy some old classic battles between the two schools and relish in the history this rivalry has provided. After all, nobody truly understands the magnitude of this match-up outside of the two teams and its fan base. No one can comprehend the difficulty sleeping the Friday night before the game and the angst leading up to it on Saturday morning. Most of all, nobody on the outside understands the anguish of a loss that lives with us for 364 days.

But those within the walls of this classic rivalry fully understand what's at stake on Saturday for the 103rd time. Some will pop out of bed Sunday morning, while others will try to convince themselves it was only a dream.

Michigan vs. Ohio State for a chance to claim it all.


DP

Michigan vs. Ohio State Preview

Ohio State vs Michigan 2006 Hype Video


Michigan vs. Ohio State PROMO


Michigan - Ohio State 2006 (Inches Speech)

Buckle Up, America!

I feel terribly sad today because I was right. I was afraid this would happen, but few would listen. Back during the 2004 election, I urged those around me not to re-elect Bush. The writing was spray painted all over the wall that his 8 year Presidency could go down as one of the worst, ever. I stood, alone, on my island urging many to go in another direction.

I did this not because I was a Kerry supporter, afterall, I am independent conservative. I do feel there is something to be said in voting for the person not the party. Although this point gets lost on most biased Americans. Rather, I did this because I was afraid of the day we just experienced.

The Democrats now have control and they're radical leader has the podium to begin her quest to rot everything that is right, in America.

And the so called hard headed Republicans are the reason for this disaster by re-electing Bush.

But you say, the Democrats would've taken control regardless this fall and under that scenario the White House would be in 100% Democratic control.

I say, bad assumption.

What Americans did on Tuesday was not vote FOR the Democratic Party, rather they voted against Bush. The result is near disaster that could come to fruition in 2008.

The reality of Tuesday's vote, when all is said and done, was a bold statement against Bush and the Republican Party. However, what most voters do not understand is they may have mortgaged their morals and beliefs to make this statement.

There are so many Americans who continually vote and post a stand:

1. Against amnesty
2. For border control
3. Against affirmative action
4. For marriage only between man & woman
5. Against raising taxes
6. For prayer in school
7. Against degradation of the Flag
8. For the right to bear arms

And yet, the new speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi, is the exact opposite of what is listed above. It amazes me how a Nation could be, in majority, unified on the above issues, yet give up control to a party who will slowly drag these issues down the drain. I truly worry what this country will look like 6 years from now with radical leadership now in place.

True, Americans will probably get what they requested in giving Democrats control with the liklihood of the U.S. slowly pulling out of Iraq. Our leaders will mostly likely travel around the world and make nice over a cup of coffee with hate filled leaders of the Middle East & North Korea. But watch what happens within our country. Watch closely how values deteriorate over the next several years, at a rapid pace. Pay attention to what Americans mortgaged just to make a statement against Bush.

The Republicans, how I see it, do not possess a strong Presidential candidate for 2008, which means we could be in for full Democratic control in just a few short years. If this happens, the face of America will be vastly different:

• The government will be much larger, filled with many more 'special' groups
• Taxes will undoubtedly be up
• God will be forbidden
• Borders will be open
• Illegals will have access to public services they are 'entitled' to

And we will pay for all this.

I hope I am wrong about where this country is headed. But I also hoped I was wrong two years ago when Bush was re-elected.

Hopefully, in 2008, Americans will take notice of what they're voting for.

DP

Poll Squabbles

I didn't plan on addressing the college football poll topic this year, but with the recent cheeseburger bickering from Charlie Weis and the constant 'the media hates us' whining from ND fans, I could no longer resist.

Look college football fans (this includes you, too, Domers), once and for all, the polls are not an objective science and they consist of multiples flaws that can only be matched by a John L. Smith led team. The basic principle that an extraordinary amount fans fail to comprehend as they watch their team experience the roller coaster ranking ride year in and year out, is that when you start the season off with a preseason poll, your team is open for constant ranking corrections.

Any system that ranks its outputs (teams in this case), before objective analysis (the playing of games), takes place, is bound to have serious miscalculations.

For argument sake, let's take two teams to fit our example - Michigan & Notre Dame. The Irish went into the 2006 season with a # 2 ranking and have done little to justify that ranking. Meanwhile, Michigan came into the 2006 season with a #14 and as earned its way to a most recent #2 rank.

The big thing Irish fans don't realize is just because they lost in week 3 of season, it does not mean the ranking correction takes place following that game and as long as Notre Dame wins from that point on it has the 'right' to that spot or higher in the polls.

Its quite the opposite. Look at it this way. Imagine each college football week is similar to public corporations posting quarterly earnings. Analysts expect an EPS (earning per share) of x and if the company surprises Wall Street in either direction, the stock could very well experience some correction.

It is not different in college football. Each week analysts learn a little more about your team, as well as the teams chasing or that are ahead of your team. And each week these analysts must soak in what they saw and re-distribute the rankings based on the current market conditions.

It is not the fault of the analysts that following Michigan's domination of Notre Dame that the Irish barely escaped a Michigan State team, which is now laughable in the market landscape that voters must use as their guide when ranking teams each week. It is also not the fault of the analysts that the Irish have not played a worthy opponent since the Michigan debacle and will not do so until they butt heads with USC later this year. During this time, other teams are able to show their stuff against more formidable foes, causing fluctuations in the rankings.

Notre Dame fans will suggest that its not fair for a team with a 'Bye' week to jump the Irish after a last second win against UCLA. But keep in mind, when voters put a team at a particular ranking, they set an expectation for that team. I highly doubt that the expectation they put on Notre Dame's ranking prior to the UCLA was for the Irish to pull out a last second win at home.

Thus, a market correction followed that knocked Notre Dame down in some polls.

It really is simple logic for those fans who are not obsessed with the 'media against us' theory.

Until college football gets it right and rids the foolish preseason polls, which set expectations before any precedent is provided, we can look forward to similar occurrences each year. At worse, if college football must have these ridiculous preseason polls that set fans into a frenzy when their team is rewarded or slighted by a ranking, then at least provide us a playoff so the matter can be settled on the field.

Until then fans, accept the crazy logic and operation, which is what college football is today. And be consistent with your ranking complaints.

I sure didn't see many Notre Dame fans, nor Charlie for that matter, complain when the Irish were ranked #2 to start the season for no applicable reason, at all. I mean, in two years time, Notre Dame has failed to beat a Top 25 team, yet they are still ranked in the Top 10.

Not that's something to squabble about.

DP

Countdown to the Showdown

One year ago at this time, Michigan was coming off a thrilling win vs. Penn State and going into a crucial battle with the Hawkeyes, similar to this week's events. But other than the games place on the schedule, the 2006 vs. 2005 season comparison, up to this point, are about as bipolar as the Yankees and Tigers chance to win the 2006 World Series.

Man, how things can change in one short season.

No longer are the Wolverines creeping into each game hoping for a victory to salvage a dismal season. Rather, Big Blue is grasping each game like it is its last and breaking the opposition over its thick, tradition laden, legs. The mojo, if you will, in Wolverine football is back.

Ask many a Michigan fan and they will most likely tell you that the trip to Happy Valley this year was one they feared. I mean, how many years can Penn State lose to Michigan? Seven in a row is long enough, right? The Penn State fans almost deemed it their duty to expel its football team from this horrendous streak. They would come out in massive numbers, wearing nothing but white, and make as much noise as humanly possible to disrupt the Wolverines.

And they did this all in vain.

Michigan once again demoralized Penn State's dream of conquering the Wolverines. Not only did Michigan silence 110,000+ rabid Nittany Lion fans, but they did it in a dominating fashion by physically beating Penn State into submission. Don't let the 17-10 score fool you. This game was never in doubt and it was more of what Michigan did wrong at points in the game than what Penn State did right.

They could've pitched a shut out with a little more focus.

Nonetheless, the path has been cleared. The Big Ten, in all logical probability, will be represented in this year's BCS Title game. The question is who will it be: Michigan or Ohio State.
The hype has begun even though both teams have 4 opponents before the big one. But the dominance they have displayed, to date, has been so great that the remaining foes only appear to earth that is about to have a date with a bulldozer clearing the path for a new road. A hiccup seems unlikely and virtually impossible, at this point.

Can this blood thirsty rivalry handle nearly one month of anticipation? How high will analysts thrust this game into the college football stratosphere? The best and most anticipated game, ever?

There is still work to be done on both sides. But that does not stop fans from beginning the countdown, analysis, and bickering back and forth as to which team will be taking the field in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

Ohio State feels its their right of passage. After all, they are the self proclaimed owners of the Fiesta Bowl.

Michigan feels its their destiny and looks to take a page out of that other Blue team still working its magic in downtown Detroit.

The majority of the experts had Ohio State penciled in for this year's National Championship game back during the preseason. Although, it should be pointed out, most of those same experts had the Yankees in the World Series.

Let the countdown begin.

DP

Half Way Home

After a very business like thumping of Michigan State, the Wolverines find themselves unblemished at the midway point of the season. The score did not do justice to just how bad Michigan man handled the Spartans, who were over matched and bullied all over the field. A MSU offense, which boasted a Nationally Top 10 rushing attack averaging 220 yds/game going in Saturday's match-up, mustered a measly 60 yards. I guess Caulcrick will need to rethink his view on the 'unimpressive' Michigan defensive line that he called out leading up to the game. Undoubtedly, his words fired up the 'D', which contained him to a miniscule 29 yards on 14 attempts.

Brandon Minor of Michigan out gained the boisterous Caulcrick on only 3 carries!

Michigan State had its share of, well, Michigan State moments, which included offsides, missed FG, offsides, late hit, offsides, running into the kicker, and oh, did I mention offsides?

Even if Michigan wasn't prepared to win this one, MSU undoubtedly was planning to hand the Wolverines a victory, regardless, with their sloppy play.

Henne was his usual efficient self, only passing the ball 17 times and completing 11 for 140 yards and 3 TD's. Manningham showed up for his weekly, almost automatic, two deep TD's to go along with Arrington's acrobatic, yet controversial, TD. Mike Hart motored for 122 yards and even left the game early (ankle) to allow Kevin Grady and Brandon Minor to make their presence felt. And did they ever by amassing a combined 92 yards on 15 carries, including an impressive 40 yard scamper by the true freshman (Minor).

The defense held the high powered Spartan attack to a respectable 312 yards of total offense. Although, the sacks have dangerously declined over the last two weeks (a combined 1), the defense once again made running the ball an insurmountable chore for the Spartans who were virtually forced to a strictly pass offense to move the ball with any type of consistency. The defense also came through with two interceptions, although the 1st one would've been wiser to hit the turf as the Spartans faced 4th down.

You could sense early on in this game that Sparty simply had no answer on how to shove the ball down Michigan's throat. Due to this, Michigan jumped on them early, all the way to a 24-0 lead before MSU displayed some life in producing 2 late scores (one set-up by the poor interception decision of Adams).

Needless to say, the defense will be relied heavily in the next two week's, as we conclude this 6 game gauntlet, to pull the Wolverins through unscathed.

Key defensive statistics:

1. 9 plays of negative or no gain out of 61 - 14.8% (61 out of 367 for the year - 16.6%)
2. 1 sack (18 for the year)
3. 2 turnovers to make it 13 for the year

Red Zone Efficiency

Offense

1. 2 trips into Red Zone vs. MSU, resulting in 1 TD & 1 FG (71.4% scoring efficiency)
2. For the year, 23 trips for 12 TD's, 7 FG's, and 2 turnovers (64.6% scoring efficiency)

Defense

1. 3 MSU trips into the Red Zone resulting in 2 TD's (61.9% scoring efficiency)
2. For the year, only 10 opposing trips into Red Zone for 5 TD's, 2 FG's, and 2 turnovers (57.1% scoring efficiency)

This week, against Penn State, will prove the Wolvies biggest test, yet. Beaver Stadium will be rocking and the Nittany Lions are looking to avenge their unimaginable 7 game losing streak against Michigan. As if the hype machine isn't enough for this game, it is to be played under the Pennsylvania lights. The Wolverines will have to do it without their most feared weapon, Mario Manningham, due to a knee injury.

The weight of this game will fall on the shoulders of Ron English and his defense to lead the way for Big Blue. The offensive attack will look to be methodical and control the clock with hopes of leaving Happy Valley, well happy.

A true test of this team's character will be unveiled on Saturday night. The Wolverine faithful are hoping 6 turns to 7 and 7 turns to 8 in a match-up that will bring the Wolverines one step closer to the eagerly anticipated slugfest.

But for now, one game and streak at a time.

Quick Slants

Well, the Auburn defense, which looked exposed against South Carolina confirmed our suspicion on Saturday afternoon against Arkansas as the Razorbacks ran all over them. This week is a showdown with Florida, which Michigan fans now find themselves rooting for the Tigers for BCS positioning.

USC continued its shaky play, bareley getting by an average Washington squad, yet, the computers still love the Trojans in the polls with 4 of them used for BCS rankings having them ranked #1.

Here is my Top 10:

1. Ohio State - Here until they slip
2. Michigan - No team in the Nation has been more consistent week in and week out
3. Florida - Will jump to #2 if they get by Auburn on the road
4. USC - Don't see this team getting through the season undefeated
5. Tennessee - If they would've held on vs. Florida they would be sitting pretty at #2
6. Cal - Look for the Bears to give USC everything they can handle
7. West Virginia - Still question the legitimacy of this team
8. Texas - Jury still out on the Longhorns, but looked solid vs. Oklahoma
9. Auburn - Will maintain its Top 10 status with a big win vs. the Gators this week
10. Notre Dame - They don't play anybody until the season finally - a Top 10 default, for now

DP