Conference 7.286::sports_91

    The reason I have started a University of Michigan note is to discuss
    Michigan Football.  The reason they warrant their own note discussion
    is because:
    
       1) U of M has been ripped off in close games for the past 3 seasons
       2) Two years ago in the Rose Bowl Michigan ran for a touchdown in
          the 4th quarter, and it was called back for a *very* questionable
          holding call (against USC) - and lost in a close game
       3) Bo deserves it
       4) They have the best college team this year (numero uno)
       5) They will take the Big Ten title
       6) They will win the Rose Bowl by 3 touchdowns (against Wash)
       7) People from Ann Arbor are too nice to lose
    
    
    The "real" reasons have to do with the fact that Michigan will field
    one of the best teams they have had in 7 years, with the weakest spot
    being Elvis.  He has matured, and should show improvement in his
    ability to change plays and better read defenses.  He should also be
    more able to use his experience to his advantage, and may even start
    listening to Moeller.
    
    I was dissapointed when I found out that Vaughn went pro.  He was
    exceptionally fast, and was very difficult to bring down.  He was
    averaging 5.7 per carry in his short college career.
    
    Skrepenak should easily become the best offensive lineman in college
    football this year.  Everitt is returning (center), along with Matt
    Elliott and Joe Cocozzo (guards).  Powers showed a good late season
    surge as a Freshman, but personally I liked Vaughn's abilities better.
    Powers will definitely get better, and should prove to be a league-
    leading tailback. Anderson (linebacker) should show even better tackle
    stats (112 tackles last year).  Hutchinson and Evans will return as
    starting defensive tackles, and they execute wide-outs and off-tackle
    plays better than any other Big Ten school (currently).  J.D. Carlson
    is a better than average place kicker, and should continue the ways of
    the strong special teams effort promoted by Moeller.  Many other key
    players will play major roles in Michigan's success this year - ie.
    Desmond Howard, Lance Dottin, Otis Williams, and others...
    
    Michigan's two biggest problems this year:
    
      1) Their extremely tough schedule
      2) Poor Official calls (plagued them for the last 3 years - should
         assume that to continue within the league, not just Michigan)
    
    Michigan will be severely tested very early in the season when they
    play Notre Dame in Ann Arbor (second game - first home game), and
    Florida State a week later.
    
    More Later...
    
    
    Lou
    
    

    
                         1991 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
    
                            9/7   at Boston College
                            9/14     NOTRE DAME
                            9/28     FLORIDA STATE
                            10/5  at Iowa
                            10/12 at Michigan State
                            10/19    INDIANA
                            10/26 at Minnesota
                            11/2     PURDUE
                            11/9  at Illinois
                            11/23 at Ohio State
                            1/1   at Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Ca.)
    
    Lou

    Regarding the Michigan game against Notre Dame (who ?)...I heard that
    Notre Dame's quarterback (Rick Mirer) has been fined for drunken
    dissorderly, etc., and may not be allowed to play against Michigan.
    Anyone else heard any of this ?
    
    I would much rather that Notre Dame has their "entire" team when they
    are beaten at Ann Arbor.  Any news on this topic ?
    
    My wife and I are going to the game (in Ann Arbor).  It should prove
    to be as exciting as usual between these two teams.
    
    
    Lou

    re -1
     Michigan does not get ripped off in close games,they lose them by
    themselves by letting the other team still be in the game when they
    have no right to.
    
    Also the Wolverines will never win a national title until they
    beat N.D and they will not do that this year,they will be 1-0 going
    into that game with probably about a 44-0 score vs B.C. and then 
    they will face a real team and get beat 24-14 or in that ballpark.
    N.D. owns Michigan when the teams are highly rated.
    
    
    Tom

    Michigan sips.
    
    Spartans rool!!!!!
    
    Mark.

    Lou,
    See the Notre Dame conf ( Note 37 ) probably the last 20 or so 
    responses regarding Mirer. I haven't heard anything new regarding
    this issue. Holtz is not going to suspend them. I believe it was a case
    of "overzealousness" on the South Bend police. I hear the Chicago
    papers have been roasting the cops, and believe the two players'
    stories as Holtz does. If you hear anything else, please post it.
    
    Where's Joe C. in this note. He musta experienced thigh-shuddering
    ecstasy when you opened this baby up, Lou. 
    I'll be back at ya later. Sigh, another Maize and Blue bigot!  8^)'s
    
    MikeL
    

     �  1) U of M has been ripped off in close games for the past 3 seasons
 
 Yeah, I just about died laughing when the Big Ten refs hosed Michigan
 lasted year in their close loss to Michigan State.   Whatta riot.
 
     �  3) Bo deserves it
 
 Oh, really ???  All those years of Dean Smith-style gagging in the
 Rose Bowl and, now that he's running the Detroit Tigers, Michigan
 deserves a note in this conference ???   
 
 Okay, what the hell, why not ???
 
     �  4) They have the best college team this year (numero uno)
 
 See State, Florida.
 
     �  5) They will take the Big Ten title
 
 So what, Part I ???
 
     �  6) They will win the Rose Bowl by 3 touchdowns (against Wash)
 
 So what, Part II ???
 
     �  7) People from Ann Arbor are too nice to lose
 
 Must be some transplanted Tar Heels fans up Ann Arbor way.   They,
 too, think they're too sweet to swallow fishbones.   Yet, they do it
 with such numbing regularity.   Must be something in the water.
 
 Bob Hunt

    Robert,
    Thine incisive pen doth do the trick. Right to the heart ( or a vacuum
    where said organ should have been ) 
    

    This one deserves a quick reply.  I strongly resent being compared to a
    Tar Hell fan.  I readily admit that I bleed Maize and Blue.  They got
    so much of my money (two degrees worth and alumnus contributions) that
    I have to.
    
    But I will also readily admit that Bo was one of the great chokers of
    all time.  Not quite in Snuffy's league, but about as close as they
    come.  He broke my heart year after year with his squandering of
    talent.  When Bump left and was replaced with a Woody Hayes disciple, I
    worried.  All my greatest fears were brought to fruition.
    
    We diehard Michigan fans have learned to deal with disappointment, yet
    we come back year after year.  I watched an incredibly talented team
    last year put out mediocre performances when it really counted, all the
    while hoping that Bo's departure would signal a change.  I can only
    hope it was a result of it being Moeller's rookie season.
    
    I believed at the end of the season and still believe today (how can I
    be fooled so often) that this is the season for Michigan's mythical. 
    I'm glad the schedule is tough.  I want no doubt when Michigan wins it
    all.  I won't be satisfied with anything less than a big goose egg in
    the loss column against first class opposition.
    
    By the way, until you've been in Michigan Stadium with over 100,000
    screaming fans and in a severely altered state of consciousness, you
    haven't lived.  Ann Arbor in the Sixties!  Sigh.
    
    Sid

 � I strongly resent being compared to a Tar Hell fan.
    
 � But I will also readily admit that Bo was one of the great chokers of
 � all time.  Not quite in Snuffy's league, but about as close as they
 � come.  He broke my heart year after year with his squandering of
 � talent.  When Bump left and was replaced with a Woody Hayes disciple,
 � I worried.  All my greatest fears were brought to fruition.
 
 You may now consider the Tar Heel comparison a non-issue.   Anyone
 who readily admits, upon honest introspection, that his beloved
 team's highly successful but underachieving coach was a big game
 choker can not be dragged down to Tar Heel depths.   Mea culpa.
 
 The sentence in the basenote that provoked the comparison was the
 "we're too nice to lose" piece.    That *had* to be smacked outta the
 park.   Hell, if just being nice equated to losing, I'd win Miss
 Congeniality in a walkover every damn season.   We Virginia fans know
 little else but gut-wrenching defeat ... regardless of strength of
 schedule.
 
 Bob Hunt

    Sid,
    	I too believe that Michigan has to be rated up there with FSU
    for pre-season #1. Michigan fans have every reason for high
    expectations, their team looks great on paper. If they can survive
    weeks 2 and 3, then a great pyschological block will be removed (ND
    especially) and they should be able to play with continued confidence
    and dominate. We shall see.
    	I should state that my anti-Michigan feelings are more anti-Bo than
    anything else. I always felt that his style ulimately thwarted the
    great talent that the Wolverines seemed to have. Under-achievers in the
    big games? Seemingly so and Bo gets plenty blame in my book. You know
    better than I. Michigan has a tremendous football history. Why,I am
    always forever grateful that Michigan so generously offered to travel
    to a small college in South Bend in the 1890's to larn' them ruffians
    proper football. And they did learn. 
    	Lou's references to being ripped off and the officials' calls
    causing defeats adds to my anti feelings. Shoulda won comments get
    stale real quick ( and I've heard that crap from ND fans also ).
    	Can Moeller escape the Bo shroud ?  I point to a recent quote from
    Moeller " I don't have a problem with us playing Notre Dame second as
    long as Notre Dame plays an earlier game. We play one, they play one"
    Sound like a voice full of confidence to you? Can he be implying that
    if ND had no previous game before the UM game, than they would have
    the advantage because they were fresher ! A complete reversal from
    UM in 1989 when the battle cry was " We lost to ND because they
    played one game already (Kickoff Classic vs Virginia) so they had
    game experience under their belts and we were green " Yea right.
    C'mon, Gary no excuses. We'll probably get these same excuses for
    the next three years (92-94) because Michigan opens with ND after
    ND opens with Northwestern. But I digress. Moeller dutifully states
    "Our goal is to get to the Rose Bowl" No kidding Gary, but why don't
    you add " And win the national championship" You've got the talent,
    so state it, and give your kids some confidence. Sheesh, someone
    call an exorcist and get Bo's spirit outta Moeller's body.
    
    Flame off
    Honestly, I hope Moeller comes into his own and purges himself,the
    team, and the University of the memory of Bo.
    
    MikeL
     
    

    Bo was a great recruter, prepared his teams well, and was a great
    motivator.  He also had a history of very good defensive teams.
    Unfortunetly, it always seemed like his attitude was that
    
    	1) his team was far better than anyone else's,
    	2) therefore you play not to lose rather than play to win.
    
    This works very well when playing someone like Northwestern, there were
    very few major upsets over the years.  But  every time U of M meet a
    team with comparable talent, the conservative style prevented the team
    playing up to the level they needed to to win.
    
    I remember one year in college when we had a betting match on U of M
    play calling during the season.  We only had 5 play selection: sweep
    right, sweep left, off-tackle right, off-tackle left, and 3d down draw. 
    It was frightening how consistent some guys could match the plays.
    
    
    Commander Scott

    Even if Michigan loses to either FSU or ND, they still might have a
    shot at the title.  After giving away the opener to ND last year, they
    were ranked #1 by the middle of October after Stanford knocked off the
    Irish.  (I had to bring that up MikeL :^)).  As good as FSU is supposed
    to be, I don't think they can survive November dates against Miami and
    Florida.
    
    Joe

�       1) U of M has been ripped off in close games for the past 3 seasons
�       2) Two years ago in the Rose Bowl Michigan ran for a touchdown in
�          the 4th quarter, and it was called back for a *very* questionable
�          holding call (against USC) - and lost in a close game
    
    So, the Clemson refs have moved to the Big 10?

    re .4
    Tom,
    Michigan has choked on some close games in the last few years, and
    always came close, and have been self-defeating in some ways.  Part
    of that has been caused by the ultra-conservative plays, some
    can't-deal-with-the-pressure choking, and their short sighted goal
    of only winning the Big Ten.  
    
    I think this is the year they can break out of the can't-beat-ND
    when they're both well-ranked; Moeller will be bringing more variety
    to the play calling; and, they have some excellent talent.  I also
    think Moeller has a goal of his own that includes winning a National
    Championship, rather than winning the title at the local popsicle
    stand (Big Ten).
    
    I do believe that the ND game will be the most difficult on the
    schedule, and will decide UM's fate for the season.  The FS game
    will be tough, but Michigan always seems to do well against good
    teams, where they don't have a long history of losing against that
    team (like breaking a losing tradition).
    
    My wife and I will be traveling to Ann Arbor for the game (against ND),
    and I am certain it will be *very* entertaining.  We had FS tickets
    available too (in Ann Arbor), but we wouldn't miss the UM/ND turning-
    point game.
    
    
    Lou 

    Lou,
    Got any extra tix to the ND-UM game? Cain't root for the 'rines tho
    
    MikeL
    

    re .6
    MikeL,
    Thanks for the info. I found out (from unconfirmed sources) that Mirer
    will play against Michigan.  Holz is usually pretty strict about this
    kind of thing, but is still letting them play.  
    
    If it's true (that he'll be playing), I'm glad.  I would rather see an
    honest all-out game with all key players able to play.  
    
    
    Lou
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Lou,
    	The evidence obviously shows that the police made a mistake or
    else Holtz would have probably suspended both.
    
    MikeL
    

    re .7
    Bob,
    Bo knows funding.
    He and the UM Admins always looked forward to their share of the $5M from
    the Rose Bowl and their share of the Big Ten purse (shares for taking 1st
    place).   A good piece of UM funding comes from donation sources that
    promote Big Ten supremacy as well.
    
    However, I think Moeller has set his personal sights on the National Title,
    as well as the Rose Bowl.  Can he pull it off ??  He has a pretty good
    shot this year.
    
    
    Lou 

    re .12
    Commander Scott,
    Bo's plays were very predictable.  Noone can deny that.  I don't want
    to spend any time trying to defend his methods (after he's now gone).
    
    I think Moeller stands a good shot at overcoming some of Bo's short-
    comings.  It looks like he will open the game up somewhat, he wants
    more than a Big Ten title spot, and he has a year of head coach
    experience.  He made a few "questionable" calls hinself last year,
    but maybe he learned a few things as well.  He also had to contend with
    Elvis and his insubordination problems.  He has re-focused the team
    (since last year) on alot more play variety, much more passing (than
    Bo), and a more admirable Special Teams crew.  With the multitude of
    talent this year, it might just be enough...
    
    Lou  

    
    Michigan looks ahead to ND and gets a loss handed to them by B.C.
    
    

    2 important things to note about the new gridiron Wolves:
    
    1)  Their stadium was the nicest anywhere until you looked down
        and saw it was mired b that awful, inexcusable, ugly fake
        turf.  Kudos to UM for having the class to put down the real
        stuff.  I luv this cuz, myself, I always loveplay footbalall
        while on grass.
    
    2)  Anybody who saw the Wolves' bowl game last year saw that Moellers
        has shed the last vestiges of the Bo in his offensive approach.
        In that game Moellers unveiled a pro set offensehat, given UM's
        perenniel lofty talent levels, could spell doom for upstarts from
        Ohio (where most UM talent comes from), E. Lansing, Champaign-
        UrbanaIowa City, and Bloomington.  f Moellers has the balls to
        stick with the aggresive, modern offensive scheme he ran inhat
        bowl game Michigan is big trouble for aanybody anywhere anytime.
    
    Sigh.  Used to be we Big10 men could look to Ann Arbor and sneer about
    their geeky underachieving coaches.  Now that Bo is gone, we only have
    Stupid Steve Fisher left...
    
    Go Be, and for gawd's sakes pu-leeze win the Title this year (and
    I ain't talking about the popsickle stand kind!)
    
    Big10 Tom

    re .16
    MikeL,
    Yes, we have established some pretty good connections for tix, and we
    just happen to have 2 extras to the UM/ND game.  We also have 2 extras
    to the sold-out pros vs high school (UM vs BC tomorrow) game.  Connect
    with me on my E-Mail node if interested.
    
    Lou

    re .21
    
    UM should be able to run up a good offensive score against BC, but they
    will need to watch out for BC's passing/receiving weapons.  BC should
    be very capable of the screens, short outs, and the 15 yard quick-out
    passes.  UM has some weaknesses on the short-out passes.  BUT...
    UM should win big.  Will the game be too easy ??  College games are
    never easy at someone else's home.  Will it make UM feel unchallenged
    or untested before their ND game ?? I don't think so either.  Michigan
    does always take a couple games to get going though, and that's always
    a worry for us die-hards.
    
    Lou

    re .23
    
    Ditto . . . . Ditto! . . . . Ditto !!!

    Michigan -  Good fight song - right  up there with ND's and USC's.
    
    Decent cheerleaders.
    
    That's about it.
    
    JD

>    UM should win big.  Will the game be too easy ??  College games are
>    never easy at someone else's home. 

    The game will be easy.  Very easy.  I don't care where this game is
    being played, because Michigan is way, way ahead of BC as far as talent
    goes.  I can't believe ABC is picking this game up.
    
    Joe

    	Michigan will be looking ahead to the Notre Dame game and will
    "only" win 30-7.
    
    	  			/Don

    Notre Dame has the best fight song.  Period.
    
    MrT

    re .28
    Joe,
    I attended UM's Pep Rally tonight (at the Vista Hotel).  Unfortunately
    they couldn't bring their Cheerleaders or Band on this non-Conference
    road-game.  The Pep Rally was fun though.  Michigan hired the West 
    Newton High School Cheerleaders for the rally and the game tomorrow.
    There will be a Pre-game luncheon at BC tomorrow at 12:30 (for Michigan
    alumni and other loyalists).  The game starts at 3pm, and is being tel-
    evised by ABC.  The ND and the FSU game will also be nationally
    televised.  The mood at the Pep-Rally was that BC will be beaten real
    big.
    
    Lou

    re .30
    
    ND has a fight song ??  Two years ago at the Rose Bowl, we had to
    listen to USC's %$#@ song!  It just goes on, and on, and on, and
    gets old r-e-a-l quick.  UM's fight song is enthusiastic, brings
    down the house, brings a tear to the eye, and brings out the most
    amount of heart in mid-westerners.  No that's a fight song!
    
    I've even got one of those UM buttons that you press the back and
    it plays a great tune of the UM "fight song".
    
    flame off...ok ND's is ok.  It's enspiring...but doesn't have as much
    heart.
    
    
    Lou

                       POST-GAME HIGHLIGHTS: UM vs BC
    
                         Univeristy of Michigan   35
                         Boston College           13
    
    
    Let me start off by saying that BC played a great game. Michigan
    looked unprepared, uninspired, made lots of mistakes and penalties,
    and will need to play light-years better before next week (against ND).
    BC was very prepared for this game (knowing all of Michigan's
    weaknesses), whereas UM didn't appear to be prepared at all.  It looked
    like Moeller decided to focus on (maybe ND) whatever, but was not
    interested in this game at all.  Michigan did play very well in the
    second half, after  they made adjustments to the defense and
    adjustments to BC's major focuses.  
    
    In order to remain in the top 3 ranking, UM needed to dominate most
    of the game - they didn't!  It appeared like BC dominated the 1st half.
    It looked worse than it was, because the officials were *very* hard
    on UM during the entire game. The score was 14-13 (UM) going into
    the 4th quarter.   I know it sounds like I'm screaming "poor officialing",
    but all 5 major penalties (that ended up in posession changes or major
    yardage), flags were thrown *very* late, and only after the crowd made
    lots of noise.  That looks "poor", no matter what sport it is.  Being
    at the game, it appeared like it was only done after being coerced, but
    they didn't really want to throw the flag.  On one penalty, Elvis threw
    the ball as he was being pusued (and almost going down).  The ball ended
    up hitting the ground right in between two Michigan eligable players, but
    the crowd roared and the flag was thrown a good 6-8 seconds after the
    play ended.  It was that kind of day.
    
    As I stated in my note, describing the UM Pep-Rally gathering Friday
    night, UM did not bring there cheerleaders or band to the BC game!
    The national press and television played on that alot!!  This morning
    ESPN commentators were very angry with UM for not at least, bringing
    their cheerleaders and the press has been jumping on that since
    yesterday.  It looked real poor.  ABC really hopped on it too.
     
    
    BC:
    First, I want to say that BC played very well in the first half.
    Their new head coach did a pretty good job of mixing up the UM defense
    by calling a variety of sweeps, wide keepers, and many 10-15 yard
    passes (as Moeller should have figured).  They also played excellent
    defense in that first half (BC).  Mike Marinaro (BC/LT) made a number
    of excellent tackles and had a great game.  The BC defensive front
    line played extremely well against UM.  They penetrated the UM
    offensive line throughout the game.  They stopped the run for most
    of the first half and they put a fair amount of pressure on Elvis
    when it really counted.  Glenn Foley played an excellent game (BC/QB).
    He was completing 10-15 yard passes almost at-will and he did a great
    job at scrambling as well.  He wasn't affraid to run himself, to make
    some key first downs, and he was very accurate for most of the first
    3 quarters.  He got hurt early in the 4th quarter, and was never really
    accurate after that (was hurt on a sac by UM).
    
    UM:
    In the first half Elvis looked like it was his first Freshman game,
    the offensive line looked like they were outmatched by the BC defensive
    line, and UM was excessively penalized.  In a nutshell, that was the
    first half.  The only good news for UM, was that BC wasn't able to
    capitalize even more, and run up a bigger score (10 BC - 7 UM at
    halftime).
    
    The second half was another story.  Moeller looked like he finally 
    bothered to study the BC weaknesses and made some major adjustments
    in the second half.  The other thing that really turned around the
    momentum was Desmund Howard's 75 yard return on the opening second
    half kickoff (for a touchdown).  It was a great run-back.  Between that
    and Moeller's adjustments, BC was then outmatched.  UM began to really
    capitalize on BC's tired defense, and the UM defense started coming
    alive as well.  They had 5 sacs in the second half, and one of those
    temporarilly took Foley (BC/QB) out of the game (leg bruise and wind
    loss).  After that UM was really cruising.
    
    SUMMARY:
    UM should be thankful BC didn't run up a higher score, they will need
    to play light-years better next week, and it looked real poor that
    their cheerleaders weren't there.
    
    ok, back to you Fred, Frank, Brent, or whatever...

			(yawn)

    	I was also at the Game. I agree the officiating was Poor,
    	but in No way were they picking on Michigan. There were
    	also a few calls they missed completely that would have 
    	resulted in more yards against U.M.
    
    	As for Foley, I was not that impressed, he is too shakey in
    	the pocket, much better on a roll out. I think he also appears
    	to be Color Blind.
    
    	Hoping for the same effort against Tch this week with better
    	results.
    
    	Dave

    OK, OK, so I was wrong.  Michigan should've dominated from the start but
    didn't.  If they were playing a decent team, they might've been upset
    from the sounds of it.
    
    RE: ranking
    Michigan did drop to 3rd in this week's AP poll.  Looks like it'll be 1
    vs. 3 on the 28th, because even after Michigan whips the Irish they
    won't move into 2nd because Miami should stay there after beating
    Houston.
    
    Joe

    I managed to torque off a few ruggers in the bar Saturday night, as I
    was rooting for Michigan.  Since all we saw was the 4th quarter, I had
    all the cheering chances while they stood around and groaned.  Glad to
    get the report in here of why it was so close when we got to the tube.
    
    A&W

    
    ND 27 UM 20 - Michigan drops to 11th where they really deserve to
    be.....

    This is a defining game for Moeller.  He needs to win in order to 
    establish himself and his post-Bo program.  A loss against a reloading
    ND would also shatter the confidence of his players, especially Elvis,
    who is a 2nd rate QB to begin with (although I'd take him over Trent
    Green in a New York minute).  
    
    I favor the Wolves.  Moeller has opened up the offense and the talent
    will take over.  If lowly Indiana cain score 27 points against a green
    ND defense (which has 8 players from last year on NFL rosters) despite
    a TD called back on a good penalty call, and four unforced interceptions
    I gotta figure that, unless Moeller screws up the talent, Michigan is
    gonna pound 40 points or so up on the big board.
    
    Michigan's first home game on grass in decades.  I'd watch just cuz a
    that, but this is gonna be a helluva game!
    
    Big10 Tom

 unless the refs step in and help Michigan's going down. As usual they're
 were way overrated. Moller is Bo all over again bank on it...

 ND has the speed to bury plus, Lou's in his favorite role as underdog.
 Despise the man all you want and I do but you can't knock his record to
 motivate his players in this situation...

 I figure the Irish by a touchdown...

    I cain't believe I'm a sayin' this, but I'm a leanin' with ya
    emotionally, Mike. Logically, dat's another story. The way things
    shape up at first glance, I think that Michigan will put some good
    numbers on the board as T brought out. ND's offense is dang good
    if jelled properly, and this early in the season, tough to tell
    against a quality "d" like Michigan's.
    	I will say this: ND will have to post at least 30 points to win
    this one (possibly more). I shudder at the prospect of ND's young
    defense taking on the veteran Michigan offense (even if Elvis is a
    geek). However as you correctly point out, Mike , Holtz LOVES the 'dog
    role. More on a prediction later this week. Gots to ponder more AND
    I have to ascertain whetha that smell emanating from Ann Arbor, that
    particular smell , will have on the outcome. You know that smell I's
    a talkin' about. The smell of FEAR. Kinda akin' to the fear we could
    smell when Dustin Hoffman was starin' at Larry Olivier from Herr
    Doktor's dentist chair.  I believes that my olfactory senses will be
    overwhelmed by week's end.
    
    More later,
    MikeL
     

>    I have to ascertain whetha that smell emanating from Ann Arbor, that
>    particular smell , will have on the outcome. You know that smell I's
>    a talkin' about. The smell of FEAR. 
    
    Mike, if there's any fear about this one it's coming from the Irish. 
    They're the ones who have to go in Michigan Stadium with 100,000+
    Michigan faithful awaiting them.
    
    I have to agree with you guys about Holtz relishing that 'dog role. 
    Have they even lost a game over the last 3 seasons in which they were
    the underdog?  Can't remember who was favored in that Miami game of '89
    in the Orange Bowl.  But all 3 losses last year they were favored, and
    they were the 'dog in the big wins over Miami and Tennessee.
    
    GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Beat the Irish, and beat 'em bad!!!!!!!!
    
    
    Joe
    

    I like the fack that Michigan has a loaded schedule that gives them
    every opportunity to EARN their way to taking the #1 ranking into 
    the Rose Bowl.  That Bowl has become a liability as far as being able
    to win a Title cuz it's very hard to grab a Title in it unless you're
    ranked #1 at kickoff.
    
    It's wierd for me to root for any Michigan team, but I'd like to see
    them mow down ND, FSU, State and all the rest and then ding Wasington
    in Pasadena for the Title.
    
    Classy knowledgeable college football fans still shudder in revulsion
    at the cupcake-engorged PR scams run down on the nation last year,
    first by that august football power Virginia, and, then, even worse,
    the co-championship unbelievably awarded to a good but not great
    untested Tech team that rode the airwaves and not the grid to what was
    an awful cheapening of Colorado's rightful Title not to mention the
    quality football experience owed every American citizen!
    
     Big10 Tom

    
    > Classy knowledgeable college football fans still shudder in revulsion
    > at the cupcake-engorged PR scams run down on the nation last year,
    > first by that august football power Virginia, and, then, even worse,
    > the co-championship unbelievably awarded to a good but not great
    > untested Tech team that rode the airwaves and not the grid to what was
    > an awful cheapening of Colorado's rightful Title not to mention the
    > quality football experience owed every American citizen!
    
    Tell it, T!  Do tell it!
    
    glenn
    

    U of M by 10, NBC ratings tumble, ask for refund end of the year.
    Sympathy nowhere to be found...

    Gird thine loins T
    By the time Ah U ventures to Ann Arbor in October, they'll be a-reelin'
    from losses to ND and FSU. We'll have softened them up fer ya.
    
    Joe,
    The Irish fear nada. Why should they, they've won the last two games
    at Michigan in '87 and '89. Tis the 'Rines that will experience
    mump-like symptoms. 8^)  Let's extend that four game win streak to
    five! Go ND!
    
    MikeL
    

    > the co-championship unbelievably awarded to a good but not great
    > untested Tech team that rode the airwaves and not the grid to what was
    > an awful cheapening of Colorado's rightful Title not to mention the
    > quality football experience owed every American citizen!
    
    >  Big10 Tom
     
    Perhaps the best note entered by a noter that no longer exists...
    
    Throughout CU's game against Wyoming last weekend the announcers
    constantly call CU the 'co-champions'.  Who's he trying to kid?!
    
    Cowboy

    Saturday's game against the Irish will be worthy of the National
    television screen (pre-paid for by season contract to the Irish or
    not). I am personally looking forward to experiencing the UM Wolverine
    Football spirit on its new natural grass surface, and doing the wave in
    a stadium that can finish it -- versus OSU, BC etc who are stuck with
    the 'ole horseshoe shaped stadiums.  
    
    Besides there's nothing like a sandwich at Zingerman's and a beer at
    Rick's All American Cafe after the game.  
    
    ...the memories...(sigh...)...
    
     - Leisha  (wife of Lou)
    

    Being a_IU boy, I was raised, understandably, from birth to root
    for the Buckeyes.  But things have changed:
    
    1) Bay firing home boy Earl for winning 75%
    2) Cooper warning Robert not to waste time studing General Chemistry
    3) Natural grass in Ann Arbor
    4) Moeller's wide open offense in his first bowl game
    
    Leary, don't kid yourself.  In those late 80s wins at Ann Arbor you
    could count on two things: 1) Bo running a stupid predictacle offense
    that faled to exploit his great O talent and played into the hands of
    stacked defenses, and 2) Bo, stupid Dean Smith-like Bo, playing not to
    lose and dropping his LBs when the hammer was down to give up
    successive yard no-contest completions to "prevent" a win, which he
    invariably managed.
    
    I don't think Moeller is that dumb. Times have changed, and the Wolves
    have a new, much more modern, coach.  Lawdy knows they have some
    seriously skeery talent (as will be proven on FSU day) and the Irish
    are gonna git spanked and you're gonna eat crow.  
    
    And best of all, as a_ex-hippie, the game will be played on grass...
    
    Big10 Bigot Tom

    A few people have mentioned the t.v. contract about ND and NBC, well
    this game has nothing to do with it, it's on ABC, ND's contract is
    for all their home games.
    
                                                         Dan

    
    Anybody know who Bobby Knight's coaching idol is?  Yep, you guessed it,
    ol' Glenn (Bo) Schembechler.  Called him the finest coach a anything in
    America...
    
    glenn
    

    Bob's accomplishmentws stand by themselves, apart from any untoward
    utterances he may or may not have allegedly made.  I think Bob is 
    unconsciously jealous a Bo's awesome recruiting prowess.
    
    Big10 Tom  

    T
    	Tis beneath you to stoop to making excuses for the Blew and
    (a)Maized. They can do it all theirselves. So wha' happened to 
    Michigan last year. Moeller was there, not Bo , and they still
    let it get away. Mind you, in '87 and '89, Michigan let nothing get
    away, the Irish out and out beat em. BTW, if'n Michigan wins,and
    there's a good possibility, I'll be glad to eat crow. I's a main's
    man and stand behind ma prognostications. Irish will win, FWIW 
    
    
    Lou's wife (Leisha)
    Funny you should mention Zingerman's. In one of the ND foosball mags,
    Zingerman's is mentioned as a great deli to visit and urges all
    Irish rooters to try a "Wayne's Inheritance" sangwich if'n you can
    get into the place. Also mentioned are "Chicago Dog House" and The
    Full Moon for 100 varieties of beer. Nothing mentioned about Rick's
    tho'. I guess y'all can drown yer sorrows after the game, whilst Irish
    fans celebrate. 8^) Sigh, I have to make it to Ann Arbor for a game,and
    since I want to see the 'Rines win a game, I better go see 'em play
    IU I guess. 8^)
    
    MikeL
    
    
    

    Glenn,
    	Say it ain't so. BobKnight idolizin' Bo?  Mebbe Bob mistakenly
    walked by T's room at Ah U, sniffed some particular odor , reeled and
    saw a picture of rictus-grin Bo , and was forever smitten. Thank the
    Lord he didn't start  chokin, as it coulda become permanent!
    
    A few back, Walt
    
    Go back to RPI and start a real football program. Call it the Rensalaer
    Polytech. Institute Propella-Haids  (RPIP, emphasis on PIP). Your
    mascots could be Cecil and Beany. 8^), 8^)
    BTW, Howard scares me, I think he might be a little better receiver
    than Rocket, but lacking the tailback talent. He's a load, tho.
    
    MikeL
    

    re .39 and .40
    
    This is it!  What all UM alumni, fans, speakers of correctly
    pronounced "r-r-r's", Zingerman faithfuls, and white castle-clogged
    artery people have been waiting for.  The question on the minds
    of people who put up with 250 overcast days per year.  When will
    UM beat ND ???!!!!  Will this be the year ?  Will it launch UM
    into a top-3 position for the year ??  Will it finally mean that
    UM might be trying for a decent position in the AP Poll for a change ??
    Is it possible that UM (and Moeller) might be interested in more
    than the popsycle-stand crown ????
    
    UM is better positioned than it has been in some time.  It has the
    talent (except maybe at QB)...it has the speed...it has the
    experience...it should know enough about ND and Holz...they are
    playing at home (at least 6-7 points)....they have their new grass...
    they got the schedule changed so they could play a practice game
    against BC (they were supposed to play BC on the 21st - will now be
    a week off to prepare for FSU)...it's their first home game this
    year...the first game with the Band AND the Cheerleaders...the big
    chance for Moeller to finally prove himself unique from Bo (and that
    he's not stradled with not being able to win the big ones)...and...
    it's just got to be.
    
    Let's take a quick look at how they match up:
    
    Ricky Powers and Desmond Howard looked very good last week.  I think
    they could have really used Jon Vaughn.  Vaughn was explosive (nearly
    6 yds/carry) and allowed UM to mix up the running and passing more than
    they could in the first quarter last week.  His moving to the Pros removed
    some blazingly fast speed and excellent change-direction running
    ability.  Elvis looked pretty weak last week (as usual).  He does not
    read defenses well, throws eratic when he gets riled-up, he looks
    clumsy, and is not good at fast keeper option sweeps or keepers up the
    middle or off-tackle.  The offensive line committed many errors
    (penalties) last week, and they were continually penetrated by the
    BC defense in the first 3 quarters.  The UM defense showed 2 major
    flaws last week...(1) They couldn't contain the short yardage runs
    up the middle and off tackle, and (2) they could not (almost at all)
    stop the 10-20 yard quick-out pass to a TE or WR.  This will be crucial
    this Saturday.  In ND's game last week (I watched the re-run Sunday
    night) against Indiana, they kept doing a few things VERY well...
    (1) they executed wide out and quick-out (over the middle) passes for
    10-20 yards VERY well.  Mirer had a very good game.  He ran for quite
    a few yards himself, performed option sweeps very well, and moved very
    well while in the pocket too.  ND's tight ends played very well too.
    ND's defensive line did a very good job, but the secondary had a poor
    first half.  
    
    ND's strengths and their best performance areas (from last week), are
    in areas where UM is a bit weak. 
    
    Another key to this game will be Gary Moeller.  He will be playing
    against one of the best coaches today (Holz - even though I dislike
    him alot).  He must prove himself, and remove himself somewhat from
    the Bo shadow.  He had better have the UM players VERY well prepared
    (mentally and analytically) for this one.  Last week it appeared that
    the UM team did not prepare at all for that game.  It looked like noone
    watched any films or read any scouting reports, practiced against BC-
    type plays, or anything.  That will not cut it on Saturday. 
    play better than they have in quite a while, to take this one.
    
    Chris Hutchinson was injured for the last couple weeks , but played
    3/4 of the game against BC.  He will be sorely needed on Sat.
    
    A real star in the BC game, was Eddie Azcona (punter).  He made some
    of the best punts I have ever seen in college football.  He should
    have a record year.  JD Carlson broke a UM single point scoring record
    on Sat (for consecutive points).  He missed one FG that he should have
    had, but looked pretty good otherwise.  The narrower goal-posts this
    year will cause havoc with many kickers.  Eric Anderson should be
    in prime form (ILB) for Sat too.
    
    
    Summary -
    
    I think UM will need to:
    
     1) Contain and continually rush Mirer
     2) Stop the 10-20 yard quick-out passes
     3) Get a real good game from Grbac 
     4) Moeller better have done his homework
     5) It had better not rain (30% chance of showers are predicted
        for Ann Arbor on Sat afternoon (as of 11pm Thurs night) - UM
        has not held onto the ball well in the rain, nor passed very
        accurately.
    
    
    I have a better and more hopeful score for this game.
    
       - Michigan   33
       - ND         29
    
    
    We are leaving tomorrow night, and will be in 50 yard-line seats.
    It will certainly be one of the most exciting games UM has played.
    The FSU game (2 weeks later) should be exciting too, but this is
    traditional rivalry (other than USU) and pride, and college standings,
    and Moeller, and everything rolled up together.  It also got the
    highest dollar amounts (paid to the television network) for commercial
    air time, of any regaular season college football game to date.  Then
    it's got to be important, right ?
    
    
    Lou
    college gain to date

    MikeL, good idea about prop-heads at RPI.  Isn't that where they filmed
    "Flubber".  
    
    Big10 Joe,
    
    It sounds like most of these noters have not felt what it's like to be at a
    sold out UM/ND game in UM Stadium.  104,000 people screeming,
    
      G-O-O-O-H !!!!   B-L-E-U-U-U-U !!!!!! 
    
    and feeling thew tundering motion of the biggest and best wave
    generator crowd in the world.  
    
    You got it right...
    
    
               GO BLUE!    GO BLUE!!     GO BLUE!!! 
    
    BTW, Bo is sports anchor now, doing a college pre-game show (I think
    on ABC), starting this Saturday.  I think it's on at 11:30am Sat.
    Will be interesting to hear what he has to say about Saturday's game
    and his comments of prediction on all the game coming up.  Wonder if
    he'll be an extra-conservative announcer too...
    
    
    Lou

    Well tomorrow's the big day in Ann Arbor.  Although they're forcasting 
    rain, that should not dampen the spirits of the Wolverines.
    
    Re .50
    
    I went to Jr and Sr High School in Columbus, with some of my friends
    becoming Cheerleaders and Pep Band members in the Buckeye marching
    band.  My whole family roots for the Buckeye's year after year, and
    consider me a bad egg for being a blue fan.  Oh well...sometimes you
    have to take your lumps when you're right ;-) .
    
    
    Re. 54 
    
    Beer's definitely a main menu item at the Blue Moon Saloon in Ann
    Arbor...it's a crowded little place with a wall lined with
    international brands of beer and ale.  It's also walking distance from
    the stadium...of course what isn't in that town...so we'll definitely
    stop in for a refreshment!
    
    Re .56
    
    Get that man a new career !!  writing for the Ann Arbor News, Michigan
    Daily, Sporting News...
    
    
    Looking forward to a great weekend.  Will check in on Sunday p.m.
    
     - Leisha  (UM MSME '85)

    Lou and Leisha,
    Have a great weekend! Nothing like an electrically-charged football
    weekend to get ya goin' I'm envious. At least some of us will be
    smilin' on Sunday (hope it's me).
    
    Go Irish,
    MikeL
    

    re .56
    
    Good overview.  I would point out, though, that the play patterns
    ND looked so good at against the Hoosiers were aimed at exploiting
    IU's spotty talent level.  Mallory is still in the middle of bringing
    the Hoosier program up from the absolute dregs, and against ND he
    saw Holtz picking on his 230 lb DE (who looks more like 220 to me),
    his outside linebacker with 4.7 speed, etc.  IU has some fine athletes
    and some guys who, to put it kindly, are "playing within themselves."
    
    It'll be a little tougher for Mirer to look so cool in the pocket or
    outrun secondary players against Michigan's monster DLs, LBs, and 
    secondary:
    
    Michigan  33, Irish 17
    
    Big10 Tom

    Hey Lou, I was backing Michigan, what the heck?
    
    What are all the prop-heads gonna do once they perfect it?  Give it
    to the Irish Leprechaun? (ooh, that's a great mascot...)
    
    I know the game is on ABC.  You don't think ABC really wants ND to
    go undefeated and kill their ratings, do ya?  Plus Bo is there...
    Nuff said...
    

    Walt,
    
    Bo will be sending negative vibes to the Wolverines even from studio
    Maybe he should ask BobKnight fer a job at IU and recruit fer the 
    Gen'ral.
    
    BTW, whatsammatta with the Leprechaun? Better than a box of Irish
    Spring!!
    
    MikeL
    

    
    Whew !!!
    
    I few days outta town and you come back to find that there are fans of
    that big ten beast the "Maize and Blue".  I luv those wolves'.  Even
    though I've had my heart ripped out by in some of the big games i can't
    get the blue outta ma heart.  I got sold on UM as a kid growing up in
    Michigan and one, and only one, game with Ohio State in Michigan
    stadium with 100,000+ crazed fans.  One experience like that you're a
    lif'a.
    
    Wolverines 31
    
    Notre Dame 21
    
    
    Go!!
    
        Blue!!
    
              Blue!!
    
                    Blue!!
    
    
    Roy L.

    re .59 - .63
    
    Wow!!!  What a %$#@@ game!!!
    That was the greatest football game I have ever experienced (being
    there).  
    
    MikeL - it's definitely me smiling on Sunday.
    
    Big10 Tom - We were in control of the entire game (except for that one
    strong passing drive).
    
    Roy L - The attendance was 106,546 at UM Stadium!!! It was fantastic!!!
    
    re 61 - (::ASHE) - you backed the right horse (UM) 
    
    
    Even though I am speechless, I will try to explain what it was like to
    be there for the greatest football game ever played.
    
    The weather in Ann Arbor was predicted for heavy rain beginning
    around 2-4pm Saturday afternoon; Mirer (in pre-game) told the world
    that ND would romp; ESPN predicted an ND win; and, ND fans and alumni
    got 20,000 tickets to the game.  
    
    
    FRIDAY
    
    We flew to Detroit Friday night, and stayed in Ann Arbor.  Downtown
    Ann Arbor was overflowing with students and visitors.  The Grill was
    really rockin', and the Full Moon bar was full to capacity.  The
    weather was great Friday night (about 70 degrees at 11pm).  All the
    UM paraphernalia shops were open very late, and many people were
    buying their last minute rain ponchos, flags, hats, and shirts for the
    big show the next day.
    
    
    SATURDAY
    
    On Saturday, the town was hoping with people from all over the U.S.
    Zingerman's and Kerrytown were crowded with UM and ND fans and
    students.  After Noontime, State Street started backing up for miles
    (vehicles).  Thousands of people were pulling into the golfcourse
    (for a small fee) for tailgating.  UM fans do the best college tail-
    gating.
    
    Three hours before gametime, there were thousands of tailgate parties
    going full tilt, and the Stadium area was beginning to swell with
    people.  Two hours before, and there were hundreds of ticket scalpers
    and potential buyer-in-need huddled around the entrances.
    
    Leisha and I already had out tickets.  2 seats about half-way up right
    on the 50 yardline.  They were the best seats I've ever had for any
    game - let alone a UM/ND battle.
    
    One hour before - and we were inside the Stadium.  Looked great.
    The new grass field looked like it was always there.  UM went to great
    lengths to build a pretty elaborate drainage system under the field
    surface, and it was now ready for the first UM home game.
    
    The weather stayed a little cloudy in the early afternoon, and
    threatened rain for an hour or so, but it never rained!!  In fact,
    by the 3rd quarter, the Sun began peeking through.
    
    The UM Band put on a great show (pre-game, half-time, and post-game).
    ND didn't even bring there band.  Too bad, maybe they could've used
    'em.
    
    Five minutes before game-time.  The UM players are running through the
    large UM banner, and onto the field!!!  The band is playing, and
    106,000 fans are screeming!!!  What a place for playing football!!
    Now "this" is a football game.
    
    Michigan won 24-14.  They played exceptionally well.  The greatest part
    (for me) of the game, was Moeller calling a few non-typical plays,
    and broke out of the Bo mold.  The double reverse flee-flicker and
    the end-zone pass on 4th and 1 were unbelievable.  Most of you must
    have watched the game, so I won't go into every little detail, but
    my votes for "Players-of the Game" are (in this order):
    
      1) Eric Anderson (#37 - ILB)
      2) Ricky Powers  (#12 - TB)
      3) Desmond Howard (#21 - SE)
      4) Gary Moeller
      5) Elvis Grbac
    
    I'll give more details on the game tomorrow.
    
    It was great in football heaven on Saturday.  The greatest
    game I have ever experienced.
    
    
    Lou

    
    "THE GAME"
    
    Michigan was in control most of the entire game.  There were 3
    attempted drives where ND looked pretty good, but for the most part
    Michigan owned the game.  Of the 3 good ND drives, one had Mirer
    throwing 30 yarders right down the field; one had Mirer running
    sweep options (for about 5-7 yards a clip); and the other saw ND
    execute a couple quick-outs where Derek Brown ran for 20-30 yards
    after catching the quick one over the middle.  ND only really turned
    one of these into a successful drive, and ended up putting it into
    the EZ.  
    
    Mirer was troubled all day.  He didn't know how to operate with UM
    putting on so much pressure.  He did keep trying though - he continued
    to try the option sweeps, the 30 yard play action passes, and would
    try and run himself whenever he thought he might be able to break it
    open.  Their kick-off kicker did very well all day, and Hentrich did
    fair on punting (but not great).  This time Holz was pretty
    predictable.  ND did try to mix up their plays, but they used their
    typical types of calls throughout the game.  Mirer was not accurate in
    most of the first half.  His passes were off by alot.  In the second
    half he was able to throw with more authority and more accurately, but
    UM's defense worked just well enough to break up many attempts (the
    ones that really counted).
    
    UM executed pretty well thoughout the game.  There were 3 good ND
    drives where UM's defense weakened for a while, but stayed sharp most
    of the game.  It was a very physical game, and a number of good people
    were hurt.  Steve Everitt (UM's Center) was hit in the mouth on a very
    physical play and lost his helmet.  He took a few good shots in the
    face on that one, and was bleeding alot.  They had to haul him off the
    field on a flatbed.  Hope he will be ok in 2 weeks.  ND had 3 players
    hurt, and 2 out of 3 appear like short-term injuries.
    
    "The Lou Player-of-the-Game" is definitely Erick Anderson.  He saved
    3 ND touchdowns single handedly.  On the one run by ND's Derek Brown,
    Erick was the last UM person capable of stopping the TD, and made a
    diving tackle in the open field to stop ND cold.  He made more than
    38 tackles in the game, and in many of those, he saved big gainers or
    TDs.  He was all over the field, and was able to read the ND offense
    very well (he's the Defensive Captain).
    
    Ricky Powers had a great day too.  He did a great job of zig-zag
    running, and showed some blazzing speed.  He has really improved this
    year (he was good last year, but got even better).  He averaged 6.8 
    yds/carry in this game, and allowed Moeller/Elvis to execute passes
    when they needed to - due to his major ground threat.  He gained
    more than 165 yds and also put some great blocks on when Legette and
    others had the ball.
    
    Desmond Howard - what can you say...he is having a great year.  He
    executed on the short play action passes, he ran from the backfield,
    he made the "college catch of the week" on the EZ catch for a TD - when
    Moeller called a 25 yard EZ pass on a 4th and 1 !!!!  Is this really
    Moeller ???  Amazing...he had everyone totally fooled (including the guys
    in the Blimp, Brent in the booth, Holz, most ND players, the entire
    106,500 people in the stands, and the ND Leprichon).  The amazing part
    was, that 2 ND secondary defensemen weren't fooled.  They were covering
    Howard real well running out toward the corner.  Howard just turned on
    the turbos at the last second, and dove.  He reached out as far as his
    body would allow, and made a spectacular catch.  If Elvis hadn't over-
    thrown him a bit, it would have been knocked down or intercepted.  The
    throw and catch was excellent.  It was a *very* risky call and
    execution though, and required every inch of Howard's arm length.
    
    Needless to say Moeller called a different game for Michigan.  He
    opened the game up a great deal.  UM actually passed 5 times on 1st
    downs.  When was the last time anyone has seen UM do that (I think in
    1882 ??).  Moeller mixed things up pretty well - when he had to.
    The 4th and 1 play was a very risky and amazing call, but it worked!!
    This is the new UM this year, and a new Moeller.  The Mold is finally
    broken.  Must have been hard though...Moeller has been at UM for 18
    years as an assistant!!!  Imagine 18 years under one type of head-set
    (run, run, throw....run, run, run....run, run, throw....etc...).
    Well he did it though.  
    
    Michigan is now off for 2 weeks to rest up and get prepared for FSU at
    UM Stadium (Sept 28th).  The ND game was even more important to me, but
    this upcoming game will be the college superbowl in September.  
    
    I don't really care right now...I'm in my glory.  I got to see the
    greatest game I ever saw.
    
    
    Lou   

    Michigan finally did it!  But they did let it get close there after
    leading 17-zip.  If they would've blown this one I don't think they
    would've recovered all season.  ND's TD right before the half was very
    crucial in keeping the game close in the 2nd half.
    
    UM's O-line was awesome.  They were running right over the Irish.  And
    that last drive of the game Powers was wouldn't be denied.  I was
    rollin' when Holtz was teed off after Powers ran thru the ND defense on
    a 3rd down run in that drive.
    
    About the only Michigan didn't do was put pressure on Mirer.  They were
    stuffing the ND ground game, and if they could've pressured Mirer, UM
    may have pitched a shutout.
    
    Despite the outcome of the play, I thought the 4th and 1 call was a bad
    one.  Can you imagine the criticism Moeller would've taken if that play
    didn't work and ND went on to win? (ND very well might have if this play
    doesn't work.)  I agree with UM going for it on 4th with only a 3-point
    lead, I  just thought the particular call was too risky.  Great catch
    by Howard though.
    
    ABC gave player-of-the-game to Howard, but Howard, Powers, and Elvis
    were equally deserving IMO.
    
    I think FSU will beat Michigan in 2 weeks.
    
    
    Joe

    
    > Despite the outcome of the play, I thought the 4th and 1 call was a bad
    > one.  Can you imagine the criticism Moeller would've taken if that play
    > didn't work and ND went on to win?
    
    A *very* bad call.  Grbak didn't see the switch in the ND defense that
    left Howard in regular coverage.  The inside man for ND blew the play
    by looking back, too, and it still took a perfect pass and great catch 
    to pull it off.  A great, game-deciding play, but one you can be sure
    Moeller will be reviewing before use in any future games.
    
    Bo summed it up best: "It would have been incomplete for me..."
    
    glenn
    

    I think Anderson also deserves some level of "Player of the Game" 
    recognition for his excellent play, including robbing ND of the 1st 
    half TD with his lone tackle.
    
     - Leisha

    Good game, but Michigan needs to develop more of a killer instinct. 
    They had the Irish on the ropes, and let them back into it.  The score
    shouldn't have been closer than 24-7.  FSU will blow them out if they 
    play like that against them.
    
    That 4th and 1 was a beauty, but Bo never would've called it!  Nice to
    have a coach to let the kids play.
    
    Mike

    Michigan should have won alot bigger (24-0), sure.  They should not
    have thrown that 4th and 1 pass into double coverage (to "magic").
    They could have made their pressure on the ND O-line more obvious to
    the TV viewers. And, yes Bo would never have called that 4th and 1
    play..., but THEY WON and they beat ND!  They played better as a team
    than they have in 2-3 years.  They executed 5 new plays that they haven't
    even attempted before.  Their great talent have increased their confidence
    tremendously.  ND went down.  They now have a good shot at ending up in
    the top 3. And, Moeller learned a little about what might be possible when
    a coach gets a little creative (who knows what he might consider trying
    now).  
    
    The game was replayed on the Sportschannel last night.  Having seen it
    live the first time (being there), watching the Sportschannel version
    was worth seeing.  It became obvious that the TV viewer had a limited
    view of what was going on at all times.  The coverages, the play
    patterns, the bench <--> field players interactions, and the effects of
    other things going on within the stadium.
    
    FSU is good.  They have a great QB and pretty good overall defense.  I
    think they are alot more closely matched to UM than most of you think.
    It will be a hard-faught close game, and there will be some points
    scored (with these two offenses, there would have to be).  UM will be
    in it all the way, and they will not get blown out like some of you
    might think.  They might even WIN !!  Better yet, they will win.  
    
    
    Lou

    
    
    
    BTW - "Rocket" Ismial suffered a serious concussion over the weekend in
    a CFL game in Toronto.  He was able to walk off the field, and then
    collapsed on the sideline.  He was put in intensive care yesterday
    afternoon, and they are running tests today.  
    
    Hope he's ok.
    
    
    Lou

    re Rocket -
    
    He was really cheap-shotted in that game.  I saw the clip on the CBC
    feed from Vancouver.  
    
    Rocket returned a punt, was down from the tackle, when a guy from
    Calgary named Whicklum or something came in, helmet first, and speared
    Rocket in the Neck/Shoulder/Head region.   THe Argo's GM wants the guy
    suspended from the league.  The guy said if Rocket weren't a
    millionaire, no one would care....
    
    JD

    Lou,
    As I stated in the ND file, congrats to the Wolverines. They won hands
    down , had the better team, and proved it. No excuses. 
    I know you were there, but don't denigrate ND by saying that you
    shoulda won 24-0, been a blow-out,etc. I'll chalk that up to an
    understandable emotional reaction. ND proved to me that they belonged
    on the same field as Michigan by coming back to score 14 straight to
    climb to within three. At that point I thought ND had a chance, albeit
    a so-so one, to keep the momentum on their side and get up on the
    Wolverines. The stronger team prevailed ,however, and that was all
    she wrote. And Mike H., I don't believe Michigan *let* ND back into
    it when it was 17-0, ND simply executed on two straight drives. As Lou
    pointed out, ND really  had three drives where they showed some
    consistency on offense. I think the Tony Brooks fumble after the long
    Derek Brown reception really hurt ND when it was 10-0. Michigan
    recovered and went 80 yards culminating in the Howard end-around. That
    was a great call and superbly executed by the Michigan "O" in tearing
    huge holes in the over-pursuing Irish D. At that point, I think ND
    had too large a deficit to make up against a superior team. Well, at
    least there was some glimmer of hope in the third quarter.
    
    Not to denigrate Michigan's offense, as it did a great job of
    ball-control, but I think the Irish defense has a lot of work to do.
    Rush defense and pass rush was simply overmatched. The criticism I
    have for the Irish D is basic. TACKLING. The Irish in both games this
    year have not shown any decent ability to tackle at all. Several
    times during this game, Michigan kept drives alive by second efforts
    due to poor tackling by the Irish D. Hey, I can handle being outplayed
    by a superior offense, which the Irish defense was, but to aid and abet
    the enemy by poor tackling is unpalatable. Oh well, I'm done. Michigan
    won deservedly so.
    
    BTW, since I am an Irish fan, I cannot in good conscience do the
    intellectually dishonest thing and root for Michigan the rest of the
    year to clean up the Big Ten and win the Mythical. So, a pox on the
    football team, may a plague of locusts descend upon every practice,
    game etc. 8^), 8^)
    
    Seriously, congrats and good luck to Michigan. Till next year,
    when WE'LL be looking for revenge.
    
    Ciao,
    MikeL
     
    
    

>    she wrote. And Mike H., I don't believe Michigan *let* ND back into
>    it when it was 17-0, ND simply executed on two straight drives. As Lou
    
    I disagree.  Michigan showed some inexperience by letting up because
    they thought they were in control.  ND took advantage of their slack
    attitude of that time.  That's what I mean by killer instinct.  FSU
    will bury them if they don't play for 4 quarters.
    
    Mike

                                           
>>    she wrote. And Mike H., I don't believe Michigan *let* ND back into
>>    it when it was 17-0, ND simply executed on two straight drives. As Lou
    
 >   I disagree.  Michigan showed some inexperience by letting up because
 >   they thought they were in control.  ND took advantage of their slack
 >   attitude of that time.  That's what I mean by killer instinct.  FSU
 >   will bury them if they don't play for 4 quarters.
    
    Nonsense.  You could make that argument if it were only the one
    touchdown, but that should have been enough to knock Michigan to their 
    senses if it was simply a case of a letdown.  Notre Dame may not have
    an all-around team to their usual standards, but their offense is a
    fine one.  It's no disgrace to surrender a couple of TDs to them...
    
    As for Florida State, the operative word that comes to mind is
    "overhyped".  I think Michigan has the personnel to play with them, and
    they've got a big pressure game against a top-notch opponent under their 
    belts that FSU doesn't have (no offense to BYU, but this does not appear 
    to be a strong Cougar team).  The game is in Ann Arbor, and I like
    Michigan...
    
    glenn
    

    re .72 - Rocket
    
    JD,
    I saw the news clip too.  It was a very cheap shot.   Rocket's coach
    has asked that the culprit be tossed from the league, but nothing has
    been done thus far.  Hope there is no permenant damage.
    
    Lou

    I still don't agree.
    
    Brent & Co. were in awe over ND's tight end all afternoon, but I was
    more impressed by Tony Smith.  The TE is good, but I thought Smith was
    their bright spot of the day.

    .64�    Roy L - The attendance was 106,546 at UM Stadium!!! It was fantastic!!!
    
    	How cain something like 106+K  be comfortable in a stadium that
    should only *seat* 80K?
    
    	Sounds like the money grabbers are getting loaded.
    
    B.A.

    MikeL,
    Thank you for your supporting comments
    
    Glenn,
    I agree with you too.  FSU has not played a real team for some time.
    On a one-to-one player match-up, I would be more worried about Florida
    than FSU.  Seriously though, FSU will be a very tough apponent for UM.
    It will be a close game, and UM has an equal shot at winning that game.
    
    BTW - Even if UM gets by FSU, they will still have a few tough games
    to play during their season.  Iowa has been difficult for UM in the
    past couple years, and OSU will not be real easy either.  That rivalry
    seems to always be a close game.  Lucky it's at UM this year.
    
    
    Here we go again with "what-if" -
    
    BTW, If UM does beat FSU, consider that Washington is loaded with talent
    this year (and not too many people have noticed). Wash could move up
    (from #4) to #2 or #3.  Would make a much more interesting Rose Bowl
    (UM against Wash).  If Miami or Fla ends up with a loss, UM could end
    up playing for the National title....forget I said that.
    
    
    Hey!!  anyone know the current condition of the Rocket (Ismial) ??
    They said yesterday that they determined that he sustained a pretty
    serious concussion to the head and upper neck, and that he would need
    to remain in intensive care (what a slime-ball that shmuck was that
    laid that late hit on him) in the CFL game this weekend.
    
    
    
    Lou

    B.A. - 
    
    There are 101,765 actual comfortable seats at UM Stadium, and you can
    see very well from anywhere in the stands.  I guess the additional 4K+
    were standing (they did say "standing room only").  It was a great
    crowd.  The Wave was done very well in the 4th quarter, and the
    atmosphere was beyond words.  
    
    
    Lou

    > Hey!!  anyone know the current condition of the Rocket (Ismial) ??
    > They said yesterday that they determined that he sustained a pretty
    > serious concussion to the head and upper neck, and that he would need
    > to remain in intensive care (what a slime-ball that shmuck was that
    > laid that late hit on him) in the CFL game this weekend.
    
     from the Denver Post:
    
    "Rocket Ismail probably won't miss any games because of the concussion
    he sustained Sunday in Toronto's Canadian Football League loss Sunday
    at Calgary, Argonauts general manager Mike McCarthy said."
    
    Cowboy

    Go Blue, beat FSU.  Michigan's on a roll and will prevail 
    throughout, playing for a Nat'l Title against Washington on 
    New Year's Day.
    
    A lotta things have changed for the better since Bo went:
    
    1) Grass field
    2) Better coach in Moeller
    3) No Bo
    
    Big10 Tom

    
    -.1
    
    I don't how they come upon seating arrangements around the upper part
    of the stadium but the lower level sat in reasonable degree of comfort
    as best I remember.  I go to Atlanta Falcon games quite frequently and
    seating isn't any more comfortable than in Michigan Stadium.  Besides
    its not just a game at UM it is a happening.  Why deny any diehard fan
    or party animal from the opportunity of being in one place with 106,545
    of thier closest friends and buddies. 
    
    Roy L.

    What a move by Desmond on that reverse, and what a call by Mo.  I love
    the way he deked that tackler on his outside by showing him his right
    leg and hip, only to pull it all back in and rocket by the guy and his
    rubbery legs.
    
    Also pleasing was Elvis' play.  Has he (finally) moved up from Elvis-
    the-Erratic to Elvis-the-Efficacious?  He sure was last Saturday.  He
    was right on with his throws, and even despite pressure and changing
    defenses I don't think he made a single dumb play.  With good QB play
    from Elvis the Wolves could finally take their Title (and I ain't
    talking the popsickle stand kind).
    
    Big10 Tom

    Agreed,
    Elvis looked steady and composed. I'd like to see him under some real
    pressure, tho. Don't kid yourself T, the Irish D, while stunting,
    offered meager pass rush in combo with the prowess of Michigan's
    " O " line = unlimited clock for Elvis to pinpoint passing against
    steady but beleagured Irish secondary. FSU will provide that pressure.
    
    MikeL
     
    
    

    MikeL and Big10 Tom -
    
    Elvis did do a good job last Saturday.  He has been very erratic and
    a bit inconsistant previously.  He looked erratic two weeks ago against
    BC, but did much better last week (ND).  
    
    The sports rags all have him pegged for Heisman stuff next year, but
    I'm not certain he'll reach those levels.  He will definitely complete
    alot of passes with UM this year and next.  That's not my problem (with
    him).  He looks a little clumbsy most of the time, and is not able to
    run the option sweep consistantly.  He holds the ball clumbsily, and
    looks awkward in a full-speed run.  He stands move back, and stays in
    the pocket for a long time, and sometimes has trouble reading the
    defense.  Therefore, has trouble figuring out who to throw to while
    bodies are flying around him.
    
    He has matured alot this year though, and he is *very* comfortable
    throwing to his old high school teammate, (Magic) Desmond Howard.
    I think he has broken out of his shy play style, and has learned how
    to shed some of the clumbsiness.  He will have a great year this year.
    If (oh no, here we go with "what-ifs" again) UM beats FSU, Iowa, and
    OSU, Elvis will end up rated right up there with the top 5 QBs in
    college this year.  It will definitely help him toward the big "H"
    niminations next year.
    
    
    Lou

    I think Mo should drop that option sweep altogether and let Elvis
    be efficacious in the pocket where he belongs.
    
    re Tripp Wellborn
    
    The Vikes are talking to Wellborn again.  Idea is to sign him and
    bring him up to rehab the knee.  He's looking for a contract with a
    decent guarantee and some contingency clauses, a fair demand, given
    his option to rehab and enter the market next year as a free agent.
    A lotta people up here are upset that the Vikes are pinching pennies
    in pursuing Tripp, cuz worst case they'd lose a few hundred thou 
    (pennies to any NFL franchise), while the upside is to have one a the
    most remarkable safeties to come outta college since the likes of
    Viking Joey Browner, Ronnie Lott, and, more recently, that Spoilermaker
    Woodson.
    
    Big10 Tom  

    FSU at Michigan, saturday on ABC at noon, this should be one hell 
    of a game.
    
                                              Dan

    Is FSU-Micigan a national telecast or onea those gawdawful 'regional'
    fiascos? And at least we won't have to listen to that stupid 'war cry'.
    I have to turn the sound off on their home games.
                                   Denny

    It is a nationally telivised game followed by a regional game.

 Go <whoever wins this game> !!!   Whatta team !!!
 
 Bob Hunt

    
               Update on Michigan - Florida State Game 
    
    
    Yes, the game will be on National television at 12:00 Noon. 
    Unfortunately, Bo will do the halftime analysis again.
     
    As Dean Howe (Ann Arbor News Sports Reporter) put it after the ND game,
    "Bye, Bo: It's Mo's team now".  He also reported that, "all of Ann Arbor
    and the UM Administration is real glad that Bo's trademarks are
    beginning to fade and Mo's are beginning to be felt".  
    Just after the down-and-out pass catch by Howard (on 4th and 1), Bo's
    comment was (on National TV), "when I tried that pass play, somebody
    always dropped the pass".  Dean Howe commented, "Bo would never have
    called that play...he never did call that play, and he would have
    severely scolded anyone who may have suggested it".
    
    UM's star Center - Steve Everitt - was hurt in the ND game, and will
    be out of action at least 3 weeks (too bad).  He sustained a fractured
    jaw, a large cut in his tongue, and lost several teeth.  Mo said that
    his helmet kept coming off in previous plays, and it was off when the
    injury was sustained.  Word on Monday (this week) is, that he will miss
    the FSU game.
    
    This week Elvis explained what he did to prepare for the ND game.
    He spent 4 hours each day watching films of last year's UM/ND loss.
    He said that he was "very intimidated and impatient" in last year's
    game.  He told himself that he would put in a 200% effort at being
    more patient, relaxed, and focused on opportunities.  He says that he
    will continue the patient attitude against FSU, but that he will be
    aggressive when necessary.
    
    Anderson had a great game last week. He made 9 solo tackles, and
    contributed to some well-executed defensive plays.  This week, he
    said he will be putting pressure on his (as defensive captain)
    secondary against FSU.  Anderson held special practices for
    the UM secondary last week and intensifying them this week.  He said,
    "we will see some exceptional play from the UM defensive secondary
    against FSU".  Hope that's true.
    
    Bobby Bowden (FSU coach) said that he wants to close out the last FSU
    season as an independent, with a National title (they join the ACC in
    '92).
    
    Casey Weldon (FSU QB) has been compared to Joe Montana this week by
    local Tallahassee news media.  He is healthy, and should continue
    showing his ability to be very mobile, run the option real well, and
    will be continuing to throw a high percentage of 20-25 yard down-and-
    outs.  Look for Warren Hart (FSU TE) to be involved in key 3rd down
    short yardage pass plays.  He has been very successful this year.
    Knox and Baker (WR) will keep the pressure on the UM secondary all
    game long.  They have combined for considerable pass receiver yardage
    thus far.
    
    
    BOTTOM LINE
    
    UM will need to keep their running defense in tact, while doing their
    best job yet at secondary pass defense.  All this, while trying to
    contain Weldon.  The FSU defense has done "fair" against the run, and
    can give up yardage against a strong passing game.  Their defense is
    rated fiarly well, but I don't rate their defense in the top 10.  Their
    offensive execution is their strength.  Even when you think you've
    contained Weldon and have covered their receivers, they find some way
    of completing a pass for a 1st down.  UM will be truly tested with this
    game.  The UM Special Teams should play a key role in this game, and
    J.D's field goal abilities will be key, as well.
    
    If UM can muster what's needed and win (did I say if?), they will have
    another under-rated test a week later against a strong Iowa team, at 
    Iowa.  
    
    BTW, Washington won against Nebraska last week (watched it), but made
    lots of mistakes.  They did win though, and that's what counts.  Their
    schedule is pretty easy now, for the rest of the season.  Therefore,
    if UM can stomp the seminoles, there's a real good chance for a Rose Bowl
    National Chamionship game on Jan 1st.
    
    Will have further updates before Saturday.
    
    
    Lou
    
     
    
    
   

    BTW -
    Just wanted to make an unbiased comment about Saturday...
    
    
                             GO BLUE !!!
    
                             GO BLUE !!!
    
                             STOMP-FSU !!!
    
        GO BLUE !!!   GO BLUE !!!  GO BLUE !!!  GO BLUE !!!
    
     Hope they have good sound pick-ups near the band, so the fight song
     comes in loud and clear !!!

    Sheesh, ya win one game and it's nirvana city.
    Pretty soon they'll be movies galore about UM " Fielding Yost:
    All-America ", and " Win one for Dierdorf" All 8^)'s.
    
    Note all the Bo-purging goin' on. Kinda like the Russkies tearin'
    down statues of Lenin. "We all knew Bo was no good for all these
    years, even though we worshipped him all this time" Pretty soon
    Moeller' gonna have his own evangelical show. 8^)
    
    MikeL
     

    Yes, MikeL, the world is being resurected in Mo's image.
    
    BTW, a few more comments regarding "the" game.  It will hurt UM Sat.
    not having Alexander back yet (hurt) and Everitt (broken jaw).  Chris
    Hutchinson is still playing hurt, but should be able to play Sat.
    
    FSU is pretty healthy.  They have 3-deep reservists in the backfield.
    Lee and Bennett have had good season starts, and the FSU defensive
    secondary look *very* strong.  They have some minor weaknesses on their
    run defense and kicking team (real minor), but that's it.  They are
    a pretty strong team with lots of depth.  
    
    Mo and the company will have their work cut out, but they'll have
    the... "hail, hail, to Michigan, the Champions-of the West"
    
    Lou

    re: .94 and Bo-purgin'
    
    
    When we were recently in Ann Arbor, we noticed a new building with a
    sign "Schembeckler Building" next to Yost.  Looks like the U of M
    doesn't intend to purge him. 
    
    I lived in Columbus, Ohio during the Woody Hayes era.  Even when he
    punched out the camera guy on national television, the town was
    entirely supportive of Woody.  It was the pressure from outside of
    Columbus that forced him to move on.  
    
    In the Case of Bo, he's a legend in Ann Arbor.  The man had an 80%
    winning record in a town that lives and breaths for the University and
    its sports programs.  Bo-purging and bashing is sacraligous !  
    
    A new era of coaching at Michigan has arrived !!  Hail to the Bo era,
    and Hail to the Moe era of today.
    
     - Leisha

    Lou and Leisha,
    You guys are a tough combo to beat. Two reporters in the same famlee.
    Jest like Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell!
    
    Leisha, no criticism intended, but I got a little chuckle from your
    pronounced " Moe era ". HMM, with that spelling, the era could go
    either way. 8^). Methinks ya might have done it on porpoise, just
    in case Mo (Moe) fails!! 8^).
    
    Good luck Saturday. Actually, I hope Blue is undefeated when they
    invade East Lansing. The Spartans might have righted their ship by
    then, and clobber the Wolverines.
    
    MikeL
    

    
    Hey, didn't Amp Lee get hurt in FSU's opener?  Is he really at 100%?
    
    Amp Lee is kind of a modern-day Lydell Mitchell (who actually had 
    trouble finishing a couple of tenths below 5.0 in the 40!).  He's not 
    real fast by running back standards, but no one seems to be able to get
    a hold of him.  If Lee's mobility is affected by that knee sprain or
    whatever it was, he's not a breakaway threat...
    
    glenn
    

    As far as I've heard Lee is fine.  He has played in both of FSU's games
    since he was injured in the BYU game.
    
    If Michigan doesn't get more pressure on Weldon than they got on Mirer,
    FSU's gonna be lightin' up the scoreboard.  I would also expect
    Michigan will just pound away on the ground like they did against ND.
    
    Something to think about: with the early-season choke jobs these 2
    teams have become known in the past few years, this feature matchup
    might just end up in a tie.  :^)
    
    I think FSU will win.
    
    Didn't someone tell ABC that noon eastern time is too early for a big
    game like this?  Heck, that's 10 am here in CS - way too early for me.
    
    
    Joe

 Joe,
    	Get your butt outa bed you bum! :^)
    
    	We duck hunters have been up for 6 hours by then....
    
 Claybroon    

    Glenn,
    
    The Sunday Ann Arbor News said that Lee was ok for this Saturday, but
    to make certain after your note, I called the FSU Athletic Department.
    They claim that he will play Saturday, but he "may" see limited play
    time.  I think they thought I was trying to find out how the "betting
    line" might be changed, but they did tell me what we needed to know.
    
    I also called the Tallahassee Democrate (newspaper) Sports Desk.
    They said that Lee is scheduled to start and play the entire game.
    They said that he does not have an ankle problem.  They also said
    that Mike Morris (Offensive Line) was scheduled to start, but he
    re-injured his foot in practice this week.  He's the only known 
    starter that will not be able to play, according to their info.
    
    
    Lou 

    
    > The Sunday Ann Arbor News said that Lee was ok for this Saturday, but
    > to make certain after your note, I called the FSU Athletic Department.
    
    Wow, now that's devotion!  I'm impressed...
    
    glenn
    

    MikeL,
    
    While you are glued to the tube this Saturday, check out the headphones
    that Moe wears...the spelling is M-O-E.  Perhaps this is the way he'd 
    rather see it spelled?  Perhaps he'd rather avoid too many parallels to 
    B-O?  Place your bets...could mean MO with the "E" designation for his
    Ear...naw that's too silly.
    
    Let me know what you think after this Saturday.
    
     - Leisha

    Leisha,
    I'll check it out. I thought his headphones said "MO". Mo or Moe,
    he's a good coach. I'll catch some of the game, cuz I'll be tryin to
    find the ND-Purdue game (doubt it's on anywhere).  Besides,
    I cain't bear to watch them delirious UM fans whoopin' it up, 
    #1'n the cameras, singing that blasted fight song ad nauseum ( yea
    I know, we sing ours ad nauseum too). BTW, I know it's history and
    all that, but do ya think you can change the words a bit to reflect
    the current geographical topology of this here country ( Make it
    Champions of the Midwest, not West)!  8^)
    
    MikeL
    

    To Michigan fans, Michigan State is known as Moo U.
    
    John

    Moo U? I like that John. I'll be sure to relay that thme Spartan
    contact. I'm sure they've heard that before.
    
    Glenn,
    I too, like "Victors". And the ND and USC fight song. Take yer pick
    They're all inspiring.
    
    MikeL
    

    Actually, Wisconsin's fight song is the most copied, the tune having
    been used by many other colleges and hundreds a high schools.  Steal
    like ND's best, or IU's...
    
    GO BLUE, HUMILIATE FSU !!
    
    Big10 Tom

    Rocky Top is a pure plagiarism of Yale's fight song Down the Field.
    
    John

    
    Ha, you guys are funny...with all this fight song stuff.  The Victors
    is truly emotional AND motivational, and I'm sure all the others means
    alot to their alumni and fans.  
    
    Well, here we are.  Less than a day before the most important Michigan
    game in many years.  We haven't had a Big Ten team win the National
    Championship since the '60s.  No Big Ten team ever won the Big Ten
    3 years in a row.  UM has a chance to make it 4 (even though it was
    not outright last year).  They have their best shot at a possible
    National title if they can get by FSU (even though Iowa will not be
    a cake-walk).  
    
    I have 6 documents from 6 different major college sports analysts.
    3 of them have picked Michigan to win this game and the National title,
    and 3 have picked to do the same.  They all picked UM to win the 
    pop-stand title, and 5 of 6 picked Washington to finish 2nd or 3rd
    (nationally).      
    
    According to pre-season player-to-player match-ups and the Vegas people,
    Michigan should lose.  The sports analysts from the major networks have
    said that it's too close to call.  The people from Tallahassee are
    having a "first night" party on the streets all day Saturday to hear
    the results of the game (together), and to cheer for their team.  They
    estimate a 50,000 people turn-out (they can't all exist in that city).
    
    We recently got a videotape of "Mo's First Season" from UM.  It was put
    together by a professional movie company.  In it, Mo made it clear that
    a National Championship and a new style of play are his goal and
    strategy.  He said that he will never be happy until Michigan wins a
    National Championship.  The film also made it clear that Bo never had
    that goal, and that his goal was to win the pop-stand only...period.
    We all assumed that form what we saw, but it was nice to see it said.
    
    If you are a UM fan, or you have unquestioned curiosity, or you can't
    seem to get good enough reception (on the TV) to watch your own
    favorite game,  you must watch...
    
      The Greatest Regular Season Game of 1991 
    
    
    
    Lou

 Moeller is quoted in USA Today this morning about the game tomorrow
 against Florida State ...
 
 ... says it's important and all that and he really wants to win it
 but he doesn't want the team to lose its focus on the Rose Bowl.
 
 The Rose Bowl ???   Why the hail is he focusing on the Rose Bowl now
 in September ???   Is that all there is to Michigan's hopes for the
 season ???  Just winning the Big Ten and going to Pasadena ???
 
 I thought Moeller had outgrown Schembechler's shadow and was shooting
 for the *correct* target by now ... if the Wolverines ain't pointing
 towards the Big Enchilada, then something's wrong in Ann Arbor.  
 What say you, Wolverines fans ???   Is he just blowing smoke or does
 he really want to avoid the mythical mountain climb ???
 
 Bob Hunt

    If any of you are physically located in the Mass or southern N.H. area,
    and are interested in getting together locally for the Michigan/Ohio State
    game, please let me know.  We can meet at a local big-screen installed
    watering hole (or resonable facsimile).
    
    Lou

    Ugh....
    
    Howard still have a shot at the Heisman?  (like I said last year?)
    

 Well, now that that's out of the way, Moeller and the Wolverines can
 return to their focus on the Rose Bowl.
 
 Ya gotta love Bobby Bowden ... the man has solid brass cojones.   One
 nervy sumbitch.
 
 Bob Hunt

Great call on the fake FG for the TD.  FSU looks real tough, but they
better get a placekicker before facing Florida and Miami.

Mike

                               
    While I have newfound respect for Florida State and consider them to be
    the best team in the country until proven otherwise (Miami?), Michigan
    for some strange reason just didn't execute in this game.  Very poor
    tackling did their defense in.  The FSU player should have been
    stopped on the fake field goal (one Wolverine had him wrapped up but
    another helped push him in from behind) and Amp Lee positively
    embarrassed their secondary (I guess Amp was healthy, huh?). 
    Additionally, Elvis Grbak came up small in a big game, putting one easy
    TD up for FSU (while the O-line helped him give away another late) and 
    preventing Michigan from scoring at least one other one with very poor 
    passes, while Casey Weldon showed the composure in a big game on the 
    road that Grbak didn't.  Is that Weldon kid a cocky SOB or what?  You
    gotta like him...
    
    Bo Schembechler has *got* to go from that studio show.  ABC is not even
    pretending like he's a neutral observer or objective_analyst.  They
    might as well dress him up in the Wolverine mascot's costume and put a
    graphic on the screen reading "Bo Schembechler, Michigan correspondent"
    when he speaks, for all the detachment he shows in commenting on
    the game.
    
    glenn
    

    Only got to see the final 6 minutes. I understand that FSU was the
    better team. From what I saw, FSU's defensive front got real strong
    pressure on a basically immobile Grbac, forcing him to rush and make
    mistakes. Ain't no shame in losing to a better team ,Blue, and there's
    still a chance Michigan could capture the Mythical, albeit a small one. 
    Let's see, FSU dumps Miami, Florida dumps FSU, anybody whoops Clemsuck,
    UM beats UDub in the Rose, someone toasts both FSU and Miami in a bowl
    game... Ain't college football great! Mebbe the Irish can sneak back
    near the top.
    
    Leisha,
    I got one shot at Moeller in the 4th quarter. At least his RIGHT
    earphone says "MO". Maybe his left says "MOE". Covering all bases, eh!!
    8^)
    
    MikeL
    

    GLenn, -.2
    
    Not trying to defend Bo, but I imagine it's awfully difficult to shed
    20+ yrs with a college and then attempt to objectively analyze. Saw
    the same thing happen to Ara Parseghian when he left Notre Dame in 
    1975.  BTW, the last time Michigan gave up 50+ points at home before
    the FSU game was in 1958 when Ara took his Northwestern Wildcats to
    Ann Arbor to feast on Wolverine.
    
    MikeL
    

 I could live with Bo's UM slant but the man takes an hour and a half to
 state the obvious....

    You can't make any mistakes if you want to be competitive with a team
    of FSU's caliber.

   
    I was surprised at the ease with which FSU won.  I got the feeling all
    game that FSU was on the verge of pulling away but UM just kept coming
    back.  That first half sure was entertaining.  Great catches by Howard,
    great running by Lee, Bowden's little tricks, and Weldon at QB.  This
    game probably leaves Weldon as a slight leader in the Heisman race, but
    it's still wide open.  FSU's defensive front isn't that great, it's
    just that Bowden was able to substitute fresh bodies in with all the
    depth he has. 
    
    You gotta love Bobby Bowden.  He's candid, funny, and doesn't feed you
    a line of bull like a certain coach we know.  And if he does lose this
    year you can be sure he won't be making excuses but will be giving
    credit to the other team and saying his team deserved to lose.  The way
    it looks now, though, we might not find out.
    
    Looking ahead, FSU will have a tough time in November.  I still think
    their toughest game will be Florida because that's a tough place to
    play.  Miami will be tough but it's at home. (That should be one whale
    of a game!).  I don't think they'll have any trouble with Syracuse
    whatsoever.
    
>    Bo Schembechler has *got* to go from that studio show.      
    
    Agreed.  I don't see where adds anything interesting or says anything
    that isn't obvious.
    
    
    Joe

    Funny, guys.  I should've known better than to leave myself open like
    that.
    
    I will admit that McCartney can say some ridiculous things and often
    cries about certain factors.  And his religious outpouring certainly
    gets old in a hurry.  
    
    But my point is how enjoyable it is to listen to Bowden whether he was
    the winning or losing coach...You know I just had to throw a derogatory
    ND comment in there.  :^)
    
    
    Joe

    
                             "The Game"
    
    This was a pretty depressing game for the Maize and Blue Fans.  The
    first half was very exciting.  It was filled with lots of offensive
    action, surprise plays, and some gutsy coaching.  FSU did a real good
    job in key plays - especially in the clutch.
    
    There were a few specific things about the game, though, that I think
    some of us were wishing would just go away and not be a problem.  Like
    UM's weak secondary, Grbac's "extremely" weak QB abilities, UM's
    shallow depth (beyond the starter) at most positions, and UM's weak
    start this (again) year (very weak in the first 3/4 against BC and lack of
    being able to "blow away" from ND in the second half of their game.
    
    Grbac has never impressed me as a "quality" QB.  Bo recruited him to do
    hand-offs to the TBs and FBs, but noone ever told him he would have to
    be a "real" QB.  He looked pittiful on Saturday.  He was so shaken up
    about that first pass (intercepted), that he and Mo decided not to use
    Elvis as a QB most of the second half.  The defensive coordinator did
    a good job of inspiring the Defense to come alive in the second half.
    He looked pretty bad in the BC game too, but was able to keep his
    composure against ND (surprisingly).  They did a fairly good job (in the
    second half).  The defensive secondary always was weak, but they tried
    their best in the 3rd quarter.  The offense went limp in the 3rd quarter,
    and Grbac looked like he was the biggest piece of the problem.
    
    See, I don't have any problem when one team (FSU) is better than
    another (UM), but it bugs me to know end, when UM keeps Grbac in a role
    that will only keep them in a role to try for the pop-stand stuff.  He
    has been a very uncomfortable sore spot in that UM offense, and that
    became bitterly clear to many on Saturday.  
    
    Moeller has not showed an extremely high quality of play-calling, either.
    He called some 3rd and 1 pass plays, and 4th and 1 pass plays, etc. 
    Then, when pass completions weren't very likely, he would call a 30 yard
    down and out.  It's nice to see a little diversity after Bo's
    departure, but Mo still has alot of learning to do.  Also, in the
    videotape movie, "Mo's First Year", Mo kept saying how he blames the
    fans, the people outside of UM, and the alumni, as the reason for UM to
    get distracted and players to lose concentration.  He said that he
    would rather keep himself and the entire team isolated for the entire
    season.  Sounds like he may be too UM-sensitive and not be close enough
    to the outside world to be on the road to success.  He still has alot
    to prove as a coach.
    
    Over-achievers on Saturday:
      1) Anderson 
      2) Powers
      3) (#21-WR -still terrific and in the Heisman running)
      4) J.D. Carlson
    
    Under-achievers:
      1) Bo
      2) Grbac
      3) Mo
      4) Kick-off kicker (had to have J.D. fill in)
      5) UM wide-out defensive secondary (all 4 of them)
      6) Bo
    
    ABC better get Bo outa there asap.  He is really terrible.  
    
    
    
    Lou
      4)      

    On that first interception, why did the FSU player not get called for
    taunting when he held the ball out in the face of the chasing
    Wolverines?   That is blatant taunting.  Anyone else think so?
    
    	--dan'l

    
    Shot in the heart again.  I came into my office Monday morning to see
    Florida State logo's and game summaries all over the place. 
    Compliments of FSU alumni.  I was not embaressed because the 'rines lost it's
    just the way they lost.  I watched the first half of the game on tape
    again and just a few things stand out.  1)Poor tackling by the
    secondary 2) GRBAC int. #1 3) GRBAC int. I agree with Lou in that the
    play calling  was atrocious in the second half.  There were very few
    midrange passes until the 2 minute offense took over and score with
    Howard out.  The passes that were thrown midrange weren't very
    accurate.  GRBAC looks rather good when doesn't have to move his feet
    ie play action.  If he gets the slightest bit of pressure it's all
    over.  Second half brought intensity to the defense but total drought
    to the O.  As bad as the defense played the offense still could have
    won the game.  Two int's thrown in the endzone -(12 to 16)pts, 2 int's
    thrown to FSU defenders for td's (13)pts.  Three of the int's actually
    factored into the game, the last one was an oh by the way type deal.
    
    Sometimes these games can play in your favor for the rest of the
    season.  We'll see if UM learned anything other than the had an
    opportunity and lost it.
    
    Roy L.
    

    I thought Michigan played well and FSU wasn't all that invincible.
    Yeah, their offense played well, but there was a lot of poor tackling
    by Michigan.  If Michigan had cashed in a couple of those opportunities
    inside the 20,they'd have had over 40 points.  You mean to tell me the
    #1 team can get away with giving up that many points against other
    teams?  Sounds like a weakness to me.
    
    I thought there should have been a taunting flag, but what can you
    do...
    
    -

    I guess I've shaken enough of my depression to make a few comments
    about the game.
    
    While Elvis did not play a particularly good game (I'm being kind), I
    find it difficult to blame the offense for this loss.  Hey, they scored
    31 points!  If you can't win a game when you score 31 points, you are
    not championship caliber.  The defense just didn't show up.
    
    Michigan lost this game in the trenches, where they have traditionally
    been strong.  While I blessed the day that Bo finally retired, I must
    say that Michigan teams under Bo almost always showed better
    fundamentals, blocking and tackling, on the offensive and defensive
    lines.  Yes, the secondary got beat.  Repeatedly.  But had the
    defensive line been better, Weldon would not have been so effective. 
    Giving up 51 points is a disgrace.
    
    I don't know that I'd take issue with the play calling.  You know, when
    Elvis put up that 4th and 1 pass in the Notre Dame game, I jumped up
    and down celebrating *before* it was caught.  It didn't matter to me that
    Howard made that sensational catch.  Was it a good call?  Who can
    really say?  To me, it signalled the beginning of a new era, one long
    overdue.  But now I'm worried.  I just hope that Moeller doesn't let
    things slide in the trenches, where games are won and lost.
    
    I nervously await this Saturday's game in Iowa City.
    
    Sid

    tell me something sports fans.  with about 4 mins to go in the UM-FSU
    game (after the recovered onside kick), UM ran a 1st down play where an
    illegal block was called and the penalty was applied from the point of
    the foul, making it a 1st down and 12 to go.  That's OK...  But then
    the official adds 5 seconds to the clock (apparently the time it took
    to run the play until the whistle blew???).  Anyone know why?  Is
    that the reason?  Or is there some rule about when the officuials get
    to turn the clock back?  As I recall the commentators didn't say anything
    about it, so either they were as confused as me or they figured it was the 
    right call.
    
    						Thx, Stan
    
    

    UM fans,
    Please don't start with the "what ifs" Moeller will be okay.
    If they happen to lose another, will we hear "Bring back Bo"?
    I hope not
    
    MikeL
    

    Well, UM beat Iowa.  They made some great plays (like blocking a kick
    and running it in, and the new Freshman - Johnson k, running
    for over 100 yards, etc.).  Mo got the offense to click again (after
    a poor second half against FSU), and got enough from the "D". Everitt
    was back on the offensive line (they really missed him against FSU).
    He allows a much stronger resistance to pressure on Grbac.  The defense
    was able to keep a great deal of pressure on Rodgers, and therefore,
    was able to cope with a limited Iowa passing game (much more limited
    than usual).  Howard made a couple more touchdown catches, and is in
    strong Heisman contention.  The news media will have alot to say about
    that in the next couple weeks.
    
    California played a great game Saturday, and Wash. continued to look
    good too.  I think Ca. has a very strong passing game, and a couple of
    All-star defensmen.  Wash. is strong, but has been less tested, and
    they have a more balanced offense.  Will interesting to see who ends
    up winning the PAC (should be Wash, but..)  Could be an interesting
    Rose Bowl.
    
    Still think the UM - OSU game will be a very close game with two
    evenly matched teams.  OSU is proving itself fairly well this year,
    but could have used a stronger schedule, perhaps.  Lucky it's in
    Ann Arbor this year.
    
    UM will need to concentrate on every game, but it's not until now
    (by beating a good Iowa team) that they proved to me that they might
    win the Big 10.  It's still not clinched, either.
    
    Still feel bitter about the FSU game, but good to see UM back in the
    winner's circle.
    
    
    Lou

    While I like Mo as a coach (but who wouldn't I like after being
    punished for a quarter century by Bo?) I saw some things I DIDN'T
    like in the FSU game:
    
    * Everybody in the Western Hemisphere knew that FSU's smaller defensive
      line was gonna stunt and cross against the Wolves' big bashers.  So
      why weren't they prepped for that, why couldn't they adjust during
      the game itself?
    
    * Amp Lee has a simple but effective move, and only that move.  He gives
      a hip-dip after slowing slightly and then accelerates into a cut in
      the opposite direction.  The Wolves D spent the day grabbing air in
      the direction of the hip-dip.  Why didn't they see that in the films
      and prep their guys to center on him, which woulda stopped or slowed
      Lee enough for gang tackles.  Amp Lee will NOT git away with that move
      in the NFL, they'll eat him up on that by keying on it week-in week-out.
    
    * One ugly vestige of Bo is that old familiar "when up against a_effective
      passing game drop your safeties 30 yards, have the DBs give a 10 yard
      cushion, and play a prevent defense that will prevent winning cuz they'll
      throw for first downs all day long and burn you on big passes over the
      middle anyway."  We saw this in several Rose Bowls, and with Michigan's
      talent (and history of choking against fine passing teams) why won't Mo
      just let them play up close and in your face and take their chances?
    
    On a brighter note, Mo's doing a fine job with Elvis, and with his sense
    of play calling.  UM should win the Big10 but, alas, have no shot at the
    Title now...
    
    Big10 Tom

    UM will continue to be tested this year until the Rose Bowl game is
    over.  Miami has a few tough games yet to play, and there could be some
    major juggling still to come, in the top 4 or 5 spots.  Even though UM will
    not have a shot at the #1 spot again this year, they might possibly get
    an opportunity at #2.  
    
    CNN offered another possible scenerio.  If (oh no, what ifs again..)
    FSU loses one game, Wash could have a shot at #1 (long shot, yes).
    That could possibly result in one of those "co-championship" endings.
    
    It's encouraging that UM has 2 good Freshman QBs that look like they
    can scramble, run "play-action" plays, and can actually run option
    sweeps and run it themselves.  They even look like they can run
    "keepers" to make 1-2 yards (when necessary).  Something to look
    forward to.
    
    The Ann Arbor News was not very kind to Mo on the Sunday after the FSU
    game.  They severely criticized his play calling in the second half and
    the defensive secondary (no kidding).  They really clobbered Bo,
    related to his very poor half-time mummbling again.  When we were at
    the Notre Dame game, it was amazing that most of the fans in the Alumni
    section were very negative about their all-time great guy.  They
    deserted him in an instant, and were immediate Mo followers.
    
    
    Lou   

    Lou -
    
    Washington has an easy road to an undefeated season.  The only ranked
    team they have yet to play is California (#14). It's a cakewalk.  A
    truley underserving top 5 team.  
    
    IMO, Fla. Sta., Mia, Tenn, Mich and probably Notre Dame are all better
    than Washington is right now. 
    
    ANd they all play tougher schedules.  Heck, I'll throw Penn State in
    that bunch also.
    
    JD

    I don't think Washington's shot is all that long.  FSU has a very
    tough schedule and if Weldon goes cold they could lose one.  Miami's
    schedule seems more punk, but if they lose one looking over to UW
    I see a clearer path to a_undefeated season and they proved themselves
    handily beating up on a talented Huskers team IN Lincoln.  Right now
    I'd rate UW ahaid a Miami in the two slot behind the Seminoles.
    
    Big10 Tom

                                                          
    > IMO, Fla. Sta., Mia, Tenn, Mich and probably Notre Dame are all better
    > than Washington is right now. 
    > 
    > ANd they all play tougher schedules.  Heck, I'll throw Penn State in
    > that bunch also.
    
    You underrate Washington badly, JD, probably as a backlash from living
    there.  I'd draw the line at FSU and Miami for now, but I don't see
    anyone else better than Washington.  You are correct about one thing,
    though: they won't get a chance to prove how good they are until the
    Rose Bowl.  But, rest assured, if Michigan doesn't choke somewhere down
    the line, Washington will be given a chance to earn a legit quality
    reputation, if not the national championship.  You yourself are already
    saying that Michigan is better, and they just might be...
    
    glenn
    

    Glenn -
    
    It might be a small backlash - but really, they haven't played anyone
    of consequence but Nebraska - and the Huskers haven't played anyone of
    consequence but the Huskies.  I've never been impressed with big wins
    against inferior teams.   It's kind of odious to think that all they
    have to do is beat inferior teams, and then get up for one game (the
    ROse Bowl) and have a damn good shot at the national title.
    
    How can one rate a team when it plays cupcakes every week?  The PAC-10
    is one of the easiest conferences around.  Locals were saying Stanford
    was a tough team.  But the Cardinal is 1-3 and been outscored 133-84.
    
    Right now, they are like Baylor, undefeated and untested.
    
    JD

    JD - 
    
    I agree.  Wash. has a real easy schedule.  I watched two of their
    games on the tube this year, and they don't seem to be a team of
    "greatness".  
    
    It will be unfair (kind of like the Acadamy Awards) if Wash. ends up
    in #1 or #2, but it appears likely they will at least get #2.
    
    
    Lou

    Unlike some Almost Close programs we know, Washington must be given
    consideration for the fack that the Pac10 is down this year.  Usually
    you've got some serious boppers on your league schedule inthe form a
    SoCal (one of the all-time best programs), UCLA, State, and then some
    upstart such as Stanford, Cal or whomever.
    
    The Huskies battering of the Huskers IN LINCOLN to me is the most
    impressive win this year excepting the Seminoles' win in Ann Arbor.
    
    And ftm, Miami's schedule isn't exactly skeery.  And I think Florida
    is overrated.
    
    Too bad about the Pac10-Big10 Rose Bowl commitment (whcih made sense
    back in the days before so many other conferences rose up): Washington
    probably should have a direct shot in a bowl for a Title, but won't.
    
    Big10 Tom

The Dawgs will play yet another overrated Big 10 oppenent and blow them into
oblivion in the Rose Bowl. The Huskies are a Top 5 team with a -20 schedule.

The Pac-10 has fallen on bad time in the past 4-5 years. So Cal is a shell of 
it's self, UCLA is much ado about nothing and Stanford continually plays a 
tough schedule and ends up .500

The Golden Bears of Cal are this years big hype, I'll be surprised if they stay
with in 21 points of the Huskies.

Washington is a big fish in a small pond this year (and last).

They should thumb their noses at the Rose and play a contender on New Years day
but people are so blinded around here by the Rose Bowl Hype that they'll never
do it.


Metz

 Interestingly enough, Jeff Sagarin rates the Washington Huskies'
 schedule as tougher than Notre Dame's slate ... who, of course, would 
 have us all believe that they play incredibly tough ones every week.
 
 Michigan's schedule, I believe, is the toughest schedule in the
 nation.    Florida State's is on the weak side.   North Carolina's is
 laughable.
 
 Bob Hunt

    
    re: -2
    
    Metz, doesn't the Rose Bowl offer the most lucrative payment to the
    schools..  to the tune of 4.5 Million or something like that.  If I
    remember the figures this is something like 2 Million more than any
    other bowl.  Kinda hard to turn down  pay-ola like that.
    
    /Jeff

    Contractual agreements between the Big Ten, the Pacific Ten and the
    Rose Bowl require the champion of each league to play in the Rose Bowl. 
    For a long time, this contract prohibited any other team in either
    league from playing in any other bowl (which made the regular season
    really meaningful).  While changed, the contract may now prohibit a
    team from either league from playing in the Fiesta Bowl since the
    Fiesta Bowl is on TV at the same time as the Rose Bowl.  The Big Ten
    also had a clause for a long time that prohibited a team from making
    back-to-back appearances in the Rose Bowl.
    
    The Rose Bowl, Big Ten and Pacific Ten alliance has served all parties
    well, except perhaps the businesses in the Los Angeles area who would
    benefit from an out of town team coming into town to play and instead
    have Southern California or UCLA play.  The alliance doesn't prevent
    the Rose Bowl from having a National Champion.  If a team from the
    Pacific Ten or Big Ten is in the running, it may well make it as a
    National Champion.  It prevents a National Championship game from being
    able to be set up if one of the contenders is from either one of the
    leagues.  It would be the ideal place to have a National Championship
    Game were it not for this alliance since it's the biggest stadium where
    a major bowl is held.
    
    John

    
 > Interestingly enough, Jeff Sagarin rates the Washington Huskies'
 > schedule as tougher than Notre Dame's slate ... who, of course, would 
 > have us all believe that they play incredibly tough ones every week.
 > 
 > Michigan's schedule, I believe, is the toughest schedule in the
 > nation.    Florida State's is on the weak side.   North Carolina's is
 > laughable.
    
    All of the strength-of-schedule ratings are through GAMES PLAYED. 
    Watch them next week; they'll change.  Washington's schedule is a walk
    the rest of the way.  Notre Dame still has Pitt, Tennessee, and Penn
    State.  Michigan has already played their two toughest opponents, 
    Notre Dame and Florida State.  Florida State has both Miami and Florida
    remaining; can't complain about that.  And yes, North Carolina's is 
    still laughable.
    
    glenn
    

> Interestingly enough, Jeff Sagarin rates the Washington Huskies'
> schedule as tougher than Notre Dame's slate ... who, of course, would 
> have us all believe that they play incredibly tough ones every week.
 
    The problem with Sagarin's ratings is that (I think) he goes by last
    year's records.  So Washington's opponents may have a better won-loss
    percentage than ND's opponents, but if you looked at both schedules
    it's obvious that ND's is the much tougher of the two.
    
>  Michigan's schedule, I believe, is the toughest schedule in the
>  nation.    Florida State's is on the weak side.   North Carolina's is
>  laughable.
 
    Is this according to Sagarin also?  Calling FSU's schedule weak doesn't
    make much sense when it includes games against BYU, at Michigan,
    Syracuse, at LSU, Miami, and at Florida.  From just browsing at
    schedules, I've noticed that BC and Stanford probably have 2 of the
    toughest schedules in the nation.
    
    Joe

    Big10 Tom,
    
    FSU can definitely lose one, I agree.  But, UW did not impress me at
    all against the Huskers.  It was a real "mess" of a game, and UW didn't
    really blow it open until the second half of the last quarter (through
    many Nebraska mistakes.  They did "win" though, and they get all the
    credit for that.  Still think they are a #11 with this year's other
    top 10.
    Lou

    Nobody said that the Rose Bowl arrangement precludes winning the 
    Title; but I did imply that the fixed arrangement, in a game where
    whom you play on New Year's Day by definition implies whether or 
    not you get a shot at all - does lower one's chances.  This is cuz
    bowl scheduling is a primary function of winning it all, to some
    extent even for the top ranked team going in.  In theory, FSU could
    go undefeated, the other top squads pick up losses, and FSU and, say,
    the Orange Bowl would then call on Michigan to take its second shot.
    
    None a this accounts for the myriad bowl arrangements that were made
    last winter, though.
    
    re: Washington
    
    Yeah, there were turnovers galore in Lincoln, but it emerged in the
    2nd half as the fumbles and interceptions piled up on the Huskers
    (which, btw, are usually a direct function of pass rush, tiredness,
    team speed, etc.) that Washington cain run on anybody and has perhaps
    the strongest defensive line in memory.  This Entman (sp?) kid is MrT's
    Heismann candidate.  He's awesome, dominating.  Never understood why
    the best player award has to go to QBs and RBs...
    
    Big10 Tom

    > The problem with Sagarin's ratings is that (I think) he goes by last
    > year's records.  So Washington's opponents may have a better won-loss
    > percentage than ND's opponents, but if you looked at both schedules
    > it's obvious that ND's is the much tougher of the two.
    
    Nope.  Sagarin uses the preceding season only for pre-season seeding, 
    but once the data starts rolling in that all gets washed away.
    The "worth" of an opponent does not depend purely on won-loss record
    (and rightly so, because opponents have schedule dependencies, too) and 
    can change depending on how good the opponent turns out to be, too.  
    As with any other system, Sagarin's is most meaningful at the
    completion of a full season.  Towards the beginning and middle it's
    full of all sorts of anomalies...
    
    glenn
    

    I'm not sure if UW is overrated or underrated, personally I don't think
    they're overrated, this team has one thing on both sides of the ball
    that is hard to match, and that is SPEED, probably Florida St is the
    only team in the country that has more speed. The Rose Bowl would
    be interesting with UM vs UW, speed against power again. Someone
    mentioned Baylor also undefeated and untested. Wins at Houston and
    at Colorado are big wins, Baylor doesn't have much of an offense, but
    defensively they're loaded.
    
                                           Dan
    
    P.S. 
    	Forgot about Miami in the speed department 

The Rose bowl payoff is 6 million per conference...

    re .142  Bob Hunt
    
    You know Bob - I've never figured out Saragin at all.  I don't know
    what he uses for his formula.  While ND's schedule isn't as tough as in
    year's past, it still boasted at least 4 - 5 top 25 teams.  Compare
    that the Washington's 2 - so who does he do it?
    
    Some of his strength of schedule stuff is ludicrous.  I remember last
    year, and you'll like this, he had Virginia's schedule strength as one
    of the toughest in the country (when they were top-ranked).
    
    I must admit that I take Saragin's poll with a grain of salt.  
    
    I thought it extemely interesting that California moved up 8 places
    from 16 to 8 this week, after defeating a useless Oregon squad.  In
    fact, I don't remember such wild swings in the polls in a while.
    
    By moving up Cal, they make this week's Wash. Cal game seem much larger
    than it is.  California hasn't played anybody yet.  They will lose.  
    
    JD

                       
    > Some of his strength of schedule stuff is ludicrous.  I remember last
    > year, and you'll like this, he had Virginia's schedule strength as one
    > of the toughest in the country (when they were top-ranked).
    
    Like I said, the Sagarin ratings on strength of schedule only apply to
    the games played through the current date, and when limited data are
    available they won't always work well (just like none of us know
    *definitively* who's good or not after the first few games of the year).  
    While I don't really like Sagarin's system for absolute ranking 
    purposes for a number of reasons (one being that a tough, close loss 
    on the road can actually be counted as a "win" in the system), the 
    *one* area where I do think it works well by the end of the season is
    strength of schedule, because the system evaluates the opponents of
    a team's opponents right on down the line, instead of using something
    deceiving like simple opponents' won-loss percentage.
    
    ND's schedule is not currently rated near the top because they have yet
    to play most of their tough opponents.  In fact, other than Michigan, 
    their schedule *has been* fairly easy so far, on average.  Tennessee and
    Penn State will change that...
    
    Rest assured, Virginia's overall schedule last year rated as weak as 
    compared to most of the top teams.  Sagarin did have the 'Hoos at
    number one early in the season, though, not so much based on strength 
    of schedule as the way they were blowing some weaker opponents out,
    something that I also believe Sagarin overrates...
    
    glenn
    

    And Glenn,
    As far as Nd goes, both Pitt and MSU were slated to be in the top 25
    I believe preseason (at least MSU was), reinforcing your statements.
    The demise of USC will only hurt the final rating of ND also( as
    mentioned, PSU and Tenn will help)
    
    MikeL
    

    Well, in today's Saragin ratings, he laughingly has Wash. first,
    followed by FSU, Miami and Notre Dame, with Michigan 5th.
    
    Of those teams, Michigan has the hightest Sched. Strength (not
    surprising, having played ND and FSU alreaddy), and Wash. the lowest.
    ND had 2nd toughest, Miami 3rd, FSU 4th.
    
    I'd have to say that in my eyes, Michigan has played the toughest
    sched, followed by ND, FSU, the Canes and then the Dawgs.
    
    JD

    
    >>              <<< Note 189.154 by CTHQ3::LEARY "Better than LDS" >>>
    >>                         -< Be wary of Trojans though >-
                                  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    I| agree, some have pin-holes!!!!!
    
    (8^)*
    
    JaKe
    
    

    
    > Well, in today's Saragin ratings, he laughingly has Wash. first,
    > followed by FSU, Miami and Notre Dame, with Michigan 5th.
    
    From a computer poll that can't be tinkered with on the spot just to
    reinforce one's personal opinion, I'd say that's not too bad.  You 
    can argue about the order, but those are pretty close to the five best
    teams in the country, no?  I haven't even looked at Sagarin lately, but 
    let me ask another question: where's California ranked?  I'll bet
    they're quite a bit below their spot in the AP and the coaches' polls, 
    where the undefeated record carries a ridiculous amount of weight, 
    competition and circumstance be damned...
    
    glenn
    

    Glenn -
    
    
    I think Cal was #11.  Wash. players have already started talking about
    how they sure do wish they could_a play teams like Florida State and
    Miami - to show how good they are.  Of course, since they don't have to
    worry about playing them, it is easy to spout this stuff off.
    
    Cal was ranked high in the other polls simply because of the game this
    week with Wash.  Allows the TV folks to hype it more, and make it sound
    like a really big game (Like FSU-Michigan), even though it really
    isn't.  It's more like #5 or #6 vs. #20.
    
    JD

    I'm hurt.  True, IU ain't too skeery to Michigan's 300 lb studly
    widebodies or the likes a the great Desmond, but not one, single,
    solitary note from the Maize & Blue crowd in anticipation of the
    Indiana game.
    
    They're treating it like a bye!
    
    MrT

    It is, basiclly
    
    Big Game
    
    
    Go Blue

    I've only got a minute, here, but I thought I'd respond to MrT's
    lament:  if it makes you feel any better, I *am* worried about
    Saturday's game in Ann Arbor.  It is exactly this sort of game that
    Michigan blows.
    
    Of course, I'm less worried about this game than I was about last
    week's, even though Moo U has a worse football team this year than IU.
    
    Come to think of it, maybe I'm just a worry wart.  I worry about
    Michigan blowing all their games (with the possible exception of
    Northwestern).
    
    If I ever get out of my current crisis (it is a sad state of affairs
    that work has the ability to get in the way of good noting), I've got
    some interesting stories about certain "events" at Michigan Stadium
    that may be appropriate for this conference. ;-)
    
    Sid

    'been out for a while and had to do some serious catch-up in this
    conference.  For starters, MikeL is right about Mo's headset...it 
    had M-O on it...however I think there was an intentional typo last 
    year because the video Lou mentions in .110 "Mo's First Year" he had 
    the E tagged on the end.  My theory is it (headset) was left over from the 
    previous year where they had added an E so as not to get his headset 
    confused with the Big Bad BO. BO and MO could look real similar when 
    you're picking up your headset after hurling it on the field after a 
    bad Big Ten referee call...ahem...  
    
    Regarding this weekend's game, we think this is a piece of pie.  Just
    want to see some Magic from Desmond to keep him in the eyes of the
    Heisman voters.
    
    My genuine feeling is that Mo's in over his head, and to buy some time
    and visibility he's calling some out-of-the-ordinary plays, and shooting 
    for the 'ole popsicle stand where his chances for failure are much 
    smaller.  He did spend 1 (count them), ONE season on his own as head coach 
    at another Big Team (anyone recall which one? me thinks it was one of
    them "I" schools...ya know Iowa, Illinois or Indiana), however he ran
    back home to BO the next season...actually he got the boot.  He wasn't
    made for the big time then, and he's still not.  I do agree with the
    folks in this conference about one thing for sure...Blue fans are not 
    satisfied with just a Rose Bowl invitation or win, but we want to go 
    for the Big Time!  I certainly am tired of this underachiever act.
    
    Finally, someone brought up the USC fight song as being one of the
    great ones.  What?  It sounds like a bloody dirge to me....it moans
    on and on and on.....after hearing it during the Rose Bowl 2 years ago,
    I was ready to stuff a sock in the horn section.
    
    Catch you later...
    
       - Leisha

    Indiana 48, Michigan 21.
    
    Poor MrT

    BBall ain't started yet T!!, Git a grip.
    Should remind you of the ND-IU game. Hoosiers will be tough, will stay
    close to UM at half (down by 7 or so), but UM will wear down less
    sturdy IU d . UM 38 
                  IU-21
    
    

>    
>    Poor MrT
>


I can't help but put this in, because everytime I read Poor MrT's sign off,
I get this vision:


	MrT as a little lad with a crutch under his arm, his
	little leg all withered and helpless, looking upward,
	a ray of sunlight on his angelic face, as he says
	"God bless us, every one"


heh heh heh,
'Saw

    Yes, the Big 10/Pac 10 Rose Bowl set up is somwehat limiting, but (like
    was already brought out) the R-Bowl is the ritchest in the land ($5M).
    It is unfortunate that the Pac 10 is weak this year (in a weak cycle of
    years), but Cal. and Wash are good teams.  Wash and Cal are playing
    Saturday, and it should be a good game.  Wash. is picked to win by 14
    points, but I think they are somewhat better than people understand.
    They have a great quarterback who is a Freshman with 2 years experience
    playing in Germany.  He is a *very* good scrambling, passing, and
    option-running QB (unlike our friend Elvis).  He's one of those "makes
    it happen" QBs.  Unfortunately, the rest of the team do not stack up
    well when players are ranked against Wash.   Will be an interesting
    outcome.
    
    BTW - Michigan is currently in SECOND place in the Big 10 race (second
    to Ilinois), and Washington is in SECOND place in the Pac 10 (second to
    California).  The Wash/Cal issue will be settled this Saturday, but the
    Illinois/UM issue could get interesting.  OSU had a bad game last week,
    but don't count them out of the UM/OSU matchup.  UM has not really been
    overpowering anyone, and Iowa was leading for more than 1/2 of their
    matchup with UM too.  
    
    Will be an interesting next few weeks...

    RE: Wash-Cal
    I'll be shocked if Washington doesn't win by 20 or more.  With this win
    Washington's only reasonable chance left for a loss is their game at
    USC.  Remeber that Washington stumbled last year against UCLA in the
    latter portion of the season.
    
    I'll admit I know absolutely nothing about Cal but I just have a very
    hard time thinking of Cal as one of the big boys.  Maybe a little like
    the 1988 West Virginia team.
    
    
    Joe

                                                       
    Tough luck, MrT.  I really felt that Indiana outplayed the big boys
    from Michigan (do we continually overrate them or do they really just 
    not get the most out of their potential?), but the blind-as-ever Big Ten
    officials and the bonehaid Bill Mallory did the Hoosiers in.  Fourth
    down, a full two yards to go, both lines stacked and ready for the run,
    and Mallory goes with the fullback plunge?  The man should be
    committed, on the spot...
    
    I also saw parts of the Washington-California game.  Hey folks, I've
    got to come to the conclusion that Cal's for real.  Not Top 5 real or
    anything like that, but definitely deserving of recognition as a
    quality team, and a second-tier New Year's Day bowl contender. 
    Washington didn't particularly play badly, but Cal hung right with
    them.  The way the game was played, I didn't lose much respect for
    Washington, either.  These two appear to be the cream of crop in the 
    Pac-10 this season, with the inferiority of the conference coming with
    the rest, not these guys.
    
    Leisha, I don't think that "dirge" you were referring to is the USC
    fight song.  I believe you're thinking of that "duuum-dum-dum-dum-duuum"
    trombone thing they do almost non-stop throughout a game.  I agree, that
    gets annoying.  But "Fight On" is most definitely upbeat, though it
    doesn't match up with the best of the best, "The Victors".   ;-)
    
    glenn
     

    That was, without exception, theworst* officiated football game I've
    ever seen.  No, the zebras didn't cost the Hoosiers their biggest win
    ever, they only ruined what was otherwise a vastly entertaining game.
    It got so bad that ABC certainly shoulda turned off the mikes on the
    Indiana sideline, and that Gary Danielson urged his producer to turn
    off the ref's mike late in the game when "explaininghow he was gonna
    eat a flag afteboth QB Green and his RT had pulled up on a false start
    (did he say "makeup call"?  covered my ears).
    
    On a happier note, I never thought that in my lifetime I'd see a Indiana
    team go in to Michigan Stadium and dominate dastistically (tm).  They
    blew out the Wolves in yards from scrimmage and first downs, but they
    unfortunately also dominated in flags (perhaps nerv going up against 
    the vnted Maize & Blue at home, dunno).
    
    Bottom line Indiana had a clear shot at winning the game but didn't cuz
    they failed to execute:
    
    * They lost it when Lewis choked and dropped a perfect TD reception off
      his hands in the end zone
    
    * On Howard's run back late in the game the main with the side line
      coverage and a mate had Desmond boxed for a 15 yard run back, but the
      kid suddenly glazed over, perhaps hypnotized about Howad's deserved
      press clippings, and went inside to meet his team mate thus opening
      up a huge hole for Howard to zip through, which he naturally did.
    
    * Much improved QB Trent Green on the final drive reverted to his old 
      self and threw critical 2 minute drive passes into the dirseveral
      yards in front of open receivers.
    
    * Mallory gagged when confronted with first and 10 from inside the five
      and called a QB keeper option everybody knows from the Notre Dame 
      game (and the Auburd game, and other games...) and a FB off tackle
      thus ingnoring both Vaughn Dunbar and play action pass options.
    
    The Hoosiers got screwed out a a victory at Columbia, beat a vastly
    improved Kaintuck team and played both Michigan and ND tough on the
    road.  They also kicked State at Lansing. 
    
    Is it time for them to pop into the top 25?  They may not be great, but
    they're tough.
    
    It was a very entertaining game that left me believing they might make
    a game of it in November in Iowa City.
    
    Big10om

    
    The UM/Indiana game was tough, as expected.  UM played fair.  Indiana
    played pretty well, and they proved they are a Big 10 class act (as
    some of us thought anyway).  The 3 UM weaknesses showed their ugly head
    a couple times during the game:
    
      1) Weak pass defense in the secondary
      2) Weak (by "greatness" comparison") QB - Elvis
      3) Fair play calling (Mo)
    
    The pass defense tried very hard and were tested alot of the game,
    however it's fortunate for UM that the passing and receiving of the
    opponent was pretty good (but not "super" like an FSU).  Elvis did
    his usual ok job, and Howard made him look good again.  Howard did
    a great job running, pulling down difficult catches, etc.  He moved
    into 1st place on the Heisman list, and deservidly so.
    
                          UM's Remaining Schedule
    The whole college football season, including highest rankings, demise
    of seasons, Big 10 championships, etc...will determined in the last
    2 weeks of the college football season.  UM plays Illinois and Ohio
    State for their last 2 games.  Both will be heavy tests for UM, and
    NOT cakewalks.  Indiana showed a good test for UM, and they did a real
    good job of preparing for UM.  They also have some real good talent
    that will get more national attention next year.  Illinois will be
    *very* well prepared for UM, after the loss to Iowa this week.  That
    puts UM in first place in the Big 10, but key games remaining to be
    played.
    
    Washington played pretty well (a bit sloppy in spots) against Cal., 
    and it was a pretty close game.  Cal. played their typical game, but
    their QB was not very accurate on Sat.  He is usually very accurate,
    and completes those long sideline passes that were nearly all missed
    (due to inaccurate passing and added defensive pressure of UW).
    
    If UM gets through the last 2 games victoriuosly, the UM/UW Rose Bowl
    will be the most exciting in years (hope UM can keep injuries at a
    minumum before then AND can shore up their secondary pass defense too).
    
    BTW - Everitt sprained his leg Saturday.  That is not good.  UM plays
    in an uncomfortable offensive line formation when Elliott has to fill
    in that spot.  Hope he's back real soon - like before the next game.
    He has amazingly been playing with his broken jaw, stiched up tongue,
    and stiched up inner mouth (lost 3 teeth).  He has been known to play
    with broken arms, wrists, etc, but hope his ankle doesn't prove to be
    real serious.
    
    New CNN/USA Today - 
      FSU
      Miami
      Wash
      Michigan
      Notre Dame
      Florida
    
    Will be interesting (last 2 games of college season) to see how FSU
    does against their last 2 opponents:
    
        at Florida
        Miami
    
    
    
    Lou

    
    Just and observation but it appears that any team with quick defensive
    lineman and linebackers seem to give UM problems.  FSU, and IU thus
    far.  Normally ND has a quick front but were a little lacking early in
    the year.  It doesn't look like UM has improved a whole lot this year
    since the first two games.  Traditionally they look stronger as the
    year goes on.  I haven't gotten a look at the ILLNI this year but I
    hear they are pass oriented.  All in all good teams still when games
    when they don't play at their best.  Suprising that both team expected
    to be in the Rose bowl played games screaming blowout by power ratings
    and both games went to the wire.
    
    Roy L. 
    

    It was against Purdue but the 'rines looked like they had a lot of fire
    going emotionally saturday.  They didn't seem to have that kind of
    emotion when playing Indiana.  Desmond looks like he may be coralling a
    few more Heisman votes week by week.  I don't think the UM athletic
    department has hasa really be hyping him but they haven't had to.  The
    exposure of ABC and ESPN has been plenty suficient.  I live in Atlanta
    and have had access to 6 of the 8 games on one of the two stations. 
    They keep talking NFL for Majic but he looks kind of smallish to me. 
    He is however an outstanding college player though.
    
    Roy L.
    

    Well everyone!!   Today is the BIG day!!!   Michigan will beat
    Washington and pull off the upset of the day.  The match-up is pretty
    even, and Wash has alot of speed and defense...but Michigan will come
    through today and be the victors!!  I am sitting here at a relative's
    house and pulled out the notebook/laptop just to say hello to you guys,
    and to cheer on the maze and blue.
    
    
    GO BLUE!
    
    Ten minutes before gametime.  
    
    Later
    
    Lou

Michigan played GREAT!





NOT!

                    <<< Note 189.174 by ALLVAX::MARCOCCIO >>>
                                -< GO BLUE !! >-

>    Well everyone!!   Today is the BIG day!!!   Michigan will beat
>    Washington and pull off the upset of the day.  The match-up is pretty
>    even, and Wash has alot of speed and defense...but Michigan will come
>    through today and be the victors!! 
    
    Any tips on tonight's winning lottery ticket?
    
    Mark.

    Well, folks, I thought I'd pop in here quickly to congratulate the
    University of Washington football program and their fans.  You guys
    kicked our butts up and down the field on both sides of the ball.  It
    was a most depressing afternoon.
    
    Elvis Grbac had exactly the kind of game I feared.  While it is true
    that some of that was because of excellent Husky defense, I do believe
    that he just doesn't have what it takes to quarterback a first-rate
    program.  Equally disappointing was the play of both the offensive and
    defensive lines.
    
    I honestly thought this could be the year for the Maize and Blue.  I am
    less optimistic about next year; fortunately (?), I've been this route
    many times before.  I think we'll continue to be a top tier team; it's
    becoming *the* top team that will surely continue to elude us so long
    as we continue to cling to the midwestern style of football.
    
    On the positive side, it's basketball season, and we've got some
    exciting years ahead of us.  I'm looking for Sweet Sixteen this year,
    Final Four next year, and the National Championship the year after.  I
    only hope the kids on this team hang around long enough to make that
    possible.
    
    I do still plan to write up the anecdote I referred to earlier about
    Michigan Stadium.  I'm not sure how soon, but it will happen.
    
    On an unrelated note, Gail's talking about skipping Leadville this year
    to concentrate on her graduate work, and go for it the year after. 
    We'll see.
    
    Anyway, Happy New Year to you all, and I think I'll disappear into the
    woodwork again, checking in occasionally to look at particular topics.
    
    Sid

    Good luck Desmond...

    
    	Desmond wants to go to Cleveland.........his mom lives in
    Cleveland.

    Poor Mrs Howard !

       Desmond'll be rich soon. He cain move her out.
                                      Denny

>       Desmond'll be rich soon. He cain move her out.


Ain't he too leetle to play in the NFL?

Betcha he ends up playing wif da Rocket and MinorHarris up in the
CFL....


'Saw

       Could be 'Saw, but he'll still have enuogh dough to git her out a
    Cleveland!
                                       Denny

    Bye, bye Desmond...
    
    JD

    
    Desmond has already said that he only wants to play for Cleveland
    because that is the team of the 90's.  "If I can't play in 
    Cleveland, then I won't play in the NFL!"  Desmond said.  
    
    

      re-1   Thats a we bit to selfish IMO

    re: .185
    
    Doesn't Indianapolis havethe first 2 picks in the draft?? 
    
    The Crazy Met
    

    Yeah, but Entmann (sp?) will be one pick... probably an OL or trade
    with the other...

    Once again, I'm forced into hit and run noting.  This may be somewhere
    else in the conference, but I don't have time to look and hope someone
    can help me out here.  Does anyone know when the U of M vs. Okie St
    game will be played?  Our local paper gives no times at all and I hope 
    the game will be Friday rather than Thursday, since I spend most of
    Thursday in the air taking my kids to see their grandparents in
    Florida.  I'd *love* to see Michigan and Ohio State both win, since my
    parents' neighbors in Florida are hard-core OSU fans and it would be
    great watching the game with them on Saturday(?) or Sunday(?).
    
    Sid
    
    P.S.  How 'bout those Minutemen!!!

    It's definitely on Friday, don't know what time.
    
    Joe

    The Univ. of Michigan has suspended three basketball players
    indefinitely until the NCAA rules on possible violations. The three,
    sophomores Jalen Rose and Chris Webber along with senior Eric Riley,
    were suspended because each accepted $300. to appear in a charity
    basketball game.
    
    This seems to be a perfunctory step that universities take when the
    NCAA is investigating a possible violation. Unless you're Miami of
    course where players threaten lawsuits if possible suspensions
    are on the horizon.  This should not amount to much at all, maybe
    one game, if deigned an infraction. The NCAA might just demand the
    three players reimburse the charity and issue a warning, which would
    seem fair.
    
    Hail Hail to Michigan for their diligence (no sarcasm intended).
    
    MikeL
    

       Somebody call T and see what he thinks of this Big10 scandal.
                                   Denny

    It musta been a_innocent_coleje_prank, misunderstood!
    
    The $$$ was only a re-imbursement for travel expenses incurred to get
    to the game!
    
    Kev_for_MrT
    

    WHere's T?  I bet he did something to cause this...