The last year, to say the least, hasn’t been kind to the Wolverine faithful. Taking lumps from all three major sports programs on a day-to-day basis has taken its toll on my sanity and well-being. Sometimes, I need a reminder that things could, in fact, be worse. Thankfully, there’s a school in East Lansing that has a long, storied history of making people in Ann Arbor thankful that they root for Michigan. Without further ado, I give you the Michigan State football program, edited for your viewing enjoyment:
Thanks, as always, to Michigan State. You guys really know how to make a Wolverine happy. Or, at the very least, less depressed.
[A quick note to MSU trolls ready to pull the "but we beat you!" card. Yes, you have managed to beat us twice in a row (for the first time since 1967, I might add). Yes, you are not facing NCAA violations right now. But nothing -- nothing -- our program has gone through in the last two years is more embarrassing than having 11 players plead guilty for putting on ski masks and ambushing some frat boys. Especially when the ringleader in the fight was a guy your head coach let back on the team straight out of jail before the season. Sorry. Your argument is invalid. If you really still feel like commenting, don't be offended if I don't take the time to respond. It's not worth it.]
The legendary Bob Ufer’s poem has been making the rounds this week on Michigan blogs and message boards, so I decided to take the audio (courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library, as are the photos) and turn it into some YouTube magic. Let’s hope that this weekend can provide Wolverine fans with another opportunity to wax poetic about a stunning upset.
Another The Wolverine Blog original video, featuring everybody’s favorite freshmen quarterbacks. Song is “Trans DF Express” by The Dungeon Family (the southern rap supergroup featuring Outkast, Goodie Mob, Sleepy Brown, and Killer Mike). Some explicit lyrics, so have your earmuffs handy, especially if around small children or in a working environment that would frown on hip-hop.
For the first time this summer, I’ll be taking a weekend off and heading to the western part of the state. I should be arriving back sometime Tuesday afternoon, and hopefully will post some content that evening. Until then, enjoy the latest of The Wolverine Blog’s original videos, giving tribute to the past and hope for the present:
“I was with Vladimir (Emilien),” Grimes said of his time in Ann Arbor. “That’s my boy. He told me one difference (at Michigan) is once you get there, you are not just a piece of meat, you are a part of the family. That’s something I can believe because he didn’t play none of his senior year after he tore his ACL, but they didn’t just cut him off. They kept his offer and he committed there.”
“He has lost the most in this and wants to be the strongest,” said Shelly Mealer, Elliot and Brock’s mother. “With the coaching staff, and O-line players and all the players at Michigan, they help him walk everyday. And they are his brothers, his new brothers on campus. And I’m just thankful he’s here.”
As expected, Livonia Stevenson tailback Austin White, a Rivals.com three-star and a Scout.com four-star, committed to Michigan this morning. White becomes the 16th commitment for the Wolverines in the Class of 2010, and the third running back, along with Stephen Hopkins and Tony Drake (who may become a slot receiver).
In my opinion, this is a big pickup for Michigan, and should not be looked upon as just another three-star rounding out the class. White has a lot of talent, is the highest rated of the three tailback commits so far, and allows Michigan to focus on landing an elite running back (hopefully Eduardo Clements, Brandon Gainer, or Brennan Clay, if he decommits from Oklahoma). His offer list suggests four-star talent: Michigan, LSU, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa, Purdue, and Wisconsin all offered, and he received interest from Alabama and Notre Dame.
“One morning a couple days ago I woke up and it just felt like Michigan was the right spot for me,” White said. “I sat on it for a couple hours and it was still on my mind, so I decided to make it official.”
He has some impressive numbers to back up his ratings and offers: According to the Free Press article linked above he rushed for over 1,700 yards with 30 touchdowns as a sophomore, and followed that with a stellar junior year, rushing for 1,610 yards and 28 touchdowns on 228 carries (7.1 ypc) while adding 21 receptions for 310 yards and four scores.
As always, check out TheWolverine.com for more on White, football recruiting, and all else Michigan sports.
The Top 15 of the Last 15 series, which looked at the best 15 players on each side of the ball from 1994-2008, has come to its conclusion. For those who missed the final post, here is my list in its entirety:
Offense:
15. Marquise Walker
14. Chris Perry
13. Chad Henne
12. Jerame Tuman
11. Brian Griese
10. Anthony Thomas
9. Tom Brady
8. Mario Manningham
7. Steve Hutchinson
6. Jake Long
5. Mike Hart
4. David Terrell
3. Tyrone Wheatley
2. Tshimanga Biakabutuka
1. Braylon Edwards
Defense:
15. William Carr
14. Leon Hall
13. Ian Gold
12. James Hall
11. Rob Renes
10. Alan Branch
9. Marcus Ray
8. Dhani Jones
7. Jarrett Irons
6. Marlin Jackson
5. Glen Steele
4. David Harris
3. LaMarr Woodley
2. Ty Law
1. Charles Woodson
Special Teams:
5. Zoltan Mesko
4. Marquise Walker
3. Garrett Rivas
2. Steve Breaston
1. Remy Hamilton
Because it’s the summer, and I have nothing better to do, I put together another video. This one highlights the top players on offense and defense, Braylon Edwards and Charles Woodson:
Sweet. After the jump, I’ll list my honorable mentions, and post the Top 15 lists of The Wolverine writers Michael Spath and Matt Pargoff.
As most of you already know by now, class of 2009 slot receiver Jeremy Gallon has qualified and will be eligible to play for Michigan in 2009. From Rivals: “I ended up getting the score,” Gallon announced. “I was excited and relieved. It took a little pressure off my back.”
Gallon is a tremendous talent, a four-star player who projects to be a fearsome slot and returner. In celebration of his qualification, I threw together a little highlight video for your viewing pleasure. Cue the funk:
Hot damn! Michigan now only needs defensive back Justin Turner (who is already on campus ($), but is awaiting a passing grade on his Ohio exit exam) to qualify to have the entire class of 2009 ready to go. More Gallon quotetasticness:
“I just can’t wait to get up there, bond with the team and do great things there,” Gallon said. “I think I can come in and make a name for myself as a freshman and do great things for the team. I’m going to shine wherever they put me.”
"When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing."
- Bo Schembechler
“I ask no man to make a sacrifice. On the contrary! We ask
him to do the opposite. To live clean, come clean, think clean.
That he stop doing all the things that destroy him physically,
mentally and morally, and begin doing all the things that make him keener, finer and more competent" - Fielding Yost
“People come up to me and say, ‘I’m sorry.’ I’m not sorry because I received the greatest thing from the University of Michigan anyone can receive: a degree.” - Zia Combs
Loading ...
Email This Post
Recent Comments