The board has once again been invaded by the depression crew. With that said, less than 2 weeks ago was one of the single best football days ever. I for one am not ready to let the celebration of being the emperors of CFB, go.

So, I’ll ask the fun posters, what moment will you remember most? (There is a LOT to pick from).

For me it was a cheat moment(because it’s 2). It was the INT by Mikey S, into the Blake TD. Reason being is that series of events not only won the natty, but it showcased how Michigan won the natty on Michigan terms.

The haters always said Michigan couldn’t win the big one because they couldn’t play bully ball against the big boys / didn’t have the high end talent to compete. In some ways, the haters were right. Michigan doesn’t have the ultra high end 5* talent and prob won’t ever really have that. However, this year, they simply had the best all around team in the country.

What they did have this season was a WR turned CB who became one of the best secondary players in America. They also had a RB who embodies what michigans team is, grit and heart. One guy made the INT, the other rammed it home. Both of these guys could have left.,, instead they came back for the team. Both of these guys could have given up (switching away from WR and your RB facing a season ending injury), instead, they got hard AF.


For me, those are back to back plays that I will 100% always think of when I think of this team and all they have done for my fellow alum, the state of Michigan, snd CFB in general

Came to play for Saban…now in play

Lost track of his eligibility. TIA

Again, nobody knows anything, but this immediately jumped out to me as a way to apply pressure on Bill Belichick to make a quick decision.

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Congratulations! Over/under on # of kids is set at 6.5 and -130.

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I'm sure he's made sure they followed all the rules.

How much money is ohio state going to spend?

Still nothing from him on catapult.

Michigan 4 little bro 0 after two periods. In EL tonight and at Yost tomorrow night.

Go Blue!

Nice win over #5 Spartans on the road.

From The Athletic…
“…(Jim Harbaugh) is said to be seeking written assurances that would prevent him from being fired if NCAA officials find him culpable of rules violations in ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS…”

QUESTION ONE — Is Jim Harbaugh justified in seeking protection from unexpected penalties for violations that he did not personally commit that are inconsistent with NCAA and Big Ten penalty precedents?

Harbaugh suffered suspensions by both the Michigan AD and the Big Ten commissioner amounting to 6 of the 12 scheduled games in 2024 even though he has not been personally accused of violating any NCAA or Big Ten rules or policies or directing others to commit violations.

The NCAA has been pretty clear in its intent. They want to get rid of Jim Harbaugh. He’s been a loud proponent of sharing a sizable portion of TV revenues with the student-athletes who are featured on TV as well as sponsoring other unusual activities—satellite camps, team foreign travel, etc. The last thing the NCAA wants is a popular coach proposing anything that would reduce TV revenues. At the same time virtually all the Big Ten football coaches would like to get rid of Jim Harbaugh.

So does Harbaugh have reason to seek legal protection from unexpected, unjustified and unprecedented penalties? Without question, if I were his attorney I’d advise him YES.

But is he justified in demanding such protection for future violations not yet alleged or under investigation? NO.

QUESTION TWO — By acceding to Harbaugh’s demands, would Michigan be “selling its soul for athletic glory”.

Harbaugh is asking for protection from penalties by the AD, the Big Ten conference, and the NCAA for violations currently being investigated by the NCAA, either individually or if the NCAA chooses to group them together under a more serious category. The NCAA has refused to reach a negotiated settlement and appears to be grouping improper recruiting, improper coaching using Zoom and illegal advance scouting (sign stealing) under a Level 1 refusing to cooperate with an NCAA investigation allegation, probably for adjudication by the full Committee on Infractions.

Harbaugh has recent experience suggesting such protection is necessary. He can’t rely on his boss, the Athletic Director, the Big Ten Conference or the NCAA. So would Michigan’s agreement to Harbaugh’s demands for very narrow protections change the university’s institutional character? NO

QUESTION THREE — Should Michigan accede to Harbaugh’s demands in a contract extension?

The renegotiation of Harbaugh’s contract extension is now in It’s third year. Harbaugh is publicly in active discussions with a third and fourth NFL team regarding a head coaching opportunity. Michigan has proposed dramatic increases the amount of JH’s pay, the term of the contract, the pay pool for assistants, and almost all of his demands other than the protections against unexpected penalties from the NCAA, the Big Ten, or Warde Manuel?

Michigan has lost control of Harbaugh’s contract negotiation, is embarrassed by a popular and successful coach actively seeking an NFL job while still under contract, has lost important players and recruits who have transferred or de-committed. Even if agreement is reached this year, there is no assurance that Harbaugh’s dalliances with NFL teams won’t be repeated every year, regardless if Harbaugh says that he’s “willing to coach Michigan as long as they’ll have me.”

Michigan must regain control of this negotiation by giving Harbaugh a “take it or leave it” offer with a short time frame—the existing offer for a few days, not including his most recent demands. But Michigan should communicate to Harbaugh and his agent that if not signed in a few days the offer will be withdrawn and not considered again until the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2025 season. The AD should control increases in assistants pay. If that results in Harbaugh resigning, taking an NFL job or losing a few more recruits or transfers, so be it. Michigan must re-establish a proper employer-employee relationship with Jim Harbaugh.

So the question, should Michigan agree to accept Jim Harbaugh’s most recent contract demands or continue to negotiate them? NO

If we think we can rely on the NCAA to establish rules or ‘guardrails’ governing NIL, Pay4Play or poaching other schools’ best players, it’s not going to happen. The NCAA is defending itself in 3-4 large lawsuits regarding financial losses incurred by student-athletes as the result of NCAA rules being inconsistent with federal laws. Whether settled at trial or by a negotiated settlement, the costs could bankrupt the NCAA. Along with about a dozen states, another plaintiff in one of the suits is the U.S. Department of Justice!

The result is a lot of the top schools have chosen to break the NCAA’s existing rules with impunity. There is a large chance that the rules being violated also violate federal antitrust laws. There is virtually no chance that the NCAA will threaten enforcement and run the risk of having to defend another large lawsuit which they are likely to lose.

The effect on Michigan or other schools which choose not to join the schools using aggressive financial practices is that it will be difficult to attract recruits and top transfer players, as well as retaining players. Our better players will be poached by schools willing to pay the price. We can talk brotherhood and culture, but in the end the old adage ‘follow the money’ is likely to prevail.

There are lots of examples. Today Ohio State poached and signed Caleb Downs, a rising soph CB who was Alabama’s leading tackler last season. The Buckeyes have been very active in the Transfer Portal since the end of the season. They are generally thought to be the leader to flip Julian Sayin, the highest-rated QB in the incoming ‘24 class who had also committed to Alabama. Reports are that it takes $4-5 million a year to attract and retain top QBs such as Sayin.

To expect rules to be established by conferences or state or federal legislation is a pipe dream. There won’t be any rules or guardrails until whatever organization that replaces the NCAA is created. We may be talking a decade or more.

There’s no sense debating whether we like the idea of teen-age athletes being paid hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to play college football or basketball, or whether that violates NCAA rules. The reality is that the NCAA can’t enforce those rules, which may be illegal themselves. The schools who recruit and retain the best players will win, probably be selected for the new expanded CFP system, and recover a lot of their expenditures from post-season game payments and much increased generosity from wealthy donors. The schools who don’t play the game will be unable to compete. This is a choice we’re facing.

We’re going to find out which ‘side of the fence’ Michigan will choose to be on very quickly. Is this post the bearer of bad tidings? I don’t think so. It’s just reality. Who will make the decision?

is canned after the year?

Jim Harbaugh attended and spoke at a March for Life event in Washington, DC, Friday. At some point, he offered brief but vague comments on what he has been doing since winning the Championship and his future.
What, if anything, do these comments mean?

Michigan Football is heading to a new era in 2024 and will have an open quarterback competition for the first time in a long time.
Let's take a look back at how these guys were viewed as recruits before they arrived in Ann Arbor.

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Anyone knows who this is?

So you undermind Brian Hartline and show that his OC title was always BS. He turned down other jobs because of that, wonder if he won't turn down jobs next year.
You hire Bill O'Brien, who is just watching his career drop at every stop since leaving Penn State, to take away your play calling, which is the thing that literally got you the head coaching job.
And you fire Urban Meyer's son in law in order to do all of these things.
What is Ryan Day thinking?
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Nm

UPDATE:

After getting some further word, unless J.J. goes to bed and has a magical dream, I am expecting him to go pro tomorrow.

———

Just had some quick conversations with some folks after the natty celebration to get a sense of where things are trending with J.J. McCarthy.

He is indeed deciding tomorrow.

I am told that he is VERY torn about what to do next. As of right now, he has informed people that he is leaning towards leaving but he said he has one more sleep to know what he's going to do for sure.

We'll see what tomorrow holds, it could very much go either way right now if he has an overnight change of heart.

Harbaugh has never had to interview for any head coach job he's gotten

Or, in other words, Jim Harbaugh has never been hired for a job where he had to interview.

Perhaps he had to speak to people in San Fran but I don't believe there was a formal interview process like he has gone through the past three seasons.

Not saying this will be the difference maker here but it was an angle I never really thought about and would be interesting to discuss with you all.

Received some intel about what’s happening inside the athletic department.

This is coming from the Michigan side only but multiple sources have confirmed that the athletic department has begun preliminary planning internally IF Harbaugh were to leave.

Again, this is covering their bases and no one within the department has been informed of a decision.

Those plans include head coach Sherrone Moore, which shouldn’t come as a surprise.

What I can also confirm that, regardless of what happens with Harbaugh, keeping Ben Herbert in Ann Arbor is a VERY strong possibility. To the point where I can practically speak in certainties.

As for OC/DC, Moore will interview candidates in case Minter leaves, and there is a chance that he does.

For DC, Steve Clinkscale will get a very strong look from Moore. OC is not apparent at the moment.

Again, want to reiterate, Harbaugh has not informed anyone of his intentions but Michigan wants to make sure they’re prepared.

More when I have it.

Lots to get to on today's pod with guest and former Wolverine Jerry Diorio. Speculation on Jim Harbaugh his contract demands and inteviews. Is Sherrone Moore for sure going to be the next head coach at Michigan if Harbaugh leaves for an NFL job? What does Michigan spring ball look like as we sit here in January? The Detroit Lions look to get to the NFC Championship game with a victory at home Sunday verses the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Breakdown
Open 00:00-2:09
Jim Harbaugh 2:10-8:18
Harbaugh feedback 8:19-20:01
Sherrone Moore 20:02-37:55
Recruiting & qb's 37:56-51:20
Detroit Lions 51:21-101:06
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First, let me state that being my mom’s primary caregiver has been really tough the past 8 weeks. We are at the point where she has been approved to be in the program for that new drug that stops the spread of the protein that causes the disease, but must pass a couple of physical tests to be fully in. As the first test approached this morning, she became worse by the day, breaking out into tears 4-5 times a day, telling me she didn’t want to go through all of the extensive medical stuff and just wanted to die..shit like that. A few weeks ago I had all I could take and told her I had been there many times, and there were times I was living purely out of anger and spite..refusing to give up because I told myself that if I quit, then the undefined “They”…the people I hate in society that have no compassion for others and look down upon people like me..they would win. I couldn’t allow that to happen and for a long time, it was day to day living only out of spite. I told her she had to make a decision, show the toughness she’s had all her life, or if she really didn‘t want to live anymore, quit crying about it and just do it. I said her self pity is not like her..especially saying she didn’t want to live because of some medical procedures that are no big deal if she wanted to be in that program and live another decade or more. I said they could have a cure long before then, and she should be enthusiastic instead of wallowing in self pity. I finished by saying if she really wanted to die, then just do it already, I won’t think any less of her. what she is going through is part of the human condition, as the truth is life is ugly, brutish, and short. It’s up to us to make life as happy as possible, but if she wants to give up than do it and quit putting me and dad through all of this.

Well that settled her down until her scheduled spinal tap this morning to see if another additional chemical excretion caused by Alzheimer’s had traveled down her spine and were at a level that was too high for her to be in the drug program. She was so uncooperative that they canceled the procedure and we rescheduled it where she will be put under anesthesia for a simple tap I’ve had done that is simple and painless. I’m handling this job far better than I wouldn’t have thought in my wildest expectations, as I seriously didn’t know if I could do this given my serious psychiatric disorders and other issues.. but I’m doing a great job according to pops and I’m staying consistent. However, the stress is considerable and it’s coming out in little ways..like the return of some obsessive habits I thought I grew out of..like hypersexual behavior. That’s a whole story I can’t post here..but I have 3 no strings partners in my neighborhood, 2 ex gfs who got divorced and are back in town, and since I always make sure to become close friends with all my ex’s, I’m the first guy they call when they back in town. Now I’m getting involved with a 29 yr old Goth Chick from my dispensary who I just made a light suggestive joke to because we have become kinda friends that she took seriously…and let me tell you..Tinder and other internet hook up sites have changed young women..they are far more bold and direct than they used to be. For once, I was caught off guard, and to recover, I said I was booked up until the end of February, and I wanted her to really think about hooking up with a guy 1 year younger than her dad. If she still felt the same, we would go from there…but she is already texting me naked pics and shit…god, the life I lead, sometimes I wish I didnt have no fear to say anything to anyone..my life would be far less complicated.

After this morning’s disaster, I smoked some Indica and decided to check out The Athletic, which I haven’t read since before Michigan won it all. The first story about Corum nearly brought me to tears because he’s so different than every other athlete. He’s the genuine article, a great kid who cares more about others than he does about himself. He really doesn’t care about money or the trappings of stardom..I’ll always follow his life closely because I think he’s destined for far greater things than just Football. This country needs a whole lot more Blake Corums ..I can say that with certainty.

Then I read this article about Jared Goff and I couldn’t hold the tears back any longer. The part about him creating that clothing company with all sales going to create a scholarship fund for the kids of Detroit, and the fact he matches every dollar with his own money, and let’s the students of Detroit interested in Art and Design make the Detroit centric designs on the clothing line, well…more people need to know about that. Then I read about how he went to Jalen’s school to give out some scholarships, and instead of just being there an hour and leaving like most Athletes do..he hung out with the kids all day talking with him. combine that with all the support from his teammates…man..he’s the type of man I wish I could be..but with my anger and lust for vengeance against bullies and abusers ..the fact I have so much hate in me..I could never be the type of men Blake and Jarrod are. I try though. The stress from this morning made me cry like a baby..and I’m not a cryer..at all. I’ll link the article about Goff. He’s a real Detroiter now and I wouldn’t want anyone else as QB for the Lions. (Looks like I can’t link it through my NY Times subscription. Just go to the Lions page on The Athletic..it’s there and is a must read)

Now, as far as Michigan’s next HC..When Kraft had Mayo already lined up as the next HC to keep the culture Belichick and Brady established as the Patriot way. It really made me think about Michigan. In his interview, Mayo said he definitely wasn’t Bill, but the biggest thing he learned from him is that “Hard work..works.” Doing your job works, selflessness for the team works…and those 3 things are the essence of the Patriot way. In Michigan’s case, who can argue that Schembechler’s beliefs and the way he recruited and coached has defined the Modern Age of Michigan Football for the last 50 years? The one time Michigan hired a coach outside the culture it was a complete disaster that set the program back for 7 long years. I hated the hire from day 1, and I’ll finally admit that I rarely watched RR’s games in his thankfully short tenure. The pizza guy could have hired Harbaugh then, but he wanted a coach he could manipulate, so he hire Brady Hoke, who loved Michigan but was too nice a guy for the job. I remember him pitching many times that the program was a big family and though he landed a lot of highly ranked recruits, they were all nice guys without any dog in them with the exception of Lewan and a few others. He couldn’t hire a competent coordinator to save his life, and that apology to that evil bridge troll Dantonio for the spike incident was the last straw for me. I remember watching probably the worst victory over PSU Michigan ever played..a torturous to watch 18-16 win that caused me to say to Pop..I can’t watch this anymore..and didn’t watch another game until Hoke was mercifly fired and the guy I wanted all along, maybe the only guy who could save Michigan from becoming Nebraska, actually was hired. 9 years later, he accomplished everything he set out to do. I’d love it if he stayed..but I don’t think that’s Jim’s nature. He has a goal, achieves it, and then it’s on to the next mountain to climb. How can anyone be upset the he wants to win the SB? or that he is not giving out an explanation of what his intentions are? He’s earned the right to do whatever he wants next and we should be grateful for his time here.

But there was an important lesson to be learned in those 7 dark years we spent lost in the wilderness before Harbaugh, the quintessential Michigan man and Schembechler disciple, restored Michigan to glory. We should be like Kraft and the Patriots, grooming the next coach who is already on the staff and understands The football religion that is Schembechler’s beliefs of what being a Michigan man is all about, and how you get to the top and stay there, by playing a crushing physical style on both sides of the ball with a team of selfless guys who make the sacrifices for The Team The Team The Team. To me, looking at a Brian Kelly or anyone who isn’t part of the coaching staff now, after how hard Jim and his players worked to bring Michigan back to it’s Schembechler deep roots and won it all by dominating teams loaded with ”5 star” talent, with a Michigan team that played a vicious style of an old school Michigan Team made up of a large majority of 3 and 4 star dogs ..abosolutely hungry dogs who ran faster and played like they were fighting to eat, playing like a Schembechler team..in unison and for each other, I can’t see Michigan going outside the program again. Hire either Moore, Minter, or Hart..those are the only candidates to consider. And make sure that years before the next HC is ready to retire or move to the Pros, The AD has 2 or 3 guys who have been groomed in the Michigan Football Culture ready to step in seamlessly to keep Schembechler’s teachings and spirit alive and well in the building named after him. I don’t want to hear about any outside candidates unless they are ex Michigan players ready to step in and keep the Michigan Steamroller going. We can’t go back to those 7 years I just refuse to acknowledge ever happened. I don’t watch any repeats of games from those years because they were about as far from playing Schembechler football as you can get. I will hate Bill Martin for the rest of my life, the pizza guy as well…and we can’t ever make that mistake again.

Go read that article about Goff becoming a real Detroiter on The Athletic, I dare you not to get emotional about.

2023…The greatest Football year of my life that’s only gonna get better when the Lions shock the world by beating the Bills in the Superbowl.

Schembechler Football forever yo - Argus

home and home.

Go Blue.... would be nice to carry over a few of those goals from last weekend.