M-Borg vs. THE Flavortown U Thread, Orig. by Buckeye Paul, absconded w/by talent.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Your biggest competition is going to be Wisconsin, and they're going to be absolutely hammered by graduation.

Dunno ........ Meathead goes free agency draft again and is going to have the statue Dayne Cryst tossing bombs to whoever might be out there getting open after Cryst has about an hour to find someone open. Isn't Ball still around? No sloutch there.

Bilema has a formula for success: easy OOC games, play all the hard games at home, scrupulously avoid one of the folllowing teams that could conceivably mount a challenge (osu, PSU, Michigan, MSU), play tomatoe cans out of division. Get road wins by scores of 10 to 3.

[WM Wolverine]

I like M's chances next season in Columbus. Should be a hard fought game and M will be as talented as they've been since '06. I see a rematch in the CCG as quite likely...

'13 is a long ways away but M loses a ton to graduation after '12, M's '12 recruiting class (this class isn't even complete yet) won't be quite ready but M should still be one of the top 3 or 4 teams in the conference.

[WM Wolverine]

I see the B10 getting weaker (Wisky, MSU & PSU) while M gets more experience, talented and adds depth. The issue in '12 is ND & Alabama OOC, brutal OOC that makes or breaks the season in September. Two conference losses imo doesn't knock M out of division unless one of those losses results in a tiebreaker.

[Hannibal]

We'll have our most experienced team since 2003 next year.

[Rocky Bleier]

Replacing Martin and Van Bergen will be the biggest problem.

[Hannibal]

Yup. It certainly will.

[Optimus Prime]

Think about it, Gee & Smith fire two head football coaches in less than a year yet remain gainfully employed, watching each other's back, synchronized swimming in their culture of corruption?

Good luck Urban, you'll likely need it.

[Jamie H]

They sure did a good job of throwing Tressel under the bus and making sure any evidence pointing back to them was never found. I don't believe for 1 second that he was operating completely on his own without anyone in the AD having any idea of what was going on.

[iam416]

'13 is a long ways away but M loses a ton to graduation after '12, M's '12 recruiting class (this class isn't even complete yet) won't be quite ready but M should still be one of the top 3 or 4 teams in the conference.

Yeah, that's why I said two in a row. I think the loss of Denard will be huge. But if Gardner steps up and bridges the gap to Morris, it'll be fine. The 2014 game is when Hoke will have "his" team fully in place. I expect M to be very good by then.

Next year is definitely a close game. I think the teams lose about as much. TBH, I'm not familiar with the M injury situation, but I know OSU was really hurting on defense and they'll hopefully have some of those guys at full speed (Nathan Williams, Shazier and Bryant). And I think Braxton will be significantly better. Plus it's at home. That's my thinking any way.

Wouldn't be surprised to see a rematch at all. I think that may be a semi-regular occurence in a few years.

[Optimus Prime]

Miller will be very good, M needs shut-down corners ASAP. Also don't like the fact that Miller has nine starts over Gardner already, the gap will be huge. DR had his best two games against Nebraska & OSU, breakouts if you will. I expect him to be very hard to beat next year and that includes the Columbus date.

Back-to-back games cheapens the rivalry...sort like a two-bit lap dance and shell of beer down in The Flats, you get what you pay for.

[lineygoblue]

"shell of beer"?

... nevermind .. I don't wanna know ...

[Optimus Prime]

Although my Grandfather was born in Detroit, he always used to say it.

Question: What is a "shell of beer" and where did this expression come from?
- D. Jerneycic

Cornelia: That's one I've never heard before. My research indicates it is a local expression for a small serving of beer instead of a large. A server's question might be would you like a "shell or a pint." It is apparently used in Michigan in the St. Clair County area. I was not as successful finding where the term originated.

[Ghengis Jon]

I see Michigan beating osu in 2012 as well. Especially if UM continues its now established policy of improving every week. Denard as a senior and Miller in the standard sophomore slump. 2013 will be a tough one to win with Miller as a junior (final year at osu before jumping to the pros) and Devin G in his first full year under center.

osu's schedule is as easy as ours is tough next year. I wish we had 2 bye weeks in 2012.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Mike Stoops confirms he has met with the Pope

http://newsok.com/mike-stoops-i-can-confirm-that-i-have-visited-with-coach-meyer/article/3628182?custom_click=masthead_topten

[UMStan White]

Who gives a shit I'd take Mattison over any DC in college football. Oscar Meyer seems to be loading his staff with coaches who were total failures as head coaches. Just think--Fickel and Mike Stoops on the same team.