Monday thoughts…

Wow. My Yeltsin style blood alcohol level has returned to normal status just in time for the short work week. Saturday was a classic “college” football game. College is housed within quotation marks because:

• Woody and Bo would not have recognized this game. The forward pass? The spread formation? Tressel highlighted his Heisman QB in the spread formation all night mixing just enough running (2 big plays otherwise a VERY quiet running attack) plays to slow down the Michigan pass rush.
• The Michigan D is not nearly as tough without their LBs in the game. The spread formation made Michigan adjust and the tackling in the middle suffered.
• Troy Smith will make a pro team very happy. He is a winner, took some serious hits (including illegal helmet to helmet), and threw 4 TDs without a pick.

To summarize: Michigan scored 39 points, did not commit a turnover, rushed for 150 yards and 3 TDs (albeit Hart’s attitude after the game he is a great back), and Chad Henne completed 60 % of passes for 267 yards and 2 TDs (no INTs), but LOST!! Bo must be confused.

I’d love to see a re-match. Why should Michigan play OSU again?
1. Florida’s weak out of conference schedule (Thanks Colonel)
2. If ND and USC play a close game, Michigan’s 26 point thumping of the Irish make the case for the Wolverines.
3. The Pac 10/Big East are both not better conferences “on average”… Skynet is out of control!!! We need to season reliance on statistics with some common sense. Statistics are wonderful for those who want to make a science out of a subjective art of selecting which 1 loss team gets the knod. Playoffs anyone?

The NFL:

• Dallas took a step forward to one of the NFC wildcards as McNabb is done for the season (sad) and Vick has been cold for the past 3 weeks (what in the world is wrong with Vick and ATL?).
• I agree with the notion that the Colts losing = better for them in the long run.
• Chicago at New England should be entertaining!! With injuries biting the entire NFC East, Chicago remains the top dog in the NFC. Here we have a test vs. a battle tested AFC team.
• From the bowels of regional coverage, the Skins still blow and the Steamers managed to pull defeat from the jaws of victory.
• Do the Jaguars or the Giants have any players not injured?