The wackiness of Major League Baseball is just about enough to drive a fan/team/manager/front office, pick one or all, crazy at times.
It just doesn't seem right when a clearly inferior team, long since hopelessly out of any playoff contention, can waltz into the home park of a team they're a colossal 30 games behind in the standings -- and knock them off.
But that's exactly what the Detroit Tigers just did to the NY Yankees. Further, the puddy-tats out-bombed the Bronx Bombers by swatting five home runs. Worse, two of those round-trippers came off the bat of one Victor Martinez, the modern day Methuselah who hasn't been able to field a position -- ANY position -- in years, and who's speed on the base paths can be timed with a sundial, not to mention barely hitting his weight in recent times. Two dingers from THAT guy? Get outta here.
These are the same Tigers that just got smoked in KC, losing two games to the last place Royals by a combined score of 16-4. And before that, dropping three of four to the lowly Chicago White Sox.
What's also true is that the Yankees would be in first place in any other division in baseball, except the American League East. And even minus slugger Aaron Judge, out with a wrist injury, are very close to being on track to set the all-time single season record for home runs.
Problem is those pesky Boston Red Sox. The Sawks are ten games better than ANYBODY else in MLB, with over 130 games played in the regular season. That's a bunch.
Try as they might, the Yanks can't seem to close the gap to less than six games. So if this holds, and it likely will, the second best team in baseball will face a wild-card, one game elimination when the playoffs start. And anybody can win one game.
Could they possibly catch the Bosox with about a month left in the regular season? Sure, but they'd have to get mighty hot, like winning at a .750 clip, and hope the Fenway folks played maybe .500 ball for the remaining thirty or so. Odds of both happening? Slim, at best.
Needless to say, EVERY game is important to the Yanks these days.
So yeah. It's probably just about enough to drive them bonkers when a slip-shod, minor-league-ish team like the rag tag Tigers come into Yankee Stadium and hang a loss on the home town heroes.
Somehow it just doesn't seem right.
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Monday, August 27, 2018
Those pesky -- and annoying -- Tigers
I'm starting to feel pretty good about a bet I made several months ago. As was posted here a few weeks back, before the Major League Baseball season even started, yours truly got into a bit of a disagreement with another sports bar patron as to just how bad the Detroit Tigers would be. He was a die-hard Tiger fan.
I claimed they'd finish at least 20 games under .500. He said no way. It started out with a C-note, then escalated to five times that amount. All duly witnessed and official. Done deal. One of us is going to take a hit in the wallet when the season ends in a few weeks.
For a while there early on, the Detroit puddy-tats had me a bit concerned. They were hovering right around .500.
And then came the crash. They now find themselves 25 games UNDER .500. I'm liking it -- a lot.
No sane person thought the Tigers could compete with the Cleveland Indians in their own division over the long haul. And they haven't.
But the Minnesota Twins have zoomed by them as well.
Don't look now, but the pretty much woeful Chicago White Sox are poised to pass them up. At last look, they were only a single game behind in the loss column. The Chisox have won 7 of their last 10, including 3 of 4 from their latest series with Detroit -- who has gone 3-7 over the same stretch.
The only question that seems to remain is -- how low can the puddy-tats go? They seem hell-bent on getting rid of any potential talent that happens to emerge on their team. Every time a player shines, even a little, he's gone.
What's left is a rag-tag team of otherwise minor-leaguers and a few grossly overpaid and over the hill veterans that have long been past their prime.
So let's see. The starting pitching sucks. The bullpen is even worse. They're slow as molasses on the basepaths, Bad News Bears cartoonish defensively, and the offensive line-up has about as much pop as a boxful of wet firecrackers.
It's pitiful the depths the once-proud Tigers have sunk to. At that, they haven't won a World Series since way back in 1984. A whopping 34 years ago.
The most amazing thing would seem to be -- how do the Tiger announcers keep finding so many good things to say about such a bad team? Talk about a tough job. Do these shameless folks ever look in the mirror and take stock of themselves?
On another Tiger front, there remains the on-going debacle of Eldrick Tont Woods. Detroit Tigers announcers are the pinnacle of virtue compared to the sorry hero-worhiping Tiger lemmings. It's like they can't get enough of the guy.
Let's face it. He had his decade of greatness. Then he self-destructed in his personal life, couldn't stay physically healthy enough to play golf, of all things, and now he's a shell of his former self.
But still we get bombarded with Tiger this and Tiger that.
In the recently concluded Northern Trust tournament, the first of four making up the playoffs for the FedEx Cup, somehow Woods managed to qualify -- though he hasn't won squat in five years.
After the first round of play, see Eldrick five strokes behind. Not too bad. But late night highlight shows were chock full of Tiger so-called "highlights".
After the second round, it was nine, and he barely, by the scrawny hairs on his chinny chin chin, managed to make the cut. Never mind fifty some guys were ahead of him, there came more Tiger highlights.
When all was said and done, see Eldrick finish a whopping 14 shots behind. In a tie for 40th place, along with seven other guys. Of course, there would be even MORE Tiger highlights.
What is it with these people? Aren't broadcasters supposed to be unbiased? How can they rationally explain still force-feeding the public clips of Eldrick every week when so many other golfers finished ahead of him?
One can only wonder when this obviously prejudicial and, yes, highly discriminatory farce will finally stop. Where are the forces of equality and fairness? Out to lunch because Woods happens to be a black man playing a predominantly white man's game?
Tigers, Tigers everywhere. And none of them any good.
It's just about enough to make me stop eating Frosted Flakes, cuz Tony the Tiger is their pitch-man. Yet at least they remain GRRR--EAT!
Which is the polar opposite of their MLB and golfing namesakes.
They suck.
I claimed they'd finish at least 20 games under .500. He said no way. It started out with a C-note, then escalated to five times that amount. All duly witnessed and official. Done deal. One of us is going to take a hit in the wallet when the season ends in a few weeks.
For a while there early on, the Detroit puddy-tats had me a bit concerned. They were hovering right around .500.
And then came the crash. They now find themselves 25 games UNDER .500. I'm liking it -- a lot.
No sane person thought the Tigers could compete with the Cleveland Indians in their own division over the long haul. And they haven't.
But the Minnesota Twins have zoomed by them as well.
Don't look now, but the pretty much woeful Chicago White Sox are poised to pass them up. At last look, they were only a single game behind in the loss column. The Chisox have won 7 of their last 10, including 3 of 4 from their latest series with Detroit -- who has gone 3-7 over the same stretch.
The only question that seems to remain is -- how low can the puddy-tats go? They seem hell-bent on getting rid of any potential talent that happens to emerge on their team. Every time a player shines, even a little, he's gone.
What's left is a rag-tag team of otherwise minor-leaguers and a few grossly overpaid and over the hill veterans that have long been past their prime.
So let's see. The starting pitching sucks. The bullpen is even worse. They're slow as molasses on the basepaths, Bad News Bears cartoonish defensively, and the offensive line-up has about as much pop as a boxful of wet firecrackers.
It's pitiful the depths the once-proud Tigers have sunk to. At that, they haven't won a World Series since way back in 1984. A whopping 34 years ago.
The most amazing thing would seem to be -- how do the Tiger announcers keep finding so many good things to say about such a bad team? Talk about a tough job. Do these shameless folks ever look in the mirror and take stock of themselves?
On another Tiger front, there remains the on-going debacle of Eldrick Tont Woods. Detroit Tigers announcers are the pinnacle of virtue compared to the sorry hero-worhiping Tiger lemmings. It's like they can't get enough of the guy.
Let's face it. He had his decade of greatness. Then he self-destructed in his personal life, couldn't stay physically healthy enough to play golf, of all things, and now he's a shell of his former self.
But still we get bombarded with Tiger this and Tiger that.
In the recently concluded Northern Trust tournament, the first of four making up the playoffs for the FedEx Cup, somehow Woods managed to qualify -- though he hasn't won squat in five years.
After the first round of play, see Eldrick five strokes behind. Not too bad. But late night highlight shows were chock full of Tiger so-called "highlights".
After the second round, it was nine, and he barely, by the scrawny hairs on his chinny chin chin, managed to make the cut. Never mind fifty some guys were ahead of him, there came more Tiger highlights.
When all was said and done, see Eldrick finish a whopping 14 shots behind. In a tie for 40th place, along with seven other guys. Of course, there would be even MORE Tiger highlights.
What is it with these people? Aren't broadcasters supposed to be unbiased? How can they rationally explain still force-feeding the public clips of Eldrick every week when so many other golfers finished ahead of him?
One can only wonder when this obviously prejudicial and, yes, highly discriminatory farce will finally stop. Where are the forces of equality and fairness? Out to lunch because Woods happens to be a black man playing a predominantly white man's game?
Tigers, Tigers everywhere. And none of them any good.
It's just about enough to make me stop eating Frosted Flakes, cuz Tony the Tiger is their pitch-man. Yet at least they remain GRRR--EAT!
Which is the polar opposite of their MLB and golfing namesakes.
They suck.
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Detroit Lions season prediction
In their latest issue, Sports Illustrated has claimed the Detroit Lions will go 10-6 this season -- but not make the playoffs.
I just don't see it. After having a fairly weak schedule the last couple years, and still floundering, the NFL has beefed up their competition a bit. So let's see, game by game.
NY Jets. OK, as bad as the Lions are, the Jets are worse -- much worse. A win.
@ San Francisco. The Lions have historically folded when playing out west and the Niners are much improved. Jimmy G appears to be the real deal. A loss.
New England. Brady's getting old and the Pats always appear to have gaping deficiencies -- until Bellichick works his magic again -- but c'mon. Another L.
@ Dallas. Da Boys ain't what they used to be, and losing Jason Witten to the broadcast booth is a serious hit. But on the road in Dallas? I still like the Jones boys. An L.
Green Bay. For whatever reason, the Lions always play the Packers tough at home. The Cheesers are a much better team, but let's say the Lions prevail once again. A W.
Bye week.
@ Miami. Yep, the Dolphins are stink-it-up terrible. A win.
Seattle. They too have suffered serious personnel losses of late. And it's in Detroit. A close call, but let's chalk it up in the W column.
@ Minnesota. The Vikings are Super Bowl contenders. The chances of the Lions waltzing into Minnesota and getting a win? Mighty slim. A loss.
@ Chicago. See Miami above. A win.
Carolina. Another toss up. I gave the last one (Seattle) to Detroit, so I'm giving this one to the Panthers. An L.
Chicago. They'll romp over Da Bears at home. A win.
LA Rams. They're greatly improved and still coming under their new young head coach. A loss.
@ Arizona. A definite maybe, but the out-west thing comes into play again. An L.
@ Buffalo. An interesting game. Sure, the Bills have been gawd-awful for decades. But like the Lions always win a game or two they're not supposed to, likewise do they lose games they should probably win. If they can beat the Packers at home, leave it to the Lions to lose to the Bills on the road. An L.
Minnesota. It will be getting close to crunch time when this game happens. The Vikings will probably need the win to enhance their chances at a division title, and the Lions might -- might -- still be in the playoff chase as a wildcard. When in doubt, go with the home team to give their long-suffering fans one more last gasp at the proverbial hope. A win.
@ Green Bay. On December 30. Frigid conditions are likely. The Packers will have been accustomed to playing in it. The Lions, being an indoor team, will not. When their absolute last chance at making the playoffs is staring them in the face -- they'll crash and burn again at Lambeau. One more L.
So by my fearless prognostications, I see the Lions going 7-9, a far cry from 10-6.
Two things. The Lions have a new head coach in Matt Patricia, a rookie in such a position at that. Throw in a brand new system that will take the players a while to get used to, and they weren't bubbling over with talent in the first place. This does not bode well.
More importantly, just when -- pray tell -- has Sports Illustrated ever got anything right when it comes to predictions?
Granted, my own track record is bad, but those guys should hang their heads in shame. Particularly one Peter King. The dude has long since proven beyond any reasonable doubt that he couldn't "pick" his nose with a power auger, and they still consider him some sort of genius?
Puh-leeze.
I just don't see it. After having a fairly weak schedule the last couple years, and still floundering, the NFL has beefed up their competition a bit. So let's see, game by game.
NY Jets. OK, as bad as the Lions are, the Jets are worse -- much worse. A win.
@ San Francisco. The Lions have historically folded when playing out west and the Niners are much improved. Jimmy G appears to be the real deal. A loss.
New England. Brady's getting old and the Pats always appear to have gaping deficiencies -- until Bellichick works his magic again -- but c'mon. Another L.
@ Dallas. Da Boys ain't what they used to be, and losing Jason Witten to the broadcast booth is a serious hit. But on the road in Dallas? I still like the Jones boys. An L.
Green Bay. For whatever reason, the Lions always play the Packers tough at home. The Cheesers are a much better team, but let's say the Lions prevail once again. A W.
Bye week.
@ Miami. Yep, the Dolphins are stink-it-up terrible. A win.
Seattle. They too have suffered serious personnel losses of late. And it's in Detroit. A close call, but let's chalk it up in the W column.
@ Minnesota. The Vikings are Super Bowl contenders. The chances of the Lions waltzing into Minnesota and getting a win? Mighty slim. A loss.
@ Chicago. See Miami above. A win.
Carolina. Another toss up. I gave the last one (Seattle) to Detroit, so I'm giving this one to the Panthers. An L.
Chicago. They'll romp over Da Bears at home. A win.
LA Rams. They're greatly improved and still coming under their new young head coach. A loss.
@ Arizona. A definite maybe, but the out-west thing comes into play again. An L.
@ Buffalo. An interesting game. Sure, the Bills have been gawd-awful for decades. But like the Lions always win a game or two they're not supposed to, likewise do they lose games they should probably win. If they can beat the Packers at home, leave it to the Lions to lose to the Bills on the road. An L.
Minnesota. It will be getting close to crunch time when this game happens. The Vikings will probably need the win to enhance their chances at a division title, and the Lions might -- might -- still be in the playoff chase as a wildcard. When in doubt, go with the home team to give their long-suffering fans one more last gasp at the proverbial hope. A win.
@ Green Bay. On December 30. Frigid conditions are likely. The Packers will have been accustomed to playing in it. The Lions, being an indoor team, will not. When their absolute last chance at making the playoffs is staring them in the face -- they'll crash and burn again at Lambeau. One more L.
So by my fearless prognostications, I see the Lions going 7-9, a far cry from 10-6.
Two things. The Lions have a new head coach in Matt Patricia, a rookie in such a position at that. Throw in a brand new system that will take the players a while to get used to, and they weren't bubbling over with talent in the first place. This does not bode well.
More importantly, just when -- pray tell -- has Sports Illustrated ever got anything right when it comes to predictions?
Granted, my own track record is bad, but those guys should hang their heads in shame. Particularly one Peter King. The dude has long since proven beyond any reasonable doubt that he couldn't "pick" his nose with a power auger, and they still consider him some sort of genius?
Puh-leeze.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
The ultimate Ohio State wimp-out
Well OK then. After ridiculously long "deliberations" the powers that be at Ohio State have finally reached a decision regarding their head football coach -- one Urban Meyer. Not related to Oscar -- I think, though baloney comes to mind.
At issue was whether dear Urban would be allowed to stay on in his position, making the box-car loads of money that comes with it.
This was in light of the allegations against a former underling coach on his staff, one Zach Smith.
It should be noted that while many have come to consider Smith some sort of wife abuser, no charges were ever filed against him, much less a trial and conviction happening. In the eyes of the law, dear Zach remains as pure as the proverbial driven snow.
But in today's maniacal politically correct world, sometimes that's just not good enough. Even the faintest hint of impropriety is heavily frowned on.
People have taken Meyer to task because he brought Smith along with him from their jobs at Florida U., despite the original allegations happening way back then.
True, Meyer got caught in a lie, which he feebly tried to "spin" later when asked how he had handled that situation.
And whether or not he duly "reported" any such further "suspicious" activity to his superiors at Ohio State remains an open question.
Yet in the end, OSU had a hard decision to make.
After all, nobody would doubt Meyer is a terrific football coach. His record speaks for itself, including a national championship not that long ago at OSU.
Should they cut him loose and likely have to eat the remainder of his multi-million dollar contract, while bringing in a new guy and having to pay him almost as much? As in being double-dinged?
Or should they keep him on and try to weather the politically correct storm?
Turns out, they did neither.
They copped a plea.
After all that, the official verdict is Meyer will be suspended for the first three games of the 2018 season.
True to form for most "power-house" football teams, OSU's first three games hardly represent any sort of serious competition.
Oregon State, Rutgers, and TCU -- all at home. Yes, TCU is ranked in the top 20, but they likely won't be after the gawd-awful beat down they'll probably endure at the "Horseshoe".
In the end, the suits at OSU refused to take a stand -- either way. They're trying to have their cake and eat it too.
Good grief. If their "moral" standards, a very loose term when applied to college football, were violated, then Meyer should have been sent packing. Outta here. Hit the road, Jack.
Conversely, if they wanted to (with apologies to Tammy Wynette) "stand by their man" then dammit, stand by him and don't suspend him at all.
The upshot of the whole sorry mess?
Ohio State wimped out.
And nobody likes a wimp.
At issue was whether dear Urban would be allowed to stay on in his position, making the box-car loads of money that comes with it.
This was in light of the allegations against a former underling coach on his staff, one Zach Smith.
It should be noted that while many have come to consider Smith some sort of wife abuser, no charges were ever filed against him, much less a trial and conviction happening. In the eyes of the law, dear Zach remains as pure as the proverbial driven snow.
But in today's maniacal politically correct world, sometimes that's just not good enough. Even the faintest hint of impropriety is heavily frowned on.
People have taken Meyer to task because he brought Smith along with him from their jobs at Florida U., despite the original allegations happening way back then.
True, Meyer got caught in a lie, which he feebly tried to "spin" later when asked how he had handled that situation.
And whether or not he duly "reported" any such further "suspicious" activity to his superiors at Ohio State remains an open question.
Yet in the end, OSU had a hard decision to make.
After all, nobody would doubt Meyer is a terrific football coach. His record speaks for itself, including a national championship not that long ago at OSU.
Should they cut him loose and likely have to eat the remainder of his multi-million dollar contract, while bringing in a new guy and having to pay him almost as much? As in being double-dinged?
Or should they keep him on and try to weather the politically correct storm?
Turns out, they did neither.
They copped a plea.
After all that, the official verdict is Meyer will be suspended for the first three games of the 2018 season.
True to form for most "power-house" football teams, OSU's first three games hardly represent any sort of serious competition.
Oregon State, Rutgers, and TCU -- all at home. Yes, TCU is ranked in the top 20, but they likely won't be after the gawd-awful beat down they'll probably endure at the "Horseshoe".
In the end, the suits at OSU refused to take a stand -- either way. They're trying to have their cake and eat it too.
Good grief. If their "moral" standards, a very loose term when applied to college football, were violated, then Meyer should have been sent packing. Outta here. Hit the road, Jack.
Conversely, if they wanted to (with apologies to Tammy Wynette) "stand by their man" then dammit, stand by him and don't suspend him at all.
The upshot of the whole sorry mess?
Ohio State wimped out.
And nobody likes a wimp.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
The raw deal of season tickets
Evidently the so-called "trade deadline" in Major League Baseball means nothing. It occurred on July 31. So how is it three weeks later, as in now, the Washington Nationals were able to ship two of their better players to the Cubs and Cardinals?
And therein lies the problem regarding season tickets. Once purchased the holder is stuck with them. It matters not if the club, in this case the Nats, throws in the towel on the season and begins unloading good players to save money.
If there was any justice in the world of sports, the same ticket holders should be able to return the unused tickets for all future home games and get their money back.
True, most thought the Nats would be contenders. After all, they have/had scads of talent. Also true is they have a nasty history of quickly bowing out in the playoffs. But at least they got there.
The club crying "uncle" and giving up mid-season to dump salaries is not what the season ticket holders signed up for.
If they want to go el-cheapo, than the fans should have an option as well.
As in likewise bail.
What could be fairer than that?
And therein lies the problem regarding season tickets. Once purchased the holder is stuck with them. It matters not if the club, in this case the Nats, throws in the towel on the season and begins unloading good players to save money.
If there was any justice in the world of sports, the same ticket holders should be able to return the unused tickets for all future home games and get their money back.
True, most thought the Nats would be contenders. After all, they have/had scads of talent. Also true is they have a nasty history of quickly bowing out in the playoffs. But at least they got there.
The club crying "uncle" and giving up mid-season to dump salaries is not what the season ticket holders signed up for.
If they want to go el-cheapo, than the fans should have an option as well.
As in likewise bail.
What could be fairer than that?
Sunday, August 19, 2018
MLB playoff chase
With about 40 games to go in the regular season, some things are obvious and others not so much in Major League Baseball.
The American League.
In the East, the Bosox are 10 games ahead of the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers would have to play roughly .750 baseball the rest of the way -- far better than they've been all season -- and hope Boston plays under .500 to claim the division title. Ain't gonna happen. Nobody else in that division is even in remote contention.
To the surprise of nobody, Cleveland has emerged as the best in the Central, with a double digit game lead themselves. Nobody else in that division is in remote contention either.
The West is far more interesting. Houston has suffered some injuries and Oakland's been red-hot. The Athletics have roared into a tie with the Astros atop the division. Who saw THAT coming?
So Boston's in. Same with Cleveland. The Astros and As ditto -- one as division champ and the other as a wild card.
That leaves the Yankees and Seattle Mariners to slug it out for the other wild card spot. With the Yanks having a 7 game lead, it's all but over, unless they collapse and Seattle gets red-hot as well -- though they've been trending downward in recent weeks.
The National League
In the East Atlanta and Phillie are battling for the division crown, merely a game separating them.
In the Central, the Cubs are on top, with the Brewers just a few games behind, and St. Louis sort of hanging around.
As in the AL, the NL West is more interesting. Only a couple games separate Arizona, Colorado, and the LA Dodgers. One of them is going to win the division title.
Between the Atlanta and Phillie also/ran, and the same with the two Ariz/Col/LA runners-up, the wild card spots are likely to go down to the proverbial wire, perhaps decided on the final day of the regular season.
What is glaring about this is the Washington Nationals. For all their supposed talent, they currently find themselves in sixth place regarding the wild card race.
True, we've become used to the Nats crashing and burning in the playoffs -- they can't seem to get out of the first round.
But who would have imagined they wouldn't even MAKE the playoffs?
It would appear the White House and Congress aren't the only dysfunctional things in Washington DC.
The American League.
In the East, the Bosox are 10 games ahead of the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers would have to play roughly .750 baseball the rest of the way -- far better than they've been all season -- and hope Boston plays under .500 to claim the division title. Ain't gonna happen. Nobody else in that division is even in remote contention.
To the surprise of nobody, Cleveland has emerged as the best in the Central, with a double digit game lead themselves. Nobody else in that division is in remote contention either.
The West is far more interesting. Houston has suffered some injuries and Oakland's been red-hot. The Athletics have roared into a tie with the Astros atop the division. Who saw THAT coming?
So Boston's in. Same with Cleveland. The Astros and As ditto -- one as division champ and the other as a wild card.
That leaves the Yankees and Seattle Mariners to slug it out for the other wild card spot. With the Yanks having a 7 game lead, it's all but over, unless they collapse and Seattle gets red-hot as well -- though they've been trending downward in recent weeks.
The National League
In the East Atlanta and Phillie are battling for the division crown, merely a game separating them.
In the Central, the Cubs are on top, with the Brewers just a few games behind, and St. Louis sort of hanging around.
As in the AL, the NL West is more interesting. Only a couple games separate Arizona, Colorado, and the LA Dodgers. One of them is going to win the division title.
Between the Atlanta and Phillie also/ran, and the same with the two Ariz/Col/LA runners-up, the wild card spots are likely to go down to the proverbial wire, perhaps decided on the final day of the regular season.
What is glaring about this is the Washington Nationals. For all their supposed talent, they currently find themselves in sixth place regarding the wild card race.
True, we've become used to the Nats crashing and burning in the playoffs -- they can't seem to get out of the first round.
But who would have imagined they wouldn't even MAKE the playoffs?
It would appear the White House and Congress aren't the only dysfunctional things in Washington DC.
Monday, August 13, 2018
Michigan football. This could get ugly
After the disastrous years of Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke, Michigan thought they were on to something big by hiring alum Jim Harbaugh, a former quarterback himself for the Wolverines, who had had great success elsewhere, both in college and the pros as a head coach. But not so fast.
True, it would take him a couple years to get his own recruited players up and ready, but he's already had that.
And the results aren't exactly rosy.
Last year, Harbaugh's Maize and Blue squad went a pedestrian 8-5. Sure, they beat the patsies that always find their way onto Michigan's schedule. Yet they didn't defeat a single team with a winning record all year.
Michigan State thumped them -- again -- in their own Big House in Ann Arbor. They were absolutely killed @ then #2 Penn State.
After a feel good run of three games against Big Ten also-rans, they'd go down to then #6 Wisconsin, #8 Ohio State, and then succumb to unranked South Carolina in the Outback Bowl -- ending the season on a rather 0-3 sour note.
By comparison, the upcoming 2018 schedule for Michigan is far more difficult than it was last year.
The usual patsies aside, Harbaugh's pre-seasoned ranked #15 boys start off the season @ #16 ranked Notre Dame. Quite the formidable opener.
Along the way, they'll have to deal with #3 Wisconsin, @ #11 Michigan State, #7 Penn State, and @ #9 Ohio State. Again, all are ranked ahead of Michigan.
Throw in Nebraska and a game @ Northwestern, not exactly gimmes, and this season could turn out to be even uglier than last year.
Michigan fans and their local media have put great faith in quarterback transfer Shea Patterson leading them to the promised land they haven't sniffed in several years.
Yet Patterson himself, despite they hype, didn't put up eye-popping numbers during his two seasons at Ole Miss.
He threw for about a 60% completion percentage. Not bad, but hardly note-worthy. Twenty three touchdowns versus twelve interceptions, merely a two to one ratio, is not a very good stat for a supposedly hot-shot QB.
And that's assuming Patterson even earns the starting job, which is no given at this point. Other QBs in the system that have been faithfully toiling away for a year or two awaiting their shot aren't likely to take kindly to the "new kid" swooping into town and jumping ahead of them on the depth chart. Especially one who appears to be all hype with little statistical proof to back it up.
Yep, this will be an interesting, and telling, year for Harbaugh and his Wolverines.
Maybe they'll finally rise to the proverbial occasion and make UM proud again.
But given their brutal schedule, it's just as likely they'll crash and burn even worse than last year.
We'll see.......
True, it would take him a couple years to get his own recruited players up and ready, but he's already had that.
And the results aren't exactly rosy.
Last year, Harbaugh's Maize and Blue squad went a pedestrian 8-5. Sure, they beat the patsies that always find their way onto Michigan's schedule. Yet they didn't defeat a single team with a winning record all year.
Michigan State thumped them -- again -- in their own Big House in Ann Arbor. They were absolutely killed @ then #2 Penn State.
After a feel good run of three games against Big Ten also-rans, they'd go down to then #6 Wisconsin, #8 Ohio State, and then succumb to unranked South Carolina in the Outback Bowl -- ending the season on a rather 0-3 sour note.
By comparison, the upcoming 2018 schedule for Michigan is far more difficult than it was last year.
The usual patsies aside, Harbaugh's pre-seasoned ranked #15 boys start off the season @ #16 ranked Notre Dame. Quite the formidable opener.
Along the way, they'll have to deal with #3 Wisconsin, @ #11 Michigan State, #7 Penn State, and @ #9 Ohio State. Again, all are ranked ahead of Michigan.
Throw in Nebraska and a game @ Northwestern, not exactly gimmes, and this season could turn out to be even uglier than last year.
Michigan fans and their local media have put great faith in quarterback transfer Shea Patterson leading them to the promised land they haven't sniffed in several years.
Yet Patterson himself, despite they hype, didn't put up eye-popping numbers during his two seasons at Ole Miss.
He threw for about a 60% completion percentage. Not bad, but hardly note-worthy. Twenty three touchdowns versus twelve interceptions, merely a two to one ratio, is not a very good stat for a supposedly hot-shot QB.
And that's assuming Patterson even earns the starting job, which is no given at this point. Other QBs in the system that have been faithfully toiling away for a year or two awaiting their shot aren't likely to take kindly to the "new kid" swooping into town and jumping ahead of them on the depth chart. Especially one who appears to be all hype with little statistical proof to back it up.
Yep, this will be an interesting, and telling, year for Harbaugh and his Wolverines.
Maybe they'll finally rise to the proverbial occasion and make UM proud again.
But given their brutal schedule, it's just as likely they'll crash and burn even worse than last year.
We'll see.......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)