Schlichter's At It Again...??? Probably...

((HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

The HQ questions why anyone in their right mind would trust anything of theirs to tOSU QB Art Schlichter...

His gambling demons are legendary, and they are allegedly back with a vengeance...
Schlichter is being investigated in a ticket scam that may have taken millions from a lot of unsuspecting Ohioans- and the tickets include the Michigan game and the game in Dallas this weekend...

Along with Anita Barney, the two allegedly promised the ducats but never delivered them. Barney's attorney says that his client was also duped by Schlichter in the process.

Here's the latest... and it's pretty sad... from Paul Aker...


Mike Wagner's story in the Columbus Dispatch newspaper is hyah...

Dana Jacobson Pays Her OSU-Michigan Debt

((HT: ESPN))

Every year, "First Take" anchors Jay Crawford ((the tOSU alum)) and Jacobson ((the Michigan alum)) have a running bet on their football game.

Jacobson lost... again...
And had to pay up...

DEVELOPING: Michigan Intros Hoke, Says Good-Bye To Forcier

Busy day in Ann Arbor...

Here's how our friends at WXYZ-TV bring the new Maize and Blue guy into the fold...


Michigan AD Dave Brandon made the Forcier announcement during a separate news conference after introducing Hoke...

Forcier was academically ineligible to play in the Gator Bowl, and it all seems to have gone downhill since Forcier's freshman season...

More when we know more...

BREAKING: Les Stays At LSU

More when we know more, obviously...

But Les Miles has notified his current employer that he's staying there and not going to the current dog of a job at Michigan...

Look for San Diego State's Brady Hoke to now go to the head of the line...

Mega Robert Smith analyzes...
((HT: ESPN))

Miles Will Go Maize And Blue If Asked

That, of course, is if he's asked and if Joe Schad and his Schadenfreude are correct...

There's a supposed meeting with the Ann Arbor brass today up north...
Will it be a damn fine meeting...???

Who knows...???

Here's the update for our friends at WXYZ-TV in Detroit...


Have a great day...

BREAKING: Rich Rodriguez Fired At Michigan, Team Meeting Postponed

For Michigan fans, the end of the Rich Rodriguez era is here. Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon decided to fire Rodriguez in a meeting between the two Tuesday afternoon.

It his contract with the University of Michigan, Rodriguez is due a $2.5 million buyout should the University fire him. They have and the check is in the mail.

A team meeting is scheduled for 7:00pm tonight.

Here's Rich Rodriguez's legacy at Michigan.

* A record of 15-22 overall and 6-18 in the Big Ten. He lost all three of his games to Michigan State and Ohio State.

* An end to Michigan’s streak of playing in a bowl every season since 1975. He missed a bowl each of his first two seasons and this season lost to Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl, 52-14, the worst bowl loss in school history.

* The first losing season at Michigan in more than 40 years. His first team went 3-9; Michigan's last losing season, at 4-6, had come under Bump Elliott in 1967.

* Three years of NCAA probation for five major violations. The storied program had never been on probation. (Source: Detroit Free Press)

http://www.freep.com/article/20110104/SPORTS06/110104047/Michigan-decides-to-fire-football-coach-Rich-Rodriguez#ixzz1A6KalTF0

You think Jim Harbaugh is a candidate? Well the Detroit Free Press is reporting that Harbaugh would not accept an offer if it became available.

Michigan could turn to Brady Hoke at San Diego State or Les Miles at LSU, both are Michigan alums.

The college coaching carousal has just spun out of control with one of college football's brand names searching for a coach.

Photo Courtesy:KIRTHMON F. DOZIER/Detroit Free Press

1815 UPDATE: Michigan has postponed the players meeting after coach Rich Rodriguez met with AD Brandon.

Rodriguez normally holds the meeting the night before classes resume each semester. Defensive back James Rogers told the local press that the meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Monday Carousel: Tressel Upstairs...? Gundy Hiring A Pirate...? Willis Heading To UF, Assault Investigated At Willis Home

((HT: WOOF Radio, Dothan))

Chicagonow.com is reporting that The Sweater will be moving upstairs to an AD-like position after his bowl game. Current AD Gene Smith, through his Twitter account, responded thusly:

"Merry Xmas everyone!! Go back to drinking your eggnog!! Rumors not true.."

The Chicago Sports Tab is quoting "two sources that are very close to recruiting at prominent universities."

The HQ understands how "locked in" those folks are...

Our friends at 10TV in Columbus claim that Tressel has met with the team and is "staying." What exactly "staying" means is to be determined...

The Tulsa World has their hands full with the idea that Oke State head coach Mike Gundy is looking into the idea of hiring Mike Leach as his new OC- replacing Dana Holgorsen.

DATELINE MAIZE AND BLUE: The main reason Rich-Rod isn't lobbying publicly for his job is that he already knows he's toast. That lends itself to the idea of Jim Harbaugh or Les Miles heading to Ann Arbor- especially, if Harbaugh jumps to the NFL. The only reason the Michigan Athletic Department hasn't pulled the trigger is that the buyout is cut in half after New Year's Day.

Texas Tech DC James Willis has reportedly left Lubbock and Coach Tub's staff and is in talks with Coach Boom to get a gig on the Gator staff- not necessarily a coordinator gig. He was only around for a year.

Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal says that Tuberville will not discuss the vacancy until after today's practice in Dallas as the Red Raiders prepare for their game with Northwestern.

"I wish James the best of luck, but it is important for (the) football team to keep pressing forward,” Tuberville said in the statement. “We have a great defensive staff here that will carry the load along with my assistance as we prepare for Northwestern.”

Lubbock PM UPDATE: According to Fox TV in Lubbock, suburban Lubbock police were called to a home in the town of Wolfforth to answer a domestic violence call early on December 22nd.

The home is currently owned by ECU DC Brian Mitchell and, allegedly, the residence of Willis. Wolfforth police are investigating and have not made an arrest.

Take all of these stories with the appropriate grains of salt you enjoy...
More when we know more...

TWTW: Robinson Sets Records, Michigan Loses To Badgers

((HT: WISC-TV Madison))

Michigan's Denard Robinson has set two NCAA records against Wisconsin. He broke Beau Morgan's major-college record for yards rushing by quarterbacks and became the first player in NCAA history with 1,500 yards rushing and 1,500 yards passing in one year.

Morgan had 1,494 yards rushing for Air Force in 1996. Robinson beat that with a 12-yard run in the third quarter against the Badgers.

Jason Foster ran for 1,844 yards for Georgia Southern in 2007, setting the Football Championship Subdivision record.

Pat White, who starred in Rich Rodriguez's system when the coach was at West Virginia threw for 1,724 and ran for 1,335 in 2007.

Emily Kumlien has the look back at everything but the Robinson record in the Wisconson win...

Beware The Sidelines: Just Ask Don Shane

((HT: WXYZ-TV Detroit))

As most of us at the HQ can attest, being on the sidelines at football games can really put your life into your hands...

I'll let Brothers Phil, Wilkie, and J-Dub elaborate on their own issues, but my instances come to two. One was at a Florida-Florida State game at the Swamp one year where my shooter ((FOSG Keith Williams, currently working in DC)) wore his garnet-colored t-shirt alerting the faithful where he went to school and made a point to scream as he walked along the 20-yard line:

"This is MY house!"

The other was when I was shooting a Brown-Dartmouth game a long time ago in Providence. They didn't have the sidelines marked as most colleges do now. But let's just say that when the Mean Green ran "student body left" two times in a row right at me, you can see a winter coat stiff-arm some poor college kid the second he cleared the out of bounds marker on the videotape.

**From Bro. Phil**--In 20 years of shooting sports, only 2 incidents of serious contact. One was at a Georgia football game in 2003. Shooting in the end zone and UGA WR Fred Gibson comes crashing into the back of the end zone, the result of being blocked. Gibson hits me and bounces backwards 3-yards on his back into the end zone. Me, I fell into the hedges and never went down. (Me 6-5, 240, Fred 6-3 180). 


Two was at an Orlando Magic game back in the early 90's when Derrick Coleman slid into me on the baseline...again, even though he was bigger, he somehow got the worst of it....


Which brings us to WXYZ-TV/Detroit Sports Director Don Shane ((pictured at the moment of impact, thanks WXYZ their ownselves))

He took Tate Forcier's helmet right in the chops at some moment in the latter stages of overtime. Shane's head hit the turf, and he had his lip cut wide open- good enough for four stitches.

Here's his postgame with Tate Forcier where the Wolverines QB realizes just what he's done...


Shane got a full range of concussion tests, and he's okay so far...
We salute your fortitude, sir...

((J-Dub update)) Here's XYZ sports anchor Tom Leyden's take on the Forcier hit on his boss...

TWTW: Michigan State Takes Michigan 3rd In A Row

The 17th-ranked Michigan State Spartans intercepted three Denard Robinson passes -- one in the end zone, one just outside of it -- and scored 24 unanswered points to break open a close game in a 34-17 win over the 18th-ranked Michigan Wolverines.

For the first time since 1965-67, Michigan State has won three straight in the series.

The biggest question for Sparty's defense would be: Could they keep Robinson in check considering all of the offensive numbers he's put up this season...

Remember his competition, the HQ points out...

He was 17 of 29 for 215 yards with two scores, but made three turnovers and ran for a season-low 86 yards on 21 carries.

And don't think the rest of the world won't have this game for video tape, either.

Michigan State, which was a five-point underdog, earned its most-lopsided victory in the series since beating the Wolverines 34-0 in 1967.

Here's postgame from our friends at WXYZ-TV in Detroit...


The HQ also welcomes back Coach Dantonio...

TWTW: Michigan Survives Robinson Scare, Takes Out Bowling Green

((HT: WXYZ-TV Detroit))

Both Michigan QB's Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier were injured in Michigan's 65-21 win over Bowling Green.

Robinson twisted his left knee after a 46-yard run in the first quarter and didn't return. Forcier left the game in the fourth quarter after also hurting his left knee.

The Wolverines have won their first four games for the second straight season, but everyone remembers they finished 5-7 last year.

Bowling Green (1-3) gave up the first 21 points of the game in the first quarter, then got to within a touchdown with 5:07 left in the first half.

Then, it wasn't even close as the Big 10/11/12-MAC Showcase continued in other 10/11/12 locales...

Here's your postgame with RichRod...
The first question, obviously, is why Denard Robinson wasn't kept in the game...

Lucky Or Good...? Michigan Holds Off UMass

((HT: WXYZ-TV Detroit))

That's the question for Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez after yet another Appalachian State flashback that almost came true Saturday.

Denard Robinson had 345 yards of total offense and three touchdowns as he continued his early Heisman push. Robinson was 10 of 14 for 241 yards passing and hooked up with Darryl Stonum for TDs 45 seconds apart late in the first half. He also ran 17 times for 104 yards and a score that put the Wolverines ahead 35-17 midway through the third quarter.

UMass scored to get within five points with 2:05 left, but their onside kick went out of bounds and Michigan ran out the clock. They even led by 10 early and had a chance to do the same thing AppState did three years ago.

Here's your postgame...


We still think RichRod is gone after this year...

BREAKING NEWS: Michigan Football Out Of Compliance

The NCAA says Tuesday afternoon that University of Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez's program was out of compliance with practice time rules.

Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman was accompanied by incoming athletic director David Brandon and head football coach Rich Rodriguez, at a 1PM press conference.
Brandon said there were no surprises in the NCAA findings. He also says Rodriguez remains the coach.

((Rich Rodriguez today//Courtesy: Andre J. Jackson/Detroit Free-Press))

Michigan has 90 days to respond and will appear at an NCAA hearing on infractions in August. The school is also checking in to how its investigation matches up with the NCAA findings and will consider self-imposed sanctions.

The NCAA began investigating the program following a Detroit Free Press report back in August where current and former players said they were forced to exceed NCAA limits on training and practice hours.

Read the Freep report here...

The report, now released, wasn't pretty. The outlined 5 different major violations in the football program. In fact they correlated the Free Press report from August.

Today's story from the Freep is RIGHT HERE

The laundry list includes:

(1) Exceeding the allowed number of coaches by 5.

(2) Permitting staff to monitor and conduct voluntary summer

workouts outside the season and requiring players to participate in summer conditioning for disciplinary purposes etc.

(3) Graduate Assistant Coach Alex Herron provided "False and

misleading information to the school and enforcement staff: he

lied to them.

(4) Coach Rich Rodriguez didn't monitor any of this.

(5) The Athletic Department also didn't monitor any of this

The school has 90 days to respond to the NCAA and will appear in front of the committee in August to find out their punishment. The scary part of all this is the emphasis by Brandon that Rodriguez will still be the coach at Michigan next year. His regime to this point has been somewhat of a failure with barely a winning record.

Here's RichRod from the presser, thanks to our friends at WXYZ-TV in Detroit

Another Miracle HS Football Finish

((HT: Bob's Blitz/Deadspin/WLND-TV))

This time in Michigan...

Canton (Michigan) Plymouth High thought it had defeated Westland (Michigan) John Glenn when it blocked a last-second field goal attempt.

But the ball never crossed the line of scrimmage...the officals never blew the play dead. John Glenn's Tony Wilton picked up the ball and ran 33-yards for the winning score.

Looks like his knee was down when he touched the footblal after the block, but the game's in the books...

Oh well...
Still cool, though...

Michigan To Launch "Full Investigation" Of Player Allegations

Things are getting interesting in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Late Sunday night University of Michigan athletic director Bill Martin said the institution would launch a "full investigation" responding to the Detroit Free Press report that Brother Phil posted earlier.

Here's Bill Martin's statement released by the University of Michigan:

"We are committed to following both the letter and the intent of the NCAA rules and we take any allegations of violations seriously."

"We believe we have been compliant with NCAA rules but nonetheless we have launched a full investigation of the allegations in today's newspaper."

"We have already reached out to both the Big Ten and the NCAA and we will have more to say on this as soon as we have completed our assessment."

Photo Courtesy: Julian H. Gonzalez/Detriot Free Press

Michigan May Be In Trouble

University of Michigan Football Coach Rich Rodriguez may have some 'splainin to do to the NCAA. According to a story that appeared yesterday in the Detroit Free-Press, he is alleged to have violated some NCAA rules in regards to practice time and voluntary workouts. As we all know, that is a no-no.

Here is the original story from the Detroit Free-Press.

((Rich Rodriguez photo//Courtesy: Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press))

We don't know if the allegations are true or not, but if they are it would not be a shock. Without casting aspersions towards Rodriguez, we think he would not be the first coach to put an undertone towards these issues. We will imply that there are probably numerous football coaches who do what they need to do to get there guys there and get "100%" participation. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.