Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Michigan Tuesday: Has Writer's Block

Not too much making news today, so I will just give you my random thoughts on a number of topics.  You better hide the young children when you start to walk around in my brain.

Tressel knew too much - (about the trading of OSU gear for Tattoo's like 8 months before it was reported)  Big headline which will have little impact.  Of course he knew early and of course it happens at a lot of schools.  The NCAA will slap someone in Columbus on their hand and everyone will move on.  Maybe the "Vest" might have to sit out a instate MAC game next year.   The thing to really consider is, when will OSU have done enough for the NCAA to come to Columbus with a fine tooth comb?  I would guess it's probably getting pretty close.  The one thing the NCAA doesn't like is being lied to.

You know what will push College Football to a Playoff System? The current Bowl System will. What? Might be your first reaction.  Brian at Mgoblog did a good piece today on how Universities are losing money on Bowl Games.   UConn lost $1.8M playing in the Fiesta Bowl last year and there is no way a MAC team makes any money attending any bowl.    The issues is the Bowl's are making teams buy a ton of seats and hotel rooms that go un-filled.  Which equals huge loses. 

Back to why this will equal a Playoff System.  Everyone who owns a calculator and has a business degree knows any and all networks would back up the Brinks Truck for a College Football Playoff System.  It could be bigger then the Basketball Tournament.  The only reason the Bowl System stays intact is due to the University Presidents liking that their 6-6 club gets to play one more game in El Paso every year.   If those Presidents now are starting to lose $2M per trip, how excited are they going to be to play in those games?  I'm guessing not too excited.  If their "league" has revenue sharing and the top teams can play in the playoffs, split the big payday and everyone will get their share.  Now the a 6-6 President has more money and can  hire Rich Rodriguez next year.   See how it works out for everyone?  I'm sure even Les Miles could work out a contract extension or pay raise under this system.

Big Ten Coach of the Year:  I don't have a problem with Purdue's  Matt Painter winning the award.  He was able to keep his talented team together and in the top 15 all year with the loss of Robbie Hummel on the first day of practice.    With that said, the best coaching job in the Big Ten and maybe in the nation was done by John Beilein.  If he gets this team in the tournament, somebody should recognize him for taking a team expected to finish 10th in the Big Ten to 4th  (in a talented Big 10) and to the Big Dance.

Crying after a loss:  I actually don't have a problem with it and I much rather players show emotion after a loss then joking around and talking about which clubs they are going to hit that night.  People show emotion in a number of ways (watch American Idol if you question that) and showing emotion after a tough loss makes me know that you care about the game and your teammates.    It sucks to lose and if you don't feel pain after a difficult loss in an important game then you don't love what your doing.

Some might say that (outside of Denard) that the 2010 Football Team could have taken the losses a bit more seriously.  I have a feeling that won't be an issue under Coach Hoke. 

Fab 5:  I hope the new documentary is done well.  I know they will have to mention Ed Martin but that time was special at Michigan and I hope they capture what the Fab 5 meant to college basketball and not about a guy running numbers and trying to get close to athletes by paying them money under the table.