We're back from Big Ten media days in Chicago, some of us traveling by plane and others making the crucial error of train travel, complete with stoppages on the track, delayed departure, delayed arrival and the resulting lack of sleep.
Not that I'm bitter.
Anyway, one of the things that stood out from Big Ten media days - besides some very inane comments (more on that at annarbor.com today or tomorrow) - was how much Ohio State gave a virtual pep talk to Michigan about wanting them to return to past ways.
Who knew the Buckeyes' players were suckers for history, too.
The thoughts are led by Ohio State tight end Jake Ballard, who tells his friends he "hopes Michigan gets it turned around."
A couple other brief notes about today here at annarbor.com: First, we'll have some more on Ohio State-Michigan coming in a little bit. And, today begins our Big Ten previews, so look out for that - one a day for the next 11 or so.
While you're waiting for the other good stuff, check out these links:
FOOTBALL:
Dave Curtis breaks down contenders to Ohio State and Penn State's Big Ten dominance for Sporting News Today. Not among them: Michigan. Inside today's issue, an interesting story on Terrelle Pryor as well.
Oh, wow, there's a bunch of stuff to link about. In case you missed it, here's an easy way to maneuver through annarbor.com's two days of Big Ten media day coverage with more coming today as we begin our Big Ten previews.
Michigan is trying to forget its past - its recent past, anyway - writes Matt Markey of the Toledo Blade.
Maize 'N Brew has a pretty detailed breakdown of a conversation with Michigan offensive lineman Mark Ortmann. Ortmann spent part of Tuesday telling annarbor.com why he feels comments made by departed players Kurt Wermers and Justin Boren are, well, fallacies.
Annarbor.com's Dave Birkett writes about the adjustment linebacker Stevie Brown has made from safety, where he used to roam.
When Denard Robinson begins fall camp, he's already fallen behind because of Tate Forcier's early enrollment, writes Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press.
Brown thinks Michigan's defense will be faster, writes Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune.
Mgoblog gives its unbelievably detailed breakdown of recruiting Tuesday -- like it does every Tuesday.
BASKETBALL:
Over in the "we haven't started yet" corner of the world, the Marist suing James Madison lawsuit over Matt Brady might be a trendsetter, writes Dustin Dopirak of the Daily News-Record. Except Michigan and West Virginia already had it down.
College coaches concerned about the amount of money AAU tournaments charge coaches to attend -- and some of the sketchiness that all of this brings, writes Pete Thamel in the New York Times. Meanwhile John Beilein, head of the ethics committee, said it's an important thing on the agenda.
Comments
MetricSU
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 6:52 p.m.
OSU will battle Michigan for Big 10 supremacy for the next couple seasons. After that, RR will have a juggernaut and winning the Big 10 will be a given on the way to bigger and brighter things. Go Blue!!!
joeing
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 2:10 p.m.
"Maize 'N Brew has a pretty detailed breakdown of a conversation with Michigan offensive lineman Mark Ortmann. Ortmann spent part of Tuesday telling annarbor.com why he feels comments made by departed players Kurt Wermers and Justin Boren are, well, fallacies...." a "pretty detailed breakdown?" There was absolutely no "detail" in that story. Beardlsey used seven paragraphs to essentially quote one player, and all he said was "the guys that left say the values here are eroding. I don't agree." Wow. That's some real insight there. Thanks. The article is titled "Family Values Alive and Well on U-M Football team," but the reality is that after a few limp paragraphs, most of which just provide backstory, the writer simply used the "family values" angle to transition into a discussion about last years offense; which comprises 70% of the article, despite the CLEAR direction of the headline. I understand that the players don't always have a lot to say, but lets quit passing things off as insightful and detailed when they're anything but... and for god's sake, lets use headlines that actually reflect what the bulk of the column is about. That column had very little to do with the ongoing "family values" debate and certainly didn't lend anything to it.
Michael Rothstein
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 11:31 a.m.
I actually have no qualms with Amtrak usually. Used to take it from New York to Boston a lot. Service was decent and they have plugs and if you have an Aircard, you can get a bunch of work done. I guess I've just been lucky with air travel. Minimal delays most times and only rarely have flights been canceled or horrifically rerouted (and that was usually that was out of Fort Wayne or South Bend). I'm sure this will now mean I won't get to any of my destinations on time during Big Ten basketball season.
tater
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 10:41 a.m.
As for semperfi's comparison of air and train travel, I must add a somewhat morbid note and remind you that on the civilian/commercial passenger side of the fence, stats show that you are more likely to be involved in a crash on a train than an airplane. I don't know if the survival rates turn those stats into Amtrak's favor, though.
tater
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 10:37 a.m.
Those OSU players who hope UM gets it turned around had better be careful what they wish for. Of course, if they are seniors, they won't have to worry about having a losing record against UM. BTW, thanks to AnnArbor.com for their great UM coverage. I was hoping we would see something this good out of the "grand experiment," and haven't been disappointed so far.
SemperFi
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 10:09 a.m.
Hey Mike, Give the Amtrak a break! You've never had a delayed departure or arrival on the airlines? Besides, I've never got on a train going to Chicago and ended up in Atlanta. Can't say the same for air travel. Michigan will end up with 7 or 8 wins this season.