GoWings1905

From a neutral perspective (I hate both Michigan schools equally), I don't think Michigan is a fraud at all. The argument of well "who have they played?" has always bothered me when dismissing college football teams. Michigan played the teams on their schedule and WON. You can't control what other teams do or how the schedule plays out in terms of opponents. Sure, Michigan hasn't beaten a real quality team yet (Notre Dame is pretty strong, potentially very good) but how many people had them at 4-0 a month ago? Michigan State hasn't even beaten a school this season that isn't Division II or whatever the hell they call it now. Props to Michigan for doing what they are supposed to: beating the teams they should beat. I think Big 10 schools in general play some of the weakest schedules in college football. The conference itself is weak and besides a few exceptions, no team in the conference played any semblance of a tough non-conference schedule. Then the Big 10 goes to the Rose Bowl or other BCS game and gets steamrolled by the first real competition they face. I guess my point is the term "overrated" is so overused in college football. Basically to most people, any team they don't like has some reason to get labeled overrated. To be fair it does apply to some teams like Ole Miss, but in large part it rarely serves true in most situations.

Man, talk about an excitement killer. Day/night doubleheader tomorrow. Honestly with Bonine and Robertson going on Wednesday and Thursday, I would feel so much better with two wins instead of a split.

162 games and it all comes down to the last week. These are the four biggest regular season games the Tigers have played in my life. Three to win the division and play some October baseball. If nothing else, the Tigers HAVE to at least split the series with the Twins. The Twins are on fire lately, but hopefully the Tigers continue to play well at home as they have all season. Comerica is going to be nuts for this series. Let's Go Tigers!

Ninety-Sux! Damn you blowing this game. I'm surprised he didn't fall skating in for the shootout.

Good to see Drapes hasn't missed a beat.

Agreed. Hard not to do though when your competition is Meech and Delmore. It is really a shame Lilja/Ericsson isn't the third pairing.

Game 6. Cleary was one of the few players consistently scoring goals in the playoffs. Failing on one opportunity is pretty harsh judgment.

My world series pick as of right now would be Red Sox/Cardinals. I really, really like the Angels but I don't think their pitching is deep enough to win it all. The Cardinals have the best one-two pitching punch in baseball with Carpenter and Wainwright. Cardinals beat the Red Sox in six to win the World Series.

Really? I wouldn't mind some more toughness during the regular season, but the playoffs are definitely not the time the Red Wings need an enforcer. Those "soft" Red Wings were one game away from repeating and the only thing stopping them was injuries. Having an enforcer wouldn't have made a lick of difference.

Not backchecking.

I was impressed with Michigan State. I was pretty certain Notre Dame was going to hang some points on their defense, but I didn't think Michigan State would be able to keep up in the way they did. I am so thankful ND is done with Big 10 officiating -- I honestly have never watched such two poorly officiated games two weeks in a row. I think the Big 10 refs go to the same training classes as NHL refs. How can anyone possibly think that wasn't a touchdown for Michael Floyd? Even ND hater Pat Haden couldn't justify the call. Oh well, I am just happy with a win and to break the streak at home. Jimmy Clausen is for frickin real. He has to be in the Heisman discussion so far with those stats in three games. Watching U$C lose is such a terrific thing. Maybe ND will beat them one of these decades.

Kovalchuk, again.

For some reason, I just don't see Bertuzzi, Z and Cleary meshing as a line.

Agreed. Going .500 against the worst team in the AL is nothing to be proud of. On top of that, the Royals won 5 of the past 6 games against the Tigers when the games mattered most in September. Even if the Tigers go 3-3 in those games, that's a six game lead heading into Minnesota instead of just four ahead. The Tigers pitching really scares me right now. The offense isn't consistent enough to bail out poor starting pitching.

Wow, glad the Tigers are done with the Royals. The Tigers biggest strength (starting pitching) is going downhill quickly now too. Jackson looks burned out and we don't even have a decent 4th or 5th starter anymore. The Tigers need at least one win in Minnesota. A sweep to the Twins would be big trouble.

Come on, that is a complete exaggeration. Tardif was never going to make the Red Wings regardless. Your fabrications are laughable.

5 straight losses to the Royals, 4 in the past week. Imagine what the Tigers lead in the division would be with even a couple wins against the worst team in the AL. The Royals always give the Tigers fits, but this is borderline pathetic now. Washburn is really, really bad. If he is hurt, then they should just get him out of the rotation until the knee feels better. He is doing absolutely no good right now. These are the times where the Tigers lack of pitching depth kills them and you look at Willis, Bonderman and Robertson for producing nothing. Eddie Bonine tonight! Seems like a nice guy, but not someone I want starting in a pennant race.

Just be thankful they didn't realize it.

I agree with your sentiment, but why should Florida schedule tough non-conference games? There is no advantage to doing it unless you win and most major programs want a home-and-home in the deal. Although I do think the SEC does get overhyped in terms of toughness, it is still a brutal conference to compete in. If a team can go 8-0 or 7-1 in the SEC, I think they have proven enough to warrant not scheduling a quality non-conference game.

Refresh us all on what exactly Pavel did in the Finals, or any playoff round for that matter. My vote is for Kovalchuk again.

I honestly don't see that happening at all. Scotty is getting up there in age and I'm not sure he wants anything to do with the commitment and time that goes into being a head coach. What else does he really gain from coaching again? He is already the greatest or second best coach in NHL history. Besides, wouldn't it sting quite a bit when the Red Wings beat them in the playoffs?

The Red Wings focusing on defense during the regular season. Also, I think Z is going to have a huge year.

I never understand this logic. Does having injuries in October somehow make you immune in April? I seem to recall some pretty injured Red Wings late last season.

How exactly is that Kovalchuk's fault? You are holding something against Kovalchuk that he has no control over. Atlanta is awful and Kovalchuk has never had anything even close to resembling a supporting cast like Iginla's in Calgary. Kovalchuk's numbers while playing in Atlanta are that much more impressive given the situation. I think it is quite easy to justify voting for Kovalchuk ahead of Iginla. Iginla has gotten bounced in the first round four straight seasons -- what is he doing so special in the big games lately?

Ilya Kovalchuk