Behold the Power of "OR"

Hey, scrap that depth chart from yesterday.  The official chart has now been released along with this week's Utah pregame notes over at the worldwide leader in Michigan propaganda.  Lots of "or's" on the page.  Most notable?  McGuffie and Shaw, connected by an "or," sitting quiety ABOVE Minor and Brown at the running back slot.  Good or bad?  You decide.  The crowd will no doubt go apeshit as the offense trots onto the field for the first time with Mr. YouTube #2 in tow.

Cutting the excitement with a knife will be an understatement.  Seriously, whatever you are envisioning, double it.  Because the slightest success will be met with a raucous response in this new era of the unexpected.

Anyway, 9 "or's" have found their way on to the offense depth chart, while the defense seems shored up and "or"-less.  Some of them are bad, like one of the two starting offensive returnees, Carson Butler, finding himself in a three-way "or" with Mike Massey and freshman Kevin Koger...or the giant elephant in the room on the field that is the battle for the field general spot between Threet and Sheridan.  The remaining "or's" are more of an either-or situation.  Moosman at center or at right guard...wide receiver and early arrival Darryl Stonum at X or Y.

Hey, it's not so much the "or" itself.  It's the choice that is made. And don't forget that hindsight is 20-20.  Important to remember when you think back to old "or's," like Jason Gingell OR KC Lopata....or Tom Brady or Drew Henson.

In other news of note for you BTN lovers...it's Michigan week all week.  Big Ten Legends: Lloyd Carr airs tonight (Tuesday) at 6pm, followed by Michigan over Alabama and Shawn Alexander in the 2000 Orange Bowl.  MGoBlue has the details.  Also, don't forget about the premier of the Michigan Replay replacement on Thursday night at 6pm on FSN.

4 freakin' days.

The Victors Walk

​A new tradition begins this year with a weekly "Victors Walk" prior to each home game.  The team will be delivered via bus from their Friday night hotel a few hours before game time.  The players and coaches will be led from their busses to the locker room by the Michigan Marching Band and anticipate large crowds waiting to greet them and "fire" them up.  This is a popular tradition at many schools and I think it is a great idea.  Not sure if many of us will make the jaunt to the drop off point at Crisler Arena from the UMTailgate location but I am just keeping you informed.

Weekend Roundup, IT'S GAME WEEK!!!! Edition: August 24, 2008

The largest grill ever to adorn the tailgate has been assembled.  If I can drag it behind my car, I'll have no problem getting it to the corner of Stadium and Main.  I can't even figure out how to properly dispose of the packaging.  Can't wait for Johnny Cleveland and The Hammer to life it into the Sequoia.

In other news, the addition of the Big Ten Network to Comcast is the bain of my existence.  I can't turn it off.  This afternoon, I watched Michigan State's last victory in the Big House (circa 1990), and despite already knowing the controversial outcome, got pissed all over again...just like I did in 8th grade.

Anyway, here's what happened this weekend while I fired up 8 burners with two propane tanks within my apartment....

Back to Business

​There's been some requests for tailgate theme information, which was previously posted back when we had the spring meetings, but probably should be summarized and become a part of the front page. So, here you go (permanent link now on top of the page under "Schedule and Themes"):

Utah: August 30th, 2008

  • Time: 3:30pm

  • TV: ABC

  • Theme: All American

  • Attire: American flag stuff

  • Food: American classics like hamburgers and dogs would suffice, but I think were looking at a corned beef hash breakfast...baby backs, cornbread, and baked beans for lunch.

  • Music: Real American (Hulk Hogan entry music) on repeat


Miami of Ohio: September 6th, 2008

  • Time: 12pm

  • TV: ESPN or ESPN2

  • Theme: The 80's Tailgate

  • Attire: Collar popped... anything that you've seen the Godfather wear.  Get creative and dig out your old Rose Bowl gear from 1981.

  • Food:  Looking for ideas here outside of pop rocks and coke.

  • Music: Jesse's Girl, Come on Eileen, etc etc


At Notre Dame: September 13th, 2008

  • Time: 3:30pm

  • TV: NBC

  • Theme: Party at the Godfather's

  • Attire: Anything other than a t-shirt from previous parties

  • Food: FryDaddy will be doing it up in Stevensville


Wisconsin: September 27th, 2008

  • Time: TBA

  • TV: TBA

  • Theme: German

  • Attire: Lederhosen

  • Food: Kraut and what not...reuben egg rolls???

  • Music: Polkas


Illinois: October 4th, 2008 (Homecoming)

  • Time: 3:30pm

  • TV: ABC

  • Theme: The Carnival

  • Attire: Clown costumes

  • Food: State fair food

  • Music: Circus instrumentals


Toledo: October 11th, 2008

  • Time: TBA

  • TV: TBA

  • Theme: Western Theme

  • Attire: Cowboy gear

  • Food: Chuck wagon favorites

  • Music: Country


At Penn State: October 18th, 2008


  • Time: 4:30pm

  • TV:ESPN

  • Theme: Winnebagoes

  • Attire: N/A

  • Food: TBA


Michigan State

: 

October 25th, 2008

  • Time: TBA

  • TV: TBA

  • Theme: The Formal Tailgate

  • Attire: Formal attire. Suits, dresses..Sunday best.

  • Food: TBA


At Purdue: November 1st, 2008

  • Time: TBA

  • TV: TBA

  • Theme: TBA

  • Attire: TBA

  • Food: TBA


At Minnesota: November 8th, 2008

  • Time: TBA

  • TV: TBA

  • Theme: TBA

  • Attire: TBA

  • Food: TBA


Northwestern: November 15th, 2008

  • Time: TBA

  • TV: TBA

  • Theme: Wild Game, Soups and Stews

  • Attire: Hunting gear

  • Food: Uhhhh...Wild Game and Soups and Stews

  • NOTE: POSTGAME BANQUET AT DAMONS


At Ohio State

  • Time: TBA

  • TV: TBA

  • Theme: Survival

  • Attire: Nondescript clothing that won't get you killed

  • Food: TBA

Profiles in Tailgating Excellence: Bacon

​Bacon.  Just the word sets off the pleasure portion of your brain.  Smoke-filled, crispy, fatty, meaty deliciousness.  It is the face of breakfast, and on brisk pre-game morning that finds you cracking a beer or swilling a bloody mary, nothing is better.  When you look upon a neighboring tailgate and you see that aromatic steam rising up over the sizzle of grease, you have no choice but to be filled with envy.  It goes well with everything, from vodka to ice cream.  Bacon preparation, however, is a delicate matter.  You want it crispy?  Soggy?  Burnt?  So many options.  Knowing when to pull the meat from the skillet is the key.

You can cheat the system if you don't mind bacon of a slightly lower quality.  

Pre-cooked bacon is available to heat and eat.  Not the best for straight ingestion, but great piled on some crusty bread with lettuce, tomato, and mayo...or a with some good cheddar and eggs on a breakfast croissant.

But the real thing is, well, the real thing.  It's what you want to wake up to...and it's what you CAN literally wake up to.  Pile it on a plate next to some pancakes in the morning...or put it in your pancakes.  Caramelize it and drop it in your martini for lunch.  Wrap it around a scallop and slap it on the grill for dinner, and your life will change.

But the best property of this tailgating essential?  You can get creative with it. Don't be afraid.  Chicken frying it or chopping it up and adding it to your peanut butter sandwich shouldn't make you flinch.

So...embrace it, celebrate it, wear it...hell, get some pork belly and make your own.  And in 15 days, prepare to eat it at the All-American themed tailgate before we kick Utah's ass.