Your 2010 UMTailgate.com Home Game Tailgate Themes

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We're less than 8 weeks from embarking on the most important season in the storied history of Michigan Football.  Okay, okay, maybe that's going a little too far.  Isn't the most important season for any team the next season?.  Of course, our situation is a bit different, as the future of our coach and a system that I desperately want to have work hangs in the balance.

But let's not lose site of what we're doing here....tailgating.  Our crew is on the move for the second year in a row, hoping to find a stable home in the shadows of Pioneer High School.  The spot is a little further from the playing field than last year, but it is also orders of magnitude larger, as we hope to spread out and breathe a little easier.  Again, if you are someone that thinks they are worthy of getting an invite or directions to our spot, be sure to email me as we approach the showdown with UCONN on 9/4.  And if you're stopping by, be sure to follow the theme for that week.  Without further ado...

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September 4th, 2010, Michigan vs. UCONN:  The Caddyshack Theme

Last year's first game started what might just end up being a tradition of first games with movie themes.  Last year it was the Step Brothers inspired "Boats, Ho's, and the Catalina WIne Mixer."  This time, we're taking it back 30 years, celebrating the classic film "Caddyshack."  What does that mean?  No idea.  But some light brainstorming brought me visions of goofy golf gear, deep fried baby ruths, and the Godfather "stepping on a few ducks."

September 18th, 2010, Michigan vs. UMASS: The Christmas (or Festivus) in September

Hopefully a little cooler temperature-wise than Christmas in July, this theme is fairly self explanatory...though I'm not real excited about the color scheme.  They do sell Michigan Santa Hats at MDen if you are so inclined.  Can't wait to decorate the trees in "the cove."

September 25th, 2010, Michigan vs. Bowling Green:  The Bacon

This tailgate will center around the finest cut of meat you can purchase, smoke, and cure...pork belly.  And while this theme is food centric, don't hesitate to snag yourselfsome bacon gear to wear.

October 9th, 2010, Michigan vs. Michigan State:  The Urban / BBQ / Grafitti

This theme seems to pop up every season, combining soul food and southern BBQ with 40's of malt liquor.  Grafitti T-shirts are also rumored for this event.  More on that later.

October 16th, 2010, Michigan vs. Iowa:  The Carnival (Homecoming)

After disappearing in the 2009 season, the carnival returns with elephant ears, cheesesteaks, games, and prizes.  Plus, it's homecoming.

October 23rd, 2010, BYE WEEK....Vegas

November 6th, 2010, Michigan vs. Illinois:  The Thanksgiving Tailgate

Traditional Thanksgiving fare will be on the menu, only the turkey will (of course) be deep fried.  Dressing, green bean casserole...and I really want to get a turducken.

November 20th, 2010, Michigan vs. Wisconsin:  The German

We welcome the Badgers by celebrating their culture of meats in casings and giant beers in das boot.  Bonus points if you show up in liderhosen.

So I Had This Idea...

​...that I was going to be the cool guy again and show you a picture of the new field turf, but MVictors spy is better than my spy.  That being said, here's a nice one from before the letters were added:

Also, in case you were wondering where the website went all weekend...we were once again hacked.  Some enterprising bastards tried to use dark corners of my server space to spoof monster.com, trying to trick folks into giving out personal information.  According to the powers that be, no one took the bait, so that's good.  The bad?  A good portion of trickeration in the form of spoof code was hidden in the photo module.  So, ya, the photos are gone for a little while.  I think I'm gonna go with a more reputable host this time, in the hopes of not having to reload all the photos for a 4th time...that host will be the fine folks at google.  So look for that sometime before kickoff.

BTN Awards

The Big Ten Network's midwest-centric repackaging of the ESPY awards happens tonight...and the marquis matchup is Giant Douche vs. Turd Sandwich for coach of the year.  Seriously, Michigan State playing Ohio State in an athletic capacity turns my stomach enough, but when Tom Izzo faces off against Jim Tressell, we all lose...so let's hope that Illinois men's gymnastics coach Justin Spring pulls off the upset.

Also of note, the Michigan Men's Gymnastics team is up for team of the year...vs. MSU hoops, OSU hoops, and OSU Football.  Michigan also appears in pretty much every entry into the "game of the year" category...all on the losing end....so, um, yay for being competitive?

Anyway, tune in tonight at 7pm to see Dave Revsine and Gene Keady wear tuxedos.

Know Your Goals: The Big Ten Bowl Lineup for 2010-11

With realignment around the corner, this could be the last we see of some of these matchups...at least in their current form.  But for now, it's important that we recognize the urgency surrounding the program with regards to making it into one of these games.  There may be some debate on what the number is that Coach Rodriguez has to hit to keep his job....be it 7,8, or 9 wins...but there will be no debate if Ohio State is the last game we play.  No bowl....hello Jim or Les.

The selection order is as follows:

#1  Rose Bowl vs. Pac-10 (1/1/2011)

#2  Capital One Bowl vs. SEC (1/1/2011)

#3  Outback Bowl vs. SEC (1/1/2011)

#4  Gator Bowl vs. SEC (1/1/2011)

#5  Insight Bowl vs. Big 12 (12/28/2010)

#6  Texas Bowl vs. Big 12 (12/29/2010)

#7  Dallas Football Classic vs. Conference USA or Big 12 (1/1/2011)

#8  Little Ceasar's Pizza Bowl vs. MAC (12/26/2010)

"The Cove" Secured for Saturdays This Fall

I might be jumping the gun here, both because it's only June AND because I haven't received final confirmation from our newest landlord, but I'm fairly certain that it is safe to say that the tailgate has secured new digs for the 2010 football season.  I have affectionately branded it as "The Cove" for it's relative privacy.  It's tough for me not to hype it up, as it is a ridiculous amount of space...like, the kind of space where you will visit different places within the space throughout a tailgate.  For those that endured the tight fit of the 2009 campaign, I think you will definitely enjoy our new wide open spaces.  There's also a ton of parking for guests relatively close by.

Again, this is not a public venue, so just as we did last year, if you think you should be "in the know" then shoot be an email to me at frank at umtailgate dot com and I will provide you with the location.

The party begins in 10 weeks...gotta get back to planning!