Posts Full of Links Are Easy

Last chance to enjoy this as the reigning image in the rivalry:

Former Wolverine Mike Van Ryn felt the need to tear down some of the barriers between fans and players last night in Boston.

That's gotta smart. (HT: Awful Announcing)

Michael Rosenberg talks more about Dantonio and in-state recruiting. A reminder from Craig (who took it from an MGoDiary by chitownblue): Of Michigan's 10 career leaders in rushing yards and receiving yards, respectively, only one of each has come from the in-state ranks (Tyrone Wheatley and Braylon).

Yost Built on Niagara and the upcoming tilt at BU, including ways to actually watch the game.

Finally, WHY CAN'T I STOP CLICKING HERE? (HT: EDSBS)

YEAH!!!!

To expand on my thesis that was first developed in last night's WTI...

"How the lyrics to "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who explains much of the predictions and previews of the 2008 Michigan football season...

Original lyrics, composed by Pete Townshend, in regular font, my analysis in italics

We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone

Or in this case, the end of the Schembechler era...

And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgment of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song

You don't honestly thing that the guy in your section who has been criticizing Lloyd for years on every play, even touchdowns, and calling for his ouster, even after wins, is now just going to sit back silently and let Coach Rod have a free pass, especially if a snap goes over a quarterback's head, or the spread just doesn't work the way he expects it to. (Oh, and if you don't have this guy in your section, there's a distinct possibility that it might be you, so please be aware of it, for the sake of the people around you. Don't be that guy.)

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
i.e. the way Michigan fans have sort of taken this off season of crazy changes and expectations in stride. There's fear, but smiling suppresses the gag reflex.

Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again

Football Saturday is Football Saturday, and we should never think otherwise.

The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
Coach Carr's retirement

We were liberated from the foe, that's all
Ohio State

And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they all flown in the next war
New coach, same M Go Blue banner at midfield

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
No, no!

I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half alive
To quote 2007 Geoff: "I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me ."

I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
Reading your Michigan Football Preview and Punt/CounterPunt

For I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do ya?
When pressed, even the Michigan haters are saying 7-5 or 8-4. Michigan fans would LOVE to be that confident.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

There's nothing in the street
Looks any different to me
Hoover Street is Hoover Street. Admittedly, State Street will look a little different, but...

And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
Like student shirts

And the parting on the left
Is now the parting on the right
No Jake Long means no off-tackle left for the first play of the season.

And the beards have all grown longer overnight

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss
If he wins, and wins with class and honor; the differences between Coach Carr and Coach Rod will quickly be forgotten. We can only hope.

Wisconsin 51, Michigan 34

Sweet zombie Jesus, that's ugly. Thank goodness we can put this season to bed. This season will be remembered for home losses to the likes of Northwestern and Minnesota and showers of bricked threes. I'd also like to extend my thanks to the Big Ten Network, which eliminated so many chances for me to bear witness to this torture. Yikes. (The Game's live-blog)

Ron Zook "Facts"

As some of you may know, I am, in my spare time, a frequent commenter on Deadspin. Well, today's post about Will's trip to the Michigan/Illinois tilt this weekend had one of my favorite comments ever (following up on the comments on Ron Zook's ski boat:

"Ron Zook doesn't fish. He merely recruits fish into the boat."

This lead Geoff and I into a Chuck Norris Facts style battle about Ron Zook facts:
Geoff: "Ron Zook once sold an icemaker to an emperor penguin."
Craig: "Ron Zook out text messaged Beth Ann from the Cingular commercial. Her BFF Jill was deeply impressed by the Zooker and will be lining up at long snapper for the Illini next season."
Geoff: "Ron Zook isn't allowed in convents...anymore."
Craig: "Ron Zook originated the Jedi Mind Trick."
Geoff: "Ron Zook is the foremost pork wholesaler in Jerusalem."
Craig: "The Pentagon's secret plan for meeting U.S. Army recruiting quotas this year revolved heavily around Ron Zook."
Geoff: ""Ron Zook made $16M last year in consulting fees with Madison Ave. His skill is marketing, but college football? That's his passion.""
Craig: "Some Jehovah's Witnesses came to Ron Zook's door one day. They're now on the Illini Scout Team."

So, to make this interactive, and to give us some actual content, please post your own Ron Zook "Facts" in the comments. The man is a recruiting legend, let the legend be told in song and story.