Big Ten Expansion

Yesterday Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney told the press that the conference was going to start looking into expanding to 12 teams. I believe this is a good idea for a few reasons. Even if it does turn the league into another Big 12….but it will stay the Big Ten. Please don’t get confused. Some will argue that it should then change its name….but it wont for tradition sake. If they do change though I want a vote between the Big Dozen, the Big Midwest, or my personal favorite, 12. Yeah, just the number.

Anyways, here are the reasons why it’s a good idea to expand:

1. It will allow for a championship game at the end of the football season: Does anyone remember when the Ohio St. vs. Michigan game was? Yeah, I don’t either. The problem with the Big Ten season is it ends so much earlier than other leagues. Some might remember the Purdue vs. Indiana game that came a week later, but that was still a long time ago. Teams can go up to a month before they play their bowl game, and then they get smoked because they haven’t played in so long. Or because the talent isn’t there, but for the sake of this reason we will go with the time off explanation. Not only will it allow a game to be played closer to when the bowls are actually played, but it will bring in additional revenue for the conference as well. I have heard upwards of 5 to 7 million more. That’s not minimum wage. Find a team. Find one now!

2. It could lead to a playoff system down the road: This one is a little far fetched, but I heard it on local sports talk this morning and its solid. Think about this. The SEC, the Big 12 (the real one, not what the Big Ten is becoming….I know, its confusing), and the Big Ten all have a team that goes undefeated. You don’t think there would be some sort of riot by the conference that doesn’t get in that championship game. Well there would be. And if Michigan St. is involved couches might be turned over and lit on fire. The playoff system isn’t why the Big Ten will expand, but for my own selfish reasons, it’s the reason why I want it to.

Those main reasons are why I want expansion, and I am sure the Big Ten has more, but I think the most fun thing to argue about is the teams that could be added. I am solely basing this off of football and basketball. I am sure these fine institutions have great….gymnastics programs, but football and basketball are the big ones for me. Don’t like it, write your own blog.

Here are the teams I see as potential additions to the Big Ten starting with who I want the least to who I want the most:

Missouri: What reason would the Big Ten want Missouri....I dont know either. But they are supposedly interested. Too bad I am not.

West Virginia: They wont give a team a natural rival, which is what I am biggest on. On the other hand, they are normally good in football and basketball, so that makes them enticing. Plus, if Rich Rod sticks around for another few years at Michigan, there would be the million stories about that connection. Another reason I don’t want this school. The Rich Rod part could be a mute point though if Michigan continues to stink.

Side note: Rich Rodriguez will be gone after the 2010 season unless he changes. He has come into Ann Arbor with a black cloud over him. Scandal from recruiting, too many hours working players out, and on and on. I dont like him personally either. Even though I have never met him.

Iowa St.: Gives Iowa a natural rival. But, they are horrible in football year in and year out, and they are average in basketball. Obviously things can change, but I want teams that are solid coming in, not ones that need to build to get there. Iowa St. will be mentioned quite a bit more though as this process moves on. It does make sense.

Cincinnati: Very good in basketball, very good in football, and even though Brian Kelly is leaving for Notre Dame, their new coach, Butch Jones, comes from the Kelly pedigree and will keep that program going. Also gives a natural in-state rival to Ohio St. I am just not sure if they are big enough to be in the Big Ten.

Notre Dame: This makes the most sense. It made the most sense in 1999 when the Big Ten offered for them to come into the league. Plus, Brian Kelly knows how to recruit in Michigan, so that would make things interesting. But, they have their NBC deal and its not even worth wasting time writing about them because they think they are too big for a conference. If they were smart, they would come in, but I don’t think they are.

Pittsburgh: This is my choice to enter the Big Ten. Gives a natural rival to Penn St in football. Brings a solid basketball program. Brings Dave Wannstadt and his horrible stache to the league. I think very highly of Jamie Dixon as Pitt's men's basketball coach. Izzo against Dixon, that would be great. But, I don’t know why they would leave the Big East. If I was the Big 10 I would try and get them. I just have this vision of Penn St. rolling into Pitt to play. That game would be enormous. And I hope it snows.

Side note #2: Is there anything better than watching a football game from home with it snowing at the actual game? I dont think there is. Fumbles become more of the game. People are sliding all over the place. Its great! I think it would be fun to play in too.

So now lets break down the divisions as if Pitt is the team. Pitt has got to be the team! Bring the STACHE of Wannstadt! Sorry....got carried away. We will name these the East and the West for lack of a better way of doing it.

West

Minnesota

Iowa

Illinois

Wisconsin

Northwestern

Indiana

East

Michigan

Ohio St.

Michigan St.

Pittsburgh

Penn St.

Purdue

Arguments against these divisions: Really the only argument you could make is Purdue moving to the West and flip flopping with Indiana, or somehow combining where Purdue and Indiana are in the same division. Also, the East looks a lot stronger than the West based on history, but hopefully it will pan out. Finally, these divisions are only for football. Go back to everyone against everyone in basketball. No need for divisions.

Of course this whole argument could be a waste of time. They have looked to expand 6 times in the last 20 years, and have done it once. The reason why I think it will happen is Barry Alvarez wants it to happen. The guy was such a good coach at Wisconsin. He has the respect of the entire league. Listen to Barry and if Barry says he wants another team than it shall be so. And if he wants to change the name of the Big Ten to just 12, then they should do that too.

Mad Man Maurice

Brian Kelly: A tale all too familiar

When Brian Kelly took the Notre Dame job last week it was no surprise to me. But it seems it was a surprise to his Cincinnati players. Can you blame them? You go undefeated, you have a chance to show your talents in a BCS game, and the guy that helped you get there just leaves. This sounds all too familiar to Central Michigan University fans. He left CMU when they were getting ready for a bowl game as well. Not a BCS game, but still, he left.

The part about him leaving these schools does not bother me. Cincinnati is a step up over CMU, and Notre Dame is such a high profile job that you almost have to take it if you're going for the top. The part that bothers me now and what bothered back when he left CMU is what he told his players before he left. "I love this place, my family loves this place, why would we leave?" I would insert the name of the school where the word place is located, but you get the idea. I just am not a fan of the lying. These guys gave their heart and souls for your team so the least you can do is be honest. If a player asks, "Hey coach, are you leaving for Notre Dame?" The answer should be, "Not right now I am not so get back to lifting weights." Make a joke about it, but never say your not leaving. I dont think that is right.

But it does add a little more flavor to the game against Cincinnati and Florida. Now, you are going to have a mad as hell team in Cincinnati because their coach left them, and you are going to have a mad as hell Florida team because of their last game. It will be a great game. It will be high scoring. That....is no lie.

Curtis Granderson Trade

"The New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers are on the verge of the first major trade of baseball's winter meetings, a deal that would send Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson to New York, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

In the trade, the Diamondbacks would obtain Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy, while the Tigers will pick up Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Phil Coke and outfield prospect Austin Jackson." Courtesy of ESPN

After hearing the deal involving Curtis Granderson to the Yankees and Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks, I was not shocked. The only reason I wasn't was because I heard it was coming for the last few weeks. I really didnt believe that it could happen though. Curtis Granderson? The face of the Detroit Tigers franchise being traded? Then it happened.

I felt anger, I felt sadness, and then I wondered why. Part of it was an obvious salary dump. Part of it might have been the Tigers felt they needed to fill more holes and build for the future. Whatever the case, the Granderson part of the deal only happened because of one thing. It happened because of a blunder during last season. It happened because Magglio Ordonez was allowed to get a 17 million dollar option. If that doesnt happen, I believe Granderson is still on the Tigers. If you get rid of Mags before that option hit, you could have used that money to get relief pitching and maybe another hitter. But by showing too much loyalty the Tigers had to show disloyalty to Granderson

The Edwin part of the deal could have still happened. I realize that the Tigers might not have gotten both of the pitchers they received from Arizona, but Edwin would have still been traded. And thats ok. But Granderson still is realizing his potential, and was great for this community. This trade might work out in the end, but it sure feels wrong at the beginning. Granderson to the Yankees.....just doesnt sound right.

One important thing, however, is you cant judge a trade until after the players have a chance to perform. When the Tigers traded Jeff Weaver, I was upset, but that worked out alright. Maybe this will work out all right. I guess we will wait and see. At least the Tigers save money in one other fashion. They can just hand Austin Jackson Edwin's jersey.

~ Mad Man Maurice

Tiger Woods Privacy

After a couple days to reflect on the saga known as "Tigergate," I have decided a few things.

1. Tiger doesnt owe us an explanation. Its his life and if he doesnt want to talk to the media about it, its his perogative.

2. Maybe he isnt talking because the incident could not only be an embarrassment for him, but his wife as well. What if it was his wife running out after him after a National Enquirer story, and he just tried to get in the car and get the heck out of dodge to let her cool down? By talking, yeah, he gets off the hook, but now she is embarrassed too, and it just gives the tabloids more to talk about.

3. Finally, whatever the case, its none of our business and the only reason why people care is they want to bring him down. Anytime someone is successful we all want to rush to find fault with that person. I dont care if you make millions or you make a thousand, we all make mistakes.

So if Tiger did something horribly wrong, the police would persue it. They are not, they gave him a citation, and now its done for them. I am not going to crucify him. Think of all the great moments he has provided for us. Its so dangerous nowadays to get behind an athlete because you're afraid they will let you down. I am in support of Tiger Woods and I am supporting his right to privacy. That is all.

Matt Millen needs to broadcast different games

31-97.....that was Matt Millen's record as Detroit Lions GM. The worst record for a GM ever in a seven year span.

ESPN....America's sports leader. Well respected, informative, and beloved by many a sports fan.

These two things dont mix. However, for some reason, ESPN has hired and has thrown Matt Millen in front of football fans across the nation. Not only do fans have to listen to him talk about pro football every Monday, but ABC has put him as the color commentator for Midwest games on Saturdays for college football. Michigan vs. Notre Dame, do you think Michigan fans wanted to watch that bozo analyze a game? Wisconsin vs. Ohio State, I had to listen to him again because that was a game of interest while waiting for Michigan vs. Iowa. I dont understand what ESPN and ABC are doing. Why not put him in the PAC 10 or Big East where Michiganders dont have to listen to him. Actually, why hire him at all? ESPN puts resumes of its analysts on the screen whenever they show them. Tedy Bruschi, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Matt Millen? At least the other guys have a leg to stand on. I realize Millen was a heck of a player, and I also realize that its not fair to hold someone to mistakes they made forever, but how can anyone take him seriously on tv? Eventually I might get over it, but for now, I just turn it.

Michigan vs. Michigan State...is it a rivalry?

The great thing about living close to Detroit is sports radio. I love it, I can turn on 97.1 FM, and when it goes to commercial, I can turn to 113o AM. It is truly a beautiful thing. The focus on both of those stations besides the Tigers pennant race is the game coming up this weekend. UofM vs. MSU. The one common question in regards to this matchup is, "Is this a rivalry?" My answer to that is a resounding YES! As far as the level of rivalry is not important, what is important is it is a rivalry. It doesnt matter whether or not the overall records are close, or the career records are close. This, for as long as I can remember, is always a competitive game. It also gets the fans fired up. Whether its football, hockey, or basketball, the state pays attention when these two teams play. But right now the focus is on football. Amazingly enough, MSU is favored by 1. But that speaks to how competitive this game normally is. And if you know the series, you remember moments, good and bad. For me, I remember Braylon Edwards going off and bringing a victory to the Maize and Blue. I also remember MSU coming to the goaline.....5....4...3...2...1...1...1...snap, and MSU winning. Thats not a typo, those are three ones, but the point is we as fans remember moments from these games. I cant say that about Indiana or Purdue or even Penn St.

Now, I consider the rivalry with Ohio St. to be bigger on the hatred scale. If MSU is playing OSU, I am routing for MSU. Ohio St. is just annoying. I remember going to a conference for college 8 years ago, and learning that people at Ohio St. say they are from THEEE Ohio St. University. Give me a break. They say Michigan fans are full of ourselves, but at least we dont throw the title THEEEE in front of our favorite university.

In closing, think what you want, but UofM vs. MSU is a rivalry. It might not rank on the hatred scale as big as OSU, but it still matters. I plan on enjoying it the battle on Saturday. That is all.

Detroit Tigers potential collapse and ticket blunders

For those that saw or listened to the Detroit Tigers game today, there were a couple of things that probably made you upset if you are a Tigers fan. One, the stadium was half empty. Obviously, a noon game, hard to get to for those that work, but its not the emptiness that makes me mad. What makes me mad is how the Tigers handled last nights rainout. The paying public for last nights game had one option for their rainout tickets. They had to attend the noon game or lose out on the seats. Are you kidding me? I know a guy who got in a freaking car wreck on the way to the game, got to the game, it rained out, and you then tell him he has to come back at noon tomorrow or lose the ticket. This is a Tigers policy that has been in place for a while, but I dont agree with it. Even the Yankees, the evil empire, allows its fans the choice to use those rain out vouchers later on that season, or within a year. People shell out hundreds of dollars for this franchise and that is no way to repay them. Especially when they are choking away this division...which leads to....

My second point! What made me mad about the game itself is that the Tigers continue to blow chances. They keep leaving runners on base! Porcello pitches a gem, 107 pitches, allows one run, and its wasted! Here is a good example. First inning. Curtis Granderson gets a double to lead off the game. Polanco steps to the plate. As a manager, I would bunt the runner over. Why you ask? Because the Tigers are struggling to score runs. Get the guy over to third, now, you can hit a sac fly, you can hit a weak ground ball on the infield, or, heaven forbid, you get a hit, and a run scores! Now its 1-0, and maybe the ball starts rolling. But the Tigers dont do that. Polanco hits a ball to the left side, Granderson gets stuck at second. Clete Thomas then hits a ball to the right side for out two, and Miguel Cabrera gets out too. These type of opportunities arise with this team more than you would think. Start playing small ball now, or you might be playing small ball with your kids in two weeks.

That is all from the Mad Man.