Scroll down a tad to see the last headline from my prior installment of Blue Belly Blog: “Now they gotta “finish the job”

Well, the Michigan Wolverines did indeed do exactly that – they did “finish the job.” What an incredible run for John Beilein’s Wolverines capturing these last five consecutive conference wins to capture the Big 10 title with a 15-3 mark – a full three games ahead of second-place tying Wisconsin and Michigan State.

And “To The Victors (Hail-Hail) Go the spoils” – deservedly so – with Nik Stauskas being name Big 10 Player of the Year (by both media and coaches) and John Beilein Big 10 Coach of the Year.

THE BEST thing about this team is their ability to win games when the Wolverines traditional “3-ball approach” is not working.  Glenn Robinson III’s recent scoring prowess the last few games – including the buzzer beater at Purdue – will certainly go down as a key cog to the conference title.

Beilein’s second half adjustments continue to a-maize-me though….whether it is deploying the 1-3-1 defense at just the right time when it’s needed, or having his team attack to the rack off the dribble drive more often, or making that key substitution at the right time (hello Spike Albrecht).

So, now it’s Indy time – as we at “The Drive with Jack Ebling” TEAM will indeed be there for radio remotes on Thursday and Friday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. I will saddle up with Jack with the headset on for our 3-6 Friday radio remote, immediately following Michigan’s (hopefully) quarterfinal victory over the Illinois-Indiana survivor.

Needless to say, I hope that “survivor” to take on the Maize & Blue will be the Flyin’ Illini – and not the Hoosiers – as it is just a better matchup for Michigan. The Wolverines need to try to at least solidify a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament with a good weekend performance, even if it falls short of a Big 10 Tournament crown.

Ah, the Big 10 Tournament – almost like the appetizer before the “main meal” – the NCAA Tournament, which is when every fan is passionate and holds a bracket in hand for the greatest event in all of sports. Can’t wait !!!

I can’t emphasize enough how important the recent accomplishments for Michigan basketball with its chief rival – Michigan State – have been. For John Beilein to knock off the dreaded Spartans 6 of the last 8 times isn’t something that I ever truly imagined would happen anytime soon if you asked me 6 or 7 years ago.

I find myself reflecting back to that mile stone victory to start that string back in 2011, when Zack Novak, uncorked an incredible verbal outburst in the Wolverine team huddle to help “will his team” to victory in the bowels of the Breslin Center, which had been Michigan’s personal “House of Horror” for many years prior.

Now Michigan basketball is not only becoming a consistent national attention getter (last year’s Final Four/Title game appearance certainly didn’t hurt), but they are also painting a damn positive picture moving forward with some outstanding talent returning (even with an NBA departure or two that may occur). And that all starts with Coach John Beilein, who not only serves as a great ambassador and positive image for Michigan’s athletic department, but he also sure has those necessary “half time adjustments” down to a science, don't you think?

The Wolverines did not panic when they are down 22-11 to the Spartans this past Sunday. They kept playing hard, let their playmakers (principally Nik Stauskas and Caris LaVert) make plays, and maintained an incredible 5-1 Assist/Turnover Radio (15 assists, 3 turnovers) en route to a semi-comfy 79-70 triumph.

But now here looms the bigger challenge – FINISHING the task for a Big 10 crown. Four stumbling blocks remain, with the biggest one first up at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Purdue. The Boilermakers with the ever-potent/ever inconsistent A.J. Hammons (you never know what you are going to get) could easily cause havoc in the blocks down at Mackey Arena.

If the Wolverines can grab a win down at West Lafayette, that will tell us a lot in terms of  the fate of the Wolverines and their chances of being able to “cut down the nets” for a league crown following the Indiana game March 8th in Crisler.

More gut wrenching moments to come.

I tell people close to me all the time, when I get pissed, I get gooood. It’s like it kicks me in the ass, and prompts me to a “take it to another level” type of productivity. I like “working mad” – ‘cause I am gooooooooood !! Hey, just being honest.

Same things happens in sports. That was definitely the situation with the Michigan hoops team against Nebraska Wednesday night– a 79-50 beat down. Despite a late-arriving Crisler Center crowd with little energy in the building, the Wolverines jumped on the Huskers early and often, en route to a 49-21 intermission lead. As it turned out, all the Maize & Blue would have to do is score one basketball in the second half to win

Pretty obvious to me, Glenn Robinson III with his 23 points, five rebounds and Nik Stauskas with his nine points, five rebounds and eye-opening eight assists, played pissed off. So did frosh sensation Zak Irvin 16 points, including four three-pointers. And they had plenty to be “out of sorts” about – following this past Sunday’s pathetic 11-point setback to Indiana.

Now the challenge is to stay “pissed off” out in Iowa City against the Hawkeyes Saturday at 2 p.m. – and for that matter the remaining part of the Big 10 slate, that is if they have legit title aspirations. Just these next four games alone are going to be ball busters – at Iowa and at Ohio State, followed by home bouts with Wisconsin and Michigan State.

Hey, Michigan – you are 9-1 in Big 10 Play…enjoy….but the persona needs to remain the same -- Get Mad – Stay Mad !!! ….and go chase down a conference title,

My two cents worth…

When you meet up with somebody for lunch next time, focus the conversation more on THEM as opposed to YOU...amazing what you will learn...and how much you can benefit from it.

Do you want to be a "true professional?" Then get back with people who have pursued you for business and quit avoiding them. If "NO" is the answer, be honest & candid, they will appreciate it (it's a close second to "YES"). A distant "third" is completely ignoring them -- which is definitely the "unprofessional" route to go.

You need to be “transparent” to avoid speculation. The Michigan State football program and “especially” the University of Michigan football program, should adhere to that more often.  

What Will Always “A-Maize” Me

How much more I enjoy College Football over NFL hands down !!! Not even close. And it was not just because the Super Bowl this past Sunday was a total SNOOZER !!!

Hank Aaron – The Hammer – turned 80 years old on Wednesday. Unbelievable.

Yet more Michigan State basketball’s injury woes – the latest Keith Appling missing the Penn State contest at “Da Brez” with his ongoing wrist problem – not that the Spartans needed them in their 82-67 romp over the Nittany Lions. Hope at least the student managers stay healthy.

Post-game you could tell how much this “rivalry” means to Tom Izzo – the sheer pain in his voice following his team’s 80-75 setback to the Maize & Blue, matched only by the distraught reaction of Keith Appling (who did play like a warrior for sure) who is now 2-5 against the Wolverines in his playing career.. Izzo “hates” Michigan, starting back to his initial days working for Jud Heathcote and recruiting against the Wolverines in the Ed Martin days. On ESPN College GameDay Saturday morning, he called it “Un-American” not to hate your rival. But you know what? -- that is what I like about the guy, amongst his other solid qualities. Straight shooter – doesn’t sugarcoat – totally transparent.

I mean WOW – you talk about INTENSE Saturday Night. And that intensity was no better epitomized than just under 8 minutes to go when Glenn Robinson III was blocked by State’s Russell Byrd who began jawing at GRIII before it spilled over to Jordan Morgan and Keith Appling (who were called for technicals/personal fouls 4 and 3, respectively). No doubt Byrd and Robinson battled in their State of Indiana AAU days. Quite candidly, virtually all these kids know each other, which is where the “personal” aspect of these rivalries evolves from. And it also revealed itself when Nik Stauskas (after the buzzer sounded) blew kisses to the relentless Izzone fans who badgered him for two hours  (or I should way “Wolverined him”).

Bottom line – this rivalry is legitimately personal, intense, and it should be a great one moving forward, at least as long as Izzo and John Beilein are steering their respective ships.

Now if Michigan can just get their football program back in order to the expected high standard Wolverine fans are used to, then we are going to really have some fun around here in the State of Michigan for 7 straight months every year.

The 80-75 triumph at “Da Brez” was a great win for Michigan, and more importantly capped an incredible week of defeating 3 Top 10 teams (two on the road) in the span or a week. A tremendous job of coaching by Beilein this year (coming off the Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr NBA departures along with the Mitch McGary back injury), yet the task to win the Big 10 crown is still a daunting one, considering its just 7 games down and still 11 to go.

It’s what “warms the winters” here in the State of Michigan – the “heat” of a Big 10 Basketball race, where our two schools sit in first and second place currently…certainly gets your blood going.

What Will Always “A-Maize” Me

That Michigan State committed just five turnovers in the setback to Michigan. The Wolverines typically score points via opposition turnovers to spur much of their offense – thus having to fill that void to pull out the win over the Spartans in the half-court game.

Nik Stauskas averaging just under 5 assists per game. What a difference a year makes (in terms of improving his overall game) versus being pretty much a catch and shoot platform shooter his freshman campaign.

The performance of Michigan’s Derrick Walton Jr. on Saturday night, who was named today as Big 10 Freshman of the Week (to go with Nik Stauskas Big 10 player of the week and John Beilein Big 10 Coach of the Week). His 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists was shockingly sweet for this Detroit kid coming off a nasty flu bug a few days prior. THE biggest shoes to fill in college basketball this year (for the NBA-bound Trey Burke) and Walton has sure done an admirable job

Melsahn Basabe-Aaron White –Roy Devyn Marble – now that is one terrific trio for the Iowa Hawkeyes. It will be an incredibly difficult task for Michigan State to knock them off Tuesday night in Iowa City, just like it will be for Michigan to take on the same challenge at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Feb. 8. The “Haaaaaaaaakeys” (as Brent Musberger would refer to them) could perhaps be that last soldier standing for the Big 10 come tourney time and maybe grab a Final Four slot.

That according to a recent poll, popularity in the NFL is shrinking -- 49 percent of Americans are pro football fans -- down from 56 percent last year. I think that depends so much on whom you are asking – if you are asking folks in college town communities versus big cities – wow, college football would really blow it away. College football sits at the top of the heap on my personal sports passion list, followed closely by college basketball.

Combined 13-0 in Big 10 play – and that is Michigan State and Michigan bringing in perfect slates to “Da Brez” on Saturday night with all the trappings. It has it ALL – ESPN College GameDay Crew with Jalen Rose no less (better call for security), the Izzone with its sheer hatred towards the Wolverines, not to mention two of the best coaches in college basketball – Tom Izzo and John Beilein.

About a week ago, when the Wolverines were 4-0 in the B1G following the win over Penn State, I said to myself, “if they can just get to 10 conference wins they could have a restful night on “Selection Sunday Eve” of the NCAA Tournament and be bid bound. Two down – four to go, with 12 opportunities to select from. I say that with my typical conservative low expectation mindset, yet this Michigan team should loom in the hunt chasing the Big 10 title as long as they continue to play like they did against Wisky and Iowa.

Now, for Saturday night, against the hated Sparties – do I expect Michigan to win? Ah,….hmmn?....not really. But I do expect the Wolverines to “compete” which they really have done only once over the last 16 years up in East Lansing, that being 3 years ago when they pulled out a victory. Breslin has been an absolute House of Horror for the Wolverines. And even with Branden Dawson suddenly sidelined with his “lack of anger management” during a film session bit and out 4-5 weeks with a broken hand, I just think Michigan State will find some way to pull this sucker out, much as it pains me to say. Looking at a 70-67 final margin for Sparty – but I will quickly point out and declare it will be an 18-game battle in the Big 10 before this conference title is decided in early March.

Call your Peeps
So I say, call your peeps, and let's just get everybody out to the Blue Gill Grill Friday 3-6 p.m. for our radio remote for The Drive with Jack Ebling Show to break down this classic Michigan-Michigan State match-up of conference unbeatens Saturday Night at "Da Brez"....Hey, EVERYBODY is a winner (the day before)...let the HYPE and smack talk begin..."it's about gettin' out there and competing'" !!!!!!!

Richard Sherman Smack Off disgusted me
Look, I know this is yesterday’s news, but I gotta throw my two cents at the week-long debate of Seattle Seahawk Richard Sherman’s post-game trash talking (aimed at 49er Michael Crabtree). Just call me "Old School" if you want – but I gravitate to people in all walks of life who focus on  "doing your job" -- not a preoccupation with other people (which only taps your energy and takes you away "from your game"). We are continually becoming more of a "mean spirited society" unfortunately -- bringing the other guy down !!...U wanna call me a "Nancy Boy?" -- go ahead. I am just getting burned out on people getting PR (good or bad) for acting like idiots. And also I am getting burned out on people who "defend idiots." I know this taunting type of behavior has been around forever and won’t remove itself. But that doesn't make it right...when Jalen Rose rubbed his butt at The Brez after the 1993 win over Pep and the Spartans, I was appalled...I was sitting in the lower bowl, and my jaw dropped....it embarrassed my alma mater the University of Michigan and the whole entire image of it still pisses me off

What Will Always “A-Maize” Me

That Saturday’s tilt at “Da Brez” will mark first time Michigan and Michigan State have ever met with both at 6-0 or better in Big Ten play

Spike Albrecht --  7 points, 7 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds and 0 turnovers against Iowa. Nuff said.

Just 4 fast break points for Iowa the entire game against Michigan. Again, Nuff said.

Wisconsin is 92-12 at home in the Big 10 in its last 104 outings.

Ohio State, Oregon, Wisconsin and Iowa State started the year a combined 58-0. Since then?  0-14.

Not a bad week for the Maize & Blue – Michigan’s football team lands a new offensive coordinator in Doug Nussmeier from Alabama who promises a “tough, physical, explosive” offense, while the basketball team picked up a second road win in the Big 10. Not a bad start to 2014 – following a horrendous end to 2013. So – I don’t know about you – but I am thinking positive thoughts, Wolverine fans. Keep the faith, and continue to be “A-Maized”....

What Will Always “A-Maize” Me

How difficult it is for the Detroit Lions to land a coach. They waited around for Ken Whisenhunt and then he jilts them for the Tennessee Titans. The Lion are like the shy kid at the 7th grade dance – lookin’ like a wallflower, leaning up against the wall.

New England Patriot coach Bill Belichick – now I know there are haters out there, but damn -- how does one not respect what this long-time Patriot head coach has accomplished? He has been to 8 AFC title games, 5 Super Bowls, and 3 Super Bowl rings. I think haters need to shut to hell up !!! Nuff said.

How important “running the damn ball” is in football, whether it is at the collegiate of NFL level. Perfect example this past weekend – watching Seattle with Marshawn Lynch and San Francisco with Frank Gore – churn out “tough yards” to allow their offenses to possess the football. Lynch, especially, with his 140 yards and two TDs was impressive. Now, just if the Michigan Wolverines could muster such a running game in 2014 – how much pressure that takes off quarterback play cannot be understated.

The ambiguity of the block/charge call in college basketball. I officially “give up” on making sense of it. For the life of me, I have not seen one ounce of consistency with that being called this season thus far.

The quick jump out of the gate for Doug Nussmeier in the “World of Twitter.” The new Michigan offensive coordinator made his first “Tweet” ever on Sunday, and his followers ballooned to 5,000 plus in a matter of seconds from opening his Twitter account. Ah, the passion for Michigan Football !!!

Big 10 Basketball – OMG, talk about a ball buster to win the title. Latest dose of “competition: is going to come from the upstart Iowa Hawkeyes. Behind Devin Marble’s 22 points and Aaron White’s 19, the Hawkeyes were incredibly impressive in their road victory, thumping Ohio State,  84-74 on Sunday.

OK…admittedly, I am still in “adjustment mode” to the fact Michigan State’s football program has grabbed – and legitimately earned -- the national spotlight with its impressive Rose Bowl conquest of Stanford. Just call me “GREEN” with envy. It’s obvious to me, if the Michigan football program hasn’t been sufficiently “awakened” to the fact the Spartans are currently “The New Sheriff in Town” than they better “check themselves” (to steal Mark Dantonio’s line) – and get a clue. Makes me vomit to say it, but I think the “Road to the Big 10 Title” might go thru Spartan Stadium for the next couple of years.

   So – that being clearly stated --  here are a few suggested New Year's Resolutions for Brady Hoke and his crew down in A2 to implement:

·         Make Michigan State your Number 1 Rival as the top priority who you HAVE to BEAT (non- negotiable). The Spartans are on the verge of taking a National Title bound step forward -- probably sooner than later.

·         Quit mocking Ohio State with "Ohio" references and pouring everything into that game. And on that subject of “mocking” -- quit doing the "insecure behavior" bit like skywriting "Go Blue" script visible to Spartan Stadium tailgaters or playing "The Chicken Dance" like you did after defeating Notre Dame.

·         And lastly, Focus on YOU, get this running game cranking in Spring ball, shore up the defense with physical toughness, and (as much as hate to have to reference a George Perles quote), ALWAYS adhere to the creed: "Work hard, keep your mouths shut, and good things will happen"

Ugh…that was painful to write. But, now I feel better just declaring it.

Michigan hoops – time to be resilient

Well, not a bad start for the Wolverine basketball team – 2-0 in Big 10 play and 10-4 overall – following Sunday’s 74-51 victory over Northwestern. But more compelling was Michigan’s 63-60 triumph over Minnesota Thursday night up at “The Barn” – which reveled to me that the difficult slate of non-conference opponents – such as playing at highly ranked Iowa State and Duke – is paying off.

But back to the Northwestern game, this was another example of “playing to the level of competition” – at least early on – before putting away the Wildcats. Finally shutting down Drew Crawford (has that guy played for Northwestern for 20 years?...ha) in the second half after his 13 points in the first stanza, Michigan looked good closing it out in the second half.

I think the key to this team is frosh point guard Derrick Walton – slowly by surely attacking the rim more often and improving each game. No expectations of conference title though – too many good teams ahead of them, with the likes of Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State.

What Will Always “A-Maize” Me

Clemson’s Sammy Watkins -- the current ACC "pheeee-nom" (like Calvin Johnson) at wide receiver.  He literally carved up and devoured the pathetic Ohio State secondary in the Orange Bowl for 227 yards --16 catches and a couple of scores. An NFL Fantasy Football gem next year, for sure

Storm Johnson of UCF – damn, what a power back that kid is who literally fits the model of a running back  --6 foot, 215 pounds – that the Wolverine offense has been sorely missing in recent years. Storm carved up that Baylor D in the Fiesta Bowl like a slab of ham.

How amusing it is to watch Lou Holtz perform on ESPN as a college football analyst – his reference to MSU as the “The University of Michigan State" was quite amusing. This “Granny Clampett Look A Like” strikes again.

How much “in the distant past” it seems that the Michigan offense was “multi-dimensional” – like in 2007 (and the few years leading up to that) – when you had Chad Henne throwing to the likes of Braylon Edwards, Jason Avant and Steve Breaston – not to mention Jake Long and  David Baas carving holes for Mike Hart. Sigh…

As the ESPN Bowl Commercial declares in its jingle commercial, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Ah, bowl week, where a good hunk of the 35 “mostly meaningless” bowl games appear on TV in forms of matinees, night time doubleheaders, which force you to stay up till close to 2 a.m. – Hello, Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl !!!.”

Don’t ask me why, but I watch a lot of bowl games, or at least major portions. Maybe it is to see how some teams “travel well” (in terms of fan bases) while many do not, like the Pitt Panthers, for example, that appeared to draw around 27 people for their Little Caesars Bowl conquest over Bowling Green. Sometimes I want to check out teams and their style of play I haven’t seen throughout the college football regular season. Or, maybe, I just “need to get a life.”

Regardless, I guess it’s just one of those “holiday traditions” of mine (couch flopping – bowl watching). Speaking of the holidays, allow me to share my fluctuating attitude towards the concept (of Holidays) – sometimes, I am totally into them, and sometimes NOT. Currently – my three most favorite Holidays are – 1. New Year’s Day (I love major bowl games), 2. Christmas (Ho, Ho, Ho – who doesn’t like Christmas?) and 3. Thanksgiving (I am just soooo into dressing and pumpkin pie consumption bit). My three least favorite – 1. St. Patrick’s Day (drunk people just irritate the hell outta me – plus, it makes me think of Notre Dame, and I hate Notre Dame), 2. New Year’s Eve (I say screw it, I am usually in bed by 11 p.m., getting fully rested for a full day of bowl game viewing the following day) and 3.  Halloween (yep, wearing costumes – I view that as just plain goofy).

What Will Always “A-Maize” Me

The Max Bullough suspension for the Rose Bowl. I recall vividly interviewing this kid for a solid uninterrupted 15 minutes in Chicago at the B1G Media Days in July 2012, and I am thinking, “damn, this kid is just too good to be true.” Articulate, forthcoming, passionate, driven, respectful, polite. And then a year and a half later, as he sits on the threshold of his personal goal and his team’s goal, it all comes tumbling down for him making a bad mistake. Really sad stuff -- regardless what team you cheer for.

When they talk about college football players’ expectations of playing professional football, they rarely refer to it as “the NFL.” They always talk about their “ability to play at The Next Level all the time.” Always, “The Next Level”….never “the NFL.” Is the reference “NFL”  a cuss word, or something? Or is it just chic to say "Next Level?"

How much NBA action I watched on Christmas Day….game after game, I seem to catch some of all of them in the day-long blitz, when the NBA doesn’t have to compete with NFL or college football. Then I ask myself “Why?”

The idea of Shane Morris starting at quarterback for the Wolverines? Kind of disconcerting for Michigan football fans, but hey, we are going to find out what this kid has against Kansas State. It’s all on the shoulders of No. 7.

How many times I have told people I am “just Sparty-ed out” with all of this Rose Bowl berth jubilation throughout East Lansing. I betcha at least 50 times.

Why they don’t name the Lions-Vikings NFL finale game this Sunday the “About To Be Whacked Bowl” – considering the fates of head coaches Jim Schwartz and Leslie Frazier, are pretty much signed, sealed and “severed.”!!!

This gut feeling the Michigan defense is going to play well against Kansas State? And I have absolutely nothing to substantiate that feeling. Sometimes it’s just that vibe.

Yes indeed – all I want for Christmas is a Michigan Basketball team that blocks out and rebounds the basketball? If that was the status this past Saturday, chances are the Wolverines would have cruised to an easy triumph over No. 1 Arizona at the Crisler Center instead of heading out the tunnel with their heads hanging low following a 72-70 setback. Sigh….

Programs have their strengths. Programs have their weaknesses. For Michigan Basketball – not since the days of the late Robert Traylor, Maceo Baston and Maurice Taylor, or even further back to the Fab 5 -- have the Wolverines had some flat-out “glass eaters” as I like to call them.

John Beilein indicated earlier this week "the block out has been a major emphasis, but you get tired, you forget about it. We blocked out a lot (in Monday's practice).” I sure hope so, John Beilein.

Shoot, I think Michigan should “block out” in EVERY practice, but hey, what do I know? But I do know this – Arizona had no less than 17 offensive rebounds and a clear board advantage of 37-24 over the Wolverines. Arizona had nearly as many offensive boards as Michigan had defensive rebounds (18). You can say that losing to Arizona No. 1 in the country is not bad. But on the other hand, Sean Miller’s team is very much like some physical Big 10 teams the Maize & Blue will have to face in the likes of Wisconsin and Michigan State. So you better get used to it, while Ohio State may be the stiffest challenge of any of them because their defense is so dang stingy.

It is time for the Wolverines to “right the ship.” You certainly don’t want four non-conference losses be combined with 6 or 7 Big 10 setbacks, whereby you have 10-11 L’s come Selection Sunday. I am not saying that will keep them out of The Big Dance, but it sure as heck won’t give them a very desirable seed to advance like they did last year. In the 2013 NCAA Tournament, the Title Game bound Wolverines were a 4 seed. And they for sure won’t get that withl 11 overall losses.

What Will Always “A-Maize” Me

Big 10 basketball – Ohio State ranked third, Wisconsin ranked fourth, and Michigan State fifth. It is going to be a brutal fight for the league crown in 2014..

Michigan’s Glenn Robinson III, a 6-foot-6 forward, finished with four rebounds in 37 minutes, none on the offensive end. Hey Big Dog (his Daddy) you better fire up that son of yours. That former Boilermaker always pounded the boards.

That Ohio State has beaten Michigan in football 11 out of 12 years, Michigan State has beaten Michigan 5 of the last 6 years. Sure hoping that "fact" is pasted on the walls of Schembechler Hall.

How much “worrying” is just a waste of time. It doesn't change anything. It messes with your mind and steals your happiness.

What a sweet gig upcoming for departing Texas Coach Mack Brown. He can go collect $500K a year from Texas now and go make major coin doing National TV. Sure beats working for a living.

Kirk Cousins. Because he is so transparent about everything. "I'm nervous before every game because I care,” Cousins declares. “It's just a matter of controlling butterflies for success." Lots of professional athletes would never admit they get nervous.

There are 554 million people on Twitter. Shoot, I thought there was 450 million just last Wednesday.  

The Lions have lost eight straight games in December and January. In four of their five previous losses, they had fourth-quarter leads but couldn’t finish. That is really bad.

In the Rose Bowl – The Big 10 has lost 9 of the last 10. That’s pretty bad, as well.

You know that Seinfeld episode – When Jerry clearly discovers when one of his close friends “George” is “up” (on his luck), his other close friend ‘Elaine” is “down” (on her luck). “When one of my friends is up, the other is down,” Jerry declared.

Metaphorically speaking, the same has held true in the Michigan-Michigan State football rivalry. I have emphatically stated both the Wolverines and Spartans football programs cannot be Top 10 caliber teams at the same time, a la Alabama and Auburn. What’s good for one, is bad for the other. They both can be mediocre at the same time, and one can be Big 10 title holder (like this year with State), but the other will have 4 or 5 losses. This 2013 season is much like the 1997 in reverse. That year Michigan pounded out a 12-0 Co-National Championship season, while Nick Saban-coached Michigan State sputtered to 7-5 final mark (including getting thrashed by Washington in the Aloha Bowl, 51-23).

The real reason that is? Because I am a truly a believer that you gotta literally “own the state” recruiting wise here in the State of Michigan. Translation – not enough high caliber talent to supply two Top 10 college football teams. And because of that, Brady Hoke and his coaching staff HAS to go at Michigan State as their No. 1 rival. You gotta own your backyard, or you aren’t going anywhere, in my humble opinion. The Michigan State 29-6 thumping of Michigan in East Lansing on Nov. 2 was about as compelling wake up call for the Wolverines you can have – and the 5th setback served up no less by the rival from East Lansing in the last 6 tries. Michigan’s Team 135 has to return to Spartan Stadium a second straight year in 2014. That’s a “non-negotiable MUST WIN for the Wolverines or this “Up” versus “Down” gap could get ever worse. Gonna be interesting how this plays out.

What Will Always “A-Maize” Me

That despite the fact Michigan football had an extremely disappointing 7-5 final regular season mark, the Wolverines were ranked third in the country behind Alabama and Texas A&M as the most-watched teams, according to the. SBNation analysis of television ratings in the 2013 season.

Michigan State’s strong safety Isaiah Lewis recording a game-high 13 tackles -- many on the Buckeyes' bruising back, 235-pounder Carlos Hyde, who is an absolute “load” to tackle. Perhaps the best performance (of many) by any of the Spartan defenders in the Big 10 title game.

Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell carrying the  17 times in the 1st half against Philly – when the Lions were up by 14 – and only 6 times in the second half, when the Lions got pounded.  Sometimes I just don’t get the Lions’ offensive football strategy.

Mack Brown has gone just 18-17 in the Big 12 over past 4 seasons. Shoot, no wonder Texas is going to send him off to “retirement-ville.” So much high school talent in that state, and considering the fact the Longhorns typically get first dibs during their renowned “Junior Day” (football recruiting weekend each spring), this program has been significantly underachieving.

The “movable parts” to Nick Saban – A unique combo of EGO, obsession with winning, off-the-scale work ethic, self-centered-ness, difficult to work for, yet an absolutely highly-detailed great coach. How’s that for a complicated recipe for success?