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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Please Stand By
I sat down last night to write something for the site...and I had nothing to say.
Oh, sure, I could have scrounged something up but it would have been forced. Putting something up just to put something up. And I never want to do that. Not for myself - or for you.
Especially for you, the MZone reader.
It's funny in that none of us have met except via these comments and emails I receive, but I genuinely feel I "know" many of you. And since you are so dedicated in coming here, I don't ever want to betray that trust by putting up shit or just phoning it in.
I guess I'm a little burned out (coupled with coming up with stuff for a cfb blog in February).
Need to take a little time and figure out what's next.
Thanks for your patience and understanding.
133 comments:
- TitleIX said...
izzzalllgood mate.
Why do you think SI puts out a swimsuit issue right about now???
No sports to report so they gotta go with T & A.
hmmm, now there's an idea I'm sure you've never thought of..... ;-)
- February 11, 2008 6:44 AM
- TitleIX said...
All will be forgiven with a shirtless Tom picture.
mmmmmmmmm pecs
- February 11, 2008 6:44 AM
- Catie said...
Yost Dahling, the tone you have has an eerie sound to it, sort of like.........you are considering.........other options that might cause MUCH grief for the readership. Please know that we don't expect much in the off season......and T9 has it nailed.......Bring on the half naked girls (not for me, but for the boys) and a few half naked (or even all naked would be fine as well) boys. :o)
T9 you are still blank!!
- February 11, 2008 7:02 AM
- A2saint said...
Hell, I just come here for the hot wings and atmosphere...
- February 11, 2008 7:23 AM
- BARman said...
To be honest, I'm amazed you don't have these "blank-outs" more often. Meaning, I'm impressed with your ability for great content 99.99999% of the time.
And, yes, everyone knows this is the worst sports month of the year. Must be why it is also the shortest.
Oh, yeah--and naked pics would be fine, too...
- February 11, 2008 8:01 AM
- Bigasshammm said...
February seems to be a rough month for most northerners. We lose football. Basketball is in the midst of it's meaninglessly long season. Hockey doesn't get the coverage or respect it deserves. And ESPN does nothing but talk about steroid users and baseball players making more money than God. It's understandable that there may be a time where there's just nothing to say. During those times I suggest just winging something by us. I enjoy the humorous off color comments about things that we may never hear/read about. Casual news stories whether related to A2 or MI or not at all. Don't beat yourself up on trying to please us with every post since as has been shown in the My Apologies we will just tend to rant and rave about whatever we want anyway.
I have noticed that there's a select bunch of people who seem to be constants here. It has become like a community and I am glad to have found it. Keep up the good work.
Catie(Katie) as has been said in other posts words cannot express the sorrow we all feel for you and your family. You are endearing one of the most challenging times for a human being I am sure. In your mind take small solace that you always have friends at the Mzone to talk to.
On a side note: New MI fan arriving soon. More to come in the next few days hopefully.
- February 11, 2008 8:02 AM
- OSU said...
Take it easy.
If you are ever at a loss for words, do what Brian on another blog does.
Spend pages and pages telling us how wonderful RichRod is. Tell us how he turns water in to wine and such.
If that fails, you can always post something about "Mr. QB" Pryor.
If you don't 1000 other bloggers will.
-- Loyal Buckeye Fan
- February 11, 2008 8:31 AM
- Edgar said...
This is the time of year when we discover how empty our lives are or that we have siginificant others that need attention. So that is why Valentine's Day is in February!
- February 11, 2008 9:28 AM
- BSD said...
Hang in there, Yost. All of us bloggers hit the wall once in a while. It's tiring coming up with content day after day. It's easy when the season is in full swing, but then it's over and suddenly you have to start using your brain again. I've felt a little burnt out myself lately.
Mike @ Black Shoe Diaries
- February 11, 2008 9:52 AM
- Feelin' Blue said...
I hate the offseason. I am happy that we finally won a basketball game on Saturday, though. That was sweet. And I learned that a true supporter continues to cheer on his team even if the wins will not get the team into a bowl game or a tourney. So yay, life lessons through sports.
What is that "please stand by" screen originally from? I've seen it before. I know that it was on mgoblog after The Catastrophe, and then followed by pictures of kittens soon thereafter.
- February 11, 2008 9:55 AM
- surrounded in columbus said...
take some time off now. we'll miss you but we need you ready to go this fall! we don't want our star blogger worn out before the season starts!
- February 11, 2008 10:16 AM
- Seer said...
No RR-wizard hat pics?!?
- February 11, 2008 10:18 AM
- Out of Conference said...
Yost - sure it's not football, but your pre-season ranked Wolverines are getting ready to take the diamond and try to improve on last season's success.
I saw your girls took a heartbreaker from us in Boca over the weekend.
- February 11, 2008 10:45 AM
- Out of Conference said...
saw doesn;t mean literally being there.. I read about it on the USC(e) Sports site.
- February 11, 2008 10:46 AM
- Andy said...
Yost: Take a couple of days off -- you deserve it.
In the mean time, I think I have found Joe Tiller's special Snake Oil recipe:
* Most wins all time
* Highest winning percentage all time
* 11 National Championships
* 42 Big Ten Championships
* 33 Straight bowl games
* 126 All Americans
* 357 NFL draft picks
* 47 1st round draft picks
* 3 Super Bowl MVPs
* Highest home attendance for 32 of the last 33 years
* 200+ games straight over 100K attendees
*40 staight seasons without a losing record
* The largest scoring delta (points for minus points against) in college football history
* New coach and staff with an exciting style of play
It is amazing that RR was able to convince any recruit to come Ann Arbor...
- February 11, 2008 10:55 AM
- whetstonebuck said...
Whoa, that test screen sent me into a flashback.
Rest, my man, rest. There are seasons for refueling. Come the Fall we want high octane not fumes. You and your basement dwelling side-kick need to tank up. No one's going anywhere.
- February 11, 2008 11:18 AM
- Winter Garden Wolverine said...
Well if you need an endless source of 'cute college girls' there's always the college humor site
- February 11, 2008 11:18 AM
- Loyal Reader said...
Can we please talk amongst ourselves about kevin Hart, the dude from nevada who threw himself a press conference to announce his commitment to Cal...which never recruited him? That story has been amazing.
Also, worry not. Yost will be back. I know the man, I know his pains...and he will be back. He ALWAYS comes back.
- February 11, 2008 11:20 AM
- HughJeffencock said...
Long time reader, first time poster. It is funny how, by reading these comments nearly every day, I feel like I know some of the personalities that frequent this blog.
Keep up the good work, Yost!
By the way, there is always college hockey!
- February 11, 2008 11:58 AM
- Nate said...
We could talk about the RR cry video from ESPN
- February 11, 2008 11:58 AM
- zen wizard said...
Well, when in doubt, a nice recipie, a good knee-slapping joke, or a story about somebody you met in an elevator would be nice.
Or, um, you could put up a picture of a hot chick and ask if she's bangable....
Plus, there are other sports besides football--what about FIELD HOCKEY, NASCAR, and FEMALE MUDWRESTLING??
Seriously, though, Roger Clemons is a hot topic right now...or just listen to Colin Cowherd and steal some of his ideas...(just kidding on that last one...)
- February 11, 2008 12:24 PM
- zen wizard said...
If you ever get any advertisers, you could use days like this for a plugola-type, shameless review, e.g.:
"I originally bought a Dyson Vacuum--whose logo on on the sidebar--just because I wanted to be classy and cool like that British guy on TV. But I actually used it today, because the maid is off, and folks, I gotta tell you, it really SUCKS!!!"
- February 11, 2008 12:28 PM
- whetstonebuck said...
"If you ever get any advertisers..."
You mean like our new poster, HJC?
- February 11, 2008 1:26 PM
- whetstonebuck said...
"But I actually used it today, because the maid is off, and folks, I gotta tell you, it really SUCKS!!!"
That is Dyson's "Lou Enski" model. They're still trimming it down so it can maneuver under furniture better.
- February 11, 2008 1:30 PM
- Out of Conference said...
ZW and WB - funny stuff.
Yost, tell us about the time when we were just weeones when you went to Columbus and got hit with a powdered donut.
- February 11, 2008 1:59 PM
- bdub said...
I don't know if you guys have done anything like this before, but maybe for the offseason you guys could go through each conference and give out certain awards. For example, best mascot, best uniform, best helmet, best tradition, best coach, best fight song, etc. It would take some work but I bet it would be a great read.
- February 11, 2008 2:05 PM
- Joshua said...
Think of it like being in a relationship. It should enhance the quality of your life, not define it or be a burden. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it takes a lot of work, and sometimes you just need some time alone. Go get your alone time man- the content you put up is appreciated.
Hey Zen,
"Or, um, you could put up a picture of a hot chick and ask if she's bangable...."
Sir, you answered your own question.
- February 11, 2008 2:37 PM
- MGoBlue93 said...
How about continuing the co-ed blog showdown? I think the voting on the last round ended with sloppy mountain top versus nice and fit Louisville cheerleader.
- February 11, 2008 2:40 PM
- HughJeffencock said...
"If you ever get any advertisers..."
You mean like our new poster, HJC?
You caught me. I am REALLY here to promote the new extra large Bruin condoms. Spiraled for her pleasure.
- February 11, 2008 3:24 PM
- Dezzi said...
After titleix's second post... I expected to see a shirtless pic of tom c....
- February 11, 2008 4:03 PM
- zen wizard said...
You are correct, Joshua--you should put up a picture of a chick who is, "Hot--in a weird way."
Like, Sarah Jessica Parker. Or Lisa Rinna.
And THEN ask if SHE'S bangable.
This stimulates a heartier debate than women who are OBVIOUSLY bangable.
Another good topic is the subject of, "Bangable? The GILF's:"
The quintessential GILF's are, of course, Helen Mirren, Katherine Helmond, and Linda Evans.
(And, for the record, "Bangable," "Bangable--in the post-Viagra Era," & "Bangable.")
- February 11, 2008 4:34 PM
- Joshua said...
"Weird sort of way" gets too iffy- plus an entire list like that is a bit too misogynistic for me- I prefer my ogling general and vague- it helps stave off the restraining orders. :P
I say we start a "Just for the Story" list. A) It doesn't preclude the women and B) imagine the conversation it would propagate.
For instance: An example for the ladies: Bill Clinton. Come on, you girls can't tell me you'd pass up a chance at the Billster, even if it were "just for the story".
For the guys: The Easter Bunny. Play your cards right on that one and you might get to meet her cousin the Playboy Bunny and start partying at the mansion. And that, my friend, could land you all kinds of tail.
- February 11, 2008 5:01 PM
- zen wizard said...
Shameless self promotion:
Visit HERE and vote on, "If Queen Latifah loses twenty pounds on Jenny Craig, will she then be "bangable."
Thank you, Julius Caesar, for introducting the subjunctive tense to the British Isles, or I don't know how I would have constructed that sentence.
Wait--what am I thinking?
Guys on a football page--who watch football at Hooters while their wife is barefoot and pregnant and leaning over a hot stove, ready to drop her tenth rug rat--are "not misogynistic enough" to participate in that kind of survey!!
- February 11, 2008 5:33 PM
- Joshua said...
"Shameless self promotion:..If Queen Latifah loses twenty pounds on Jenny Craig, will she then be "bangable."
Zen does this mean you're Queen Latifah?
- February 11, 2008 6:00 PM
- Wolverine419 said...
Long time reader, I may have posted once before. I do not want that one meaningless post though to over-shadow the importance of what I bring to the table today.
Fellas, I read the blog daily. I tell every Michigan fan I know about the blog. Buckstache has entered my daily lexicon because of you guys.
It was you that taught me about Courtney (Simpson) Cox, and it is your archive that allows me to laugh at the USC song girl weekly.
Take all the time you need, but don't leave us for good. Please?
- February 11, 2008 6:34 PM
- TitleIX said...
mo' better on the original ninja thumbnail
I'm boycotting thumbnail photos til Yost comes back.
not really....
I can't get the damned spinning yield sign on the dashboard to pick up the image from photobucket
- February 11, 2008 7:17 PM
- whetstonebuck said...
The "Queen" is a lady. Speak not of her in such crude fashion.
Sir Whetstone of Buck
- February 11, 2008 7:29 PM
- Out of Conference said...
Degrees from Baconesque it may be, but Catie, the Queen Latifah reference reminded me of Steve Martin, which reminded me of his touching story in last month's Reader's Digest about his last few moments with his Dad. May give you something to take your mind off specific things while at the same time help you reflect on other things.
Was it this blog that once said something about not old enough yet for a Reader's Digest subscription (I think it was either at the start of the 06 season, or late 05.
- February 11, 2008 7:40 PM
- Zone Left said...
Let's just talk about Marissa Miller, not Queen Latifah.
Best tip...constant, fervent, outrageous speculation. James Lauranitis arrested trying to sell heroin to Girl Scouts? Jim Tressel seen clubbing baby seals?
It's all fair--and possible with Photoshop.
Seriously though, great blog.
- February 11, 2008 7:42 PM
- Out of Conference said...
found it - Yost's comment on Reader's Digest being for geezers
(sorry - my html hint sticky note is at work)
- February 11, 2008 7:42 PM
- Joshua said...
T- just right click the image and do a "save as" to your desktop. If you need to do a google search and find the same image, then do the same thing you're doing. Must be getting lost in translation somewhere from photobucket. And mine's still in the works- teaching myself photoshop/gimp.
Marisa Miller. Best idea I've heard yet. She's the hottest woman on earth currently in her 20's. (30's being Kate Beckinsale, and 40's Diane Lane).
And I heard Lauranitis was selling heroin and girl scouts.
- February 11, 2008 8:21 PM
- Catie said...
I didn't read all the comments, but noticed some reference to Queen Latifah, You all do realize that it is MUCH better to have a little something to grab a hold of when you scream for ecstasy right? Just sayin....
Dying is hard work, watching someone die, might be harder. We are still here, sitting vigil. It has not been a great day, except that it is a good to bring a family together, even for something this difficult. I appreciated all your words of support, it feels good to have friends here in cyber space. I bow to each of you. Thank you.
Now.....bring on the photo contest, and remember yost, I am a hands and arms gal.....;o)
- February 11, 2008 8:44 PM
- JukeBox said...
you should just finish up the coed competition already
- February 11, 2008 9:00 PM
- Joshua said...
Well I think we'd have some new entrants, right- like the Tebow (former) Mystery girl.
- February 11, 2008 9:14 PM
- goat7ed said...
Yost...that's difference between bloggers and real journalists. If you worked for Washington Post or were a hack sports Op Ed guy for the Freep, you wouldn't have this "journalistic integrity" issue and you'd just half-ass something if there were no real stories out there.
Recharge buddy, then re-attack.
If it's a writer's block thing though, a voice told me to tell you, "ease his pain" (with healing pictures).
Catie -- best thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
- February 11, 2008 9:55 PM
- TitleIX said...
T9 is back in the saddle!
thanks joshua---used the desktop trick and after the third try it picked up the image and awaaaay we go!
thinking about you and yours Catie. you all are in my prayers
- February 11, 2008 10:19 PM
- Joshua said...
Welcome back T!
Catie- keep us informed Hon- let us know if you need an impromptu A2 Mzone happy hour or something when you get back.
- February 11, 2008 10:54 PM
- Mikoyan said...
It's not too bad of a month for sports. After all, pitcher and catchers report to spring training soon. The Lions are already elminated from the playoffs for next year. The Tigers will be in contention. The Red Wings are tooling up for another run at the Cup. Don't follow that other sport.
You could always look at Drew, I'm sure he's said something that will get your blood boiling.
- February 11, 2008 11:43 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
Okay, here's a new topic. I put up a post on mgoblog a few days ago talking about how it would make sense for Notre Dame and Penn State to join the Big East. I figured that maybe it would provide us with something having to do with CFB to talk about, and I get the chance to share one of my ideas. Plus I don't have to talk about my disappointment over the Super Bowl, which was similar to the Appalachian St experience (same embarrassment). Oops, I just did.
As you may know, PSU was denied entry into the Big East in 1982 because the conference was focusing on basketball. Notre Dame, on the other hand, is in the Big East only for basketball. After BC, Va Tech, and Miami left the Big East in 2004, PSU and ND declined offers for membership. I hadn't read this yet when I put up my post, but my reasoning still holds up. A reposting of my post follows in the next post. And yes, I am probably a bit full of myself.
- February 12, 2008 12:29 AM
- Feelin' Blue said...
Penn State and Notre Dame should join the Big East. This isn't meant as disrespect to PSU; PSU is great to have in the Big 10. My reasoning is that it just makes sense.
Who are PSU's rivals in the Big 10? OSU and MSU? Just because they all have the word "state" in their names? Oh, and PSU hates Michigan. Join the club. PSU's natual rivals are Pitt, Syracuse (I think), and Temple--all Big East teams (at least Temple used to be until it got kicked out). Plus there is a little rivalry brewing with ND (or just home-and-home series?).
PSU isn't completely at home in the Big 10. PSU possibly has benefited from greater TV exposure, but PSU is sort of seen as part of the little 9, not as one of the Big 3 (or 4?).
Another thing is that the rotating schedule sucks. All Big 10 teams should play one another. Also, Notre Dame should join a league already. It's in the Big East in basketball; join for football too. The major rivalries with Notre Dame could be retained--USC, UM, MSU--and then it could throw in an extra OOC opponent. (It would have the same schedule every year--surely not appealing to the Domers.)
- February 12, 2008 12:30 AM
- Catie said...
T9 it is the same image!!! What happened to the sex pot image you were going to show??? *sigh*
It is finished over here for me, (cept for a funeral) thank you all for your kind words and support.
- February 12, 2008 9:31 AM
- Edgar said...
All right a conference realignment post. I like reasons that were given for PSU to be in the Big East. As for Notre Dame though they are in the middle of Big Ten country. Part of me wants them in the Big Ten and the other part says no. The reasons for being in the Big ten is that so many of their games are against Big Ten teams. I also would like the Big 10 to be ten teams for the simple reason that adding another conference game would require all schools to play against each other. In that case Notre Dame in the Big Ten does not work. So I am agreeing with you Feelin' blue.
- February 12, 2008 9:37 AM
- harry hasselhoff said...
Take a month off man and get your head together, it's cool. The hits will keep coming when the season gets closer.
- February 12, 2008 9:44 AM
- Feelin' Blue said...
I just noticed that Notre Dame has a formal rivalry with Purdue, as the two have played each other every year for about 80 years. If Notre Dame does join the Big East, it would probably be if Penn State does not join because ND would then have more flexibility in its OOC schedule. I like the rivalry with ND and I wouldn't want to weasel out of it, but it would make sense for either that rivalry or the Purdue rivalry to be dropped, depending on which one ND takes the most seriously. I want the ND rivalry to continue, and so do UM and ND, as indicated by their recent contract.
Distance is not really an issue; remember that USF and Cincy are in the Big East (and Miami used to be), and ND has plenty of money for travel. But Edgar raises an important point: ND is more of a midwestern school than PSU. A lot of ND's rivalries--UM, Purdue, MSU--are "natural."
- February 12, 2008 9:59 AM
- Chris in NC said...
Yost, take as long a break as you need. We'll still be here. And if you still feel the need to toss up some posts, well, video clips of famous UM wins (like that first Lloyd Carr game against Virginia) always brings smiles to every wolverine face.
- February 12, 2008 10:31 AM
- Chris in NC said...
Catie, Thoughts and prayers from my corner of North Carolina for you and your family. I am sorry you have to go through that. God Bless and keep you.
- February 12, 2008 10:31 AM
- Edgar said...
One problme that is usually never mentioned by most people proposing conference restructuring is that it is based off media markets. The Big Ten controls some of the most desiable media markets in the country: Chicago and the parts of the North East. All other conferences just do not have the television numbers that the Big Ten does. If the Big Ten were to expand Notre Dame would be an obvious fit since it would increase the media market to an ungodly level. But Feelin' Blue already pointed out having eleven teams creates an unbalanced schedule. The question to be asked is, "if Notre Dame were to join the Big Ten which school should also join in order to create a 12 team conference and what should the new name of the conference be?" For the second part of the question I would rename the Big 10 the Great Lakes Conference. For the first part of the question I would say have Boston College in the new conference that way there is an increase in the media markets and also to be the evil Catholic foil to Notre Dame.
- February 12, 2008 10:44 AM
- Feelin' Blue said...
I found this on the Google.
Basically, ND agreed a few years ago to play 3 teams in the Big East, but told the commissioner, "this doesn't mean that we're together."
I can't stand the bullshit about ND's tradition. It's such a cheap excuse for it to remain independent. Guess what? There are so many other teams out there with even richer tradition: Michigan, OSU, Tennessee, Clemson, PSU...the list goes on and on. Maybe the emphasis on tradition is a Catholic thing.
I think that it makes the most sense for PSU to leave the Big 10 for the Big East, which has 8 teams that include a few PSU rivals. It just isn't very beneficial for PSU b/c it would lose out on TV exposure. PSU probably wouldn't lose money b/c it would have an easier time winning the Big East and going to a BCS game.
This whole situation makes something very clear: there is something out there that is always bigger than tradition...$$$$$. ND is full of shit. They just have to win 9 games and they are all but assured a BCS appearance and a big payout.
- February 12, 2008 11:22 AM
- zen wizard said...
I didn't join Jenny Craig to conform to Hollywood's standard of beauty, nor did I join to become "bangable."
I did it for all those women out there who are having image problems with their bodies, and...oh, wait, maybe I am Queen Latifah...
- February 12, 2008 11:50 AM
- Tom C said...
Dezzi said "After titleix's second post... I expected to see a shirtless pic of tom c...."
Lets get out of the winter first.;
- February 12, 2008 12:29 PM
- Joshua said...
SAT question: which one of these doesn't belong?
Reasons to look forward to spring:
a. Coeds in shorts/short skirts/short shirts at MSU.
b. Spring ball
c. Running outside w/out a snowsuit.
d. Pics of a shirtless Tom C.
""if Notre Dame were to join the Big Ten which school should also join in order to create a 12 team conference ...?"
The conference already has 11 teams and has since Penn St. joined. The addition of ND would thereby make it 12.
Feelin Blue,
Ohio State and Michigan State aren't PSU's rivals becasue they all have state in the name. OSU is a natural rival being in a neighboring state. MSU has developed into a rival because they the schools are very similar in culture and size (this is also the reason for them to fit into the Big 10 instead of the Big East), they're both 2nd tier Big 10teams, and OSU and UofM already have each other. Monetarily it wouldn't make sense for Penn state either.
Speaking of money, ND will never join a football conference without being able to keep their huge TV revenue- it's simply too lucrative, and no conference will admit them without a piece of the pie. Unless they have 10 seasons in a row just like this last one and NBC starts losing its ass and subsequently drops them, well, I don't see it happening in our lifetime.
Your best argument here for contraction of the Big Ten would be Northwestern, and that's not happening either.
As for the number of programs with their tradition, not many even come close. Clemson and Tennessee? No way.
- February 12, 2008 12:42 PM
- Edgar said...
For ND the tradition of being an independent is what defines them. Down here in the land of the BIG 12 South we know a little about tradition with schools like Texas, A & M, and OU. Even going back to the Southwest conference days with TCU, SMU, and Arkansas tradition was regional. Notre Dame, for good or bad, has been the exception. It also helped Notre Dame that they have played against the big time programs in some of the biggest games. Who ruined OU's 47 game winning streak? Notre Dame. After lifting their post season bowl game ban who did Notre Dame play in 1970? Texas. They have been involved in other big games, but I decided to show my regional bias. At one point Notre Dame was almost a yearly national title contender. Not any more. I do not think it is right for Notre Dame to be given a free pass on account of its rich history that it gained as an independent. If Weis does not turn that program around Notre Dame will have to join a conference. The conference that makes the most sense is the Big Ten. If PSU does not leave that will create a very scary easern division. PSU, OSU, UM, MSU, Notre Dame, and either Purdue or Indiana. Purdue makes the most sense since than Notre Dame will have three of its five rivals in the same conference. The other two being USC and Navy.
- February 12, 2008 12:47 PM
- Edgar said...
Joshua sorry I was not clear I was abasing that on PSU leaving the Big 10 and joining the Big East. I am sorry for not being more clear.
- February 12, 2008 12:49 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
The NBC contract with ND could continue should ND join a conference, but the problem for ND is that it would have to share the revenues. It's crap and it's greedy, but a business move that causes a loss of revenue does not make sense.
Edgar, it doesn't really matter if ND could have faced the SWC teams in a bowl game as an independent or not. Miami gave Nebraska (Big 8) and ND some memorable games before joining a conference in 1991, after which it continued to be successful. (The 2001 team might be the best team in all of CFB history despite having Coker as coach--look at the roster.)
Because of the abundance of bowl games and the BCS, ND can face anyone in the postseason whether or not it is in a conference.
My point is that many teams have been independent and have even sacrificed some rivalry to join a conference. We agree that ND is not special for being independent. ND has a great tradition, but the school needs to get over itself. It is no more special than most other programs out there.
I just find it ridiculous how NBC buys into ND's bullshit. In a way, NBC deserved the 3-9 season.
- February 12, 2008 1:02 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
Also, I don't like the 12-team format. Conference championship games are not so great, I like having UM-OSU on the LAST week, and every team should play one another, pure and simple. In a way, it is not as bad in the Big 12 because it used to be the Big 8 and SWC, but still.
What it comes down to is the CFB schedule should be extended, something that only exists in a fantasy world where there is a 12-team playoff (bye-weeks for top 4 teams), Big East and Big 10 both have 10 teams each, and the season is longer.
BTW, I am actually impressed with the 2008 Florida Gators' schedule. They play Hawaii first (much weaker Warriors team though), then Miami (FL), and at FSU for the regular season finale. Oh yeah, and they play Citadel, one of the tougher D I-AA opponents. They don't play Auburn or Alabama though.
- February 12, 2008 1:14 PM
- HughJeffencock said...
The problem with the NBC contract with ND is that even with ND having crappy 3-9 seasons they will never lack for TV viewers. They have many fans across the country and non-ND fans will always tune in to watch them get their ass kicked. Thus, unless ND has several 3-9 seasons in a row, I think their TV ratings on NBC will always be relatively high.
That being said, I think they should be in a conference. In fact, as CFB slowly (and I mean at a dead snails pace) moves towards a football playoff, conference affiliations and championships could become more important. A potential playoff could be set up for conference champions only (or something to that effect) leaving ND as an independent out in the cold.
What pisses me off about ND's contract with the Big East is that they are still eligible to compete in some of the BE bowl tie-ins. I forget the exact formula, but that is just crap.
- February 12, 2008 1:26 PM
- Nate said...
As a fan of a Big East team (WVU) I have hated the Big East's grovelling to Notre Dame. If Notre Dame doesn't make the BCS then they automatically take one of the Big East bowl bids (which are not that great after the BCS bid and Gator Bowl anyway). I have never understood why the Big East agreed to this, unless they thought ND would eventually join the Big East. The Big East should leverage the other sports against them, mainly basketball. Notre Dame doesn't need the Big East in football, but they do need the basketball league.
- February 12, 2008 1:59 PM
- Nate said...
"BTW, I am actually impressed with the 2008 Florida Gators' schedule. They play Hawaii first (much weaker Warriors team though), then Miami (FL), and at FSU for the regular season finale. Oh yeah, and they play Citadel, one of the tougher D I-AA opponents. They don't play Auburn or Alabama though."
That would've been a great schedule about ten years ago. I know this is a sensitive subject around here but are we really giving teams credit for playing "tougher D I-AA opponents" now.
- February 12, 2008 2:03 PM
- Shorty the Beachcomber said...
For Ye who wanted to know, the test screen is used in the film, "Pleasantville".
Yost with the Most, we love your stuff and you've certainly earned some time off.
Just wanted to share-
I learned about your site in 2005 when I was "working" (incredibly bored) in Okinawa, Japan (japanese for 'noodle'). I performed a google image search on Indiana's stadium (as I have a fun interest in stadium design) and I came across a picture of Sparty cheerleaders. The link was to your site and being 19 at the time (I'm now a mature 21)I had to look at the cheerleaders (Hell yeah!). I started reading your stuff and kept laughing for hours until my relief arrived.
My father grew up in Ann Arbor and I myself have never spent a full day in the state of Michigan. Nonetheless I am a diehard, proudly brainwashed U of M fan and future alumn someday (I swear it). I mentioned this site to him and to any other Big 10 fan I come across. Everyone who has checked it out has loved your work. Buckstache has also entered my vocab and your postings have remained a reoccuring topic in my father's and my long distance phone conversations (as I have been home for 3 weeks in the last 40 months and outside of N. America for 32 of the last 40 months).
I want to thank you for your hard work and wish you well in the real world (it can suck at times)... and Catie my prayers and wishes are with you as well. Take it easy and go blue hockey (I'd like to say we're national champs in something again). At least OSU can't say that either.
- February 12, 2008 2:08 PM
- Edgar said...
I feel the same way as you do about 12 team conferences and conference championship games. It was just an idea that I put forth if Notre Dame were to join the Big Ten there would now be 12 teams. According to Stewart Mandel's book all other conference championship games, except for the SEC's, do not produce enough revenue. I also like seeing the Big 10 end with UM vs. OSU.
I also agree with the fact that Norte Dame taking a post season bowl game slot from the Big East if it does not make it a BCS bowl is just not right.
- February 12, 2008 2:25 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
UM deserved credit, if any, for scheduling the toughest D I-AA team. Unfortunately, the team didn't realize that they were supposed to WIN that game. Fuck.
You're right, Nate. I don't like D I-A teams playing I-AA teams. Maybe it's more acceptable than it was 20 years ago, but teams need a a cupcake game or 2. (If you look at cfbdatewarehouse, you will notice that most OOC schedules before the 90s were a lot harder. In 1988 or 89, UM played Notre Dame and Miami the first two games. UM lost two close games before tying one and winning the rest of the season, including a win over USC in the Rose Bowl.) Some I-AA schools are better than others. App St, Citadel, North Dakota, and Wofford are better than UL-Monroe, FIU, and Idaho, for example.
There should be at least 2 tough OOC games, preferably against BCS opponents. I don't like that UM isn't doing that this year, although Utah is really tough, but 2008 could be a transition year with a new coach. I think that makes it more excusable to have cupcakes.
Miami and FSU are usually tough, even if they haven't been so good in recent years. Miami could get better though. Hawaii and Miami are definitely improvements over Western Kentucky and Troy, who has been passed around the SEC like a groupie.
- February 12, 2008 2:37 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
I have to make it clear that I was not condoning UM scheduling App St, win or lose. As Yost put it, it's a game you can't win no matter what...especially if you lose. Crap.
- February 12, 2008 2:42 PM
- Joshua said...
That whole situation with ND is just silly, period- but it'll never change because of the money involved. Same with the B(C)S.
And I can't believe the Big East agreed to the "late night" contract. Remember in college when a guy'd tell a girl "Hey, if I don't see you maybe I'll call you 'late night'." If the girl ever bothered to break this down doesn't it basically equate to "Hey, if i fail to nail some drunken skank at the bar maybe I'll call and come slobber on you at 3am." ND, thou name art Fratty Fratterson. Man I miss college.
- February 12, 2008 2:42 PM
- Nate said...
Feelin Blue.....I wasn't really taking a shot at you or UM...I think its ok for teams to schedule one I-AA team every couple of years or so, but they shouldn't try to use it in a strength of schedule argument no matter how good the team is in that division. Even as good as App St. is they lose to UM 99 out of 100 times.
As for the OOC schedule, I agree with you, but the way the system is set up now it doesn't make sense for a team to schedule tough out of conference. Kansas was the ultimate example of this this past year. They played absolutely no one in or out of conference and ended up in a BCS game. You could say the same for Ohio State's OOC this past season, although they have done well at scheduling tough opponents in recent years and I believe they even play USC this season. I have hated WVU's OOC schedule lately, b/c you understandably don't get much respect from winning the Big East. At least we added Auburn and Colorado this season, on top of Maryland which is an average team at least.
- February 12, 2008 2:55 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
Don't worry about it, Nate. I know you weren't making fun. I have some sort of defensive mechanism by which I inadvertently end up preempting any potential shots at UM regarding its loss to App St and it's poor record against Tressel. As you can tell, I am kind of emotionally scarred by these games.
- February 12, 2008 3:24 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
I actually didn't think that WVU's schedule was all that bad. It certainly wasn't the strongest, and by the time that the USF game came around, WVU had one of the lowest RPI's in FBS, but they played Maryland, who is always at least somewhat decent, and Mississippi St, who beat tough teams and made a bowl game, in which it shut down Kevin Smith.
USF really screwed up by dropping 3 in a row. It could have made the championship game. And the thing about Mississippi St is that it's like an ugly guy who hooks up with hot girls who are on the rebound after a big breakup and are vulnerable with lower inhibitions. MSU beat tough teams this year, but those wins came right after those tough teams were coming off tough losses e.g. Auburn after losing to USF, Kentucky after losing to Florida, and Alabama after losing to LSU.
- February 12, 2008 3:35 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
I think Joshua and I are in agreement on the bottom line that college football is analagous to hooking up with girls.
God how I miss college, the dorm rooms, and Rick's. Oh yeah, the Stacks, too.
- February 12, 2008 3:41 PM
- Joshua said...
"As you can tell, I am kind of emotionally scarred by these games."
Welcome to the club. Care to see a replay of the '94 Colorado game?
- February 12, 2008 3:44 PM
- Nate said...
I have my own set of scars. I'm not sure I'll recover from losing to 4-7 Shittsburgh at home at night with the chance to be in the National Championship game. Makes me want to break my keyboard just thinking about it.
- February 12, 2008 4:12 PM
- Joshua said...
Whoa whoa whoa. Call me in 15-20 years there junior. Not to belittle your pain, but after what we've been through I'm surprised our entire fanbase hasn't taken a group field trip to Britney-ville.
- February 12, 2008 4:23 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
I am a Pat's fan. App St and that Super Bowl upset in the same season? Too much.
The App St. clips kept playing over in my dreams for a few nights following The Catastrophe.
- February 12, 2008 4:56 PM
- Joshua said...
App State sucked but still nothing compares to losing to tOSU. I drove 5 hours one way for a SB party to celebrate whatever comes after "Dynasty" with a buddy of mine. That game was like losing to tOSU twice in one season.
(Tom Brady is still God.)
- February 12, 2008 5:06 PM
- Nate said...
You act like this was my first tough loss. Just the latest. Lost to Notre Dame in 88 championship game. Lost to #1 Miami on a last second blocked punt ran back for a touchdown in 98 (I believe), getting blown out by Florida in the 93 Sugar Bowl after an undefeated season. Lets not forget which school held the record for consecutive bowl losses, (until Notre Dame took it from us...ha!).
- February 12, 2008 5:06 PM
- Nate said...
Of course, having said all that, I can't imagine what the App. St. loss felt like, or the Kordell hail mary.
- February 12, 2008 5:12 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
Losing to OSU sucks all the time. I would take the App St loss over a loss to OSU. The App St. loss was more heartbreaking, if that makes any sense. The game this year just sucked and was a huge disappointment and ruined the year for me. Particularly heartbreaking losses to OSU were 2006 and 2005. I die a little inside each time I think of Anthony Gonzalez's catch and all of the blown opportunities to end that final drive, and the big plays that we gave up in 2006 just kill me.
- February 12, 2008 5:14 PM
- Nate said...
At least you have a few national titles to fall back on. Nothing like being the winningest program in the country WITHOUT a national title...shoulda been this past year....blah
- February 12, 2008 5:16 PM
- goat7ed said...
What if UCLA asked for the same deal in basketball that the domers get in BCS? Tournament selection is dependent upon conference championship or storied program (with remaining slots at large)?
What if ND was suspended from hosting tournaments and championships, and had to change all their logo wear that carries either the dwarf or meadow grass leaf because their nickname falls in a similar category as indian, chief, tribe, feathers, etc.?
The thing is, the NCAA doesn't need them to change, and they no more want to restructure a lucrative product than you would want to have your paycheck cut just because the neighbors can't believe how greedy you are.
- February 12, 2008 5:25 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
Wow. I never realized that. I just checked and found that WVU and Miami (OH) are the only top-20 winningest programs to have never won a natl championship, WVU being ahead of Miami, of course. No wonder you guys are so pissed. Suddenly it all makes sense to me...
- February 12, 2008 5:55 PM
- Joshua said...
Miami still has the hottest coeds per capita of any school in the Midwest. Quality and quantity. Hands down. Period. End of story. :P
- February 12, 2008 6:36 PM
- michiganman7 said...
I read your blog everyday and I would just like to thank you for making me laugh everyday. I hope that everything is Ok with you. Go Blue!
- February 12, 2008 6:55 PM
- 616goblue said...
I am sure you have plenty of "this is college life and this is your life" material...or you could just piggyback on that "spoon" stuff that all the male readers discovered after that LSU "spoon" pic when we all thought Les "let me hold another press conference that I love my alma mater..." Miles was going to coach in A2...
just some thoughts from a loyal reader in the 616 (who gave you a few things to post)
- February 12, 2008 7:51 PM
- whetstonebuck said...
"That game was like losing to tOSU twice in one season."
"I die a little inside each time I think of Anthony Gonzalez's catch and all of the blown opportunities to end that final drive,"
Oh stop it! You guys are just trying to make me feel better. You are too kind.
- February 12, 2008 8:28 PM
- Jim said...
As long as we're playing "My Worst Michigan Loss," I have two.
I stood in a restaurant in Denver giving crap to my friends about 1 second before Stewart's Hail Mary. It was the last time I gloated over any win (or anything). I now opt for smug satisfaction (which seems to be much more annoying anyway).
The other? My first Michigan game as a student. Pouring rain. Two Rocket kick returns for touchdowns. The only redeeming momment was chanting for Elvis in the fourth quarter.
- February 12, 2008 11:48 PM
- 616goblue said...
gotta piggy back on jims worst two losses....
the "rocket" game vs ND I was in Alabama and had the opportunity to get set up with a hot sorority girl and go to the 'Bama home opener, but chose the UM-ND game on ABC (we all know how the game turned out, but I still hooked up anyway with a different southern belle--might have had something to do with speaking proper English, but I digress....)
for the CU game and "the artist before he was known as slash" pass to Westbrook, I was living in Phoenix and NO SPORTS BARS had the game (this was when non-regional games were only available on pay per view via cable and sports bars could not provide that option) so I bought the pay per view in my apartment and when that pass was completed, my neighbors thought I was beating someone I was sooooooo freaking livid!!! OMFG was I throwing an early 20's "I live and die with the maize and blue" tantrum!!!!
- February 13, 2008 12:00 AM
- jcloverboi said...
i'm a first time poster to the blog, and i gotta say much love. i'm a uga alum and a penn st. fan (dad and uncle went there) but i find myself howling at all the stuff posted here. a couple of points:
a large part of me feels that psu would be better off in the big east. the pitt rivalry used to be so big, but these days it's almost an afterthought. i'd like to add ND to the Big East, keep UM as a rivalry, and take some chances with the OOC scheduling (PSU played Bama a lot in the past--let's renew that one, and maybe some others).
Florida's schedule is ok this year, but one would be hard pressed to find a tougher schedule than UGA's:
GA Southern and Central Michigan: gimmes (i hope).
at South Carolina--never underestimate the Spurrier Voodoo.
at Arizona St.-- probably a preseason top 10 team.
Bama-- Saban's top ranked recruiting class should make for an interesting matchup.
Tenn-- Rocky Top always puts up a fight, and they might be playing for fat phil's job.
Vandy-- don't laugh--they're better than you might think.
at LSU--defending BCS champs at Death Valley--yikes.
Florida (in Jacksonville)--they're likely to be pissed after the end zone celebration from last year, and Urban Whiner recruits well (albeit borderline illegally).
at Kentucky--The Bluegrass boys will put up at decent fight.
at Auburn--The South's oldest rivalry=pure hatred.
Georgia Tech--in the words of Mike Hart, they are our "little brother," but we seem to bring out the best in them.
take care and kee up the great work!
- February 13, 2008 12:27 AM
- Out of Conference said...
UGA fan - don't expect much from UK next season. They lost the franchise to graduation/draft ect. Looking forward to making it 2 straight with our matchup in Colatown, but UGA's talent for next season has to be somewhere slightly above #1 in the country and just below God. I'm glad we get you guys early in the season every year. You guys seem to warm up slowly and we seem to crash like a brick. Good luck in all but one game next year.
- February 13, 2008 8:28 AM
- Bigasshammm said...
The issue with ND joining a conference isn't so much about the NBC deal or any of that. A lot of it has to do with their ties to USC and especially to NAVY. ND has stated publicly (heard this during a game years ago) that one of their biggest concerns about joining a conference would be losing the NAVY game. They will never take NAVY off their schedule because NAVY almost single-handedly kept the school alive during the "Big War." (WW2) I think it's a little of the same with their rivalry with USC. That being said if they were to join a conference and be forced to play so many conference games it would be more difficult to schedule NAVY and USC in there and they'd never get any diversity in their OOC schedule.
- February 13, 2008 8:35 AM
- goat7ed said...
Since we have some cfb schedule talk going, and benefit/detriment of having a I-AA school on your schedule, has Florida State taken a knee next season with two I-AA games (Western Carolina and Chattanooga) on their schedule?
Also, is LSU spinning the chamber with more than one round by going for the opening day number 1 vs. number match up with App St?
- February 13, 2008 8:38 AM
- goat7ed said...
bigasshammm - true statement. ND was going under and Navy moved a large portion of its training program to South Bend during WWII. Handshake agreement followed that ND would play Navy every year until otherwise agreed.
old story http://newsinfo.nd.edu/content.cfm?topicid=7500
- February 13, 2008 8:48 AM
- Joshua said...
*kicks up the Jay Z*
We got 99 comments but a Post ain't one. Hit me!
that CU game is the reason I'll never, ever, ever chant "over-rated" again for as long as I live. Two minutes left and we were going nuts in the student section. When Westbrook caught it no one (other than the 1000 or so CU fans- can't believe how loud they were) spoke for like 5 minutes. Total Zombie-ville. It's right up there with Webber's Timeout on my going from "I'm super psyched to who just kicked me in the junk?" list.
Watch out for Central- they have one of R2's old assistants coaching and they could sneak up on you. They're actually pretty good. (But you guys should still crush them)
App St. v. LSU is actually just a pre-press conference scrimmage. Les will schedule Oregon next.
- February 13, 2008 9:17 AM
- Bigasshammm said...
Is it just me or is Les Miles getting back at MI in some way by scheduling and beating up on teams that beat MI? First they whoop up and down on TO$U, now they will do the same (presumably) to App State. Who next? Will LSU start going to the Rose Bowl somehow and prove they can win their too?
- February 13, 2008 9:39 AM
- Joshua said...
I'm just waiting for him to start talking in the third person like Bob Dole.
Sometime in the future....
Les: "Les Miles has no interest in coaching the University of Michigan"
Reporter #1: "Um, Les, they filled that position."
Les: "Then why are you asking Les Miles about the Michigan job?"
Reporter #2: "Uh, sir, you brought up Michigan-"
Les: "Damn you media! Les Miles has a damn fine football team to coach! This press conference is over!"
*Les storms off*
Reporter #1 to Reporter #2: "So, you think Brady wins the Heisman this year?"
Reporter #2 to Reprter #1: Well, I'm just nervous about Coach Loeffler going back to a drop back passer. I mean, we won 10 National titles running the spread..."
- February 13, 2008 10:22 AM
- Randy said...
Wow! Cannot even find a story about the Buckeyes screwing up in some way? We must be in the last days.
- February 13, 2008 10:35 AM
- Mikoyan said...
Catie, I just caught up with the various threads. I'm sorry to hear about your brother. That is a tough decision to face but if it was a long time coming there is some semblance of relief as it finally happens. You know that he will be in a happier place. Peace be with him, you and your family.
As for the Big-10/11. I heard somewhere, they were expanding the schedule to 13 games? If that's the case, they could play everyone now and not have to drop a team. I mean, what's one more EMU on the schedule, right? Heck, even if they stayed with 12 games, they could schedule everyone and have less non-conference games.
As for ND, they aren't going anywhere as long as NBC is paying them the kind of money NBC is paying them. If they go to a conference, they'd have to share that money and I don't see that happening.
As for PSU, one of the guys at work and I were discussing that very possibility. I don't see it happening as PSU is here. Although, Pittsburgh might be a good candidate to make a new Big-12....
- February 13, 2008 10:41 AM
- Bigasshammm said...
Having every team play each other in a 13 game or even 12 game season wouldn't be very good for anyone. You'd never get a measure of how the teams would stack up against non conference opponents. The problem is that they never schedule a decent team to play in non conference games. The big reason there is Money$$. Big schools end up giving millions to these "smaller" schools in order to play them and pad their record. A lot of times this is what keeps the "smaller" schools competitive. If they were to suddenly lose all that money their programs would suffer and thus their recruiting would be hit also. College Football needs to expand to like a 15 game schedule so you can schedule 2 creampuffs, one or 2 out of conference games against better conferences, and leave the other 11 games or so for your in conference battles. It will never happen but it should. There doesn't need to be a 5 week layover between the end of the season and a bowl game.
Or they should do a conference rotation. Where-in the Big Ten is paired with the SEC one year and therefore all out of conference games are played against that conference. Then the next year it would be Big Ten vs. ACC and all conferences would switch. That's a more viable option with today's college football but it still won't happen.
- February 13, 2008 11:13 AM
- Feelin' Blue said...
I became a big Michigan football fan as a student there (class of 07), so I wasn't that big into cfb beforehand. Now I am obsessed. Anyways, my friends who were fans from childhood are still scarred by the Colorado game. One friend was crying for a week and his parents had to coax him out of his room. He now looks away everytime he sees the clips of the hail mary. I now understand what he is talking about as I find it difficult to watch the blocked FG. (Damn you Gingell you bastard)
At least ND is appreciative of what Navy did for them. Otherwise tradition is a cheap excuse for not wanting to lose money. It's up to the NCAA to force ND into a conference, but the NCAA wouldn't do it. One rule might be that independent teams can't play in BCS games, or that they can't have more than 2 losses and must have wins over top-ranked teams.
- February 13, 2008 11:13 AM
- Feelin' Blue said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- February 13, 2008 11:19 AM
- Feelin' Blue said...
The thing about restricting ND's entry into the BCS is that ND could say that it is as unfair if non-BCS teams can play in BCS games without beating top-ranked teams but ND can't. It was just an idea I threw out. Also, it's not like it will happen anytime soon, but what the rules about Army and Navy playing in the BCS?
Georgia-ASU will be a good game. If Erickson can take a team to 10-3 in his first year, imagine what he can do in his second. ASU must pray that he doesn't leave, because Erickson is even worse than Saban. Also, CMU isn't that much of a gimme because LeFevour (for more cowbell) is a damn good QB and Butch Jones seems to be a good coach.
Also, PSU should be ashamed for refusing to schedule tough teams. I know, ND is supposed to be tough, but it's ridiculous that PSU won't continue its rivalry with Pitt.
- February 13, 2008 11:24 AM
- Mikoyan said...
With a 13 game season, you have 10 conference games leaving 3 non-conference games. I don't really see a problem with that. Of course, if they dumped PSU, they would have 9 conference games. I think it is more important to have all conference games scheduled since that is the yardstick used for the bowl games. It seems like every year there is 1 Big 10 team left in the cold because they didn't play either Michigan or Ohio State.
but not to sound like a libertarian, but I think the solution to the non-conference games will be the market. The cream puffs are asking for more money and the bigger schools at some point will say, "If we're going to pay that kind of money, we might as well schedule a real opponent". Especially as there is more parity in the NCAA and more knockouts by the creampuffs.
- February 13, 2008 11:36 AM
- Feelin' Blue said...
12 conference games is an awful idea. It leaves no room for OOC games, especially when there is the possibility of shuffling around the season in order to implement a playoff.
Actually, PSU plays 2 BCS teams OOC: Oregon St and Syracuse. OSU is a tough team with a good coach in Mike Riley, but I don't think that Syracuse will ever be good under Greg "Ted Roof" Robinson.
Crap. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080212/SPORTS06/80212052/1054/SPORTS
- February 13, 2008 11:49 AM
- Nate said...
Syracuse.....what a bad team
- February 13, 2008 12:14 PM
- Joshua said...
Oh for F's sake Feelin Blue! Don't post any links with "Tressel Beats UM Again" headlines until this whole Terrelle Pryor situation is resolved. I almost had a heart attack. And I'm much too young to have a heart attack unless it involves illicit drugs and raucous scandal-inducing sex. Seeing as I haven't been engaged in either lately (and sadly only one by choice) I feel confident in my cardiothoracic health, please help me keep it this way.
And as an aside, I hope we don't get TP and land the Shepard kid from Texas. Not opening a debate yet, just going on record.
- February 13, 2008 12:36 PM
- Mikoyan said...
If there were 12 teams, it would be 11 Conference games (a team doesn't play itself). Like I said, I think that everyone in the conference should play. If that means getting rid of a team, so be it.
Every year, there's a team that comes out like gangbusters but they end up not playing OSU or Michigan through a quirk in the schedule. so every year they get punished because, "Well they're good but we don't know how good since they didn't play Michigan or OSU".
With 13 games, you can do 10 conference games and 3 Non-conference games. 3 is plenty in my opinion.
- February 13, 2008 1:05 PM
- jcloverboi said...
joshua and blue,
points well-taken about CMU--i forgot how much they like to throw the ball around. i just hope UGA takes them seriously enough. after all, Troy came in last year and gave them a scare.
yes, FSU is taking a knee with that kind of scheduling. i'm not happy when UGA schedules 1 1-AA team (GA Southern), but I can let it go when it's only once in awhile. but 2 in the same year? Inexcusable. i liked it better when wins over 1-AA teams didn't count towards bowl eligibility.
I just looked over some of our future schedules, and it appears as though we're playing Appy St. in 2013. Mountaineer Fever--catch it while it's hot hot HOT!
- February 13, 2008 1:17 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
I can't stand how there are more FBS teams scheduling more than one FCS teams. Hawaii had to do it because they couldn't get anyone else to fly over. Ga Tech is also playing two FCS teams. One is more than enough.
"If there were 12 teams, it would be 11 Conference games (a team doesn't play itself)."
A team can play with itself, but usually there is a girl in the middle. I saw it in some Japanese movie.
- February 13, 2008 1:29 PM
- Killing My Liver said...
Need a look into the eyes of darkness ?
- February 13, 2008 1:45 PM
- Nate said...
You don't think a "Pay Up Rich" yard sign is worth $50???
- February 13, 2008 2:15 PM
- MGoBlue93 said...
Didn't CU play UGA real close a couple of seasons ago? I agree with the sentiment about CMU. They are a good team and have a history of the upset. Long before UM's shitty AD scheduled ASU, Moo U. taught the nation how to lose to your pre$eason cupcake by dropping 2 in a row to Central.
- February 13, 2008 2:29 PM
- phil said...
I'm not adverse to RERUNS, especially if they are healing pictures.
- February 13, 2008 2:35 PM
- Joshua said...
Phil, phil, phil. *shakes head*
Reruns? That's what the right click button on the mouse is for. :P
As for Chippewas, they remind me a lot of Cincinnati, (whose coach used to be at Central) a team that almost took down the mighty Buckeyes a few years back.
Then again, Dantonio (aka Whiny Whinerson) was the head coach at Cinci back then, so maybe the Spartan's can keep it close again next year!
Ok, that whole thought is like a "who's on first" skit. I'm too busy to clear it up though- sort it out or ignore it.
- February 13, 2008 2:50 PM
- Out of Conference said...
I thought it my best interests to remind you kind folks discussing schedules that I have copyrighted the term, "OOC©".
Any use of the term without the express written consent of Out of Conference Industries is subjected to a penalty of a case of beer, one good joke, or hot coed pics.
Carry on-
- February 13, 2008 3:10 PM
- Joshua said...
...penalty of a case of good beer, one joke or hot coed pics.
Fixed that for you OOC- after all, it's easier to live with a bad joke than a case of bad beer.
Anyone hear about the Indiana mess? Bobby Knight must be lighting up killer stogie right about now.
From a football standpoint it makes me wonder if we'll be hearing about this with UCLA and Neuheisel in a few years. After that investigative piece disclosed all the crap that happened while he was at Washington I'm surprised anyone would touch him, much less a storied program like the Bruins.
- February 13, 2008 3:41 PM
- zen wizard said...
I know this is a football page, but that Roger Clemens hearing is some interesting $H!T, to wit:
1) A professional MLB trainer apparently does not "know what a B-12 shot is."
2) Is "misremembered" a word? I think it actually IS.
3) Congress, like the rest of the US, is by and large just a bunch of jock groupies; and
4) Except for Waxman, who apparently is the only one out of 435 who has a set of 'nads; and
5) Can they indict Rusty Hardin's toupee for, "Intentionally Interfering with the Gravitational Force of the Solar System"?
- February 13, 2008 4:31 PM
- zen wizard said...
6) And I almost forgot: Is Clemens DELIBERATELY mispronouncing McNamee's last name?
- February 13, 2008 4:35 PM
- Out of Conference said...
I want so much to believe Clemens, but I don't know. I heard bits and pieces of the hearing when I was at lunch and based on what I heard they both are likely not telling the whole truth. I thought I heard McNamee say something to the effect of him not knowing what color the liquid in the (some injection didn't hear the name) was even though he administered it. And I heard Roger describe his upbringing by his grandmother and him telling the congressman that he can tell his boys that he played the game the right way. I guess he meant to say, "Except for the brushbacks and the beanballs, oh and for hating that punkbitch Pedro so much."
- February 13, 2008 5:02 PM
- god of the whoppers said...
and everyone thought pete rose ruined the game of baseball...
- February 13, 2008 6:55 PM
- Tom C said...
The rocket is toast. On other news...
OOC is going to like this one. Rumor has it that Bobby Knight is interested in the Gamecocks. Might be pushed by Dickey V.
- February 13, 2008 8:21 PM
- TitleIX said...
Hey, YOST!?
Could we get a clean thread posting here? You don't have to think up anything clever or photoshop Benny
I'm just getting tired of scrolling down with 100+ posts.....
Thanks Y.
- February 13, 2008 8:43 PM
- Tom C said...
Uhh did I miss something about the difficulty of changing an avatar?
I went to a spring pic just for the frozen folks up yonder.
- February 13, 2008 9:07 PM
- Joshua said...
Apparently T9 is having a problem with avatars and scrolling. I say we keep the same thread going until 1000 comments just for fun.
- February 13, 2008 9:59 PM
- MGoBlue93 said...
What goes around comes around... sometimes it takes years for someone to get their just deserts but I think Mike Piazza among others is laughing his ass off at Clemens' dilemma.
It's difficult not to gloat: 1. It's not good karma. 2. If I try Clemens in the court of public opinion, then I'm lowering myself to Nancy Grace levels (another Texas loudmouth/bully).
- February 13, 2008 10:34 PM
- Feelin' Blue said...
Was it my bukakke comment, T9?
- February 13, 2008 10:37 PM
- Out of Conference said...
Feeling blue - you made me chuckle, fairly loudly and kind of strangly for being in a busy office environment.
- February 14, 2008 9:59 AM

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Miami alums Jay, Alonso remember coach Fraser
MIAMI -- The passing of Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Earl Weaver saddened baseball fans across the world last week.
In Miami, baseball fans also mourned the death of legendary University of Miami head coach Ron Fraser. The "Wizard of College Baseball" passed away last Sunday at the age of 79 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.
MIAMI -- The passing of Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Earl Weaver saddened baseball fans across the world last week.
In Miami, baseball fans also mourned the death of legendary University of Miami head coach Ron Fraser. The "Wizard of College Baseball" passed away last Sunday at the age of 79 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Fraser, who won two national championships at Miami, revolutionized college baseball and had a huge impact on the lives of young men growing up in Miami who dreamed of one day becoming Hurricanes.
"I have pictures of myself at Ron Fraser Baseball Camp on the old turf field," said Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay. "That's really where I started to fall in love with UM. Ever since then, I always wore my UM cap everywhere I went."
Jay is one of several Miami natives in the big leagues who grew up watching Fraser's Canes dominate college baseball. The 27-year-old remembers meeting Fraser as a child and spending time with him in his three years playing at Miami.
"Ron Fraser reinvented the college game," Jay said. "He's somebody that really made his mark and changed college baseball forever. It's a big loss."
Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso, who was a teammate with Jay at Miami, remembers the moments he spent with Fraser fondly.
"I got to hear a lot of stories," Alonso said. "He would come around and talk to us. Obviously, it's a sad moment for us as Hurricanes and for baseball in general. He was a great coach, one of the greatest ever in the NCAA. As a player and a fan, you feel very sorry for his passing. He was such a great inspiration for the Hurricanes, and he's in a better place now."
Alonso was one of several big leaguers who attended the second annual Jon Jay Celebrity Bowling Challenge at Lucky Strike Lanes in Miami Beach on Saturday. Cardinals infielders David Freese and Daniel Descalso, Astros infielder Tyler Greene, Phillies outfielder John Mayberry, White Sox outfielder Blake Tekotte, Orioles catcher Luis Exposito and Nationals first baseman Chris Marrero were just some of the nearly 30 baseball players who came out to support Jay as he raised more than $30,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade.
"All those people are good people," Jay said. "I try to surround myself with good people. I can't thank them enough because without them, this event wouldn't be possible."
Jay often takes the opportunity to give back in his hometown. Last year, Jay's Bowling Challenge raised more than $25,000 for Chapman Partnership, a local group that helps Miami's homeless. This year, Jay decided to give back to a place that is very special to him.
"The Boys' Club is really where I grew up," Jay said. "It's where I played ball and went after school. That's a place that had a big impact on me, and I just want to provide the same opportunity for other kids."
Jay, who hit .305 and played stellar defense for the Cardinals last season, is pleased with how the Celebrity Bowling Challenge has grown and hopes to continue his charitable efforts for years to come.
"We're excited about it," Jay said. "Last year, it was kind of put together quickly, but this year, we were able to plan it with a little more time and it's been successful. I'm so happy for the support the community has given me. This is where I was born and raised. I wouldn't be where I am without a lot of people that are here today. It's nice to get everyone together and have a good time for a good cause."
David Villavicencio is a contributor to MLB.com.


text:
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 14 mph
October 11, 2012 1:48 pm
Boys' team second, girls' team third overall
After weeks of fighting injuries, the Powell High School girls' cross country program was able to field a full lineup, posting a third-place finish amid chilly conditions at the Powell Golf Club last Friday. The Powell boys finished as the meet runner-up on their home course.
October 11, 2012 1:42 pm
NWC freshman leading nation in kills
For the second time in a month, Northwest College freshman Ana Jakovljevic has been named the NJCAA national player of the week in Division I volleyball. The award came in a week where Jakovljevic turned in a trio of performances that featured more than 20 kills, including a season-high 34 kills in a five-game Trapper victory at Casper College.
October 09, 2012 9:00 am
Powell cruises to 63-7 road win over Worland
The No. 1-ranked Powell Panthers shook off the first cold weather of the high school football season to blast Worland by a 63-7 final count on Friday night. It marked the second time this season the Panthers have hung 60-plus points on an opponent and the second time the team has triggered a running clock in the second half.
October 09, 2012 8:59 am
Wins at Sheridan, Casper lift volleyball to top of standings
The Northwest College volleyball team took over the top spot in Region IX North volleyball play over the weekend with wins at Sheridan College and Casper College. The victories improve the Trappers to 15-10 overall and 6-1 in regional play entering the season's final month.
October 04, 2012 9:03 am
Win over No. 2 not enough for unanimity
A 13-0 shutout of No.2 Star Valley was more than enough to keep the Powell Panthers firmly entrenched as the No. 1 team in Wyoming 3A football, according to the latest Wyopreps coaches and media poll. It wasn't enough to convince all of the state's voters, however.
October 04, 2012 9:02 am
State title his first
Powell resident Tim Schoessler captured the Wyoming state chess title in late September in Casper, sweeping his three opponents across the board on his way to victory. The state title was the first for Schoessler, who made his first appearance in the championship event at the age of 16.
October 02, 2012 9:15 am
No. 1 Powell shuts out No. 2 Star Valley
The Powell Panthers overcame a week-long buildup, the many potential distractions of homecoming week and an hour-long lightning delay that postponed the highly anticipated kickoff between No. 1 Powell and No. 2 Star Valley. In the end, none of it mattered as the Panther defense threw another shutout in a 13-0 Powell win.
October 02, 2012 9:11 am
NWC dominates play in 4-0 whitewash of Western Wyoming
The Northwest College women's soccer team concluded the home portion of its 2012 schedule last Wednesday with a 4-0 shutout victory over Western Wyoming. The Trappers held the visiting team without a shot on goal while running their record to 7-4 overall this season and 3-2 in Region IX play.
September 27, 2012 12:50 pm
No. 1 Powell, No. 2 Star Valley set to collide
As far as regular-season football goes, it's hard to imagine a scenario greater than the one that will confront the Panthers this Friday night. Home field. Homecoming. And the last remaining unbeaten 3A teams in the state set to duke it out at Panther Stadium.
September 25, 2012 9:12 am
Powell forces running clock in second half
An anticipated clash between the two top rushing defenses in Class 3A football never materialized on Friday as the No. 1 Powell Panthers ran silly over the Jackson Broncs in a 63-6 beatdown. The win improves Powell to 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in 3A West conference play.
Get all the latest Powell news by subscribing to the Powell Tribune today!
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text:
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Milt Gross comics, drawing with every principle EXCEPT construction
I think Milt Gross is the most naturally gifted cartoonist in history.
On the surface, if you are just looking at his work for the first time, you might be shocked. It's so loose and cartoony and doesn't use strict construction. Not all the details wrap perfectly strictly around the forms. (They DO wrap around the shapes and compositions.)
BUT Milt had absolutely great natural control over a ton of principles and skills, he had a natural observant eye for the way things really looked, a gift for caricaturing them and a beautiful ornate style that had humor as its first element.
His graphic style is hard to peghole. It doesn't fit into any school of cartooning. It's neither 2 dimensional nor 3 dimensional. It has elements of both at the same time, but perfectly controlled. I guess it's 4 dimensional. He bends space to allow you to see what he thinks is important in the scenes.
He also had a very rare gift that few cartoonists have-the gift of life. His every panel and character seem alive and bustling and full of inner motivation. I don't even know if that can be taught. Some artists never get it, no matter how many principles they learn.
This panel below has:
Great page layout design - every panel is a different and organic shape, yet all the panels are composed to look good together.
Every Pose is different and fun.
Every Pose has a clear silhouette and line of action.
A funny observant take on dog anatomy- Milt takes the stiffness of a dog's limbs and bends them into human actions and situations. This is not like Bugs Bunny or Tom and Jerry, who are merely built of pears and tubes. Their poses are comfortable in human attitudes. Pooch here is struggling with his own canine anatomy, but is not at all deterred despite the awkwardness- genius!
Original Cartoony designs inspired by but not hampered by reality
Look at these hilarious designs of ferocious animal heads! They aren't stock Disney animals or stock anybody's animals. Milt needed to make a story point and did it as extreme and precise as his wild creativity let him.
Great backgrounds
These BGs are not only shown from very difficult angles-they are also very specific.
The characters are in a Craftsman house.
Gross must have done tons of drawings of real things. He must have looked at all different kinds of houses, trees, landscapes, cities, furniture etc.
He was interested in how everything looked and he thought everything looked funny so that's how he drew it.
He didn't draw the "stock cartoon house" or the stock Nelvana tree with the Sheridan college bark that looks the same as the texture on every object in the Sheridan college universe.
I think Milt does the best cartoon backgrounds ever.
Crazy Ideas and Funny execution of them
Compare these pages to the great Harvey Eisenberg pages in the post below. While Harvey's are technically great, they aren't particularly funny and the story is just stock comic book cartoon story fare.
The idea of a mutt wanting to be glamorous, so he cuts up a fox fur and glues it to himself in patches is funny by itself, but the drawings show the hilarious incongruity of how matted up and nasty the dog looks, yet he is prouder than a peacock.
Genius Page Layout
Great Compositions
Varied and contrasted character designs
Look how each character is made up of different shapes. The lady has a diamond shaped head with a pointy nose.
The man has a large forehead and a skinny protruding jaw. The little character has an upside down triangle head and an upturned bulbous nose.
The man is organic and the woman is more angular.
Many animated cartoons recycle the same basic shapes for their designs and just change the ears to denote what animal you're looking at.
In a Jack Kirby comic, almost every man has the same square head design.
It's very rare for a cartoonist to have a lot of different custom designed characters.
Milt Gross seemed to never run out of them.
Wild Action
Milt's comics seem more animated than most animation-especially today's.
Control of details-look how in the middle panel, the lady with the out of control vacuum cleaner and the horse all fly in an overall arc...the seemingly chaotic situation is carefully controlled to make it funny and easy to read and beautiful.
Funny Poses- no stock poses for Milt. Look at the pose in the second panel of the man with bent knee supporting the stretched right side of his body.
Amazing design, composition and control of where to put details to make this mansion look huge and magnificent.
Note the trees in the foreground are different kinds of trees than the ones in the background.
Dynamic Angles!
Comic Story Pacing
The angles get progressively more extreme which helps build the pace of the action.
Opposing Poses
The poses of the characters contrast and react to each other. They don't just stand there straight up and down. They are alive and thinking.
The best animal Designs
This bulldog kills me. He isn't your stock Preston Blair bulldog that you see many variations of in old cartoons. This one is totally original. Actually, maybe it's a boxer, but look at what an asshole he is!
Extreme Cartooniness
These pages are just pure brilliant cartooniness. Milt is obviously totally into his story and having a lot of fun drawing it and that fun translates to us.
Cartoons are supposed to be fun, aren't they?
UPA really missed the boat on this point. Graphically, the UPA (and Disney's "UPA Style cartoons) cartoons are similar to Gross'. They are both "designy", yet the UPA and Disney cartoons are missing the element of fun and exuberance for life that leaps off of Milt Gross' pages.
I always wonder what Clampett would have done had he stayed in cartoons through the graphic 50s. He loved Milt Gross and his cartoons were always very alive. I imagine they would have looked something like this only with that great animation you only see in Clampett cartoons.
Designy cartoons don't have to be flat or boring.
These pages are works of fine art and should be hanging in a museum somewhere.
A 15-page Pete the Pooch comic is reprinted in ART OUT OF TIME!
Discover more Milt Gross and lots of other great cartoon art at Shane's wonderful site!
NEXT! .....The Rise and Fall of Construction in Cartoons, an inspiring and sad story.
38 comments:
- Josh Lieberman said...
Wow those are great
I had never really seen any of his work before your blog. There are definetly a lot of things I think I could steal from him
- Diana said...
Do you have any recommendations for books or websites which are good resources for learning perspective?
- Chloe Cumming said...
Thanks so much for this John, I hadn't even HEARD of Milt Gross before your blog, I'm ashamed to say, but I'm totally in love with this stuff! It's hard to put across the intensity of my enthusiasm without beginning to sound like a mental.
They do belong in a museum. It's like the unpretentious fulfilment of cubism or something.
There is something totally addictive about that '4-dimensional' quality you mentioned... revelatory stuff. It may change my drawing forever, if I ever get a good grasp on it. Not to mention the sheer concentrated funfunnyness, which is totally self-justifying in its aceness. Brill! (using dated English child-slang, a homage your willy-hanging-out 'tude-bashing analogies the other day)
I studied printouts of Gross stuff over Christmas and my family thought I'd gone bonkers. I was actually measuring the angles with a protractor. Which might have been missing the point slightly, but it demonstrates how urgently I wanted to understand how he did it.
Actually I guess I did that because the angles looked varied and unpredictable, and they were. Also even lines that looked straight had a subtle intuitive bendy life to them. And even though the whole thing looks wild, there's a masterful equilibrium about it. I think it's easy to get into habits of using certain angles and certain graphic formulas. I'd noticed I'd done it, and any visual lessons in how to break out of boring habits are very welcome.
In summary: this made me very happy.
- JohnK said...
>>There are definetly a lot of things I think I could steal from him<<
wait..you're gonna steal knowledge and skill? Over the weekend?
- RoboTaeKwon-Z said...
Great post John! I myself discoverd Gross in the Smithsonian bok of Comic strips when I was a kid and immediatly loved it, only to abandon it iwhen I was older in favor of more "polished" cartoonists. Thanks to Shane's sight, my interest in Gross was re-kindled. YOur analysis of what makes him great is inspiring and invaluable. Thanks!
- Christopher said...
Hiya John,
Big fan of your stuff. Been reading your blog for awhile and felt like I got to know ya a little better watching your commentary for the Lost Ren and Stimpy episodes.
Thought you might enjoy this link from Milk and Cookies.
Apparently, its an employee manual for new artists working at the Disney Studio cira 1943 called "The Ropes at Disney.
"Gals ain't allowed in the Penthouse Club, personal phone calls will be charged to you, and if you need to leave the studio, you cannot do so without an "Off the Lot Pass". Oh, and "Any violation of the U. S. Espionage Act" will get you discharged."
- Franky said...
I see his influence on you right away. The dog in Big House Blues that tells Ren about the big sleep looks a lot like Milt Gross' dog.
- JohnK said...
In Big House Blues Jasper is stolen from Pooch The Pup, and the mom at the end is from a character in one Milt Gross comic.
- Benjamin said...
Cool post! I have to say, though, that sometimes I feel certain lines in his faces are confusing and make it unclear at first sight.
Btw, what do you think of Franquin?
- Diego! said...
hey john, i know this is nothing to do with your post, but... watch this...
- Brian Romero said...
Are Milt's cartoons collected in a book that I could purchase somewhere? I've saved all the ones from Cartoon Retro onto my Mac, but it'd be nice to have a real book.
- NARTHAX said...
Did Milt Gross influence Jim Tyer's full blown Terrytoons style? Pooch bears some resemblance to what Tyer did later.
- FrankenBarry said...
Hi John,
I'v been a big fan since The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse, and for the last couple of years, through your DVD commentaries and blog,
a student of the John K. School of Cartoony Cartooning. I'm one of your old-geezer students, and may be beyond help, but I'm thoroughly enjoying studying all of the principles, theory, and history you present on All Kinds of Stuff.
This Milt Gross post is fantastic... thanks for turning us on to him! I think Milt has just replaced Kurtzman at the top of my all-time-favorite cartoonist list.
Thanks for all the years of great cartoons, and for being so generous with your time. You've given us the coolest, most informative cartoon site on the web!
- NineInchNachos said...
The best blogs are those that make you smarter when you read em. i.e. I learn shit from this one and I find that ultra-attractive... Boon!
- Peggy said...
Gross' stuff is cannily-observed and just bursting with life. It's also got a lot of early-cartooning rawness; it's barely-controlled, sometimes out of control in my eyes.
I'm never quite sure if I like his stuff or not; there are some things that I love, and some things that just bug the hell out of me, on every page.
When you have lots of life in your drawings without thinking about it, it's hard to learn construction: obsessing over all those tubes and boxes tends to kill what starts as a lively drawing, and when you're still struggling with construction, you'll have an unnsatisfying drawing that you know is badly-constructed staring up at you. This makes it all too easy to abandon construction and go back to what "works".
Or at least that's how it was for me. Eventually I managed to beat enough construction into my head that I can draw most things I want to pretty spontaneously, so they keep that breath of life.
- Eddie Fitzgerald said...
Milt Gross really is the king of funny comic artists. In addition to everything you mentioned he has imagination, a good heart, and an infectious love of families and street life.
- Freckled Derelict said...
Thanks for posting these John!
Even though his characters do extreme action they always feel so real.
- abwinegar said...
Milt's BGs are clearly masterfully done. I've been studying BGs in other comics and cartoons. From Hanna/Barbera's early years, UPA's Mr. Magoo, Jay Ward's Rocky and Bullwinkle, Your Shows, and others.
UPA's goal (What I could make of it.) was to bring you into the world of Mr. Magoo and how he saw everything, blurry and out of context.
But, Their other works like (Dick Tracy Show) had the same style of BGs. Very confusing.
- abwinegar said...
Hey John! Turner network is in trouble about a bomb scare in Boston.
Cartoon Network was trying to promote one of their audlt swim shows and it back fired, causing a bomb scare.
Some people will get the ax. You could step in and take over! And be a Big Shot Cartoon Friendly Executive. With your record of making shows people like to watch, you could do it.
- mike f. said...
This guy's stuff is just magic - as you once said yourself, John. Thanks for taking the time to analyze the elements that make him so special - and not in a way that takes all the fun out of it, either.
Personally, I could never like anyone who doesn't like Milt Gross, and I doubt if I could ever love anyone who doesn't love him, so perfectly does he encapsulate everything that's good and funny and unique about cartooning (and about humans, animals, vehicles, backgrounds, inanimate objects, etc, etc...)
The greatest humorists are the ones whose work makes a comment about human nature - but Gross actually goes one better: His best work is a comment about life.
Woody Allen once said the Marx Bros movie DUCK SOUP was "life-affirming", and, for me, the same can be said about Gross' cartoons.
For anyone who doesn't own it already, Gross' great book HE DONE HER WRONG is back in print.
Here's the Amazon link, (and make sure you read my review while you're there!)
- Gabriel said...
i'm not such a big fan of Milt Gross, but your blog is making me acquire the taste, everytime you post about him i find something cool about his work that i hadn't noticed before. that bulldog is really spiffy.
Oh, out of topic: the simpsons being funny.
- Bill Breneisen said...
Hey John,
You did a post a little while back on George Nicholas that I thought was great. I was wandering around my college (Edinboro University, PA) and I found his desk from his Disney days in the 1940's sitting in a basement closet!!! I guess he taught here before he died.
I'll have to take a picture.
Sorry, this has nothing to do with this post.
- The Jerk said...
wow, the first time you posted stuff by Milt Gross, i was somewhat baffled as to what you saw in it, but these examples are enlightening. He really does have a good sense of staging, and also used angles and perspective very effectively.
- Paul B said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- Paul B said...
Hi John!!!
another great post!!! as usual!!!
thanks for show us the correct path!!
Your biggest fan Paul!
- akira said...
i wish someone would reprint all of his magnificent art! in the meantime thanks for posting pages now and again on your blog. that one with the stuffed trophy heads is so awesome! you really are right he was so great at every little thing! design, bg, layout, pacing, but especially the toughest one, humor! he makes it so easy to read that you can get through his stories lightning fast, it just makes you wish there was more and more!
- Sean Worsham said...
Wow, now I know where the influence for the dog designs in "Big House Blues" came from! :D
- Jorge Garrido said...
Brilliance!!! Sheeer genius! Words can't describe!
It looks like he drew this stuff really fast, too, to preserve life and spontaneity.That must mean it was all from either instinct or years of training, that he could draw really fast as ideas raced into his mind and still make it look so good. A lesser cartoonist who drew really fast would probably get drawings with spontaniety, but no principles at all since they probably wouldn't be ingrained in their heads.
Thank for the tip about his book-length comic book, Mike!
- Jack Ruttan said...
It seems like a lot of cartoons in the 30s were sketchy and fun. Then modernism took over in the 1940s, and everything every after had to be graphic and clean-lined.
I like the scratchy, slightly wild stuff, but am working on construction, too.
- William said...
I knew about Gross before I found this blog, but never gave him a thought as so...significant. Then you had an entry about copying people's characters in order to understand their mind (which honestly was somewhat of a revolution to me), so I gave Milt a try. You're right, they are completely, utterly, outside any box. There's no school, there's just the artist.
They're just happy. Textured and simple. Uninhibited but focused in principle.
I eagerly await your blog on construction as I struggle with all the mixtures of rigid mechanics and organic life in my own art.
- Rodrigo said...
I love that shot of the stairs where the camera is slightly skewed. Talk about motion.
Also, I got a boner thinking about the upcoming post.
- yoejunque said...
My first "Arf" book, "Modern Arf" (Fantagraphics) has a great Milt Gross Pete the Pooch AND a whole chapter written and illustrated by Gross on "Modernism". It's hilarious and, I think, his wildest and craziest work! The fourth Arf book will feature an amazing painting by Gross as the cover. You can get a preview of the Arf books at http://arflovers.com
- Jennifer said...
Those comics are BEAUTIFUL! Chloe's right - these are museum-quality works.
I am waiting with bated breath on your next post re: the rise and fall of cartoons...
- lastangelman said...
Milt Gross's talent is unique - the best one can do is just show and try and explain what he did. His work reflects and echoes the style and feelings of many contemporaries like George Herriman, Segar, Windsor McKay, Rudolph and John Dirks (pere et fils) yet remains identifiable as his own. There'll never be another like him, and perhaps that may be a good thing, else we would have a lot of third rate Milt Gross imitators, though I'm sure the argument could be made that third rate Milt Gross imitators is a lot better than many of the current crop of cartoonists and animators. One can merely hope than another unique artist in the comic and or animation field will crop up and perhaps serve as a shining torch for those willing to down the road.
- Te-Xuan-Ze said...
Go to http://texuanze.blogspot.com
and see my art and my work...
- Robert Hume said...
Yeah I've been meaning to buy a collection of Milt's work ever sense you first exposed us too it! Amazingly artful stuff!
- Marsha said...
For those interested in more Gross, here's a link to his masterpiece wordless graphic novel, "He Done Her Wrong". I wrote the Afterword to this reprint, but don't let that you stop you.
- Ms. Jane D'oh said...
fantastic old comics. 'sheridan college bark' ! lol.


text:
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text:
Definition of 'coincidency'
Word Frequency
coincidency in British(kəʊˈɪnsɪdənsɪ)
a coincident state
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Trends of 'coincidency'
Used Rarely. coincidency is in the lower 50% of commonly used words in the Collins dictionary
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Nearby words of 'coincidency'
Definition of coincidency from the Collins English Dictionary
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The railroad will be responsible for completing construction of the upgrade by Dec. 6, 2013. Funding for the project will be provided by federal funds.
To increase public safety during the construction of the project, PUCO will assist the local government with the cost of improvements, such as rumble strips, illumination, improved signage or other safety enhancements at the project location. Funding for the improvements will come from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund and will not exceed $5,000.