My Final Answer on Big Ten Conference Alignment.

Is that your final answer?

The mysteries of Big Ten Conference Alignment have become much clearer in the last couple of weeks.  Although no final announcement has been made, comments from Athletic Directors across the league have made it possible to predict the final outcome of Big Ten Division alignment.

What we know:

Wisconsin and Iowa will be split into separate divisions.  Barry Alvarez has made this very clear, when he told the Wisconsin State Journal the following.

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez told the Wisconsin State Journal that his Badgers will not be placed in the same division as rival Iowa.

In addition, We know the Divisions have been already set, and the league's current focus is on creating the schedule.  Jim Delany has made this clear as well, saying to ESPN.

"We've got the divisions, but we really don't have the schedules," Delany said. "The key critical area is we already had schedules [set] for '11."

We also know Brett Bielema and ex-Cornhusker Barry Alvarez would like to have an end of season game with Nebraska and have been lobbying for it.

But it looks like Tom Osborne and Nebraska would rather have Iowa yearly.

We also think Wisconsin and Minnesota will be in the same division.  This is also from Alvarez.

Alvarez told the Associated Press that at least one of the Badgers' rivalries would be protected for divisional play, with the Wisconsin State Journal speculation it being the most played game in Football Bowl Subdivision history -- Wisconsin vs. Minnesota for Paul Bunyan's Axe.

What is almost certain:

Ohio State and Michigan will be in Separate Divisions.  Both Athletic Directors Brandon and Smith have spoke to this, as well as a curious comment from OSU's President Gee when he said the following.

“We want to beat them twice,”

That very un-presidential comment created a firestorm in the state of Ohio, basically confirming the Michigan v. Ohio State game would almost certainly be moved up in the schedule.  This has sent Gee and Smith into a Buckeye Back-peddle, trying to back off the statement before anything has been finalized.  This was Gene Smith a couple of days ago.

Smith said there was an all-day meeting in Chicago for the ADs this Monday, with a conference call scheduled for next week. He believes the divisions will be finalized soon, and then the talk will turn to scheduling

An obvious contradiction to what Delany had said earlier about division alignment being complete, and schedule becoming the next order of business.  But thats what happens when a University President opens his mouth too soon.  Nice work President Gee.

I must admit I like watching Smith and Gee scrambling for cover when the truth is they have probably already agreed to the Divisional Alignment with UofM and OSU in separate divisions.

The End Game:


With what we know I believe Big Ten Division alignment will look like this.

Black Division.

Michigan----Nebraska----Iowa----Michigan State----NW----Illinois

Blue Division:

Ohio State----Penn State----Wisconsin----Minnesota----Purdue----Indy

Cross Division Rivalry Week:  (played around Halloween)

Michigan v. Ohio State
Nebraska v. Penn State
Iowa v. Minnesota  (Floyd of Rosedale)
Michigan State v. Indiana  (Old Brass Spittoon)
Illinois v. Purdue  (Purdue Cannon)
Northwestern v. Wisconsin   (Budding Rivalry)

Last Week of The Season:


Black Division:

Michigan v. Nebraska
Iowa v. Michigan State
Northwestern v. Illinois

Blue Division:

Ohio State v. Penn State
Wisconsin v. Minnesota
Purdue v. Indiana

Notes:


Northwestern and Illinois could easily be interchanged with Purdue and Indiana.  With that said I believe they stay paired wherever they end up, so they can play their respective rivals the last week of the regular season.

I believe Michigan v. Nebraska is a better choice as an end of season game then Michigan State for two reasons.

1. Michigan doesn't see MSU as that end of season rival.  If Brandon has agreed to let the OSU game be moved back in the schedule, which it looks like they have.  He is going to want Nebraska in its place not MSU.  League approval may be a different story.
2. Michigan v. Nebraska and Ohio State v. Penn State is a major cash cow for the league in terms of TV money.

The soap opera which has been Big Ten Expansion and consequently Big Ten Division Alignment is soon to come to an end.  Delany has said it will be decided by mid September.  I have been racking my brain trying to be at peace with a conclusion.  The above alignment seems to make the most sense to me.

Regis, That is my final answer......

Hilter Weighs in on Michigan and OSU being in Separate Divisions

Hitler Reacts to OSU and Michigan in different divisions @ Yahoo! Video

A Much Needed U of M "Pick Me Up"

Troy Woolfolk Possibly Done for the Season.

The Message Boards are hilarious right now.

Troy was injured in practice today and by all accounts it is ugly.

The sky is falling here, confirmed by Sam Webb here. Looks like a season ending ankle dislocation.

The Message Boards have written off the entire season because of one player. This is hilarious in my opinion.

Yes, Troy Woolfolk is an important player on this University of Michigan Football Team, he is a senior leader anchoring a depleted CB position. This news stinks, no doubt.

Who will step up?

JT Floyd, Buck, Courtney Avery or Terrance Talbot will have to fill the void.

Go Blue.

Big Florida Offensive Lineman Picks The Wolverines

Posada makes 10.

Tony Posada from Tampa's Plant Senior High School has given is verbal commitment to the University of Michigan today.

According to Scout.com, Posada 6-5 325 lbs is the 75th ranked OT in the country and is rated a 3 star recruit.

That makes 10 for the Wolverines so far this year.

Go Blue!

U of M vs. Alabama in Dallas 2012?

MGOBLOG says it is a done deal.

Troy Woolfolk Weighs In On The University Of Michigan's QB Competition

Troy Woolfolk is a senior leader on this years University of Michigan Football Team. It didn't take the star CB long to stir the pot in regards to who should start at QB for the Wolverines this season.

Woolfolk made it known that Denard Robinson has been the player who has worked the hardest toward that goal. In addition, Woolfolk called out Tate Forcier's work ethic, and insinuated if Tate hadn't played so well early last year, he would have run the risk of being excommunicated for his lack of participation during voluntary 7-7's this summer.

Here is what Troy said.

"Denard has been out there through the thick and thin and been out there all the time regardless if he's hurting," Woolfolk said. "And Tate, he tries to come out, but he's not as consistent as Denard is. And that's allowed Denard to jump a little bit ahead of Tate and I think that Tate's going to have to do a lot of work to catch back up to Denard in camp this year." …

"I personally have a lack of respect for them [players who don't show for voluntary workouts]," Woolfolk said. "The outlook on them is kind of diseased. Like you don't want to be hanging around those people because they have bad work ethic. But at the same time, it's my role to try to persuade them to come out more."

According to Woolfolk, Forcier hasn't shown up to as many workouts as he and the other seniors feel he should have, and Woolfolk said it's hurting his teammates' perception of their signal caller.

"The only reason he's not really labeled as diseased is because of the way he was able to carry the team last year before we started losing. People still trust him a little bit, but he's starting to lose that trust."

Wow!

Either Troy has had enough of Tate and his lack luster effort to solidify his place as QB for the Wolverines, and is firmly in the Denard Robinson camp, or he is a great motivator and is trying to light a fire under the young QB's ass, knowing he can take this team to the next level.

I believe one thing for sure. This belief is based on no personal knowledge whatsoever. But here it goes. I believe Troy Woolfolk placed one or both of these votes during Big Ten Media Day.

First I would bet a Ham Sandwich Troy was the person who placed this vote for Denard Robinson.

Who’s the most exciting player in the Big Ten?
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State - 8
Adrian Clayborn, Iowa - 1
Denard Robinson, Michigan - 1
Comment: “I’ve seen how fast he is.”
N/A - 1

Second, I would not be surprised if he placed this vote for Tate Forcier as well, after reading his comments about Forcier's less than professional attitude toward his position and the team in general.

With that said, it is more likely Wide Receivers like Wisconsin's Nick Toon or Purdue's Keith Smith or both were chosen by the head strong CB. Troy is U of M's best CB, who loves the competition of covering the other teams number one WR, and probably couldn't pass up the opportunity to show his dislike of the position.

Not to mention he is a team leader, but what if he feels like me and others, that believe the best thing for the team is Denard Robinson?

Who’s the most overrated player in the Big Ten?
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State - 3
Tate Forcier, Michigan - 1
Keith Smith, Purdue - 1
Nick Toon, Wisconsin - 1
N/A - 5

No Matter, I love the passion behind Woolfolk's comments. It is obvious he desperately wants to be part of Michigan's Football Renaissance, and is taking his leadership role seriously. I just hope Tate Forcier can do the same.

Quite honestly though, in my opinion, Tate's fate has already been set. I believe once Denard takes over the starting job, he will not look back until the last game of his senior year, barring injury. I also believe we will be saying Denard Robinson not only ushered in the Rich Rod era, but also brought a Big Ten Championship back to Ann Arbor, positioning the Wolverines for long term success.

For more information on this story, mgoblog.com has done some excellent reporting on this situation, much more so than my speculative rant.

Go Blue!

Big Ten Player Poll

Dave Birkett of Ann Arbor.com reveals the answers to some interesting poll questions given to some Big Ten players here.

Here is a couple I found interesting.

Who’s the most exciting player in the Big Ten?
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State - 8
Adrian Clayborn, Iowa - 1
Denard Robinson, Michigan - 1
Comment: “I’ve seen how fast he is.”
N/A - 1

Who’s the most overrated player in the Big Ten?
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State - 3
Tate Forcier, Michigan - 1
Keith Smith, Purdue - 1
Nick Toon, Wisconsin - 1
N/A - 5

As an unabashed Denard Robinson supporter, I believe he is the man to lead U of M back to prominence.

Apparently I may not be the only one who thinks this way.

Go Blue!

Big Ten Conference Re-Alignment

Jim Delany was unusually candid during The Big Ten Media Day in Chicago on monday. He did not shy away from questions regarding Conference Expansion, A Conference Championship Game, and of course Conference re-alignment.

Here is his address to the press.




Hail to The Victors Blog is going to try again to re-align the Big Ten.

Well, Mr. Delany made some things much more clear in regards to how they would divide the new 12 team conference. Competitive Balance, Tradition and Rivalry's, and Geography in that order, will be the major factors when determining how the league will be divided. In addition, Delany mentioned the year 1993 as a fair starting point to judge the modern era of the Big Ten, noting Nebraska had won 3 National Championships during that time period.

Here is a look at The Big Ten Conference during that time period.

	Big Ten Games				Overall
Team	W	L	T	Pct	W	L	T	Pct
Ohio State	106	29	1	0.783	170	43	1	0.797
Michigan	94	42	0	0.691	146	64	0	0.695
Penn State	86	50	0	0.632	147	62	0	0.703
Wisconsin	79	54	3	0.592	144	66	4	0.682
Iowa	71	64	1	0.526	119	86	1	0.580
Purdue	63	70	3	0.474	104	98	3	0.515
Michigan State	63	72	1	0.467	106	98	1	0.520
Northwestern	59	77	0	0.434	96	106	1	0.475
Illinois	45	90	1	0.335	75	121	1	0.383
Minnesota	44	92	0	0.324	92	111	0	0.453
Indiana	33	103	0	0.243	68	127	0	0.349

Hail To The Victors Blog believes conference record gives a clearer picture of the Big Ten hierarchy.

With that said, here we go.

Michigan and Ohio State must be in the same division, This ensures the greatest rivalry in sport keeps its........



Edge!

But lets not forget who got the last word in this argument......

Look at the score during these highlights.....



David Why?



OK back to re-alignment.

Bo-Woody Division:

Ohio State
Michigan
MSU
Purdue
NW
Indy

Joe Pa-Osborne Division:

Nebraska
Penn State
Wisconsin
Iowa
Illinois
Minnesota

Since 1993 the Bo-Woody Division has 418 league wins between them. While if you give Nebraska 100 wins the Joe Pa-Osborne Division has 425 wins. This seems to provide a very competitive environment while splitting the 4 major powers in the conference. 7 games over a 17 year period seems very even to me.

In addition, Hail To The Victors Blog would propose one intersectional game that remains on the schedule yearly. This contest will help the league keep some of those trophy games the fans seem to love, while producing some others.

We propose the following intersectional games.

Michigan-Nebraska
Ohio State-Penn State
MSU-Wis
Purdue-Iowa
NW-ILL
Indy-MN


Finally, geography may be an issue for teams like Penn State and Minnesota. But if you look at possible schedules for such teams it really isn't that much more travel.

Example Penn State:

8 game sample schedule:

6 automatic games.

Nebraska (Home)
Wisconsin (Away)
Iowa (Away)
ILL (Away)
Minnesota (Home)
Ohio State (Home)

2 sectional games:

MSU (Away)
NW (Home)

If you look at that example, Penn State which is the eastern most team would really only have two western trips every year. Of course the sectional games would change randomly, but with Ohio State being their intersectional rival, Penn State has a yearly opponent close by, not overly straining travel.

Hail To The Victors Blog believes this schedule is not only consistent with other Penn State schedules but we believe it is in the best interest of the league to have U of M and OSU in the same division.

To further speculation, if Joe-Pa agrees to these terms without any real objection, we believe he has been told an eastern expansion will change divisions within 5 years anyway. (*speculation alert*)

Of course this is an example/prediction, and Hail To The Victors Blog remains committed to changing its mind if someone can provide the ammunition to do so. So as always all input is welcomed.

Go Blue!

Memory Lane

Big Ten Media Day Today.

Adam Rittenberg from ESPN will cover the entire day, and will be giving updates on the Big Ten Blog.

Here is the schedule for today.

11 a.m. Bret Bielema (Wisconsin)
11:15 a.m. Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern)
11:30 a.m. Ron Zook (Illinois)
11:45 a.m. Rich Rodriguez (Michigan)
12:15 p.m. Mark Dantonio (Michigan State)
12:30 p.m. Bill Lynch (Indiana)
12:45 p.m. Danny Hope (Purdue)
1:15 p.m. Joe Paterno (Penn State)
1:30 p.m. Tim Brewster (Minnesota)
1:45 p.m. Kirk Ferentz (Iowa)
2 p.m. Jim Tressel (Ohio State)
2:30 p.m. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany





Watch Live on BTN.

Kellen Jones Picks The Wolverines

A position of need has been filled by the University of Michigan today. Kellen Jones 4 star Inside Linebacker from Houston Texas has decided he will play for Michigan.

According to Scout.com Jones is the 11th ranked player at his position in the Country. At 6-1 210 pounds, Jones seems to be a perfect fit for a linebacking core that has underachieved in recent years.

Go Blue!

It is Official!

Jake Fisher

Traverse City OT Jake Fisher is a Michigan Wolverine.  The 6-7 273 pound Tackle choose U of M over MSU and a host of others Sunday.

Scout has him as the 25th best OT and rising.

Commit #6 and #7 for U of M Today.

U of M land two recruits today.

#6 Jack Miller is a DE/OT from St Johns Jesuit High School in Toledo Ohio gave his commitment today.

Jack is about 6-5 265 lbs and is rated a three star prospect from Scout.

#7 Kevin Sousa is a QB from Lake Nona High School in Orlando Florida.

Kevin goes about 6-4 235 lbs and is also a three star prospect from Scout.

Rittenberg on Expansion Division Alignment.

Rittenberg makes his attempt at division alignment for 2011 here.

Here is a taste.

Delany Division

Penn State
Nebraska
Iowa
Northwestern
Indiana
Purdue

Delaney Division

Ohio State
Michigan State
Michigan
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Illinois

PROTECTED CROSSOVERS

Like the SEC, the new Big Ten will have one protected crossover for each team ...

Penn State-Ohio State
Nebraska-Michigan
Iowa-Minnesota
Northwestern-Wisconsin
Indiana-Illinois
Purdue-Michigan State 

Read his entire article he provides a clear rationale of his divisions.


Here is may take.

You cannot leave Iowa v. Wisconsin on the sideline.  That matchup is to big.

Joe Pa-Osborne Division.

PSU
Nebraska
Iowa
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Indiana


Bo-Woody Division.


U of M
OSU
MSU
Northwestern
Purdue
Illinois


Protected rivals:


OSU-PSU
Nebraska-Michigan
MSU-Iowa
Northwestern-Wisconsin
Purdue-Indiana
Illinois-Minnesota

Hitler Comments on The Big 12's Demise.

Big 12 Dead - Click here for more blooper videos

How The Big Ten May Look With Nebraska.

Big Ten Expansion: Texas and A&M Meet Today, Can These Long Time Rivals Come To An Agreement?

Big Meeting in Austin Today.

The Big Ten will add Nebraska to the conference soon after the Nebraska Board of Regents vote to align with the Big Ten. This of course is a huge addition to the conference, one that seems to fit perfectly not only traditionally but geographically. Hail To The Victors Blog believes it is a definite home run.

The problem is Delaney will need a multiple home run game for expansion to be viewed as a success.

Texas is the most coveted program in the nation. It seems that the Big Ten and Pac 10 are the front runners for the Longhorns, with the SEC on the outside looking in for their services.

This doesn't mean the SEC commissioner Mike Silve will not be active trying to do what is best for his conference. I have believed for sometime that Silve would like to have a Texas presence in the SEC, for no other reason than recruiting. In addition, I cannot see commissioner Silve just sitting back idle, watching the Pac and Big Ten change the face of college football without being heard. Apparently he hasn't been idle, and has been in talks with Texas A&M.

So what we have is the Big Ten, wanting to bring either Texas alone or with Texas A&M to the conference. although the programs are geographically distant, those institutions embody what the Big Ten stands for. Both are AAU members, and both are research orientated public universities in great standing. Besides geography the Big Ten has a Texas Tech problem. If the Texas State Legislature ties Tech to Texas and A&M, The Big Ten will not allow Tech in because of its academic standing, which doesn't fit the Big Ten mold. Needless to say The Big Ten will need help to land Texas in the expansion game.

The Pac 10 on the other hand has invited Texas, Tech, A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado to join Arizona and Arizona State in a new division within the Pac 10, which would make the Pac 10 the first college football super conference. This option seems to be the front runner, because it not only keeps like members together, it allows for a new TV deal for the Pac 10 to be formulated which could be very lucrative for all involved.

Long time rivals will meet today in Austin. Texas and Texas A&M are meeting not only to clear the air of expansion scenarios, but to decide if they will be going to the same conference. You would think this would be an easy decision. But it gets a little complicated if the SEC is truly involved with A&M. All signs from orangeblood.com and the like, point to Texas not wanting to go to the SEC. However many Aggies feel just the opposite, they would welcome an SEC invite, and possibly would like to be in a different conference than Texas, getting out from under the athletic supertanker. This stalemate could very well be difficult to overcome.

Hail To The Victors Blog with an unbelievable amount of help from the contributors at Frank The Tank's Slant believes in the end Texas and A&M, will come to an agreement on joining the Pac 10 with their Big 12 mates.

But do not under estimate Mike Silve and the SEC. If the conference can make a strong pitch to Oklahoma or A&M which is already reported as happening, the Pac 10 deal could be on uneven ground.

This scenario could leave an opening for Texas, and ND to join the Big Ten with Nebraska, all while giving Delany the home run additions he has been striving for.

Of course for this example to occur, The Big 12 would have to stop looking like the largest dysfunctional family on the planet, and Mike Silve of The SEC would have to check his ego at the door, and watch the Pac 10 become the first college football super conference.

When you look at it that way, maybe the Big Ten does have a shot at Texas.

Hail to The Victors Blog would love to hear your take on Big Ten Expansion.

Looks Like Nebraska will be The Big Tens 12th Team.

Nebraska is expected to be the 12th member of the Big Ten on friday.

Nebraska Board of Regents have a new agenda item to vote on.

That item is the 4th item in this fridays meetings.

Click here for public access to Nebraska's Board of Regents agenda.

Below is the outline for fridays meeting.

 AGENDA 

THE BOARD OF REGENTS 

OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA 

Varner Hall 

3835 Holdrege Street 

Lincoln, Nebraska  68583 

Friday, June 11, 2010 

1:00 p.m. 

I. CALL TO ORDER 

II. ROLL CALL 

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND RATIFICATION OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON  

MAY 21, 2010 

IV. KUDOS 

 Cynthia H. Shultz, University of Nebraska at Kearney 

 Patrick Rejda, University of Nebraska Medical Center 

 Kathyrn Krause, University of Nebraska at Omaha 

 Kelly Bartling, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

V. PUBLIC COMMENT 

The Standing Rules of the Board provide that any person who gives 24 hours notice to the 

Corporation Secretary of the Board may speak to any item that is not on the agenda. In addition, 

any person may appear and address the Board of Regents on any item on the agenda for this 

meeting.  Each person will be given up to five minutes to make his or her remarks. Public 

comment will be limited to a period of 30 minutes. 

VI. RESOLUTIONS 

 Resolution regarding UNL athletic conference alignment. 

VII. HEARINGS 

VIII. UNIVERSITY CONSENT AGENDA 

A. ACADEMIC AFFAIRS 

 1. President’s Personnel Recommendations Addendum VIII-A-1 

 2. Approve recommendations relating to academic program reviews required by the 

NCCPE and approve forwarding of the program review reports to the NCCPE 

  Addendum VIII-A-2 

 3. Approve renaming of UNO Small Business Institute to “Center for Innovation, 

Entrepreneurship, & Franchising” Addendum VIII-A-3 

 4. Approve naming the “Grace Abbott School of Social Work” at the University of 

Nebraska at Omaha Addendum VIII-A-4 

B. BUSINESS AFFAIRS 

  University of Nebraska 

  1. Ratify the President’s approval of Farris Engineering and The Clark Enersen  

   Partners (TCEP) to design the UNL Ken Morrison Life Sciences Research Center 

    Addition and UNMC Eppley Cancer Institute Renovation, respectively 

   Addendum VIII-B-1 

It appears Nebraska joining the Big Ten is a done deal.

Demar Dorsey Has Been Released From his LOI.

Click here for Free Press Story.

The Big Ten and Pac Ten Expansion: Is Nebraska The New Linchpin?

Could Nebraska be the key to expansion?

Sunday was the day for two meetings of university presidents. The Pac 10 met in San Francisco, and the Big Ten met in Chicago. What was presented, could very well create a seismic shift to major college athletics.

The Pac 10 meeting created the most buzz. First year commissioner Larry Scott was given the permission by university presidents to invite new members, after he laid out many different scenarios of possible expansion for those CEO's.

One of those examples had Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Colorado, joining the Pac 10. Since then the Texas Legislature has weighed in trying to tie the Texas schools invited to Baylor, in an attempt to replace Colorado, with the private university.

Now if you remember, Jim Delany of The Big Ten said last month, that there would be little action at this weeks presidents meeting, mentioning he would cook the Brat's if the press brought the Beer, or something to that effect, trying to downplay the meetings.

With good reason I might add, because the Big Ten was the only show in town at that time. But with the Pac 10 moving at light speed, The Big Ten presidents meeting in Chicago has become more urgent to say the least.

What was acknowledged at those meetings was the Big Ten is in deed speeding up the expansion process.

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, chairwoman for university presidents said the following.

"Our announcement in December has caused institutions and conferences to consider their futures, and that has had an impact on our deliberations."

Simon also made it clear that a vote was not taken Sunday in regards to expansion candidates. Noting a vote can be taken electronically, and that the members do not have to meet to conduct a vote.

All signs point toward a seriously increased time table for the Big Ten.

So in a nut shell, the potential of quick aggressive Pac 10 expansion, has pushed the Big Ten's timeline.

Now one thing I have learned from Expansionpalooza, to steal a term from Frank The Tank's Slant, is that nothing is set in stone, and expansion is fluid to say the least.

With that said, Hail to The Victors Blog has a take on the major players and what we have seen in the last couple of days by those players.

Texas, is the "Hot Girl" you want to marry, with in-laws that are flat out crazy. Sure, Texas has an 138 million dollar athletic budget, and sure, they are the hottest girl at the party, but there is not a chance in hell, the Big Ten allows Texas Tech to join. This "Tech" academic problem is what OSU president Gee is talking to Delany about in his email. Now add Baylor to the mix, and that is too many in-laws living with you, and the hot chick. So if Texas is tied to Tech, and possibly Baylor, the Big Ten is a non-starter.

So assuming the Big Ten is out, Texas would probably want to explore the possibility of them running their own TV Network, since they have already explored this option, but this would mean keeping the Big 12 together.

Texas has made it clear that keeping the Big 12 together would have to include Nebraska and to a lesser extent Missouri. So it is apparent to me at least, that Texas is the driving force behind these ultimatums on Nebraska and Missouri.

Remember when the Big 12 meetings ended? there wasn't any talk of an ultimatum. All of sudden every leak pointing toward giving Nebraska and Missouri a deadline, came from Texas sources. The American Statesman in Austin, and Orangebloods.com a Texas blog, leading the way.

Texas in my opinion may want to salvage the Big 12, because they have to bring their crazy in-laws with them anywhere they go. Which could turn the Pac 10 and the Big Ten off. With that said, they also do not want to be the team that collapsed the Big 12, so they are pushing Nebraska to decide the actual fate of the conference.

But Texas didn't stop at pressuring Nebraska with an ultimatum, they also through Orangebloods.com leaked a story, which said, if ND joined the Big Ten, the conference would only add one team. Thus leaving Nebraska out in the cold, possibly without a conference. Adding more pressure on Nebraska staying. It is also the opinion of Hail To The Victors Blog, that the Big 12 could care less about Missouri, but keeping Nebraska is the goal, if the conference is to stay intact.

So Nebraska is the new linchpin of college expansion, if they decide to stay, they continue in a conference where Texas is the "belle of the ball" getting more revenue and probably the rights to a Longhorn Network, which would probably trump a Big 12 network even being created. If Nebraska decides to go, Texas works out a deal with the Pac 10 bringing their crazy in-laws along, or possibly coming to the Big Ten without the in-laws, which is highly unlikely. Either way the Big 12 is history.

What happens next will probably happen sooner than later now, and as a self-proclaimed Expansionpalooza junkie, I can't wait to see what happens.

Hail to The Victors Blog would love to here your opinion on Big Ten Expansion.

Sam Webb on 1050 WTKA

Updates on D. Dorsey and A. Kinard.

And it doesn't sound good.

click here.

Interesting Comments From Texas AD.

DeLoss Dodds University of Texas Atheltic Director had some intersting quotes in the lobby of the InterContinental Hotel on the Plaza today, where the Big 12 summer meetings are being held.

Here is a couple of things Dodd said.

“We did not start this,” Dodds told The Kansas City Star in response to questions put to him Tuesday afternoon in the lobby of the InterContinental Hotel on the Plaza. “If we need to finish it, we’ll finish it. We’re going to be a player in whatever happens.”

Dodds addresses the loyality issues.

Asked directly about criticism of Missouri and Nebraska within the Big 12, Dodds denied either school was being disloyal.

“Everybody stays ready,” said Dodds, the head of the Big 12‘s most successful and powerful athletic program. “Everybody figures out what’s best for them and get options."

That includes Texas, Dodds said.

“We’re watching what’s happening with the Big Ten, probably to a lesser degree to the Southeast Conference,” Dodds said. “If the landscape is going to change, we’re going to be a part of it and be a viable part of it. Texas will come out of it in good shape.”

I find these comments to be very interesting. For the enitre article from kansascity.com click here.

A West Virginia Newspaper Weighs in on the Rich Rod Situation.

The Charleston Gazette and Dave Hickman, weigh in on the Rich Rod situation at Michigan, which has led the NCAA to take a closer look at the West Virginia program, while Rodriguez coached there.

Here is a piece of the article.

It seems the question most asked, though, is how the school could possibly deny the one that it didn't own up to - that Rodriguez "failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the football program.'' After all, if the university admits to four major rules violations, isn't the fifth one obvious?

Well, of course it is. Here's the sticking point, though. If the school admits that Rodriguez failed to promote that atmosphere of compliance, it can hardly argue that the more specific violations were merely mistakes or errors in judgment. In an atmosphere of non-compliance, the commission of those violations would portray Rodriguez's program as out of control.

Ah, but if Michigan steadfastly stands behind Rodriguez and maintains that he was at all times trying to run a clean program - i.e., promoting an atmosphere of compliance - well, then all of those other issues can be explained away with that simple, "Oops.''

For the rest of the article click here.

Chris Rock Junior Highlights.

Will The Detroit Free Press Admit it was Wrong?

Jonathan Chait writes a great article about the Detroit Free Press coverage of the University of Michigan practice scandal.

Is this the same Jonathan Chait from the New Republic? If it is, I not only love this guys politics, but I love that he has U of M's back.

Here is some of the article.

The reality, of course, is that Free Press is highly unlikely to apologize for its bungling report. Indeed, criticisms of the paper's journalistic failures seem to have created a bunker mentality at the newspaper. Ray Donovan, a Reagan-era Secretary of Labor, was indicted of a high-profile crime that commanded media attention. When he was acquitted, he famously asked, "Which office do I go to get my reputation back?"

The University's report shows that, whatever small rules violations occurred, there's no evidence that Rich Rodriguez had any knowledge of, or gained any substantial benefit from them. The charge that he has operated a football sweatshop has been totally debunked. Where does he go to get his reputation back? Not the Detroit Free Press.

Give the rest of the article a read, you will not regret it.

click here for entire article.

Chris Rock is a Wolverine!

DE/TE Chris Rock

Go Blue Wolverine is reporting that Chris Rock DE/TE from Ohio is their 5th Commitment for the 2011 season.

According to Scout.com Rock is 6 foot 5 inches tall and weighs about 240 lbs, (should be over to 250 by season start) while running a 4.9 40 yard dash. Rock in addition, recorder 15 sacks as a junior for his St. Francis DeSales HS in Columbus Ohio.

Looks like he was plucked out of Brutus the Buckeye's backyard.

Go Blue!

Dee Hart v. Noel Devine, and The Message Board Mafia.

Don't Mess with the Message Board Mafia.

Hail To The Victors Blog wrote a short piece for Newsblaze.com, about the prospect of 4 star high school running back Dee Hart possibly joining the University of Michigan's class of 2011. Hart is an extraordinary talent that appears to be a perfect fit for Rich Rodriquez's spread offense. Hart can play multiple positions on the field, and is a very dangerous punt and kick returner.

As I made perfectly clear in the article, message board rumblings from reliable sources have Dee close to making a decision. This of course is an exciting turn of events for the University of Michigan, because they have been dealing with nothing but adverse press for sometime now, leading some to question if it will hurt recruiting.

Enter "The Message Board Mafia"

In the article I compared Dee Hart to another Florida standout running back Noel Devine. Apparently such comparisons are so far fetched, that the entire article is garbage. Which is probably true. Yet, the entire article was formulated because of a message by one of the two most reliable sources on the site. We will call him TB.

Now that article was written at Hail To The Victors Blog to inform my many 3 readers of what is going on with University of Michigan recruiting, and as every blogger on the planet does, they report what is being said and usually have a take.

My take was that Dee Hart and Noel Devine share many of the same football qualities, and those similarities make for a fair comparison.

First judge for yourself. I have put video up of both. Just click on there name.

Now lets look at the vitals.

Dee Hart is 5 Foot 9 inches and is about 190 lbs and runs a 4.5. Noel is 5 foot 8 inches and is 180 lbs and runs a sub 4.4.

So if your entire judgement is on speed, than I stand corrected. But any real evaluator of talent would not make such an harsh criticism, on just one attribute would they? But, as we all know the Message Board can be an unforgiving place. But that seems a little "out-there" even for a message poster. no matter how competent or incompetent he or she may be.

Bottom Line, Dee Hart and Noel Devine were and are two multi talented individuals who can not only play running back, but can play the slot, and both are dangerous return men. They both can take a two yard loss and turn it into a 70 yard touchdown. They both are highly touted recruits although Devine was more of a standout, receiving 5 stars by high school evaluators, while the book hasn't closed on Hart as of yet.

But most importantly in my opinion is who they played for, or will possibly play for, and who recruited them. Rich Rodriquez is the x factor when comparing the two in my opinion, and for that reason alone, makes the comparison legit. You may not agree with it, and that is perfectly fine, but an utter dismissing of the similarities of the two individuals is cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Devine has the speed and ridiculous ability, but many pro evaluators worry about his durability. While Dee will likely be an every down back, as he matures, because of his ability to carry more weight. Devine is a proven commodity and Hart will have to prove himself, hopefully in a Michigan Jersey, but I would bet you a Ham Sandwich, the words Noel Devine came up in Dee Hart's recruitment.

Hail To The Victors Blog would love to hear some of the players that remind you of Dee Hart.