Happy Thanksgiving... And Beat Ohio!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from the MZone!

Now, eat your turkey, hug Nana and get your focus back on The Game.  To help you do that, here are a couple of our favorite wallpapers that our pal Andy (@SemperBlue88 on Twitter) put together last year.

GO BLUE!

BEAT OHIO!

 

 

MZone Autopsy: Northwestern

After the way Saturday's game ended, it's a wonder that the autopsy isn't on yours truly today as I nearly had a heart attack.   But, alas, like the team, I have survived to blog another day.

MZone Autopsy Report: Northwestern

* Offense to the Rescue

While the Demens stuff on 4th in 2 in OT sealed the deal, in a switcheroo for the 2012 season, it was the offense's turn to ride to the rescue on Saturday.  After so many games in which the defense kept Michigan in games (especially during the 148 minute Great Scoring Dust Bowl of 2012), U-M's offense fought back from 10 down in the 3rd quarter as well as :18 seconds and impossible in the 4th. 

You knew there was going to be a game like this - when Mattison's Monsters didn't have their A game.  And this was it.  Northwestern outgained Michigan 431-419 yards, had a 27-21 advantage in first downs, and converted 8-16 3rd downs.  But the offense never stopped fighting back and U-M's faint B1G title hopes live to fight another day.

* Fitz: 2013!

Like the rest of you, each Saturday, I keep thinking, "This is going to be the day."  I can feel it: This is going to be the day that Fitz Toussaint breaks out and returns to the form (and stats) of 2011.

But, alas, with two games left in the regular season, I finally have to accept the fact that it's not going to happen this year.  Yeah, I know it's not all Fitz's fault.  I realize the O line has, on numerous occasions, in the words of Bill Murray in Stripes been "blowed up, SIR!"

Yet still I hoped.

No more.  Our running game is what it is this year.  Here's to a better 2013!

* Clutch Becoming a Hoke Trademark

The Wolverines under Brady Hoke have quickly become a team that you can never count out.  Like the villain in a horror movie, they just won't die.  From wins over Notre Dame last season to MSU and NW this one; to close losses in which Michigan still had a chance at the end (Iowa last season, ND this year), there is no quit in Hoke's Wolverines.  Of course, some may call Michigan "lucky" in those games.  I prefer to think of such so-called luck as the ol' point at "which opportunity meets preparation," with preparation here being coaching (okay, and at least one really shitty, fortuitous punt by Northwestern).

* Hoke's Cold Sweat

While I love Brady Hoke and think he's doing an outstanding job, nobody's perfect.  And if he isn't waking up screaming in the middle of the night - "Why the &^%$! didn't I put Devin in at QB in the Nebraska game?!  WHY!?!?"  - he should be.

* U-M Student Section Sucks

And I thought the key play nonsense was bad.

Ha!

The empty seats are past the point of ridiculous now.  Michigan has been reduced to having its football players make videos begging fans (read: students) to show up on time for the games.  WTF?!  This isn't Ball State.  Bo's probably rolling over in his grave.

I'm not sure what more can be done since the athletic department already instituted the points system.  But seeing all those empty seats up there after the game starts is a slap in the face to Hoke and the Michigan players.

Thus, since our microphone here at the MZone isn't as big as Brian's over at MGoBlog, I hope he continues to hammer away on that issue.  Maybe shame will work.  Because it's got to change.

* Wallpaper Wednesday...on Monday

Usually we wait until Wednesday to put up our wallpapers here at the MZone.

Not today.

Our pal and MZone Hall of Famer Andy (@SemperBlue88 on Twitter) sent us this outstanding wallpaper of Roy Roundtree's miraculous tip/fall/catch from the Northwestern game that had to go up asap.

GO BLUE!

Wallpaper Wednesday: 900... Make That 901

Our friend and the Meeechigan super fan behind the popular @SupportBradyHoke on Twitter, Michigan Sports Girl, has sent us a wallpaper for you, the loyal MZone reader.

The idea for the wallpaper was hatched after the Wolverines became the only team in NCAA history with 900 wins.  But work got in the way and, well, being Michigan, the Maize and Blue didn't rest at 900. Hence... 901!

As MSG said in her email, she tried to incorporate all the all the generations of Michigan football that got us to the magic number...and now beyond.

Go Blue!

Welcome Home, Paul!

In the wake of Michigan's heart-stopping victory over MSU, our ol' blogging pal Andy made some wallpapers for the MZone faithful.  Enjoy.  Share. Go Blue!

Hey, Sparty -- Get off my floor!

Would've put this up yesterday but was too busy doing my cyber-duty and protesting SOPA/PIPA.  But today it's back to blogging.  So, without further adieu...

Here's the wallpaper Andy made in the wake of Michigan's 3rd consecutive victory over MSU. Simply...beautiful.

Wallpaper Wednesday -- Sugar Bowl Edition

Our buddy Andy was there and turned the sweet taste of Sugar Bowl victory into today's wallpaper...

Michigan vs. Ohio Open Thread

It's here.  The Game.  Meeeechigan vs. That School in Ohio.  I want this one more than I've wanted to beat the Bucks in a looong time (uh, especially since we haven't beaten the Bucks in a looong time).

Leave us your thoughts and comments here and be sure to follow the MZone on Twitter.

GO BLUE!  BEAT OHIO!

(Big thanks to Andy for all the fantastic wallpapers this week!)

And here's one more from our buddy Mikoyan and his site, Michigan Exposures...

Still more BEAT OHIO wallpaper

Just when you thought we couldn't give you more, Andy did!

More Beat Ohio Wallpapers: Bo, Desmond & Charles

You mean yesterday's offerings weren't enough?  Fine.  Andy outdid himself with three more.

Go Blue!

 

 

Beat Ohio!

Ladies and gentlemen, my former blogging co-hort, Andy, has returned -- as any good Michigan Man would for The Game -- to create some very special wallpapers.  Here's the first batch.  Enjoy and...

Go Blue!

Not enough for you? Be sure to check back. Andy made more! And we'll be putting them up throughout the week.

Hoke-Pelini Postgame

Before we turn our attention to all things Ohio, our ol' pal Andy made this special post-Nebraska wallpaper for your enjoyment. 

Wallpaper Wednesday: HAIL!

Got the following email from our long lost pal Andy this week:

Just in case you are looking for a wallpaper to post on Wednesday.  Here is one I made this morning while sitting thru a con call.

Memo to self: Make sure Andy gets stuck on more conference calls.

Wallpaper Wednesday: The Invisible Man

In the wake of Jeremy Gallon doing his best PREDATOR impression by activating his cloaking device with Michigan on its own 20, just :23 seconds left, and trailing Notre Dame 31-28, Rigby came up with today's Wallpaper Wednesday. Outstanding.

UPDATE:

After seeing today's wallpaper, Jeremy's mom was kind enough to send us a couple pictures from her family photo album (What?  Of course she reads the MZone). 

Below is a picture of Jeremy when he was 11 years old playing hide-n-seek in his hometown of Apopka, FL.

"C'mon, Jeremy, no fair!  We've been looking for you for over an hour!"

And here's one from high school...

Jeremy Gallon at his senior prom

Wallpaper Wednesday

Today's wallpaper comes courtesy of Jon and his website, MonkeyWrench32, which specializes in schedule wallpapers for Detroit area sports teams, including the Tigers, Lions, Pistons and Red Wings (and yes, even MSU).

For Michigan's 2011 edition, he's included both their traditional helmet and the "Under the Lights" version that will be worn this weekend vs. Notre Dame.

Wallpaper Wednesday: Denard Returns!

Look!  Out on the field!  It's a run!  It's a pass!  It's...

SUPERLACE!

Big thanks to Rigby for continuing Wallpaper Wednesdays here at the MZone!

Wallpaper Wednesday: USA! USA! USA!

Today, the United States women's soccer team plays France in the semi-finals of the World Cup.  Following their stunning, heart-stopping shoot out victory over Brazil, we are fully on the bandwagon here at the MZone.  

Even better, I found this very cool wallpaper featuring Team USA:



So from all of us here at the MZone, best of luck to Team USA today!

Wallpaper Wednesday: Lloyd Carr College Football Hall of Famer

Congrats to Coach Carr on being selected for the College Football Hall of Fame.

Wallpaper Wednesday: Jim Mandich & Bo

James Michael Mandich

Leader and Best

July 30, 1948 – April 26, 2011

Vada Wallpaper

God Bless Vada Murray and his family. Rest in Peace.

If you have not already viewed the Vada Murray tribute video by WolverineHistorian, you should do so. I was a young 2nd Lieutenant stationed at Camp Pendleton in the fall of 1989 when the Michigan Wolverines came into the Rose Bowl to play UCLA. I made the drive with my new Marine buddies who both went to small schools and had never attended a big college football game. The one play that sticks out in my mind was the perfect onside kick (recovered by none other than Vada Murray) that kept Michigan's comeback hopes alive. We won 24-23 in one of the most exciting games I have ever watched. There was no band (they didn't make the trip) so, when it was over, we sang "The Victors" without assistance and it echoed throughout the stadium. To this day, after 6 attempts, it is the only time I have ever walked out of the Rose Bowl stadium a happy man.

Edit: Here is a link to the first Vada Murray wallpaper I did in 2008. After I posted it, I got a nice email from his wife (Sarah) telling me how much they all loved it.

Wallpaper Wednesday: 2011 Frozen Four

#6 Michigan vs. #1 North Dakota -- NCAA Frozen Four Semifinal

Thursday, April 7: 6:30 p.m. EST

Xcel Energy Center • St. Paul, Minn.