Fithian's Fab Five 7-30-11

Good stuff between Michigan State's Mark Dantonio and Michigan's Jim Brandstatter. Dantonio gets called out by Brandy for having his cheating buddies back. MD comes back with the 'who are you' card. It's always good rivalry stuff when you get called out and then play the 'who are you' card. October 15th can't get here quick enough.

Hopefully UM AD Dave Brandon will reconsider his stance on only scheduling home games in the future except ND for UM after 2013. What's one of the best things about college football? Of course it's intersectional matchups. It's a joke that any fan of the Wolverines would accept this type of scheduling. Oregon is taking on LSU week one. That's the only game worth watching week one. Next year Michigan's taking on Alabama in Texas in the opening week. That's great stuff. Not ND home and away and then three-no-name-no-excitement games scheduled for money.

I'm expecting the Tigers to make a move before Sunday. They have too. The division is there for the taking, but every time Tigers fans wait for Detroit to run away in the Central this season they don't. Detroit shows that they can't do it with what they have on the roster right now. Help is needed for sure. You, I and Mike Ilitch know it. At this point I'm for: Wandy Rodriquez, Hiroki Kuroda, Ubaldo, Jimenez, Chad Qualls, Mike Adams or maybe a long shot Doug Fister.

My current prediction for the Lions season is 8-8.
Michigan football: An improved kicking game, some NFL talent, no excuses by Brady Hoke and Denard Robinson under center. Michigan eight wins.
Michigan State football: Everything set up for them to get to double digit wins except a nice schedule.

Spartans look pretty good on paper enough for me to pick nine wins.