A Columbus radio station, that has on ESPN analysts as regular guests, has been talking all week about the upcoming UM-OSU game. They've had both Chris Spielman (OSU alum) and Desmond Howard (UM alum) on in the past few days, and both have pulled no punches in laying into the team and the coaching staff....

Desmond Howard- "That would be the popular thinking after watching them lose eight games this season, and the way they've lost some of those games. I made a comment (Sunday) on our show that it's not like they were trying to learn a spread offense (as much as) like they were trying to learn how to play football in some of those games, they looked so bad. This isn't Michigan, this is like Michigan Tech.

"I said, 'If they win six games, Rich Rod is one of the best coaches in college football.' Then I said, 'If they win seven, he has to be finalist for the best coach in college football, if they win eight, he is the best coach in college football.' I expected them to struggle.

"Now, there's a way to lose, and there's a way to look embarrassing. Earlier in the season, when guys couldn't field kickoffs, that to me that goes beyond coaching.

"There's a lot of blame to go around, so Rich Rodriguez, and (defensive coordinator) Scott Shafer and the rest of the coaching staff -- those guys definitely have to shoulder some of the blame, there's no doubt about that. But as a player, you have to have some pride to go out on the field and do certain things that show you're a football player."

Chris Spielman- "[The Wolverines] stink, they're not very good. They don't play offense ... they can't run it consistently, they can't throw it consistently, they can't stop the run, they're not very good defending the pass, they're not very good covering kicks, they're not very good returning kicks."

"I love seeing them beaten down, man. It's great."

Well how's that for journalistic integrity? I understand the rivalry and the hatred, but saying you love seeing them "beaten down", is just a little over-the-top if you ask me. I think Herbstreit has always taken the right approach when he discusses the two teams, and there's always going to be some level of love for your school, but let's tone it down some there, Chris.

ESPN should probably keep Chris Spielman away from Michigan games from now on (Dr. Saturday)
Howard: 'This isn't Michigan' (Detroit Free Press)
Desmond Howard Interview (1460 The Fan)

I was pretty resigned to the fact that we weren't going to get any more Pam Ward action the rest of the year. It was a sad moment for me when the MAC Championship game came to an end and don't even bring up Chris Spielman's appearance on the sidelines for the Big XII game. I got pretty choked up there.

But alas, it appears we have at least one more opportunity to see both Pam and Chris in action! Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you the announcers for the Semifinals of College Football's Championship Subdivision (1AA Playoffs)......

Friday, December 7th- Richmond vs. Appalachian State, ESPN2 8pm
Play by Play: Sean McDonough
Analyst: Chris Spielman

Saturday, December 8th- Delaware vs. Southern Illinois, ESPN 4pm
Play by Play: Pam Ward
Analyst: Ray Bentley

Huzzah ESPN! I don't know if you plan to use them for any Bowl Games, but for one weekend you have made me happy. Christmas has indeed come early. For your next trick I would like you to pair them together for the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsetta Bowl.

Forget for a second that Chris Spielman just said, "Rear end's up in the air, he's ready to go hunt.", and pay attention to the ESPN sign featured in the crowd.

Who doesn't know what that means by now?

Apparently BC Safety Jamie Silva and his dad are dumpster divers. Right okay...well Sideliner Quint Kessenich decided to try it out himself....

Quint is a braver man than I, and that stunt also led to this quote....

"You know the best advice I've heard all season is to avoid Hospital dumpsters."- Chris Spielman

This clip is going to keep me smiling for the rest the week. I don't know how I missed it, but I'm so glad Bleed Crimson passed it on to The Wizard of Odds so I could get my hands on it.

Here we have Rob Stone before the Nevada-New Mexico State game last Friday. Rob is doing a spot with the Chili Pepper Institute of New Mexico State U when he decides to bite into the Bhut Jolokia....the hottest pepper in the world.

Dagger! 5 to 6 hours??? You might have wanted to learn that ahead of time Rob! Way to take one for the team.

Rob Stone Gets Torched (The Wizard of Odds)
The Daily Aggie :: 11/06/07 :: Bhut Jolokia Edition (Bleed Crimson)

This caught me so off guard that I had to share it with you this morning. Rob Stone was doing a sideline report on the "Milk Can" (the trophy that Fresno State and Boise State play for) and afterwards Chris had the dig of the century. Take a listen...

"Good to see Rob Stone's Curves workout pan out....he can lift up the milk can, that was nice."- Chris Spielman

Now that's funny....I don't care who you are. Gave me an actual spittake last night.

This clip is so ridiculous it's beyond me. Chris Spielman gets a great gesture from the soccer folks as Brandi Chastain autographs a ball and says Chris can give it to his daughter. Oh you want this ball? You're gonna have to set a new bench press personal record!

As if I need to even say anything now........

"OOOOOOH YEAH BROTHER...........IF YOU WANT THAT BALL THROW UP SOME STEEL."

I'm going to say that this is possibly my favorite clip that I've ever put together. It's moments like this that only happen when you're watching OK State-Troy at midnight on a Friday night.

Background: Rob Stone is normally the on-field reporter with this team, but he's on Women's World Cup duty. I'm just guessing, but it doesn't seem like he's upset by not being in Troy, Alabama with the guys....

Wow....where do I start? Okay here are some talking points....

1. Heather Mitts.
2. Rob Stone joking on the soccer games that are coming up that morning, "Spielman I know you're fired up for Canada/Ghana at 4:45, 4:55 whatever it is...it's early."
3. The Wally Pipp reference regarding Joe Schad.
4. "Don't we have policies against that sort of stuff."- Sean McDonough, Umm.....do you?
5. Chris Spielman is like the gift that keeps on giving. "I know Lynn is probably watching happily at home, of course she's ready to drop twins any day now."

Ha, how many women out there would love for you to use the term "Dropping Twins"? I'm guessing none.