MGoBlog: The MGoPodcast

  Bryan Fuller OFFENSE Hey! Positive yards, you guys. Fourth and two call… oy. Throw a fade to Funchess. Devin Gardner, persisting. DEFENSE Another good to very good performance with more safety rotation; they defended the option very well. Ace brings up Green smoking Nebraska, and immediately regrets saying the word "Nebraska." SPECIAL TEAMS AND DECISIONS More aggression is good; Matt Wile is officially good again. Oh right and that thing. TALKING BIG TEN WITH JAMIEMAC Ohio State bludgeons without even trying, MSU eventually pulls away from Nebraska thanks to a bunch of turnovers. MUSIC "Across 110th Street." "Flying Over Water," Jason Isbell "In Love," weird Ben Folds side project with William Shatner called "Fear of Pop" "The Great Communicator," Ted Leo The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

ALL HAIL HENRI, THE OTTER OF ENNUI OFFENSE Things could have gone better. DEFENSE The usual: late collapse in the face of overwhelming existential ennui. HENRI: deployed. BASKETBALL Save us, Obi-Wan Beilein, you're our only hope. Michigan tried to go away from the pick and roll against Lowell and that really did not work; when they went back to it they started scoring points. Two posts == DOA. TALKING BIG TEN WITH JAMIEMAC I sound jealous of Indiana football. We're so far past being jealous of Minnesota. Damn you, Iowa, for allowing Purdue to score a garbage-time touchdown to thwart BoilerQuest. MUSIC "Across 110th Street." "Sour Times," Portishead "I Got Issues," The Beauty Shop "The Lord's Going To Separate The Wheat From The Tares," Huggins & Phillips Sacred Harp Singers (this is off of a six-volume box set called "Goodbye, Babylon" which is pretty great). The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[56 minutes]   Our podcast this week was actually recorded in the immediate aftermath of the Wisconsin game, but due to technical difficulties I couldn't get my hands on the file for editing until yesterday. So we've dropped the Wisconsin bit—which sucked anyway—and now present the nearly hour-long 2013 recruiting class overview and award presentation, which is something other than Ace and I moaning about how terrible everything is. Except for the intros and outros, which are.  If it sounds different, the audio is lower-fidelity than it usually is, not that this is particularly important for two guys talking to each other.  Topics! Offense! Logan Tuley Tillman as Schrodinger's recruit. Sure things don't exist on the OL, but if they did they would be a couple of those guys. Derrick Green and such. Defense! Taco Charlton as Logan Tuley Tillman. Henry Poggi as Mike Martin if Poggi can also become a slab of muscle more stone than man. Two flavors of cornerback, and Dymonte Thomas as no Michigan safety in memory.  Gettin' my Rob Parker on. Not really, but we finish with some gimmick superlative type stuff.  Music. "The Rat," The Walkmen. "Caring Is Creepy," The Shins. Creepy breakup songs are always best for recruiting. The latter is a shout-out to Black Heart Gold Pants and their much-better-titled version of the Hello post.  The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[1:03] Topics! Pop quiz: why we done lost? Answers are bandied about.  Burke. Mansome. GRIII. Donde? Stauskas. Missin'. The Morgan question. Hashed and rehashed.  The inexplicable Dick Vitale. Calling something awesome is a stupid catch phrase. Raftery doodles the word "onions" and this makes him superior. Football recruiting! Boring at this juncture but boring in a good way. Our discussion touches on Kyle Bosch, Wyatt Shallman, Damario Jones, and Malik McDowell amongst others.  Talking Big Ten with Jamiemac. Jamie has a rough ride as we ask him which team he sided with on Saturday, and he punts. Front-running accusations are leveled! A duel may result. Also we talk the top of the Big Ten, the conference race, Music. "The Saddest of All Keys," Tapes 'n' Tapes. "Harborcoat," REM. I have no reasons for either of these. The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[53 min] Topics! Illinois: defeated. Burke's halfcourt performance is gently prodded with many nods towards his inherent Burke-ness. Stauskas: more than just a shooter(tm). Obligatory. I call him "Darius Morris who shoots 50% from three." Note that I just rewatched the Illinois game and my assertion that he did not take a jumper was wrong--I was misremembering a LeVert Kobe assist as Stauskas's. Stauskas left a floater short, which Illinosi rebounded. Just for the record.  Morgan's absence: problem? Doesn't seem like it so far. Caris LeVert: future? Getting that feel despite his lack of outburst.  Everything is falling into place. All things are as you would have them be to maximize this team's performance. Enjoy it, as this sort of serendipity is uncommon. Indiana looms. Looms. Talking Big Ten with Jamiemac John Gasaway. It was Monday at noon so we figured Jamie would be at that "work" stuff and dialed up the man formerly known as Big Ten Wonk, John Gasaway. We talk about his status as a battered Illinois fan, I get shot down talking about Jordan Hulls's defense, he expresses confidence in Michigan basketball, and Yogi Ferrell is talked up as a guy who has an impact outside of the box score.  Music. "The Switch and the Spur," the Raconteurs. The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[1:12] Topics! Hey, basketball! We meant to have these the past couple weeks but a slammed Sunday with both men's and women's going at the same time nixed us two weeks ago and it was black death time for me a week ago.  If I sound weird it's because I'm sucking on cough drops the whole time.  All the starters. We're all like "Trey Burke is good" and this is why we get paid the okay bucks.  I accidentally dis Jordan Morgan. Ace calls me out, yo. Stauskas! Come back to me, 57% shooting. Various gigglings unbecoming manly men. Sorry.  Talking Big Ten with Jamiemac. We run down the league, and groan expressively about Wisconsin. Then the phone lines go out (srs) and we finish up the contenders discussion ourselves.  Music. "El Scorcho," Weezer, since we are giggling like children anyway.  The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[58 min.] Topics!   Well, obviously. Yeah, we talk about it. Contractually obligated to you know. We end up talking about it three times in fact. That again. WOO That a third time. hardsell'd Fourth and three. Coinflip, don't like running the thing you just scored a touchdown on right before halftime right after halftime. The same story on defense. Hang in, can't quite do it, everyone's like "yeah I get that, good job anyway." A Kovacs appreciation. Godspeed, man who gives up no long touchdowns. Talking Big Ten with Jamiemac. Not really. I mean, we talk to him, mostly about the game and Nebraska-Iowa and Big Ten expansion and finally basketball, because we didn't want to leave everyone with more of a bad taste in their mouth that is necessary. STAUSKAS. He is my basketball Norfleet. DAN DAKICH + DORIS BURKE = AWESOME. I demand that this happens over and over again. GET A ROOM! ON MY TELEVISION! Music. "Can't Change Me," Lydia Loveless. She is from Columbus, 20, and just put out an album in which she sounds like a 40-year-old alcoholic. Recommended all around. "The Big Three Killed My Baby," The White Stripes. There needs to be a politics version of "no homo." No polo? No polo.   The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[1:01 in length.] Topics! DENARD YAYYYYYY. We are happy at each other.  DEVIN KIND OF GOOD. It is a nice thing as well.  HEIKO HOT DOG CONSUMPTION TECHNIQUE. Unusual. DEFENSE COULD HAVE COVERED THE TE A BIT BETTER. We'll take it, obviously.  FERENTZ ONSIDE KICK SERIOUSLY GUY? Just roll over and die instead of throwing your troops fruitlessly at the walls. TALKIN' BIG TEN WITH JAMIEMAC. A brief digression into Iowa's GLORIOUS FORTHCOMING VICTORY over Nebraska, then we split the rest of the time talking M-OSU and expansion.  SONGS.  "Helicopter," M. Ward. And an LCD Soundsystem/Miles Davis mashup a guy sent me on twitter. Sorry I can't find you, guy. Take credit in the comments! The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[54 minutes  in length..] Topics! LEZ GO CUMONG. Me and the Larrys, coexisting.  NORTHWESTERN REPORTER SAVAGES. Seriously! They were animals! RECEIVERS, GARDNER, INABILITY TO RUN, ETC. Just animals.  OH MY GOD, KENNY KILLED EVERYBODY. You ba--you magnificent creature you! MATTISON DIALING IT UP. Got a little spread 'n' shredded but finished like a boss.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING, JERRY KILL. Other than looking like a gopher.  [ed: I forgot to delete this but am now leaving it because seriously Jerry Kill you look like a Gopher so hard] TALKIN' BIG TEN WITH JAMIEMAC. There are still tickets available for Purdue-Illinois. Refereeing OUTRAGE! Iowa is terrible. Iowa is just so, so terrible.  SONGS.  "Hounds of Love," The Futureheads. "Ironclad," Sleater-Kinney. ( <--- sets new record for band that would be most horrified to find they had been used on a sports podcast) The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[1:07 in length..] Topics! I AM ON A PLANE RETURNING FROM MINNESOTA. I was yelling really loud but apparently not loud enough to be heard on this podcast. Ace and Heiko fill in for the bits where I'm too quiet to hear.  GARDNER: QB. Yes, it's true.  WHY IS NO CAN RUN It enrages the grammar out of us. JMFR. JMFR. SECONDARY WOBBLES A BIT. Still standing, though. DEFENSE IS ENTERING I HATE TO JINX IT LEVELS. You totally jinxed it, Heiko. WHAT ARE YOU DOING, JERRY KILL. Other than looking like a gopher.  TALKIN' BIG TEN WITH JAMIEMAC. Indiana's chances at making the Big Ten championship game come in for extensive discussion. Again. BIG TENNNN! SONGS.  "Prince Nez," Squirrel Nut Zippers. A commentary on QB controversy. "Fake Palindromes," Andrew Bird. A commentary on Jake Ryan.  The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[44 minutes in length... not much Big Ten to talk about this week.] Topics! I UNFAIRLY MALIGN ACE. Ace almost walks out! BELLOMY BLAME APPORTIONED. Fun fun fun fun. VARIOUS GRUNTY NOISES IN PLACE OF ANALYSIS BECAUSE WHAT IS THERE TO ANALYZE? DEFENSE STILL GRINDING. Pretty dang good you guys. TALKIN' BIG TEN WITH JAMIEMAC. Indiana's chances at making the Big Ten championship game come in for extensive discussion. BIG TENNNN! SONGS.  "Take Me Out," Franz Ferdinand. "O Valencia(!)," The Decemberists.  The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[1:02 in length] Topics! THEY WANT BOLLMAN. Srs. ACE ALMOST EXPLODED. I do not find any ROI in protecting other media members from this. WHAT IS UP WITH THE OFFENSE? We have no idea how well Denard did or did not play.  WHERE IS THE FUNCHESS GOAL LINE STUFF? Heiko asks. Nobody knows.  DEFENSE IS ALL RIGHT I GUESS, SAYS HEIKO. Heiko demands excellence.  SPECIAL TEAMS AND TALKING GAME THEORY BIT. Everything was pretty much okay; weekly punt coverage bitching. Brunettes.  TALKIN' BIG TEN WITH JAMIEMAC. Fear the McGloin. The other division is a pointless waste of time. This division will be as well if Michigan can take out Nebraska this weekend.  SONGS.  "Bobby Thompson," Lightning Love. "Blue Orchid," The White Stripes. "William, It Was Really Nothing", The Smiths (BOOOOOOM).  The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

[sorry this is late: had some technical issues.] Topics! I AM ESSENTIALLY BEAR GRYLLIS. My podcast compatriots are dainty things. Yes, compatriots: Ace and Heiko/Taylor tag team. GROUND AND POUND. Also pound and ground. Recycled from last week.  FUNCHESS HAD A BADASS CATCH. Recycled from last week, will be recycled next week. DEFENSE CRUSHES ALL COMERS. It's pretty cool.  RILEY TOOL. Second Big Ten passer efficiency BIG TENNN TALKIN' BIG TEN WITH JAMIEMAC. Boilermania... eh... dead. Ohio State's defense... wat. Michigan versus Michigan State... feeling pretty good this time around.  SONGS.  "Freedom at 21," Jack White. "Black Cadillacs," Modest Mouse. The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

Topics! ACE YOU'RE SEEMING ACEXCEPTIONALLY ACEY THIS ACE DAY. What do you mean, "I'm Heiko"? I've never heard of such nonsense. GROUND AND POUND. Also pound and ground.  ACE MAKES ME FEEL SAD FOR MISPRONOUNCING THINGS. STOP CALLING YOURSELF HEIKO FUNCHESS HAD A BADASS CATCH. Yup.  I KNOW WE NO CAN RB RUN. How why guesses but no answers.  OH SO DEFENSE. How does it happen? TALKIN' BIG TEN WITH JAMIEMAC. One more week I hang on to Boilermania. Also, the rest of the league is not as good as you may have been led to expect by 1970.  SONGS.  "Sons and Daughers of Hungry Ghosts," Wolf Parade. "Baby Caught The Bus," Clairy Browne and the Bangin' Rackettes. Who are Australian, surprisingly.  The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?

Topics! WHAT WAS THAT? It warn't good'n, I tell ya. DEBACLE COUNT. It's really high.  What's going on, man. ZOMBIE ACE IS ZOMBIE ACE. I but he does bring up the Vincent Smith halfback pass call. LLOYDBALL. I take it all back, Lloydball. PAPER RUSTLING. Record. Record paper rustling.  DEFENSE! That was pretty awesome. Maybe ND can't move the ball that well but any way you slice it it's encouraging.  DOES QUINTON WASHINGTON HAVE ARMS? I say yes. Ace says no.  DEFENSIVE LINE DOING THINGS. Linebackers moving as a result.  HEIKO SLEEPING IN THE BACKSEAT. Where you at, Heiko? TALKIN' BIG TEN WITH JAMIEMAC. He still won't concede Purdue as the favorite in whatever the other division is. Also discussion of the Illinois loss to Louisiana Tech descends into manic laughter.  SONGS.  "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," Monty Python. "Panic," The Smiths. I must have used this before but Google didn't think I did. Surely I must have though. Surely.  The usual links: Helpful iTunes subscribe link General podcast feed link Direct download link What's with the theme music?