Wolverines Drop from Top 25

After starting the Big Ten season with a loss to Wisconsin and then following up with a win against the Illini, the Michigan Wolverines have dropped from the Top 25 after being previously ranked #24 against Wisconsin two games ago.

The Wolverines are now 11-3, 1-1 Big Ten and have dropped three spots to the No. 26 rank in the nation.

Michigan will soon have a chance to get back into the Top 25 though, as three of their next four games are against highly ranked opponents: Indiana (184), Iowa (48), Illinois (19) and Ohio State (16).

Billick Not Interested in Lions?

From Tom Kowalski of MLive.com

"This is a rumor that just won't die. It is now being reported that Brian Billick has been contacted by the Detroit Lions in connection with their head coaching job but my information continues to be that Billick is not a candidate.

The Lions recently had a couple of interviews with candidates, including Steve Spagnuolo (Giants defensive coordinator) and Jim Schwartz (Titans defensive coordinator).

The Lions are expected to have several more interviews this week, including Mike Mularkey (Falcons offensive coordinator), Leslie Frazier (Vikings defensive coordinator) and Todd Bowles (Miami assistant head coach/secondary coach).

The Lions might also be interested in interviewing Rex Ryan (Ravens defensive coordinator)."

... And I don't blame him, why would anyone who has a perfectly good life going for themselves want to ruin that by joining a hapless organization like the Detroit Lions?

Millen Takes Responsibility for Lions Losing Ways

Ex-Lions GM Matt Millen appeared on NBC's NFL pre-game show on Saturday and among many things said that he should receive all the blame for the team's 0-16 season. The Detroit News captured a few highlights of the interview below...

The Detroit News, January 3: "Completely responsible," he said. "I mean, you were head of football operations, you throw it back on me. You can say something about the coaching, you can say something about the players. But inevitably, I'm responsible for them. And so I'm completely responsible for it in my mind."

And he admitted it was tough to watch the last few months.

"Oh, it was brutal," Millen said. "Obviously, knowing everybody up there and being so intimate and knowing (and) understanding the detail and watching it unfold, it was probably harder watching it from home than it was when you're up there. Because at least when you're up there, you have some interaction. At home, you're just sitting

Do a Little Dance...

Rey Maualuga, star linebacker of the USC Trojans snuck up behind sideline reporter Erin Andrews for a little victory dance after dominating Penn State in the Rose Bowl.

Cass Tech Standout to Join Wolverines

Detroit Cass Tech Defensive Line standout, Will Campbell originally committed to the University of Michigan and then dropped his commitment to the football team in early September to consider other options, which turned out to be LSU and Miami.

However, late in the third quarter of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Campbell finally made his decision of where he intends to enroll. With hats from LSU, Miami and Michigan laid on a table in front of him, Campbell picked up the Michigan hat and put it on his head. The 6-foot-5-inch, 310-pound Campbell, who played at Detroit's Cass Tech High School, has said he intends to enroll in college for the winter semester.

Rivals.com ranks Campbell as its No. 25 player overall nationally, and its No. 4 defensive tackle.

This commitment should help ease the sting of the recent decommitment of Shavodrick Beaver. Beaver, who decided to attend Tulsa rather than Michigan, is one of several Michigan recruits who changed their minds about coming to Ann Arbor after a poor 2008 season.

Golden Grizzlies Drop Summit Pre Season Favorites

The Oakland University Golden Grizzlies beat pre-season Summit League favorite North Dakota State at the O'Rena on Friday, 77-76. OU was down by two points with just 23 seconds left, when long distance sharp shooter Erik Kangas came off a screen and nailed the game winning 3-pointer with five seconds left to give Oakland the "W".

"What a shot," said OU Head Coach Greg Kampe "Finally at the end, during the last five minutes, I thought, well, we might as well give him that five minutes and see what he can do. His being on the floor helps us. The reality of it is we won against the preseason favorite in the league, a very good team."

Keith Benson led the Golden Grizzlies with 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Freshman Drew Maynard kicked in 15 points while junior Jonathon Jones scored 13 points which put him over 1,000 points for his career.

With the win the Golden Grizzlies improve to 3-1 in league play and 9-7 overall.

Tom Lewand, Please Stop Talking

In case you missed the Detroit Lions press conference on Tuesday, here are some great quotes from Tom Lewand, who apparently hasn't been paying any attention to the happenings and roster moves in the NFL recently...

While explaining the flexibility that coaches must have when entering an organization where things already are being done a certain way, Lewand had the following insights to share:

According to Tom Lewand, Pittsburgh Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin came to Pittsburgh not from Minnesota, but from Tampa Bay. Ummm that would be false.

Also, Lewand commented that the Steelers allowed “Greg Lloyd” to sign with Miami. I believe Tom meant Joey Porter, as Greg Lloyd has been out of the league since 1998!!!

Lastily, Lewand proclaimed that the Falcons’ only significant free-agent acquisition this year was “Michael Bennett.” Hmmm... how about Michael Turner, their star running back? I mean he is ONLY a pro bowl reserve this year. No big deal I guess.

Can someone please keep Lewand away from the microphone from here on out?