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Writer's picturemitchsmi

Week 2 - The little things

Updated: Nov 2, 2018

Another week has passed. Here's the standings:


1st: Mitch (12-7)

2nd(tied): Alexx/Pete (11-8)

2nd(tied): Mar/Dan (11-8)

4th: Sue/Garry (10-9)

5th: Madison/Chuck (9-10)


Overall, we all did better this week. Alexx/Pete posted an impressive 8-2(!) record for picks this week, gaining 5 more correct picks than the week before. Although they are still just below .500 for the season, Madison/Chuck also improved by 5 picks from week 1. Looks like my thoughts from week 1 are already working out for the best. Steady improvement. One day, the galaxy will be ours. Before then, a quick reflection on Michigan's week 2 performance.


There is a story of an emperor I wanted to tell, and you may have heard it before. I'm not sure if it is history or more of a parable. The emperor seeked to learn an absolute truth and offered a fortune to anyone who could provide a statement that is equally true in good times and bad. After many attempts, some wise soul provided the emperor with such a statement: 'This too shall pass'.


The pain of the loss to Notre Dame surely lingers, but it gets less and less as time goes on. Last week I told you to look forward in the face of adversity. This week I say enjoy the present. The Wolverines victory over the Broncos on Saturday will likely be little remembered years from now, but on that day it was jolly good fun. Do not take for granted the moments when your team is achieving at a high level. Try to soak in the little moments that make wins and life worth the effort. Let me just share with you the little moments I adored in a minute or so of highlights from that game. Watch from when the clip starts to Higdon's long touchdown (3 plays total)


Starting with #22 Higdon's first long run, the little moments of joy I had:

- #42 Ben Mason blocks two players at once like they were bowling pins.

- #80 Oliver Martin frantically trying to block/impede the last defender.

- Poor #3 from Western, between Martin's annoyance and Higdon's cuts he never had a chance. Without #23 catching Higdon from behind, this would've been a TD.


Next is #2 Patterson's nice play action pass to #84 McKeon:

- Patterson goes to tell McKeon 'Nice job'. After deliberation, the referees change the call to a TD. Patterson notices before McKeon and is just so excited, and McKeon gets this big stupid grin.

- They review the replay of course, and when the referee informs us that they call stands, he pauses slightly. "The ruling on the field...stands". I don't know why but I get a kick out of this.


Finally, another long run from Higdon for a TD:

- Bless his heart, #51 Ruiz wanted to block someone in the hole for Higdon, but everything else went so well there is no one to block. He runs for a bit but we quickly see why he is a lineman and Higdon a halfback. Higdon even has to cut around Ruiz to make it to the edge fast enough to evade the last man.


You've been invited to make your picks for week 3. A few notes on these picks:


- Not too many good college football games this week, which has led to two developments. First, there are some games to pick from this week that I normally wouldn't choose. I'm looking at you, Duke-Baylor and FSU-Syracuse. Second, we have our first non-college football picks to make. On Sunday, Tom Brady and the Patriots visit Blake Bortles and the Jaguars in a rematch of the AFC Championship Game. On Saturday, before football kicks off, Liverpool visits Tottenham in the English Premier League. That's soccer, by the way. This pick requires its own bullet point.


- Liverpool and Tottenham are two of the best 3 teams in the EPL right now. They are legitimate threats to Manchester City in the title race, and City had (probably) the best season ever last year. Both Liverpool (4 wins in 4) and Tottenham (3 wins in 4) have started strong. They also have maintained much of the same team as last year, especially in Tottenham's case (they were the first team not to acquire any new players in almost 30 years). While technically at home, Tottenham is renting Wembley while their new stadium is finished. Either way, its better than traveling to Liverpool's famous stadium Anfield, regarded as one of the toughest places to play in the world. Liverpool has a world renowned manager (Jurgen Klopp) and England's reigning player of the year (Mo Salah). Tottenham features some of the best performers from the World Cup: England's Harry Kane, France's Hugo Lloris, and both of Belgium's central defenders. If you are up that early, give this game a chance. Both teams are highly skilled and favor highly attacking styles, especially Liverpool. It may be a little unfair of me to include this pick given my interest. Well I'm the commisioner so deal with it. But seriously, to help you guys out I'll just tell you my pick. It's not final, but I'm leaning towards Spurs (Tottenham's nickname). If the game ends in a draw I throw this one out.


Good luck and enjoy the little things.


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