McGuffie, Other News

So...Sam McGuffie was absent from the annual football banquet held last night in Livonia. Also missing were DE Carson Butler and RB Avery Horn. And while no one was able to give any reason why these players were not present, it is clear McGuffie is the most noteworthy.

Now, you might be asking yourself...why is Michigan having a banquet in the first place?

Insert funny anecdote about our 3-9 season here.

So we know there are a lot of rumors swirling around about not only McGuffie's loyalty to this team, but whether or not he even wants to be this far away from his home in Texas. Rodriguez has been consistently saying that McGuffie is definitely coming back next season. He may be trying to downplay a bad situation, and just telling the press what he wants them to hear. Or, there may be something to this news.

Back in November before the tOSU game, I downplayed this as mere speculation. And I'll stand by that. But the fact that this story isn't going away...and that McGuffie isn't saying anything public is rather troubling.

Speaking of football banquet, various awards were given out last night. Among the recipients were DE Brandon Graham who took home the 2008 Schembechler MVP Award. This award was voted on by his teammates.

DT Will Johnson took home the Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award for basically being the smartest senior on the team. He was also smart enough to be selected to the All-Big Ten Academic Team 4 years in a row, one of only 6 in school history.

TE Mike Massey was given the Robert P. Ufer Award for demonstrating the most enthusiasm and love for Michigan. Given how things went this year, this award means a little more than it typically does most other seasons.

And, DE Tim Jamison was awarded the worst named award in the world...the Dick Katcher Award. I mean, seriously?! This award is given to the most outstanding defensive lineman or outside linebacker. Maybe next year they should consider renaming it the Richard Katcher Award.

LB Obi Ezeh took home the Roger ZatKoff Award for being voted the teams best linebacker.

And finally, OL Stephen Schilling took home the Hugh H. Rader, Jr. Memorial Award for best offensive lineman

In other news, Michigan 2009 schedule is shaping up. And it looks as follows...

Sept. 5	WESTERN MICHIGAN
Sept. 12	NOTRE DAME
Sept. 19	EASTERN MICHIGAN
Sept. 26	INDIANA* (HC)
Oct. 3	at Michigan State*
Oct. 10	at Iowa*
Oct. 17	Open
Oct. 24	PENN STATE*
Oct. 31	at Illinois*
Nov. 7	PURDUE*
Nov. 14	at Wisconsin*
Nov. 21	OHIO STATE*

Still up in the air is the Oct. 17 date. That will surely be a home game against some sort of lesser opponent. Just please no FCS schools Mr. Martin. I'm tired of seeing the blocked FG against Appy State highlights. Odds are it will be a western team such as a Utah or some sort of equivalent. But it will be our 8th home game for 2009.

And lastly, a couple weeks ago Rodriguez predicted a 2009 recruiting class of 20-23. But now he's expecting to sign a full class of 25 members when signing day arrives.