And The Winner Is...

 

It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time for another week of college football games. Even if only one of the Associated Press Top 25 teams is playing today, it looks like a slow week in the college football game. The top teams will most likely stay in their current rankings unless an upset happens. But let’s take a look at how the some of these teams are stacking up as of now.

 

Since we are Michigan students, it’s important to take a look at our states team first.

University of Michigan

Even after the devastating loss against Michigan State two Saturdays ago, Wolverine fans are excited to see how Jim Harbaugh has changed the culture in Ann Arbor. Or should I call it Ann Harbaugh. This week the U of M Wolverines look to play against a struggling Minnesota Golden Gophers and winning the Little Brown Jug trophy. Minnesota has lost their head coach, Jerry Kill, after announcing his retirement due to his medical condition of chronic seizures. The Golden Gophers will have to adapt to a new coach. Maybe a new coach in Minneapolis will help the Golden Gophers, who are 4-3 against only two top 25 teams, like it has helped the University of Michigan.

Michigan State University

This week the Spartans of Michigan State under the leadership of Mark Dantonio have a bye. A week off to rest up before playing the Nebraska Cornhuskers next Saturday. The Spartans are currently ranked number six on the Associated Press Poll. Due to a bye week they will most likely keep their ranking before the game against Nebraska. The rivalry between Michigan State and University of Michigan has been heating up this year. As Michigan continues to play well and Michigan States defense takes some hits, I see Michigan being on top of MSU at the end of the season in the rankings. But this is from a partial Wolverine fan!

Ohio State University

As a new Columbus, Ohio resident, it is unbelievable how one state, not just the state, rallies behind a college football team. Around every corner of this city there is a sign or an article of clothing. The Buckeye’s football team that has been dominate since winning the National Championship last season. But coach Urban Meyer’s indecision on who should play quarterback of the team has been its Achilles heel. Also a defense that has played inconsistently for the majority of the season doesn’t seem to helping their cause. OSU has a bye this week, in turn will retain the rank of the number one overall team in the nation.

So as it is midway through the season, who will be winning the national championship this season?! Who will win the big games this week?! Here is SB Nations predictions for week 9 of NCAA college football.

BEER, BEER EVERYWHERE... SO MANY DROPS TO DRINK!

Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light…who needs them. The craft beer movement is on the rise here in the United States. The great state of Michigan has provided the country with amazing craft beer. However the process of making these delicious concoctions is a difficult process. So let’s take a walk down the brewing process lane.

 

Beer typically has 4 main ingredients, water, barley, and yeast and hops. Sounds simply enough, right? But that’s just the beginning. The brewer beings by taking the malted grains after the milling process (the process of grinding the grains) and adding hot water then placing it into a churn to make a mash. The hot water allows the enzymes from the starches turn into sugar.

Once this process stops and the starches have turned into the sugars, the lautering begins. Transferring the mash into a new vessel to separate the wort (the sugary liquid). More water is added during this stage to ferment more sugars from the wort.

The sweet wort is then boiled to for a couple hours while the hops are added. There are many different types of hops from all over the world. This ingredient gives the beer its individual taste. The last couple minutes more hops are added to give the beer its distinct smell.

The final step is to let the mixture ferment and turn into alcohol. This begins by cooling down wort and transferring it to a fermenting vessel. At this point the brewer needs to decide if they will make an ale or lager. Ales are fermented at a higher temperature than lagers.  The fully fermented alcohol is placed in a conditioning cask to fully cool then on to packaging.

This is a very simplified explanation of the whole process but the end result is the best part… Delicious craft beer.

Beer U is a great source of information on the craft beer world.

 

My Favorite Detroit Sports Athletes.... Then and Now.

 

Detroit has had a rich history of professional athletes come through our city. From hockey to football to baseball, there has been an all-star in every one. The city of Detroit has been blessed to have a great professional sports tradition (yes, even the Detroit Lions!) for the fans. The Detroit Red Wings are on a 24 year playoff appearance streak, Migel Cabrera has won the American League batting title three years in a row, and Calvin Johnson has reached many records in his time with the Detroit Lions.

Looking at the past and present, who has been the most influential athletes in the three professional sports in the city limits of Detroit?

THEN….

Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe started his professional career in Detroit in 1946 and continued to play for the Red Wings for 32 years. His many accomplishments included most points until Wayne Gretzky came along and winnings six MVP awards and six scoring championships. He is still considered to be Mr. Hockey throughout the hockey world… He even has a hat trick named after him (a goal, an assist, and a fight in one game).

Barry Sanders

If you live in Detroit or a fan of the Detroit Lions, it’s a love hate relationship with the Detroit Lions. However, in 1989 the Detroit Lions drafted Barry Sanders in the 3^rd round of the NFL draft. This pick brought a shining light for Detroit Lions fans. Even though the Lions did not make the playoffs or win a championship, Barry Sanders is considered to be one of the top running backs in the NFL history.

Alan Trammel

Alan Trammel gave the Detroit Tigers its first MLB World Series Championship in 1984, the first since 1968. He was awarded many Gold Glove Awards and slugging awards. “Tram,” as his teammates called him, was with the Tigers from 1977 to 1996. He continues to work the Tigers organization in a front office role.

NOW…

Pavel Datsyuk

The legends of the Detroit Red Wings has been a long one … Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsey, Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom. However, the star on the ice from the current roster is none other than Pavel Datsyuk. His ability to allude players with is dekes with the puck has given him the nickname, “The Magic Man.” Datsyuk started his career in Detroit in 2002 and continues as the alternate captain for the current team. He has accolades that include 3 consecutives Selke Trophy (best forward defensemen) and 4 consecutive Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for his sportsmanship. Injuries have plagued him in recent years but continues to be the favorite of many fans in Hockeytown.

Calvin Johnson

If anyone watched the Detroit Lions football game on Sunday against the Cardinals, it is safe to say that it may be a season of the “same old Lions.” But the in recent years there has been a silver lining for the Detroit Lions fans to watch, Calvin Johnson. His enormous frame, standing six foot five inches, and ability to make catches the everyday football player attempts to make has given him the name “Megatron.” His records in the entire NFL include first NFL player in history to have consecutive seasons with at least 1,600 yards receiving and fastest to 10,000 NFL receiving yards, to name a few.

Miguel Cabrera

Like the Lions, the Detroit Tigers fans are loyal in their own right. The many years of disappointment came to a halt in 2012 when they won the ALCS in the World Series. This was due in part to the amazing hitting of Migel Cabrera. This was also the year that he won the Triple Crown (best in the American League in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in). This was the first time the Triple Crown has been won in 45 years. As the Tigers provided the fans with a lack luster year in 2015, Migel Cabrera continued to show his excellence by having the best batting average in the American League.

 

This video from YouTube.com made me smile with the great history of Detroit Sports.