Punt-Counterpunt: Alabama 2012
Something's been missing from Michigan gamedays since the free programs ceased being economically viable: scientific gameday predictions that are not at all preordained by the strictures of a column in which one writer takes a positive tack and the other a negative one. Something like… Punt-Counterpunt.
PUNT
By Ken “Sky” Walker
Michigan-Alabama Cowboy Classic
9/1/12
Punt/Counterpunt are together again for another go-round. The last time I wrote for this column, Lloyd Carr was still head coach of the Wolverines. I’ll count as a blessing that I didn’t have to write during the dark days of Michigan football. Bet you never thought you’d be more glad to be rid of “he who we shall not name” than that old curmudgeon Lloyd, did you?
I wanted to thank Brian for giving Nick and I another opportunity to voice our opinions, but I’m having second thoughts about doing this again. I’m finding it difficult to get excited about cranking this out every week, having a deadline, dealing with Counterpunt—it’s too much like work.
Actually dealing with Counterpunt is probably more like babysitting a spoiled child. They never know what they want, they make unreasonable demands and you can’t satisfy them no matter what you do.
Take this Michigan/Alabama game. How long have we known this was scheduled? Did you make any arrangements for attending it—tickets, air or hotel reservations? Noooo—but who decides last night while quaffing his fruity, hoppy brew ski that we just had to go on a 1200 mile road trip, leaving in the next five hours? I might have downed a few vodka tonics by then, but at least I know what’s feasible and what isn’t.
A feat that can be accomplished is Blue beating ‘Bama. First game of the season is the perfect time to play them. Coach Hoke and defensive coordinator Mattison have had eight months to game plan for this one. We’ll have the second coming of Megatron, when Devin Gardner lines up at wide receiver – which DB on Tide defense is going to cover him? And then there’s Denard. If you don’t have faith in what this kid can do by now, then you’ll just be a nonbeliever forever.
It should be obvious to all that my column-mate has issues. The man calls Bama’s coach Nick “Satan” for god sakes. Didn’t anyone ever tell Counter-runt to stay away from the red kool-aid? Nick stockpiles the talent and then just overwhelms you. Nothing special about the offense, just run it down his opponent’s throat until they choke. Remind you of anyone we used to know?
Maybe the Satanist is right. We should have made the effort to take in this road show. I have a feeling “The Denard Robinson Experience”, is going to play just fine in Dallas.
Michigan 31, Alabama 28
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COUNTERPUNT
By Nick RouMel
Michigan-Alabama Cowboy Classic
9/1/12
Many thanks to MGoBlog for bringing Punt/Counterpunt out of retirement. While I was easy enough to track down, Punt was a challenge. He was eventually found living in a hut along the Mekong Delta, wearing a bathrobe with fuzzy slippers, with a vodka tonic and a Swedish K at his side. He was raving, but Brian promised him a bath and a visit to the set of “American Guns,” and he was persuaded to return and resume his column.
While one might surmise that such a Kaczynski-like hermit would be fearsome, Punt is actually quite the chicken. “Pawk, pawk!” I taunted him when he revealed he would be choosing Michigan in the Cowboy Classic. “So you don’t want anyone to question your right to wear your Sam McGuffie UM jersey?” Punt wouldn’t pick against Michigan even if they were playing, oh, say, Appalachian State.
Punt and I do share excitement about the Cowboy Classic, but not enough for him to actually attend. I told him I’d be at his door at 5 AM on Friday for the 19 hour drive to the Republic of Texas. I argued that by the time his death bed rolls around, he’d have more regrets about missing this grudge match with Nick Satan. But Punt stood firm, so we’re watching on the big screen.
Unfortunately, I do not share my friend’s optimism about this weekend’s matchup. Satan commands a reverential buzz these days. While at MSU he was barely able to put up Denny Stoltz-like numbers, in the hotter climes of the southern US, he has three national championships, two with Alabama.
Not even the antics of his devilish daughter can distract Satan from his evil mission. Kristen Saban, an Alabama co-ed, is now facing a lawsuit from fellow student Sarah Grimes. Sarah claims that after the younger Satan posted on her Facebook page, "No one likes Sarah! Yayyyyy!" she confronted Kristen to remove the post - but Kristen responded by pulverizing her. Just like her daddy teaches the Alabama defense.
It is that very defense that is now salivating for the opportunity to pulverize Denard & Co. Punt sees a glimmer of hope because Satan has lost a few of his minions to the NFL, but he seems to forget that Satan has more henchmen than the Wicked Witch. Yes, I fear that the good guys are going to get our winged helmets handed to us by the winged monkeys.
Evil prevails. Satan dances in his cloven hooves, his forked tail twitching with glee.
ALABAMA 24, MICHIGAN 14
September 1st, 2012 at 11:35 AM ^
I loved this column when it was in the Michigan Football Guide.
September 1st, 2012 at 11:39 AM ^
Me too! I am excited to see this back, what a great reminder of football Saturdays at the Big House.
September 1st, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^
September 1st, 2012 at 11:44 AM ^
September 1st, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
"If you don’t have faith in what this kid can do by now, then you’ll just be a nonbeliever forever."
September 1st, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^
September 1st, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^
#Haloscan era
Good times.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:03 PM ^
Oh, how I missed this column! Those free programs were great. They gave you just enough reading material to get through halftime.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:14 PM ^
We called 'em "shitty freebies" but I always grabbed one and went straight to the back to read Punt/CounterPunt!
September 1st, 2012 at 12:16 PM ^
As an out of state student who didn't start school until 2007, I have no idea what is being referenced, but am elated that I found out about Kristen Saban's beat-down.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:24 PM ^
September 1st, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^
Brian, you have done a useful public service. Thank you, long live Punt-Counterpunt
September 1st, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
Brian has done a lot of things right with this blog, but this may be my favorite. Thanks to all involved for bringing back an underrated piece of past gameday experiences.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:16 PM ^
Remember this column. Fun piece for the blog.
Kinda coulda done without the veiled RR cheap shot from Walker. Those are the kind of attitudes that divided the community to begin with.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:39 PM ^
September 1st, 2012 at 1:35 PM ^
I always enjoyed reading you before the games on Saturday. It is good to see that this blog values you both, as well! I look forward to your future writings/ramblings!
September 1st, 2012 at 1:40 PM ^
awesome, brian. awesome. you need to put the beveled guilt button back.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:48 PM ^
I'm a student again reading Punt/Counterpunt as I round the corner on Hoover heading to the Big House. What a treat. Even more ammunition to get me bouncing off the walls before kickoff. GO BLUE!!! BEAT BAMA!!!
September 1st, 2012 at 1:50 PM ^
September 1st, 2012 at 1:59 PM ^
I don't know what this is, but there was a definite lack of posting this week* so this helps!
* Kidding, for the inevitable broken-sarcasm-detector people.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:59 PM ^
I like Punt's prediction. Hope he's right.
September 1st, 2012 at 2:13 PM ^
Ticket available for tonight's game for MGo Blogger who will use ticket: sec 249 row 10 for face $175; [email protected]. I'm in Dallas
September 1st, 2012 at 2:34 PM ^
For early-90's verisimilitude, I'm going to print this column and then rip it into tiny pieces for touchdown confetti.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:00 PM ^
So glad this is part of mgoblog now.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:16 PM ^
Great reading and glad to see it again. Over the years, who has been the most accurate picking the outcome? I hope Punt!
September 1st, 2012 at 3:31 PM ^
September 1st, 2012 at 4:55 PM ^
YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!
The best blog just got better.
September 1st, 2012 at 4:55 PM ^
Literally brought me back to my childhood.
Used to look forward to these articles every week when my grandparents took me to the game weekly.
Great stuff!
September 1st, 2012 at 6:12 PM ^
my creepy uncle used to look forward to the strip club advertisements.
September 1st, 2012 at 6:53 PM ^
I've been gone from AA long enough that I didn't know that the free-pre game programs are a thing of the past. I always loved them. I've read Punt -Counterpunt dozens of times sitting in section 4 waiting for kickoff. See it revived here on MGOBLOG almost transports me right back to Michgian Stadium. Thanks!
September 1st, 2012 at 6:56 PM ^
And welcome back, Punt-Counterpunt! Missed you guys!
Hopefully this is not a one-off deal.
Only thing that could have made this entry better is if Brian could have found some of those awesome old paintings that used to grace the cover of the free rags.
September 1st, 2012 at 7:41 PM ^
September 1st, 2012 at 7:57 PM ^
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