Duke of Data Blog

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Morals of a Muckraker: Dan Moldea Tracks Down Peccadilloes of the Powerful Like the News Hound He Is. He Says It's on Principle.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Kernel of Evil - Selling weapons to the Saudis is logical. But is it wise?

Take it from this old KGB hand: The left is abetting America's enemies with its intemperate attacks on President Bush.

All Piper Seminar Audio Now Online

Every two years John Piper completes a rotation of weekend seminars on different aspects of Christian doctrine and practice. These seminars include:

The audio for each of these seminars is now online. Complete course notes are also available so that you can follow along.

Gospel Riches: Africa's rapid embrace of prosperity Pentecostalism provokes concern--and hope.

Monday, August 06, 2007

Director Builds Center With Imagination, Collaboration

Federal Times: Scott Redd - Imagination, collaboration keys to counterterrorism

John Scott Redd, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret.), and Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, photographed July 13, 2007, at the Liberty Crossing Building in Northern Virginia.

M. Scott Mahaskey/ Staff

Saturday, August 04, 2007

The Ugly Truth About Canadian Health Care

In the Heart of Freedom, in Chains: Elite hypocrisy, gangsta culture, and failure in black America

Can Michigan really live up to lofty preseason hype?

At Big Ten Media Days, Michigan boasted a pair of Heisman Trophy candidates in Mike Hart (right) and Chad Henne.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Lessons Learned from U2 for Leading Worship

The Mercies of God and the Transformed Christian Mind

This series on Romans 12-13--titled The Mercies of God and the Transformed Christian Mind--was given just this past weekend at the Billy Graham Training Center (aka The Cove) in Asheville, NC.

Below are the links to John Piper's full audio presentationalong with notes taken during each session.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Sunday, July 29, 2007

As August nears, the heat is rising on and off the practice field for coaches across the country. Michigan's Lloyd Carr may be one of college football's best but the heat in Ann Arbor is rising with every loss to Ohio State.

Ann Arbor, Mich. (Uncomfortable): Lloyd Carr, one of the most unappreciated coaches in the country, could get the last laugh with a loaded offense and a schedule that brings most of the heavyweight opponents to Michigan Stadium. However, the temperature won't fall in Ann Arbor until Ohio State does.

Buckeyes the blueprint?

I think Michigan is this year's Ohio State. They have arguably the best offense in the country, which includes four possible All-Americans. That's similar or better than what Ohio State had last year.

The Wolverines lost a lot of their defense. The only big differences are that Michigan seems to have better skill players and offensive linemen than last year's Buckeyes. I know Chad Henne is no Troy Smith, but with receivers like (Mario) Manningham and (Adrian) Arrington to throw to he should have a great season. If this is the case, then why aren't the Wolverines rated at least in the top three?

— Ethan in Ann Arbor
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The comparison of this year's Michigan to last year's Ohio State is one that's been repeated throughout the offseason, and appears to be legitimate. However, I'm not sure Michigan has better skill players than Ohio State did unless you're comparing Michigan running back Mike Hart to Ohio State's Antonio Pittman - I'd give you that one.



Mike Hart is definitely one of the best in the Big Ten.

However, I think I'd take Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez as a pair over Manningham and Arrington.

My personal apprehension about Michigan stems from the poor pass defense which was exploited in season-ending losses to Ohio State and Southern California. As you mentioned, that defense is now without CB Leon Hall, DE LaMarr Woodley, DT Alan Branch and LB David Harris, who were all taken in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.

Can we expect Michigan's defense to be better without them?

However, it did work out when Ohio State lost nine starters - including three first-round draft choices.

Ron English is a sharp defensive coordinator, and there is no reason CB Morgan Trent, S Stevie Brown and DE Tim Jamison can't raise their performance level the way so many Ohio State players did a year ago.

However, they had better do it quickly. Michigan plays Oregon, Notre Dame and Penn State in September. If the defense's problems haven't been ironed out, the Wolverines' national championship hopes could come to a quick end.

That isn't likely, though. We have Michigan fourth in the Rivals.com preseason rankings because of its powerful offense and the fact that most of the Wolverines' marquee games will be played in Ann Arbor.

Michigan #4 in Rivals.com preseason poll

National-championship aspirations are always discussed in Ann Arbor, though not always with as much fervor as this year. The offense is explosive and exciting and the schedule calls for Oregon, Notre Dame, Penn State and Ohio State to visit Michigan Stadium. There are some reasons for apprehension – a rebuilt defense, a new kicker and a road trip to Wisconsin, one of the few teams that can match up with Michigan physically. But overall, the Wolverines are expecting a double-digit victory total and maybe a trip to New Orleans for the BCS national championship game. At the very least, they're counting on reaching the Rose Bowl. Anything less equals disappointment.

Jake Long is a dominant force up front for the Wolverines.

Michigan Schedule
Date	Opponent
Sept. 1	Appalachian State
Sept. 8	Oregon
Sept. 15	Notre Dame
Sept. 22	Penn State
Sept. 29	at Northwestern
Oct. 6	Eastern Michigan
Oct. 13	Purdue
Oct. 20	at Illinois
Oct. 27	Minnesota
Nov. 3	at Michigan State
Nov. 10	at Wisconsin
Nov. 17	Ohio State