Ralph_Wiggum

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Mexican War,

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There was considerable opposition to the Mexican-American War by Northern States and abolitionists. It was seen by many as a war to spread slavery.

When you look at ratings, Michigan State and Indiana State is still the most watched college basketball game in history.

The potential is there. With so many good athletes in Southern California they could return to glory in FB and even baseball if they built a new stadium. I know many think because of their high Asian American student population they don't "care" about sports, but that is changing. When you are talking about second and third generation immigrants and beyond sports become important. I'm sure first generation Jewish, Italian, and Irish immigrants didn't pay that much attention to sports, but you'd be surprised at how many kids with Jewish, Italian, Irish and other heritages really, really give a shite about Michigan football and sports.

The hate started with Christian Laettner and Bobby Hurley, but it was not the total hate we see now. A lot people were thankful they beat the Fab Five. Then Coach K was seen as building a model program, but through time it appears that Duke was not just a good school with a great basketball program, it became a good school with entitled fans, a fawning media backing and covering everything up for them.

He's come a long way from monitoring study hall for athletes in Coates Hall.

I don't think its hate of Purdue. It's just that they have been overshadowed by other Big Ten programs. Ok, three Final Fours compared to MSU with 10 (2 National Titles), Ohio State with 10 (1 Title) Indiana with 8 (5 Titles), and Michigan with 6 (1 Title). These final fours and national championships have been through decades. MSU has final fours in the 1950s, 1970s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s. Indian under Branch McCracken and Bobby Knight have 5 titles in the 1940s, 1950s, 1970s and 1980s.

How many does Purdue have?

Gene Keady was well respected by his peers. Purdue basketball is easy to dislike. They have huge chips on their shoulders. They have the most Big Ten regular season championships, the school of John Wooden, and yet they are completely overshadowed by Indiana, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State and now UCLA. Purdue has zero final fours in school history and yet we are led to believe that Rick Mount is like Magic Johnson by them.

You youngsters may recall a LB for the Saints named Pat Swilling. He signed after a trade to Detroit under the condition that the Lions un retire a number. He wanted number 56, but the Lions retired it since it belonged to Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt who was on the last Lions team to win a NFL championship and had a winning record as a coach for them. He's considered either the greatest or second or third greatest Lion after Bobby Layne or Barry Sanders. He is regarded as one of the best linebackers who ever played.

Swilling wanted 56. Joe Schmidt was okay with him having the number. Joe was the ultimate Lion. Many Lions fans were outraged, but Joe Schmidt was okay with it. No one has ever worn 56 for the Lions since and his jersey still hangs in Ford Field. Swilling never won a playoff game and is forgotten in the annals of NFL history. Joe Schmidt who died not too long ago is still remembered as one of the greatest. Joe was a classy and humble guy who will always be 56 for the Lions.

The dynamic between the directional or hyphenated schools with the larger schools is an interesting dynamic in most states. Some of the smaller schools root for the big state school and some don't.

He'll be fine. He's sixty-four. I'm sure he's got some nice retirement funds like IRA or pensions or 401K and he can collect social security and go on Medicare soon and just pay for supplemental insurance which I'm sure he can afford.

He can also become a consultant in higher education and make some money.

Back when ESPN showed PKA full contact karate and sprint cars during primetime and SportsCenter was all they had his gimmick was cool. He used to host SportsCenter with Tom Mees and Bob Ley and when you had no reason to watch ESPN except for SportsCenter and if you really liked fast pitch softball he was good. But, the graduate of Brown University who got fat lost his charm two decades ago.