There is a lot of gray area in life. We all know that.
But with some things, there is no middle ground. It is either right or it is wrong.
And it is decidedly wrong for ABC/ESPN to subject this state to former Lions' team president Matt Millen as an analyst for the Michigan-Notre Dame game in Ann Arbor.
It's not just because of Millen's woeful track record as the Lions' chief executive, but also because of the flip comments he made earlier this year, sarcastically claiming he was blamed for the Kwame Kilpatrick scandal and the auto industry's woes.
ESPN/ABC has many, many analysts to choose from for this game. Why must they subject the people of this state to Millen? It's like cramming a worst nightmare down the state's throat. Can't he do the Wyoming game or something? It will be an unwelcome distraction to most of the people watching the game. Millen has no creditability in this state. None. Never will. And the memory of Millen is still fresh in the collective mind of Michigan's people.
ABC and ESPN normally get these type of things right. How could they be so wrong about this? Why would they want to distract from the game itself, which is one of college football's great rivalries? Why would they openly want to insult the people of Michigan in this manner? It is insensitive and absolutely unnecessary. And for what? To get some extra attention? To make Millen bigger than the game itself?

Random Thoughts

- I don't care if the Tigers get another bat for their lineup or not, they aren't going anywhere if Miguel Cabrera doesn't start hitting the clutch. He killed them again last night. He hasn't driven in a run on the road with a runner in scoring position since May 25 - a span of 29 at bats. If he had just run into a ball at a key time now and then, the Tigers would be running away with the A.L. Central. Sixty-two major league players have more RBI than Cabrera. SIXTY-TWO!!!!!!
Cabrera has been the Tigers' biggest problem and concern offensively. It is only masked by his overly-inflated and hollow batting average.
Carlos Guillen has more clutch hits in less than a week than Miggy has had the last three months. And, oh by the way, he is hitting behind Cabrera, who is capable of doing so much more when it matters.

- Michigan State being picked to finish third in the Big Ten might be a stretch. Everything that could go right did for the Spartans last season, did. Not sure it will work out that way in 2009. I expect MSU to reach a bowl game, but also some bumps in the road. Looking at it right now, I'd say they are a seven- or eight-win team, and probably around .500 or slightly above in the conference. Big edge is not playing Ohio State. Downside: Don't expect either Central Michigan or Western Michigan to lie down in non-conference games.

My column in Tuesday's Oakland Press about the overlooked '84 Tigers.

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