Odds and Sods

The Ann Arbor News released part one of its stirring investigation into Michigan Athletics, accusing psychology professor John Hagen of well…it is not quite clear.

The AA News mentions that Hagen taught 291 independent study courses from Fall 2004 to 2007, 254 taken by athletes.

From a sample size of 29 out of the 254 athletes, the average GPA in the class was a 3.62, compared with an average of 2.57 for other classes.

The class, Psych 218, is an extension of Hagen’s Psych 200 independent study program.  The AA News mentions that “at one point” 16 of the 25 students enrolled were athletes.

Hagen describes the classes as “Learning Skills” classes.  The students described learning time management skills, learning how to use a day planner, and completing an independent paper.  One athlete mentioned writing a paper of 15 pages.  Another mentioned writing two papers of 6-8 pages in length.  Another player described spending 3-4 hours per week outside of the class on class related material.

Some of the athletes were allowed to enroll in an independent study program after the standard drop-add deadline.

The AA News mentions that a student enrolled in a 300-level or 400-level independent study for Psychology would typically spend 12 hours a week completing a project.  They leave it up to you to determine how this is relevant to a 200-level class.

A University panel investigated the class and the associated coursework and ruled that it met University standards.

The bulk of the information comes from a disgruntled professor in the Psych department – passed over for promotion in favor of Hagen – and two other former University officials who refuse to be identified.

The cliffs notes version is that there may be an easy Psych class – open to the general student population – that some Michigan Athletes took advantage of for an easy grade.  Unfortunate?  Perhaps.  But it is hardly earth-shattering news.

I managed my Math requirement at Michigan by taking a basic introductory statistics course, which allowed you to use a cheat sheet on all exams and quizzes.  There are easy anthropology courses frequented by both footballers and Engineering students.  Loopholes exist.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!  Not all athletes at large University are scholastically inclined!

Professor Hagen is accused of running an easy class, for which the Ann Arbor News can find no proof after months of investigation.  The research was extensive, but neither coherent nor conclusive.

Derby 0 - Manchester United 1 This match epitomizes the season for both clubs.  Derby worked but weren’t quite good enough.  United’s only enemy was their own cuteness.  Ronaldo should have scored at least three, or more according to his own verbal tally.

Birmingham 1 - Newcastle 1 The result risked being critical, but little Mickey was there to muscle it back to mediocrity.  He may have saved Keegan’s last silver hair.  Not a win, but certainly a start.

Sunderland o - Chelsea 1 Leave it to the Dark Lord to plunge the Stadium of Light into darkness.  So it goes for Sunderland.  Keane should save some Just for Men for his beard.

Liverpool 2 - Reading 1 Matejovski’s strike was nice.  Mascherano’s was spectacular, with a few tasteful “Fuck Offs” tacked onto it.  Apparently, Dirk Kuyt played in that match.

Fulham FC sprang back to life on Sunday, with a startling 1-0 victory over European-bound Everton.

The win, Fulham’s fourth of the season, places gives them 23 pts – an effective four points away from safety.

However, Odds and Sods will now make a bold prediction.  Fulham will not be relegated.

The club has momentum.

Fulham finally has started to mesh in this latter part of the season, spurred by the return of Jimmy Bullard and Brian McBride.  They have also had an impressive run, earning four points from two grueling fixtures against top half opposition in Everton and Blackburn.

The club was unlucky at the onset, bafflingly blowing a few first-half leads, followed by a morbid holiday respite – lasting through Februrary.  Fulham are a decent side with extraordinarily bad luck.  They are due for some good football.

Fulham also have an easier schedule.

They do face a problem.  They have only three home matches remaining and have not won away all season.  However, two winnable relegation six-pointers come in the next two away matches at Newcastle (Mar. 22) and at Derby (Mar 29.).  They also have additional six-pointers with Sunderland and Birmingham at home and Reading away.  Should Fulham climb the table it will come at the direct expense of their fellow bottom dwellers.

The only top four side that Fulham play is Liverpool at home (Apr. 19) – who may be conserving players for a Champions League run.

If Fulham finagles four points, from the next two matches.  That leaves them with 27 pts with six matches remaining.  If they again get four from Sunderland and Birmingham at home, that is 31 pts.  It’s not unreasonable they get four pts from the other four matches amassing the total 35 pts.  That may be enough to keep them up, particularly with some help.

That estimate also assumes merely a reasonable level of competence, not an impressive run.

Bolton have a much tougher road.  They still must travel to Man Utd., Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham.  They also host Arsenal and Man City.  They have only one relegation six-pointer at home to Sunderland (May 3.).  Relegation seems a certainty at this point.

Birmingham have a slightly less arduous schedule, but still must host Liverpool, Man City, Blackburn and Everton.

Sunderland still have to host Man City and Arsenal and travel to Aston Villa.

Any fixture poses a problem for the soccer circus at this point.  But Newcastle face away matches with Tottenham, West Ham, Portsmouth and Everton.  They also host Chelsea in the penultimate match.

It’s not impossible that one or two teams from this group take a tumble, opening a door for Fulham.

They do have the fewest points, but they have the edge in talent and the easiest schedule.  If Fulham can denounce their doldrums and play at close to their potential, there is no reason they can’t avoid the drop.