Opinions on five current sports topics from yours truly…

1. Lions vs. Packers - This is definitely what a Thanksgiving matchup should be! Two division rivals squaring off. The division is virtually locked up for the Packers, but a Lions win keeps some hope alive. Plus you need to watch in case Roy Williams does get 300 yards receiving!

2. Michigan State Football - That was a big win against Penn State for many reasons, but the way the Spartans did it impressed me the most. Down 24-7, they didn’t quit and that says more than anything else to me about Mark Dantonio and his staff. The future at MSU is very bright.

3. Lloyd Carr - I always enjoyed his conversations at halftime with sideline reporters, I would not have wanted to be in their shoes. He will be missed, but it was time for him to step down. I know alot of U of M fans that are happy, but if I was a Michigan fan, I wouldn’t be. He ran a great program and really coached some high-quality kids. They had better make the right decision about the next coach, and I’m not sure that means Les Miles.

4. Football at The State - Michael Moore has opened up the State Theatre in Traverse City on Saturday morning and will be showing Traverse City St. Francis playing for a state title. A great idea for those who can’t make the trip. I am sure it’s going to be a packed house.

5. Leelanau Sports Guy’s World - I plan on spending some more time getting things cranking again, so look for a new design and more frequent posts in the near future. Thanks to all who visit and send me emails, I appreciate it!

If you want to let the me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!

Jeff Peek of the Record Eagle reports that former Eastern Michigan University football player Daniel Skibbe is beginning the process of bringing semi-pro football to Traverse City. The Traverse City Wolves could begin play as early as 2009 and be one of 120 teams in the North America Football League.

Here’s some info from the article…

“This is a great football community,” said Skibbe, who moved from Detroit five years ago and coached for two seasons under Josh Merchant at Elk Rapids. “When I came up here I realized that northern Michigan not only has a lot of talented players, but disciplined ones, too.”

“You don’t get to play football after high school unless you’re gifted and go on to college,” he said. “So this league is for guys who play for the love of the game.”

Players are age 18-40, with 45-50 players on each team’s active roster. Skibbe said the Wolves would typically practice 2-3 nights per week, with games set for Saturdays or Sundays.

Sounds like fun and that it could be a success in TC!

Read Semi-pro franchise coming to TC in the Record Eagle

You can also visit TCWolves.com (content coming next week) to keep up to date with the latest news.

My View: Traverse City keeps getting bigger and bigger so more and more opportunities will keep coming for more sports and entertainment. Northern Michigan has a big football fanbase, so I would only think this could be very successful. It looks like they have a good plan, and I’m all on board. I just wish they would have asked me to help with the website!

Just traded links with TheHoopNews.com and upon checking out the site, I found a couple of articles that will interest Detroit Pistons fans…

Read 2008 NBA Championship - With So Much Talent, Who Will Win? at TheHoopNews

My View: I love the Pistons chances to win the East and even bring the NBA Title back. I don’t think the Celtics are going to be as good as everyone thinks. I just don’t see the “Big 3″ staying healthy the entire season. The key for the Pistons is depth, as in how much depth the bench can provide. If the youngsters can hold their own (and early indications are they will) then the Pistons starters should be able to stay fresh for the playoff battles looming with Chicago, New Jersey, Boston or Miami.

Read History of the Detroit Pistons, Their Highs and Lows at TheHoopNews

My View: A brief look back at the history of the Pistons. I really loved those “Bad Boys” teams!

Read Six Basketball Defense Tips - Defending the Basketball at TheHoopNews

My View: As a former basketball coach, I love defense. I used to love teaching the kids how to play and to take pride in their defense. And if you ask me, it still wins championships!

*No, not really. Although after reading what he wrote over the weekend, it sure would be interesting!

I was out of town this weekend for a wedding and missed this article by Chris McCosky…

Read Bloggers just aren’t journalists in the Detroit News

He basically calls out the bloggers and offers his opinion on what it takes to be a journalist. Last time I looked I don’t remember any of the bloggers I read ever claiming to be journalists, so not sure where McCosky is going with this. Maybe he’s jealous, or threatened, either way, it’s a big world, can’t we all just get along!

You can read responses from some of my fellow Detroit bloggers, led by Billfer at The Detroit Tiger Weblog.

Read Newsflash: Reporter hates bloggers at The Detroit Tiger Weblog

Mark Urban of the Record Eagle breaks down Montague’s 23-20 win over Suttons Bay in a Division 6 District Final. Suttons Bay finished the year 9-2.

Read Montague boots Suttons Bay from playoffs in the Record Eagle