Skull Session: Kosta Koufos Replaces Kaleb Wesson, Phil Steele Ranks Michigan No. 60, and E.J. Liddell Feels Disrespect

The rumors are true; it is my birthday.

It is also true that my wife is throwing me a dinosaur-themed birthday party tonight because that's what you do when you turn 27.

Word of the Day: Quondam.

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS. The bad news is, Carmen's Crew suffered a pretty big loss yesterday when former Buckeye forward Kaleb Wesson got a chance to play in the NBA Summer League instead.

One thing we do at @CarmensCrew is support dream chasing opportunities. It may sound disappointing to some but pure enjoyment for us. @Elite_Hooper99 wont be playing with us in this year @thetournament because he will be participating in NBA Summer League. We wish him the best
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) July 8, 2021

The good news is, it took like four hours for them to announce an uh... more than suitable replacement.

Lets welcome back @kostakoufos . @CarmensCrew @thetournament pic.twitter.com/lNE1OZvyeF
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) July 8, 2021

No disrespect to Kaleb, but Koufos is an 11-season NBA vet who just two years ago became the highest-paid American player in Europe. He might have instantly become Carmen's Crew's best player.

I'll take it!

RIGHT WHERE THEY BELONG. Phil Steele has always been the king of the college football preview, and he just cemented his throne in my mind with this extremely honest (and completely correct) preseason assessment of Michigan football.

Steele ranks the Wolverines exactly where they belong, and exactly where they've been for the better part of two decades – just slightly above average for all FBS teams and behind several MAC programs.

Phil Steeles National Rankings.
Big Ten Teams

3) Ohio State
11) Wisconsin
14) Penn State
18) Indiana
23) Iowa
34) Northwestern
60) Michigan

Also:

10) Cincinnati
41) Toledo
48) Marshall
51) Ball St
56) Western Michigan
59) Kentucky
61) Ohio
— Eddie (@EddieEScott1) July 7, 2021

Hey, Michigan wanted a rivalry with Ohio. Careful what you ask for!

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. E.J. Liddell is returning to Ohio State as one of the top returning players in the nation, and he wants his damn respect.

We starting with the disrespect early I see. Going to feel me this year https://t.co/4Jp79QtxwW
— E.J. Liddell (@EasyE2432) July 8, 2021

To be fair, none of those guys are decidedly worse than Liddell, so it's tough for me to get all that outraged on his behalf. However, I'm 100 percent on board with him playing this season with a massive chip on his shoulder, because that sounds like an excellent way for him to turn into an All-American.

MISSED OUT. I'm not sure there's an athlete in Ohio State history that would have profited more from the new NIL rules more than Braxton Miller. And he knows it.

https://t.co/fuAC5kRhRl
— BRAXTON MILLER (@BraxtonMiller5) July 8, 2021

The only thing that would have held Braxton back from infinite money under these NIL rules is that the t-shirt industry has not yet figured out how to put a gif on a shirt.

SONG OF THE DAY. "Happy Birthday General" by Atom and His Package.