Diaries

Texas utilized the short passing game vs. OSU and the hurry up offense, and were successful b/c they had 3 very solid WRs. They did not seem to have a talented tight end, and I was not overly impressed with their running game/backs. If Tate Forcier does become a Colt McCoy style QB, I believe this game gives Michigan Nation some serious promise in the Big Ten and against OSU going forward.

Scoreboard aside, Texas gained over 400 yards passing, and they did so without hitting any long plays. I believe that Michigan has the building blocks to run a similar style Offense against OSU with a more dangerous and versatile running attack. The option appeared successful against OSU's overly aggressive D-ends, and in the second half Colt began utilizing his legs.

I'd also like to point out that In bowl games, very often the team with more to play for/wants it more, has a huge advantage. IMO, there is no question that the OSU seniors wanted this game far more than the Texas team as a whole, despite Texas being slighted from the BCS Championship game. I am very optimistic about Michigan's offense and special teams, and now if our defense can play like Michigan Men, we should have a successful 2009 campaign.

Another year another BCS choke! The times have passed Tressel by and Pryor looks less and less like a future star. We were lucky to avoid that cancer for sure.

It has been a rough year but it is going to be worth it. We are the only team in the conference with a progressive outlook and the resources to be a leader in the coming years. Its pretty clear that the Big Ten can't compete on a national level until we do. We have the strength training and spread offense to light it up and the stud d-line recruits coming in to plant trashy-talking QB's with no arm like Pryor for years to come.

Someone here said it best, WE ARE GONNA TEAR IT UP LIKE A MACHINE. No one is going to want to play us starting next year. The Big Ten might be down, but once Michigan is back... we are going to revive this conference. I really think that Rich Rod is our Pete Carrol, or maybe I've just been celebrating this Bucknut loss a little too much.

Eat it, Buckeye fans. You're time has come. You've had your laughs at our expense this year and a cute little run under the sweater vest, but the tables are turning. You will stagnate while we grow stronger every week. Watch out.

TheMichiganDifference
LSA '99

Basketball

Alright, last week, I didn't do a midweek update because I felt that the Wisconsin loss basically made everything a tossup and didn't think tracking the teams immediately above us was that worthwhile an endeavor.

The damage? Not too bad. Illinois win helped I bet. In the media, we're the first team out. The coaches', #28. Not too bad. So, this week I'm doing it differently.

Teams You Want To Lose This Week and Why:

Illinois State: Yes, you read that right. The Illinois State Redbirds are apparently undefeated. Who knew? (Except many people way more knowledgeable than me.) Anyways, they're the team in front of us in the Coaches' poll. Them losing would make it difficult for them to take any spots that open up there.
Dayton: They're simply the first team out of the Coaches' poll. Same deal as ISU.
West Virginia: I'm just mean. First I want us to steal all of their coaches, then I ask you to root against them? Well, they're #25 in the Media poll. They lose, they're out. #22 in coaches', so losses could make them fall out there too.
Louisville: #23 in media, #21 in coaches, losses from them would help us in at least the media poll.
Baylor: Consensus #23 (there's a tie in the media poll). Losses from them could help us get into both polls.
Minnesota: Well, to be honest, you don't want them to lose. Having Big Ten teams ranked is good for us. But, they're #22/#19, so, they could fall out of the media poll with losses.
Butler: #21/#20. We're getting sketchy here as to whether losses would actually make them fall out, or just move them down to #24 or #25.
Tennessee: This is a weird deal. They're the #25 team in the coaches' poll. They lose, they fall out. But, they're #15 in the media. Weird.
Boston College: Similar situation. #24/#17. I'll say it again: Coaches don't watch enough games to properly rank teams.

Alright, now, for the meat.

Schedule:

I'm only doing Tuesday through Thursday. I'll do a blog about all of Saturday and Sunday's games late Thursday or Friday.

Tuesday

Dayton v. Miami (NTM): Probably a Dayton win. Dayton home game, Miami's at 7-4. Local TV coverage in Dayton.
#25/#22 West Virginia v. #5 Connecticut GO UCONN! UConn wins, WV gets kicked out of the media poll probably. Awesome. Also, if we upset UConn (or even stay close), our RPI is helped by them winning here. Sadly, the game's only on ESPNU. I'm sure you can find a stream. 7:00.
Illinois State @ Bradley: I won't make any claims to knowing anything about either of these teams, but, Bradley is 9-5. They could do it at home I guess. Comcast, but probably not here, 8:05.

Wednesday

MICHIGAN @ Indiana: EVERY GAME COUNTS for our Wolverines. We need to make sure we can beat the sub-.500 teams if we want to beat the good ones. This is a good road test. 6:30, Big Ten Network.
#17/#24 Boston College v. Harvard: I wouldn't have high hopes here. 7:00, can be found Online somewhere.
#23/#21 Louisville @ South Florida: USF is sub-.500. So, a probably Louisville win. 7:00, ESPN2, ESPN360.
#15/#25 Tennessee v. Gonzaga: Gonzaga's 8-4 and knows how to win big contests. If this were at Gonzaga I'd be more optimistic, but, I'll probably watch part of this one. 9:00, ESPN2, ESPN360.

Thursday

#22/#19 Minnesota @ Iowa: Big Ten games are annoying because I always want the Big Ten to be ranked but maybe the Gophers are high enough that they could contribute to the ranking of more Big Ten teams... We're a good conference. Should be a good game, give us an idea of how Iowa might do on Sunday. 7:05 on ESPN2, or, if you're like me and are supposed to be working on something else at that time, ESPN360.
#21/#20 Butler v. Wright State: I don't think Wright State will win. They're just above .500. Whatever. 7:00, Local TV only.

Back late Thursday or Friday to plan your weekend, back tomorrow with a bunch of hockey.

This was originally a response to the Fiesta Bowl What thread, but obviously became too long. It may be blasphemy to some and undermine what little credibility I may have around here but here goes nothing...

I must admit, I feel a sort of pity/sympathy for our Scarlet-haired stepchildren. Though we may beat them furiously from time to time, their unwavering obsession with the University of Michigan is somewhat flattering and has, over time, garnered a slight bit of empathy from me. After all, they would be nothing without us and so the question we must ask ourselves is basically, should we wish for the total humiliation of our ingrate, bastard stepchildren? This is purely a judgment call. Personally, I find it very entertaining to behold but simply cannot muster enough spite to actively wish for its occurrence.

In considering this, I am compelled to philosophize. Bear with me at your leisure. Is it not the lot of resentful, bitter losers to wish misfortune upon their enemies? In particular, enemies who happen to have had a recent victory? Consider: Having lost to Oohi U this year, a victory for them in the Fiesta Bowl would, in a small way, vindicate our loss (conversely, should we have won the day, their other successes also add to our glory). Despite gains in prestige and respect that would come from an Oohi U victory, shall we, in irrational contempt, invest our energies in hopes for them to lose? This may be the role of a fan, in the minds of some. But how, then, would we be different from Dantonio, in that case of his dismissing a Rose Bowl opportunity due to his hate, or the Browneyes themselves, who, throughout history, have been looking up at the mountainous glory of MICHIGAN with hatred and venom in their hearts, always guided by the will to destroy that which is more beautiful and powerful than they? Shall we too succumb to that fevered state of mind? Shall we reduce ourselves to petty herd animals, simply reacting to an increasingly adverse environment with hostility and resentment?

Though we may have lost significant games in recent history, I vouch that we should not let our pride, our dignity, or our sense of nobility diminish. That is the ultimate battle -- do not let ourselves be reduced to their level! The greatest victory for them would be to fill our hearts and minds with resentment and hatred; reducing us to their level of pettiness, that is, to perceive of ourselves as dependents, as subservients, as subjugated, as they do perceive themselves. That, I say, is the most crucial contest of all.

In these times I always remind myself of the ultimate truth: No matter what, WE ARE BETTER THAN OOHI U. We are superior. We, the mighty Michigan Wolverines, are ALONE masters of our destiny! Our greatness is self-sustained, outwardly-imposing, self-perpetuating and independent of favorable or unfavorable outcomes of specific contests. That is, ultimately, what separates us from the Browneyes, the Spartines, and the rest of the unworthy -- they depend on their tangible, short-term successes against US to determine their sense of self-worth. WE, on the other hand, generate our sense of self-worth for ourselves and from ourselves because we know in our hearts that WE are Wolverines, and no one else is (except in Helsinki, home of our noble Finnic namesakes who, at least, have demonstrated supremely good taste). At the very least, we have the option to take the higher path of power while the unworthy are forbidden from it, due to their inherent ...unworth. And why, then, should we opt to trod upon the path of smelly herd peoples who are only able to react to the will of the strong?

One final point; I hope that my condemnation of hatred is not understood as a condemnation of a feeling more befitting men of power and wisdom, which is cruelty. Indeed, though I do not actively wish ill toward our quasi-educated and unhygienic bastard imitators from the southron valley most foul, I still delight in their suffering as they get their asses handed to them by the likes of Florida, LSU, USC, and so on. Cruelty, in moderation, allows us to enjoy the failure of our enemies without lowering ourselves to their level; for to hate something is to give it legitimacy because in hating, you invest energy and concern in a particular outcome. Cruelty is neutral in this regard, as there is no need to feel threatened by or even hostile toward something to savor the sweet fruit of its ruin. And if its ruin is prolonged for another day (until our next encounter!), then so be it. Our greatness remains.

And now let us return to the original question: To hate or not to hate. Specifically, "should we wish for the total humiliation of our ingrate, bastard stepchildren?" Alas, though we have traversed through many considerations, I fear many shall divide over the answer to this. Thinking of "hatred" as a state in which cruel desires are dominant, a question of simple economics can reveal a great deal. What is the worth of gaining prestige from an Oohi U win compared to the sheer entertainment value of their loss? How much do you value pride, and how much do you value cruelty? Although my delight in the misfortunes of the god-forsaken Browneyes is truly enormous, personally I find myself following my ancestors' way and seeking greater pride. Cruelty will just have to wait ... until the 2009 football season.

So, either way, I will be smiling tonight. It's a good way to be. Whatever your valuation may be in this regard, I urge you to be mindful of our overall position as Wolverines. That position, in a word, is simply this: Superior.

Wassup bitchez! It’s the Subcommandante back to take his place as the rightful place as Buckeye Master of mgoblog. That shifty hippie from up north tried to relocate his base of operations, but luckily my WoW clan got on a group mission to find this shit. Today I’m here to tell y’ll about why you guys should represent with THE REPUBLIC OF UZBUCKISTAN in tonight’s Fiesta Bowl! The Subcommandante won’t be making it to this year’s bowl game. Kinkos dropped the Subcommandante after the third unsuccessful stint with them. I mean what’s the point in random drug testing anyways?

Reason #1 should be obvious enough. BUCKEYES RULE! We’ve pwn’d you guys for the last eleventy billion years. Anyone facing that domination should obviously be enslaved to their conquerors. That said, big daddy Tressel dictates you root for the buckeyes you half-wit pusserines.

Reason #2 is the Beanie. Like my mom says every night when we gather around the television downstairs, you can’t hate a man named Beanie. Then again, I occasionally hear her scream his name in the middle of the night during the offseason right before I hear a door slam and some dude outside yell “You wasn’t that good bitch!” But yeah, Beanie Wells is the shit, as proven by 15 carries for 8.9 yards per carry in yet another The Ohio State blowout of your crappy excuse of a team. If I didn’t get such a massive hard on for watching the Loserines suffering so much, me and Jimmy T probably would have jumped ship in my Grand AM and hit up Vanessa for a wicked threesome. No way I’d miss that shit though.

Pwning Michigan N00bs Since '08

Reason #3 is Pryor. Hell yeah you want him, but he chose The Ohio State University instead of that crap school up north. But you know what, you want him more than I want to Wendy Cook from Bristol’s baby while getting a BuckNut job from Sarah herself. Ain’t nothing like it my friends. And there ain’t nothing like Terrelle Pryor either.

Reason #4 is Texas is land of steers and queers. And while these guys appear to be some sort of steer, or ball-less male bull of some sort, they most certainly are not. Don’t let them fool you with names like Colt. Hell, that kid in Three Ninjas was named Colt and he wasn’t a steer either. They’re all queers. You can’t love queers or that makes you a queer? Get it queers?

Love me, men of America

Reason #4 is the spread. You know you miss the Hall of Fame Cooper years when we let you guys win a few here and there just because you ran a respectable offense. A run oriented smash mouth football offense. You guys used to at least be respectable in that. Now you guys are wasting away like my buddy Doug down in Franklin County. You guys are depressed and getting taken behind the barn by less criminals like that other crappy school from up north. You guys are becoming Michigan State. You know you want the spread to die, and the best way to kick that off is The Ohio State beating the Blowhorns.

Reason #5, hell, we don’t need a reason #5. Hell, we don’t even really need you. You guys SUCK. When you see Coeckman and Pryor hook up for that first touchdown pass in the first minute and never look back, you’ll know that the Buckeyes are the shit and you will always just be that school that used to be decent, but always less than The Ohio State University.

Alright I got to get back to the WoW clan because we’ve got to get this quest objective finished, something that can’t be done without my Level 201 Tauren Druid.

GO BUCKEYES!!! I’m gone as fast as you’re team’s bowl streak.

I put all the blame on Ohio State and the BCS for the piss poor performance of the Big Ten in this season’s bowl games. I’m sure I am like the rest of you, in that I share an ever-burning hatred for OSU, but after the Fiesta Bowl tonight, the Big Ten will be the laughing stock of college football for the first time in history. Ohio State has no right to play in a BCS bowl this year. They went 0-2 versus BCS teams; one of which was over before halftime. What made the BCS selection committee think that OSU would be able to win a game against a top 3 team? Take a look at how much better the bowl games look if OSU went to the Capital One bowl where they belong.

Penn State vs. USC – Obviously a loss
OSU vs. Georgia – OSU -7 to -10
Michigan State vs. South Carolina – Even Money or State +3
Iowa vs. Missouri – Even Money or Iowa -3
Northwestern vs. Florida State – Even Money or NW +3
Wisconsin vs. Kansas – Even Money or Wisconsin -3
Minnesota vs. Central Michigan – Even Money or Minnesota +3

With these matchups, the Big Ten has a much better chance of going 5-2 instead of what looks to be a 1-6 campaign. Not only has OSU tarnished the reputation of the Big Ten with humiliating national championship losses the past 2 years, the can single handedly ruin the chance of the Big Ten playing for a national championship for years to come, with a loss tonight to Texas.