November 20th, 2011 at 12:45 AM ^
Is this even a question?
November 20th, 2011 at 12:49 AM ^
Agreed, Wisky 2008 was nice, but a fluke from a terrible team, this is a statement that we are back. We are back, we are back, we are back. We've got Hoke back.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:52 AM ^
and we got Hoke's back.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:56 AM ^
Next week will be better.
November 20th, 2011 at 2:56 AM ^
best in terms of drama obviously not. ND this year gets that W. best in terms of solidness across all three phases against a quality opponent, yes. this game reminded me of our games back in the 80's and early 90's when we were permitted to lose interest half way into the third quarter and focus on coeds since we were crushing the opponent. what a breath of fresh air this game was.
however, Nebby did have 3 real, real bad turnovers and that flubbed punt. That was four huge swings there that we can't count on week in and out. we'll need to tie or win the turnover war vs OSU this week to win. they're a good opponent that keys on us just like MSU does. we'll get their best game.
WE HAVE TO WIN!!!!!
November 20th, 2011 at 8:02 AM ^
Right after the game I was thinking wow, best game we have played since we beat Florida in the Cap One Bowl. I wonder if it gave Urban Meyer a flashback, or if he was thinking similarly.
November 20th, 2011 at 8:37 AM ^
He was probably thinking, "Sheeet, I better ask for more money in the negotiations" after witnessing this game.
November 20th, 2011 at 10:15 AM ^
Those fumbles weren't gifts - the defense made them. Eventually that's good coaching, not luck. The astounding percentage of recoveries might be luck (although I'm even beginning to doubt that one), but the creation of fumbles is not at this point.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:46 AM ^
Wisconsin in 2008 was pretty nice as well. Either way, this is going to be a pointless debate after next week, which will be the best win since 2003.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:56 AM ^
Agreed, I was just about to post this exact statement myself!!
November 20th, 2011 at 1:11 AM ^
Am I the only one that is nervous as shit about next week. I know we should be favored, but it feels so much like 2001 when OSU was average at best, and we shit the bed. Don't get me wrong, I love our chances, and I will be losing my voice screaming on Sat. from my living room, but Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit, I just want it to be here!!!
November 20th, 2011 at 1:19 AM ^
I would honestly be shocked if we lost to Ohio. In fact, I don't think this season can definitively be considered a success unless we beat Ohio. They are facing a lot of distractions and uncertainty right now. They're having their worst season in years, and Fickell doesn't even seem like he wants to be there. If we can't capitalize on this perfect storm of misfortunes to befall Ohio and beat them this year, then we may never beat them.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:36 AM ^
I had the pleasure at being at that game. A young Navrre shit the bed.
November 20th, 2011 at 8:06 AM ^
who have finally clicked on. And there is nothing more they want to do, than take this newfound ability, give back to Ohio after the thumpings handed to them in 2008 and 2010.
I cannot imagine, after what these guys have been through, that they will be complacent this week.
November 20th, 2011 at 8:38 AM ^
This is a MUCH different situation than 2001. That year we had a young John Navarre thrust into the starting job before he was ready (thanks to Drew Henson bolting to the Yankees and lousy recruiting that left us with a sub-optimal plan B). This year we have an experienced QB who has the confidence to play in a big game late in the year - especially after yesterday. And that year Carr just got outcoached. Sweatervest prepared his team a lot better. Hoke and Mattison will NOT let that happen. If we can dominate Martinez and Burkhead like that, we'll be able to do the same against Braxton Miller and TSIO's RB (can't remember his name right now). Go Blue and Beat Ohio!
November 20th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
Wisconsin 2008 was a very nice one (perhaps nicer than this in some ways) but it was meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Here beating up Neb kept the door open for an at large bid.
Like you said this coming Saturday is what matters though. Beat Ohio!
November 20th, 2011 at 12:46 AM ^
Huge win!
November 20th, 2011 at 12:47 AM ^
but beating ND UTL was the most thrilling of the year. In terms of quality wins, Nebraska is definitely it.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:48 AM ^
today would be the correct answer.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:50 AM ^
This is the best win by Michigan Football since the 2008 Capital One Bowl...(also taking into account quality of opponents, obviously baby seal U is not included in this debate and I do not view any of the ND wins as wins against a quality opponent)
November 20th, 2011 at 7:08 AM ^
Maybe if Nebraska would have shown up today I would agree. They had two walk on guards as starters at PSU and I know at least one of them will be starting again. They are also missing their starting TE and best D lineman. Their schedule this year has taken a toll on them and their D is made to defend against all those spread passing attacks they faced in the Big 12 not Big 10 offenses.
As Corn Nation said, Michigan's groundskeepers will have to be working hard the rest of the weekend because there isn't a single place on the field that we didn't shit.
November 20th, 2011 at 10:04 AM ^
If the Neb. Defense is only built for spreads and not "BIG" offenses, why did they get handled by us and NU (Northwestern) and have such an easier time with MSU? I will grant you the injuries are a serious detractor. I need to see compelling evidence that a defense built to stop a "Big 12 spread" could not win against a typical "BIG" offense as well. A good defense is a good defense right?
November 20th, 2011 at 11:11 AM ^
and considering Northwestern is a passing spread simular to the big 12.
Our offense played ok but our defense killed yesterday. They scored 1 long TD when the man to man corner fell on the route , kicked a field goal on a short field after the int and one respectable drive. That was an exciting game and gives OSU a lot to think about this Saturday.
Go Blue
November 20th, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^
give me a team that Michigan has beaten since the 08 Cap 1 bowl that is better than Nebraska.
And no, not Wisconsin in 2008 because Michigan sucked ass for the first 3 quarters and much like the ND game this year, came out in the 4th and made a thrilling comeback. My point is this is Michigan's best overall performance in all three phases of the game against a team with a pulse
November 20th, 2011 at 7:28 AM ^
I haven't seen Michigan handily defeat a quality opponent in that manner in years. Offense was nearly unstoppable; defense was impenetrable; special teams was unfallable. I can only hope that the team strings another game like this together next Saturday,
Go blue!
November 20th, 2011 at 12:54 AM ^
I would say this was the most complete game I have seen Michigan play in a long time. UTL was a thriller but we were out-played in that one but still found a way to win. This game was domination from the start. Mike Martin is an absolute monster. We are going to really miss him next year. I have enjoyed watching his tremendous career at Michigan.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:55 AM ^
I would say best win since...before I became a student in 2005.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:56 AM ^
Noooo way. The Brady Quinn beatdown shutout which was @ ND when they were ranked #2 was vastly better.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:00 AM ^
Good point. I guess I have been dweeling in my fandom depression for too long. But I see the light!
November 20th, 2011 at 1:01 AM ^
Damn image fail...
November 20th, 2011 at 1:05 AM ^
That, the 2003 OSU game, and maybe the Texas Rose Bowl loss are really the only impressive performances against BCS level competition in the last decade that I can think of. This was a nice beatdown but Nebraska is nowhere near as good as those teams were. Hopefully an impressive BCS bowl win can vault to the top of the list.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:17 AM ^
Well since you said last decade, what about Carr's last game? I loved seeing Teblow fail in a big game.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:21 AM ^
They weren't the team they were the year before or the next two years. That was a nice win but it didn't come against an elite team. And despite playing better than most everybody expected going in, it isn't like that was a blowout win or anything. A good and deserving send-off, but the fact that so many people view it as a program defining win is really fucking depressing.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:25 AM ^
Brandon Spikes, Joe Haden, Major Wright, Derrick Harvey, Tony Joiner. Pretty freaking good defense.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:34 AM ^
I give you numbers: 31 points surrendered against Troy, 37 against Kentucky, 42 against Georgia, 31 against South Carolina, and of course 41 against Michigan. No SEC team held under 20 points.
Those guys grew into a great defense over the next two years, but in 2007 Florida did not have a good defense by any stretch of the imagination.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:38 AM ^
Brandon Spikes: First Team AP/Coaches all-SEC
Derrick Harvey: Second Team Coaches all-SEC
AJ Jones, Joe Haden, Major Wright: Freshman Coaches all-SEC
So seems the coaches and AP thought they had some good players on that team.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:49 AM ^
Their team was still not good at playing defense. They gave up over 24 points a game (the next two years, when they were a really good, national title contending team they gave up just over 12 points a game). And no, having a bunch of guys on the all-freshmen team does not mean you have a good defense. It means you play way too many freshmen, and that probably explains why they gave up way more points than they did a year later.
November 20th, 2011 at 2:07 AM ^
What's even weirder is that the defense was coached by none other than Greg Mattison. I guess even he can't win with a team of all freshmen.
November 20th, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^
I think you just settled a two-season-long debate on this blog. Perhaps only in my mind though.
November 20th, 2011 at 10:29 AM ^
2005 Penn State up there as well. That was their only loss of the season.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:55 AM ^
At the time the ND wins all seemed about as big, but that was followed by :(
November 20th, 2011 at 12:56 AM ^
This was the most dominant performance vs a good team since 06 at PSU. It felt good to be at the stadium for a game where we dialed up a good team winning by 20+ points. I was looking at some numbers the other day and going into today's game we had only been 32-30 since Bo died with a majority of those wins coming against the EMU's and Indiana's of the world. Great win today. Easily the biggest conference win since 06.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:02 AM ^
We won that game 17-10, against an unranked PSU team that finished the regular season at 8-4. This was way more impressive on all fronts.
November 20th, 2011 at 2:33 AM ^
True, but we dominated Penn St. That game had the feel of a blowout.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:00 AM ^
EDIT: The previous post answered my question just before I posted.
Not only that, but when was the last time we kicked a good team's ass and had the game in hand?
In 2008 Cap1bowl although we totally kicked Florida's ass, the game was close until the end due to Hart's fumbles.
November 20th, 2011 at 12:58 AM ^
In terms of excitement of a game, atmosphere, drama, etc., I'd say UTL has to take the cake.
In terms of the football aspects, though, this isn't even hard. We dominated a legit top-25 team who was still in the B10 title hunt in all 3 phases of the game, brought in our back-up QB to salt it away halfway through the 4th quarter, and more than doubled our opponent's score.
A lot of folks are saying Capital One Bowl as the terminus of "best win since," and there's a good argument for that, since that Florida team had a Heisman winner and was hovering around a top-ten ranking (#9/#12). However, we won by 6 in a shoot-out, and the outcome was in doubt until the final drive (in large part due to our 4 TOs).
I think to find a dismantling of this magnitude against a highly-ranked team, you have to go all the way back to 2006 when we clobbered #2 Notre Dame 47-21 and initiated the Yakety Sax meme.
November 20th, 2011 at 1:00 AM ^
Was it. A close 2nd would be not losing to osu last year! Fuck the bucks.