A little fuel for the fire, perhaps?
On playing Michigan...
“I feel like our guys are very battle-tested and have been exposed to enough big-time atmospheres and hostile crowds,” Whittingham said. “No more significant than any other Pac-12 game or any other games that we have.
“What’s significant is having Michigan leave the Big House and come here to play. That would have never happened five or six years ago and beyond. … Are they any bigger than Oregon, USC, UCLA? No.”
-- Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham, September 1, 2015
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:37 AM ^
Unless you're an old fart like me you really have very little memory of a consistanly dominant Michigan team year in and year out. Look at our record from over the past 23 years and we're 188-89 or basically 8-4 on average. That's NOT a near-term historical record that exactly resonates with shock and awe on the part of opposing players and teams.
But I think the end of that bullshit starts tomorrow night.
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:03 AM ^
Good God, the last 8 years really dragged down that average, eh? Even when Michigan wasn't looking so hot under Moeller and Carr for a few years, that's because they were around 8-4. That was our floor...
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
Every day it seems like people add another decade to UM's recent history of mediocrity. No, it hasn't been 15 years, 23 years, since 1960, or the days of leather helmets. It's been seven years. Before the last seven years, Michigan was a consistently excellent program.
September 2nd, 2015 at 12:09 PM ^
I guess we have different standards of "excellence".
Take out the last 7 years and just go from 93-07 and our record is 140-48 or an average of 9-3. And during that span we lost four or more games 7 times.
The last seven years changed that by exactly one game per year.
September 2nd, 2015 at 1:20 PM ^
I'd be interested to see where the 140-48 ranks with other P5 teams over that period. Off the top of my head Florida St, OSU and Florida probably have better winning percentages, but not too many other programs jump out as having better winning percentages over that period. I'm sure there are some other P5 teams that have better winning percentages but I bet it's not by a lot.
September 2nd, 2015 at 1:31 PM ^
I did a post on this about 6 months ago Showed top records over 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, . OSU was at the top almost on all of them. A lot of people complained about it being cummulative because it benefits teams who have been good the last 10 years, in all time frames but it is reality.
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/top-winning-s-ncaa-football-last-30-20-10-y…
Over the last 30ish years its FSU, Neb, OSU in the 76 to 78% range, FSU #1. Um is 7th at 70%. It gets worse obviously the smaller the time frame. UM dropped to 17th over the past 20 years with programs like Kansas State, Wisconsin and TCU ahead of us.
People seem to forget we had a lot of 3/4 loss seasons even in Carr and Moeller. We underachieved based on the NFL talent we were loaded with. Each year we had WTF losses that guys ilke Stoops, Spurrier, Meyer rarely have.
September 2nd, 2015 at 1:17 PM ^
I'm not sure why your timeline starts right after five consecutive conference titles and top-10 finishes, but fine, 93-07. Over that time period, we finished in the top 20 every year but one and had six top-10 finishes. Throw in 8 bowl wins, a national title, 5 conference titles, and it looks pretty good. It's not FSU good, but if that's your benchmark, nobody else is excellent.
For comparison:
OSU 149-38
Oklahoma 129-58
Alabama 113-65
Florida 147-42
Auburn 129-53
Nebraska 146-44
Texas 138-48
USC 130-53
Notre Dame 112-68
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:38 AM ^
the AD (Dave Brandon) who scheduled it, was a putz. . .
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
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September 2nd, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
I hope we go in there and SMACK Utah in the mouth. I cant wait until we are respected and feared throughout the nation. When programs like Utah are talking smack and disrespecting us....wow have things changed. Dont think for one minute that Harbaugh isnt fueling everyone with those same feelings and emotions. HE IS FED UP WITH IT!!!!
Im telling you all, I have a very good feeling about this team. Im not a homer by any means. Harbaugh and staff are going to have this team prepared better than what we have seen since Michigan was Michigan (Carr era). Hold on tight because I think we are all in for quite an exciting ride this season GO BLUE!!!
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:45 AM ^
I think this fanbase is in desperate need for some excitement. I'm hoping for a dominating win and some wins beyond that to back it up. No more starting the season 5-0 and losing 7 straight. Win and keep WINNING! GO BLUE!
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:00 AM ^
I believe our coaching staff will have this team prepared and focused from the start to finish of the season. This staff just needs to introduce confidence again. That breeds winning. If you believe you will not lose and your unstoppable.....Man thats a powerful ingrediant in the potion of success. We are gonna come out red eyed and on fire. Michigan WILL BE RESPECTED! Trust Harbaugh.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:41 AM ^
It's a fair statement. We're not in their conference and definitely haven't had the success that Oregon, USC and UCLA has had the past 7-8 years. What Wittingham doesn't acknowledge is that the fanfare and hubbub over this game is driven by Harbaugh.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:51 AM ^
Well, I think Utah is a very respectable but not elite program. And I have no opinion at all about Utah as an academic institution. How do you like that, Kyle Whittingham?!
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:36 AM ^
September 2nd, 2015 at 1:25 PM ^
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:43 AM ^
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^
Dantonio will probably have those GAs crawling the Internet looking for any references to "Michigan is back". It will be plastered on the locker room walls in Waldo Stadium Friday night.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:43 AM ^
them into little bitchcakes tomorrow night. Your magic underwear won't save you from the Wolverines.
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^
Mmmmmm...bitchcakes
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
It's not that Whittingham said anything that isn't true, but a lot of it did not need to be said. Whittingham is sounding awfully big for his britches in that quote,
He basically is saying "Michigan has lost its gloss and us playing them is no big deal". That's a bullshit message for any school to say about an upcoming opponent. That would be a bullshit quote for Alabama to say about Middle Tennessee State.
His quote irritates me, and I'd love to see Harbaugh embarrass the Utes in their own stadium. Before I was just looking for a solid win, but now I want blood.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:48 AM ^
and I mean actual blood. As in someone's helmet gets knocked off and then they're spitting teeth all over our road whites.
And someone needs to go all Marcus Ray on that asshole that did the Heisman pose last year.
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^
...that was my initial assessment. While not overtly negative, it seemed to me to be a not-so-subtle dig that inferred playing Michigan is no big deal. Just another run-of-the-mill team.
Conversely, the only public comments from Harbaugh and team members have been respectful and laudatory of the Utes' program.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
I don't disagree with the coach here but a couple of their players have spouted off this week and last.
We have been quiet and our coach isnt asking for the media attention either. I hope we shut them up tomorrow.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:45 AM ^
Comparison to 'just another Pac-12 game' is spin ...Oregon, UCLA, USC ...they're all Pac-12 South foes who have to play Utah every year. Hell, this year's Colorado tickets are being sold as a the "chance to come see Oregon, Arizona, USC and Stanford!" and I'm certain Utah sells in the same fashion now that they're not hosting only Wyoming, Air Force and New Mexico State at Rice-Eccles.
And when 10,000 Maize and Blue faithful roar after a MICHIGAN TD, it will seem different than when UCLA came to town..
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:46 AM ^
I just want to see UM start to play consistent football. As much as I hate for them to lose, you can suffer a loss and still play a fundamentally good and sound game. I will be happy to see that rather than the inept type of play we have seen the last couple of years.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:48 AM ^
I'd say that's pretty accurate. Ya.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:48 AM ^
His comment at face value is accurate. However, how many years in advance are the schedules set? I've never been able to figure out the bitching about schedules when they are negotiated years in advance. If I'm wrong on that, feel free to neg away.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:51 AM ^
...it was scheduled during the Hoke regime.
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:05 AM ^
thanks for the info.
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:54 AM ^
It had to have been.
The first game in 2002 was a late season add after we decided to reschedule our home game with Oregon for that year. (Looking back now, if we had stuck with our original schedule, there would have been no disaster game against Dennis Dixon in 2007)
After that 2002 meeting, I didn't think we'd ever see Utah again but they were soon added to the 2008 schedule to start out RichRod's first season.
This current home and home series was added a couple years ago when the Big Ten and Pac Ten decided to have a series with each other but they're not all in the same seasons. So we got placed with Utah. I think it was established right away that the game in Salt Lake City woud be a Thursday night game...and the general reaction around these parts was...
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:58 AM ^
The BigTen and Pac-12 made a form of "gentlemen's agreement" to play more often a few years ago when the Big12 and SEC were talking about 24-team conferences and leaving the BigTen out. With the recent argument and evidence that the Pac-12 is on par with the SEC, the Pac-12 and BigTen scheduled quite a few games for this season and forward.
Utah, Oregon State, Colorado ....Washington and UCLA down the road a bit.
The only "scandalous" aspect of tomorrow's game is that Brandon "sold out" to open on the road and at night.
And to Whittingham's point, many M fans are bitching and moaning about not opening at home against EMU or Akron.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:49 AM ^
Giveth me fuel. Giveth me fire. Give unto thyself that of which I desireth.
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:14 AM ^
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:24 AM ^
I didn't even knoweth it!
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:49 AM ^
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:51 AM ^
All this noise disappears.
You're welcome,
Nostradamus.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:52 AM ^
Dave.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:56 AM ^
It cuts both ways. Utah's "stadium" seats 45,000 people. That's smaller than every Big Ten stadium. As in, all 14 of them, including Ryan Field (Northwestern), which seats 47,000. To OUR players, this will probably look and feel like a large high school crowd. Plus they're all Mormons who are far better at the art of politness than intimidation.
Utah is also 1-3 at home in conference play in each of the past two seasons, and the 2 out of 8 they did win were by margins of 3 and 6. In sum, UTAH HAS NO HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE, ELEVATION OR NO ELEVATION.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:56 AM ^
I'd also be willing to bet there will be a good amount of maize and blue faithful in attendance. Any idea of how many fans we will have at the game?
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:59 AM ^
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:08 AM ^
That's deep
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:00 AM ^
Should be a decent-size Michigan crowd. There are a lot of U of M alums and state of Michigan expats on the west coast. There's also unprecedented excitement for our new coach. Shit, even someone like me (who never travels for games) had plans to do so (had the flight and hotel room booked) until a work-related matter forced me to cancel.
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:40 AM ^
as Kelly/Shorts in Mt. Pleasant.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^
Utah fans predicting a 31-17 final score are right on in my book. Just have the wrong team winning.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:58 AM ^
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^
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