Funeral for BPONE
Something amazing happened this past weekend in Ann Arbor. Michigan not only beat OSU, but dominated them, despite the history of the past 20 years and all the fear and rational pessimism based on recent big games and OSU games during the Harbaugh era.
BPONE (Black Pit of Negative Expectations) has essentially defined this program for the past 20 years, and most specifically in big games during the Harbaugh era. Ridiculous events and unfortuitious bounces, officiating, and tight play began to define a seemingly snake bitten program. Be it the punt 6 in 2015 against MSU, or the egregious officiating and OT loss against OSU in 2016, to this year's low probability poorly officiated 16 point blown lead against MSU - BPONE was seemingly a real thing.
That said, this team indeed proved to be different in that they simply put their head down, worked and believed. The collective belief of a group, such as a team is incredibly important. The collective belief of a fanbase and all its energy behind that team is also incredibly important. With all the negativity around this program the past 2 decades, losses in big games and mistakes in big moments became a somewhat self-fulfilling prophecy.
I am not some new age spiritual voodoo guru, but there are obvious positives to a collective optimism and belief vs. an expectation of everything going wrong. When Aidan Hutchinson gave his post game interview and spoke about manifesting his belief of beating OSU into reality, the only idea that came to mind was how this belief and Harbaugh's statements had penetrated throughout the program. The energy was simply different this past Saturday, you could feel it pre-game, you could feel it during the game, and you could see it playing out on the field. There was a belief and confidence that things would go right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djr1eLXCahc&t=4s
While coaching, development, preparation and recruiting will always remain the fundamental basis for building an elite program, without belief and a collective positive energy, I don't believe a team can reach the mountain top.
That said, I am calling on Brian to have a ceremonial burial of BPONE. While much of it has been earned given game outcomes over the past 2 decades, I do believe that losing begets negativity begets losing begets more negativity begets more losing, etc. All other aspects of the program fall under this macro encompassing umbrella that you must believe before you can manifest outcomes in reality. We have been an EMO Eeyore program for far too long.
Brian, can we please bury the BPONE. Win or lose vs. Iowa, let's bury the BPONE. I believe we have seen what a culture of belief and optimism can do for a team in a given year...now imagine if the entire fanbase - with you at the head, helped turn the corner and we begin to expect great outcomes. Let's help create a new energy around the program, just as the fans on Saturday in the Big House created a special energy for The Game.
I have no idea what a BPONE funeral should look like...maybe Brian burning a bunch of printed UFR's from heart breaking losses over the past 2 decades. Any other ideas are welcome. Let's help build a new energy around the program.
GO BLUE
November 30th, 2021 at 2:02 PM ^
Amen to that
November 30th, 2021 at 2:13 PM ^
Saturday did a lot to defeat BPONE and I'm 20% happier right now. Problem is, BPONE has been around so long that it's in our DNA.
We need gene therapy in the form of 3 more wins this year and a clean sweep next year to get it out of our system.
Yep, that's what I want.
November 30th, 2021 at 3:10 PM ^
We can insert some of this gene pool in you, RG.
November 30th, 2021 at 2:15 PM ^
Maybe we can have an annual ceremonial grave walk the week before the OSU in honor of BPONE... or just bury the fucker and forget about him.
November 30th, 2021 at 2:22 PM ^
Kill BPONE with fire!
Drink whole milk, eat steak and build steel in our spines.
November 30th, 2021 at 2:31 PM ^
I like this idea. Ritual is important, and BPONE needs a dignified funeral + New Orleans-style wake.
December 3rd, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
new orleans, viking, boots backwards and what not.
December 3rd, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
new orleans, viking, boots backwards and what not.
December 3rd, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
new orleans, viking, boots backwards and what not.
November 30th, 2021 at 2:42 PM ^
'BPONE' never worked anyway. We still feel disappointment at a loss whether we get our hopes up or not, so we might as well get our hopes up.
I will say I'm guilty of defaulting to bearishness on each individual game, always waiting for the other shoe, and really only seeing it once (vs MSU). The team bounced back with a vengeance, but now I feel positive reinforcement for it, so I'll continue to do my tiny/imaginary part in cosmic manipulation.
December 1st, 2021 at 12:46 PM ^
BPONE isn't a coping mechanism. It just describes a point in your fandom where you simply can't imagine anything but negative things happening. You do not choose this; you are just in the "black pit" and that is that.
November 30th, 2021 at 2:45 PM ^
Thank you!
i have been around this place a long time... but somehow i missed the advent of BPONE, and NEVER found out what it stood for. Last week, i started to flat out ask on this here board, but now i don't have to!
and hopefully we've seen the last of it!
December 1st, 2021 at 10:53 AM ^
This is exactly the comment I was about to make.
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:40 AM ^
I've been around this place for a long time also. Sports are what they are - obviously much more fun to win than lose, but I've always loved the experience of being at a major venue for a game. I'm nervous about Saturday to be sure. I don't think this team will read its press clippings.
I always thought that BPONE had as much to do with its creator's personal situation as it did Michigan athletics. It is a place I refuse to visit. Regardless, I wish for better days for Brian and three more Michigan football wins.
November 30th, 2021 at 2:54 PM ^
Sorry, but I say not yet. Just as assuredly as these players, coaches, and everyone in the AD understand that UM also needs to win this week, I need to see UM hang a banner by finishing the job this weekend before I’m going to let go and enjoy the remainder of the season.
Yes, two goals have been emphatically accomplished (beat OSU, win the B1G East). This third goal, while not even the ultimate goal, is still crucial to making the first two matter. They aren’t nothing, but they will lose a ton of value and meaning if they don’t win on Saturday.
Accomplish the third and become B1G Champ and see where the chips fall on 12/31/21 and hopefully on 1/10/22.
November 30th, 2021 at 3:09 PM ^
Last I checked we have a game Saturday that could blow some air under those BPONE cinders. Win the game!
November 30th, 2021 at 3:11 PM ^
Burn it in a couch! A BPONE pyre.
November 30th, 2021 at 3:20 PM ^
Negative expectations are a proud Michigan tradition that long predates the 21st century. Why would we want to abandon that, and replace it with hubris?
I say we stick with it, and worry like crazy about Iowa.
November 30th, 2021 at 3:52 PM ^
THIS and forever this.
I was in that stadium as a student when a drunk behind me bellowed "he can't do it again, can he" as the second kick off to be returned that day settled into Raghib Ismail's arms.
I was in that stadium as an alum when a drunk behind me bellowed "he can't even throw it that far, can he" as the ball was snapped to Kordell Stewart.
I've witnessed Reggie Ho, phantom interference and a reenactment of the Phantom TD vs Notre Dame, phantom holding on a brilliant fake punt steal a Rose Bowl, a ridiculous kicked ball resuscitate a stupid ass, undeserved, Nebraska share of our national title, Spartan Bob, the Desmond trip, OSU receivers run out of bounds before making game altering catches with no call and OSU 2016.
BPONE is the hallowed and familiar path my Michigan fandom treads. And, frankly, in some sick twisted way it makes the moments like this past Saturday all the more treasured and remarkable.
Bury it if you must but I'll always carry its scars.
November 30th, 2021 at 4:37 PM ^
Medic! We’re gonna need to triage this patient, stat!!!
November 30th, 2021 at 5:45 PM ^
I was there for those games, too. The Kordell Stewart Hail Mary was...well...so Michigan.
I also have less-than-fond memories of being utterly freaked out every time OSU did something during the Ten Year War, until the moment a knee was taken by a Michigan QB. It seemed as though we were just waiting for some screwup to change the game.
Everyone I watched those games with evidenced tons of BPONE, too!
Tradition!
December 1st, 2021 at 11:41 AM ^
Seems like selective memory to me. As awful as the Kordell Stewart play was, you fail to mention Colorado's return trip to the Big House two years later, when Michigan started their march to a national title by thoroughly destroying the Buffs 27-3. Our defense beat their QB so viciously he looked like he was going to cry.
That is only one example but many more could be named. When you cheer for a team like Michigan, there will be great moments and painful ones. Why should the bad be the only thing that sticks out in our minds? What about the Cooper years? What about 313? What about the Virginia comeback game? There are quite a few great wins against Notre Dame in the time period you mention; it wasn't all Rocket and Reggie Ho.
The scars aren't the only thing we carry, my friend. They are simply the price of doing business so we can enjoy euphoric moments as well.
November 30th, 2021 at 3:34 PM ^
While I can certainly appreciate witty sarcasm and consider it a badge of honor as a Michigan Alum, I too am ready to torch the BPONE and "Always look on the bright side of life!" (Whistle goes here).
Go Blue and Beat the Hawkeyes!!
November 30th, 2021 at 3:38 PM ^
More relevant than ever:
November 30th, 2021 at 3:55 PM ^
^^^^^^^ This. Coach Harbaugh may have been there himself but he has clearly moved on. We should all follow his lead. Beat the Hawkeyes!
November 30th, 2021 at 3:50 PM ^
I'm holding on to my BPONE. I am filled with dread for Saturday. Nothing to be done about it. One game does not counter the past 20 years.
December 1st, 2021 at 12:46 AM ^
It comes damn close when that game is a huge win over your arch rival ranked No.2 in a game few in AA let alone the country expected us to win, at least for me.
November 30th, 2021 at 4:43 PM ^
A little too soon to bury BPONE narrative...if we lose to Iowa....BPONE will be back in full effect.
November 30th, 2021 at 6:15 PM ^
A nice Viking funeral would do the trick with a shield ringed with cyan in the boat.
November 30th, 2021 at 6:37 PM ^
What a great post! I always hated the whole BPONE idea and never adopted the idea. The Michigan world is a better place without BPONE!
November 30th, 2021 at 7:34 PM ^
For inspiration, Rick Rubin, co-founder of Def Jam records, retired the word "def" from the American English lexicon and held an actual funeral with procession in 1993.
The 30-year-old industry Wunderkind is planning a lavish “burial” for the Def part of the name of his Def American label--complete with casket, burial plot, headstone, minister-led chapel service, horse-drawn carriage, funeral procession and New Orleans-style marching band--on Aug. 27 at a Hollywood cemetery. He’s assembling the guest list now and it’s expected to be a Hollywood Who’s Who of 1,500 mourners.
November 30th, 2021 at 8:59 PM ^
Not so fast, my friend.
Still have to beat Iowa before we can pull out the shovels.
December 1st, 2021 at 10:38 AM ^
Agree completely, Comrade. Still plenty of work to do.
November 30th, 2021 at 9:22 PM ^
Saturday was incredible, but as soon as I started thinking about Iowa the only thing that came to mind was Gattis spending all game running Haskins up the middle for 1 yard over and over. I wish beating OSU was all it took to kill BPONE, but man it dies hard.
November 30th, 2021 at 10:20 PM ^
I thought it meant BOTTOMLESS pit of negative expectations , which is a bit more ominous
December 1st, 2021 at 12:48 AM ^
I’ve always thought of it in that way too, but for me at least we hit the bottom and jumped out last weekend. No more BPONE for me even if we do lose to Iowa.
November 30th, 2021 at 10:55 PM ^
Great great suggestion. You may recall the request in Punt/counterpunt by Bryan to text someone “Michigan is going to win this game”. It seemed a bit silly at the time but I did it anyway. I’m hindsight it was an act of faith. A small one, that if repeated thousands upon thousands of times, contributes to collective belief. Bye bye BPONE.
November 30th, 2021 at 10:55 PM ^
Great great suggestion. You may recall the request in Punt/counterpunt by Bryan to text someone “Michigan is going to win this game”. It seemed a bit silly at the time but I did it anyway. I’m hindsight it was an act of faith. A small one, that if repeated thousands upon thousands of times, contributes to collective belief. Bye bye BPONE.
December 1st, 2021 at 12:44 AM ^
Ding Dong, the wicked BPONE is dead!
December 1st, 2021 at 8:02 AM ^
I know BPONE must exist for other fans of other programs. But I do envy some of these other programs who only exist to be mediocre and every once in a while get a big win- like northwestern, Illinois, Vanderbilt, etc. The pressure is not on those schools to be challenging the top. Their fans also are fine come Monday morning happy to have a moral victory but suffer their 8th straight loss. "Man we really hung in there on Saturday!!" TheY shrug it off and go on with their lives. Not so for Michigan fans.
But BPONE may have finally left me on Saturday. Don't get me wrong- I really want to win the B1G Championship against Iowa. REALLLY want to see our team make the cfp and do well. But- right now I think I'd be happy with the place we are in regardless of what happens next. Does that mean my BPONE is allowed to be buried? Is it dead?This is all such a strange feeling of not so much pressure for the coming games. Maybe as the B1G Championship game is kicking off, it will return some. But right now is a nice feeling. Enjoying Michigan football again.
Go Blue!!
December 1st, 2021 at 9:51 AM ^
I'm all in, 3 games into this season I told myself no more BPONE for you!
December 1st, 2021 at 10:47 AM ^
Brian, can we please bury the BPONE
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say probably not. BPONE didn't happen after one loss to OSU or after one rough season so it probably won't go away after one win against OSU or one good season. There was no BPONE in 2015 or 2016. This was a great year with a great win over OSU by all measures and that certainly helps. But, if we get our asses kicked by OSU next year and struggle on the road and/or against good teams again next year it will be right back I guaran-effin-tee it. It will require this season to be more than just one season, but a new expectation that UM can win on the road, can beat good teams, and can be competitive with OSU on a regular basis as most UM fans expect for BPONE to be gone completely.
December 1st, 2021 at 10:49 AM ^
Thank you for defining the acronym.
December 1st, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^
While much of it has been earned given game outcomes over the past 2 decades
1973 and 1979 Rose Bowls would like a word.
December 1st, 2021 at 11:19 AM ^
"The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."
~BPONE
December 1st, 2021 at 11:28 AM ^
Kudos to the OP! This may be my favorite diary ever. The manifestation of positive beliefs is REAL. While I'm no sports psychologist, I can say as someone that has had bouts of mental depression, that this strategy has helped me in some dark times in my life. I don't see any reason the same can't be true in the sporting world, especially when group dynamics are at play. I also agree that reaching the pinnacle means shedding the past. Its time.
December 1st, 2021 at 11:45 AM ^
It should probably involve an exorcism of some kind
December 1st, 2021 at 9:40 PM ^
I think a decisive beatdown of the Bucs in the Big House is exorcism enough!
December 1st, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
Well said. Sad Michigan Fan became a meme over the years due to BPONE. It feels like a giant fog has lifted over the entire program, its incredible. And I will stand by that win or lose this weekend.
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