Bo Said Something About Games Like This

Submitted by blueak on

Something to the effect that any team can beat any other team on any given Saturday. Do you really think Michigan is as bad a team as they appeared to be today? This was a hangover game from last Saturday. Michigan played a hell of a game against a quality opponent last week and came into this game against a low end MAC team sleepwalking. I hope they learned a lesson and take NOBODY for granted the remainder of the year.

exmtroj

September 14th, 2013 at 4:40 PM ^

Bo also used to freak out before games against cupcakes like Northwestern back in the day, then his teams would go out and lay 60 points on them. Because those teams were actually focused and prepared and gave a shit about what they were doing.

Naked Bootlegger

September 14th, 2013 at 5:56 PM ^

No matter how intense the coach, no matter how many times you utter "We're not overlooking XXXX this week", it's just f'ing human nature to instinctively let down sometimes - especially after a game like ND last week.   It happens.   All of the time.   I mean, can you imagine Bo yelling at your ass all week not to let your guard down against a supposedly inferior opponent?   If it can happen to Bo multiple times, it can happen to anyone. 

Thank goodness we scraped by and scratched out one of the ugliest wins in M history.   Time to move on to the next one and hope the lesson was learned.

befuggled

September 14th, 2013 at 6:56 PM ^

1970: Michigan 14, 2-9 Texas A&M 10

1971: Michigan 20, 3-7 Purdue 17

1972: Michigan 7, 2-9 Northwestern 0

1973: Michigan 14, 4-7 Navy 0

1975: Michigan 14, 3-6-2 Baylor 14

1975: Michigan 21, 5-6 Illinois 15

1976: 5-6 Purdue 16, Michigan 14

1977: Michigan 14, 5-6 Navy 7

1980: Michigan 17, 0-11 Northwestern 10

That 1980 Northwestern team was in the middle of its 34-game losing streak and wouldn't win another game until 1982.

So while today's win was an ugly, ugly game, it's still a win.

SysMark

September 14th, 2013 at 9:03 PM ^

That 1980 Northwestern game was the first Michigan game I attended, and it was absolutely on a par with what we saw today, to one of the worst teams in the country.  That Michigan team rebounded quite nicely and I expect this one to as well.

 

Naked Bootlegger

September 14th, 2013 at 9:33 PM ^

Nice summary here.   It turns out that we've periodically struggled against inferior opponents even in the halcyon days of the 10 year war where Bo had our team prepared to play EVERY week.  This stuff happens.

Also, since there wasn't any interwebz and MGoBlog in the 70's, I'm sure the MPhoneTree was heavily employed after each of these freak-out victories.

Muttley

September 15th, 2013 at 12:23 PM ^

He knew that it wasn't natural to be 100% jacked for every game.

But I'm sure practices weren't any less intense on the non-highlighted games.

Also, in response to crappy performances, Bo said that it was a coach's job to identify the problem, and fix just that. Don't go throwing out the good with the bad. 

Wolverine Devotee

September 14th, 2013 at 4:43 PM ^

The fact that Michigan fans are taking any team lightly anymore is just mystifying. 

I learned my lesson in 2008. 

Doesn't matter if they are 4-whatever the past 3 years. All that matters is they are coming into The Big House and are trying to beat Michigan. 

bronxblue

September 14th, 2013 at 4:58 PM ^

What always gets me too about this mindset is that Akron is not a DIII cellar-dweller.  Yes they are bad, but they are still an FBS team with D1 recruits.  The talent level between the teams is different, but it's not like any FBS team should look at another FBS team and say "we got this in the bag".

Purkinje

September 14th, 2013 at 4:43 PM ^

Everything will be a-okay. This game was a fluke, as evidenced by our other two strong showings this season. Unless you really believe that Michigan is almost worse than the worst team in the FBS.

DonAZ

September 14th, 2013 at 4:51 PM ^

"Do you really think Michigan is as bad a team as they appeared to be today?"

No.  But what today showed is we're capable of being that bad.

"This was a hangover game from last Saturday."

That's a nice excuse.  But it's just that -- an excuse.  And not a very convincing one.

Michigan should not have been caught napping on this.  Why they were is the big question.

 

ilah17

September 14th, 2013 at 5:17 PM ^

I was hoping with Coach Hoke, fans wouldn't have to worry about the team sleepwalking through some of the games. I hope today was a wake-up call for players like Lewan and Avery (I know he's not back yet but he was obviously on the sideline)! Seniors who have made no bones about a B1G championship being their goal this year! They should have been Zack Novak-ing it up on the sideline to get the team motivated today.

BlueMan80

September 14th, 2013 at 6:54 PM ^

Will be very painful. They know the coaches will be kicking their butts this week because they deserve it. I also think we might see some changes on the O-line. I know the coaches don't want to screw around with building chemistry in the line, but someone may become an example of what poor play causes....a seat on the bench. I just hope Devin pulls out of his funk. Out of sync almost the whole game. Wasn't letting the game come to him for some reason. Trying to do too much.

snarling wolverine

September 14th, 2013 at 7:34 PM ^

I was hoping with Coach Hoke, fans wouldn't have to worry about the team sleepwalking through some of the games.

I don't think that's a fair expectation. Human nature is that you're just not going to be up for every week. I'm sure the coaches hammered home the importance of staying focused and hungry, but it's tough to get everyone to believe it against a team like Akron. The good teams find ways to not let it kill them.

EGD

September 14th, 2013 at 5:31 PM ^

They dropped some passes, had two INTs (one at the goal line and another that put M in the red zone), missed a 45-yard FG (after taking a stupid delay of game penalty), and had some other mistakes. If we had taken better advantage of Akron's mistakes we'd have won going away.

DonAZ

September 14th, 2013 at 6:53 PM ^

"It looks like the coaches picked the wrong guys to lead this team."

Ouch.

I'm not sure I'm willing to go quite that far.  But I understand where you're coming from.

Next week's game really becomes interesting.  Not simply that Michigan beats Connecticut, but that Michigan plays up to the level of sound football they should.

SF Wolverine

September 14th, 2013 at 4:54 PM ^

If they play this way -- or even close -- next week, it's a problem. Gonna be a rough week of practice, I would bet. Guys who do not grade well on film might find themselves with fewer snaps. Can't do that to Devin, b/c no other option, but I'd expect under performers to have a hot week in practice or see some pine against UConn.

Muttley

September 14th, 2013 at 5:00 PM ^

of winning.  In the competition for PT, the game film certainly informs the coaches of who that should be, but you don't go overboard in "punishing/motivating" players.  Even mentioning Gardner is ridiculous.  He gives 2013 Michigan the best chance to win.   

WolvinOhio

September 14th, 2013 at 6:35 PM ^

He won the game for us with his arm and legs. trouble was, Zips were double and triple teaming Gallon, and Gardner wasn't getting protection, at all in some cases. He needs to go through his progressions better/faster. Assuming they weren't being smothered as well. You know double teaming Gallon's going to happen next week. Fitz didn't look too bad, when he had help getting past the LOS. He can't run over players. Never will.

kehnonymous

September 14th, 2013 at 4:55 PM ^

Well.... while there is no sugarcoating this turd, I'm pretty sure that after practice this coming week, the players will have very very good incentive to not play this badly again

 

MGoBlue96

September 14th, 2013 at 4:56 PM ^

The reason it happens is because of what we saw today, teams taking another too lightly and not being ready to play. It doesn't excuse it when it does happen, but it happens frequently. If the team had played like crap  the first two games as well, I would be more concerned.

I will say the line play has get better on both sides if this team wants to win the Big Ten. There is enough raw talent on both lines though, that I think it can get better by Big Ten play. Devin also needs to take better care of the ball, and that  comes with experience.

Most of the problems on the line and with Gardner are execution issues, those can be fixed as the season goes on.