Honest Question: So what, now?

The alarming thing was the student section was never more than 1/3 full. That's a serious problem. I've never seen that. They're usually the definition of die hard. That will have ramifications for years. Thanks, Dave.

Listening to Jamie Morris on WTKA this morning, someone called in asking about the coaching search that was conducted when Hoke was hired.  Morris said that he heard that Harbaugh was never offered and that Brandon disrespected Miles. 

This is why at the beginning of the year, when lots of people are saying we'll win 10 games that I said 8-4 sounded more realistic.  I got flack, I got downvoted, but at least I am not disapointed.  I didn't expect a great result or a great season, so things are just what they are.  Too many people let the hype get to them and get their expectations waaay too high before ever seeing any evidence.  You accept things as they are instead of what you wish they were.  You accept that all games will be close, there will be no easy wins, and dominant performances are just not there right now.  You accept that you still enjoy the team, the traditions, the players, etc.  And, you watch to enjoy versus watching only to see success.  Accept it for what it is, lower your expectations, and just let it play out and enjoy watching football.

We still plan on going to all of the home games, plus MSU and OSU. I don't consider myself a martyr or a glutton for punishment. I just like Michigan football, win or lose, and it breaks my heart to think about what those players think when they look up and see empty stands.

I'm just going to bite my tongue because they end up being right even though they aren't right.

It's the fair weather fans that have been holding this team back.  Another game or two like this, and they'll all be gone.  Then, and only then, will the team have success.

 

 

how well Indiana played to defeat Mizzou! I definitely think IU can come in and defeat Michigan. Hopefully a new coaching search is well underway. I see this as being a sub .500 season. Hoke better not be back next season!

Eh, I'll go to the home games. I've lowered my expectations. Football season is too short to get so upset about. Enjoy the weather, tailgating, and beer.

I think I will revert to my undrgrad days and root harder for MSU.  That is infinitely less painful than being a UM fan at the moment.

What now? I'll tell you what now.

What now? I'll tell you what now.

Am done planning my Saturdays around the games. Will watch if convenient, but no more moving heaven and earth to torture myself.

OK.

So.

Well, I was thinking maybe ND was really good and that game was an outlier.  Welp. Nope.

Despite what some may say the defense is doing fine.   Neither ND or Utah ran the ball on us.  The defense is only allowing 80.3 yards / game.  We've only allowed 2 rushing TDs this year.  Keep watching Wille Henry.  He's going to be an absolute terror next season.

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/24

So the offense is the problem.  What do?

Mattison came in and did this:

total defense:

                                   2010: 110th  Rodriguez/Robinson
                                   2011:  17th  Hoke/Mattison

I dont know if we can find someone to do the same for the offense.  It doesn't look like Nuss is going to be able to fix it in one season.

So ... I don't know, man.   Let Hoke go, you'll probably lose Mattison, and I'd hate to see that.

OK.  Time to go.  I have other things to do.  Reality sets in, and I'm just spending time talking about college kids chasing a ball.  Gotta go.

Each Saturday, I'm gonna go to McGreevy's as I did this past Saturday and cheer on the team, and I'm gonna watch every second.

I went to the MSU game last year.  It was high-30s and raining the whole game, and I could barely move after the game was over, but when "Shout" came on in the fourth quarter, I said, "Dammit, I'm going to enjoy myself," and danced with the rest of the student section, cracking jokes with all the Spartans around me and generally trying to have a good time. 

And that's how the rest of the year is gonna go for me.  The team will be what it will be, and I'll stick with them, and if I ever meet any of them in person I'll shake their hand and buy them a drink.

I plan on focusing more on my studies. I am way too depressed in the weekends.

Ok sports is not REAL, so lets not loose our lives over it..there are plenty of things to do, and once in awhile we need to do a reality check..more important things in life. Yes we the crazy fans do take it to another level especially when posting on forums. I will still watch the team and if i notice they suck I will go and pursue my other hobbies, go take the kids out, hit the gym or work on my vette. I love football and as an alumni love Michigan football even more, BUT i have come to realize that we are not good anymore and I am not going to put all my energy in it or get upset over it. Its another thing loosing close games and its another thing being a circus out there. Michigan has one of the biggest fan base/alumni in the country and the athletic department should be ashame of themsleves for puting out garbage out there.

Today is a beautiful, uncharacteristically warm first day of Fall. I'm going to work on the yard and garage and smile.

For me, the one positive of the RR years is that I detached my happiness from the results of Michigan football games. Oh, I still want them to win, win big, and play well, but when they don't I just move along to the next thing.

I'm also clear that I don't want a coach in charge of 100+ kids who screams at them, spits in their faces, berates and belittles them, breaks rules to win, and teaches them that those things are okay to do if they generate the desired result. i just don't believe that, and I wouldn't want my kid being taught by someone like that.

Our D is solid this year. The offense just seems so close...like all the puzzle pieces are there, laid out in the correct order, but someone just needs to quickly and simply connect/assemble them. It is, to me, truly puzzling.

I don't think firing an OC who's been with us for four games is the solution, either short or long term.

I sat through the weather delay yesterday because I wanted to watch more Michigan football. For the reason above I remained optimistic. I was, in the end, disappointed, but still, I tuned in on my computer to ESPN3 and watched the final minutes play out for a mostly empty stadium. So I'll keep watching. And hell, I already have tickets, airline and game, to take my 17 year old daughter to the Maryland game. She's never been in The Big House, and I've not been for over 20 years, and we're both excited to share that experience.

Go Blue!

can match the 14 points EMU scored on State.

Regents?

I'm going to call a couple of hard piping hitters and go to work on these fools!

The truth of the matter is that watching Michigan is an unhealthy outlet right now, at my historical level of committment, and it's been that way for at least the last two falls.  Here's what I have been doing to mitigate the present reality:

1.  Staying sober during games.  This is critical, because remaining sober modulates my reactions, emotions, & etc., and then after the game I am in shape to do any healthy activity (yoga, basketball, math) that my mind and body need.

2.  Watching the games with the sound off, and a record on.  Listening to the likes of Spielman gets under my skin, even though his critcisms are generally correct and fair.  I usually play metal when Michigan is winning, and some kind of moody music when they are losing.  I find it allows for detachment. 

3.  Watching the game at home, and not a bar.  Obviously related to (1), but separately important because I can mix productive activities (doing the dishes, situps, work) into watching the game.  Fifteen minutes of productivity here and there makes for a different feeling after a loss.  I am sure that this is something functioning (and married) adults have known for some time, but I am just now discovering it. I generally watched even the most dreadful moments of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 at sports bars (Purdue 2008, 2011 Gator Bowl being the dregs), and I am not sure it helped at all.