I guess it just hit me hwo disgusted I am
I know similar posts have been posted already and I don't care...I am disgusted.
You see it all the time. A team is on top and fans come out of friggin cracks in the road and then they disappear as soon as the team drops off. I didn't think Michigan was like that. We have had hard times as we all know but we have seemed to stick together through those bad times. Until Saturday that is.
I can honestly say that I have never been so disgusted in my life as I was on Saturday to see that much red in The Big House. I live in Florida and I had to watch this disgusting sight on TV and I was actually embarassed of our fans. How in the hell do we let that happen in our stadium? We looked as bad as Notre Dame when Nebraska came to town. It was sickening to see.
We are down right now there is no question about it but we will be back. There is absolutely no excuse for our fans to abandon the team like they did on Saturday especially during the biggest recruiting week of the year for us. Would you come to Michigan after you saw how their fans left them when they needed them the most? Are you kidding me?
I see other posts on here trying to say that it is an optical illusion or some shit like that and you know damn well that isn't true. It was an embarassing amount of Red in our House because our fans abandoned the team and gave up hope for our players who actually played pretty well against a far better team.
I don't care if you like the coach or not you don't do that to a team that you supposedly love. What kind of character does that show? You are no better than any other fan out there acting like that. This is when the team needs its fans more than ever man they need our support and instead we sell our tickets to the enemy and allow them to pack in there and create noise levels equal to what we could muster. When you can hear their ohio chant on TV in Florida at our house then there is something seriously wrong.
This is not the fan base that I grew up with but then I guess that is because we were always winning. This is bullshit and anyone that sold their tickets and sold out the team should be ashamed and should sell their tickets moving forward because we don't need you. How are we supposed to turn it around with this kind of support.
Sorry to those that are faithful fans...this doesn't apply but I am just shocked at what I saw on Saturday.
Wow
November 24th, 2009 at 1:46 PM ^
the fan base did not abandon the team dude. relax. the reason there was more scarlet in the stadium this year than previous years was due to scalpers selling the tickets to ohio state fans vs. traveling michigan fans. Its a recession homie and this years team, in light of this seasons success, did not encourage many michigan fans without season tickets to pony up the cash and pay the insane prices scalpers and other ticket distributors charge.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^
I think you could be right that some of it could be attributed to that but I have never seen anything like that in my life. It was literally embarassing to see it.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:52 PM ^
welll we are currently in the worst recession since the great depression and we just endured the 2nd worst season since the 1960's so unless you are a dinosaur then you wound not have seen this in your life. the fact that you haven't seen this in your life does not discredit my point.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:38 PM ^
I think it is a stretch to blame the economy. Tickets the week of the game were selling for face value. Many people thought we were going to get killed so they decided not to come to the game. I have extra tickets that I couldn't give away to friends and family who were supposedly Michigan fans and who live in the area. I went to breakfast the next day with 6 "Michigan fans" who asked why there were so many Ohio State fans at the game and where were all the Michigan fans. They didn't even make the connection that they are the very people that they are complaining about - i had free tickets for them and they wouldn't come! Maybe the economy could effect those who would have came from out of town but I don't think that this explains it all.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:40 PM ^
I thought we unionized Ohio already, I must be mistaken.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:52 PM ^
You were not. And I am telling you that my view was that it was only about 10% OSU fans. I was 8 rows from the top, north endzone. I had that view all day. You were not. You saw some shots on television. In regard to your comment about how many OSU fans were at the game, please, defer. Thank you.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:23 PM ^
And the four of us all estimated 20-30% OSU fans. Maybe it was only 20%, but I would strongly disagree with it being only 10%.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:44 PM ^
The three of us (me and friends) agreed that it was about 10%. (Which is still alot) Agree to disagree.
We actually started counting little blocks of people in what we thought seemed representative, etc, of the non-M student section and non-OSU blocks and figured out that red stands out a lot. (Yes, I know this sounds obvious) If we count "red" as "OSU" and "non-red" as "M," then I stand by that 10% number. Maybe it was a little more, and they were definitely loud, but 30%, I just don't think that's correct. I don't know if it's optical illusion or what, but I kind of had the same opinion that you are putting forward- that it was like 1/3 OSU fans, until we started doing our little counting thing, which I realize isn't all that scientific, but to me at least, was revealing. Just saying- both you and I have a hell of a lot more informed opinion on it than the OP.
Also, I have a pic on my iPhone with me at work- anyone know how I can upload it on here without some sort of "windows livewriter" or other strange program that I won't be able to download to my work computer? Cutting and pasting isn't working.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:07 PM ^
You're inserting first-hand knowledge into the debate.
Have you learned NOTHING from Terry Foster and Mike Wilbon???
November 24th, 2009 at 1:47 PM ^
Drinking.
It's 1:46 in the afternoon (Eastern Time Zone).
November 24th, 2009 at 1:52 PM ^
Hell, it's before noon here...and that has never stopped me before.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:16 PM ^
There's a time for every alcoholic beverage under heaven. I especially enjoy a Bloody Mary with an omelette for breakfast. If I'm having brunch somewhere, a bellini is a good, more "upscale" cocktail.
If you're hanging out with the guys (on a hunting or fishing trip, for instance, or tailgating) every time is the "right time" for a beer.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:54 PM ^
To quote my dear old dad:
"This is the drunkest I've ever been before noon!"
November 24th, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
"Stop Drinking."
Never heard of it.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:48 PM ^
the fans have abandoned Mich. Who cares how much red is there. It's people like you, so consumed with what others "think".
You are either a fan or your not. I am equally fed up with posts(like yours) basically ripping on people if they do not go to every game even if Mich is losing. Maybe people had other events to attend this past Saturday. Ever think of that?
I know, it is a new concept for many(like you) to think that the world might revolve around non football activities.
Perhaps there are many fans who watch Mich because they are usually good(if not great). Ever think of that? SO waht if they don;t watch when they are bad. Doesn't make a difference!
Go Blue!
November 24th, 2009 at 1:53 PM ^
I am a true fan my friend. I flew up this year when I could to see them play Purdue. I wish I could go to every game and if I lived there (and didn't have a family event to attend) I would surely have gone. It is just that this game is more than just a football game to most Michigan fans (obviously not you) and it is important to have OUR fans there supporting the team at home. This was a huge week for recruiting and it reflects negatively on Michigan to have that many OSU fans in our house especially when you can hear the OHIO chant in the Big House. Say what you want but that doesn't look good.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:25 PM ^
but no where near as important as putting a roof over your families heads or giving the kids a decent Christmas. Unemployment in this state is around 15% and that is long term my friend. There are no jobs even with my MBA from U of M. I've even applied at the University with no luck. You are told you are overqualified or that they can't afford to hire you because you will leave as soon as the economy picks up. That's the reality of living in Michigan. If it doesn't change soon I will be joining the flocks and getting out in the near future. Do I want to leave-No, but I may have no choice. I know two of the tickets I sold went to a Wolverine fan the other two I'm not sure, but I made my house payment by selling the tickets. With a state max unemployment of $326 a week before taxes you do what you have to make end meets.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:22 PM ^
Shame on these posters who feel they "looked bad" because they saw alot of red in the stands. Who cares.
True Blue fans will take care of family before worrying about how many O$U fans come up to AA.
I believe in 2012 we will crush O$U, and once again get back on track in this series.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:34 PM ^
I kind of doubt that the average U-M ticketholder is scraping by on unemployment benefits.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:50 PM ^
Michigan will be fine, Florida Blue. In 2011, please get some tickets and get to that Ohio State game. I will be there too.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^
I already have that trip planned and I can't wait.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^
C'est la vie
November 24th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^
HOw on earth did you keep all that bottled up inside since Saturday? You're lucky you didn't have a coronary bro.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^
but I did not really notice this alleged red-out in the big house. I have always noted that many suckeyes make the trip and thought it looked par for the course on Saturday. The Michigan fans that were in attendance represented well. I believe that the stadium looked and sounded very good. Looks like some recruits thought so too.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:34 PM ^
did I get negged for that? And 50,000 OSU fans? Wow, that was a pretty silent near majority.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:09 PM ^
But I'm guessing this round of negging has something to do with the first rule of MGoPoints...
November 24th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^
I think is funny when fans rail on other fans about this and then say they watched it on tv.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:57 PM ^
I'm guessing you missed the part about him living in Florida.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
Nope. Why does that matter? How can someone rail on fans for not being there when they aren't there themselves?
November 24th, 2009 at 2:17 PM ^
Because they live in Florida. It matters because flying up from Florida to see a game is going to have a much larger cost than, say, driving from Grand Rapids.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:22 PM ^
Which is fine. But, why does that give him the right to take other fans to task?
November 24th, 2009 at 3:46 PM ^
I can't come to every game and that should be ovious. Look I didn't mean to piss anyone off with this but I'm just telling you that it really looked and SOUNDED bad. If I can hear it on TV it must have been bad there and I don't know how you didn't hear it if I did. It was very noticable.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:56 PM ^
is only in your heart.
I'm just saying.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^
While I think some of OSU fans can be attributed to ticket brokers, there were simply too many of them for that alone to be the case. I was in the student section, and by my estimation I would say there was 40,000-50,000 Ohio State fans in attendance. Moreover, I would consider that observation to be conservative. Of note, there was very little red in the student section. I believe that UM students held on to their tix, and were generally much more supportive of the team leading up to the game.
Interesting enough, the OSU fans that were there were fairly quiet until late in the 3rd quarter or so. You could hear them cheering on big plays, but that was about it. The O-H-I-O chant, in my mind, was flat out embarassing. Once the chant started, UM fans started cheering and the band started playing to cover it up, but there were simply to many OSU fans to drown it out.
While I'm disappointed about the number of OSU fans, among a thousand other items, I think we have many things to be optimistic about. The pieces are starting to fall into place for this to be a solid team again, and I'm confident we won't see another sea of Ohio State scarlet at Michigan Stadium in 2011.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:27 PM ^
there were plenty of student tickets available on EBay.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:43 PM ^
It looks like those students that sold their shit on Ebay didn't sell them to OSU fans which was the point of this post since there wasn't any red in the student section...
November 24th, 2009 at 9:14 PM ^
they didn't care who they sold them to as long as they got the highest dollar. If it happened that all the high bidders were Michigan fans good for them, but that would be sheer luck unless OSU fans were afraid to sit in the student section.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:47 PM ^
Umm, was this your first rodeo? 40-50k OSU fans? That's just funny. And not at all true.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:19 PM ^
I'd estimate around 30-40 thousand OSU fans in attendance.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:35 PM ^
and has been at "The Game" since 2003 this was by far the most amount of buckeyes I've ever seen at the game. It was pathetic.
I really don't disagree with the OP that a lot of the so called "fans" who bought up seasons and then decided to sell the OSU game should have their fan cards removed because I would not sell my ticket for any amount of money.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:36 PM ^
I COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS PROGRAM!!! (this is not sarcasm). Rich Rod is one of the best 5 coaches in the country and we are going to be winning national championships before you know it.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:25 PM ^
We seem to have a few "oh, but I look bad to O$U and the rest of the country" if there is alot of red in the stands in AA.
It is nice to see how high you hold RR(top 5 in the country).
As I mentioned in other posts, I am really excited about the minimum floor we have set for next Fall(must go 6-6)
Either way, I am excited that the program is heading somewhere next year
November 24th, 2009 at 2:46 PM ^
Fine. Lets let Brian settle this. From this blog. Note the last sentence.
Many people are talking about the Ohio State fans who showed up en masse. I didn't think it was much worse than 2007, especially not in my immediate proximity. Two years ago there was this pack of Git-r-dones a few rows behind me that would literally say "ain't nothing wrong with that" after every four yard Wells run; this year there were scattered OSU fans but nothing as concentrated and annoying.
But it was worse, and this has caused a lot of muttering about season ticket holders who gave up their seats. I don't think that's the case thanks to an excellent diary on the situation:
…the Athletic Department has been "banking" all of the non-renewed season tickets. With those "banked" seats, the Athletic Department plans to be able to do the aforementioned aisleway widening, handrail additions and (hooray) widened seat-numbering, with a minimum of inconvenience and movement to existing season ticket seat holders. … In the meantime, it means that the Athletic Department has larger numbers of individual and/or package tickets to sell.
If you had wanted to conduct an experiment at the time of the OSU game, all you had to do was ask to see the tickets of any of those OSU fans; I have every presumption that in most cases, the tickets held by Buckeye fans would surely have been small and white, not the larger color photo-background tickets that go to season ticket holders.
This problem will be less and less of an issue in the future, as season-ticket assignments within the bowl get settled after renovations are completed.
… And, for people in Columbus, the Michigan game is the biggest day of the year. They smelled blood in the water this year, and many of them made the effort, got the tickets, and came north. Do not for a moment think that ticket brokers missed an opportunity to purchase a package of tickets that included Eastern and Delaware State, simply to get ahold of OSU tickets, and sell them in Columbus. Those tickets, the package tickets, are quite likely part of the "bank" of tickets that the Athletic Department is holding only until 2010 or 2011, for the completion of the stadium renovations.
This is definitely what happened: brokers snapped up the publicly available tickets and when game time rolled around the double-digit favorites are naturally more inclined to pay the premium to get into the stadium. There were some traitorous bastards who need to be hung by their figgins, but most of it was just Michigan fans not buying available tickets. Which means everyone complaining about how the stadium looked on TV has scarlet and gray on their hands.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:00 PM ^
Brian isn't the catechism, dude, he doesn't "settle" things like this.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:46 PM ^
It has less to do with tepid Wolverine fans and more to do with the Athletic Department preparing to reorganize stadium seating. Relax.
http://mgoblog.com/content/penitent-man
http://mgoblog.com/diaries/regarding-numbers-osu-fans-michigan-stadium
Expect a smaller, more typical OSU fan presence in 2011....and a U of M victory. Go Blue!
November 24th, 2009 at 2:49 PM ^
I wouldn't guess as many as 40,000, but well more than 10% of the stadium was red. The MMB and the Michigan crowd couldn't drown out the "O-H I-O" cheer around the stadium because the OSU fans were spread all over the stadium (eve a couple red shirts in the student section). It was embarrassing. There had to be more than a few season ticket holders that sold their seats, because the athletic dept. doesn't have THAT many seats in reserve. I don't care why it happened, it should never happen in our stadium. The players deserve better from their own fans.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:25 PM ^
What is the normal allotment to visiting teams? Even 10,000 OSU fans seems a lot to me.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:33 PM ^
Michigan football is not your family. Most people who are Michigan fans are not blindly loyal. If this team is bad for long enough people will stop caring. That is the way it is. I think it will be real interesting if this slide continues to see just how loyal people will be. I went to Michigan but I don't have to watch. I checked out on the basketball team a long time ago. If they ever prove to be serious contenders again I may start paying attention attention again, but until that time, I don't care. I've got other things to do with my time other than get emotional behind a team that's got no chance.
That's what would ultimately get Rich Rod out, people not coming to the stadium and spending their money on Michigan products. Michigan Football is a business and a profit center. It exists to bring money into the University.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:28 PM ^
Michigan always has a chance. We played pretty well on Saturday and I for one was very proud of how they went all out for this win. Turnovers killed us but we could have very well won that game.
Wanting Rich Rod out is in my opinion a very bad idea at this time. Do you realize what he is doing? He is tearing the program down in a much needed way and building it back up again. This takes time and people just can't understand that for some reason. You can't change the entire staff and system and expect to win 9 games in the first few years. This is not realistic anywhere in the country even Michigan.
Rich Rod will get it done but it is crap like this that will keep him from turning us into The Power House in the Big 10. If given time we will be national title contendors Every Year. Take that to the bank.