Kinda OT: Lions' Irrelevance
Is it just me, or has this Michigan season so far completely taken the sting out of another disappointing Lions game? I used to like the Lions more than Michigan football, but after the thrilling Notre Dame win, and Tate's emergence, I really didn't care too much about the Lions/Saints game or Matt Stafford's debut. Do any of the Lions fans out there agree with me on that one?
Relatedly, I feel bad for anyone who's an MSU fan AND a Lions fan. How can you watch games like the CMU one and any Lions game in the same weekend and maintain your sanity? I could barely survive the combined record of 3-25 from my two favorite teams last season.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:24 PM ^
It is just you...
September 16th, 2009 at 9:30 PM ^
"I used to like the Lions more than Michigan football"
wut
In all seriousness though, I expect the Lions to lose every week. If they win, great. On the other hand, I am not a happy camper when Michigan loses. It's all about expectations and how much you emotionally invest in a team.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:35 PM ^
I came of age during the exciting Barry Sanders era and I always loved the NFL, but Matt Millen killed any chance that I'd like the Lions as much as Michigan.
I totally agree with managing expectations, I will be content with 4 wins from the Lions this year. At this point, Michigan would have to get at least 7 for me to be happy, probably 8.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:31 PM ^
There are Lions fans?
September 16th, 2009 at 9:33 PM ^
Last season was the worst football season I pretty much could have possibly had. I have never rooted for anyone other than Michigan and Detroit (and Tom Brady Pats) and they were so bad combined that I was forced to choose a second NFL team just to have someone to root for. The silver lining is that now my Lions expectations are so low that no matter how bad they look, nothing surprises me.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:37 PM ^
Honestly, how can a Lions loss sting you anymore? How can you be anything but numb to it by now? They've been utterly terrible for so long...
September 16th, 2009 at 9:38 PM ^
went a combined 6-34. Talk about a brutal 08'
September 16th, 2009 at 10:05 PM ^
And I thought my 3-25 (UofM + the Lions) was bad...
September 16th, 2009 at 9:46 PM ^
Michigan being 2-0 trumps any Lions talk because Michigan is 2-0 coming of a terrible season and the Lions are the Lions.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:58 PM ^
I'm a lions fan, but about 10 years ago i had to pick another team besides the lions so i chose the steelers cuz my uncle was a fan. I mean, they have been bad for so long, i just don't feel anything anymore.
Plus, Saturday morning-early Sunday is so much fun with college football, then the NFL games come on on Sunday and they are no where near as exciting. Maybe part of that is being a lions fan, but the NFL seems to predictable and not as exciting as college. college > pro sports.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:12 PM ^
My life revolves around college sports (namely, CFB).
I watch the NFL because it's football, but I don't really get into it.
September 17th, 2009 at 1:21 AM ^
Agreed. It's tough to say exactly what it is, but there's just something about college sports - the fact that they're not getting paid (theoretically, at least :) ), that no one's getting traded or becoming a free-agent, the student sections & bands, the passion, etc. - that makes them so much better than pro sports. The only pro team I really care about is the Red Wings, and that's because of how passionate so many of the Red Wings fan I know are, and how central that team is the SE Michigan culture. Other pro teams seem to me to be filled with hired guns, and it doesn't really matter if the franchise picks up & moves, whatever. It's all business.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:14 PM ^
UM accounted for all of those wins.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:24 PM ^
I am still a hardcore lions fan. I haven't missed a game on TV in about 9 years. I only like them because they are local, and I am a fan of the local teams. I still have my Barry Sanders, Joey Harrington, and Charles Rogers jerseys in the closet. It makes for an easy Halloween costume when you wear a paper bag that says "Lions Fans"
To answer your question, Michigan will be #1 over the Lions forever and always. As much as I would love to see the Lions make the playoffs, I would rather see Michigan play for a national championship. I don't think the Lions hype is down because of Michigan. I think the Lions hype is down because they have been awful for so many years that nobody in the area even cares about them.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:11 AM ^
They still sell a lot of season tickets. I'm not sure if it means someone around here cares, or they're all just afraid that if they quit going to games, they'll turn it around the following year.
September 17th, 2009 at 8:17 AM ^
Detroit sports fans seem to be a loyal group. I live in Indianapolis, and still wear my Lions jersey every Sunday. I go to a bar, however, where I can see every game, not just the Lions. Often there are others wearing their Lions jersey. However, I get more excited about my fantasy football teams than I do for the Lions and other NFL teams.
That said, I'm a Wolverine, and always will be a Wolverine. Same for everyone player on Michigan's football team, and all of the players before them. That kind of trumps any loyalty I might feel for some professional athlete who might play in three cities during a career or team that might move to Phoenix or Los Angeles when the going gets tough.
September 17th, 2009 at 1:26 AM ^
lol. Such a big bust.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:15 AM ^
Bandwagon?
September 17th, 2009 at 12:23 AM ^
Haha I thought the same thing. I also heard that Tate had 1500 facebook friend request after the Notre Dame win. Once the buzz wears off all the bandwagoners can go back to good old Detroit Lions football.