Mgobloggers vs. the rest of the UM community
I think all of us here owe mgoblog a big thank you both for occupying us and keeping us informed during the long, cold offseason. The difference between mgobloggers in the know and the average Michigan fan is just astounding.
Before the game, I talked to my brother (class of '95) who is and has always been a diehard football fan...but not an mgoblogger. He (like most non-mgobloggers) was telling me how we were about to start another losing season and RR was going to get fired, etc. I didn't even respond, blood just boiling, gritting my teeth. I knew, thanks to mgoblog, that we would have a kick-ass offense, and while the D might be suspect, we should be able to compensate for that on offense.
Of course, I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome, especially on defense, and don't claim to have predicted the outcome perfectly (I predicted 42-24). But, mgoblog allowed me to enter the game optimistically, knowing all of our players, rooting for our HC and looking forward to a much improved season. Thank you Brian, and the rest of the community.
September 5th, 2010 at 11:24 AM ^
Word. See my post about beveled guilt.
September 5th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
the MGoBlogging community is. I am 1800 miles from Ann Arbor, and I have clients in their 70's who know exactly who Tacopants is.
September 5th, 2010 at 2:10 PM ^
Tacopants legs en-route to the endzone on his 32 yard TD?
I've heard the rumor, but I didn't see Tacopants on that play.
September 5th, 2010 at 5:47 PM ^
Tacopants takes running plays off, so that's probably why you didn't see him.
September 5th, 2010 at 11:32 PM ^
Odd -- I can't seem to see him on passing plays either.
Didn't appear that DRob was throwing to him at all, for that matter, yesterday. Did he graduate, or did Rich Rod tell him to take a hike?
September 5th, 2010 at 11:40 PM ^
quick, someone tell the RCMB to add him to their list of players Rodriguez has run off.
September 6th, 2010 at 1:44 PM ^
Hates tacos.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:05 AM ^
accused him of being a great blocker, but his route running skills are excellent. And that's saying something, since in the time he's been here, he's had to memorize about four different playbooks.
September 5th, 2010 at 4:05 PM ^
Or is that easy...?
September 5th, 2010 at 11:48 AM ^
how many people to which I had to explain the Brock Mealer story. ABC covered it halfway through the game, but it would have been better if we saw it pre-game in lieu of fat Jessie Palmer. I told all my friends about it an hour before game time and said that it's one of the most inspirational stories I've ever heard and 100X better and less offside than "Rudy". After it wasn't mentioned before the game I honestly believed they wouldn't say anything about it.
This blog allows all of us to be much more informed than the average fan.
September 5th, 2010 at 3:44 PM ^
Eh, given that they're in their 70s I bet they think Tacopants is what you're called when you dump your meal in your lap on Mexican night at Old Country Buffet.
September 5th, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^
This is sad, but all too true. Most of my friends and coworkers that are Michigan fans don't visit this blog and are just plain ignorant and anti-Rodriguez - claiming that the 2008 team was stock loaded with talent and he ran off too many good players etc...
September 5th, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^
Actually most college football fans think this is the case
September 6th, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^
Most college football fans are idiots.
...So it makes sense.
September 5th, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
I like the fact that most of us here, if not exactly pro-Rodriguez all the way, are at least in favor of giving him enough time to fully install his players. Many of the people I know in the larger UM fanbase had no idea that the team was going to be any good this year. I would tell them that Denard is going to light up everybody this year, they would just cock an eye as if I am just some unrealistic homer with rose colored glasses. They just made vague demands that RR better turn it around this year, or else!! Whatever that means. As if the program owes them something. Sure, they may have been fans for longer than I have been alive, but Michigans consecutive bowl game streak also pretty much concided with my life span during my first 33 years, so being a Michigan was never all that difficult. Now, they go through two losing seasons and it's like Rodriguez just crept into their bedroom late at night and violated their wife. They are incensed. The problem is, though that they are not true fans like we at MGoblog are (perhaps you could say that we are pathological fans). They don't really follow recruiting, they just complain when they see in the Freep that Dorsey didn't qualify, or that Turner transferred. They don't watch the spring game. They just come to the UConn game with a chip on their shoulders, probably hoping that we lose so we can go ahead and fire Rodriguez. Then, when we win, they forget all of their hate for a minute and get right back on that bandwagon. Thanks to all the MGobloggers for never getting off.
September 5th, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^
"Now, they go through two losing seasons and it's like Rodriguez just crept into their bedroom late at night and violated their wife."
MThrax, pure genius.
September 5th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^
Just don't mess with my Football Team. ;-)
September 5th, 2010 at 3:03 PM ^
football (soccer team) have various firms or groups of supporters who are the most fervent in their following...this is like the MGoBlog community. I find I don't have much in common anymore with the non MGoBlog Michigan fan because I find the non-believers not to know enough about the offense/defense/recruiting/direction of the program and to be, accordingly, overly simple in their analyses.
September 5th, 2010 at 1:00 PM ^
People need to keep spreading the word about this site, because most UM fans have never heard of it. Even here in Ann Arbor, the vast majority of people I talk to (like 90+%) have no idea what MGoBlog is.
September 5th, 2010 at 1:06 PM ^
Have you ever had he experience of explaining to someone what the NCAA charges actually are about while they look at you in amazement. One buddy of mine, who is not a Michigan fan, loves to blast Rich Rod. He went off on the NCAA thing and I actually told him what all the charges were. He was amazed that it was such a big deal. He just assumed that it Rich Rod was operating a sleeazy operation and doing all kinds of bad "stuff."
September 5th, 2010 at 11:10 PM ^
I've had to do the same with 233563429 people, it's amazing what damage the media can do.
September 5th, 2010 at 11:41 PM ^
It's so hard to explain how something so minor can still be called a "major" violation......
September 5th, 2010 at 1:10 PM ^
Fans' opinions and voices do matter in college football, to some degree. Unfortunately, as with democratic governance, some people are far more informed on the issues at hand than others but each guy's rant--or vote--is just as loud as the next one's. That's why education is so critical. Go forth as spread the good word of MGoBlog!
P.S. - Democracy is the worst form of government except for all of the other forms etc etc etc blah churchhill blah blah health care
September 5th, 2010 at 2:28 PM ^
From the OP:
Before the game, I talked to my brother (class of '95) who is and has always been a diehard football fan...but not an mgoblogger. He (like most non-mgobloggers) was telling me how we were about to start another losing season and RR was going to get fired, etc. I didn't even respond, blood just boiling, gritting my teeth.
Why didn't you respond? You're sitting around, talking football on a game-day Saturday, and your brother talks shit like that? Why not respond? Why not show him the way to MGoBlog; tell him why he's wrong, and badly informed, and awfully prejudiced, and ask him how he got so screwed up? He's your brother! I can't imagine how you wouldn't feel you have the right to set him straight. I don't suggest that you punch him in the teeth, or throw him down the stairs. I don't even suggest that you argue with him.
But at least respond!
September 5th, 2010 at 2:36 PM ^
Valid point...it was right before the game, and I've had this conversation with so many people (including my brother) so many times, that I wanted to just be psyched for the game. It was much more satisfying initiating the "I told you so" phone call after the game.
September 5th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^
I've told a few of my loyal Blue fans about mgoblog, I just keep the fair weather fans in the dark, and blast their arguments with facts. Nothing takes the wind out of their sails like being right.
September 5th, 2010 at 2:50 PM ^
Couldnt agree more Bluebrains...
When I hear some of the stuff that comes out of the mouths of most fans at the tailgate and at the game I am completely shocked at their lack of knowledge. I think all the average fan really sees is those giant headlines from the Freep, they just dont take the time to dig a bit deeper and learn what is really going on. Its one thing when my wife is a bit clueless, but when fans who have followed the team for years dont really understand what is going on, its a bit disheartening. I do my best to help people understand, but sometimes the fight to inform gets a bit old, and you just hold your tongue.
Its great to get a bit of vindication, and now I just have to hope that the bandwagon doesnt tip over as I now wait to hear all of the I knew that RichRod was OK all along, and that I knew Denard was that good all along as well...Still its only one game, and I personally have gone from neutral to catious optimism about this team and for today that feels pretty good.
Aug
PS. Props to my wife, who is way pregnant and watched the game at home while I was in Ann Arbor...I made a bit of a joke about her in this post but she honestly talks more intelligently about Michigan football than half the guys I know, LOL
September 5th, 2010 at 3:07 PM ^
Way to fix that part about calling a "way pregnant" woman clueless. I mean, damn, do you have a death wish? If she reads this and has access to sharp objects, you better run like Denard. Jokes aside, congrats to you and Mrs. Augger. Best wishes.
September 5th, 2010 at 3:50 PM ^
My brother and I attended the game yesterday - he a student at Central and I an ex-Michigander who made the trip up from North Carolina. We both read and talk about the blog quite a bit. Naturally, we were both very excited to attend.
We were sitting in section 10 and decided that we were going to stand for the whole game. We thought we'd get the rest of the people in our section to stand to, and we'd really enjoy ourselves. Backfire. A couple of guys behind us were really getting on our case about sitting down, but we held our stance. After about the first quarter the guys behind us, who kept jawing at us, jumped on my back, started throwing some punches, and some pushing and shoving ensued. About 5 minutes later security came and escorted me and the gentleman mainly responsible for the jawing and pushing from the stadium.
I was disappointed for a couple of reasons. Obviously driving from North Carolina on Friday, I was pretty eager to see the game. I didn't anticipate watching 3 quarters of the game from the big TV at Pioneer High. More so, it seemed like most sections around us were standing. Would it have been that difficult for the guys behind us to stand? Or for anybody else in our section to stand? It seemed like we were the only ones.
I understand perhaps we were being a bit insensitive to those around who were seated, BUT it's the freakin Big House. Opening game. Rededication. Mealer. Denard.
Please tell me I was not in the wrong for standing up to cheer on the team.
September 5th, 2010 at 7:58 PM ^
Too bad that the other guy had to get ejected too, just because you and your brother were being dickheads.
I wouldn't, if I were you, engage in the mistaken thinking that just because somebody is an afficionado of MGoBlog, that they'd support your boorish and embarassing behavior. Come back to Michigan Stadium sometime, when you are ready to act like an adult. In the meantime, the parking lot at Pioneer seems like a good place for you.
I'd like everybody to know; there is a better way to handle this. You don't have to be the guy that jumps on Justin's back, throws some punches and gets kicked out along with Justin. Go to security first, and get them to throw Justin out, so that you don't have to go with him.
September 5th, 2010 at 8:09 PM ^
Please kill yourself and all of your demon spawn. KTHNXBYE
September 5th, 2010 at 11:03 PM ^
DIsagree. mgojustin has a right to defend himself. I was raised to know how to defend myself but only use force as a last resort. The other fans started and mgojustin has every right to defend himself and end the altercation.
You know what, I am going to be a dick if I ever sit next to you. I will stand up the entire game and cheer as loud as I can. Fans like you that want to sit on their hands thinking this is an opera, should stay home or move up into the boxes.
September 5th, 2010 at 11:28 PM ^
Yes, and I'll bet you'll be really proud that you blocked the view of the 10 year old kid sitting behind you who loves Michigan and is attending his/her first game but could not see anything. And goes home crying!
Nice.
September 5th, 2010 at 11:50 PM ^
I'll sit back and watch you defend yourself, against the Ann Arbor Police. Good luck with that. I think that the Ann Arbor Police will be favored by about seven touchdowns. They'll respect your rights; if you fight them hard enough, they'll read those rights to you.
As for opera being boring, unless you've seen Natalie Dessay as Lucia, or Anna Netrebko in Don Pasquale, I'll assume you don't know what you're talking about, sport.
September 6th, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^
They were both in the wrong.
Case in point; I took my boy to the game, we were in the club section on the pressbox side. Now I am generally what you would call a raucous fan. I make noise. I stand. I stomp my foot on big third downs. You hate me already. I know.
Now my section was split pretty evenly betwix those who stood, and those who did not. I am of the mindset that when we're on defense, our crowd needs to be involved and I don't mean by janglin' keys. I try to encourage those around me (in a very good natured way) to get involved as well.
Toward the end of the first quarter I was very excited by what I'd been witness to, as anyone within ten rows of me knew very well, but apparently the three generations of Michigan fans in front of me knew that fact especially well. The youngest man of the three turned to me after a third down, gave me a five, and then asked me (very nicely) if I would please refrain from stomping my feet. He encouraged me to make noise, but asked that I please don't stomp, because "it vibrates my seat quite a bit". His father turned to me and approved of his sons' request and further encouraged me to yell "all you want" (at this point I really with I had some UT blog style MSpaint illustrations).
When a request is made in this type of manner, it's hard for the situation to escalate at all. We talked for a minute, I assured him I didn't mean to annoy them, and that I wouldn't stomp... unless there was a HUGE third down(here I smiled real big, this is important). He accepted this compromise, I checked back with him to make sure I wasn't bothering them too much, we all got along. Everyone enjoyed the game, we traded high fives throughout, life went on. I did catch myself starting to stomp on a few occassions, but I stopped as soon as I realized (it's a habit).
My point is that it's important for both parties to be courteous about it. If he would have turned around and just been a dick about it, I may not have been quite so inclned to comply, and we may not have enjoyed the game as much as we did. Just be civil about things.
September 7th, 2010 at 1:21 PM ^
Seeing how other people might feel, and friendly discussion can do. I like to stand. If the people in front of me stand (and by that I mean rows, not two douchebags), I'll stand. If they're sitting, I'm not going to be the only guy standing. I'd rather have someone sitting, clapping, yelling, stomping and making noise (and properly, at the right times, rather than drunken blather) than standing and just being stupid. I've never heard a down in front guy be able to say much if everyone is standing (and the rare time it happens, my reply is always "You go get row 1 to sit, then 2, then 3....and so on, and I'll be glad to sit"). But often the YOU MUST STAND CROWD that stands when everyone else is sitting that starts the problems.
September 5th, 2010 at 11:16 PM ^
I'd say you were in the wrong - you have to respect what other people want, or don't want, to do. That's why I'm still getting tickets in the student section, to avoid that kind of problem.
September 6th, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^
You were wrong. They were more wrong to jump you, but you instigated it.
But even if you were right, ask yourself, on the risk-reward ratio, was it worth driving all that way to watch 3/4 of the game on tv, basically, as long as you got to make your "moral stand"? Because if you think that was a fair trade, missing the game to not sit down, more power to you. But it kinda sounds like you wasted a lot of time when you could stand in your living room and watch it on tv just the same as you did, without all the gas and travel time.
September 7th, 2010 at 1:43 PM ^
I was in section 37 row 43 and everyone was standing for most of the game, especially when we were on offense. IMO the fans should stand and be loud. It is a football game, you are supposed to have fun, be loud and contribute to home field advantage.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
It's not a problem. You're not the one going against the grain.
Though I'm curious...why does "Stand" and "Be loud", have to be together? Can you not "sit" and "be loud"? I would think the worse fan is the one who clams up the minute he has to sit down.
September 5th, 2010 at 6:22 PM ^
(comment re-placed, under "mgojustin.")
September 5th, 2010 at 11:25 PM ^
This is one of the reasons many of us hate the Freep and ESPN and most other media. They do a lousy job at half-assed reporting. Unfortunately, most of their readers (who must be idiots and stupid to boot) believe their shit and never use "The Google" to find out it is a bunch of lies.
Whenever I hear anyone badmouth RR, I always ask them very politely why they would think that. Everyone (everyone!) has said, "I read it in the newspaper".
Then I tell them to go to MGoBlog.com if they are interested in the truth.