Michigan can still win a share of the Legends Division

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Despite not being able to go to the championship game, Michigan still has a lot to play for Saturday.

First and foremost, it's The Game. But Michigan also has the opportunity to win a share of the Legends Division and get a trophy. 

It would be more of a historical accomplishment being it would be Michigan's first ever division championship. 

Plegerize

November 23rd, 2012 at 3:17 PM ^

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Nebraska beat us, thereby giving them the tiebreaker?

Is it because Ohio beat them, and we're going to beat Ohio tomorrow?

Red is Blue

November 23rd, 2012 at 3:23 PM ^

Yes they get the tiebreaker and thereby go to B1G CG.  However, historically in the B1G, everyone who ties counted as the co-champ.  In this case it is a divsion co-champ.  I agree with the general "whoppee" reaction and it is not a motivating factor, but it still could turn out that way.  Obvs, much better than losing.

justingoblue

November 23rd, 2012 at 6:02 PM ^

Not letting them go to the title game makes a lot of sense, but saying, "I know the division standings read, OSU 7-1, PSU 6-2, Wisconsin 5-3, but OSU totally didn't win the division because of NCAA violations with no bearing on the 2012 season" doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

That said, yeah, I think saying that "Legends Co-Champs" is any kind of consolation prize is loser talk, and we as a fanbase should be way, way above that.

RoZ06

November 23rd, 2012 at 3:21 PM ^

Our loss to Nebraska was really on the decision to not have Devin ready to go as a backup. It's hard to imagine anyone playing well on the fly in a tough environoment, but to not get Devin enough reps to step in was just irresponsible and frankly not fair to Bellomy. Change that, and I like us winning that game. Congrats to Nebraska, I like Wisconsin to beat them for the B1G championship.

FreddieMercuryHayes

November 23rd, 2012 at 3:29 PM ^

That's a bit harsh I think. Devin had not shown any high level consistency in any game or even spring game at that point. The coaches took a gamble to get all of its best athletes on the field, and frankly pretty much everyone was of the thought that if Denard went down we were pretty much fucked no matter what. Devin's emergence may have taken them by as much surprise as it did everybody else.

Monocle Smile

November 23rd, 2012 at 3:33 PM ^

Then Borges is one craptastic QB coach. and half the staff must be legally blind.

If you're drawing conclusions from press conferences and other occasions where the staff talks to the media, it's probably a load of crap. Because this staff tells the media jack shit. It's their right to do so, of course, but don't ever believe anything they say as far as personnel or injuries.

Red is Blue

November 23rd, 2012 at 4:05 PM ^

"If you're drawing conclusions from press conferences and other occasions where the staff talks to the media..."

He said the performances in the games before MN and the spring games.  That is certainly something he could have observed.  I don't see where he is drawing conclusions from press conferences.  

Going into this year, the receiving corps was a mess after Stonum dismisal and don't forget Roundtree's injury.  It was a gamble to put Gardner at receiver, but given the circumstances at the time and the desire to get a great athlete on the field, it was not necessarily a bad decision. Also, who knows what impact his stint at receiver had on his QB development via improved understanding of routes and prolonged exposure to game speed.  Both of which he wouldn't have gotten as backup QB.  

Bando Calrissian

November 23rd, 2012 at 4:09 PM ^

My guess:  Wolverine Devotee was running out of time to get in his quota of one started thread per day, and this was the best option.

That's the only logical explanation I can come up with as to why anyone would care to point this out.

Beezy

November 23rd, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^

technically, ohio will win the leaders division this year, so division titles are not worth very much since neither of us could win the B1G. i kinda hope wisconsin wins the CCG just so the conference champ didn't win their division

bronxblue

November 23rd, 2012 at 4:38 PM ^

I know their is optimism with the post, but teams without storied histories care about shared division titles; UM won't be playing the Rose Bowl, and that's all that matters.  In fact, I would argue that, at best, the 3rd-best team in the conference will be playing for the title, and that's only if Nebraska wins.  I still think both UM and OSU are better than either Nebraska or Wiscy when both units are reasonably settled.

Mabel Pines

November 23rd, 2012 at 6:13 PM ^

But on the other hand, remember 2008 and 2009?  We were wondering how much Ohio would beat us by.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would be good this quickly.   And 14-0 at home the last two years?  Srsly, maybe my expectations are low, but I love how we are progressing as a football program....

4272 Bartlett

November 23rd, 2012 at 6:39 PM ^

At least we can cope with our 2012 season by saying we lost to the two teams that are going to play for the title, the team that won our conference, an undefeated team, and a one loss SEC team in the bowl game.

BoFan

November 23rd, 2012 at 7:03 PM ^

The Division is meaningless.  Beating Ohio is all that matters.  But there is a second reason to beat Ohio.  They have a number of top recruits at the game...the most important of which is Deshawn Hand.