Don

October 24th, 2010 at 5:39 PM ^

Agree. The problem is, every game this season is more or less in that category for RR. Even if we manage to beat PSU, the good feelings from bowl qualifying will disappear if we follow it up with a loss to Illinois or Purdue for the third year in a row.

There've been far too many confident assurances over the last 2+ seasons by MGoBloggers that "Oh, we're better than (insert Big Ten team of choice) there's no way we'll lose to them. Anyone who disagrees is a pussy" for me to think any game home or away is a gimme. Given our record over that time, I think we should be an underdog wherever we play until we can prove that we deserve to be a favorite.

raleighwood

October 24th, 2010 at 7:21 PM ^

I heard a stat this week that was sort of scary (not sure if I read it here)....

Mark Dantonio has won as many Big Ten games in the Big House as RR has in the past three years.

That doesn't say a lot about home field advantage.  I think that Michigan played really well in a night game in Iowa City last year.  Happy Valley can be a tough place to play but if Michigan can jump on them early, that will take the crowd out of the game. 

mejunglechop

October 24th, 2010 at 6:02 PM ^

I mostly agree, but I think our strong start gave us some margin for error. After the MSU and Iowa losses, that's gone, though. PSU has suffered almost as much attrition as we have this year and is starting a true freshman at qb. If we lose we can't blame it on talent, there will be no good excuse.

You could say the same for Purdue, but I don't think they're a realistic threat at this point.

BlueintheLou

October 24th, 2010 at 10:59 PM ^

How can anyone say that any team we face this year "isn't a realistic threat". I agree with Don above, in the take no-one for granted mold. We have not proven anything yet. Every one of these games is not a gimme and needs to be conceived  a realistic threat until proven otherwise (i.e. Win).

M-Wolverine

October 25th, 2010 at 9:17 AM ^

I'd say 2+ weeks. Look at all the predictions of us dropping 40+ on Iowa and MSU in the prediction threads. And now I'm seeing 21 point wins called for here. What's the definition of insanity....? To win by 21 you actually have to hold the other team to 21 points less than you. Which I don't see happening if we score 42 or 21. But we can and better win this game. We need W's, not exciting scores.

KinesiologyNerd

October 24th, 2010 at 4:47 PM ^

So that's what? 7 points on a neutral field? I'm really hoping we play like we did against UCONN. Aside from BG, it's the only game this year I didn't have multiple heart attacks.

Captain Obvious

October 24th, 2010 at 4:58 PM ^

He was on pace for approximately 200/200 v Iowa before he got hurt.  He may not have gotten 200 rushing yards due to the heightened need to pass, but he coulda got 200/200 vs. one of the best defenses in the country.

nazooq

October 25th, 2010 at 6:06 PM ^

It's not that bad but it's not good either.  It's significantly worse than what Wisconsin and Arizona did to the "vaunted" Iowa defense and is on par with Penn State's performance:

http://cfbstats.com/2010/team/312/total/defense/gamelog.html

Think about it this way: If someone asked you which offense put up more yards/play against Iowa's defense, Michigan with Denard at the helm or Penn State, everyone would guess Michigan w/Denard.  But they were exactly the same.

NB: Michigan's 4.5 yds/play under Denard is extracted from the following drive chart:

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/boxscore?gid=201010160029&page=dr…

bluewave720

October 24th, 2010 at 5:11 PM ^

The "ultimate suffering game" that keeps popping in my head is the 5-0 1995 Purdue game.  I would happily sit through 3.5 hours of cold, snow and discomfort to watch Michigan win without them even scoring a TD.  

Honorable mentions that include TDs:  1998 at NW, 2006 vs. NW and 1999 vs. Purdue. 

M-Wolverine

October 25th, 2010 at 9:23 AM ^

Though I don't remember it being THAT bad, but it certainly doesn't rank on his win by 1 satisfaction scale. Playing a team tough to assure a title with a tie is one thing. Getting to the point where the student section is chanting "1, 2, 3, 4, X, ...we want mmoooooorrrrrreeeee fumbles!!" because you giving the game away was not very satisfying (as you're fumbling away a chance at a National Title).

jmblue

October 25th, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^

It wasn't hugely satisfying to tie a mediocre Illinois team.  But weather-wise it was down there with the worst.  '99 Purdue was not that bad; I don't know why he mentioned it.  (Not to mention that it was an awesome game - a 38-12 ass-kicking,)

True Blue in CO

October 24th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^

Good weather forecast for Saturday night. Will be clear, dry, and cool in th high 40's or low 50's. Would love to see the type of game we have needed all year. Get up by 21 and then start exchanging scores. The best thing for our D will to relax by playing with a big lead. Go Blue!

bluesouth

October 24th, 2010 at 6:01 PM ^

This and every win is important to the whole team and us fans not just RR.  I don't agree that this is a statement win for just RR.  I really hope Molk, D rob, and Martin are back healthy(early season healthy) if they are I'll go with a win by 10.