Michigan NEVER LEFT - and complete douches
On a sirius radio program, they just had a long talk about UM. I guess Eddie George and his cohost (?) were just frying Hoke for saying that Michigan never left. Some caller called to defend the statement. And Eddie G wouldn't even respond - being a total arrogant douche - and the cohost lambasted him, saying something about how UM is completely irrelevant since the BCS era, and still is after beating a mediocre VT team. They were again ripping on Hoke for saying this and saying that UM is nowhere near back (though he did say we were on the fast track to being where we want to be). I got pissed and decided I wouldn't call and tell them this, but I thought I would share it with you:
Michigan never left because Michigan is still (and has been) one of the greatest universities in the world - academically and financially. The amount of scholarship and advancement in multiple areas we produce is rivalled only by other top tier universities - even in the Ivy League. The integrity of the university is equal to best. Though we are a public university, we are consistently labeled a top school. Bang for your buck, we may not be rivaled by anyone. A university is worth much more than football team. And in every area other than football, we never left. I would even argue we never left on the football field - if you consider fanbase, stadium, ticket sales, uniforms (except for the away UTL), national brand, etc.
I think this is what Hoke meant. And those guys are stupid to limit this statement to wins and losses on the football field.
That is all. Go Blue.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:22 AM ^
We just won the Sugar Bowl. This is Michigan, fergodsakes.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:24 AM ^
worried about what a buckeye has to say about Michigan?
By his logic, ohio will be totally irrelevant for 3 straight yrs, 2010 0-12, 2011 6-7, 2012 has no impact on the bcs title game.....they can't go bowling...............
why you are upset at a ohio douchenozzle with a microphone? They spiel agenda, if you have to call in, just ask why he is bending over for secESPiN when he goes to work? Ask him why he is no better then the 2 dollar whore doing anything for that buck...but I expect nothing less from a buck i
January 5th, 2012 at 11:24 AM ^
Eddie George, sitting on his hate perch, spewing more anti-Michigan venom. He may have had his fun with RR over the last few years, but he's going to have a hard time getting people to bite on anti-Hoke sentiment.
There's a lot of anti-Michigan douchery on mid-day Sirius, I'm noticing...
January 5th, 2012 at 11:26 AM ^
But at this point all I have to say about national people is that Haters gonna hate.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:26 AM ^
Tired of hearing all the excuses as well. Read a piece on Grantland (by the guy who does their Hollywood Prospectus crap) basically saying "I love Denard, but the Bowl Game was a joke and not a real win".
I think the destruction of society is contained within the comment sections of the internet. Our media is slowly heading there as well.
If I never read anything about the game (after being there myself), I would be much more content. Now I just rage.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^
You have that backwards, sir. The media is a joke who are nothing but cheerleaders disguised as journalists.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:48 PM ^
ARE most certainly becoming Internet Blog-like every day. It's less about journalism (checking out stories, being impartial, only reporting real news, etc.) and more about throwing out rumors, baseless opinions, gossip, and rants in order to incite the viewers or listeners. They're just brainlessly following the Rush Limbaugh model of getting attention (clicks, ratings, callers, etc.) by polarizing society. To these type of media d-bags, there's only black and white. You're either relevant or irrelevant. Liberal or Non-Liberal. Fantastic or a piece of shit. Ugly or gorgeous. I don't think this is a good development at all. ESPN, CBS, NBC, or the other major sports networks need to hold themselves to a much higher standard and rethink putting shit eaters with an ax to grind like George on the air without a filter attached to their mouth.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^
There are way too many talking heads on both TV and the radio. Nobody talks x's and o's anymore. The older I get, the more I tune these people out and the less sensivite I become to stupid rants from some idiot's opinion that doesn't matter to me.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:41 AM ^
That's why we're here. I love reading MGoBlog, touchthebanner, smart football. Learning a great deal, considering I'm more of a baseball guy.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^
It's sports talk radio. You shouldn't feel the need to either respond to or validate 95% of the shit that is ever spewed on sports talk radio.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:40 AM ^
Example A: Mike Valenti
January 5th, 2012 at 11:51 AM ^
or create threads about...
January 5th, 2012 at 11:29 AM ^
People are talking about us because we won the Sugar Bowl and 11 games.
I'll take that.
Let them say what they want.... 11 wins. BCS Bowl victory.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:29 AM ^
If Hoke had said "Michigan is back" or something like that some people (mainly anti-Michigan sports reporters) would have viewed it as him bashing RR. You would have seen "HOKE BASHES RODRIGUEZ" in the headlines the next day.
The correct and classy thing to do was to say we never left; implying the University is a bit more than a football team; which is very true and thus avoid being seen as trying to bash RR.
Eddie George is all mad because the Bucks suck this year.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:32 AM ^
Eddie George, and most other sports talk hosts will say whatever they need to in order to be offensive and get riled up callers on the air. It makes for good radio.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:34 AM ^
"Michigan never left because Michigan is still (and has been) one of the greatest universities in the world - academically and financially. The amount of scholarship and advancement in multiple areas we produce is rivalled only by other top tier universities - even in the Ivy League. The integrity of the university is equal to best. Though we are a public university, we are consistently labeled a top school. Bang for your buck, we may not be rivaled by anyone. A university is worth much more than football team. And in every area other than football, we never left."
And herein lies the problem. Eddie George was talking about football. You are talking about the entire Michigan experience. I agree that Michigan is still Michigan and would be even if we tore the Big House down tomorrow and never fielded a football team again. The University is one of the greatest in the world which is why we all love it and some of us chose to study there.
But, 3-9, 5-7, and to a certain extent 7-6 aren't sufficient to say that Michigan was still a nationally relevant football program. We were nationally relevant from 08-10 because the entire country loves schadenfreude and it was happy hour for it in Ann Arbor for three years. Hell, Sparty is still drunk on it.
I love Hoke for saying "Michigan never left," because it unites the fanbase and it taps into everything we love about the school and the idea of being a Michigan fan. But Hoke just got here. He wasn't around for the worst of it.
All this talk of Michigan being gone, back, or never having left in the first place is getting a bit tiresome. It all feels like hubris to me. I'm more concerned about where Michigan is going. I think we can all agree on an answer to that.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:12 PM ^
Interesting, … does that mean UofTexas, ND, or Fla. Gators are irrelevant because they have had a couple of down years?
What actual number of years and records does it take to qualify for irrelevancy? (Just askin’) Not that they need a definition, they just want to get people fired up and call in.
And think about it,... would you rather have a bunch of UofM alums calling to debate or a bunch of from Ohio,... (What was that old line, 10,000 alums and 40,000 truckers?) 8P
January 5th, 2012 at 1:23 PM ^
George was talking about football. While the OP is correct in his assessment of Michigan as a university, it is all immaterial to this discussion. The truth is Michigan was awful for 3 years, and could be seen as some as being "irrelevant". But all of the coverage of Michigan's fall seems to suggest otherwise. Luckily for us, our program is so ingrained in the history of college football that we could never truly be irrelevant. People are fascinated by us, win or lose. Thankfully, we win more than anyone else
I also agree that the talk of leaving/not leaving/returning is too much. I do think it is hubris, but I don't think the negative connotation of the word should apply. We are hubristic because we are fans of the winningest program in the nation. Can't really get hubris from anywhere else but maybe Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas, ND, USC.
For what it's worth, the term 'hubris' comes from ancient-Greek, where it referred to ill-treatment of a sexual conquest for the erotic satisfaction of the conqueror. Seems apropos, in a way, after finally beating Ohio and winning in "MSU's bowl game".
January 5th, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
And he never played in a Rose Bowl, so I guess since he was never in a "BCS" game, his career was irrelevant too.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:37 AM ^
Coming from a buckeye who couldn't beat the wolverines on the biggest stage certainly holds credibility in such a discussion. Maybe Tim B should call the show and talk about the irrelevant 1995 buckeye team...
January 5th, 2012 at 11:51 AM ^
You nailed it! It doesn't matter if Ohio can beat Michigan next year or if UM is relevant, Eddie George can never go back to 1995 and undo the pain from that loss. He went to Ohio during the period UM dominated, and it jabs at him everytime he's sees a winged helmet or hears The Victors.
So the next time you see Eddie George, give him a hug. The man is hurting emotionally...have some pity.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^
I agree with saying Michigan never left and all those teams that conitnually circle our game on thier schedules agree by thier actions. Iowa has won 3 in a row, Michigan State 4, and until this year Ohio a million. Those teams never stopped caring about Michigan and putting special emphasis on that game and I don't see anyone putting any astriks next to thier wins (which they should not and also why Michigans win over Ohio matters even though they are on a down year). Michigan has, does, and always get opponents attention and best efforts because This Is Michigan! Just because the team had a few down years in the midst of a perfect storm doesn't mean they went anywhere.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^
It does piss me off though that I can't hardly turn on ESPN or the radio and not see or hear an Ohio alum. Granted Herbstreit is not as bad as he used to be, and I find Spielman to be more bearable than others, but it still irks me how many of them are given the ability to share their flawed views with the masses. Robert Smith is the ABSOLUTE WORST! He cannot say something unbiased to save his life! Eddie George is the same way.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:28 PM ^
This kind of dumbassery by Eddie George is precisely the kind of idiocy that Kirk Herbstreit is too smart for. (I'd sort of like to say that about Spielman, too, but it wouldn't be true, Mr. Indiana-backups...)
And speaking of Hesiman winners saying stupid things, there is one Desmond Howard, telling Denard Robinson not to let the door hit his backside on the way out. And that he ain't won nothing in Ann Arbor. Son.
Some of these guys just aren't that smart on their feet, and live/realtime forms of communication(live radio, Twitter) just expose them.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:37 AM ^
Pawwwwl Fiendbaum is going to be brutal with the M/ALA game comming up next year, I might have to switch to NFL for the summer.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:07 PM ^
His show is horrendous. All he ever talks about is bama. If not that, then how much auburn is inferior to bama.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:39 AM ^
Bang for buck... Yes and no. U of M is crazy expensive! Worth it to me but if I were an engineer from Georgia or Illinois... Why wouldn't I Just go to GaTech or U of I?
January 5th, 2012 at 12:16 PM ^
Funny you say that. When I was selecting colleges, Illinois gave me a full scholarship (and I was in- state to begin with). Michigan offered me nothing. My parents (both highly educated scientists) said that Illinois's offer still wasn't worth passing up Michigan. Michigan is a powerhouse (but I didn't want to do engineering).
January 5th, 2012 at 1:44 PM ^
Damn you and your anecdotal evidence. Jk. I'd prefer that my theoretical kids go to u of m, but I can't for certain say that shelling out 2-3 times the cost would be completely worth it (looking at it from a professional career opportunity perspective)
January 5th, 2012 at 6:43 PM ^
...an in-stater like me and your parents make too much for schollies but not enough to pay tuition without a second thought the value represented by the University of Michigan is really hard to look past for many degree programs.
The other cool thing for a lot of in-state folks is that it's far enough from home, but not so far that you have to deal with complete and total culture shock. It's also nice having fairly convenient access to the family support system because a lot of us, me included, simply aren't ready to be totally 100% independent in our late teens.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:56 AM ^
Have been doggin' on Michigan since the game-well actually since they started. It's entertainment for me because they-and people like Tim Stoudt- continuously talk about how Michigan is no longer relevant, but they canNOT stop talking about them or obsessing over them. Hilarious and proof they are in fact jealous of the success as well as obsessed with the program. MSU is a stepping stone. Michigan is a destination.
January 5th, 2012 at 3:11 PM ^
Bakita...
Bentley...
January 5th, 2012 at 7:01 PM ^
Chris Tucker is at his most mouthy version short of his so bad its good turn on the "Fifth Element".
Zhang Ziyi looking extra tough - not enough of her in the film and too bad she's chosen to concentrate on more serious drama, because she could actually do all of that martial arts stuff.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^
they weren't Sirius. :)
What do you expect from a guy who's program has been put on double secret probation?
January 5th, 2012 at 11:49 AM ^
Tell Eddie George that the food at his restaurant on Chittenden and High St is terrible, because it is. Also, the pictures on the front of the restaurant feature George against ND, I'm curious if only beating Michigan once in his career has anything to do with that?
Then remind him about the game in 1995, and tell him how awesome it was....well, not for him of course.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:44 AM ^
I wouldn't get too worried about some hate from E.G. Besides....if Michigan really left, then why are people, talk shows no less, STILL talking about Michigan?
January 5th, 2012 at 11:53 AM ^
i wouldn't get so worked up about being "back." Michigan players have been quoted as being "back" while Hoke wouldn't.
If Michigan being back means having a punishing defense, it's still two recruiting classes away from having that type of talent and depth.
If Michigan being back means having a power offense, it's still two seasons away from implementing it with Gardner/Morris. (Borges did call the 2011 offense a "makeshift" offense.)
If Michigan being back means winning the Big Ten, it hasn't been back since 2004.
I say just win. Beat the teams that are inferior, put Sparty back into their place, beat rivals more often than not, and beat some national powers. Michigan is definitely moving in the right direction and it's fun again... and back to the norm again.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:50 AM ^
I don't agree that those guys are stupid to limit this statement to wins and losses on the football field when they are on a college football radio show discussing a college football coach's answer to a presser question that was clearly about Michigan's football team and not the university as a whole.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:50 AM ^
Oh Noes!!! Someone on a radio sports talk show said something that disrespected my team!!
Get used to it.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:53 AM ^
I think when the media talks about you after a good season is what we have all wanted for the past 4 years. Nobody is ever going to talk "nice" about us and thats how I like it.
People hate us because we are great program that has the biggest and best stadium in the the country and the best uniforms. We have the most wins etc....
Once you put on the maize and blue colors you better learn how to get thick skin quick.
Everyone just needs to sit back and just smile because we are back to what we should be the hunted.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:56 AM ^
We're baaaaaaaaack!!
<br>
<br>Should be an SI cover. With the denard y u mad photo.
January 5th, 2012 at 11:53 AM ^
that is all
January 5th, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
Eddie George has won a Heisman Trophy and that means you must tune into this show, listen to his comments and agree with his opinions.
Wait, what? It doesn't mean that? Oh, then fuck him.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
I hear that
January 5th, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^
I'm not sure where else to put this. It crosses a lot of the posts about us being BCS worthy and "back" and all the other fairly negative media we've been getting.
Michigan may have gotten the BCS bid in part because we are Michigan. We have the history, the brand, the helmets, the great story. Michigan is a great story. We've always been here, and the proof is the intense scrutiny we get over everything we do, good or bad. That's the price we pay for being Michigan. We get the good press and the bad press. Cases in point: Practice gate and Rich Rod. The press was unrelenting and merciless. If this had happened to MSU, the heat wouldn't have been turned up as high on them nationally.
So when MSU players gripe about not getting the national spotlight like we do, they should count it as a blessing. Given the ski mask incident, I would i magine a bright spotlight on them wouldn't be a good thing. And to Eddie George, that we never left is true. Which may or may not be a good thing. No matter what we do, we have to endure the scrutiny. That's the price of being Michigan.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:06 PM ^
I listened to that show for two minutes yesterday and turned it off. Wasn't interested in listening to a three hour hate-fest. Eddie George, a supposed college football talk show host, admitted that he didn't even watch the Sugar Bowl. Instead, he and his son watched YouTube highlights of his career. Tells you all you need to know about this guy and his worthless opinions.