MNC game? Probably not but at least maybe?
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/notebook?page=notebook/gamedayFinal092
"Now the Big Ten's national title hopes are squarely with JoePa and the Penn State Nittany Lions, a team that lost to Iowa at home last year to end its title run."
I am by no means saying that I expect anything of the sort, but I don't think they should be writing Michigan out of the national picture just yet. The first two games mean at least that much.
Note: Headline edited to meet FA's taste in headlines.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:21 PM ^
I didn't say it was impossible. I said it won't happen.
I didn't say I wouldn't support the team. I spend seemingly every free moment reading about Michigan and writing a blog on Michigan football. Just because I don't believe Michigan will win the national championship with a true freshman QB and no depth on defense doesn't mean that I'm not wishing and hoping that they'll go undefeated.
It's called being a realist. I am not being a pessimist, nor am I a blind optimist. I hope Michigan wins the national championship (just like I hope I win the lottery and I hope that Salma Hayek goes out with me next weekend), but the chances aren't worth believing in.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:30 PM ^
I have plenty of things in every day life to anticipate to let me down. I worry of these things because they can impact the health and well being of myself and my family.
Michigan football's fortunes do not impact anything for me beyond being disappointed. I do feel badly for the players because I remember how much it meant to me, but again that is passing. I am not being critical of anyone that is not a "blind optimist", simply stating there is no good reason not to be one. Being an optimist not only is fun but annoys all of your future opponents, and that is fun too. Go Blue
September 13th, 2009 at 10:37 PM ^
I thought Notre Dame would win the game on Saturday, so I was mentally prepared for a loss. When we won, I was thoroughly excited and it made my day.
If I had expected Michigan to win and they had lost, that would have bothered me for at least part of my day.
It's all about your perspective, and obviously mine is different than yours. But I prefer to have realistic expectations and then be excited about the good things that happen, rather than to have great expectations and either be satisfied or disappointed.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:51 PM ^
I dont walk into the stadium expecting a win, I walk in with the belief that we can win and will play proudly. Anything less than a win is disappointing for sure, but it doesnt dampen my spirits for next week, although it may impact the Vegas odds.
I respect and agree with your take on it in every way. Your logic is clearly more reasonable than mine. I'm just saying it cant hurt to be optimistic unless you let it hurt. It doesnt have to carry any real weight for the non-participants.
September 14th, 2009 at 8:24 AM ^
our helmet have wings!
September 13th, 2009 at 10:25 PM ^
USC/TX/FL would in all likelihood demolish UM. We need to stay hungry, upgrade recruits, and plan on next year. Of course, every year you play to win, every game. But I'd rather see Michigan in a BCS Bowl they have an opp to win.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:35 PM ^
So you are saying that if Michigan might either be in the MNC game or in another BCS bowl, you would rather see them in the other BCS bowl? I must disagree with this.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:38 PM ^
TUOOS's recruiting has been skyrocketing since they started getting their asses handed to them in the MNC. Getting there is worth something too.
I agree TX and FL are strong teams. Not sure USC deserves equal billing but time will tell. I havent seen anything this year that makes me certain that we couldn't be competitive with these teams by January. A team that struggled with our 3-9 selves last year went 12-0, made it to a BCS game and performed well.
I doubt Houston expected to beat OK ST yesterday, but they believed they could I'm sure. That worked out pretty well.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:39 PM ^
I dont see any games on the schedule that Michigan CANT win (We wont see another offense like ND until January) but Warren or Boo Boo or (Please God not)Tate could very well go down and we would be sunk.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:46 PM ^
*Fingers in ears*
I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
September 13th, 2009 at 11:50 PM ^
I guess before I can formulate any semblance of an idea regarding where we'll be at season's end, we need to know what, exactly, we just beat... because we were darn close to even with it.
Knowing how good Notre Dame is, compared to the remaining teams on our schedule, will give us some bearing on how good we are. Hence my interest in next week's ND/MSU game. If ND dismantles MSU, I think 10-2 is a serious possibility.
I realize common opponents aren't everything, but they can be quite telling in certain instances.