My personal thanks to: BRIAN
Even given the many "thank you" posts I have seen in the aftermath of this Natty, I want to do a personal shout-out: Here is to YOU, Brian Cook. From me to you.
I feel it's right to post this now--before the JMFH news hits this week, whichever way it goes--because this Natty was not like any others. Not like the split 1997, or any in basketball, hockey, etc. This felt like a many-year emotional toil ALL of us fans went through--from back to the RR and Hoke days, to JMFH's low point in 2020, to the joy of 2021 The Game, to the TCU game... and now all the ups and down this year. I am not sure any college football or basketball team fandoms have traveled quite the emotional journey we have had, considering everything.
So with this most remarkable Natty in hands, I want to thank Brian's creation for its critical role in my fandom. As obvious from my date of joining and my points, I have been around these parts a while. There is no question, MGoBlog has made my fandom BETTER. Not just from the content Brian and team have provided, like UFRs and FFFFs, and the always great entertainment like Opponent Watch, anything The Knowledge dropped (well... most anything), and all the laughs I've enjoyed from witty users posts. More, it's shown me what a broad and intelligent fan base we have, and compared to other fan blogs, truly you can appreciate The Michigan Difference. It's made it easier for me to watch our teams with more background, understanding, and appreciation.
I have been a true believer in Brian for years--ever since Brian described, based on what insider info he had, what Lloyd Carr was going regarding his retirement, a week before The Game... and it came true exactly as Brian said it would. Brian was honest and was hooked in--Unverified Voracity, for sure. I even felt a sort of bond to Brian because in the early years he'd drop references to a sci fi TV show he apparently watched as much as I did. So say we all. IFKYK.
I'm proud to have time to time made tiny contributions here, and avoided free vacations to Bolivia (...SO FAR) ***SHAKES FIST AT FATE.*** I was so excited several years ago when I passed 10K points... and then immediately, it was clear, no one cared. Well, ok then. I have enjoyed authoring a handful of OP's or replies that had >100 points, but by then I was used to the fact that, you know, no one cares. Nonetheless, there is a friendship and kinship for most of us who regularly use this Blog, even though few of us know each other. It's... awesome.
So, knowing (generally, not specifically) Brian has had his high and low moments over the years, upon this most remarkable and longtime Natty, I take my hat off and bow to our fearless leader. ***TAKES HAT OFF AND BOWS***
And, finally, I can reveal the true purpose for this post: I WANT MY DANG UFRs FOR THE ROSE BOWL AND NATTY! Lol. J/k.* (*or... am I?)
BET! GO BLUE!
January 15th, 2024 at 9:23 AM ^
OPs first monday morning coffee hit hard this week. Thanks Brian!
January 15th, 2024 at 9:29 AM ^
FYI no way in Hell would I ever create a thread on this but Schefter and other NFL reporters are saying Jim is interviewing with the Chargers this morning and it's his first in this interview cycle (implying he has more than one lined up).
Last two dudes who were foolish enough to make a thread on this got freaking crucified.
January 15th, 2024 at 9:39 AM ^
Genuinely curious - who was the last head coach to win an NCAA title and leave the next season? Technicaly Scott Frost declared himself a title winner at UCF and then left but I'm not counting his delirium. I'm sure it's happened before but.....
Jim's gonna Jim, and we can't seem to do shit about that, but it still sucks..
January 15th, 2024 at 9:59 AM ^
Few I can recall, if any.
But it's not fair to compare Harbaugh to a lot of those guys.
First, there is no fear of him leaving to another college program -- so any comparison of a national championship winner leaving for another school would be out.
Second, a lot of the other guys either are those with no desire to ever coach in the nfl, or had previously tried to coach in the nfl and failed bigtime.
Harbaugh has a great nfl winning percentage -- maybe top five all time if we check -- and lost a super bowl to his own brother.
There just isn't a good comparison between him and other coaches in how much he wants to win a super bowl.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:08 AM ^
Pretty sure I heard this trivia in the last few weeks and the answer is Osborne in 1997 (although his was a disputed National Championship - at least by me)
January 15th, 2024 at 11:44 AM ^
Yes, I don't consider any part of that title shared. Michigan won the National title. They were the best team, ranked first in every poll, won their bowl game and were the rightful champions.
The (very dubious, fraught with voter bias) Coach's poll decided to give Osborne a going away present, pure and simple. I'll go to my grave confident that this was the greatest screw job in sports history.
January 15th, 2024 at 8:58 PM ^
Osborne had already retired and they went on a sympathy tour. It was gross.
And Fulmer voted Michigan 6th. Fucking 6th because Woodson win the Heisman.
And Nebraska illegally kicked a ball to win a game they had lost.
Nebraska 97 is horseshit.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:13 AM ^
Nick Saban from LSU to the Dolphins? Can't remember if he coached one more season at LSU after winning it.
EDIT: NVM, he coached one more season at LSU and went 9-3
January 15th, 2024 at 10:01 PM ^
Yeah that was the year LSU lost its bowl game to Iowa on a Hail Mary or something.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:45 AM ^
Jimmy Johnson? Not sure if the 'Canes had just won the Natty when he left to go to the 'Boys.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:02 AM ^
You've been here long enough that you shouldn't fear a crucification, mgrowold.
January 15th, 2024 at 9:27 AM ^
You can't have one without the other. Thanks to SETH for the holding this thing together for a long period and putting out great content.
January 15th, 2024 at 9:37 AM ^
Agreed. Thank you Brian and Seth!
January 15th, 2024 at 10:12 AM ^
I really like seth ..... BUT; as a matter of media training, LET BRIAN HAVE THE FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL FOR SPEAKING. Being a funny, interrupter is has its place from time. Especially some quips about past football, running "inside to mgoblod" podcast jokes. There are times, however, Brian is clearly following a defined structure to the show, and Seth fourth-walls every chance he can get. Alex has some good questions, and before the premise is started, Seth, at times, jumps into an answer and I still want to hear Alex's qustion.
Anyway. The place is awesome. I love Seth, just giving some unasked for advice.
3/5 stars, wouldn't change a thing (Dan Cummings reference).
January 15th, 2024 at 9:28 AM ^
From one Brian to another Brian…thank you and well done sir. I pray your beautiful mop of hair gets more voluminous and your hockey jerseys never wear out or fade.
January 15th, 2024 at 9:38 AM ^
"I was so excited several years ago when I passed 10K points... and then immediately, it was clear, no one cared."
What? We don't get a free poster of Brian? I've been working all these years for nothing?
January 15th, 2024 at 9:45 AM ^
Well... I neglected to mention you DO get a specially-engraved Rolex in Maize & Blue that has a satellite uplink to automatically refresh all important posts to MGoBlog. And is better than Blake but runs faster and harder. However, the one catch is, you have to order it & pay for it yourself.
January 15th, 2024 at 9:45 AM ^
Thank you to Brian, Seth, et al. You truly make a difference in my fandom. You've kept my emotions in check in weird times, and put my emotions into words in ways I'm unable to express.
Thanks for creating a space that connects me with people to share this ride called fandom.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
I’m pretty new to this space, even though I’m so old I watched the 1976 NCAA finals game versus Indiana in my room at South Quad.
I truly appreciate what Brian has built and the contributions of the rest of the staff. I also love and appreciate the eclectic readership. Where else can you make Monty Python and Star Trek references without them flying over everyone’s heads?
Klaatu barada nikto!
January 15th, 2024 at 9:45 AM ^
Agreed! Huge thank you and respect to Brian and all. Back in the day, I found MGoBlog quite by accident when I searched "Who will replace Tommy Amaker at Michigan" and I've been captivated ever since. We Michigan fans are very fortunate. MGoBlog for the win!
January 15th, 2024 at 9:51 AM ^
Absolutely ! Thank you Brian, Seth, and MGoBlog. Made this awesome season more special, and brought Michigan football closer to us in many ways.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:09 AM ^
Brian mentioned on Twitter/X a few months ago how glad he was that he didn't sell the site or join some corporate sportsblog conglomerate. Me too! Who knows what that would have turned this site into. Probably trash. Might not even exist, to be honest. So thanks for not taking the money and taking our money in other ways (Buy a shirt, folks. Buy 3).
January 15th, 2024 at 10:25 AM ^
Regular MGoBoard readers seem to be in agreement that in general, the quality of sports reporting has gone off a cliff – except here. Maybe it took a defining moment like Jan 8 to open my eyes to it, but this little corner of the Internet is home to excellent writing the likes of which I used to get when my Sports Illustrated came in the mail every week. Brian (and Seth and Alex etc. etc.) are head and shoulders above the rest – seriously, who else even comes close?
EDIT: and the photography is the equal of SI's back in the day!
January 15th, 2024 at 10:38 AM ^
I know this isn't the main point of your post — and I 100% agree, thanks so much to Brian and Seth for what they do and the tremendous amounts of work they put in — but I sometimes think people talk about the "split" National Championship in 1997 as if it reflects a flaw in that team or something.
That "split" national championship was a function of how the polls worked then, not a flaw with the team — which, in fact, was absolutely awesome to watch (in some ways more entertaining than this one, if not necessarily better). And let me tell you, as the first national championship in fifty freaking years, that title felt every bit as sweet as this one does.
It would be like if Florida State had won its bowl game this year, then a Florida newspaper claimed they were the No. 1 team. Nothing we could do about it, as stupid as that claim would have been.
In other words, no need to diminish that season to praise this one. They're both freaking phenomenal.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:43 AM ^
His snark amidst excellent writing and over the top data/graphs in support is unrivalled. Hard to argue with analysis, also, and an excellent "staff" of assistant coaches (Seth, et al). You might say he's built a culture.
Don't want him to leave for better opportunities but understand. We all need a break sometimes. Symbiosis.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:55 AM ^
Our lives are better because of this wonderful creation you have made and upheld, thanks Brian!
January 15th, 2024 at 10:58 AM ^
He's the best sportswriter I've read and a rare example of a sports analyst that actually does what he's supposed to do while most are going the way of shouting heads and hot take artists. Grateful for Brian and this blog!
January 15th, 2024 at 11:02 AM ^
Thanks Brian!
Our dreams have come true.
15-0. National Champions.
Go Blue!
January 15th, 2024 at 11:22 AM ^
This blog has made me watch football differently.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:23 AM ^
The day Brian invoked Goya’s painting of Saturn devouring his son to describe an opponent (I think) was when I became an avid reader. Even in the worst years this blog has delivered.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:34 AM ^
I put this in the podcast post way, way too late so I’ll recycle a bit here since it seems appropriate.
This site has completely changed my experience of Michigan football, which was already amped up but lacked understanding of what was happening under the hood. And I need to understand what’s under the hood. It’s why I went for a fancy postgrad science degree.
I lurked for two years, 2008 to 2010, before making an account and avatar because I had a personal rule: I don’t engage with internet discussion boards. I’m snobby like that. But this community was just too good to pass up on. It remains, 13 years after that, the only record the interwebs have of my random-ass comments on football, news events, and beyond.
Thanks Brian. Thanks Seth. Thanks Alex. But mostly thanks Brian; from 2008, this blog has been my refuge, even if just to share the ennui. Validation and explanation. It’s made a real difference in my life.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:34 AM ^
Well said, and I feel the same way.
January 15th, 2024 at 12:55 PM ^
In the final segment of the post-championship podcast, Brian said something along the lines of "If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't do it all over again." I hope he wasn't saying that he had any regrets about MGoBlog. I couldn't imagine not being able to visit this site all these years.
January 15th, 2024 at 3:03 PM ^
Agree 100% with the OP. MGoBlog has increased my fandom by orders of magnitude. So much so that I look forward to the content and the board conversations as much as the football games themselves.
Most people: "football season is here -- the games are going to be awesome!"
Me: "football season is here -- the games and board content are going to be awesome!!"
Thanks for this MGoBlog empire, Brian!
January 15th, 2024 at 5:35 PM ^
Thanks Brian for your service.
I need to get in on this. First, I finally got through the podcast after the Washington game. Wow. I felt privileged to get to hear you and Seth (and the others) open yourselves up like that. It’s that personal touch that makes this a community and not some random internet message board. You guys are great.
My MGoBlog origin story is probably not too unique. Two things happened at about the same time. My friend (who I went to Michigan with) told me about MGoBlog and I was depressed reading news (local, National, and world). I stopped reading the news and used MGoBlog to fill the void when I would ride transit or whatever. It became “Michigan Stories”. Like a soap opera. The characters were the players. And the story tellers (y’all) would weave narratives.
Wonderful stuff Brian! What a great ending!!!!
PS- I thought 2021 Brian was real and not annoying. It was somehow the right Brian at the right time actually.