Obligatory Ode to the Gods of Bowl Eligibility
During the formative years of my Michigan fandom, I was swaddled in the warmth and privilege of never worrying about Michigan making a bowl game. We used to make fun of fanbases that cheered the "bowl eligibility win." Then 2008 happened. And 2009. In 2010, it took 3 OTs against Illinois for Michigan to get that victory. I was so happy, I promised I would never overlook that "milestone" again.
For the 3rd straight season, Michigan has obtained bowl eligibility in the shortest time possible. This team is elite by every metric, and I can't imagine one of its official goals included "make a bowl game." But, it's obviously a prerequisite for all their remaining goals.
If the season is represented by an explorative journey, the bowl-qualifying win is a natural landmark that indicates the current path is correct. For this team, it's probably a boulder in the shape of NRG stadium with moss that looks like a crystalline football in the correct light.
/makes block M out of bones, rubs face with stuffed animal obtained from Gerg Robinson, sets plush on fire, sets it on block M
October 8th, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
I’m in! The idea that we don’t celebrate because we expect to be there is a precursor to entitlement. That we will get there because “This is Michigan”
This IS Michigan, so let’s work hard and celebrate everything that hard work earns. Because sometimes, even when you are better or worked harder or deserve it more, it doesn’t go your way.
These boys are special. Let’s celebrate every moment!
October 8th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
I was 80% sure this was going to be a shit post. It was 100% not that! As in all aspects of life, we should not take anything for granted. (Now everyone go hug your kids)
October 8th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
WE DID IT!
October 8th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
I'll be celebrating Notre Dame Elimination Day quietly with a Bojangles Cajun chicken biscuit and an unsweetened ice tea.
October 8th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
NGL I thought Sam Hartman was going to elevate them to an elite/near-elite tier.
Not sad to be wrong on this one.
October 8th, 2023 at 11:58 AM ^
Think I read that he was responsible for five turnovers last night.
Not to invoke painful memories, but that is on the “Tate Forcier against OSU in 2009” level of meltdowns. Except Tate had the excuse of being a true freshman playing against a Jim Tressel defense.
Sam Hartman has played more college football games than just about any player in the country. He really doesn’t have an excuse to play a game like that.
October 8th, 2023 at 12:38 PM ^
On the road last week, Hartman has been from very ordinary (at Duke) to baaad (5 turnovers) last night. If not for his 4th and forever scramble at Duke, ND would have a 3-game losing streak.
I agree, Tate was a true FR playing vs. an excellent D that schemed well. Funny how NDs starters from last year - Pyne at ASU and Buchner at Bama are riding the pine. No wonder why ND thought they had won the lottery.
October 8th, 2023 at 12:57 PM ^
Unsweetened? Savage.
October 8th, 2023 at 11:30 AM ^
Last year Michigan was the first team in the country to become bowl eligible. This year Oklahoma was, followed by Georgia. I’ll take it!
October 8th, 2023 at 11:39 AM ^
Holiday season 2008. Knowing that for the first time in my lifetime, Michigan wouldn’t be playing in a bowl game. It was….bad. Never want to go back.
October 8th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
Us olds will remember when the only bowl option was beating OSU and winning the Big Ten.
Edit: I remember the '76 Orange Bowl feeling weird
October 8th, 2023 at 12:32 PM ^
Really, other than the Covid season (which I've deleted all memory of), we've been pretty solid except for 2017 and 2019. We started 2017 4-0 but then JOK/Peters finished 4-5. 2019 had a couple of embarrassing losses (at UW, Ohio), which should have been the end to Don Brown, only to let the guy come back in 2020 and make Rocky Lombardi look like Drew Brees and then allow UW to repeat and bowling over of our run D, ala Richrod's last home game for UM in 2010.
I was glad we didn't make a bowl game in 2014. That was the year of the MOON game. I was actually relieved that we gagged at the end vs. Maryland since that meant we were going to be 5-7 unless we could upset Ohio (which we didn't). Not that Hackett would have kept Brady, but a losing record made it easier to let him go.
This is the best stretch of fooball since 1985-1992, when we had one "off" 8-4 season (1987, the year of D Browns 7 picks at MSU) and won 5 B1G titles, shared another (1990). Late 90s were good with the NC and 5-1 vs. Ohio, but we still seemed to lose a bewildering game (Illinois at home, 1999, at Purdue 1996). What's amazing is I'm still nervous going into these games at Nebr and Minny yet we make it look so easy. Rather than bowl eligibility, I've been more worried of a letdown.
October 8th, 2023 at 12:34 PM ^
I never want to have that much hubris that I take bowl eligibility for granted. It's the same with basketball and the NCAA tournament:
October 8th, 2023 at 8:02 PM ^
ok but if we happen to go 6-6 your ass is grass.