OT: Perspective and Stuff
Hello friends. It has been a tough season and today was a tough day. While enjoyable in a viewing manner and a heck of a ball game we are all disappointed a win did not come in the end.
The players fought til the end and the coaches coached til the end and as fans that is all we can ask for. To think back to what many of us expected to happen in this game it was a nice surprise and shows at least a glimmer of hope for the future. I believe the future is bright and you should too my friends.In the end though I have realized that there is more to life than just a game I watch on Saturdays and a team I follow throughout the year. I love Michigan and Michigan football but in the end it is just a game played by kids. Today those kids played as hard as they could and sacrificed their bodies so we could have some entertainment for 3+ hours on another Saturday in the Fall.
It's just a game and there will be more Saturdays ahead to thrill, excite and to disappoint. Don't let it ruin your day, as it all means nothing in the grand scheme of things.
Sagan Time. Space bitches, space..
November 30th, 2013 at 8:48 PM ^
It's way more fun to watch us lose (if we must) when we piece together a stunning performance.
November 30th, 2013 at 8:56 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:10 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:20 PM ^
The world loves a good redemption story, and we certainly saw one today.
I was pessimistic these past few weeks as the team seemingly drifted backwards, but maybe what we saw were the ups and downs of growing pains.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:37 PM ^
I think this is something we can build on going forward.
A couple things...
1) I feel like the program is "righted" as far as back on the level for the long offseason. A downward spiral loss (which did not take place) puts everyone in high emotional gear with not much (bowl game?) to right the ship so to speak. My guess is no player, coach, or fan was happy going into today (note all the blowout score predictions on the pre-game thread) but I'm happy as hell.
2) Because there are flashes of brilliance. Devin showed what he can do when he gets some protection and the walls aren't collapsing. Smith and Green showed what they can do. Butt continues to impress. The young linebackers did a good job early on. There were some guys playing DB who I don't immediately recognize by number, but did a serviceable job back there. Ray Taylor looked good in run support. I could go on.
Urban probably peed his pants knowing he had been brought to the brink, and the last play going a different way would have blown up his world all the way until next August.
I feel like we ran with every team we faced this year. Central lost their stud RB and starting QB and so owned those guys. MSU we hung with for 3 quarters was probably the worst performance where we got eventually dominated. Some of that like Uconn and Akron is undesirable, I get it. But give every player another a year to develop, study plays/film, and we're going to get separation with other teams. Protect our QB and open holes for the RBs is going to go a Long Way towards our future success. But to be a tough team that doesn't give up no matter what, I think we have got a truckload of that already. That's one of many ingredients for success in football, but really hard to develop.
I'm an optimist, all here probably know that already. Its going to get better. I think this year collectively, was the lowest point as far as a program, that we'll see under Hoke. I think today was our highest level of Team play we've seen the entire season, and while there may be tough individual Saturdays, I think the shine is going to return to the winged helmet. I'd like Michigan to forge ahead with a new identity than we've had for the last 15 years. While I love our tradition and our stable of legendary coaches, its time to put a new stamp on the world again. I think we turned a corner today, our team is going to be very much the same next year in regards to lack of turnover in the ranks. I don't think our arch rivals can say the same thing.
November 30th, 2013 at 10:31 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 10:48 PM ^
I agree with everything you said and feel the same way after leaving the stadium today! People have been calling me out for being optimistic too so maybe we're the crazy ones...
November 30th, 2013 at 9:02 PM ^
Yep, spot on. I don't think Borges' head would be on a platter if we were 7-5 but played well in our losses (and better in the Akron and UConn games).
November 30th, 2013 at 8:48 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 8:52 PM ^
I always need the perspective. I also loved your wonderful attitude on the liveblog today. Thanks.
November 30th, 2013 at 8:54 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 8:54 PM ^
The season has been frustrating, but the kids today played out of their minds and for that we can all be calm until the bowl game.
November 30th, 2013 at 8:55 PM ^
I've gone through multiple mood swings today. Thanks for keeping it real and bringing me back to sports-life, Brown Bear.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:07 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 8:56 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:07 PM ^
Let me guess, you sold your tickets on stubhub?
November 30th, 2013 at 9:58 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:15 PM ^
Just promise not to be a pussy next time. For the record I said we would win 31-20...and believed it. Not because I think we are better, but because I had a weird feeling about the game. Too bad I was wrong like usual.
November 30th, 2013 at 10:01 PM ^
Why apologize? Extrapolating from earlier games wouldn't have been cause for optimism.
For the record, I'm at least 90% on-board with Brown Bear's post. I'd be closer to 100% if it weren't for the numerous debacles this season. I have a feeling coaching had something to do with what went on with Nebraska, Iowa, et al.
December 1st, 2013 at 1:18 AM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 8:57 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:04 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:05 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:06 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:07 PM ^
We should kill OSU next year. On paper, we will have a much better team.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:10 PM ^
Today's performance, specifically the O-line makes me feel much better about the direction of the program. Even though it is 1 game, the performance of an O-line can not be faked, a fraud, luck, or chance. You don't luck into a good O-line. I am not one for moral victories, but this bodes well for the future.
What I saw today was the interior line protecting Gardner and creating holes in the run game for the first time all year against decent competition.
My other huge concern was Hoke and staff getting completely outcoached by OMG Meyer. That was not at all the case today. Borges (still want him out) came out firing. Ultimately we lost because they have a senior O-line and two beasts running behind it, and we have a young D-line still that was overmatched.
If we take this type of performance into next year, we are on a good path. Hokes players never quit on him, played the whole season and always believed. Those are signs of a good coach.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:17 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:18 PM ^
To everyone who is confused at people who aren't upset afer this game I ask you this: Do you feel better after this loss or after the Akron or UConn wins?
November 30th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
I was so disgusted with the level of play and coaching. Honestly I feel better after this loss with the level of play and coaching! I think there was a cockiness/stubborn all around that drove me nuts vs Akron/Uconn. I think the bigger question is where was this play calling and use of other backs besides Fitz all year?!!
December 1st, 2013 at 12:56 AM ^
Green and Smith are freshmen; they were probably different players two months ago. Practice reps do wonders, early in a career.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:19 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:20 PM ^
Today took an incredible amount of effort. I don't think Borges should be brought back (What good is calling the game of your life if you call the rest terribly?) but I will give him credit for today.
I really hope the entire team realizes what they did today and I hope that it helps them for the bowl game and preparing for next season.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:27 PM ^
The bowl game will definitely play a role in Borge's future. I'm not sure you can fire him if we have another Outback Bowl level performance.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:21 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:29 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:21 PM ^
We have more depth each year where we will be reloading and not playing freshmen in key positions what seems like the past 6 years. I am looking forward to Gardner, our interior line, Butt , Funchess, a very underrated Kerridge, and company leading the offense. DeVeon Smith and Green will be very solid. Defense really doesn't lose much at all. A healthy and improved Jake Ryan, Frank Clark, and Blake Countess will give us solid leadership at all three levels of defense. Lots of positive plays from raw players like Taco Charlton. ....Lots of good experienced linemen/skill players will be lost to graduation at the top b10 schools, so I expect at least a 9 win season.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:29 PM ^
We should be better everywhere else save maybe WR.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:32 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:38 PM ^
was when they had the same interior line situation not that long ago. Remember how they couldn't stop our bltz and we killed poor Jimmy CLausen. A couple years later they were playing for a NC withthe same linemen. Experience is everything on an OLIne and we haven't had it in a while ( and yes i still blame RRod for that!).
November 30th, 2013 at 9:21 PM ^
This is fine, and thanks to Brown Bear for putting this here.
Indeed, this will be the official perspective thread for a while, I believe, since we really only should try to keep one such thread.
Perspective for me - sometimes after losses, I've found myself playing music that was admittedly a little dour lately, but tonight, it "Get On Up", a nice little song from the 1960s by a group called the Esquires. I feel a bit upbeat despite everything.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:23 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:23 PM ^
And remember. There are billions and billions of underclassmen on this team.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:25 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:31 PM ^
Now instead of being depressed about Michigan football, I will have existential angst and panic all night.
December 1st, 2013 at 12:55 AM ^
...you must first invent the Universe.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:27 PM ^
These aren't our own accomplishments and failures. We get way too down on these young men sometimes when things don't unfold like we want and take too much personal satisfaction for what they achieve for themselves. As a fan, I think our job is to stand by them through it all.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:29 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:34 PM ^
Yes, I've always felt the same way. They're not here for us; we're here for them.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:27 PM ^
I find myself relishing a small thing I saw in today's game ... Derrick Green got the ball and took a step towards the line, then he held up for a half tick. Then in a blink of the eye he took off through a hole that opened up. That hole wasn't there a half tick earlier. He anticipated the blocking and saw the hole before it occured.
It was a beautiful thing. It was as if I was witnessing a glimpse into the future.