Positivity for The Game
Yes, the Illinois game was rough. Passing has looked rocky for some games. Corum, Edwards, Keegan, Morris, Schoony, and Henning have had some injuries.
And it is true that Ohio State is a very talented team.
But!
Against Ohio State: Maryland was 30-36 until late in the 4th. Northwestern (Northwestern!) was 7-14 until late in the 4th. Penn State was 24-30 until late in the 4th, and ended up losing only 44-31 after 3 turnovers (one a pick 6). Toledo scored 21 on OSU (and not in garbage time). Notre Dame managed 10-21 against them. For many portions of these games, OSU's run game got shut down. For many portions of these games, OSU's passing game got muted. For many portions of these games, other teams (including Northwestern even when OSU knew Northwestern was going to run) could run on OSU.
So, Ohio State has its share of imperfect moments. Stroud has missed some passes. OSU's receivers have missed some catches. OSU's running game has its flaws. OSU's defense has its flaws. It has some injuries, too.
And even without some of our players, Michigan is better than Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State, Toledo, and Notre Dame. Michigan is #3 in CFP, API, Coach's Poll, and within a spot or two of Ohio State in FPI, SP+, and FEI for good reason.
We WILL see some of Corum, Edwards, Keegan, Morris, Schoony, and Henning back for The Game.
In fact, we might see ALL of them back for The Game.
Maybe most importantly -- gone are the days of feeling that OSU victory was ordained.
The 2021 Wolverines stuffed that narrative into a sack, beat it soundly with a stick, and threw it into the river.
Many people see teams invigorated to play Michigan. Playing their best and with greatest intensity for a chance to beat Michigan. Now, Ohio State can be worried that they might get beat; and Michigan can go in there with joy and high spirits at the opportunity.
Fellow Wolverines, our team is getting its chance for victory. They want it more than anything.
And they will get after it.
Like you'd expect from a whole pack of high-energy, tough, snarling, biting Wolverines.
Go Blue!
November 23rd, 2022 at 1:21 AM ^
Quit drinking…
November 23rd, 2022 at 1:39 AM ^
...and go to bed.
November 23rd, 2022 at 1:23 AM ^
Personally, I prefer to go in with negative expectations. That way if we lose, expected, all good. If win, double bonus. You? If we lose you're shattered, and if we win, expected.
November 23rd, 2022 at 2:49 AM ^
Nah. I'm happier with a win, of course, but I still enjoy watching The Game no matter what. My life doesn't hinge on a football game. Also, no matter how this year goes, we all get another shot at it next year.
November 23rd, 2022 at 8:22 AM ^
You refer to next year, and you're right.
But somewhere yesterday I saw a headline hinting that Big Ten expansion will end the game. While that seems like click bait—and I didn't bite—it IS a reminder that "tradition" varies. For instance, for decades everyone looked forward to The Game the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving.
November 23rd, 2022 at 10:23 AM ^
I bit, and the article made some good points. If we get rid of divisions we could (will) end up playing OSU two weeks in a row. And with playoff expansion, a third time.
So this year may be the last time The Game is a singular event for all the marbles.
November 23rd, 2022 at 10:52 AM ^
This is exactly why I’ve never understood Michigan fans campaigning for no divisions. It would only hurt us, being the only team that would play OSU every single year, and then likely having to play them twice
November 23rd, 2022 at 6:38 PM ^
This a pretty irrelevant statement because it’s going to happen in all power 5 conferences sooner than later.
November 23rd, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^
My life definitely changes based on the outcome of this game. Nothing major, but I will be pretty depressed for about a week if Michigan loses. 2006 and 2016 took about a week. I would expect about the same here if they get the L.
November 23rd, 2022 at 6:32 AM ^
This is spot on. Many are here right now. It will take a few wins against OSU in the 5-6 years before our fans start believing we can win consistently against those cheaters
November 23rd, 2022 at 8:03 AM ^
A win this year would likely erase the “OSU will always win this game” for most people. It certainly would for me.
if we win this game, I think the national media conversation starts to change about the rivalry.
November 23rd, 2022 at 10:53 AM ^
This year has the most potential to turn the rivalry around since 2016 or 2006. If Harbaugh wins in 2016, his Michigan tenure is WILDLY different. In 2006, we had a chance to stamp our mark on the rivalry in the biggest way possible and book a ticket to the national championship for the first time in nearly 10 years.
If we win this game, the rivalry, for the first time since the 90's, will truly be under our control
November 23rd, 2022 at 11:01 AM ^
If not 2016 then 2018 everything changes. They were favored AT Columbus last time they were there. With the right DC Michigan is a legit NC contender 4 years ago.
November 23rd, 2022 at 9:02 AM ^
I'm done with negativity. I used to hold that belief, too, that if I lower my expectations, I won't be disappointed. No more. I think the biggest impediment to winning is home field advantage. Other than that, I see a team that is beatable. Will we beat them? I don't know and neither does anyone else. But I no longer have a deep sense that we won't be able to pull this out.
November 23rd, 2022 at 1:31 AM ^
Why do this?
November 23rd, 2022 at 2:57 AM ^
I've got a math proof of why, but it involves some partial differential equations, contour integrals around singularities off the real axis, and so forth. Too hard to show it without using LaTeX-to-PDF capability on the message board.
November 23rd, 2022 at 8:53 AM ^
you totally missed one....
ryan day = john cooper 2.0
November 23rd, 2022 at 1:32 AM ^
Step away from Hope, she's rat poison personified.
(SEC Shorts reference in case you're not familiar with Hope)
November 23rd, 2022 at 2:58 AM ^
Come on now, it worked out OK for Georgia in the end.
November 23rd, 2022 at 1:46 AM ^
I love it. Thank you for this.
November 23rd, 2022 at 2:06 AM ^
It’s 11 O’Clock. Do you know where your children are?
November 23rd, 2022 at 3:00 AM ^
Oh, man. Thanks for reminding me. I lost track of them since last Saturday. I need to get on that.
November 23rd, 2022 at 7:44 AM ^
There's probably an equation for their whereabouts.
November 23rd, 2022 at 2:14 AM ^
Positive Vibes
Except to Ohio
Go Blue
November 23rd, 2022 at 2:44 AM ^
Edwards is going to be this game's MVP. Book it. Michigan wins by 3 and we have an entire week of posbang threads.
November 23rd, 2022 at 7:02 AM ^
Was just going to post the same. I bet Corum plays and has a solid game...I just have this feeling Edwards is going to be doing it all and have an MVP type day.
November 23rd, 2022 at 11:20 AM ^
This is my feeling as well. I have been firmly in the camp that Harbaugh, right or wrong, has been holding back for this game.
I could see Edwards and Corum on the field at the same time, thus matching Edwards up with either a LB or S and I will take that match up every play all day.
RPO with JJ putting the ball in Corum's belly, reading how Edwards is being played and then making a decision.
One can only dream.....
November 23rd, 2022 at 2:55 AM ^
Love the positivity! Go Blue!
November 23rd, 2022 at 3:36 AM ^
All the hand-wringing about Illinois and nobody seems to be mentioning the root cause: Nebraskitis. Michigan played Nebraska the week before.
November 23rd, 2022 at 6:02 AM ^
I mentioned that as well on Saturday, and no one even seemed familiar with the phenomenon.
November 23rd, 2022 at 3:47 AM ^
You get my upvote for the day
November 23rd, 2022 at 6:01 AM ^
Wow you're stingy.
November 23rd, 2022 at 4:23 AM ^
“In fact, we might see ALL of them back for The Game.”
Erick All confirmed to return on Saturday!
November 23rd, 2022 at 6:01 AM ^
I was going to make a pun about that as well, but isn't he done for the season?
November 23rd, 2022 at 5:59 AM ^
They look vincible.
November 23rd, 2022 at 6:30 AM ^
I’m with you.
Go Blue!
November 23rd, 2022 at 6:35 AM ^
I don't know about you, but I FEEL GOOD!
A little inspiration from the OP and Pit Bull goes a long way!
November 23rd, 2022 at 7:31 AM ^
Time to grab a Dr. Pepper and have a real good time! Under an overpass! With Fox on NYE!
November 23rd, 2022 at 7:12 AM ^
OSU’s games against NW, PSU, and MD were all on the road. As is the case with the vast majority of CFB teams, including Michigan, the Buckeyes tend to play better at home than they do on the road. Unfortunately, the game is in Columbus.
November 23rd, 2022 at 7:16 AM ^
There has to be a first for everything. Right Don?
November 23rd, 2022 at 8:54 AM ^
Sure, we'll eventually win down in Columbus.
The question is whether it's going to be this year. With key offensive players banged up and a frequently impotent passing game helmed by a QB who doesn't appear ready to put the team on his shoulders, I have my doubts.
But to the larger point—my admittedly pessimistic take on the game has literally zero impact on how it's played. Posts like the OP's seem to be based on the time-honored MGoBlog notion that the strength of fan belief in victory has some sort of magical effect on the outcome of a game played away from Michigan Stadium.
November 23rd, 2022 at 11:04 AM ^
my admittedly pessimistic take on the game has literally zero impact on how it's played
The thing we as Michigan fans take for granted is that besides the final outcome for most of the last 20 years, The Game has never seemingly gone the way you expect.
2021: yeah, who saw that coming?
2019: maybe the most obvious outcome of the last several years, but we thought our defense was improved enough to have a 2017 redux.....not so much
2018: remember when we were favored going into this game?
2017: John O'Korn almost beat the Buckeyes thanks to the most improbable but well coached gameplan from Harbaugh's tenure
2016: a 50/50 game where literally every single play seemingly changed the outcome. Who had Curtis Samuel runs 40 yards to gain 8 yards on their bingo card?
2015: thought it would be close, not so much
2014: Michigan down to their 3rd or 4th string RB, team was written off, still plays Ohio State close until JT Barrett goes down and Cardale freakin Jones lights us up.
2013: Can't say I saw Al Borges' "near masterpiece" coming
2012: one of the most "normal" games in the series
2011: worst Ohio State team in decades comes THIIIIS close to pulling off an improbable upset on the road
November 23rd, 2022 at 7:57 AM ^
The passing game might be ok in this game. I'm not giving up hope.
November 23rd, 2022 at 8:08 AM ^
We’re winning this game.
November 23rd, 2022 at 8:44 AM ^
Fuck em till they die!
November 23rd, 2022 at 9:56 AM ^
MGoBlog is not your personal erotica site.
November 23rd, 2022 at 8:51 AM ^
They are beatable..... we are world beaters...
GO BLUE
November 23rd, 2022 at 9:24 AM ^
I'm not predicting a Michigan win or a loss. Injuries, obviously, are a factor - and, so is quality of execution. That execution is from everyone who steps on the field - whether for a play - or - for most of the game.
Trust your abilities - your coaches - the schemes - your brother - and, enjoy the moment.
Go Blue!
