Sage Advice From Brandstatter

Submitted by smotheringD on December 2nd, 2023 at 11:30 AM

"Michigan meets Iowa tonight for the Big Ten football Championship for 2023. The Wolverines are a huge favorite. Nobody is giving Iowa a chance. That worries me a lot."

"I have always found it very unnerving to have every press outlet and pundit just automatically declare you a winner well before the game has been played. It’s almost like giving the underdog, in this case the Hawkeyes, an added motivation to expand the chip on the shoulder. They are getting no respect, and it is not because Michigan is underestimating them--it is because everybody else is. That’s makes me nervous."

"Iowa has won 10 games. They are not terrible. Kirk Ferentz is one of the most respected coaches in America. He’s had his teams in big games, and they’ve won big games. Do not take this team lightly. Everybody has written them off. Everybody except the Iowa Hawkeyes themselves. That makes them dangerous."

"My old coach, Bo Schembechler, used to tell me that the genesis of a great upset starts in the mind of the favorite. The Michigan team must heed this warning. We know that Iowa will be emotionally charged. They will enter the game feeling disrespected. Michigan must match Iowa’s emotional level. They must not take them lightly. They must expect a game with the same kind of intensity as the Ohio State game. If they don’t, they will find this a tough game to win."

"Michigan must excel in all technical aspects of the game that upsets can be built upon. For instance, Michigan can’t turn the ball over – turnovers will encourage the underdog and lift them. Michigan must execute the fundamentals – they can’t miss tackles, they can’t make unforced penalties, they can’t miss assignments. No false starts, no lining up offsides, no late hits. The little things add up, and the Wolverines must pay attention to the little things to ensure their best chance to win."

"Most of all, it’s about attitude. I truly believe this Michigan team is special. They are veterans, who have a focus on goals they set more than a year ago. If they live in that moment. If they have their minds totally wrapped around Iowa and the Hawkeyes threat to their goals, the Wolverines will be fine."

"Go Blue!"

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Hensons Mobile…

December 2nd, 2023 at 11:49 AM ^

How could anyone question this team's focus and mental toughness? Or even consider it a worry?

I was worried if it would be an issue at the MSU game. Lol nope.

I wondered if it would be an issue for the Purdue game. Lol nope.

I was fairly concerned about it for the PSU game. Lol nope.

I wasn't too worried for it in the Maryland game...slight hiccup.

I was worried about it after Zak went down. Nope.

No chance, none, zero, that the team is not ready for tonight.

Joined: 09/12/2019

MGoPoints: 49509

SalvatoreQuattro

December 2nd, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^

So basically he is saying “Don’t fuck it up, guys.”.

Lee Corso picked Iowa to win. Harbaugh is back. Need to win to make playoff. Defending crown. All plenty of motivation for UM to wipe the floor with Iowa.

 

Lucas Oil is the Colosseum. Iowa is the gladiator. Michigan is the lion.

Let’s go.

Joined: 11/30/2010

MGoPoints: 78935

LB

December 2nd, 2023 at 11:41 AM ^

The Players have all echoed 'be you', and 'be where your feet are' all year. If they do that we'll all be celebrating this evening. Well, all of us with the exception of Petittitititi.

Joined: 09/26/2009

MGoPoints: 25605

RJWolvie

December 2nd, 2023 at 11:44 AM ^

Right with ya, Brandy. Makes me nervous too. Good thing I ain’t playing the game, though. These 2023 Wolverines haven’t looked past anyone, and they’re not going to start now. Go Blue!

Joined: 10/22/2011

MGoPoints: 4417

Durham Blue

December 2nd, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^

Good advice.  But Bo had his share of huge upsets.  His teams didn't always heed his own advice on that one.

This team is different mentally.  They have been put through the proverbial ringer and came out the other end shining brightly.  "Any given Saturday" and all that, but something tells me Michigan is not taking Iowa lightly and will show up.

Joined: 10/09/2008

MGoPoints: 30026

snarling wolverine

December 2nd, 2023 at 1:44 PM ^

With one notable exception that will go unnamed, we didn't lose too many games to big underdogs under Carr, although we often played them uncomfortably close.  

Toledo in 2008 was rough.  They weren't just a MAC team, but one of the worst teams in the MAC.  Even in our terrible state, we never should have lost that one.  That might be the worst team to have ever beaten Michigan.

Joined: 12/14/2011

MGoPoints: 98356

JHumich

December 2nd, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^

"This team in front of me is a threat to my goals. For my brothers and myself, I must eliminate the threat."

There's the mindset. Go Blue. Michigan vs Everybody. Today, Iowa is Everybody! 

Joined: 02/18/2017

MGoPoints: 52966

Colt Burgess

December 2nd, 2023 at 11:48 AM ^

The genesis of a great upset starts in the mind of the favorite. 

I've always said that the favorite is vulnerable when there is a little voice in the back of their minds that is telling them they can't lose. I get concerned when I hear a team say, "If we play our game we'll win." It sounds like they just need to show up.

Joined: 02/20/2021

MGoPoints: 12993

Monday Morning…

December 2nd, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^

The thing is, the pundits and fans won't be playing tonight. If this team was concerned with all the outside noise - positive or negative - they wouldn't have made it to tonight. 

I can't wait to be there tonight! 

Joined: 10/08/2017

MGoPoints: 2730

BleedThatBlue

December 2nd, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^

Agree with Brandstatter. However, since week 6 Michigan has been disrespected with cheating allegations. Harbs back at the helm, I think there will be enough emotion on the Michigan side of things. UM players have enough disrespect and emotions to pulverize Iowa. Harbs has his guys ready mentally so I don’t think they will not take them seriously 

Joined: 03/17/2015

MGoPoints: 7942