THERE ARE...
...days until Robert Thompson (LB 1979-1982) sees the Michigan Wolverines begin their 2021 season against the Western Michigan Broncos at the Big House on September 4th.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Thompson_%28American_football%29
Hello everyone. It's about that time for me to reappear and say the thing.
I'll be the first to admit and agree: I have never come anywhere close to this unresponsive towards the anticipation of seeing the winged helmets come out in my entire life. Considering that, my initial motivation for carrying on this tradition in 2021 had reached a definitive valley-point. It can (and in some ways should) be hard to find the same appeal in counting down to the program's future or reminiscing on its past right now.
My plan for the series wavered rapidly over past months. Don't do it? Put up a poll on Day 100 and consult the broader MGoBoard opinion? I was at a loss.
...And then the Spring Game debacle happened.
With a minutes-long piece of highlight fluff summarizing the most recent run of practices, Michigan Football not only platformed their biggest haters and empowered their apathetic acquaintances, but also aggressively umbrella-ed the only thin sliver of sunshine that – despite everything – loyally stuck to their side.
Let me be clear (can't believe this needs to be said): I don't need hype from the program right now...but it sure as hell isn't THEIR responsibility to stop me short of succumbing to it, let alone actively shield me from it.
That's when I realized: who am I to dictate for everyone that none of us are allowed to just want some football? Who am I to deny the pure smile that the prospect of a full Big House still gives that bright sliver of fans on the front end of this first full (and "maybe"-less) 99-day countdown in two years? After all, I would be kidding myself if I didn't think if it wasn't me posting this, it would immediately be someone else.
For the sake of Michigan Football, and perhaps even despite it...let's soldier on for those who stay. Like this season, whatever happens, happens.
Go Blue.
- JWG Wolverine
Recognizing Mr. Thompson to begin this countdown allows for our first video to be an all-time classic, with the man himself clinching the win by sacking Art Schlichter…
As always, thanks WH. Enjoy!
Thanks for the video. Love Ufer on the sack.
Anyone know why Carter was wearing a practice jersey this game?
AC wore a tear-away jersey and after the one with his name on it was tore up, the replacement looked like a practice jersey.
I saw that recently these posts were compared to that of, uh, feces at a low temperature. This is where I restate the obvious that if you don’t enjoy these, then you should be an expert in knowing that there are much better ways for your time to be spent then that of consciously clicking on them and raining on those (likely fewer than usual…) who do!
That being said, I am always looking to make the annual spam less spam-y and have done a variety of bonus features alongside the post itself to keep things interesting (in addition to rotating the featured players themselves). These have included specific themes for some years of daily videos, the t-shirt countdown, and most recently a look back at the history of MGoBlog’s “The Story.”
Considering recent news concerning the Athletic Department’s increasingly strong push to mobile ticketing (sigh), I thought that it would be fun to honor the many physical ticket stubs that have marked Michigan Football history, beginning with the Big Ten Championship-clinching one that corresponds with the video:
This is cool and I think we all enjoy the historical perspectives the countdown post can provide. You're just going to have to maneuver through the apathy... which hasn't been this strong since RR sang Groban to an awkward room full of actual adult human beings.
For sure...my own apathy included. We shall see how it pans out!
"I saw that recently these posts were compared to that of, uh, feces at a low temperature."
Yes, I referred to them as frosted turds.
I do (honestly) like the ideas you expressed above. You've done this a little bit in the past, but including some interesting post-football details on some players would be great. Here's an oft-used example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Humphries
Glad you chimed in. For the record, I thought it was too hilarious not to reference.
Great idea - that’s the main reason I include the wiki links in the main post! I assume most do not give them a look, but I know some people occasionally note interesting things they find in here. I encourage anyone to do that as much as possible, as it’s a valuable addition to the thread.
screw that these countdowns are AWESOME. I .... cant wait ... for them. It means football is nigh.
Let's get it, JWG (formerly Denarded?)
Gabe Newburg, here's looking at you, kid. Hope you make this one day along with Matt Godin and Pierre Woods.
I miss a nice 90s number on a DL especially since the nfl passed the ridiculous jersey number proposal this off-season. (The only unlikeable thing the Chiefs have done in a while) Single digits are overrated.
Oh damn, shit just got real!
There are:
Very few reasons for me to be excited about the upcoming season.
So hot but yet so psycho.
I've heard the two are highly correlated.
Go be like that one MGoUser Eli who is now a Clemson fan, or was until they lost and is now a Bama fan ... or something.
Didn't he get a nice, all-expense paid trip to Bolivia?
I dunno. Good for him if he did.
Golly, DrJaws, you must be the best fan ever! You smile and wave those pompoms despite the fiery plane crash! I can only dream of being so optimistic! You’ve got guts!
GO BLUE!
Thanks for keeping an informative and enjoyable tradition alive!
Go Blue!
99 bottled-up feelings pinned to the wall
99 bottled-up feelings
Take one down, pass it around (to parse, to analyze, to argue, to feelz)
That leaves 98 bottled-up feelings pinned to the wall...
I got 99 problems but the start of football season ain’t one!!
Go Blue!!
I eagerly await the Tom Harmon/Devin Gardner post tomorrow.
THERE ARE....
40 days Hunter Dickinson has to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft!!!!
In brief:
I will definitely go to the games that I can attend, as I always do, but I am at this point where any hype seems hollow and manufactured and any attempt to put a nice face on where this program stands among those who are regularly going to the playoffs almost seems like delusion at its finest. It's not the greatest feeling, but it is the one I have.
That said, it will be rather a significant sign of a measured return to normal to see the stadium full in this autumn. No matter what happens, there is something appealing about those Saturdays even if it isn't the state of the program necessarily.
I think people care way too much. I mean, I had season tix for Cal .... we were just happy to be having fun, drinking, tailgating. On the off chance the game wasn't out of reach by the 3rd quarter, it was even more enjoyable.
While I do love going to Michigan games and love the program, I get most of my joy out of the experience, the tailgating, meeting buddies for beers and grilled food, and the atmosphere in the stadium. Even if they lose I'm never sad or upset. It was a fantastic time spent with family and friends.
i am utterly freaking delighted that you posted this at 12 am, sharp.
after the last 14 months i cannot WAIT to be in michigan stadium to watch football, and i won't care if we go 4-8 or 12-0. watching almost 600,000 people die has burned all that stuff right out of me.
i honestly feel sorry for the people that will inevitably say that there's nothing to look forward to this season.
full attendance Michigan ban hope springing eternal I can't wait Go Blue
A full attendance Michigan ban describes our games against OSU when they takeover our Stadium.
oops meant Michigan Band
oops meant Michigan Band
oops meant Michigan Band
Welcome back, my friend.
98 more of these to come as always?
Thanks for doing this every year. It's one of the traditions I like on this board and I find myself trying to guess who it'll be before I click on the post (I'm wrong 99.9% of the time, of course).
I'm not sure if you're open to taking requests, but I would like to suggest Chuck Christian for #85 in remembrance of those that were abused by Dr. Anderson over the many years.
Appreciate it.
In my eyes, it wouldn't be possible to carry this thing out this year without doing those types of things. More to come for sure.
Only 463 days until 9/3/22 when Matt Campbell leads Michigan on to the field against Colorado State.
I wish I had a million upvotes because this is exactly what I was thinking when i read that insipid post
There are ... a lot of us who are glad you decided to continue your tradition! Thanks for doing so. Go Blue!
So... how many to basketball season?
So glad to see this tradition continuing. After a season that I couldn't be at the Big House, I am excited to go back to a normal football Saturday in 2021. Maybe the team will be surprisingly good, maybe they won't, but I'll be there to cheer for the maize and blue!
How many days until basketball season??
...they empowered their apathetic acquaintances (and their fan-base) to attack each day with an ennui unknown to mankind.
Michigan is my team. It has been since I went to the Big House when I was 6 years old. Obviously more fun when they win, and I get the frustration of the last how many years. However, they will always be my team. I will watch every game, I will go to as many as possible.
Thank you for these posts! I enjoy them and hope you continue. For all the joy and heartache sports brings us, I appreciate the passion of this blog.
Go Blue!
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No matter how down an offseason can get, I will always get excited when I see these THERE ARE... posts. So thank you for doing them. I'm really looking forward to the season.
I am more hungry for Michigan football than any time in memory. I go to every home game and most road games. Fall Saturdays are an important part of my life. Thanks for continuing this tradition. Those of you that aren’t thankful for football can continue watching Covid numbers, vaccine data, BLM protests, violence in the streets, and politically slanted newscasts, on your fall Saturdays. Just give me my Michigan football. GO BLUE!!!!