What M Needs To Do Saturday Football Player Support Thread

Submitted by brewandbluesaturdays on

With all of the turmoil swirling around I thought I would start two part thread related to hopefully things outside the fiasco going on in the Athletic Department.

1.) Does Michigan have any chance on Saturday with everything going on?/ What does the team need to do to come away with a MUCH MUCH NEEDED W?

- I think we do have a chance and I think the team is going to come out with and put the anger and turmoil around them to work on the field. Obviously when looking toward a W, the easiest thing to do it to look at the offense and say "What are theygoing to do/need to do?" With Devin presumably coming back to play It'd be nice to see us simplify the offense... Easy Zone read option running plays, letting Devin get confidence with his legs and easy 1 to 2 read passing plays and take all of the decision making and time out of the equation. 

2.) I also want to take an opportunity for people/fans to throw out support to the football players.

- Thank you to the University of Michigan Football Players and all you put yourselves through. I personall enjoy watching every opportunity I get. Thanks for putting yourselves on the line and putting forth effort into something 99.9% of us all wanted to but never had the chance to do. What you do is appreciated. 

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UMAmaizinBlue

September 30th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^

Who really doesn't care that much about wins and losses at this point? Whether we won by 50 or lost by the same I'd simply shrug my shoulders. This program has bigger problems at the moment so I just can't motivate myself to care about our record right now. That's my personal take.

Joined: 09/23/2009

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Mike420GoBlue

September 30th, 2014 at 4:50 PM ^

How could you not care about wins and losses? To me there is no other thing that matters on the field, than winning the damned game. We all know the AD, head coach, and o-line coach should be done, but I'm focused on the players enjoying what theyve worked so hard for. Let's get behind The Team.

Joined: 09/02/2012

MGoPoints: 4707

jtmc33

September 30th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^

I will be at the game.   Even though this trip was planned months ago, and I admit that I thought about cancelling while in a drunken Saturday night stupor, I will still be there supporting my team and the players and will be crushed if they lose.

Gotta Support the Team

Joined: 04/15/2009

MGoPoints: 10090

BigTex

September 30th, 2014 at 2:57 PM ^

I will be there cheering for the players regardless of the other stuff going on.  It saddens me to think that it may be to our advantage to play away from the Big House so the players can focus on the task at hand.  I can't imagine trying to stay focused and together when there is so much garbage surrounding the program.  

For those feeling the need to stick it to DB and BH, I applaud any who find a way to do that OUTSIDE of the game setting.  It has to be near impossible for the players to truly distinguish the boos for DB vs. BH vs. them.  I fully understand and agree with most of the frustration directed at the program right now.  But at the same time, these kids are still representing the university every time they step on the field.  UofM has enough ridicule directed at them right now from all over the country, so the last thing I want to do is add to that any further.  For some, I feel the notion of "cutting off your nose to spite your face" is quite applicable here.  Boycotting games, wearing rival colors, etc. seems so counterproductive.  I'm pretty sure all those in power are quite aware of the growing disdain for the program's leadership.  Is contributing to the dysfunction and mockery of our team really going to accomplish anything other than further embarassment?  Do we need more press coverage?  Are we creating an environment that a quality coach would want to come into?

I did not attend UofM, but have been a proud supporter since I moved to Ann Arbor 12 years ago.  I will continue to buy my season tix as long as I am able.  And I will yell for this team until I am unable to do so.  I had a talk with my 6-year old son about what it means to be loyal.  You pull for your team in good times and bad.  You don't have to like and/or agree with everything, but you don't abandon the team...especially one of kids/students.

Go Blue!

Joined: 02/23/2010

MGoPoints: 424

ijohnb

September 30th, 2014 at 2:06 PM ^

I think they can get a win.  I actually think it is going to do them some good to get out of Ann Arbor for a game.  The pressure and expectations have become suffocating the last two weeks and you really can see how tight they are playing.  I would really like to see Norfleet get more involved in the offense, and perhaps a little more of Deveon Smith.  He ran the ball pretty good when the line got any push on Saturday.  More than anything, we have to develop a vertical passing game.  Going from Borges to this has resulted in whip lash.  Yeah, I wanted some dink and dunk if it was there but you can't have an offense void of any vertical threat at all.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

mlax27

September 30th, 2014 at 2:12 PM ^

A road game could be good, although I hate that it's a night game.  The guys will have time to watch gameday and see what everyone else is saying about them.

If Devin starts well, I think we could be just fine.  But if it's another half of 3 and outs, I think the D may give up.  A lead at the half could be really important.

Joined: 11/23/2010

MGoPoints: 2052

Yostbound and Down

September 30th, 2014 at 2:14 PM ^

Who needs a win?

Hoke--by popular consensus he's fired. So why would he need a win?

Brandon--pretty close to Hoke, and wins matter even less to him.

Fans--I don't feel like a win over Rutgers would do anything for me. It isn't a rival and we are no closer to changing the program for the better by beating them. Obviously I am one fan of thousands but I think many feel the same way.

Players--yes it would be nice for them to get a win, I grant you that. But I can't imagine that a win over Rutgers is really going to set their minds at ease.

 

So no, I'm not buying this is a must-win. I'll be watching until/unless Rutgers really starts whipping us, because at that point, wins and losses on the season don't matter. The program is adrift at this point. The only two games on the schedule that we could win to really stop the bleeding are MSU and OSU.

Joined: 07/27/2011

MGoPoints: -86513

SWBlue

September 30th, 2014 at 2:22 PM ^

Even with all that is gone on this week, how can any of you say that you don't want a WIN this weekend???

If you truly are a fan, then you need to pull for your team.

I think if Gardner plays and has a good game and if the Defense shows up then we have a shot.

I can't stand Hoke or Brandon, I want them both dismissed and I think that their actions this week have been ridiculous but I absolutely still want Michigan to prevail!!!

Go Blue!!!!!

 

Joined: 08/26/2014

MGoPoints: 335

Jevablue

September 30th, 2014 at 2:56 PM ^

Is confirm that they finally hit rock bottom last week and that it is only up from there. And yes, going back to the first half of the initial post here, run DG in the read option spread.  That is what he was recruited to play and the reason he was one of the top dual threats in the first place.  Why should Gardner ever be under center? Denard wasn't Tom Brady and shucks neither is Devin. If Hoke wants to save his ass, if that is even remotely possible, he could start by maximizing his kid's strengths, which means letting them do what they are good at as much as possible! If Nuss also can't break out of this ideological man-ball straight jacket, then he needs get on the same bus out of town as Hoke / Brandon. I'm utterly convinced that these coaches know way more about football than I do. If only they could get a clue when the talent they have does not match up with they way they wish they would play.

I absolutely abhor Pete Carroll, probably one of the biggest scheisters to ever coach, but I remember and grudgingly admire his answer to the question as to why he ran something like two dozen consequetive pass plays in the 07 Rose Bowl.  He said: "Nobody runs on Michigan". Well crap, I guess he adapted to an obvious situation! if only he could have been coaxed into a steady slog of man-ball with us....

So yes, it actually matters to start winning, because this current downward spiral scenario is so toxic there can be collateral damage far worse than from the RRod debacle.

Joined: 11/05/2011

MGoPoints: 2978

teamgreg8

September 30th, 2014 at 2:57 PM ^

I remember last year (albeit later into the season) we had a rough go and everyone was clamoring for 2014. Well, I think this is an appropriate time to start the same for 2015.

2015!!! Woooo!!!!!!


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mjagger

September 30th, 2014 at 3:15 PM ^

Lost in all the BS since Saturday is that there are 105 young men that committed to the University of Michigan. They deserve our support, they deserve to feel "the Michigan Difference". The opportunity is now to show all current and furture Wolverines that when you commit to a University it's more than committing to a coach or a program or a possible B1G championship or a National Championship. 

 

Now is the time the players need the fans the most. Let's not let them down.

Joined: 10/11/2011

MGoPoints: 1131

Perkis-Size Me

September 30th, 2014 at 3:26 PM ^

Winning would be nice, especially for the players, but honestly, even beating Rutgers doesn't have much clout, and I don't think it'll change many people's minds about Hoke or Brandon.

If you want the direction of the program to change this year, Hoke needs to win out, including beating MSU and OSU. And win your bowl,game. That, in my opinion, is his only salvation at this point in time. Wiggle room is gone. Other than that, he's a dead man walking, and beating Rutgers won't change that. At the end of the day, people will just say "well, its Rutgers."


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BayWolves

September 30th, 2014 at 4:08 PM ^

Being angry might not be enough to overcome deeper problems this team is facing such as coaching decisions. I hope DG gets turned loose to run wild and that we have a new o line coach this week. Otherwise this very well could be another loss. Not hiding my breath for either.

Joined: 06/21/2011

MGoPoints: 11056

DowntownLJB

September 30th, 2014 at 6:03 PM ^

I'll be at the game proudly wearing maize and hoping that the players feel the support of all of the Michigan community.  I'll not let the shitshow actions of the AD prevent me from doing so.  This may be their best chance at a coherent game plan for a week - hopefully DB has been to busy doing other things to be involved.

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