Whatever the result tonight savor this team.
Que sera, sera.
This team is a historic squad. It will be long remembered in the annals of Michigan football history.
Decades from now when hair has grayed and the body aches form the pain of age Team 144 will be lovingly ensconced in the hearts of all Michigan faithful.
If Michigan should win or if they should fall to defeat it hardly matters at this point. Team 144 has won by not bowing to the carnival barkers, hypocrites, and scoundrels. They have won by persevering through all the calumny and distractions.
Tonight they face a formidable foe. The greatest obstacle yet in their pursuit of glory.A foe far more worthy than the numerous ones thrown in their path by Team 144’s envious and scruple-less critics.
What the future holds for the members of Team 144 we don’t know. Thus it is imperative that tonight, no matter what happens on the field, we savor the moments and achievements this team has given us this year. They have lived up to the title “Wolverine” like few other Michigan football teams have.
I am currently battle Covid so I apologize in advance if this seems off. But I felt the need to express myself before tonight. I love this team. It will be my favorite for a long time to come.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:39 AM ^
Eloquently put. I shall join you in your appreciation of this team come win or loss.
Feel better
January 8th, 2024 at 10:42 AM ^
Giddy up. As an aside ESPN had 48 “experts” choose the score. 2/3 chose Washington.
another reason for me to hate ESPN.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:04 AM ^
I appreciate the use of quotes here, because I don’t think I know half of these predictors. Good to see Peter Burns choosing M after a rough go with Amanda Woodward.
January 8th, 2024 at 12:14 PM ^
I, too, would have failed this test
January 8th, 2024 at 11:36 AM ^
It was nice to see Bill Connelly and Tom VH on our side though
January 8th, 2024 at 11:36 AM ^
Joel Klatt picked Michigan.
It was a confident pick, backed up by specifics. It wasn't a wavering pick like when he picked Alabama.
That's all I need.
January 8th, 2024 at 12:00 PM ^
The other third of espn homers probably picked Georgia!! GO BLUE!!
January 8th, 2024 at 10:40 AM ^
I tell ya, if we lose I'll sure remember it in my annal...
January 8th, 2024 at 11:33 AM ^
Potentially hilarious spelling mistake averted ... unfortunately.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:43 AM ^
Pretty much agree. I’m going into this game thinking that we had a great season regardless of tonight’s outcome. A win tonight would make it epic, the greatest ever.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:44 AM ^
Way ahead of you Sal. The last 3 years have been special. Hoping they finish it out for themselves and all the work they put in. Hopefully folks can avoid trashing them if they lose, but I won't hold my breath.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:44 AM ^
My sentiments as well.
Hope the COVID is a short and mild case.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:47 AM ^
Have faith - we are going to win and you will beat Covid.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:50 AM ^
I love this team. Win or lose I'm not gonna lose any sleep over it.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:50 AM ^
this has been a really fun year. i am savoring
January 8th, 2024 at 10:53 AM ^
Tom Hart, SEC Network has Washington edging us by the score of 63 - 14.
Yup, totally not biased, angry & bitter over the Alabama defeat.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:08 AM ^
If he truly believes that, or it is just sour grapes - dude has lost all credibility as a broadcaster.
Fuck him and the whole SEC Network...
January 8th, 2024 at 11:44 AM ^
never heard of him...really
January 8th, 2024 at 11:54 AM ^
63-14? Wow. How delusional one has to be.
January 8th, 2024 at 12:10 PM ^
LOL...what would that say about Alabama and the rest of the SEC?
Maybe sit this one out, Tommy.
January 8th, 2024 at 12:14 PM ^
Not this Tom Hart
January 8th, 2024 at 12:22 PM ^
Can see now why he's big on Penix
January 8th, 2024 at 10:53 AM ^
Hope you’re feeling better soon, sir!
I am 100% well, so there is no excuse as to why my work productivity is zero today. Or maybe there is a reason.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:54 AM ^
Let me add an extra motivator for team. If they don't win, I will savor them the next time I find them in the back woods.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:38 AM ^
Six words I never want to hear in the backwoods: "You got a real purdy mouth."
January 8th, 2024 at 12:08 PM ^
"Squeal like a pig"... poor Ned Beatty...
January 8th, 2024 at 10:54 AM ^
Nicely put. Unfortunately in sports even though wins and losses can be determined by the tiniest of margins, it’s the winners who are remembered.
But I think most of us who’ve grown to love this group of fantastic young men will remember them fondly regardless of the outcome. Hopefully as champions both on and off the field but champions regardless.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:18 AM ^
The winners are typically remembered, unless you played the Fab Five.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:55 AM ^
Even more than the results this year, I am savoring how fantastic this team is. From the coaches and staff down to the players, I don't think I've encountered a stronger team mentally in the history of college football. They have dealt with everything and come through unscathed. Remarkable. Also, this team is truly a family, and they would live and die for each other. It's very, very rare in today's game. This team is the best.
That being said, play like legends tonight, gentlemen, and cement your legacy as the best team in the best modern era of Michigan football.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:56 AM ^
This is right on.
Before reading this, my wife was asking my thoughts on the future of JH and how the team could be next year. I said ask me next week. It's a day to savor the process that has brought Team 144 to this moment, with the boys hopefully leaving Houston with the trophy in hand.
January 8th, 2024 at 10:59 AM ^
Washington's passing offense against Texas was pretty terrifying. I am savoring, but also pretty uneasy. Take the PI's if needed. We can't give up those 50 yard bombs.
January 8th, 2024 at 12:01 PM ^
Texas is #116 in pass defense. Michigan is #2. Bring on those Huskies!
January 8th, 2024 at 12:41 PM ^
more like ass defense
January 8th, 2024 at 1:59 PM ^
Not to discount UW because they are indeed the best offense UM has seen this year but it is amazing to me that people don't have more faith in the best defense in the country. It works both ways, this is also the best defense UW has seen all year and they didn't even light up everyone they played in Pac 12 play.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:01 AM ^
I've embraced this season and every week has given me more and more joy. I'm embracing it without fear - just happiness and appreciation. I've learned from JJ. Just like Harbaugh. I'm convinced that this team has changed Harbaugh's life. He's happier than I've ever seen him.
This team has been a once in a lifetime team. Win or lose. It's legendary
January 8th, 2024 at 11:01 AM ^
I love these guys.
This has been a three year ride. And it has been wonderful.
Go Blue.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:01 AM ^
totally.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:03 AM ^
1997 was around when I started paying attention to football so I never really appreciated it. Growing up, you just took for granted Michigan was good. Even when the shine started coming off the Carr era, you never expected the depths Michigan sank. The string of dong kicks starting with losing the 1 vs 2 game against OSU through to Covid year has been pretty soul crushing, but really makes you appreciate how special tonight is and how far we've come.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:04 AM ^
I want to win but feel like this is the end of what is likely the best 3 year run of Michigan football I will ever see in my lifetime. I don't think we have ever finished top 3 in the AP poll in three consecutive seasons since the poll existed. I'm going to savor tonight.
January 8th, 2024 at 12:14 PM ^
Same. I will be upset if we lose but not upset with the team. Just frustrated as Michigan has been the bridesmaid in other sports esp bball for so long. Still a sham call vs Louisville - Burke's block was clean!
Some effin dark times there 10-15 years ago. Then being really good but never able to get over the damn OSU mountain ex Fickell. Then 2020.
That 2021 win with the snowflakes coming down post game like a movie just changed the trajectory of everything.
This is a rare senior laden team as so many leave for the NFL when they first can. Seeing them "grow up" together has been fun as we don't get to see that as much in CFB and never again in college basketball. Guys like Mikey and Blake are going to go down amongst the legends - which again is hard to do nowadays as your potential legends tend to flee to the NFL early.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:06 AM ^
My thoughts: give me one more platinum plaque then fuck rap you can have it back.
January 8th, 2024 at 1:06 PM ^
Agreed. A plaque and platinum status is whack if we're not the baddest.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:06 AM ^
I agree with the overall sentiment, but I don't think Washington is the "greatest" hurdle or challenge from this season. OSU and Bama were both bigger threats, especially with Harbaugh at home for OSU.
January 8th, 2024 at 12:18 PM ^
That's a little cocky for my tastes. I'm cautiously optimistic for tonight, but this is a very good team we're playing, 14-0 just like us, which has played a tough schedule and racked up some impressive wins (Oregon twice, Texas).
Kalen DeBoer is a flat-out winner as a coach. I'd take him over Day in a heartbeat and quite possibly over today's version of Saban.
January 8th, 2024 at 2:06 PM ^
I mean I don't think it is disrespectful to UW to give them props as the best offense UM has seen while at the same time making a perfectly valid argument that OSU and Alabama may have been better overall teams due to the gap between UW's defense and those two teams. But yes UW has the HC edge on OSU.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:08 AM ^
Win or lose, I will always remember and love this team. And I love being on this blog with you guys (and gals!). I hope you get better soon, SQ.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:09 AM ^
Speaking of which, D'mello's hype vid is out. Nice focus on the team aspect. Excellent video. Watch it again if you already have.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:44 AM ^
That man has a talent
January 8th, 2024 at 11:13 AM ^
The last three years have been great, but damn, I sure would like to see them end with a title to cherish forever.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:22 AM ^
I'm trying to be as zen as possible but it's tough. Winning this game would be huge. We've been through so many ups and downs we should be ready for anything the future holds.