corundum

May 19th, 2018 at 8:03 PM ^

I think it was emphasized plenty the last two seasons. In '16 Speight unfortunately made some critical errors and the refs absolutely hosed us. Last year we were a mediocre QB away from winning on an amazing gameplan.

Win those and no one is making these kind of statements. Also, OSU has been pretty good at football, which doesn't help.

UMfan21

May 19th, 2018 at 8:26 PM ^

agreed. the last two seasons it was fine. last year a competent QB wins the game for us. 2 years ago, in the show and it came down to a 4thdown call...

we are on the cusp of winning despite injuries and a talent gap. that tells me the coaches are working their butts off. we come out of Columbus with a W this year.

UMxWolverines

May 19th, 2018 at 10:21 PM ^

It seems to me like there is a bit of a lack of emphasis, like we turn our noses up at the lengths they go to focus on the game, with crossing out M's and calling us TTUN, but it works for them. I really think people underestimate players taking on the attitude of the fans, if you watched the Amazon series you'd know the players read more stuff on here than you'd think.

We didn't win all those games in the 90s only because we had better players or game plans, it was Cooper couldn't motivate his teams that week, he was nervous the whole week and his players even said so.

Twice now under Harbaugh we've come out firing but wilted at critical moments. Actually three times, after we got called for roughing the punter in 2015 the wheels fell off, we couldn't stop anything they did.

BLUEyouout

May 20th, 2018 at 10:40 AM ^

I love Woodson but I think you're right. The players are engaged. If there is a lack of emphasis its at the fan level. I've been in Columbus for "The Game" as well as Ann Arbor. The level of outright vitrol in Columbus is near insanity. The impressive thing is that this intense hatred for UM has not subsided one bit despite the near dominance over the last 15 yrs. On the other hand, UM fans sell thier tickets to OSU buyers for home match-ups allowing a high % of scarlet representation in the stands. This doesn't take place at the shoe. The level of discomfort that is being felt as a UM fan attending a game in C-Bus versus what Buckeye fans feel in Ann Arbor isn't even close. Hopefully some series wins will start to change all this. The UM fan base has simply been beat up and the catastrophic loses to some of our rivals lately hasn't helped. 

Hail-Storm

May 21st, 2018 at 2:17 PM ^

Since 2011, Michigan has won once, but been within a touchdown of winning in a; but two of the other games.  An OT loss with some questionable calls or non calls. A bad QB game, a bad 2 pt conversion call, and a horrible second half adjustment are what separate michigan going 1-6 vs 5-2.  I don't think Hoke or Harbaugh did not emphasize the importance of the game.  Michigan needs to start winning these close ones.  They did in the 90s, they need to start now.  I don't think there will be a Michigan blowout game for a while. 

KennyGfanLMAO

May 20th, 2018 at 11:39 AM ^

I think the gameplan and majority of the the play on the field was good enough to win in the last couple of years. What he might be eluding to is the attitude, which has seemed very tame recently, especially leading up to the game. You hear the players and the coaches say things like "We'e just treating this like another game" or "One game at a time, this is just the next one." That's all well and good, and I'm a firm believer in letting your play do the talking, but maybe a little fire in their attitudes could help this team close when it matters.

I'm sure to some of you, this may sound silly, but a lot of winning is in the mindset. I think it's been difficult to have that mindset going into The Game over the last decade because the team has won so little. I'm not saying I want Harbaugh to guarantee wins like he did as a player, but I wouldn't mind him (and other coaches/players) acknowledging the importance of The Game and showing some fire leading up to it. It's not a sure fire way to win, but it definitely makes things more fun for the players and the fans. MSU has had this attitude against us for the last decade, and it has worked pretty well. 

I just want to see some fire and attitude. That's all.

UMxWolverines

May 20th, 2018 at 12:45 PM ^

Exactly. This "don't give them bulletin board material" talk is nonsense. After his first loss to us when most of us considered MSU and Dantonio a joke he flat out said "Can you hear my tone? This game is an important game, so if they want to mock us so be it, but it's not over, and I'm gonna coach here for a long time." Tressel flat out called his shot when he was introduced as coach, and backed it up. Someone must have forgot to put that stuff on the bulletin board.

Hail Harbo

May 19th, 2018 at 9:30 PM ^

Hoke couldn't coach but, since 2003 he is the only Michigan head coach that can say he led a Michigan team to victory over Ohio State.  Okay, okay, people will now say that game doesn't count because OSU had an interim coach and was down half a dozen players. To that I ask, does OSU not count wins over Michigan that were coached by Rich Rod and Brady Hoke?  Does OSU not count their loss to interim coach, Lloyd Carr?

 

Eng1980

May 19th, 2018 at 10:29 PM ^

MSU among others racked up victories against OSU while Pryor, Posey, Heron, Adams were suspended for the first 5 games of  the season.  Posey was out for other reasons for more games but came back for the Michigan game and two others.

I get a little miffed when Spartan fans mention Dantonio's first victory 10-7 over an OSU team missing four starters and I think a few others (Whiting, Thomas).

So Michigan probably played against the strongest roster OSU was able to field that year.

Eng1980

May 20th, 2018 at 7:00 PM ^

Hey, no problem giving Dantonio and MSU proper respect.  That Big10 championship game was one of beauty if you are an MSU fan.  

Major point is that Buckeyes limped though most of that season but was some how able field their best team against Michigan.  Some people are ignorant and think MSU's victory at Columbus was more significant than Michigan's victory at home but MSU basically played the OSU JV team.

dipshit moron

May 19th, 2018 at 10:59 PM ^

do you not remember the play with maybe a minute left in the game when the osu receiver was 10 yards behind the michigan corner and braxton miller overthrew him on what would have been the winning td? they were lucky to win that game.

In reply to by dipshit moron

Eng1980

May 20th, 2018 at 7:28 PM ^

I distinctly remember that play and I was on track for a heart attack.  But the throw was rushed due to the great and and almighty Michigan defensive front (especially that one guy coached by Hoke.)  On the other hand, if that play was in the first quarter few would remember it.

There are dozens of "lucky" plays in any given game.

RedRum

May 20th, 2018 at 1:18 PM ^

Why does the board tolerate these "two" posters. If you think Woodson is correct or not, there are ample points of view on both ( or an infinite number of ) sides. Calling some one a twat or saying someone should die because of an outsiders opinion of how Harbaugh coaches for OSU is not balanced. I am all for humor and witty banter, but that is not what I perceive from MK and Corundum.

They should get their shit together or we as a group should neg them until they mature or leave. I love this blog, life is too short for death threats and equating people to genitalia.

Btw, I love the first amendment so I'm conflicted as well....