Would you rather?

Submitted by SpikeFan2016 on
Disclaimer: This is a “silly” hypothetical that’s not meant to be taken too seriously; rather, the purpose is to pass time during submarine week (weeks? month?). I acknowledge that this is overly simplistic and just one possible iteration for how the season may transpire. Obviously, there are scenarios we would much prefer to both alternatives, but I think it's a genuine tough call between the two given.

 

I was having an interesting discussion with a fellow Wolverine (and a Spartan) about what the Michigan fan base would rather have in their first season of Harbaugh:

  • a strong record and a chance at a New Year’s Six bowl, but with losses to both rivals at home

OR

  • a fairly decent, but not great, record with a huge upset win over one rival (without specifying which).

In order to make this plausible and succinct, I present two records to consider:

10-2 vs. 8-4 

The reason I picked 8-4 as the comparison is that I think 9-3 is not a significant enough difference to make this challenging. Furthermore, if we go 6-6 or worse there is not a realistic chance we would beat either MSU or OSU. (this isn't a "10-2 vs 2-10" impossible scenario).

Frankly, I did struggle a bit between choosing 7-5 and 8-4, but in the end I figured there would be more, "of course we'd take 10-2 over 7-5!!!" than people saying, "of course we'd take 8-4 w/ OSU over 10-2!!!" Also, I personally think that in general 8-4 is a more likely season outcome than 7-5 so I decided to stick with it. Let me know if I was wrong/if 7-5 would have been a more challenging comparison. 

Lastly, the reason that I’m saying a win over only one rival is not because I think that there is no chance we beat both (trust me, I do think that’s definitely a possibility), but I believe that if we beat both we will have at least 10 wins anyways so the comparison would be moot.

 

Well, Wolverine fans, what do you think? What would be your considerations/rationale?

MGoBoard

Above and Beyond

August 13th, 2015 at 3:46 PM ^

Yup. Mine is the same. I have a feeling every BT has the same crazy personality. Mine is just fucking hyper beyond belief and he is about eight years old, though he still runs and acts like he is 3. He is obsessed with tennis balls and will literally just suck on it for hours. He keeps his teeth around it, lays on the floor, and supports it with his paws. I hate it, though, because eventually the balls gets soaked with saliva, which runs onto whatever the ball is on (mostly the bed), and that creates wet spots. My wife always gives it to him...I don't for the soaking reason. They also create green stains on carpet if it is sitting there long enough.

Joined: 07/27/2015

MGoPoints: 2866

LSBlue

August 13th, 2015 at 3:16 PM ^

The wretched streak against OSU goes back to when Tressel began as their HC. UM has to start beating OSU. This would make me most satisfied this year regardless of any other game.

Joined: 10/19/2011

MGoPoints: 3447

Above and Beyond

August 13th, 2015 at 3:48 PM ^

Totally agree. I'm sick to death of losing to them. 2011 was great, but they had a lame duck coach and not so good team. The last great win we had against them was 2003. That makes me fucking sick.

Joined: 07/27/2015

MGoPoints: 2866

Gentleman Squirrels

August 13th, 2015 at 3:18 PM ^

Beating rivals anyday. I know Harbaugh will eventually right the ship and have consistent 10 win seasons. But, for now, I just want to take MSU and OSU down. They've been up for far too long and frankly it's insufferable.

Joined: 06/03/2014

MGoPoints: 43421

Gr1mlock

August 13th, 2015 at 3:26 PM ^

10-2.  Rivals aside, losses to two top 10 level teams aren't that bad looking.  But if we go 8-4 beating one of them, that means three losses against other teams, and, I mean, who else is on our schedule it wouldn't be kinda brutal to lose to?  

 

In short, more wins = more better.  

Joined: 12/24/2013

MGoPoints: 6241

Perkis-Size Me

August 13th, 2015 at 3:28 PM ^

A 10-2 season without beating the rivals is still a bad season. It'd feel so damn hollow because it's one more year of us getting a bunch of shit talk and we can't do anything about it. People would be just saying that Harbaugh can't win "the big one."

I'll happily take 6-6 for year one if it means we beat both of them and keep OSU out of the playoffs.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105404

BlueinOK

August 13th, 2015 at 3:29 PM ^

I'd take 10-2, especially if it came with a bowl win. That'd definitely put us in the top 10 in the final rankings. Everyone will take notice and recruiting will go great. The next year we'd be talking about undefeated seasons and national championships. We'd be on our way to the top much quicker. After that first season, there's no doubt we'd beat MSU and make The Game into something great again. 

Joined: 12/06/2009

MGoPoints: 15029

SpikeFan2016

August 13th, 2015 at 4:03 PM ^

This was my thought process exactly. If we beat a team like Georgia or USC in the national spotlight on New Year's Day that would surely springboard us into a pretty good next few years.

 

Although I desperately want to beat the rivals, I think an 8-4 season would have to include some "bad" losses that would leave doubts as to whether we were "back." 

 

And, assuming we beat OSU but lost to MSU, Spartan fans would still be a terror to deal with (potentially even more than now). On the other hand, if we beat MSU and lost to OSU Buckeye fans still wouldn't give us the time of the day as an 8-4 team, even if it was a close game.

Joined: 04/03/2015

MGoPoints: 6659

SF Wolverine

August 13th, 2015 at 3:30 PM ^

means at least a bad loss or two.  Utah/PSU not really bad losses, but 8-4 probably means losses to two of BYU/Minn//MD/other, which would mean some real ups and downs.  We beat everyone, compete closely against MSU/OSU and hit a New Year's Day game probably means we were all largely right about Harbaugh and that lots and lots of wins over OSU/MSU are in our future.  I'll take 10-2, with caveat that we closely compete in the two losses.

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 24866

BrownJuggernaut

August 13th, 2015 at 3:34 PM ^

Give me 8-4 and a win over the defending champs. Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than derailing their season as they're poised to make the playoff again. I also think a win over Ohio State would do more to show the competitiveness of the program. That's not to understate how great it would be to beat Michigan State, but to put a ding on Ohio State's record? That's the ultimate.

Joined: 10/02/2010

MGoPoints: 8235

Yooper

August 13th, 2015 at 3:37 PM ^

My first reaction was 8-4 with a rival win.  The problem with that is if UM loses to MSU and beats OSU that means that MSU is likely in the B10 Championship game and on to the playoff.  It would be huge to beat OSU and ruin their season but I would hate helping MSU.  The same is true if we beat MSU and lose to OSU.  I guess I choose 10-2 with a big bowl win, demonstrating to the world of recruits that Harbaugh is bringing Michigan back to the top.

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 11260

Arizona Blue

August 13th, 2015 at 3:38 PM ^

Real question is..would you eat baby food exlusively from the start of training camp through the season to ensure Michigan wins a national championship? Thread jack. drops the mic

Joined: 06/17/2009

MGoPoints: 2281

MGoClimb

August 13th, 2015 at 3:40 PM ^

Beat the rivals. I want to beat MSU and Ohio State. Badly. If we beat one or both next year, then expectations will be just as high or higher than if we had a great record but lost to them.

Joined: 07/31/2012

MGoPoints: 9026

MileHighWolverine

August 13th, 2015 at 3:45 PM ^

8-4 with a win over OSU would be a great story for the following season. It takes time for a new set of coaches to get everything "gelling" so early losses could easily be dismissed with a late season win over the defending national champs. It would set us up better than losing, yet again, to two big rivals.

 

 

Joined: 09/02/2008

MGoPoints: 7749

Ty Butterfield

August 13th, 2015 at 3:58 PM ^

7-5 with a win over Staee would be totally fine with me. Unfortunately I think Michigan goes 7-5 with losses to both rivals.

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: -81685

evenyoubrutus

August 13th, 2015 at 3:59 PM ^

I would take 8-4. And honestly I would take 6-6 if we beat both rivals. Most elite coaches have a transition year before turning it around. This year it's about revenge and next year it's about a championship.

Joined: 11/04/2008

MGoPoints: 178166

MGlobules

August 13th, 2015 at 4:04 PM ^

in the realm of probability. Just be in the game for four quarters and show we're back in business against OSU and MSU and I'll be encouraged. (Not that I won't be splenetic, but I'm splenetic in losing to Rutgers, so.)

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 47516

MC5-95

August 13th, 2015 at 4:09 PM ^

8-4 with a win over Sparty. But the OSU game has to be close into the fourth quarter! And we have to win our Taxslayer.com bowl or wherever we go. (And I choose MSU as the win, even though I still consider OSU the bigger rival, because damn it we need to shut them up first.)

Joined: 02/26/2014

MGoPoints: 4985

elhead

August 13th, 2015 at 4:47 PM ^

(Hey, I'll play by the OP's rules here...)

I'll take the 8-4 with win over either of them. The biggest hump this team needs to get over is how it plays against those two, especially the Buckeyes.

And - if you notice - OSU is set to play Sparty at home the week before they come to A2. That's going to be a tall order for them, and it's great for us.

Joined: 11/07/2009

MGoPoints: 3377

Wendyk5

August 13th, 2015 at 4:50 PM ^

8-4 with an embarrassing defeat of Michigan State, with Dantonio being a huge dick in the post game press conference, and a come from behind almost defeat of Ohio State, with the final loss coming in overtime. I could live with that. 

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 67546

mgoDAB

August 13th, 2015 at 5:14 PM ^

8-4 with losses @Utah, BYU, @Penn State (I know the thought of this pisses a lot of people off.), and one of our rivals would not seem bad to me as long as we are competitive. That would be two away night game loses (PSU a night game?) and a lose to a good BYU team. BYU is better than people give them credit for; read alum96's diary.
The scowl on Dantonio's face after losing to us or the thought of ruining OSU's playoff chances has me grinning ear to ear.
Plus 8-4 with a signature win probably means we're going to a Capital One Bowlish game and playing a solid SEC team. Win that one and the future is looking bright.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 01/04/2015

MGoPoints: 2887

Michigan FTW Again

August 13th, 2015 at 5:11 PM ^

with a dominating win over OSU. If we could be unranked or somewhere in the #20-25 range that would be best, that way their one loss gets them passed over for the playoffs. Is 9-4 with a bowl win over Florida too much to ask?

Joined: 09/21/2013

MGoPoints: 1947

Johnny10er

August 14th, 2015 at 1:02 AM ^

As I'm reading responses, I'm gathering my opinions... 10-2 is hard to turn down. Win as many damn games as you can. Ya, it sucks loosing to those two but they may be the best teams in the conference this season. Shitty, but could be worse. Good bowl, but still...
8-4 is a good step forward, but we still lost 4 games. Beating one of the two great (uuuugh) teams in the B1G is nice, but shoot, those 4 losses suck.
This was set up well...

I can't pick without giving a caveat... The only way 8-4 is ok is if the rival we beat is OSU and it's their first loss.

Joined: 06/12/2012

MGoPoints: 963

Chewbacca

August 13th, 2015 at 5:45 PM ^

I'd rather eat toast spread with generous amounts of Brady Hoke's duck butter than envision ANY scenarios that involve Michigan losing to msu again.

Joined: 11/13/2013

MGoPoints: 104

nMkaczor

August 13th, 2015 at 5:59 PM ^

I don't think we'd go to a New Years 6 bowl with losses to MSU and OSU. Unless some of the other teams on the schedule improve a lot this season our schedule just isn't strong enough outside of those two games. So I would take the 8-4.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 08/23/2013

MGoPoints: 706

Steve Breaston…

August 13th, 2015 at 6:04 PM ^

Who are all you losers picking 8-4? You think 8-4 gets Rashan Gary excited? You think Harbaugh came here for marginally better seasons? You take 10-2, with two hard fought losses and springboard into 2016 with 5 more wins under your belt and a BCS/major bowl game (as a 10-2 Michigan team is almost guaranteed a big bowl). Those two losses will consumer Harbaugh and this teaming serve as constant ammunition in the offseason. I'd take two losses to OSU and State, as much as I hate them, rather than three losses against the Minny's/Iowa's/Penn State's of the world.

Stop wishing for decent because it means you get to exact revenge in the short term. This is the long view and while OSU and MSU are up now, never forget this cyclical nature of this game.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 10/26/2014

MGoPoints: 4992