Recent Comments

As I mentioned in the opening post of the Fan Satisfaction Index series, I started on a project like this - didn't finish it - and then decided to survey people instead. I will be very interested to compare the season scores this model generates with what the satisfaction index reveals after the season is over.

One thing I have already found is that fans don't appear to use all the data from a season to determine their satisfaction/feelings in the present moment. Instead, they either use the last thing that happened or they twig on the best/worst thing that has happened.

This explains, I think, why so many of the comments here take issue with calling any season a success unless it involves beating OSU or winning the Big Ten.

At this point a win against an opponent with a winning record would be great - I just realized that Michigan doesn't have one of those yet - and might wind up without one if they can't beat Wisky or OSU. Beating OSU obviously would go a long way toward salvaging the season regardless of what happens between now and then.

Thanks for the tip. I just tried it - easy to use and and it seems to work. Hopefully no more problems in future posts. 

Hey folks,

Sorry about the images not coming through. Strange issue: looks fine on my computer and a couple others can see them, but most people can't. When I copied them over from home last time it seemed to fix the problem: will try that again after work.

The pictures are now here, but comically large despite me setting the width to the right size three times. I give, but hopefully now you can at least see what's going on.

I will do some research to learn how to avoid this in the future.

Thanks for your patience as I figure this out.

Mcalibur,

Thanks for the comment. I know lots of folks here love the details, but I am trying not to overwhelm people with statistics. I use them in my day job and can appreciate that there is a limit to how much people want to absorb when they're reading a blog about football.

But! Since you wondered - the p-value on the differences between the standard deviations is about .01 for each case. Not that surprising since we actually have a reasonable sample size (131 Sunday, 147 Monday, 30 Tuesday).

Thanks for reading.

I am considering adding a question to the survey to gauge expectations about the upcoming game - would really help confirm suspicions about the effect of failing to meet (or of exceeding) expectations.

I actually had the idea for this back during the Hoke era when I was trying to calculate just how much worse football felt than during the good old days. 

Was just about to recommend this one. Was one of my favorites as a kid growing up and watching football in the 1970s and 80s. Really well written, tons of great stuff about Lombardi, and Kramer is a very likable guy. Plus the added bonus at this point of some real historical perspective. 

Despite my love/hate thing with the Lions you should also read Paper Lion by George Plimpton where he takes part in training camp with the team as a QB. Hysterical.

We moved from Ann Arbor to the DC area in 2010 and I've watched the poor Redskins fans suffer in a way that it takes a lifelong Detroit fan to truly appreciate. The depth of Dan Snyder's assholiness is truly profound, which makes Dave Brandon the absolute *perfect* hire.

It makes so much sense for the owner who spends much of his time defending his team's racist name to hire a guy like Brandon, who specializes in listening to the fanbase and building bridges with the community. 

I cannot wait to see how badly this goes.

EDIT: Douche. Yes, I see the calendar.

Ace, thanks for sharing. So glad to hear your health is improving in a non-linear but positive fashion. Your story is a great reminder not to take good health or a great blog for granted. Keep on keeping on and thanks for your great work here.

As usual, one of my favorite post-game reads. You and I are close to the same age - I think your stuff resonates for me for that reason. Totally with you on the commercials. I remember when Michigan first started showing the incredibly moving health system based commercials with the orchestral version of the Victors. My wife (also an alum) and I can tear up just hearing a second of that music, but dang, what a great series of commercials those were. But even so - you need to refresh and update and move on. Even a cool robot (or orbiting space shuttle) can get stale.

On the aggie note: Sparty gotta Sparty, but my family always loves watching games on BTN. We moved away from Michigan back in 2010 but as soon as we start seeing the John Deere and pesticide ads we know it must big Big Ten football!

Really looking forward to next Saturday in a way I haven't since Lloyd Carr was coach. Fricking go fricking blue!

Gar,

Was really hoping we'd seen the last of that with the Baxter hire. But given how reasonably well things went special team wise for the most part (other than Kenny Allen's not-so-onside kick) I guess I can forgive it this once. But not twice...

Yes. Go blue.

Pratchett is a staple in my family - more great places, great ideas, and wonderful characters than just about any other author. Around our house Nightwatch takes first place, followed by most of the Vimes novels, anything with Death in it, and Guards Guards.

Good night Sir Terry, I'm glad to know that your inspiration and memory will live on here at mgoblog.

The game sucked but at half time the meat was ready. I had to use my slow cooker since I don't have a smoker. By then the house smelled so good the family was about to kill me if we didn't eat right that minute.

I couldn't decide between the ciabatta rolls and the hawaiian sweet rolls so I didn't: we had both.

Outrageously good. Hours later and we're still all groaning on the couch.

Thanks a ton for these recipes - a great way to make game day even more special.

Go Blue BQ!