This is what I believe, too. They finally allowed the complaints of sports writers and t.v. talking heads to influence the system toward naming an "real champion" vs. a "mythical champion" and destroyed the traditions that made football fun: geographical conferences that were actually geographical, traditional rivalries (remember Nebraska v. Oklahoma?), and bowl games that had pageantry and mystique. The BCS and play off systems still ended up rendering mythical champions. How about we focus on bringing integrity back to the whole system first and worry less about perfecting the way we name a champion?
I agree. It's been the quest to name a "true" champion through BCS and playoffs that has hurt the sport most as I see it. Law of unintended consequences. In trying to perfect it they've hurt it more.
I love this idea. It was more fun back then. A committee now decides who's in the playoff and who's not. How is that different from sports writers and coaches voting? The present system gives you all the subjectivity of the "mythical" championship days and none of the interest, while abetting the establishment of permanent dynasties in Tuscaloosa, Columbus, Norman and Clemson. Also, get rid of conference championships and bring back shared titles. Let two or more teams be rewarded at the end of a season. It would make aid recruiting for more teams and would give more balance to leagues. Otherwise I think we are seeing one team dominating each league (except in the Pac 12) because of the dynasty thing and the advantage it brings in recruiting.
Does it seem like OSU has one an outsize portion of the "coin flip" games, though? Even against other teams? Like how they beat Maryland, PSU, Minnesota and Nebraska this year? One bad break in any of those games and they could have lost it. But they never seem to get the bad break. It seems like 99 percent off the time they get what they want in the close games, too. Hate 'em.
This is awesome. I remember one year someone designed the pattern to spell out FUCK OSU at night using the windows of Markley dorm (on the hospital side) the week of the game. We all got notices of who was to shut their lights out and who leave them on. It was a very cool sight. Go blue. Also, fuck OSU.
Thanks for swimming against the tide of negativity. Wow. It was a disappointing season because of the OSU loss, but the negativity just sounds like bitterness at this point. I've been fighting that myself, but this entitled attitude on the part of some epitomizes the stereotype for M fans. We've got to earn it. I believe we will earn it with Harbaugh as coach. I do hate the college football world these days, though, as I think the four team playoff may be creating four or five programs that have a permanent recruiting advantage and we are not in on that. I keep thinking about the Harbaugh who beat Pete Carroll's USC teams and think he'll get the better of Meyer. The only thing that scares me is that his teams struggled more against Oregon's spread and that's what OSU runs. Still can't believe how they shredded our defense. Nevertheless, go blue and beat Florida! We should not assume it will be gimme game. Respect every opponent.
Thanks for this sane take. It was mostly fun to follow Michigan football again. I hope we can get on the elite level where it will be fun because we are beating Ohio State on a regular basis. It really isn't about curses, but coaches and personnel. Michigan let the program go into a long slide and then a fall off a cliff. I don't think Bo should have been allowed to name his own successor. I think Carr, good but not elite, was a lazy hire after Moeller was fired. The athletic directors were also wanting in the years after Canham. Bo was my first and favorite coach of Michigan, but the old practice of promoting the football coach to athletic director was also not helpful to us. Bo didn't stick around that long as AD because it wasn't his true calling. I think we are finally doing it right with Warde Manuel and Harbaugh, two guys with a proven track record who were hired after thorough searches.
Really like this take. It explains the game this year and why Hoke's teams seemed best against OSU and struggled the rest of the year. I do think our current coaches have instilled a discipline and work ethic that shows up in every game. I do think they got rattled a bit, though, as the game progressed on Saturday. Still don't know how OSU's o-line suddenly got so good to prevent any sacks or even many hurries. Haskins is much less accurate when pressured. Your theory does explain their o-line performance, though, as anomaly created by the rivalry.
They were my first athletic heroes, too. I cut out the '68 world series pics from the newspaper and taped them to my bedroom wall as a kid. Somehow I missed that Freehan went to Michigan until U of M hired him as baseball coach, though.
This. Bo's teams always struggled against Illinois in Champaign, but would beat them by five touchdowns at home. Same with Iowa and Minnesota in the seventies. Don't think Harbaugh's teams are unique here.
Recent Comments
OMG yes
Nothing changes until the NCAA addresses recruiting advantages for the big 5$
Nothing changes until the NCAA addresses recruiting advantages for the big 5$
Yup. Ohio State is locked in as is Alabama as is Clemson as is Oklahoma as is LSU until recruiting advantages are addressed.
I hate that everything you have said is true.
WTF on all of that?
Amen, brother!
…
Go blue! A win is a win.
Go blue!
Happy Go Blue New Year!
Thanks for a dose of sanity. Couldn't agree with you more.
Mmmm...self-flagellation.
Good news. I'll take it today.
Yes, this.
Go blue!
Go blue! Bang 'em.
This is what I believe, too. They finally allowed the complaints of sports writers and t.v. talking heads to influence the system toward naming an "real champion" vs. a "mythical champion" and destroyed the traditions that made football fun: geographical conferences that were actually geographical, traditional rivalries (remember Nebraska v. Oklahoma?), and bowl games that had pageantry and mystique. The BCS and play off systems still ended up rendering mythical champions. How about we focus on bringing integrity back to the whole system first and worry less about perfecting the way we name a champion?
Bourbon laced egg nog in coffee
Go blue!
I agree. It's been the quest to name a "true" champion through BCS and playoffs that has hurt the sport most as I see it. Law of unintended consequences. In trying to perfect it they've hurt it more.
From Ed Warriner's twitter account: "If you want to make everyone happy, don't be a leader, sell ice cream." Nick Saban
I love me some hammered dulcimer
How magnanimous of you.
I love this idea. It was more fun back then. A committee now decides who's in the playoff and who's not. How is that different from sports writers and coaches voting? The present system gives you all the subjectivity of the "mythical" championship days and none of the interest, while abetting the establishment of permanent dynasties in Tuscaloosa, Columbus, Norman and Clemson. Also, get rid of conference championships and bring back shared titles. Let two or more teams be rewarded at the end of a season. It would make aid recruiting for more teams and would give more balance to leagues. Otherwise I think we are seeing one team dominating each league (except in the Pac 12) because of the dynasty thing and the advantage it brings in recruiting.
Nor can I. My profile doesn't show any points, but my comments do.
This is what drives me crazy about them. They get away with everything. From Tressel to Meyer they get rewarded for their sick culture.
Does it seem like OSU has one an outsize portion of the "coin flip" games, though? Even against other teams? Like how they beat Maryland, PSU, Minnesota and Nebraska this year? One bad break in any of those games and they could have lost it. But they never seem to get the bad break. It seems like 99 percent off the time they get what they want in the close games, too. Hate 'em.
This is awesome. I remember one year someone designed the pattern to spell out FUCK OSU at night using the windows of Markley dorm (on the hospital side) the week of the game. We all got notices of who was to shut their lights out and who leave them on. It was a very cool sight. Go blue. Also, fuck OSU.
Go blue! Beat Florida!
Thanks Sten! Well reasoned and rational take and inquiry.
Thanks for swimming against the tide of negativity. Wow. It was a disappointing season because of the OSU loss, but the negativity just sounds like bitterness at this point. I've been fighting that myself, but this entitled attitude on the part of some epitomizes the stereotype for M fans. We've got to earn it. I believe we will earn it with Harbaugh as coach. I do hate the college football world these days, though, as I think the four team playoff may be creating four or five programs that have a permanent recruiting advantage and we are not in on that. I keep thinking about the Harbaugh who beat Pete Carroll's USC teams and think he'll get the better of Meyer. The only thing that scares me is that his teams struggled more against Oregon's spread and that's what OSU runs. Still can't believe how they shredded our defense. Nevertheless, go blue and beat Florida! We should not assume it will be gimme game. Respect every opponent.
Fake punt. Kirby Smart not so smart
So tired of the script Alabama and OSU have. First string qb hurt, second string guy comes in to win it, no problem.
Great satire! Or, is it?
Win by one point after comeback--which they will do because they always do. Hate that. It seems like they always get what they want.
You have struck a sympathetic chord of hatred in me.
Thanks for this sane take. It was mostly fun to follow Michigan football again. I hope we can get on the elite level where it will be fun because we are beating Ohio State on a regular basis. It really isn't about curses, but coaches and personnel. Michigan let the program go into a long slide and then a fall off a cliff. I don't think Bo should have been allowed to name his own successor. I think Carr, good but not elite, was a lazy hire after Moeller was fired. The athletic directors were also wanting in the years after Canham. Bo was my first and favorite coach of Michigan, but the old practice of promoting the football coach to athletic director was also not helpful to us. Bo didn't stick around that long as AD because it wasn't his true calling. I think we are finally doing it right with Warde Manuel and Harbaugh, two guys with a proven track record who were hired after thorough searches.
Really like this take. It explains the game this year and why Hoke's teams seemed best against OSU and struggled the rest of the year. I do think our current coaches have instilled a discipline and work ethic that shows up in every game. I do think they got rattled a bit, though, as the game progressed on Saturday. Still don't know how OSU's o-line suddenly got so good to prevent any sacks or even many hurries. Haskins is much less accurate when pressured. Your theory does explain their o-line performance, though, as anomaly created by the rivalry.
I did too! Love that scene. Speaks to any situation of misery.
Condolences. I get how it all seems to be of a piece, though, the miseries large and small when they come in bunches.
Those were the days...
and lets not play like shit
bullshit
I hate to admit this but yes. Fuck everything.
YES
FUCK EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY
They were my first athletic heroes, too. I cut out the '68 world series pics from the newspaper and taped them to my bedroom wall as a kid. Somehow I missed that Freehan went to Michigan until U of M hired him as baseball coach, though.
Best wishes Ace. Enjoyed your game write ups and role on the podcasts. May you know wholeness of health soon!
This. Bo's teams always struggled against Illinois in Champaign, but would beat them by five touchdowns at home. Same with Iowa and Minnesota in the seventies. Don't think Harbaugh's teams are unique here.
Ah, the halcyon days of Schembechler when Howard King announced the games and Carl Grapentine announced the band.