Exactly. I'm amazed that this incredible 15-0 team accomplished so much and yet never really had a game where they put it all together. Incredible performances, yes, but not one where all cylinders were firing and the playbook was on full display. And yet, I wouldn't trade this season's success for anything. What a team. Can't wait for your next column, Brian. Take as long as you want.
I grew up in an and around Ann Arbor. As my username indicates, Timmy's 1995 performance in the Game was a seminal moment in my fandom. I loved Wheatley but being a smaller and quicker (in my eyes) kid, I felt more resonant with Biakabatuka. I didn't go to UM, but when I went off to college in '05, I'd already felt like UM had slipped from my childhood expectations and our legendary status may never return. Hearing the heckles on the cross country bus after finding out The Horror just made me want to give it all up. Living abroad or just not being around a lot of UM fans helped me keep a distance for a while, but living back near A2 the fall of '14 brought all that childhood fandom back up. I was so angry about what Brandon had done and embarrassed at Hoke's incompetence. Subsequently, I got 100% behind Harbaugh and loved what he and Don Brown et al made happen in his first years, but it was still not complete. The Spot from '16 and especially the crumbling of the '18 Game brought back plenty of bad childhood memories, and '20 was just full on BPONE.
As someone posted further up the thread: "A thing of beauty is a joy forever, that’s what I say." That's what this team was, and this whole season, and the last three seasons combined. Even though I'd venture to say there wasn't a game this season where the team played a complete game, they were so full of talent and character, they always came up for each other when one part wasn't up-to-par. The multiple insinuations and attempts to take down Harbaugh and besmirch the team's character only made it shine brighter. And their collective and individual joy, which showed up everywhere from the multiple attempts to gatorade dump Jim, to Mikey Sainristil's incredulous face as the clock hit 0:00, to the JJ's jubilant grin and Blake's understated smile. I love it all, and I love them
I know come next pre-season, or news of player's or coach's departure, will bring sadness or anxiety about next year. I know next season's strength of schedule and the new playoff format will make a repeat much harder. Those combined with the increased commercialism really does feel like we've witnessed the slow end of an era, and so I'd have to say my feeling about that is bittersweet. Like Brian said in his post-game column, this season and the previous two have made all the heartache and trauma feel diminished in retrospect. And yet the game itself and Michigan teams to come will continue to evolve and cause us fans plenty of dismay in the future. At the moment, I want to step back and not get so invested, especially to be present with the birth of my first child coming up. But as this kid (s) get older, I'm sure I'll want to introduce my kids to the Maize and Blue.
For now, though, I'm just enjoying it and I'm enjoying reading all of your emotions and personal stories of Michigan fandom. It's been a joy to go through and read all these posts. Go Blue!
Is anyone having issues with the Fox Sports website? The stream has been repeatedly cutting out for me. I've not had that issue on my computer before, even when Fox Sports website has been finicky.
I was thinking this same thing -- trying to read the coaches' minds, are they thinking that Hinton and Barnhart will grasp these concepts with more reps? Or is it more, let's give them as much game experience as possible with cupcake games, before putting Henderson and Jones in for BGSU and easier B10 opponents? If the latter, I worry that Henderson and Jones will need the same game reps to work out their issues with outside zone. But I'm hoping it's just the coaches fiddling around with new concepts, before largely setting them aside for the Big 10 season, and sprinkling it in later on in harder games
This reminds me of a few years back, when they introduced zone blocking only to ditch at the end of the season. Except back then we didn't have the same quality RBs and a fire passing game to lean on.
Logged on just to reply. Having grown up in the 90s in our days of relative dominance, it’s been hard to remember what it felt like to win like that. This felt even better. Sweet relief and joy. Soak in it friends!
Well put, just logged in to say that I also had those same thoughts: mature, ebullient, wise, even humble despite the craziness. Now all the color is gone and as Raj said a few weeks ago some agglomeration atoms that resembles the form of Jim Harbaugh has now taken his place. All very sad. I just hope his exit is as gracious as his entrance was jubilant.
Don't see it mentioned elsewhere, but did anyone catch the blatant shove on Chase at 14:42 left in the 2nd quarter (around29:38 mark here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEEZFL6jFhI)? A typical cheap shot by now, but another missed flag on Sparty worth reporting.
I'm sure it was not easy sharing your story; thank you for sharing and for your countless hours of work on this site. My thoughts and prayers are with you from across the pond today and into the future. Also, I'm so encouraged to see the GoFundMe increase by 2k in just the time it took to set up a donation.
Too cool. Even though he's been here only one year, I could see him becoming legend in years to come: "Jim Harbaugh's first UM Quarterback." Maybe even become quarterbacks coach himself one day. After an illustrious career in medicine, of course.
The ending that you can see here goes a little further.
Jim actually replies, "There was only one court at Pattengill, yeah (crowd laughs). I thought I made that clear but you weren't following along there. (Harbaugh chuckles and smiles, but not at the reporter). Alright, we good? Alright thanks" /walks off camera
To be honest, I actually think it's even better since the smart-alec reporter was looking for a false step, for fodder for one of the other teams.
Jim not only dropped a sweet one-liner but put the reporter in his place without actually coming off as condescending.
Wow, best since Grbac!? There've been some impressive qbs in that time, but looking back at these highlights, you've got a point. Drew would've turned into a world-beater under Harbaugh!
Do we think our DE has learned how to deal with trap-blocking after the last couple weeks? I'm not sure how that'd fit in with Indiana's zone-blocking scheme, but with a more balanced attack this offense seems primed to take advantage of our rushers moving upfield too fast.
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Exactly. I'm amazed that this incredible 15-0 team accomplished so much and yet never really had a game where they put it all together. Incredible performances, yes, but not one where all cylinders were firing and the playbook was on full display. And yet, I wouldn't trade this season's success for anything. What a team. Can't wait for your next column, Brian. Take as long as you want.
I grew up in an and around Ann Arbor. As my username indicates, Timmy's 1995 performance in the Game was a seminal moment in my fandom. I loved Wheatley but being a smaller and quicker (in my eyes) kid, I felt more resonant with Biakabatuka. I didn't go to UM, but when I went off to college in '05, I'd already felt like UM had slipped from my childhood expectations and our legendary status may never return. Hearing the heckles on the cross country bus after finding out The Horror just made me want to give it all up. Living abroad or just not being around a lot of UM fans helped me keep a distance for a while, but living back near A2 the fall of '14 brought all that childhood fandom back up. I was so angry about what Brandon had done and embarrassed at Hoke's incompetence. Subsequently, I got 100% behind Harbaugh and loved what he and Don Brown et al made happen in his first years, but it was still not complete. The Spot from '16 and especially the crumbling of the '18 Game brought back plenty of bad childhood memories, and '20 was just full on BPONE.
As someone posted further up the thread: "A thing of beauty is a joy forever, that’s what I say." That's what this team was, and this whole season, and the last three seasons combined. Even though I'd venture to say there wasn't a game this season where the team played a complete game, they were so full of talent and character, they always came up for each other when one part wasn't up-to-par. The multiple insinuations and attempts to take down Harbaugh and besmirch the team's character only made it shine brighter. And their collective and individual joy, which showed up everywhere from the multiple attempts to gatorade dump Jim, to Mikey Sainristil's incredulous face as the clock hit 0:00, to the JJ's jubilant grin and Blake's understated smile. I love it all, and I love them
I know come next pre-season, or news of player's or coach's departure, will bring sadness or anxiety about next year. I know next season's strength of schedule and the new playoff format will make a repeat much harder. Those combined with the increased commercialism really does feel like we've witnessed the slow end of an era, and so I'd have to say my feeling about that is bittersweet. Like Brian said in his post-game column, this season and the previous two have made all the heartache and trauma feel diminished in retrospect. And yet the game itself and Michigan teams to come will continue to evolve and cause us fans plenty of dismay in the future. At the moment, I want to step back and not get so invested, especially to be present with the birth of my first child coming up. But as this kid (s) get older, I'm sure I'll want to introduce my kids to the Maize and Blue.
For now, though, I'm just enjoying it and I'm enjoying reading all of your emotions and personal stories of Michigan fandom. It's been a joy to go through and read all these posts. Go Blue!
Is anyone having issues with the Fox Sports website? The stream has been repeatedly cutting out for me. I've not had that issue on my computer before, even when Fox Sports website has been finicky.
Actually tho!
I was thinking this same thing -- trying to read the coaches' minds, are they thinking that Hinton and Barnhart will grasp these concepts with more reps? Or is it more, let's give them as much game experience as possible with cupcake games, before putting Henderson and Jones in for BGSU and easier B10 opponents? If the latter, I worry that Henderson and Jones will need the same game reps to work out their issues with outside zone. But I'm hoping it's just the coaches fiddling around with new concepts, before largely setting them aside for the Big 10 season, and sprinkling it in later on in harder games
This reminds me of a few years back, when they introduced zone blocking only to ditch at the end of the season. Except back then we didn't have the same quality RBs and a fire passing game to lean on.
"Disappointing fans in Columbus is nothing new for young men named Biakabutuka." - I approve this sentence :-)!
That would have been a magnificent quote to hear from him directly...Alas, propriety.
Logged on just to reply. Having grown up in the 90s in our days of relative dominance, it’s been hard to remember what it felt like to win like that. This felt even better. Sweet relief and joy. Soak in it friends!
We love you Brian. And Ace. And all the crew. Hope you all get to enjoy this one thoroughly, you earned it.
Well put, just logged in to say that I also had those same thoughts: mature, ebullient, wise, even humble despite the craziness. Now all the color is gone and as Raj said a few weeks ago some agglomeration atoms that resembles the form of Jim Harbaugh has now taken his place. All very sad. I just hope his exit is as gracious as his entrance was jubilant.
Don't see it mentioned elsewhere, but did anyone catch the blatant shove on Chase at 14:42 left in the 2nd quarter (around29:38 mark here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEEZFL6jFhI)? A typical cheap shot by now, but another missed flag on Sparty worth reporting.
I'm sure it was not easy sharing your story; thank you for sharing and for your countless hours of work on this site. My thoughts and prayers are with you from across the pond today and into the future. Also, I'm so encouraged to see the GoFundMe increase by 2k in just the time it took to set up a donation.
Beautiful and worth resurrecting annually (possibly with slight modifications based on that year's context).
http://www.detroitnews.com/videos/sports/3736394985001/4630460324001/
Too cool. Even though he's been here only one year, I could see him becoming legend in years to come: "Jim Harbaugh's first UM Quarterback." Maybe even become quarterbacks coach himself one day. After an illustrious career in medicine, of course.
Incredible moment. Here's to another one on Saturday!
The ending that you can see here goes a little further.
Jim actually replies, "There was only one court at Pattengill, yeah (crowd laughs). I thought I made that clear but you weren't following along there. (Harbaugh chuckles and smiles, but not at the reporter). Alright, we good? Alright thanks" /walks off camera
To be honest, I actually think it's even better since the smart-alec reporter was looking for a false step, for fodder for one of the other teams.
Jim not only dropped a sweet one-liner but put the reporter in his place without actually coming off as condescending.
Great ending to another classic presser.
Wow, best since Grbac!? There've been some impressive qbs in that time, but looking back at these highlights, you've got a point. Drew would've turned into a world-beater under Harbaugh!
Do we think our DE has learned how to deal with trap-blocking after the last couple weeks? I'm not sure how that'd fit in with Indiana's zone-blocking scheme, but with a more balanced attack this offense seems primed to take advantage of our rushers moving upfield too fast.