Could Bama 2012 eclipse ohio 2011

Submitted by Blazefire on

We all know that the most pandemonium inducing, all out nuts with awesomeness moment last year was the UTL victory, which was of course the greatest single Michigan moment any of us has ever witnessed. However, I don't think it was really the BEST moment from last season. After all, we've been kicking ND's tail pretty well recently, with several of the games featuring ND style Yakety Sax. Had we LOST to ND, it would've been very sad that we lost our first night game in Michigan stadium. It also would've been our first loss in four years, the first year of Brady Hoke's tenure, and not a lasting pain. It would'e been a very "can't win them all" loss.

Conversely, though The Game 2011 certianly had a dramatic ending, it's drama did not even sniff UTL's level. There were several palys that made everyone's heart skip, but there was no one single, "It's this or it's nothing" play. Despite that, The Game 2011 was undoubtedly the best moment of the 2011 season. No other game had me pacing holes in my floor for the last quarter. No other game had my father visibly bemused at my nerves and consternation. And when we won, well, King Kong ain't adust mite compared to the Mutant Space Monkey that climbed off every true fan's back at that moment. A loss there would've crossed the line from soul dong punching to soul eunuch making. I would've wilted and died right there in the middle of the living room, leaving only a baren, dust gray talk hinting that once there had been a beautiful fan in bloom there. I may have honestly convinced myself that we would never win The Game again.

But win we did.

So now I ask you,do you think Bama, or any other game of the 2012 season can possibly eclipse that moment? Beating the defending National Championship to open the season would be huge, huge, but again, I think it would fall into the category of "Can't win them all", should the good guys lose.

Or how about MSU? It's been a while now. But after last year's loss, I realized something. I just didn't care as much as I do about OSU, and maybe even the bowl game. Oh, it sucked to lose, but I didn't lose any sleep over it. It's Sparty! They will ALWAYS be little brother. Maybe OSU? Go 1-0 against the new regime?

So what game, if any this season, do you think can bring that same sense of jubilation?

Hard Gay

August 13th, 2012 at 10:27 PM ^

I don't think so, simply because it's so early in the season, it's non-conference and non-rivalry, and it's at Jerryworld.  



It's a big matchup for sure, but to me it's already lost some of the pagentry.

IronDMK

August 14th, 2012 at 10:51 AM ^

I will be very happy when Michigan beats bama in a couple weeks.  But I won't be as happy as I was (relieved!) when Michigan beat Ohio last November.  It will be great but I will be too concerned with the rest of the schedule... and too concerned that a big win will make the players' heads too big (though I think the coaching staff is good about not letting that happen). 

As for MSU, I will be annoyed when Michigan beats them this year... annoyed because it should have happened twice in the past 4 years instead of zero.  It'll be like rimming out a bunch of free throws and finally swishing one.  It doesn't make you very happy because damn, it's a free throw. :0)

Qmich

August 13th, 2012 at 10:42 PM ^

Would definitely feel nice to win in the shoe. I don't think beating MSU would come close... Thats like beating an in-state version of iowa - there's just no comparison.

That being said, I don't think any win this season will eclipse the feeling I had after The Game last year. Completely euphoric.

MGoblu8

August 13th, 2012 at 10:31 PM ^

For me, it's MSU and it's not even close. I hated losing for so many years on end to ohio, but this losing year after year to MSU is unbearable. That is not supposed to happen, at least it doesn't seem like it. Even though I know that for at least 3 of the 4, they were simply better than us, it just seems unnatural. That is the one "must win" game in my opinion.

ZooWolverine

August 14th, 2012 at 10:50 AM ^

Getting the MSU monkey off our backs almost makes it a bigger game for me, but I think the long-term significance of an Ohio State win makes it bigger.

If we lose to Michigan State, it's going to be really annoying because of the streak, but in the long run I'm just not that worried about Dantonio. We're going to once again be consistently better sooner or later. I'd like it to be sooner, but I strongly believe it's just a matter of time before Michigan is hands-down the better team.

With Hoke and Meyer, it's going to be a really good rivalry, and each win is going to be treasured for years. We're all proud that Bo got the best of Woody, but one game would have flipped that 5-4-1 record in the other direction. I feel with Meyer it's more like that--if we want to win this era, we're going to need every game we can get.

MichiganMan2424

August 13th, 2012 at 10:33 PM ^

I think Bama might have a bigger post-game celebration, purely because the game will be watched by the students on the field in the Big House. With everyone already down there, if we win it'll be crazy.

clarkiefromcanada

August 13th, 2012 at 10:47 PM ^

I think where he was going was that while the loss to Sparty is an annoyance (to be corrected this fall) it's a loss to a team that hasn't been to a Rose Bowl in well over 20 years let alone a BCS game or carry the weight o ND, Ohio, or Alabama. With four wins Sparty is full of himself but, end of the day he can't escape his destiny as the Little Brother.



Meet the new boss...



Same as the old boss.

DenardsThirdHeisman

August 13th, 2012 at 11:23 PM ^

I sure hope the new boss is the same as the old boss, since the old boss never beat us.

 

Oh, and where have I heard this before? Oh, that's right, 2008. When Rich Rod was going to hang a hundred on ol Sparty and make sure Lil Bro stayed in his place.

http://mgoblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/sparty-no.html

 

Glad that worked out.

 

Edit: Oh god, I can't resist, I'm laughing too hard at this stuff. Look at how condescension just oozes from Brian as he describes MSU's recruiting. It might almost be May 2012, eh? How'd that class of 2008 turn out for you, Big Bro? Since our class had "no ability to play football", I'm sure they went 0-4 against that star studded class of yours. Right? Right?

clarkiefromcanada

August 14th, 2012 at 11:09 AM ^

Your four wins in the only down period of Michigan football I have seen in my lifetime give you a newfound sense of purpose and, apparently, confidence.



So much so that you will troll Michigan boards talking up your team. This same team so universally respected that they didn't even get invited to a BCS bowl last year...indeed, passed over for that team from Ann Arbor.



Even in your greatest moment of success...still the little brother.



Now, you go on with your coach "identifying talent" but don't forget every one of those 4 and 5 star players from the state who went to Michigan this year had a Sparty offer. The Caleb Benenoch situation should be instructive about your future.



New Boss//Old Boss

DenardsThirdHeisman

August 14th, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^

Besides the factual inaccuracies (3 losses meant we were ineligible for your "BCS" bowl, which also happened to be the lowest rated "BCS" bowl of all time and was cited as one of the primary catalysts for the death of the BCS, not all the players had MSU offers, etc.), I'm not sure what the point of your post is. Indeed, you seem to be mindlessly repeating the same thing you did four years ago, except the names are Brady Hoke instead of Rich Rodriguez, and Denard is going to win the Heisman instead of Sam McGuffie.

 

Only Michigan fans would judge success of a program by arbitrary boardroom decisions based on money, rather than on results on the football field. If being the "little brother" means we keep beating you while you keep getting better preseason rankings and May recruiting championships...well, I'm ok with that.

 

Oh, and your Bobby Williams / JLS era wins over us don't count, because we were "down". Have a nice day!

clarkiefromcanada

August 14th, 2012 at 5:55 PM ^

Did you really compare M and Sparty based on results on the football field?



If so, please explain your many Big 10/IG championships over the past 20 years...or your many Rose Bowl appearances? How about that 1997 Sparty National title? 42 B1G championships?



Face it, the idea of bringing up "on field" Sparty accomplishment (aside from a four year outlier) is impossible. Hell, even with M down you still couldn't achieve even a modicum of national success (despite your recruiting strategy...okay, I kid...except the Benenoch part...that is real. Has Sparty even been Top 5 in the last 20 years? Who would remember anyway?



You are no different than the rest Little Brother. It wasn't the Williams era when you were 'down'...it was always.



New Boss//Old Boss



BlueNation

August 13th, 2012 at 10:37 PM ^

First off, we can't have 2 best moments of 2011. How can the UTL game be the greatest M moment we have ever seen, but not the best in the season? UTL was the most exciting game I have ever seen...Beating ohio was great...really great...which is why for me that was #2 of the year. I couldn't take another loss to Sparty after the 3rd in a row....then we lost again....I'm past dong soul punched....it's time to put those punks back in their place...I want to see a blowout and M run it up on little brother this year. I know it isn't very sportsman-like, but I can't help but feel that way. I want to see the same against ohio, too. This season can't come quick enough.

stephenrjking

August 13th, 2012 at 10:38 PM ^

As big as beating OSU was last season, the significance was in large part a function of the drought we had experienced in the years prior. The game did not have national or conference title implications, the Ohio team we beat was relatively mediocre, and everyone knew that they were about to hire a new coach. 

There are any number of scenarios I could envision for this year that would beat that, including (but not limited to) beating Ohio in Columbus. And winning over Alabama may be one of them, depending upon the results of the rest of the year.

go16blue

August 13th, 2012 at 10:44 PM ^

I think to michigan fans OSU will always be the bigger game, but unless Urban has an amazing first year Bama will have a much bigger national spotlight. Considering that, and the fact that we are the underdogs, a win against Bama would mean much more in terms of national perception than one against OSU would.

I would still take a loss against Bama and a win against OSU though, of course.

jg2112

August 13th, 2012 at 11:23 PM ^

We all know that the most pandemonium inducing, all out nuts with awesomeness moment last year was the UTL victory, which was of course the greatest single Michigan moment any of us has ever witnessed. 

Wrong, unless you've never seen a Rose Bowl victory that secured a national title.

Or a victory over Ohio.

stephenrjking

August 13th, 2012 at 11:54 PM ^

Yes.

I will confess that watching UTL gave me strong pangs of longing to be present in person, despite the vicious commute that would be required immediately after. So I was not there. 

But I have a hard time believing it was actually better than beating OSU in '97. Not that it wasn't great, but UM-OSU '97 is the best thing I've ever been to in sports.

Red_Lee

August 14th, 2012 at 12:14 AM ^

I was at both. But I was 12 at the '97 game. I remember everyone going apeshit when Woodson did his Woodson thing, and I remember staying the latest I had ever stayed at a Michigan game post-victory. But there weren't a ton of people still there while I was.

 

UTL, on the other hand, was chaos. I have never been to a sporting event that was so emotional and, rightfully, capped by karaoke time for 30 minutes after the game. It was a stadium full of people with a ton of energy, no desire to move and not completely understanding why a football game just gave them one of the biggest euphorias of their life. I hugged random strangers, a lot, and so did everybody else. Everyone was too happy and noisy to really even rip on the ND fans, except maybe laughing so more and saying "I don't know WTF happened, but that sucks for you guys".

 

I feel the stadium experience was hands down better for UTL than '97, but from home, I have no idea.

stephenrjking

August 14th, 2012 at 1:45 AM ^

I will readily concede that UTL was probably a better atmosphere; it was at night and the acoustics and capacity have improved significantly since '97. Though '97 was extremely loud. I've been to Texas A&M, and to LSU at night, though, so I've seen some pretty live crowds to compare it with.

'97 wasn't just great for the crowd, though, and I think we all know why. 

UofM-I-Hart

August 13th, 2012 at 11:45 PM ^

Jack this thread, but i have an important ticket question!

Me and some of my friends want to go to the Ohio game in columbus this year...My question is this: will ticket prices rise or fall the closer it gets to the game? As in, should we buy now, or will we get better seats for the same price as it gets closer to the game? I appreciate any help i receive!

Roachgoblue

August 14th, 2012 at 8:39 AM ^

Worst question ever! You really need to think about this before posting. Is your car worth more value after a crash or before? Will Ohio have lot of wins or have crashed? The same question for Michigan = any more brain busters?

mgobleu

August 14th, 2012 at 12:14 AM ^

I find it odd that some people force themselves into such strange, fruitless prognostication, but hell, Ill bite. Theres only 2 ways I see this thing going down. 1, the line is the game, and michigan suffers a somewhat demoralizing, yet perspective granting loss, thus making it forgettable for both teams. Or 2, michigan makes the jump in this regime's second year that it would seem karma owes them, and becomes a national story, sensation and powerhouse. And I do say powerhouse, because to beat bama will be no fluke and michigan should be able to take care of the rest of their schedule until they meet usc for a national title. So yes, in my opinion, beating bama would be massive. The problem is, I just dont think it's going to happen.

Johnny10er

August 14th, 2012 at 12:52 AM ^

That I completely agree with situation #2, that if we beat 'Bama, we look like a powerhouse. And after doing so (if we do so) we SHOULD beat every team on the schedule. And even though I don't think Hoke and Co. would let it happen, there's this scary burning feeling somewhere that we would get slightly too lax in a game where we shouldn't. And have one loss.



There, I said it, so now it won't come true.

Danwillhor

August 14th, 2012 at 1:53 AM ^

Agree 100%. The Game will always be the game but beating Bama would be huge considering the head start they have had in regard to Saban going there and building and us still re-building from a failed hire/approach. Beating Bama would, just this one year, mean more to me than osu. Deep down, part of me thinks this as a buffer because I think Miller is going to just cause havok his last 2-3 yrs at osu and I don't think we beat them this year anyway. A win against Bama (should they be what we think they are) would just absolutely put our stamp back on the major CFB scene. No doubt, Michigan would be "back" among the elite again even if we lost a few later on. Recruits would see it, etc. A blowout Bama loss just has everyone saying "same old 8-9 win Michigan" we've seen almost exclusively since 1990.

Then again I'm talking out of my a** as beating Urban/osu is just as important. He wins year one and he uses that as a "and these aren't even my guys" ploy. Don't think he'll seal the borders like JT did but it could reverse or slow down our much needed Ohio recruiting. So, in short, I really really want to upset Bama. I do not want an msu type showing on Prime Time National Television as that would just bring the haters out in force. A win does the opposite. Kids see these things and it matters if ESPN and the likes are mocking your program when/if you're going against Bama for a recruit. Yet, because it is Urban's first year and in cbus.....games are about even for me.

Thorin

August 14th, 2012 at 12:47 AM ^

Michigan hasn't won in Columbus since Drew Henson was the QB. Did you really forget which game on the schedule is the most important? Obvious answer is obvious.

Wolverman

August 14th, 2012 at 3:36 AM ^

 I'm not sure how this will be accepted by the MgoCommunity but, here it goes. UTL and the Ohio wins last year where both great, very exciting wins. A win against Alabama in 2012 would be so much more. As a team and as a fanbase we've took our share of lumps this past decade, I'm not going to get into specifics. It goes so much deeper than than B1G rivalries and beatinga run down ND squad.

 A win against Alabama would mean a true return to glory not only for Michigan football but, also the Big Ten as a conference. It's going to be played on a major stage as big if not bigger than the UTL game. Think of it this way , if we started the season off by playing MSU or Ohio and won we'ld be like yea i knew we could do it. If we beat Alabama it would shock alot of people, U of M fans or not. instead of thinking about a B1G Championship We'ld start thinking possible national championship.

 We're going to win this game guys and a lot of people are going to be changing their tune about this team. Have faith in these players and the coaching staff!

Believe

graybeaver

August 14th, 2012 at 4:38 AM ^

Ohio, Alabama, and MSU are of equal priority to me in 2012. The Ohio win in 2011 was by far the biggest. Notre Dame hasn't been relevant in 20 years or so. The Alabama game will be the biggest game as far as national perception. Beating the best program in the best conference would send shock waves. Losing to MSU for a fifth consecutive season and Dantonio going 2-0 vs Hoke would be a tough nut to swallow. Especially with dantonios behavior and how they physically dominated Michigan upfront last year. Beating Ohio two consecutive years in a row would be huge for M in this rivalry. Especially after the last decade and it being Meyers first season at the helm. I don't see how ND even compares to the other three teams. ND shouldn't even be a top 25 team. Alabama, MSU, and Ohio are arguable top 10.

Wolverine Incognito

August 14th, 2012 at 7:10 AM ^

Ending that seven game streak (even though the streak was illegitimate) was priority one for Michigan Football.  Plus, Ohio is our biggest rival, and The Game is always at the end of the season.  

There is no way the first game of the year can match the intensity of The Game.  I don't care who it is against.

Do I want Blue to win?  Yes.

Will it be extra exciting to see them beat an SEC school?  Yes.

Will there still be at least 11 games left this season?  YES

slipknot

August 14th, 2012 at 8:12 AM ^

Lets compare these games to the chores on your honey-do list:

Alabama game:  Like cleaning out the garage, it would be great to do but not the end of the world if you don't.

Ohio:  Like painting the deck, a lot of work, but when its done it looks great and is something to enjoy for the rest of the year.

MSU: Pretty much the same as cleaning up after the dogs.  No glory, but its something that needs to be done.

sammylittle

August 14th, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^

The Game is always the most meaningful contest of the year.  This year breaking the bad streak against Little Brother is also important.  An overlooked game of importance is the Nebraska game.  I remember when PSU joined the conference.  They had been an elite program and UM began beating them year in and year out.  UM got inside the heads of those in the PSU program and all we did is win.  This is our first trip to Nebraska as division rivals.  A win there could demoralize Nebraska and set a nice precedent for the future.  Beat the Huskers this year and they will question their ability to beat Michigan.

Perkis-Size Me

August 14th, 2012 at 1:19 PM ^

Depends on the manner in which the Alabama game ends. If there are 3 TD's scored in the last 1:45 of the game, and Michigan wins on a Denard Robinson 50 yd+ Hail Mary pass to Roundtree, or anyone for that matter, then I think the Alabama game would eclipse UTL.