OT - Coping mechanisms in the Hoke era

I am not as mad and upset when Hoke loses as I was with RR. I drank too much of the cool aid and always feel like we can come back within a game or turn it around the next week. With Hoke I would always feel a sense of security.

Under RR, I would be grumpy all day win or lose. I don't know how to cope or feel anymore.

MGoBlog "What are you drinking tonight" threads.

I have been sober for 28 months out of necessity...

I went on with my life as normal. It's just a game.

I read Mgoblog and decided it's still better to lose with Michigan than win with anyone else.

that when I dir, on my death bed, I will receive total consciousness.

At least I have that going for me...

And lost all my Mgoblog points.

I watched Northwestern lose to Pelini on a last second hail mary and realized that at least we aren't them.

Did you cope differently before Hoke?

If the RR era has taught me anything, its that if I stop watching before the clock hits 0, I am much less emotional over the loss. That has unfortunately had to carry over into the Hoke era. So at the point where the outcome is invitable, I switch over to a non-football channel or start playing a video game and the fact we lost isn't really a big deal to me anymore. My coping method for losses I watched all the way through is stomping and sulking throughout my house like a little baby and then carrying over that mini-tantrum on to the board.

I work at UMHS. I see stuff, even in my limited capacity, that is far more crushing than a football game.

My occasional rants on here(particularly with the Tigers) are nothing more than an in-the-moment emotional release. The days of obsessing over every detail of Michigan football or any sport is over.

I will say this 2014 is a huge year for Hoke. UM returns a lot of guys, MSU loses a ton as does ND. Northwestern loses Mark and Colter.  Penn State will be further weakened by sanctions. That year, even with a bunch of tough road games, is setting up nicely for Michigan.

That above is how I cope. First, I place the game in its proper context. Secondly, I look to the future for obsessing on the past in sports is a useless activity. 

Fantasy football

I went out buzzed and pissed after the OSU loss and bought myself a new sectional for the basement. Best purchase I made. After that I had to go out and find a new tv. That game cost me a lot of cash.... But now I have a great room to watch more games.

Spend time with my kids - that tends to put things in perspective really quickly.

I think all but the most irrationally optimisitic were half-expecting an outcome like this. After the opening drives of the 3rd (hell after the first half, really) I'd mentally checked out. 

I was fine immediately after this game. Only a real gut-punch game sticks with me more than a day or two. Getting crushed by an obviously better team? Eh..

Caught maybe 10 minutes of the first half before leaving. In the past, I would alter plans so I could watch Michigan football. Now, I tape the game and decide if I want to watch later. It's not worth the grief. I find myself caring less and less because it's the same shit week after week.

and have veered towards the far reaches of fanatic, around my wife, kids, and dogs, and with friends. I'm beyond it now. There are other things in life to get emotional about, and they tend to be things you can actually influence. I'd be happy if Michigan won to the tune of 8-4 or 9-3 on a guaranteed basis, occasionally spiked higher and won B1G championships, maintained majority wins against all of its rivals, won a simple majority of its bowl games, and was known as a controversy-free team.

The wife and I rented Kevin Hart's new stand up, which was ok although he is much more vulgar now. Watched a little of the FSU - Miami game.

Here is your biggest "coping mechanism:" patience.

 

This year - raking freaking leaves - followed by strong beer.

Last year, Bama and ND, figured those were losses anyway. ND had lost 3 in a row in the final minute to us. Nebraska "coping" - nothing can make anyone forget Bellomy's 3-16-3 performance. OSU? Alcohol and sex are the only coping techniques.

I wasn't a big fan of hiring (and still not a fan of Hoke bc I question his ability to elevate program into elite status.  I kind of detatch myself from my fandom and watch it from a neutral perspective.  Coming into the season, I knew Michigan was destined for a mediocre season because I have huge questions on the OL and DL.  Once Michigan struggled to beat Akron, UConn, I knew that November will be tough for Michigan to get to 8 wins.

I just watched with indifference which is strange.  However, when it comes to basketball, I am a huge fan of Michigan basketball and sat through one of the worst stretch of Michigan basketball in Ellerbe era and was mediocre in Tommy Amaker era.  I knew Michigan hit a HR in JB and JB will finally recruit the athletes that he always wanted and his system works because he turned nobodies into a star.  What he has done with Stu and Novak has been amazing.  Remember Jordan Morgan?  No one liked him coming out of U of D Jesuit and thought that JB reached on him.  Now, he's one of the key cogs to a team that has become a national power.  JB has shown the ability to turn coals into diamonds.  Hoke hasn't.

I used to be distraught after a Michigan loss. Coach Rod's tenure numbed me so much that I don't get really worked up anymore. It still hurts, and I take the losses personally to some degree. But it doesn't ruin my week like it used to. Also, it really helps when my expectations aren't crazy. A loss to Nebraska at home will hurt a lot more than a loss to MSU on the road because I expect to win. Of course, I have only one Spartan friend, and he doesn't give me shit when we lose.

I cope by writing my little column.  It's cathartic, and a bit of a shameless plug.  But it helps me to put into words how I'm feeling, and really a day later I feel far more calm and reserved.  I'm not saying it works for everyone, but when you can just say X sucked, Y wasn't that bad, it makes it easier to cope with a tough loss.

i watch arizona football and laugh at their coach for not getting "it"