I'm sorry guys...I just can't get excited about this game.

Submitted by tdeshetler on
After reading so many posts regarding the excitement building towards the game, I for one can't watch this year. Michigan football was the first love of my life. Even before I understood what the game of football was, I understood the emotional swings of wins and losses. Why, it's still a family joke - when I was a kid I would storm up the stairs and solk in my room for a hours if Michigan lost. Even then, the success and failures of a few men in winged helmets vastly altered my emotional state. Through the years I learned the game, played and coached it to the best of my ability; all while my love for Michigan football matured and grew. I got to be pretty even keeled - don't get to high or low for anything. Still, on cool autumn Saturdays I revert back to that 3 year old watching the game. Yasy year was tough but understandable. This year is emotionally draining. That is why I won't be watching the game come Saturday. I don't want to see the hurt on the faces of the players and coaches should we fall short of a victory. I don't want to watch the fans file out as if they just attended a funeral. I don't want to see inconstancies of our offense and defense on national TV as announcers talk of the program as if it’s fallen on ill times and left for dead. Mostly, I don't want to hear how RichRod needs to be fired, or how he's not a Michigan man or a good fit for the university. I’m tired of a few speaking for the masses judging Michigan football by looking back, not forward. I don't want to hear anymore about predetermined terminations or definitive transfers. Sick and tired of it all – of allegations and lame writers with personal vendettas! And I'm tired of the heartache endured each week. It's been a long time since we've felt the warmth of an OSU victory. Nothing would be better than to send the seniors off with their first victory over our arch rivals; everyone with Blue blood deserves it. But this year, I am taking a rest. Instead, I am going hang with some service men and women and cheer for Army as they play North Texas.
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Magnus

November 19th, 2009 at 3:25 PM ^

Watch with the sound turned off. I think this is one big difference between fans and players. Players don't have a choice. They have to get up for this game. They love this game. They are this game. Fans like you can turn it off. You can ignore the fact that it's even happening. It's nothing against you, but these are the types of posts that make me appreciate players more. Because it's hard to get excited week after week, to feel confident and strong. It's hard to go out there every play with the intention of putting your face mask through another guy's spine. But they do it again and again and again, and they will fuck. Shit. Up. Saturday. Go blue.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166237

Gerald R. Ford

November 19th, 2009 at 3:40 PM ^

...then we would not bother to play the game. This is why they actually play the games instead of just analyzing the statistics and determining the winner based on the results on paper. Do you think there is a single player on the Michigan team who thinks that they do not have a chance to win this game? .............. ("so you're saying I have a chance!)

Joined: 12/17/2008

MGoPoints: 2043

NHWolverine

November 19th, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^

If you don't watch and we pull off the upset you'll never forgive yourself for missing this. Prepare to have some sort of elaborate explanation/ excuse on hand or just man up and support your team!

Joined: 07/14/2009

MGoPoints: 79

spider

November 19th, 2009 at 3:35 PM ^

So if we pull the upset, I can then watch to see the beauty. I do understand from the other posts, that I need to watch the game in order to look myself in the mirror and call myself a true fan. Thank you everyone for your words of wisdom and encouragement. I will actually turn the volume up higher now, and watch on my 52 inch plasma, in HDTV, which actually makes me feel like I am on the field. I will put on my Mich gear, and pace the living room, anticipating the next tackle.....

Joined: 11/12/2009

MGoPoints: -512

BBA1994

November 19th, 2009 at 3:27 PM ^

I am excited about this game and yet very nervous about it at the same time. My kids have basketball games all morning so I will miss the game on TV. Frankly, I'm glad to be missing it. I can't wait to get home and have all of my nerves quickly erased (for the good or bad) with a one-second review of the scoreboard scrolling across the TV. If UM wins I'll find out when ESPN will be replaying the game. If UM loses I'll just go out to my garage, enjoy the 70 degree weather and drink my beer until I start feeling better.

Joined: 10/19/2009

MGoPoints: 217

Jayme in MN

November 19th, 2009 at 7:01 PM ^

Would I get any points back if I told you said 15 year old plays a solid linebacker at one of the Powerhouse MN High schools (hint: brought James Laurinaitis and the Barber brothers to the football world). And, that I could possibly influence his decision to attend Michigan? Would I be back in your good graces again?

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 260

aawolve

November 19th, 2009 at 3:30 PM ^

You should take more enjoyment from the game itself, the despair of a loss shouldn't last nearly as long as the glow of a win. College football is for fun, if you're a UM fan you won't be able to resist. I hope you didn't miss the '08 Cap One Bowl too.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: -1649

Other Chris

November 19th, 2009 at 3:31 PM ^

So maybe you don't love Michigan football like you think you do. Maybe you love Michigan winning. Personally, I care more about the team through its struggles the past couple of seasons than I did in 1997. Everyone loved Michigan football then, so I didn't have to love it as much.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1219

JC3

November 19th, 2009 at 3:35 PM ^

Like Magnus said, these types of posts really get on my nerves sometimes. Yeah, it really sucks to see the school you love lose at football. But it's only a game my friend. Life, for most of us, goes on after Michigan plays. What's worse is that people think their feelings supersede those of the players. I get up for work everyday, drive downtown, and do my job, and though I'm not real happy about it, I consider myself lucky. These kids dedicate their entire lives to football. They lift and run and do drills all year around to get ready to play, then work their asses off week after week only to be judged by idiotic journalists and ignorant fans. And yet people still say it's hard on them to watch a game that most of them haven't played since high school? I might pound my head into the wall when Kovacs gets burned deep or Ezeh can't fill a gap, but I'm still going to cheer my ass off for this team on Saturday. It's the least we can all do.

Joined: 07/17/2009

MGoPoints: 1351

tdumich

November 19th, 2009 at 3:31 PM ^

hang in there and don't give up. as long as there is one kid on Michigan's team that exhibits the heart that brandon graham does i know i'll keep watching and cheering.

Joined: 11/07/2009

MGoPoints: 132

jtmc33

November 19th, 2009 at 3:33 PM ^

Fear and expectation of losing is taking it's toll. 3-9 last year, 5-6 this year, 0-6 in our last (real) games, 0-5 against OSU since '04. Definately dark clouds. BUT.... if we win, if UM pulls this out, just think about how great it would be. Hope. The promise of the future starting on Saturday. Believe my friend. Get excited!!!

Joined: 04/15/2009

MGoPoints: 10091

Raback Omaba

November 19th, 2009 at 3:34 PM ^

I know people on the team. They hear the radio, read the newspaper and watch tv - they know what people say about them, their coaches and the program. The sweat, bleed, cry and feel just like you and I, and I can assure you that they are just as emotionally drained as all of us. Watch the game and cheer them on because they deserve it. They put in just as much work and practice as our 1997 national championship team did. It doesn't show up in the W-L column, but they are a good football team. They deserve the support and vote of confidence. Don't give up on your program man...a true Michigan Man would never do that. Support these guys. They will make us proud on Saturday. I know they have already made me proud.

Joined: 03/07/2009

MGoPoints: 1629

jmcwannab

November 19th, 2009 at 3:35 PM ^

Why would you even put this post up? You don't care? Then get off the message board. You are such a Debbie Downer, wow! The only possible reason I could see this post going up is for attention. Were you one of those kids that ran around everywhere yelling "look at me! look at me!" This game is not about you and your depression. At this juncture this team needs its fans more than ever and you are just going to turn away? Stay positive. If you go to the game then scream, cheer, and yell until ever ounce of your voice is gone. If you are not going to the game then pump up your friends that are. Do what you need to do in order to support Michigan this week. As Rich would say, "If you can't get fired up to practice and play this week, something is wrong with you."

Joined: 04/16/2009

MGoPoints: 20

Section 1

November 19th, 2009 at 4:08 PM ^

I understand your thinking. You are playing the odds. Avoidance of a disappointment, which happens to be the likely outcome. In a sense, Michigan is "your" team because you favor them and would like them to win. But in your case, it has little more meaning than if I bet on the Number 3 horse in the Fifth Race at Belmont, I'd be a "fan" of that horse. Here is what you will miss, by being that kind of fan. You will miss the possibility (and it is only a possibiilty, of course) that you might be at no less than the greatest game in Michigan history since 1969. Many of my fellow Michigan fans have suffered with me through the infamous tie game, the embarassing game in Columbus last year, and tough losses when both teams were undefeated, ranked in the top 10, and with a Rose Bowl berth on the line. Then again, I the 1976 game in Ohio Stadium, a 22-0 shellacking of the Buckeyes, when they began to talk about the need to 'fire Woody,' and the game when Thom Darden busted up a huge pass and Woody tore up the down marker. I saw Charles Woodson electrify the country in 1997. And I saw Woody's last game in Columbus, their dispiriting 14-3 loss to Michigan in 1978. (Woody, I am certain, was going to be history no matter what had happened in the Gator Bowl.) You'll be safe if the Vegas guys are correct about the line in this year's game. But if you've guessed wrong, and if Michigan upsets a Buckeye team that really thinks they cannot lose on Saturday, in their retro uniforms, then you will have missed the game of a lifetime. Literally, the game of a lifetime.

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 16535

DesHow21

November 19th, 2009 at 3:40 PM ^

saying we are going to get our asses handed to us...but there is NO EFFING WAY I am missing a single minute of the game. *when* we win THE GAME (this year or the next) I will have earned the right to celebrate. Fair weather losers like you are a disgrace and are NOT welcome on the bandwagon once we have it rolling at high speed.

Joined: 07/29/2008

MGoPoints: 1561

might and main

November 19th, 2009 at 3:41 PM ^

It's an emotional release. The man is overwhelmed. I've been there; I assume most of us who love M have been there recently. But still, to the OP, I say: buck up man! We need you. You're right, the anti-RR masses are infuriating. But eff them! Stay with the rest of us, we'll pull you up when you need it! M football will be back. These will be remembered as the times when the team fought and fought and never gave up, re-established the tradition through nothing other than will power, commitment and sweat! Stay with them in these down times and they will reward you!

Joined: 11/18/2008

MGoPoints: 2734

Feat of Clay

November 19th, 2009 at 4:59 PM ^

I get where the OP is coming from, and I would defend him against charges like "Fair Weather Fan." Clearly the OP has stuck through a lot and he doesn't appear to be ready to stop rooting for U-M anytime soon. BUT while I understand what he's feeling, I think writing it out and posting it here goes against the grain. It's a board dedicated to M football. We're ALL wincing through the hard times. Why do we need to read an account (however poignant) about a fan who is throwing in the towel (even if just for an afternoon)? I am sure he's not the only person who decided not to watch Saturday. But I don't wanna hear about that when I'm at MGoBlog. So sorry, dude. Nice piece of writing but I'd rather have found it on livejournal, not where we all come to lick our wounds and support each other through the drought. If I can mix some metaphors.

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 3759

strafe

November 19th, 2009 at 3:51 PM ^

OP: Please, please stop being a Michigan fan. It is obvious you don't have the strength of character to stand by something you love when it is struggling. If you cannot do something as undemanding as support a sports team you like which requires nothing more than some words of encouragement and positive thoughts, I think it is safe to say the rest of us do not want you here.

Joined: 08/12/2009

MGoPoints: 1402

spider

November 19th, 2009 at 3:52 PM ^

Because everyone has a differnet opinion. Some think this post is completely self serving, others think it is necessary to vent some feelings, and others think it is completely negative and unacceptable. I love the controversy!

Joined: 11/12/2009

MGoPoints: -512

Sgt. Wolverine

November 19th, 2009 at 3:56 PM ^

In my dreams last night, OSU beat Michigan 62-21. Naturally, since it happened in my dream, it certainly won't happen in reality. Also: earlier this week I was wearing a Michigan sweatshirt, and somebody made a comment about it. My response was something I've said before: if you're not going to be a proud fan through the hard times, you shouldn't get to enjoy the good times. This has been a brutal couple of years for Michigan football fans, but I'll continue to watch the games, and I'll continue to wear the colors. Good times are coming again, and I want to be able to enjoy every last moment.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3742

Wendyk5

November 19th, 2009 at 3:57 PM ^

Reading this blog, especially on days like this, is hilarious. There would be no mgoblog without Michigan football, and it certainly wouldn't be this entertaining (e.g. back rack) if everything was smelling like roses. Win or lose, there's a lot to love about Michigan football. There's the uni's and the helmets and the fight song and the stadium and GAME DAY and the drum line and the band and the players who we all feel we know personally now and Ann Arbor and Blimpyburgers and the great history that is Michigan football, and the promise of what Michigan football will look like once we get back on track. Win or lose, GO BLUE!!

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 68561