Would you rather?
Disclaimer: This is a “silly” hypothetical that’s not meant to be taken too seriously; rather, the purpose is to pass time during submarine week (weeks? month?). I acknowledge that this is overly simplistic and just one possible iteration for how the season may transpire. Obviously, there are scenarios we would much prefer to both alternatives, but I think it's a genuine tough call between the two given.
I was having an interesting discussion with a fellow Wolverine (and a Spartan) about what the Michigan fan base would rather have in their first season of Harbaugh:
- a strong record and a chance at a New Year’s Six bowl, but with losses to both rivals at home
OR
- a fairly decent, but not great, record with a huge upset win over one rival (without specifying which).
In order to make this plausible and succinct, I present two records to consider:
10-2 vs. 8-4
The reason I picked 8-4 as the comparison is that I think 9-3 is not a significant enough difference to make this challenging. Furthermore, if we go 6-6 or worse there is not a realistic chance we would beat either MSU or OSU. (this isn't a "10-2 vs 2-10" impossible scenario).
Frankly, I did struggle a bit between choosing 7-5 and 8-4, but in the end I figured there would be more, "of course we'd take 10-2 over 7-5!!!" than people saying, "of course we'd take 8-4 w/ OSU over 10-2!!!" Also, I personally think that in general 8-4 is a more likely season outcome than 7-5 so I decided to stick with it. Let me know if I was wrong/if 7-5 would have been a more challenging comparison.
Lastly, the reason that I’m saying a win over only one rival is not because I think that there is no chance we beat both (trust me, I do think that’s definitely a possibility), but I believe that if we beat both we will have at least 10 wins anyways so the comparison would be moot.
Well, Wolverine fans, what do you think? What would be your considerations/rationale?
August 13th, 2015 at 3:02 PM ^
I'll take the win over a rival.
August 13th, 2015 at 5:32 PM ^
August 13th, 2015 at 6:28 PM ^
I'm far more tempted by the 8-4 scenario if the rival is Ohio. Sorry Sparty, but that's still #1 and would make a bigger statement about the program nationally.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:02 PM ^
August 13th, 2015 at 3:04 PM ^
would you rather have WD give you a sponge bath while reading you the Field Hockey Superguide, or be in the ring for 2 rounds with Ronda Rousey?
August 13th, 2015 at 3:06 PM ^
Would you rather have John Stamos spoon feed you Oikos, or have John Stamos spoon feed you a lot of Oikos?
August 13th, 2015 at 3:07 PM ^
and you have a deal.
-D. Brandon
August 13th, 2015 at 3:10 PM ^
This is an Oikos retail activation, sorry.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:13 PM ^
This message has been brought to you by Oikos. Sponsoring all John Stamos activities since 2012
August 13th, 2015 at 3:47 PM ^
I believe the most recent Oikos ads have featured Cam Newton - he may take over for Stamos in the campaign, but he shall never replace Stamos. After all, how do you top a spokesperson who showed off boxers in an Oikos-themed print on Good Morning America? I don't know that you do really.
August 13th, 2015 at 4:27 PM ^
All activities you say, so does it work well as a lube?
August 13th, 2015 at 3:11 PM ^
And it isn't close.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:15 PM ^
What's this "2nd round" you speak of?
August 13th, 2015 at 3:15 PM ^
you mean dungeon, I'm all for that. I'll probably have to invest in better restraints though, she looks pretty strong.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:18 PM ^
I'll take the Sponge Bath from Rhonda Rousey. Wait what, I don't read well.
/s/ Cardale Jones ..
August 13th, 2015 at 3:19 PM ^
August 13th, 2015 at 3:26 PM ^
Rousey. I wonder if I'd still find her hot when she's kicking my ass...Yeah still will.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:43 PM ^
Why can't I have both? (I guess the spongebath might be best second, since I'd be sweaty and unconscious.)
August 13th, 2015 at 3:45 PM ^
I'd only last 30 seconds with Rousey and then want a sandwich before round two.
Oooooh, you mean a fight with Rousey...I'd still take the beating
August 13th, 2015 at 3:53 PM ^
MLIVE post of the day.
Go back to your shanties.
August 13th, 2015 at 4:48 PM ^
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August 13th, 2015 at 5:25 PM ^
Sponge from Rousey and in the ring with WD.
Fixed?
August 13th, 2015 at 7:07 PM ^
Rousey. To see if I could last longer than that dumb Brazilian gal.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:04 PM ^
Double post - but right now, give me a bowl game. It will do more this year to getting the momentum rolling
August 13th, 2015 at 3:17 PM ^
meh
I'd think beating MSU and/or OSU would do the same or give even more momentum. Let's be honest - outside of the what used to be known as BCS bowls and national title game, bowl games are fairly meaningless. It's much more important to beat the rivals than win a bowl game.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:21 PM ^
a ten win season on a Bowl Chosen Bowl or whatever would be so much better for us going forward than beating one rival. Especually if we won that bowl game.
August 13th, 2015 at 4:28 PM ^
It did wonders for us in 2011, right?
I'd think beating OSU would do the most for our momentum going forward, what with the national championship, reliving 1969, and all of that. Also, it should mean that we're improving as the season goes on. I'd take 8-4 with a win over OSU over 10-2 without, especially since the B1G is weak enough that the best win of that 10-2 season would be... Utah? Penn State? Who knows how good those teams are going to be.
August 13th, 2015 at 5:27 PM ^
It did pretty well from a recruiting standpoint. I have a feeling Harbaugh will do a lot more with top 5 classes than Hoke did.
August 13th, 2015 at 5:51 PM ^
I absolutely agree. 8-4 with a win over the reigning national champion OSU on the last weekend of the season would be the story of the year (1969 all over again). That's much preferable to 10-2 and another loss to the Bucknuts.
I don't live in Michigan so the 8-4 with a win over Sparty isn't as attractive to me. That case is more of a tossup. Probably the bowl we'd get with 10-2 would make me chose that option.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:04 PM ^
August 13th, 2015 at 3:05 PM ^
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August 13th, 2015 at 3:06 PM ^
I choose national championship, is that an option?
August 13th, 2015 at 3:16 PM ^
Harbaugh!
August 13th, 2015 at 3:06 PM ^
The Harbaugh does not accept your premise. We will beat both rivals.
Negged for not being a jackhammer.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:30 PM ^
The OP probably drinks that candy-ass two-percent milk.
August 13th, 2015 at 5:00 PM ^
Fantastic response. I'm gonna go over to my PC and login solely to upvote you. EDIT: Done.
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August 13th, 2015 at 3:13 PM ^
August 13th, 2015 at 3:21 PM ^
You underestimate the Michigan fanbase. The NY6 bowls would love to have us with a 10-2 record just because of the revenue Michigan would bring. I mean, if we look at it objectively, that was one of the reasons we were in the Sugar Bowl in 2011. There were teams that were probably more deserving than either Michigan or Virginia Tech, but our revenue potential pushed us ahead.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:33 PM ^
August 13th, 2015 at 3:47 PM ^
Of the 8 teams selected last year, 5 went 10-2 (or worse) in the regular season (Michigan State, Mississippi State, Arizona, Georgia Tech and Ole Miss, the last of which was only 9-3).
Assuming we lose to a 13-0 Big Ten Champion, reigning national champion OSU and an 11-1 MSU, I think it would be highly plausible we are included (unless they both absolutely blow us out, which I am not assuming). Especially given the size of our fanbase and the media hype Harbaugh would generate.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:50 PM ^
August 13th, 2015 at 4:25 PM ^
Fair enough. 11-2 Wisconsin certainly could keep 10-2 Michigan out of the NY6. In that case I think they would put the team in that played OSU more closely (unless UW nearly defeats Alabama which I view as highly unlikely).
Anyways, the point wasn't that 10-2 Michigan would be a NY6 lock, but they would very likely at least be in the conversation.
August 13th, 2015 at 4:36 PM ^
August 13th, 2015 at 3:13 PM ^
This used to be a thread on MSu boards for years on end. Except it would be "6-6 and beat Michigan or 9-3 and lose to them". I hate how roles have reversed.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:15 PM ^
Decent season with a win or two over the rivals. I'd prefer OSU, but would take MSU, of course.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:15 PM ^
I'd take 8-4. I was all set to take the losses against rivals becuase I'm already preparing myself for that (depressingly likely) scenario...then I saw the final records you were proposing. I've already decided I'd be happy with an 8-4 season for Harbaugh year 1, and if that includes a win over a rival I'd be quite happy.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:18 PM ^
I also have a Boston Terrier.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:21 PM ^
August 13th, 2015 at 3:40 PM ^
Upvote for the Boston brother.
Mine's the greatest farting, wheezing, ball-chasing buddy I've ever had.