Just a Bump in the Road...
For those of you who think this loss means that we are taking a step or two back or that we've somehow veered into a ditch, let me remind you of how much progress we have made.
Last year, on this date, we just got out of a win against PSU (18-13) with a record of 3-4 and that only momentarily slowed the end of the Hoke/Brandon years. We felt down and out as a fan base and we weren't sure how many years it would take to go back to being a winning team. A team that other teams were afraid of playing and that forced opposing coaches to use every trick in the book to game plan against.
As you know, the very next game at this point last year was that MSU team where we stood no chance and got laughed off the field in a 35-11 blowout. We were 3-5 at that moment with losses to ND, Utah, Minnesota, Rutgers and MSU.
Fast forward one year. We lose to MSU on a game that we should have won. We are 5-2 and instead of feeling like we are heading towards a 5-7 year, our fan base feels that we are headed to a 8, 9 or even 10 win season. That is a seismic shift in just one year and our wins have been impressive while our losses have been incredibly close heartbreakers.
In just one year, our team feels that they are in control of their own destiny and I know Coach Harbaugh has them believing that it will only get better.
When we get pushed down, let's stand up and realize how far we've come and how hard our team has worked to get us here. They need our support and our fan base needs our support. Don't let one flukey play define our season. We have a lot to fight for and we are building a strong foundation for the future Harbaugh years.
Go Blue!
Sincerely yours in football.
October 18th, 2015 at 4:23 AM ^
There's still plenty of football to be played. The season will be over before we know it. Let's try to enjoy it while it lasts. The best mouthwash is a win, let's get the next W. Go Blue!
October 18th, 2015 at 5:30 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 5:30 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 6:00 AM ^
Exactly. The fact that we were in a position to win the game - compare that to the last what, 7-8 UM/MSU games?
The fact most people here were thinking Michigan was going to win against a top ten opponent should tell you a lot in terms of how improved this team is.
I fully expect Minnesota to get its butt kicked in two weeks, and Michigan to roll over Indiana and Rutgers. PSU might be a fight. Maybe. Then a tough challenge w/Ohio.
October 18th, 2015 at 6:21 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 7:55 AM ^
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October 18th, 2015 at 6:36 AM ^
If you truly believe that, then may I suggest not visiting any sports websites for the next 3 weeks. It'll be more than demoralizing for you.
It's more than a loss...it's an epic loss!
October 18th, 2015 at 6:52 AM ^
I can take a flukey loss. Flukey wins make me nervous.
October 18th, 2015 at 7:03 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 7:09 AM ^
If we didn't have to deal with their bandwagon dim wit fans at work and family gatherings throughout the year, I doubt people would be nearly as upset on here as they are. It wasn't a good loss because those don't exist, but it was acceptable and might end up helping the progress of the long term trajectory. So many things had to go exactly right for a them to win at they end and they all did. That's fluke luck. Nothing more.
October 18th, 2015 at 7:13 AM ^
I agree with the original poster. I will take the pain and misery over apathy. Last year, it was so bad I just quit caring. This year hurts more but is way better if that makes any sort of sense.
October 18th, 2015 at 7:53 AM ^
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October 18th, 2015 at 7:30 AM ^
The biggest change is not the record. The biggest under the Harbaugh era is that from top to bottom there is an energy and fight about the team.
OK,this is not a team of destiny, but as I have talked myself hoarse and typed my fingers raw, this was a team the FANS and pundits all thought would be 7-5 or 8-4. They are now 5-2 and have plenty of football left to play. They'll still be the favorites against every team on the schedule except OSU, so keep our heads up and stay positive.
Did you notice that Harbaugh BEFORE the game didn't worry about the "impact" of the game. He comes from the NFL where you have to move on and keep focus on the next game.
This IS a turn around year, but winning it all was never a realistic expectation despite the hypemongering.
Go Blue!
October 18th, 2015 at 8:41 AM ^
Last year when MSU beat us, I honestly didn't give a shit. Went into that game expecting the team to get completely de-pantsed, and low and behold, that's what happened. I just shrugged and uttered a simple "meh" with every Gardner sack, pick, and Sparty TD. I didn't care because I felt like there was no reason to have any form of hope as long as Brady Hoke coached the team.
Harbaugh will accomplish great things here, but he was never going to have a playoff contender in year one. Every path to the top of the mountain is filled with challenges and setbacks. It's how you respond to them that defines what you'll become as a team. Let's be thankful that Harbaugh is here and our program is under his watchful eyes. Would we rather have the alternative of Brady Hoke: a game that's over the moment the two teams step on the field? Widespread apathy? A half full student section?
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October 18th, 2015 at 9:19 AM ^
Honestly, I'm not mad about yesterday's loss. We won that game and gave up a once-in-a-lifetime-every-few-years kind of fluke. In a season where we are still rebuilding against a team that has dominated us for a long time. It sucks, but it bodes well for our future. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good; welcome to football.
And when we go into EL next year, you know that Harbaugh is going to crush them with no mercy.
October 18th, 2015 at 9:31 AM ^
Gotta say I agree with Tater on this one--in two ways:
1. Age gives a much different perspective on the "agony" of 20 year olds losing a football game. I want them to win very much, but some kids made boo-boos and they lost. They will, however, be the class of the B1G in a year or two. Vengance will be sweet. :)
2. I think the big difference in this game was the quarterbacks. MSU had an NFL-caliber guy who made key throws at critical times. Our guy isn't that good. He is amazingly better than what I thought the QB situation would be this year, but isn't going to be high draft pick.
Silly fumbles aside, it's clear this team is light years ahead of where one could have hoped--and it's looking really good for the future.
PS. I still think the Kordell Stewart pass is the most heartbreaking loss that I've seen. This is close, but that was worse.